Transportation referendum: New ideas, teamwork needed to move ahead
The T-SPLOST’s fate leaves this metro in search of a transportation “Plan B.” The 2-to-1 margin of defeat July 31 led us to turn over today’s page and add another to allow both leaders and average readers to address what’s next and how do we pay for it? We all have a stake in the answers.
Work toward solutions continues
By Nathan Deal
The rejection of T-SPLOST in the metro Atlanta region closes a chapter, but it doesn’t close the book on improving our transportation infrastructure. While voters showed there’s deep disagreement about the best way forward, there’s consensus that we must keep working to ease congestion and get Georgians moving more quickly.
The law that created T-SPLOST was passed before I took office, but I supported it as the best solution we had available to update our transportation corridors. The voters said decisively we should go another way, and we will.
A quarter of Georgia’s regions, convinced that the benefits outweighed the costs, will benefit from having a plan to improve transportation, one that can be marketed to businesses looking to invest and bring jobs. Nine regions were not convinced that the referendum was the right tradeoff and must consider what the path forward should look like. The mixed result is workable, and I will partner with every Georgian to bring the right kind of needed local transportation solutions.
While there were many worthwhile projects in the T-SPLOST, there are many other projects already in progress where work will continue. For example, two reversible managed lanes on I-75 south and north of Atlanta and improvements on Ga. 400 are moving forward.
Georgia has made great investments in infrastructure for over two centuries. We don’t rise or fall on a single vote. We maintain our transportation network far better than most. We value home rule and our low-tax and business-friendly state. We want government to do only what it must, but do it well.
In that vein, our transportation network must perform well. We must focus on reliability to see gains in productivity and an enhanced quality of life.
We will benefit by looking at transportation as a utility. Turn on a faucet or plug in an appliance, and we’re confident that the water or energy will flow. But travel to work in the morning or rely on just-in-time delivery of raw materials, and we’re less confident about the outcome. To remain competitive, we can’t remain this way. We must set new priorities to get better outcomes. We must make the network perform better with existing and declining funding sources. We must be very strategic in making new investments.
Together, we have successfully addressed challenges — HOPE, criminal justice, tax reform. I am open to new ideas and look forward to working with leaders across the state to solve this problem. Together, we will address our transportation challenges by assessing where we are and confidently moving forward to create a more reliable and competitive transportation network.
Nathan Deal is governor of Georgia.
Put funding back where it belongs
By Shirley Franklin
The T-SPLOST’s failure can’t deter us from making big, bold plans. The solution has to make sense to voters, address their priorities and be fair for Atlanta, Fulton and DeKalb county voters and MARTA.
Nothing will change for the better without:
A comprehensive regional plan: We already have the basic backbone for a regional rail and bus system. It is MARTA. The state could expand MARTA’s authority, incorporating the power and authority of GRTA and designate state funding for the expansion, creating a new 10-county regional entity. Long-range plans need to incorporate light rail and an intra-county bus system in suburban counties.
The governor’s leadership: We cannot fail to define our region’s future through lack of vision or fear of unpopularity. A regional system cannot be built until the governor and state legislative leaders face their obligations to invest in quality of life infrastructure for over 5 million Georgians living in metro Atlanta. Local elected officials are essential partners, but the leadership is best suited for the governor, who needs a strong metro Atlanta economy as a foundation for a strong state economy.
Tax fairness: Atlanta, Fulton and DeKalb residents have rightly grumbled about tax fairness. If MARTA authority is expanded into 10 counties and the state funds the regional system, the benefits to Fulton, DeKalb and Atlanta residents and voters are clear. For instance, with state funding for a regional system, the current one-cent MARTA tax can be granted an early sunset. With 50 percent of the budget off limits for daily MARTA operations, state law has set MARTA up for failure as Atlanta and the metro region grow.
Funding: No one likes new taxes, but all options should be on the table. A revision of the gas tax laws to allow spending for public transit really is a “no brainer.” Having one of the lowest gas taxes in the nation isn’t a badge of honor in this case. Parking fees are another option. A sales tax is regressive; it hits the lowest wage earners the hardest. However, we can somewhat offset the impact by exempting food and medicine. The one-cent sales tax has to be put back on the table and it has to be fair — everyone should pay for a regional system.
Without vision and leadership, metro Atlanta cannot remain the economic engine of Georgia and Georgia’s economic recovery will continue to lag the national economic recovery.
Shirley Franklin was Atlanta’s mayor, 2002-10.
Seven Steps Toward Recovery
A.J. Robinson
We haven’t felt this bad since 2008. when a tornado tore through downtown. But we survived, picked up the pieces and got back to business as usual. Four years later, we’re in the wake of another temporary setback and our only choice is to get on with the job of thinking about the future in a positive, innovative way.
Here are seven observations to consider as we work to solve the region’s transportation issues:
1) Change is difficult, and bold change is darn near improbable. We need to be more receptive to bold ideas and take some risks, or else we’ll be spinning in place for generations to come. Kudos to those who had the courage to step up and do the right thing for the region.
2) Regionalism needs to be defined in a different way when discussing transportation. Almost 250,000 people voted in favor of the referendum, but most reside in and around the city of Atlanta. Perhaps that group should take the lead in solving their own priorities, then ask interested political bodies to join in.
3) People in the region complain about traffic congestion, but their distrust of government and concern for their own economic well-being, are much bigger problems.
4) The distrust of state government in Georgia is real but is misplaced when it comes to transportation. There is no evidence of over-budgeted projects or bridges to nowhere. In fact, the state didn’t build the interstate highway system, the airport (the city did that with airline revenue) or the freight rail lines. The state makes no investment in MARTA, and we have one of the lowest gas taxes in the country, so what’s the beef with state government?
5) The project list was a hard sell. The list was pretty remarkable for those intimately involved in infrastructure work but complicated and too large for most people to grasp. Next time, let’s keep it simple.
6) The business community is alive and well and will continue to push Atlantans and their governments toward solutions to traffic, water, public education and job creation. There is an old axiom in business that says, “If you don’t grow, you die …” If we don’t get our hands around these issues, we can’t grow, period. So, reports that the business community will stop caring about these big issues are unfounded. Our commitment is stronger than ever.
7) Lastly, to Augusta, Columbus and the heart of Georgia region, our hats go off to you for getting it done. We hope to learn something about regionalization from your success.
So, back to the proverbial drawing board. Let’s keep the faith. It’s always dark before the dawn!
A.J. Robinson is president of Central Atlanta Progress
Must keep focus on fixing traffic congestion
By Edward Lindsey
Many of us supported the T-SPLOST, but tens of thousands more opposed it. Nevertheless, our transportation problems have not and will not magically disappear, and most people on both sides of the July 31 vote understand this reality and the seriousness of the crisis we face.
Urban areas – even historically great ones like metro Atlanta – are perpetually either in a period of growth and greater prosperity or steady decline. There is no standing still. We either attack our problems head-on and make a better future for ourselves and our children today, or we sit back and watch our past successes slip away into the history books.
Metro Atlanta commuters have one of the worst commutes in the nation. This translates into more time in our cars and less time for work, home and play. It also wastes on average in fuel for each of us over $900 per year sitting in traffic. Atlanta is ranked 91st out of 100 among major metro regions for access to transit. Major business prospects rank our transportation difficulties as one of their major concerns about relocating here, and our inability to address this problem will only further aggravate their concerns.
Make no mistake, we are not spendthrifts in Georgia. We rank 49th in the nation in overall per capita state spending, and have one of the lowest overall state government tax rates in the country (45th). Over the past four years, we have further reduced our state spending by billions of dollars since the beginning of the Great Recession. These facts demonstrate our fiscal conservatism and are responsible for us having a very rare AAA state bond rating (higher than the federal government’s). Nevertheless, we must understand that while government cannot and should not ever be involved in everything, transportation — along with education and public safety — is an area where government needs to roll up its sleeves and get it right.
Therefore, there is no time to mourn or celebrate about what happened on July 31st regardless of which side you were on. Both sides now need to focus on where we go from here.
Elected officials need to hear from you and other metro residents. So start communicating. Today is for you to talk and for policymakers like me to listen. How do we overcome the extreme mistrust that divides us and come together to fix this traffic noose around our necks?
You and I must answer this question and start moving forward again together. I look forward to your suggestions.
State Rep. Edward Lindsey, R-Atlanta, is Georgia House Majority Whip.
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34 comments Add your comment
Bernie
August 10th, 2012
8:41 pm
This Commentary presented is a good start. We have heard from the Governor, The Georgia & Atlanta Tea Party, Georgia Republican House Majority whip – R, Former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin -D, and The Sierra Club.
We have still YET to hear from other influential and important members whom are very much in deserving a seat at the Table of commentary. The Georgia NAACP, State Rep Vincent Fort – D, and Mr Evans of The Dekalb Chapter of the NAACP.
Surely, it has not been their desire “NOT” to provide a commentary in this PARTICULAR FORUM, Its because they have NOT been INVITED as participating
commentors by this EDITORIAL BOARD.
I call on this EDITORIAL BOARD to cease in choosing and picking sides this corporate entity 100% agrees and supports and open this forum up to OBJECTIVE and Honest reporting this State,City, and surrounding communities so desperately deserve.
There in lies the very problem as to why this and many other issues cannot be fairly resolved to benefit ALL of Georgia’s citizens. The picking and choosing of those to speak on behalf of the citizens by a HIDDEN hand from some Corporate entity as the AJC.
This Request should be given the seriousness WE ALL DESERVE.
We ALL succeed when WE succeed TOGETHER!
Bernie
August 10th, 2012
8:55 pm
The constant free flow of communication amount us-enabling the free interchange of ideas-forms the very bloodstream of our nation. It keeps the mind and body of our democracy eternally vital, eternally young.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
nmonroe25
August 10th, 2012
9:04 pm
Number one priority: fix the roads that bear the greatest burden and create the most congestion/disruption, i.e., 400/25, 20/285.
Without a doubt, there is a role for a regional plan. But, despite all the pie in the sky dreams, it must focus on roads first.
Second, we need a regional plan that is based in reality. T-SPLOST allocated more than 10 percent of its total revenue to a streetcar plan to nowhere, better known as the Beltline. This was an unsustainable, unnecessary, and a major factor in the public’s resounding defeat of the initiative. Create regional oversight for MARTA, with a clear mission to link major population areas with buses and, where feasible extensions of the current train system.
Third, fund this work with appropriate gas taxes. I’m a Republican, but I’m sick and tired of Tea Party idealogues resisting any and all taxes. There is simply no other way to adequately fund roads and roadwork; our gas tax structure does not reflect current gas costs and reality, and must be updated. This is the fically responsible thing to do, and it will benefit everyone.
Fourth, legislatively establish the tightest controls possible on contracts and spending. Lowest bid – period. If a minority or disadvantaged vendor wants the work, figure out a way to do it better and cheaper than the next guy. If someone abuses the system, punish them with the strongest possible sentences and banish them for life from ever working with/for state and local governments.
Let’s outline the key projects that will deliver the most immediate relief, fund them, and repeat. Sounds pretty simple…
Angus
August 10th, 2012
9:38 pm
nmonroe, that seems to be a well though-out and reasonable post, but I have to object to a couple of things.
10% of the TSPLOST (actually less than that) went to the Beltline for the COA which is about 10% of the population. And, that 10% of the population is virtually the only one that approved the TSPLOST. Why? Because that is what the COA needs and wants – inner city mobility. If you and others insist on ignoring the needs of COA residents by calling the Beltline a streetcar to nowhere (perhaps you’ve confused it with the Auburn Ave streetcar?), we’ll keep ignoring you – how far does that get us?
Also, I have no idea what you mean by “create regional oversight for MARTA.” We already have a state-controlled, do-nothing MARTOC that contributes nothing but restrictions on MARTA. If and when the “region” contributes to MARTA, the “region” can join in the oversight – until then, you absolutely have no say in MARTA’s affairs (for better or for worse.)
SAWB
August 11th, 2012
12:05 am
Yes, by all means let’s hear from the NAACP and Mr. Vinnie Fort. It seemed like what they wanted during the run up to T-SPLOST was an increase in taxes on OTP folks to build more transit for ITP folks while leaving their taxes unchanged. Now, I may very well have misread them, but…
SAWB
August 11th, 2012
12:07 am
The Legislature should get out of the business of meddling in MARTA’s affairs. Turn the management of MARTA over to Fulton and DeKalb counties and let them do whatever they wish with it.
Bug
August 11th, 2012
1:59 am
Go up in the air with the down town connector with only on and off ramps at each end for all traffic who does not wish to stop in Atlanta.
ND
August 11th, 2012
3:35 am
T-SPLOST would have had a better chance if it proposed four or five major projects that clearly would have made a big impact, rather than a hundred or so smaller ones that had questionable individual impact.
For example, a big reason for the traffic problems on the top end perimeter and 75 and 85 in the northern suburbs is the presence of trucks mixing with rush hour traffic. A project that would divert them from that route (something similar to the Northern Arc, or maybe separate truck lanes on the top end perimeter) would have worked.
A big reason for traffic on Atlanta’s city streets is that many of them are located in areas where they can’t be easily widened and there is no viable transit alternative for the people using them. Expansion of MARTA rail within the city limits and immediately adjoining areas to connect more population and employment centers within the city would have addressed this problem.
A frequent complaint about public transit from many people in the suburbs is that it doesn’t take them where they want to go fast enough to make it a viable alternative to driving. A suburban commuter rail system, separate from MARTA, with limited stops would offer such an alternative. Other cities, even those with Atlanta-like sprawl, get this to work.
Really the only major projects on that list that would have created new transportation option were the Beltline and the MARTA line to Emory. Maybe if they had been a little more ambitious, both on the road side and the transit side, they would have garnered more support.
Nicholas J
August 11th, 2012
4:10 am
I find it so sad that many metro Atlantans have such lack of vision. They resist transit for some of the most ignorant reasons and then complain about the issues that happen when they do. Atlanta’s traffic problems will never be solvable through road improvement alone SIMPLY because at rush hour periods you’re trying to cram 2 million or so people onto the same roads.
In order to solve this issue you must provide alternatives to road transportation. People its like Former Mayor Franklin said, we need to stop worrying about unpopularity because it will get us no where. We need to accept the truth that roads will only place a temporary band-aid on the issue. Some people say we’re not dense enough. LA’s extremely dense and still has low ridership. Density has nothing to do with it, its about ridership and whether there are actually enough riders to justify a train system. Metro Atlanta has enough potential riders if the option were to be properly given to them. By placing small, possibly gated parking garages at each suburban light rail or heavy rail stop. You have a way for people to drive to the rail station and park, get on the train and be in the city within 25 minutes, vs an hour. They would spend 5 dollars to get to and from work, much less the price they’ll pay on gallons spent in a car. Ensure the safety of the transit stations because God knows the suburbanites will run from a shadow and there you have it. A cheap, safe, alternative to road transportation that would increase Marta’s ridership and advertising dollars which equal higher revenues. So its simple, they could be stubborn and just refuse to take the cheaper, time saving alternative or keep getting stuck in traffic and burning gas.
We could either embrace rapid transit or we could just keep paving roads and making roads which equal higher pollution, MORE traffic, and more congestion because unless we build a 30 land highway we’ll never keep up with the demand….
Out by the Pond
August 11th, 2012
7:19 am
First I question the severity of Atlantas traffic. It’s not that good but my rush hour commutes vs non rush hour commutes have not reveled that much difference in time. Ten additional minuets between East Cobb and Lilburn. 5 minuets between Perimiter Mall and East Cobb. The major time in suburban commutes is distance traveled more than congestion. The commute to downtown Atlanta today I’d faster than in 1965 prior to the interstate highway.
Metro Atlanta need some major fixes in it’s transportation infrastructure. We need a realistic tax to support it. Not a sales tax that weighs most heavily on the elderly and poor. The motor fule tax needs to be adjusted for the improved fuel economy of our present day cars. To equal the effective rate of 1975 the motor fule tax needs to be raised from $0.075 to $0.30. This will never happen but you have to accept that the GDOT will never be able to keep up when its hands are tied behind it’s back. There is no free lunch. We need to pay for the improvements we need and want. We need to raise the motor fuel tax.
Part of a MFT increase should be tied to a regional transportation system. Marta, Gerta, and all the other transportation kingdoms need to be consolidated under the Transportation Department, with planns that not only considers intra regional but inter regional needs. You can not achieve greatness by thinking small or acting parochial. I am suprised that the Atlanta region has come this far with it’s head buried so deep in the sand.
zeke
August 11th, 2012
9:06 am
First, the tax on gas charged to motorists, MUST ONLY BE SPENT ON ROADS AND BRIDGES, NEVER ON MARTA OR ANY OTHER NO MASS TRANSIT SCHEMES OF REDISTRIBUTION! iF SPECIFIC ROAD PROJECTS HAD BEEN LISTED AND IN SUCH A MANNER THAT THE MONEY COULD NOT BE DIVERTED, THE PLAN MAY NOT HAVE PASSED, BUT, WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE REALISTIC! I could be wrong, but, a plan listing the “outer loop” and several more direct route corridors probably would have passed. problem here is that the voters have a better more realistic idea of what would be a better system. You must move car and especially truck traffic without a destination around or inside the perimeter, AWAY FROM THAT AREA NOT INTO IT!!
An observer
August 11th, 2012
9:11 am
It is time to give this issue a rest for awhile. Enough of the same old arguments and unrealistic ideas.
Jack
August 11th, 2012
9:36 am
Go ride the trolley; that’ll help plan B.
george
August 11th, 2012
9:52 am
Comprehensive light rail and bus system in Fulton, DeKalb and Clayton. These counties pay for it, plan it, run it themselves, with support from State and Federal funds. Charge more to travel to and from end of the lines at neighboring counties so that “outsiders” have to pay their fair share to ride. Remove suburban counties from the decision making and funding. They all want to sit in their cars for two hours a day burning expensive gas.
Chip
August 11th, 2012
10:20 am
UNBELIEVABLE! The majority of taxpayers shout a loud, unmistakable “HELL NO!” at the polls, and still the Big Tax and Spenders whine and snivel for more of our dollars to burn on their idiotic boondoggles.
I don’t know which of the whiners in today’s column was the worst… I guess I’d have to say former Mayor Franklin takes the cake with her entitlement-mentality demands that the ongoing useless joke known as MARTA be forced into counties where it is not wanted, under the supervision of yet another multi-county “authority” that would be beyond accountability to the voters, funded by the state… meaning that the majority of Georgians who do NOT live in Atalnta would have to watch more of our hard-earned money thrown down the drain of a silly provincial Third World rated city that couldn’t govern its way out of a paper bag.
Unbelievable. Absolutely unbelievable. I guess this is the result of a wealthy society gone decadent… legions of people with nothing better to do than constantly scheme up ways to take what decent people work to earn.
Surge in gas prives
August 11th, 2012
10:31 am
This discussion should be linked to the another article … Gas prices spike. That article sites the current spike in the up and down dance of gas prices will cost the average family an extra $33 per month and not have an economic impact.
Applying this to Atlanta metro let’s say we have 2 million average families among our 5.5M population.
That results in $66 million extra dollars flowing out of the atlanta metro’s economy per month.
This contined ying yang up and down mysterious price swings do have an impact on the spending of families
Surge in gas prices sp
August 11th, 2012
10:39 am
Saturday morning spelling adventures – title intended to be prices
do = does in last sentence
Chris Sanchez
August 11th, 2012
1:10 pm
Well, this is an interesting mess isn’t it! With all due respect to Gov. Deal, our transportation network performs well now but there is more to be done. Perhaps a bold plan that would see $8 billion in spending on the problem and leave economic development for a separate discussion would pass. I certainly could have supported such a plan.
Former Mayor Franklin astounds with her approach assuming that MARTA is the answer. Perhaps if MARTA were a shining example of how a transit system should function people might have a different opinion of it. As it is, the value of MARTA as an important component for relief of traffic congestion is just about zero. Experts brought in from the Brookings Institute freely admit investment in transit is economic development and will not relieve traffic congestion. Still, since there is so much money at stake, here is MARTA ready to dine at the public trough. 2-1 the voters said “NO” Ms. Franklin. Assuming the sale in your discussions will not change that fact.
Robinson gives a different spin on the rhetoric from Mayor Franklin while Rep. Lindsey at least attempts to sound somewhat in the middle on this topic. News flash everyone: a comprehensive transportation plan will pass if:
a) a clearly defined project list is presented that will actually address traffic congestion (the previous project list did little to relieve congestion)
b) the projects on the list MUST be completed within the time frame the tax funding it is collected (the previous list would only be beginning when the ten years of funding expired leaving Georgians little choice but to renew it indefinitely)
c) transportation and economic development must be separated into two discussions. If supporters of MARTA want to see it expanded then make that case as a stand alone argument. Your own experts call it economic development and not relief of traffic congestion.
Georgians are willing to sacrifice for projects that will improve the state, the region and our lives. We are not willing to be willingly boondoggled with new taxes and spending that has little hope of addressing those things for which it was passed.
Senor Coughee
August 11th, 2012
4:44 pm
The first step is being able to trust our politicians. Following through on something NOT paid for by a lobbyist or without lobbyist input would be a start. Second step is to realize that MARTA is NOT the one and only answer. MARTA is nothing more than a vacuum, endlessly sucking in resources, and STILL not able to operate within a budget. Third….Trolley? Seriously? That alone cemented my NO vote on TSPLOST. It proved we could not trust our officials to do the right thing.
Senor Coughee
August 11th, 2012
4:46 pm
Question. How would a MARTA line between Five Points and Emory help the region?
Frankly
August 11th, 2012
9:09 pm
“Question. How would a MARTA line between Five Points and Emory help the region?”
Simpleee.
The Clifton Corridor, as it is called, is a major job center in the region with Emory, the CDC and the VA. It is the largest concentration of jobs in the region without transit or interstate access. Those jobs would be accessible by transit to 200,000 people according to ARC numbers.
Conservatism is a cult, Liberalism is a mental disorder,
August 11th, 2012
9:28 pm
“UNBELIEVABLE! The majority of taxpayers shout a loud, unmistakable “HELL NO!” at the polls, and still the Big Tax and Spenders whine and snivel for more of our dollars to burn on their idiotic boondoggles.”
Was it not a Republican DOMINATED legislature that produced this bill?
By the way, Georgia ranks 49th in per capita infrastructure spending. I guess we should shoot for 50th.
Deal loses re-election.
August 12th, 2012
12:01 am
Rake your regionalism and shove it where the sun doesn’t shine. Georgia has regions already. They are called counties. There is a reason many people have fled the high crime and poorly run counties of Fulton/Atlanta, Dekalb and Clayton. Stop chasing us to use our money to prop up the crooks and deadbeats in thos counties! The 2014 Gubernatorial primary will be hard fought and Deal will be kicked to the curb for the Democrat he truely is.
SAWB
August 12th, 2012
12:10 am
I believe the MARTA line to Emory was going to begin at the Lindberg Station not Five Points. The line would have run along existing railroad tracks across Cheshire Bridge and on to Clifton Road. It was one of the projects that might have actually had a positive impact, but it was very difficult to justify the cost.
Woody
August 12th, 2012
8:05 am
We need to make a jump here, and think ahead to the year 1220. We’ll get nowhere looking at current roads and designing ‘improvements’ to them. Can we not imagine?
Veteran Observer
August 12th, 2012
9:16 am
I have voted for every Splost for transportation and education since they began but I voted NO on this one because it was a money grab by folks like Ms Franklin and Mr Robinson! I live on Peachtree and ride Marta to special events downtown. I own companies in Marietta and Canton and would vote for a comprehensive transportation plan for the metro region which was not on the ballot! It is now time to create one! Step one phase out Marta! It has failed and everyone knows it! Without federal bailouts it wouldn’t be in operation now! The legislature needs to create a new Atlanta regional transportation authority with representation on the board determined by population by each political jurisdiction involved! For example Unincorporated Cobb County would have the same or greater representation as Atlanta City! Also, the emphasis needs to be on the suburban area which has been ignored for twenty years because there was no representation on the Marta board! A new board would create a comprehensive plan that the voters could support as they could see when each part would be built and eliminate duplication and waste with all the county bus lines! Yes an inter model terminal could be built, but a belt line trolley could wait for later after other areas have been addressed!
Mary Flanagan
August 12th, 2012
11:18 am
To improve traffic in the Metro Atlanta area, I believe we sholuld start with what we already have & add/improve. For example, take 285 the Perimeter roadway which becomes a parking lot during rush hour. Why not add MARTA rail? If a rail line circled the Perimeter with stategically placed rail stations, & use shuttle buses to get people to work & shopping much of the congestion could be aleviated. Often people don’t use MARTA because once they get to a needed station, they have no way to get to their destination. Another option to consider is to build the outer perimeter, minus the politics. Getting big rigs that are passing through the Metro area off 285, I-75 & I-85 would greatly improve local traffic. Not all employers can have their employees telecommute, but those who can should encourage the practice and stagger the days when employees must be in the office. T-SPLOST failed because the voters distrust politicians, regardless of party affiliation. Let’s get the work done. And PLEASE, no more studies of how to fix the traffic problem!! Enough money has been wasted on them.
Traniqua
August 12th, 2012
12:53 pm
“Taxpayers pay parking ticket, dry cleaning bill, booze for Beltline”
Now this. If you haven’t read today’s lead story @ the ajc home page by all means do so. See what you almost wound up paying for via T-SPLAT. Booze, kegs of beer, luxury resorts, the CEO’s parking tickets, dry cleaning tab and gifts for his wife. Just sickening.
Bernie
August 12th, 2012
2:48 pm
It seems, Atlanta’s Mayor’s Reed’s constant “CHEER-LEADING” of the BELTLINE PROJECT needs LESS CHEER-LEADING and MORE effective OVERSIGHT and EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT of the Taxpayors dollars than anything from the MAYOR’S OFFICE.
This is the primary issue of concern of ALL voters, when being asked for support of such projects. As always, the standard line and response, this time given by Council Member Felicia Moore, who chairs the city’s finance committee, said she’s “HOPEFUL” that the spending problems will lead to strong NEW POLICIES.”
“Hopefully, the lesson is learned and we won’t be going down this road again,”
We The PEOPLE, Need more than “HOPE”. We need effective LEADERS who
are capable of COMPETENT OVERSIGHT and MANAGEMENT of such programs to “INSURE” and “PREVENT” this type of behavior from occurring in the very BEGINNING. Strong and effective policies should have already been in place!
This is NOT the first time we have been to this DANCE! The Taxpayors have already experienced it many times before with the FRANKLIN, YOUNG, and JACKSON administrations going back some 30 odd years of City Of Atlanta FINANCIAL INCOMPETENCE!
For MS.Moore to make such a comment in her response, clearly shows her intentional indifference and concern with this matter and CANNOT be TRUSTED
that it will be CORRECTED. Ms. MOORE, “YOU” are part of the PROBLEM!
This is NOT a “NEW PROBLEM” at ALL!
Ms. Moore, Its PAST time ATLANTA has a NEW and effective CHAIRMAN of the city’s finance committee, if all she can DO is “HOPE” and implement NEW POLICIES.
Effective oversight By the Atlanta’s City Council members of the BELTLINE PROJECT and its MANAGEMENT, would prevent the delay of this discovery by an AUDIT to bring this issue to light! The money and damage has already been spent and done for MONTHS by the time of DISCOVERY by the AUDIT!
If, ANYONE here in the METRO AREA has any remaining ILLUSIONS and DELUSIONS as to why the T_SPLOST vote failed. All one has to do is to review this story and your answer will be before your EYES!
POLITICIANS will not and cannot provide COMPETENT and EFFECTIVE OVERSIGHT and MANAGEMENT of Taxpayors money on Big DOLLAR expenditures! Its just, NOT in their DNA!
Mayor REED, This is another in a long and growing example of why a second TERM for YOU, should not be UP for Consideration for MAYOR of this GREAT CITY!
I am SORRY!
No matter what, the Good Ole Boys at the DOME and the Corporate Masters of Atlanta, SAY to the contrary!
NEW and COMPETENT LEADERSHIP is WHAT the CITY OF ATLANTA, NEEDS more than ANYTHING ELSE!
Bernie
August 12th, 2012
2:58 pm
Forgive me for forgetting, The BILL CAMPBELL administration who was the worst OFFENDER of FiNANCIAL INCOMPETENCE by any city of Atlanta Mayor, prior to MAYOR REED! just a mere few years ago!
Jm
August 12th, 2012
3:13 pm
Double deck the perimeter and run Marta rail along the perimeter. Build the modified beltline plans proposed.
If the beltline won’t fly as part of a regional plan, use Atlanta taxes to fund it. If you’re an Atlanta resident, make it free (or a dime). If you’re not an Atlanta resident, charge $4 to use it.
Retired Vet
August 12th, 2012
6:14 pm
The TSPLOST has been voted down and we continue to gripe about it. The 2010 mid term election ushered in a new ear of “hell no” gripe for the sake of griping; my way or the highway; scream for the sake of screaming; we trust no politician. Keep it up. Anarchy is waiting backstage.
middleground
August 12th, 2012
8:22 pm
Atlanta can not even get citizens water bills corrected…………….millions paid out to lawyers/plantiffs for unfit sidewalks…………..Beltline lightrail that wasted 600 million when they could have used/leased natural gas run trolley cars…………Marta who is run by non-diversity employees with attitude.
We have sunk so low and the elected want more and more.
WeNeedAlternatives
August 12th, 2012
10:50 pm
Well, something will need to be done, someday.
For those that don’t like the Beltline – surprise … it’s being built anyway. I still can’t understand the incredible selfishness of the people that live in the bedroom communities, then clog the city during the day, and ultimately complain when something is proposed to help move the folks around intown. They wanted things to move them around their communities, so why not where they drive?
Hopefully one day, those folks will grow up and pay their way. Until then, the residents of the city will figure ways to get around on their own. Don’t expect the Atlanta residents to really care about the suburban commute as long as the commuters are unwilling to contribute to the region.
And for the ‘double deck’ concept – just remember – all double decks are bridges that require long term maintenance and expense. The city folk are tired of automobile pollution, and will fight that concept tooth and nail.