Library money based on politics
UPDATED: When Republican Gov. Sonny Perdue recommended which communities would get money for new libraries, there was little political distinction in his choices.
He reviewed a list recommended by state library officials. Money went to communities represented by Republicans at the statehouse, and money went to cities represented by Democrats.
General Assembly politics changed all that.
In the budget that will be passed by the House Wednesday, $1.895 million to renovate the Rockmart Library, represented by Rep. Rick Crawford (D-Cedartown), got the ax. So did $2 million for design and construction at the central library in heavily Democratic DeKalb County. Another $2 million to design and construct a library in Athens, represented by Reps. Keith Heard (D-Athens) and Doug McKillip (D-Athens), was culled from the budget. $2 million for a library in Democrat Forest Park was gone.
Money was cut for a library in Republican Walton County as well, but that was because legislators said it wasn’t ready for construction yet.
What was added? Two libraries in Haralson County, represented by two Republican members of the House Appropriations Committee, Howard Maxwell (R-Dallas) and Mark Butler (R-Carrollton). About $1.8 million was added for a library in Greensboro, represented by House Appropriations vice chairman Mickey Channell (R-Greensboro). Another $2 million was added for a library in Lee County, a county represented by one Democrat and one Republican, both on the House Appropriations Committee.
The cuts impact the DeKalb County library that Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver (D-Decatur) grew up using.
“Library projects are always shifting,” said Oliver, who has served in the General Assembly much of the past two decades. “They are the projects everybody loves, people care about them. Our libraries are important and they are frequently funded based on political hierarchies.”
Oliver said the DeKalb County delegation would work to get the money put back into the budget.
House Appropriations Chairman Ben Harbin (R-Evans) denied the decision on libraries was purely partisan.
“It was not based on party, it was based on House priorities,” said Harbin. “We based it on what projects were ready to go.”
Republicans run the House, so “House priorities” generally means what the majority party wants. The same held true when Democrats ran the chamber before 2005.
Harbin said he didn’t know if some of the libraries cut out of the budget were ready to start construction or not. But the ones that were funded are, he said.
Powerful House members didn’t just get libraries in the budget.
Georgia State University got $17.6 million in the budget for two projects, including money for intramural fields. Downtown GSU is represented in the House by a Democrat. But it also is Republican House Speaker Glenn Richardson’s alma mater and his son works there.
Harbin wasn’t left out. Harbin is from a suburb of Augusta, and he is a big booster of Augusta’s Medical College of Georgia. The House budget adds $27 million for a new school of dentistry at MCG.
How did Perdue fare? Two minor projects that he recommended in his home Houston County got cut.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Guides
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2011 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
81 comments Add your comment
George
March 18th, 2009
12:53 pm
The $2 million allocated for DeKalb County is for the construction of a center to process all books and other materials purchased for county libraries. This facility would also be the computer hub. Currently DeKalb is expanding existing libraries and building new ones for underserved areas. The center for processing materials is too small to handle the expansion and it has a leaking roof. Computers must be tarped to protect from the leaks. The $2 million facility would also allow library administration to move from the Decatur library so that its services could be expanded. Processing and administration would be housed in one location. These changes will help the library better serve the thousands of DeKalb county taxpayers who use their libraries. I hope that the projects approved for the State budget are in demand in those areas. Nothing worse than a new library with no one in it.
Kat
March 18th, 2009
1:05 pm
This is sadly typical: the state hires qualified, impartial professionals (the staff of Georgia Public Library Service) to evaluate potential projects. Using nationally accepted standards, GPLS staff gather information on potential library projects, including assessment of current library facilites, populations served, and local support, and develop a prioritized list of projects that meet those standards. Then the powers that be choose to ignore the very advice that they asked for, and that taxpayer money paid for. Governor Perdue’s cronyism has confirmed the old adage, “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know”.
Dan H.
March 18th, 2009
1:21 pm
I fully agree with Kat – it’s all a farce. Except, Perdue is not to blame here, it’s the House.
And I agree with George, the DeKalb library is in dire need of help. Also, send part (if not all) of the money slated for Haralson for TWO libraries north to Cedartown to help with the renovation. I call on all common sense legislators to see that funding makes it to these two top-priority projects.
South DeKalb Resident
March 18th, 2009
1:25 pm
Sadly, the library funding hasn’t trickled down to my neighborhood branch. The ceilings at the Redan-Trotti branch have been leaking for years. I was at the library just this past Saturday and sitting next to me, was large trash receptable strategically placed to catch the water that was dripping from the ceiling.
Ironically, I went to the Toco Hills-Avery G.Williams branch just days before and was shocked to note that there is a major remodel under way. It is amazing how differently North and South DeKalb county residents are treated in terms of the services we receive. The squeaky wheel gets the oil, I guess. South DeKalb residents: we need to squeak more!!!!
Artimus McDoogle, esq.
March 18th, 2009
1:33 pm
Except that the article explicitly describes how the political influence affecting these proposed appropriations occurred within the General Assembly, not the executive branch. Read a little harder before spilling your tears about who wronged the bookworms.
Kat
March 18th, 2009
1:35 pm
Cronyism starts at the top. Party politics are alive and well, and Perdue is complicit.
Guy Fawkes
March 18th, 2009
1:39 pm
Consider it short term pain for long term gain. The new libraries will lower the level of ignorance in those Republican districts. They will then realize how Republican fiscal policies screw middle and working class Americans, and that will steer them away from voting for Republican politicians.
Knowledge is power.
akaree16
March 18th, 2009
1:44 pm
I guess the 13.5 million in renovations at Fort Valley State University that got cut is now being used to fund intramural fields at Georgia State. Not only is FVSU the fastest growing school in the university system of georgia, its campus is in critical need for more class rooms, and updates to its old campus, but I guess intramural fields over a quality education is acceptable. Georgia politics at its best
Doris Sumner
March 18th, 2009
1:45 pm
Any money to libraries in the current economy is money well spent. They provide education, and computer access for free to those who cannot afford it on their own (try buying a set of instructional dvds or cds and see how much it cost you) and those who need to spend their money elsewhere. Libraries get treated like they are entertainment when cutting is done–but they are an educational entity like the schools!!
Ron O
March 18th, 2009
1:47 pm
Here’s a novel idea, why not let the taxpayers in the communities and counties that need the projects pay for them, not the est of the state. With many middle class and higher residents of Dekalb County, you mean to tell me the county can’t come up with $2 million from their multiple hundereds of million dollar budget. If local governments were held more accountable for their budgets then the state (or federal) wouldn’t need to be the “sugar daddy” for them.
Bill
March 18th, 2009
1:47 pm
DeKalb County citizens voted on a bond issue to expanded libraries in underserved areas and build new libraries in areas with no libraries. Large new libraries are being built at Stonecrest and Ellenwood. Salem-Panola and the Hairston Library, not far from Redan, are being doubled. Scott Candler at McAfee is being replaced. Redan’s roof is bad but that is because the previous county administration left no money for roof repairs. Perhaps Mr. Ellis will find the funds to fix Redan.
See: http://www.dekalblibrary.org/branches/new-libraries/
Kay
March 18th, 2009
1:47 pm
Guy Fawkes,
I totally agree!
raleturn
March 18th, 2009
1:49 pm
The people in Greenesboro have to learn to read before they get a librabry. Except for the Reynolds Plantation and Lake Oconee that is one depressing place. I could not imagine going to the Minnie G. Boswell hospital. The only other place I know that may be worse is Sparta.
Mark
March 18th, 2009
1:51 pm
This is what the Fulton County Commissioners have been doing with libraries – and everthing else for years. Its part of the reason North Fulton is pushing for Milton County to be reinstituted.
Russ
March 18th, 2009
1:54 pm
Dekalb didn’t need to revamp the Decatur Marta square and station a couple of years back…that project was a waste and nearly destryoed busines on the square…they could have used that money for the library…what government leadersa fil to understand is that there are tradeoffs in life and in budgeting, and trading a Marta station revamp for a new library makes sense
Gary
March 18th, 2009
1:54 pm
Really, Libraries? That is the focus of the budget fights? This is government waste at its best. You want a book, go to Barnes and Noble, or a used book store. Computers go for next to nothing on ebay. Why do we still provide services like this anymore. We cut fire departments but increase spending on libraries? People need to sit down and decide what role the government needs to have your your life. I don’t think it needs to be your book and internet access supplier. Fire, police, garbage, roads, schools…. That is all local government should focus on.
Ryno
March 18th, 2009
1:54 pm
“It is amazing how differently North and South DeKalb county residents are treated in terms of the services we receive.”
Perhaps if South Dekalb residents demanded less from services like DFACS, Wellfare, and Peachcare, there might be more money available to renovate and build new centers for learning. It’s no great mystery why North Dekalb can afford these services – they pay more in taxes and spend less in terms of public entitlement programs.
Joe Schmoe
March 18th, 2009
1:55 pm
All this is just a political game played by both sides. What do you think the Dems are doing on the National level? Trust me the south will get overlooked by the Dems.
Doc 54
March 18th, 2009
1:57 pm
While I agree partisanship has no place in the library debate, I wonder Guy Fawkes was a few years ago when “King Tom” Murphy removed funding for Griffin Tech because the Republican representative from that area would not bow down and obey him. Murphy publicly stated the funding was pulled to show what happens when his policies were opposed. Now that the shoe in on the other foot, there is a hue and cry. The real losers then and now are people who are supposed to be served.
KG
March 18th, 2009
1:59 pm
I’m very disappointed to hear this. I appreciate you all keeping the public informed. I hope they reconsider the project in Dekalb. It is very much needed. Sonny should be ashamed of himself!
Bring Me the Head of Deforest Kelley
March 18th, 2009
2:00 pm
Honestly, I’m almost surprised the legislature didn’t scrap library funding altogether to instead pay for a book burning initiative. The powers-that-be in this state are about as backward as they come.
Jean
March 18th, 2009
2:09 pm
Ryno, for your information the majority of South Dekalb residents WORK, we do not demand services like DFACS, Welfare,(Not spelled Wellfare, and Peachcare. There are a great deal of people in North Dekalb that are using these services and by the way, there are a great deal of residents of South Dekalb that are living in mansions and we are a huge political base that pay a lot of taxes and dollar for dollar we are paying more taxes, we have numerous libraries that are well utilized. So the the next time before you sprout your racist rhetoric, check out your facts and get a life.
JEFF
March 18th, 2009
2:09 pm
How many of you whinners are going to actually do something and run for office?
Skreet
March 18th, 2009
2:11 pm
“South DeKalb residents: we need to squeak more!!!!”
Please! All of the taxes in north Dekalb are siphoned off to South Dekalb. Sidewalks line streets devoid of homes and people in south Dekalb yet in North Dekalb all we get are worn grass paths. The library on Briarcliff road leaks just as much as the Redan one.
Denyse P.
March 18th, 2009
2:11 pm
**Ryno:** Your comment is so ignorant, I don’t even know where to begin to address it.
Let me just say this you ‘tard: DFACS is not a service, it is an AGENCY; Welfare is a FEDERAL program; Peach Care is state-funded insurance progam for children in low income families — WTF does THAT have to do with LIBRARIES??! Go back under your rock.
cgatlanta
March 18th, 2009
2:12 pm
Why is the State funding County libraries?
Counties should fund County libraries.
Bob
March 18th, 2009
2:12 pm
Why don’t they just not spend any money and keep our taxes lower. I never use the library and don’t care if they bulldoze the thing
If GSU wants more libraries they should raise tuition and take out a loan. The same applies for MCG.
Why do I pay taxes for stuff I don’t use or care about?
Bob
March 18th, 2009
2:14 pm
To echo cgatlanta, A library is a local thing, it should be kept at a local level. Someone in Savannah doesn’t care about a library in Cedartown because they’ll never be able to use it. Why are they paying for it?
This is another ridiculous idea to come out of the georgia congress.
add14jazz
March 18th, 2009
2:14 pm
FOR ALL THOSE SELFISH AND IDIOT REPUBLICANS WHO KEPT CROWING ABOUT ONE-PARTY POLITICS IN GEORGIA (WHICH WAS A BUNCH OF BULL), YOU’VE TURNED INTO EXACTLY WHAT YOU MOCKED!!!! AND YOU ARE DOING SO AT THE PERIL OF PEOPLE WHO USE FREAKIN’ LIBRARIES!!! WTF?????
I WANT THESE SELFISH IDIOTS OUT!!!!
Alcemenus
March 18th, 2009
2:14 pm
THANK YOU TEACHERS!!!! If it were not for you voting for Sneaky Sonny the first time we probably would not have been in this mess. For those that voted for him the second time you have no one to blame but yourself you believed that Sneaky Sonny would be better than any one else.
oldmac
March 18th, 2009
2:15 pm
Great idea.
Why should the library system that is still paying on the lawsuit for it’s racist hiring and promotion practices get anything?
mj
Carla
March 18th, 2009
2:19 pm
Bob – Just because YOU don’t use the library doesn’t mean it shouldn’t exist! BULLETIN: There are plenty of adults, children, students, elderly citizens, etc. who DO use the library! The library offers many vital programs to people in the community. The world does not revolve around you!
Bob
March 18th, 2009
2:20 pm
For the record, the republicans representing GA are not really republicans. I don’t know anyone, from any party, that agrees with what they are doing. I am proud to say I am no longer a republican because they’ve become big spenders.
DannyX
March 18th, 2009
2:28 pm
To further Skreet’s point, here is a break down of the HOST money dispersed in Dekalb by district.
1 $ 11,455,000 12%
2 $ 5,795,000 6%
3 $ 15,786,552 16%
4 $ 9,265,000 9%
5 $ 32,400,000 33%
Almost ALL of the money is being diverted to South Dekalb! Presiding officer Larry Johnson and Deputy Presiding Officer Lee May are channeling most of the HOST money to their South Dekalb districts, 5 & 3. The same thing happened to the Park bond money. Same with the school construction bonds.
This game being played by the Georgia legislature is a game started by county commissioners in DeKalb and Fulton. It has to stop.
clwood
March 18th, 2009
2:29 pm
Love to see that it’s Dems who blog the most in the more intellect-involved areas such as libraries, while the Reps seem more interested in the gay bashing, anti-women’s rights, gun totin’ areas. Thanks for some actual thoughful comments. Much better reading than the right-hanging Vent. And we really must get out of this oh-so backwards thinking that is currently our State House and Senate, and get back to humanity and humanitarianism.
demwit
March 18th, 2009
2:31 pm
How is this different than Washington??
Ryno
March 18th, 2009
2:32 pm
DannyX – Thank you for posting some truth. I was searching for the similar facts but couldn’t find them.
I imagine it’s only a matter of time before we start being accused of racisim because we pointed out that an overwhelming majority of the money immediately goes to S. Dekalb residents. Stop complaining and start demanding accountability.
Carla
March 18th, 2009
2:37 pm
clwood: LOL.
The Amazing GodHatesTrash
March 18th, 2009
2:38 pm
Buying BOOKS for GOP towns?? The definition of throwing money down the toilet.
Talk about casting pearls before swine!
Joe
March 18th, 2009
2:40 pm
Sorry but it is a known fact that most dem districts pay the least in tax dollars with failed educational systems. I see no problem in librarys going to Republican controlled districts….
scott
March 18th, 2009
2:40 pm
Kids in Dekalb can’t read anyway. Why waste money on a library? They should be building new jails and hiring new police officers to clean up the cess pool that is urban America.
Texan, but not proud
March 18th, 2009
2:42 pm
Thank you, clwood for summing up the way I see the USA today.
Steve
March 18th, 2009
2:44 pm
We won the election so we will do what we want to, regardless of what you want. And any input you have you can keep to yourself.
Sound familiar? Goes around comes around.
Mike
March 18th, 2009
2:46 pm
Pork. Pork. Pork.
Bill
March 18th, 2009
2:54 pm
To learn more about what Georgia Public Library Services is trying to do statewide and the Governor’s recommedations see:
http://www.georgialibraries.org/news/articles.php?searchid=60
Library funding is a mix of state and county money. State law limits funding to cities, that is why almost all library systems in Georgia are at the county level. Bond money must be used for certain things and county dollars allocated for specific expenditures must be spent that way. DeKalb County Public is a strong sytem, excellent resources, service oriented, well loved by ALL county taxpayers. The citizen’s libraries support education, information access, recreation and reading of course. The library adds value to the community and to people’s lives and is in itself an economic stimulus! Ask the job seekers.
RL
March 18th, 2009
2:56 pm
The partisan hackery is absurd… in the Georgia legislature and in the comments here. The commenter’s who cite garbage about urban areas being cess pools or that kids in Dekalb can’t read are pure and simple trash talking hacks that have NO CONCEPT OF REALITY outside of their own demented world. You people really are strange… and the Georgia legislature… I won’t even go there.
OedipusTax
March 18th, 2009
3:03 pm
The ingredients for any product purchased in a grocery store can be read and analyzed by any interested consumer, and those regulations were put there by law. It is high time that such ingredients be provided by journalists. The partisan nature of the Atlanta Journal Constitution is 99.44% Democrat, consequently, the partisan nature of this article is obvious because it was written by a Democrat. I challenge any historian to find one AJC article similar to this that ever was critical of a Democrat. I challenge any historian to find any AJC article critical of any Democratic mayor of Atlanta or Democratic governor while the Democrat was in office. I challenge any historian to find an AJC article critical of Democratic patronage, which permeates Atlanta’s corruption to the extreme. Believe me, I won’t hold my breath awaiting any intelligent, thoughtful answers from know-it-all arrogant liberals. Further, I doubt actual adult visitors to a library are more liberal than conservative, because, as talk radio verifies, liberals already know the answers. Therefore, why go to a library when one already knows the answers? Inquisitive people who want to learn go to libraries, not know-it-alls, and those inquisitive, questioning people tend to be conservative, except for many entrenched liberal teachers and college professors that make their living through their bureaucratic and tenured arrogance. The know-it-all liberals would rather listen to FM music fantasies and follow “Brocolli” Spears or some foul-mouthed, brain dead, soon to be arrested rap song thug. So, I suppose there may be some GOP patronage here. But the AJC won’t write about the 747 billion dollar Federal bail out package in the same way, which will be directed almost entirely to Democratic State and local governments, you can bet.
Missy Majors
March 18th, 2009
3:04 pm
Scott, I am resident of DeKalb County and, apparently, (gasp!) I CAN READ! And my husband, kids, parents and siblings can read also! Can you BELIEVE that? {sarcasm}. And we use the public libraries frequently.
People like you make me sick. Grow up.
I Buy My Books
March 18th, 2009
3:05 pm
Oh come on, now – the Dems did the same thing to Republican districts when they were in charge for the 130 years following the Civil War. Too bad all the libraries they put in the heavily Democratic districts didn’t do a lick of good – they’re still just as dumb as rocks in those districts and they showed it by voting Democratic last year.
Chevy Lady
March 18th, 2009
3:09 pm
Joe: Penalize Democratic counties, who may have a smaller tax base, by not funding libraries in those area? Are you serious? Low income districts don’t deserve the “luxury” of being able to check out a book, or use computers for their job searches? Seriously?! What a moron.
whatever
March 18th, 2009
3:21 pm
I don’t understand why Rockmart needed $1.8M in library renovations; they only have about 125 books and half of them are already colored in.
chc4
March 18th, 2009
3:25 pm
Partisan politics works great for dems if they are in power. If not, the whining and crying begins. Weenies!!!
Harold
March 18th, 2009
3:30 pm
The Republicans are going to turn their base into Democrats by providing them with nice government services.. Idiots!
Scooter
March 18th, 2009
3:35 pm
This is the risk we run with our never ending promotion of trickle down government, aka democracy. Wouldn’t it be so much nicer if local communities controlled more of their taxation and expenditures, like in a republic.
Doug K
March 18th, 2009
3:35 pm
While I find this kinda thing distasteful, I must say that I grew up in what was only one of three Republican controlled counties in Georgia in the 1970’s. We got nothing from the Democrat Legislature because we didn’t “tow the Democrat line”. Now that it’s coming back to haunt them, they’re crying. Don’t dish it out if you can’t take it.
chc4
March 18th, 2009
3:40 pm
“Nice government services” — kinda like Harry Reid’s Capitol Visitors Center? It was only completed 4 years late and $350mm over budget!! Now that’s the kind of government spending that will set this country on the right path!!
Jay
March 18th, 2009
3:52 pm
Yeah, lets siphon more tax money from those who earned it to those who didn’t, and let’s refurbish South DeKalb’s gang-banger hangouts.
chc4
March 18th, 2009
4:02 pm
Meanwhile FannieMae and Freddie Mac have just authorized large $$ bonuses for their top 4 employees. I wonder if Barney Frank, Pelosi and Obama will be outraged! Something tells they won’t be.
Curtis
March 18th, 2009
4:04 pm
Of course they won’t be outraged. In fact, hardly anyone will be outraged, because the left-leaning media won’t report it.
Chevy Lady
March 18th, 2009
4:24 pm
Jay, just so you know, gangbangers don’t hang out at the library. It goes against the whole gangbanger mentality. And regarding your ignorant ASSumption that South DeKalb residents don’t “earn” money and pay taxes? Well, let’s just say you must look as just as stupid as you sound.
Jay
March 18th, 2009
4:42 pm
Oooh Chevy Lady (Chevy sucks btw), if you’re dumb enough to take what I wrote literally, then you’re dumb enough to vote for Obama.
Jay
March 18th, 2009
4:47 pm
One more thing, Obamabot Lady, who do you think pays MORE in taxes…the residents of south DeKalb, or the residents of north DeKalb? If you say north, you are correct. Now, pray tell, what exactly entitles the residents of south DeKalb to soak up most of the county’s money (which comes mostly from the residents of north DeKalb)? Could it be that they buy that money with their votes? No, I suppose you still have your blinders on. It’s ok, just log off and watch American Idol or something.
Chevy Lady
March 18th, 2009
5:21 pm
“Chevy Lady” is just a moniker I use for internet, ‘tard. Don’t ASSume you know me based on what I post on a stupid newspaper blog, okay? Further, who cares who pays MORE in taxes, N. DeKalb vs. S. DeKalb? We’re all ONE county — therefore both should be distributed EQUALLY. Nothing entitles the Southern portion of the county to “soak up” more of the county’s finances or resources (and I don’t think that is the case). Further, I don’t think that Northern portion of the county is entitled to more of the county’s finances or resources either.
You conservative Rush Limpaugh sheeple never cease to amaze me with your tirelessly negative racist rants.
BTW, I don’t watch American Idol. I don’t watch TV at all. I spend my time spare READING books from the PUBLIC LIBRARY, gaining knowledge. Something you OBVIOUSLY know nothing about.
Lindsey
March 18th, 2009
5:26 pm
Go Chevy! Jay = Elitest jerk. Sounds like maybe he should go to the library some time and stop spending all his time watching Faux News and worshiping GWBush and Gov. Elmer Fudd Perdue! LOL
Barbara
March 18th, 2009
5:31 pm
Well I’m glad somebody is getting a library. We can’t even keep our library open on Saturday, because our new sheriff said it was security reason. The library is in the courthouse (Fannin County), all the libraries that I’ve seen are not in the courthouse. I can’t even go to the library and check out a book, unless I take a day off from work. Maybe I can get a library card in the county that I work in. Just politics, (guess we need a new governor)LOL
Jay is a Jerk
March 18th, 2009
5:37 pm
Jay, why don’t you more your I’m-better-than-you-because-I-live-in-North-DeKalb-county butt and move to a more ritzy location like, say, L.A. or Scottsdale, AZ? I live in Dunwoody and we don’t want ignorant trash like you speaking for us. Don’t let the door hit you in the ass on your way out!
Jay
March 18th, 2009
5:49 pm
Chevy Lady: for someone who is supposedly so well-read, how can you be so ignorant? What is it with you liberals that you think you are entitled to other people’s money simply because you draw breath? The depth of your wealth envy amazes me. The vast majority of people who are richer than you are that way because they studied harder than you, partied less than you, make smarter decisions than you, and especially, WORK harder than you. Have you ever worked more than a 40 hour work week in your life?
Jay
March 18th, 2009
5:59 pm
“Jay is a Jerk”. I’ll respond to you in more detail once you start making sense. I realize that plain logic is hard to argue with, but just give it your best shot.
Reg373
March 18th, 2009
6:29 pm
And busting improper government conduct like this, is exactly why you need a free & non-beholden media. Tavis Smiley had a great quote; I don’t want my news sources either intimidated from doing their job by one president, or too enamoured of another president
— found a cool site; Balkingpoints ; awesome satellite camera view of earth
A man
March 18th, 2009
6:31 pm
This may be politics, but Dekalb wasn’t complaining when the Democrats were in charge and kept Dunwoody from becoming its own city. See, it works both ways.
Jay
March 18th, 2009
6:33 pm
Very good points, both Reg373 and A man. Let’s see if we get any more knee-jerk liberal responses.
bob
March 18th, 2009
6:34 pm
you people never cease to amaze me! always arguing over who deserves the money more…how about the people that actually earned the money! cut taxes and let everyone support their own local libraries as they see fit! are we really all entitled to a library!
null
March 18th, 2009
6:47 pm
The only thing I hate more than a Republican is a Democrat.
Jay
March 18th, 2009
7:06 pm
null: I agree totally. Libertarian?
Your morning jolt | Political Insider
March 19th, 2009
8:43 am
[...] Shifting library money, because only Republicans can read. [...]
Chevy Lady
March 19th, 2009
8:52 am
Jay -
Wealth envy???? Muuuuwhaaahaaaaa!!!!! Puhleeeze!
Again, don’t ASSume you know me. I am, in fact, gainfully employed at one of Atlanta’s major universities — and I regularly work 40-50 per week (imagine that!). I am a RESPONSIBLE taxpaying adult, a college educated wife and mom who has traveled abroad and who has given my children the experience of traveling abroad, as well. And I love to read. That is not to say that because I read a lot, that I am authority on EVERYTHING. I am not, nor did I imply that I am in any of my previous posts. Like anyone one else, I know that there must be millions of books written about subjects I know nothing about. Please stop thinking you know someone based on what they write on a newspaper blog! That only shows YOUR own ignorance. None of the insults your hurled at me, BTW, have ANYTHING to do with the subject of this blog. But it doesn’t surprise me that someone with your mentality would be incapable of engaging in an intelligent debate and exchange of ideas without resorting to name- calling and ignorant assumptions about my income, my employment, my race and my intelligence. You DO have an elitest, “I-am-better-than-you-mentality.” Tsk. Tsk.
Seriously? It must SUCK being you.
Jay For Dekalb CEO
March 19th, 2009
9:00 am
A man like Jay is exactly what we need to straighten out the corrupt, entitlement mentality, “give me your money” South Dekalbites. As to “Chevy Lady” – it must REALLY SUCK being you – I laugh at your twisted logic. I honestly don’t know you, but I REALLY HATE YOU.
Chevy Lady
March 19th, 2009
9:24 am
I would say that THAT is YOUR problem not mine. I surely won’t be losing any sleep over it.
Brotha Man
March 19th, 2009
9:35 am
Why is anyone on this blog wasting their breath on the likes or fools like Jay, DannyX and Bob? First of all, they are all probably the same person!
Personally, I think one, or all of them, should put on their white sheets and show up at my local library branch on Covington Hwy. Yeah. Now that would be worth seeing. ROFLMAO.
Winfield J. Abbe
March 20th, 2009
9:42 pm
The proposed expansion of the Athens Regional Library is mostly funded by sales tax money already collected. The $ 2 million cut for this could have easily been provided if the Robin Hood government of Athens had not squandered roughly $30 million on a failed bus system that runs mostly empty diesel buses around town with from 0-5 passengers that can be counted on one hand, dangerously blocking the narrow traffic lanes and polluting the air with diesel exhaust. This is an extremely wasteful system for the selfish benefit of a few. Last year the cost to operate this failed system was about $ 5.7 million of which about $ 4.1 million was paid by property taxpayers while the riders who use the bus paid only $ 1.6 million in fares. Many sections of the county whose property owners are forced to pay for this moneywaste, also do not receive any service at all. The State of Georgia should insist that Athens Clarke County shut down this illegal, wasteful, polluting and dangerous bus system immediately, and use the savings to construct the library addition. Many other much less expensive ways could be considered to provide public transportation for a handful of citzens; like purchasing one of the local cab companies for example. The non representatives running Athens are very good at forcing property owners to pay for useless and expensive, decadent projects. They are experts at wasting the money of others. Come to Athens sometime and observe the most expensive fire stations in the State of Georgia that cost between about $ 3 million and $ 6 million each. Come look at the new fancy brick public housing office that cost about $ 3 million. They also just purchased the former Athens Federal building downtown, removing it from the tax rolls forever for about $ 2 million and are now squandering another $ 3 million to renovate it for a water business office when thre is almost no parking there. “A million here and a million there and pretty soon one is talking about some real money”. The fools running Athens throw other people’s money around like it was going out of style.
Athens has also received plenty of pork at UGA over the years. The State must save money in these difficult times and revoke that total moneywaste proposal of a new medical school at UGA. This foolish nonsense must be shut down immediately. See TOPIX forum for Hiram, GA
“Speaker Richardson: Shut down new UGA med. school today!”
bk
April 4th, 2009
10:50 am
ChevyLady you obviously have not been in libraries lately. The gangbangers DO hang out there. They have facebook and myspace accounts to brag about their “accomplishments”. They use library computers to update them.