Sumter roads, education and gun registration should be focus

Sumter 2040: Sumter should get rid of all four-way stop signs. In 1986, there was a survey of four-way stop signs in South Carolina. It determined that it cost the motoring public more than $2,000 for each four-way sign. It cost 4.5 cents of wear per auto stop. It cost 3.5 cents in lost time. It caused speeding to make up for lost time. There is never a place for four-way stop signs. The same survey was conducted in the state of Georgia with same results. All the costs were for each year.

Sumter 2040: Sumter citizens make Sumter what it is, good or bad. Family and friends know who is committing the crimes and dealing drugs but don't tell. This makes them accessories to drugs and crime. People with knowledge should report this to the police. Sumter citizens could make Sumter a special place to live.

Sumter 2040: We need a law requiring the registration of all guns, much as we do automobiles. This would not take gun rights away, but we would know where the guns are. An unregistered gun would have a fine or jail time. It should not require a gun to be a man. Police officers should have guns with the technology that prevents anyone from firing his gun except him.

Sumter 2040: Sumter talks proudly about The Historic District, but West Hampton Avenue, the city has no responsibility for the street. Not the street, not the sidewalk, not the trees. Our taxes pay for "street sweepers," but the street is scheduled to be swept twice a year, whether it needs it or not. I understand that parking lots are swept "weekly." Most streets in Sumter seem to need resurfacing. How can "the powers to be" drive the streets and not see the problems?

Sumter 2040: South Carolina law should be changed to stop commercial advertising of prescription drugs and any other item that destroys health and contributes to the drug epidemic.Truth honesty is hard to find in Sumter especially in advertising. We will be told anything to sell us any product. Today it is impossible to determine the true value of anything. Nothing in life is free.

Sumter 2040: The schools in Sumter County are only heard of because of a sports team. Instead of sports, let's have the schools compete in knowledge and education. We need a "yard stick" in determining and evaluating each school and maybe, where changes are needed. Each school and teacher should be recognized for their accomplishments.

LEE INGLE

Sumter