Comments on: Help Atlanta by looking beyond I-285

By: South Metro

South Metro — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 05:09:41 +0000

I would just like to add that I dont think the two Georgia distinction should be marked by I-285. Outside the Perimeter is certainly not analogous to the other Georgia that hates Atlanta. I would argue that there are three Georgias; (1) Atlanta and most of the inner perimeter, (2) Atlanta Suburbs like: Marietta, Roswell, Alpharetta, Lawrenceville, Norcross, Stockbridge, Douglassville, and Peachtree City, and (3) Rural Georgia including the smaller Metro areas. Though most anti-Atlanta sentiments come from the third category, the second category has a healthy distaste for Atlanta as well. I believe Mr. Red-Blooded Georgian is from or lives in the second category…more specifically either in North Fulton or Forsyth County. He gave that away by claiming that the city of Atlanta is not needed.

I believe that people like Mr. Red-Blooded Georgian within the second category are why the Metro area loses battles over its interest and tax dollars in the State Assembly. However, we need to get past these petty differences. I believe the Proposed Commuter Rail Program can really help connect Georgia with Atlanta. If the State Assembly will allow the projects to regionally funded rather than state funded, each region can ensure they are reaping the benefits of their hard earned money. In addition, regions should pool their money on projects that intersect regions (such as the proposed Commuter line from Atlanta to Macon…or Macon to Savannah). This will allow for increases travel and tourism within the state…flowing to an increased understanding and appreciation that we are all Georgians. We need to stop pointing the finger and just move forward as a city, as a region, and as a state.

And as a side note, the state should let Atlanta continue to run its usual functions. Most of them are ran with no more corruption or mismanagement than local government or state run projects. If the state itself has a great track record in a particular area then that is a different story. But currently, I see the state as causing more problems then fixing them. We dont need to restructure something when the procedures are in place and we hust have the wrong people implementing them. Just get new people. No need to overall a system that isn’t broken.

By: Alvin

Alvin — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 02:26:10 +0000

Excellent points, IC Atlanta. I was alluding to that in my post at 12:13. I was born and raised around here (35 miles from downtown) and I have seen Atlanta’s decline first hand. The Atlanta folks are so busy pointing there fingers outside the perimeter (at the rest of the state) that they won’t correct the problems within their own house. Funny how the Atlanta folks want to place blame on everyone but themselves.

Atlanta residents, y’all are the voters within the city, no one outside the perimeter can straighten out your problems. That has to be done by you and that starts by voting in competent folks to run the city wisely.The first thing you should do is find out what a person is all about, whether they’re qualified or not. Where do they stand on the issues, how can they correct things etc. Not vote based on race as we’ve seen the past 35 years.

Like IC Atlanta said: Correct the corruption and incompetence and the state would probably be much more willing to work with Atlanta.

Until you break the cycle of corruption and imcompetence, you’re gonna have to waller around in it.

By: IC Atlanta

IC Atlanta — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 23:38:43 +0000

Couple of observations from someone who grew up in the “other” GA and now lives in Virginia-Highland

1) Atlanta has been governed by corrupt and or incompetent individuals for the last 30 years (outside of Andrew Jackson and maybe a few individuals on the city council). Many times since 1974 (with a few exceptions) the city leaders have NOT acted in the best interest of the taxpayers or city visitors. Airport corruption, Bill Campbell & Munson Steed’s flea market atmosphere at the Olympics, continuously raising taxes, talks of raising taxes on commuters, etc.

2) Their corruption / incompetence breeds mistrust from those outside of the Perimeter

Correct the corruption and incompetence and the state would probably be much more willing to work with Atlanta.

By: Ghetto Grandpa

Ghetto Grandpa — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 22:46:07 +0000

I understand what you’re saying Kyle — I just don’t think it will work. Look at the posts above from Red Blooded Georgian and others. Check out that tone. Its not much different than what you hear from the GOP statewide.

Being nice won’t hurt, but we shouldn’t expect it to work. For years I’ve heard complaints above the metro area being subsidized by the rest of the state — but it just isn’t so — and even a study by a tax professor (and it reads like it) won’t convince the anti-Atlanta crowd in the GOP. People believe what they want to believe.

Sure, the next Mayor should try to develop collegial relations with the Governor and other local governments, I think Shirley tried that, but the next Mayor’s focus should be on improving the city with the means that we have and expect no help from the state. I think Shirley wasted her time trying to enlist help from Sonny Perdue. It was naive of her to think that Sonny would ever treat Atlanta with same consideration he would show for Valdosta or Gainesville. The most we can hope for is that the GOP doesn’t take more taxes from Atlanta to subsidize rural and exurban areas or get away with its annual anti-Atlanta legislation.

Case in point — the annual GOP effort to takeover Hartsfield aiport. GOP Rep. Everhart is unable to produce any evidence of massive corruption, the FAA has investigated and never found anything, but every year the GOP trots that one out and its only when the FAA and Delta remind the GOP that they have to approve the takeover and they won’t, that it is stopped. But it gets more votes every year and its popular with the GOP base because — its Atlanta and they’re corrupt. I know you’re in denial and claim that race has nothing to do with it — but I think you are being naive here. That Atlanta has succeeded in building and operating the airport — with African-Americans running the show — really galls the Georgia GOP. Please, show us evidence of massive corruption there. I’ll be the first to inform the FAA Inspector General. And even if the GOP could succeed — who will they have run the airport? GDOT with its ‘enron-style’ accounting and recent negative audits from USDOT? Is that the GOP answer?

Maybe the GOP should focus on cleaning up its own problems (like GDOT, DFACS, etc) and leave Atlanta alone for awhile. Please.

By: wrf

wrf — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 22:24:16 +0000

Please go back to FEAR mongering. It’s what you do best. Doesn’t take much intellect giving or receiving.

By: DannyX

DannyX — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:12:25 +0000

I have myself lived in North Georgia for 10 years. I am very familiar with the perception they have of Atlanta, I say race is most definitely a factor in the way Atlanta is perceived in rural parts of the state. A whole generation of white Georgians switched parties when blacks started to gain power in the Democratic Party. Roy Barnes got hurt badly with the flag issue that brought out emotions from both sides of the spectrum. There are virtually no blacks in the republican Party and no whites left in the Georgia Democratic Party.

Every single issue about Atlanta provokes a huge backlash on ajc.com So much so that ajc.com has to be careful now and monitor any blog about Atlanta on the website. Every single column by Cynthia Tucker is met with insulting comments that have nothing to do with the subject. Black state Reps are able to turn the most benign issue into an all out war using racially tinged words. Blacks in the city of Atlanta claim to have an entitlement to the mayors office. Our reps talk about “ghetto grandmothers.” Our black reps are pressured to change their endorsement to the Black candidate. We live in a state that in it’s entire hundreds of years in existence has never elected a black Governor. 31% of the population and not one black Governor?

Rural Georgia, suburban black Georgia, suburban white Georgia, urban Atlanta……All of us here are absolutely obsessed with race. In our politics, our neighborhoods, and our sports teams. Even now, they are still obsessed with M Vick on the Falcons blogs.

By: Churchill's MOM

Churchill's MOM — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:08:33 +0000

DJ 4:08 pm

A conservative doesn’t waste $18.7 BILLION on a socialist program like Johnny’s housing SCAM.

Where is the money coming from? Who is going to pay it back?

By: Kyle Wingfield

Kyle Wingfield — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:05:11 +0000

Ghetto Grandpa: I haven’t read the study yet so I can’t comment on it, though I wouldn’t find that surprising. But here’s my entire point: If Atlanta is not getting what it wants from the rest of the state, and if it can’t get its way at the legislature or the ballot box, then it needs to change non-Atlantans’ minds. And I think the best way to do this is to look first for projects, bills, ideas that work here and elsewhere.

By: Ghetto Grandpa

Ghetto Grandpa — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:55:40 +0000

Hey Kyle since you apparently don’t believe that metro Atlanta pays more of its share of taxes than it gets in return, here is the GSU study:

http://aysps.gsu.edu/frc/files/Rpt_188FIN.pdf

By the way your buddy Wooten positively loathed that study and claimed it was a waste of time, and (oh the irony) tax dollars! Must not have comported with his worldview.

And back on the topic of infrastructure, here is a link to Atlanta’s new reservoir project: http://www.pondco.com/portfolios/cd-lh.html

So how’s the GOP doing on building water infrastructure outside of I-285? Lost any more lawsuits lately?

By: ricardo still

ricardo still — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:55:30 +0000

if the state DOT would decide on a route aound the indian ceremonial mounds at macon and fast track the fall line freeway to augusta then get the route approved as an interstate by congress , the route to interstate 20 at augusta and then north to columbia and charlotte would spare atlanta commuters much truck traffic.