Attorney Bates.

I read the letter in the February 15 News about Aaron Bates, who needs a personal assistant to practice law. I agree completely Bates deserves the opportunity to practice law and contribute, but I cannot agree that the state ought to be the one to help him.

All too often the answer to personal problems is pushed off on "the state." What Bates needs to have his chance as a lawyer is for those of us in the profession he wants to enter to appreciate his pluck and accomplishments by writing a check to help pay for his assistant. If every lawyer who contributes to political and judicial candidates would send $100 of their contributions to the Bar to pay for Bates' personal assistant, there would be more than enough. I'll start the fund with $1,000.

Any other lawyers out there with a heart?

Gary Gerrard

Lexington, GA

I could not help but notice how two articles in the February 15 News interrelate. The articles attributing high turnover in the state attorney and public defender offices due to low pay and on attorney Aaron Bates being forced to be homebound with muscular dystrophy...