Your morning jolt: A checklist for tonight’s vote

You probably have your own list, but here’s what I’ll be watching tonight as the votes roll in:

– Even if the TSPLOST doesn’t pass in metro Atlanta, will it pass within the city limits? An in-city victory would serve as a measure of Mayor Kasim Reed’s strength one year before a re-election bid. Don’t look for Reed to be in a good mood should the referendum fail, but win or lose, there’s one side benefit to this campaign for the mayor: The business community is sorely obligated to him.

– Will TSPLOST supporters wait until 7 p.m. before assigning blame for the campaign?

– What price will Tim Lee, chairman of the Cobb County Commission, pay for being part of the creative force behind the TSPLOST vote? Outright defeat will have Republican suburban politicians thinking twice before they play nice with Atlanta again.

– Will the question on casino gaming on the GOP ballot receive enough support to cause state Capitol figures to rethink their opposition?

– In the new 9th District congressional race, a GOP affair, where Martha Zoller finishes could tell you something about the temperature of the electorate. In her contest against state Rep. Doug Collins and former middle school principal Roger Fitzpatrick, she never missed a chance to declare herself a “firebrand.”

– In the 12th District congressional race, which Republican makes it into a runoff with Wright McLeod – Lee Anderson or Rick Allen?

– In Cherokee County, a race for chairman of the school board between Janet Read and Danny Dukes could be a precursor of the charter school campaign that begins Wednesday. Read is a current school board member. Dukes is a member of the governing board of a charter school that had been rejected by the school system.

– A number of Republican state senators are facing significant challenges this year. Incumbent Chip Rogers of Woodstock versus Brandon Beach of Alpharetta; incumbent Don Balfour of Snellville versus Travis Bowden of Snellville and Steve Ramey of Lilburn; incumbent Cecil Staton of Macon versus Spencer Price of Thomaston; incumbent Bill Heath of Bremen versus Bill Carruth of Dallas; incumbent Frank Ginn of Danielsville versus Danny Yearwood of Winder; and incumbent Johnny Grant of Milledgeville versus Burt Jones of Jackson.

– Will Senate District 52 up in Rome move into a runoff? If both David Doss and Chuck Hufstetler survive, look for this to become ground for a confrontation between Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, who is backing Doss, and his GOP rivals for power in the Senate.

– Will state Rep. Mark Hatfield, R-Waycross, attorney for birthers, sneak past Republican establishment favorite Tyler Harper of Ocilla in the open District 7 race for state Senate?

– Who makes it into a District 6 senate runoff with Republican Hunter Hill? Drew Ellenburg or Josh Belinfante?

– Will the Democratic effort in Athens to drive voters into state Rep. Doug McKillip’s first race as a Republican pay off for primary challenger Regina Quick?

***
Walter Jones of Morris News Service has done more on the disparate fundraising between metro Atlanta’s TSPLOST campaign and the umbrella effort that covered the other 11 regions:

The campaign for the 10 counties around Atlanta raised $6 million, while the rest of the state drew just one-third as much, $2 million, even though roughly 60 percent of the state’s population and projected tax revenue are outside the metro region.

The Coca-Cola Co. gave $197,000 to the Atlanta drive and zero to the statewide effort. The Home Depot spent $150,000 in the 10-county region where its headquarters and about three dozen stores are located, but nothing in communities like Athens where it has 26 stores within a 50-mile radius of the city.

***
Russ Bynum of the Associated Press today reports that personal investments have marked the GOP race to pick a challenger to the last white Democrat from the Deep South serving in Congress:

The GOP candidates seeking to oust Democratic Rep. John Barrow of Augusta in east Georgia’s 12th District have loaned their campaigns a combined total of $668,000. That means for every dollar the Republicans have raised from outside donors, they’ve added 57 cents from their own pockets, according to campaign finance reports.

The candidate who’s dipped deepest into his private bank account is Augusta construction company executive Rick W. Allen, who last week raised his personal stake to $290,000. That money, which supplements $422,560 Allen raised from donors, is being used in part to buy TV ads during Olympic broadcasts in the Augusta and Savannah markets.

***
Maria Saporta of the Saporta Report also served this year as chairman of the Atlanta Press Club’s debate series, televised statewide on Georgia Public Broadcasting. Saporta declared herself disappointed that only two congressional incumbents facing primary challengers this year – Phil Gingrey of Marietta and Rob Woodall of Lawrenceville – bothered to face down their opponents:

Specifically, U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland, the incumbent Republican running in 3rd Congressional district; U.S. Rep. Paul Broun, the incumbent Republican representing the 10th Congressional district; U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, the incumbent Democrat representing the 4th Congressional district; and U.S. Rep. John Lewis, the incumbent Democrat representing the 5th Congressional district, all decided not to participate in our debates.

odellflyer

***
Justin O’Dell, one of three Cobb County Democrats running for House District 41, suspects that this flyer sent out by rival Michael Smith is bogus. Already, he said, U.S. Rep. John Lewis has said he’s made no endorsement in this contest:

- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider

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119 comments Add your comment

RomeGaGuy

July 31st, 2012
10:48 am

Jim are you saying that the pride (?) of Smyrna, Maria Sheffield, isnt going to make the GOP runoff? But Kat and Maria’s FB page have already announced her victory….

Good riddance to the two of them

Midtown Dave

July 31st, 2012
10:51 am

Companies like Home Depot and Coke should be ashamed of themselves. Why give to one campaign and not the other when they have offices, employees, and customers across the state.

Bernie

July 31st, 2012
11:00 am

Jim, Mr.Reed has worn out his welcome in Atlanta as Mayor. I think the people of Atlanta have reached a level of exhaustion with these so called legacy Leaders. Lisa Borders is another one who thinks she is deserving of this mantle. She too… is not a worthy candidate of that office as well. Its past time for us to think of new blood and fresh ideas.

I would say Mary Norwood should be given a good look for consideration. however I am a bit concerned about her strong ties and roots borne out of the Buckhead community. Many of the residents of that area are not as supportive of the residents of Atlanta as a whole. however I am willing to remain open and hear her point of view if presented.

Mayor Reed has demonstrated beyond reproach as to whom and where his misguided allegiance stands.

Curly Copple

July 31st, 2012
11:03 am

Despite nuts for mass-transit and progressive socially minded projects, but somehow a registered Republican, I voted no for this boondoggle of a bill. Too many roads and too much help for all the people causing all the congestion. Transportation projects should be addressed with a one-cent gas tax.

Ga Values VOTE NO FOR WASTE, GRAFT & CORRUPTION

July 31st, 2012
11:05 am

Deal & Reed’s corrupt cronies will be out in force tomorrow buying votes & stuffing ballot boxes. We all must get out the vote to offset this corruption, get in line and vote NO ON WASTE, GRAFT & CORRUPTION.

I voted against all incumbents except 1 judge who is running against a bigger crook. No on everything except a big YES for the LOBBYIST Cap @$100.00

hiram

July 31st, 2012
11:12 am

Why $100 – why not? The politicans won’t be so inclined to listen to the lobbyists if they have to pay their own way.

hiram

July 31st, 2012
11:13 am

Metro Mensa Man

July 31st, 2012
11:21 am

“Transportation projects should be addressed with a one-cent gas tax.”
Precisely the point; however the ‘powers that be’ don’t have the cojones to put a one-cent TAX on the ballot for gasoline. One cent added to fuel is demonstrably a TAX INCREASE whereas a one cent addition to sales is somehow an investment. Both come out of the pocket and both are effective.
I just voted NO for TSPLOST due to almost 20% being spent on MARTA, the Gwinnett Transit System (what a misnomer that is(, and the absolutely unnecessary boondoggle named the “Beltline.”
Which hurts the “poor” the most: 1 cent added to all sales (including gasoline, of course) or 1 cent added to a gallon of gasoline? I’m no rocket scientist but I’ll venture a guess: The 1 cent “investment” tax added to all sales (including, of course, gasoline). Is this really that hard to figure out?

Boise Green

July 31st, 2012
11:23 am

Don’t forget about the PSC race! It’s time for a change at the PSC. Stan Wise has been too beholden to the utilities over the last 18 years. He’s been looking out for them because they help him get reelected, and in exchange we get rate hike after rate hike, cost overruns at the new nuclear reactors passed on to us, and no support for homegrown, cost effective, job-producing clean energy like solar. I’m supporting Pam Davidson to replace Stan. Pam has a good background on energy issues and has pledged to not take any money from folks associated with the utilities. Vote Pam Davidson for PSC!

DannyX

July 31st, 2012
11:28 am

‘Will the Winner’ has just posted his picks for a few of today’s races.

Will the Winner says TSPLOST will go down 58%-42% beating the points.

Ironically Will the Winner predicts Chip Rogers will lose to Brandon Beach.

In an upset Will the Winner says YES will prevail on the non binding gambling question on the Republican ballot.

Average Citizen

July 31st, 2012
11:30 am

Anybody else wonder why the TSPLOST vote was placed on the July preliminary ballot rather than on the November general election ballot when more people vote.

Perhaps it is because the proponents knew that if they poured money into pro TSPLOST advertising and not a lot of people voted then they could get it through.

Most average people will not benefit from TSPLOST but will be expected to pay for it. The construction, paving, construction equipment, and politicians will benefit from the billions of dollars it generates over 10 years so they were willing to pony up to finance the advertising.

There should be an investigation into who approved having the vote in July and if they benefitted from contributions and favors from the companies that would benefit from TSPLOST.

Get the DOJ and the IRS involved. Convene a Grand Jury to make an inquiry. Get some amswers.

Jackie Tudor

July 31st, 2012
11:32 am

Josh Belinfante makes the run-off, leading Hunter Hill. He will go on to win in 3 weeks.

Bob

July 31st, 2012
11:32 am

First let me say VOTE NO!

Legislators should have had the guts to increase the gas tax to fund all state transportation [roads and transit].

The TSPLOST was a wimp-out approach that blew up in their faces,

There will be NO next time.

WS

July 31st, 2012
11:36 am

Not sure why anyone, especially if you live in Atlanta, can say ‘no’ to the tax increase (well I guess that does make since for those suburbanites who love their cars and somehow feel that MARTA brings riff-raff to their community…right). It appears that the same people who are voting down transporation, especially public transportation funding, are the same to complain about traffic, gas prices, environmental issues, car maintenance, road maintenance, etc. A large population of citizens are paying more money on cars than their mortgage, which is documented. Oh and jobs? Uh last time I checked, when GDOT is working on the highway, I thought I saw real people working! That’s like saying building highways doesn’t create jobs, yet those against the tax want more highways, better gas prices in order to drive on infrastructure built by HUMANS! At least the Beltline gets you out of the car and walking! But I guess high obesity rates are okay, especially when a drive-thru is sooo healthy. Why walk when you can just sit in your car and drive? Sounds like the same tea party rhetoric claiming transportation spending is forcing everyone to live in urban areas. Ha! The same republicans and idiot dems who vote against transportation are the same ones that ride the subway in DC, overseas in other countries, and then brag about it! Then there is a nostalgia about how we should go back to the way things ‘used to be.’ Oh you mean walkable streets, trolleys, nice main streets, rail, not major highways that dissected neighborhoods and destroyed families, created blight, and created a funding mess of never-ending road and bridge maintenance. I definintely would vote YES to the tax!

Middle of the Road

July 31st, 2012
11:36 am

“Will TSPLOST supporters wait until 7 p.m. before assigning blame for the campaign?”

They can go ahead and assign blame for the expected defeat of TSPLOST in Atlanta: Ex-Governor Sonny Perdue, who doomed the TSPLOST when he reneged on the deal to remove the toll booths on Ga 400. Thanks, Sonny!

ted

July 31st, 2012
11:38 am

The tsplost will probably lose, but it shouldn’t stop the effort to make improvements in transit infrastructure and improve oversight on funding. Things only get more expensive. Too much exaggeration from both sides. Remember that the two best times to plant a tree are twenty years ago and today.

Middle of the Road

July 31st, 2012
11:40 am

“well I guess that does make since for those suburbanites who love their cars”

It makes sense for suburbanites becuase it is more reasonable. They talk in commercials about losing “family time” to traffic. If suburbanites gave up their cars, it would turn their 1.5 hour one-way commute into a three hour one-way commute on MARTA. I know, my first wife tried it. MARTA does not go where you want it to, and the buses stop on every street corner. MARTA was created to serve peopl who do not own cars, not commuters who own cars but want to take transit.

Hamilton

July 31st, 2012
11:48 am

How many years before transportation relief comes if this referendum fails?

PMC

July 31st, 2012
11:51 am

The interesting thing about the timing of the TSPLOST bill to me is that they decided to put this vote in July when the traffic is relatively awesome compared to the winter.

School Traffic WRECKS this entire metro area. We’re about a week away from opressive commutes due almost completely to school related traffic and they have the vote before that.

The TSPLOST is going to fail anyway, but they have really bungled the marketing and timing of this thing.

Average Citizen

July 31st, 2012
11:52 am

Yea, its better top have a trolly bus that goes from one spot downtown that nobody ever goes to, to another spot downtown that nobody ever goes to. Was TSPLOST the brainchild of the same people? Is that trolly still rolling? Are citizens still paying for it?

I look at the Gwinnett Bus System. Those buses roll through Gwinnett with maybe 3 or 4 people sitting in them, including the driver. And they are blocking a lane of traffic.

Now I think the idea of having buses running from Gwinnett Mall and the Mall of Georgia downtown during morning rush hour traffic and back during evening rush hour traffic is great and I support that.

But running them all over the county with no ridership is stupid.

There is one little short bus that runs up to someone’s house down the street to pick them up and take them somewhere. Think of your hard earned taxes used to fund a bus to pick up one person at their home and take them somewhere else. What ever happened to people using Taxi’s?

bigbill

July 31st, 2012
11:55 am

T-SPLOST: socialism for the rich, capitalism for the rest of us. Vote NO.

Cutty

July 31st, 2012
11:58 am

LMAO, Lol, HaHa, Bernie youre funny. Mary Norwood for Mayor. Lol, LMAO, stop it! L

PMC

July 31st, 2012
11:58 am

So people are really going to be pleased when this thing fails and we still have not addressed any of the horrific infrastructure issues plaguing this state?

Metro Mensa Man

July 31st, 2012
12:00 pm

M-O-R, you are correct in assessing the blame to Sonny Go Fish. As if voters don’t trust politicians already, Mr. Go Fish sealed the “trust your gummint” argument and has cast it on the same feces pile as the other promises made by D & R politicians.

“WS” – Please go back and interpret your ranting and try to make some since(sic) out of it for us to read again.

Ted

July 31st, 2012
12:19 pm

If you liked what Sonny Perdue did for Atlanta, you will love his counsel Josh Belinfante who is running for Senate.

Nelly

July 31st, 2012
12:26 pm

The problem with T-SPLOST is the people who oversee the expenditure of it. Look at how the regular SPLOST is handled. Cobb County parks and rec is controlling all of the funding and putting in things like satellite controlled lighting and sprinklers instead of improving the actual park. You just cannot trust the government to spend the money the right way. They all have agendas.

OTPnorthside

July 31st, 2012
12:33 pm

I am voting YES, mostly because of all the idiots I know running around complaining about the vote. Please, move on and stop whining.

If so many crazy people are against it, I feel obligated to vote for it.

td

July 31st, 2012
12:33 pm

Changing subjects since this will not get any playtime in the so called MSM:

“A fellow professor with Barack Obama at the University of Chicago in the 1990s told radio host Laura Ingraham last week that the man who would become president once insisted, “People shouldn’t be allowed to own guns.”

That professor was John Lott, already known then as a leading gun-rights advocate and now author of several books, including “More Guns, Less Crime” and “Freedomnomics.”

“I knew Obama at the University of Chicago,” Lott told Ingraham. “We both taught there at the same time for about four years, and I talked to him about guns. I know what his views are on that.

“The first time I ever met him, I went, introduced myself, he said, ‘Oh, you’re the gun guy,’” Lott recalled. “He said to me, ‘I don’t believe people should be able to own guns.’”

dd

July 31st, 2012
12:35 pm

why would any sane person think that transit should be paid for with a gas tax? Roads should be….but transit should be funded by the people for whom it benefits (riders, developers, and companies whose employees use it). And the BS line about how transit takes riders off the roads…..is exactly that. If those riders were on the roads, they’d be paying gas tax.

Use gas tax to fund infrastructure that requires gas. It’s inane to think drivers should pay more than for what they use.

findog

July 31st, 2012
12:38 pm

PMC,
You must not be from around here.
This is Georgia, we are just plain cheap.
Last to complete the initial interstate system
Too cheap to have invested in Buford Dam to secure the rights to its water [paid multiples of that investment to lawyers to fight Florida and Alabama]
Too cheap to give the surveyor the proper tools and documents to place the North West corner of the state [which would have meant the Tennessee River flowed through our state
Too cheap to upgrade the sewage treatment plants below Buford Dam so that half a billion gallons of water must flow daily to dilute the poop

Anyway it’s all Obama’s fault; haven’t you noticed all the obey Obama graffiti?

Ga Values VOTE NO FOR WASTE, GRAFT & CORRUPTION

July 31st, 2012
12:41 pm

Jim, I don’t see Reed getting a free pass from the busines community. He is the 1 who carried the water for the biggest taxpayer rippoff, $600 Million for the beltline. In addition he could have conducted honest bidding at the airport but he chose business as usual & took care of his corrupt cronies. We need to do something to reduce congestion and I hope that we can vote on a good plan “B” in 2 years but I probably will vote no again if Reed & his corrupt cronies are involved.

Hope there isn’t a malfunction in our paperless voting system, I think that’s the only way this taxpayer rip off will pass.

Marlboro Man

July 31st, 2012
12:41 pm

There will be some firings over this vote, folks.

findog

July 31st, 2012
12:45 pm

td,
While we are changing subjects, did you hear the one about voter fraud in Hall County?
A county commissioners wife went to vote early. She signed the affidavit and the rolls of another person. She realized she had the wrong ballot when another commissioner’s name and district came up. She cast that ballot and then went back, and get this, voted again with another ballot.
With all the talk these last five years about voter fraud and the need for tighter control of elections I surly hope the local district attorney prosecutes and actual case of voter fraud…

Jess

July 31st, 2012
12:45 pm

I live Intown. I’m annoyed by other Intowners on here, a minority among us, who act like we all support this tax. Most of us don’t, because all it will do is blow more money on MARTA’s already pathetic projects that don’t benefit most of us. More money to the same buses that already go nowhere and aren’t used, no lines to anywhere anyone wants to go efficiently. Oh, and it will give us a trolley. What?!? I don’t need a trolley, I need real solutions. I don’t need more siphoning of cash to useless plans that have never worked, and I don’t need our corrupt leaders who can’t even handle a sewer problem, schools, etc., despite a decade of funding, telling me to give them even more cash to waste. I have real bills to pay, and they need to use what they have to fix their current disasters, not create more. Give us a real plan, and show us some real accountability, and then we’ll talk. T-Splost is a joke. Vote No.

td

July 31st, 2012
12:47 pm

findog

July 31st, 2012
12:45 pm

Throw all the ones that committed the fraud in jail for many years is my opinion.

Rich Black

July 31st, 2012
12:50 pm

Vote NO to The city of Brookhaven.

WOW

July 31st, 2012
12:52 pm

TD:

The MSM has better things to do with their time than go off thinly sourced gossip told on right wing radio shows. That is why those shows exists so you people who want to believe such things can get on there and chat about it. If someone wants to know the President’s position on guns, they should just look at his record on it in office over the last 3 years/

RBM

July 31st, 2012
12:53 pm

The largest donor to the TSPLOST sorry 8 million dollar add campaign is none other than CW Mathews Construction Co who is the largest road builder in the state. Simply pathetic. Furthermore, CW Mathews does not E-verify their employees as the illegals could then not get hired. A yes vote for this is a sure sign that you are an idiot.

Carol

July 31st, 2012
12:54 pm

Marlboro Man

I agree, with all of the money invested in advertising to get this thing passed, someone is going to lose their job when it fails.

Maybe they can ask Delta for a loan.

Marlboro Man

July 31st, 2012
12:58 pm

Delta will do the firing, and HD and maybe your boss C.

Carol

July 31st, 2012
1:01 pm

td

The first time I ever met him, I went, introduced myself, he said, ‘Oh, you’re the gun guy,’” Lott recalled. “He said to me, ‘I don’t believe people should be able to own guns.’”

++++++++

With all of the topics offered, you felt compelled to change the subject to something totally irrelevant.

1. I know a lot of Christians who don’t think people should own guns. In fact, until the past few years it’s one of the reasons I didn’t own one. Ask your local Pentecostal their opinion on gun ownership. Gun ownership equates to fear. Fear equates to unbelief that God is going to protect you.

2. What legislation has been drafted or presented by the Obama Administration that takes away anyone’s right to own a gun?

Voting NO

July 31st, 2012
1:05 pm

I agree with you Jess. I live in Gwinnett County and there is nothing good anyone can tell me about this TSPLOST. As long as it is a “TAX” then I am voting no for it.

bc

July 31st, 2012
1:11 pm

Jim-
The TSPLOST gets all the attention, but I’m surprised you didn’t mention the charter school issue. I think the issue has flown under the radar and most people would jump at the opportunity to limit the cronyism and corruption of local school boards and the influence of the “education” associations.

Hmmmmmmm

July 31st, 2012
1:17 pm

Just curious……

Who is paying for the commercials trying to brain wash us into voting for this Crap?

RBM

July 31st, 2012
1:19 pm

Hey BC

I thought voting against state ulitmate authority on the charter schools was the correct choice. I guess I screwed that one up. Chalk it up to the way they word the choices also.

Who is dumber? Nathan Steal Deal or Kassim “I love airport contracts” Reed

Hmmmmmmm

July 31st, 2012
1:20 pm

@RBM

That would be a draw….

RBM

July 31st, 2012
1:22 pm

Ahh the Olympics. Atlanta has such a rich and great history and I have lived here my whole life. Sure to miss the flea market booths lining every street during our 96 Olympics. Bill Cambell was such a great leader…..What a history we have. Oh…is he still in jail? Georgia is the new laughing stock of this country and yet the same idiots continue to get re-elected. Even old John Lewis came out for TSPLOST. Somehow (and not sure of the reason) I dont think the people of his district will be mad at him and vote him out. LOL This town is a joke.

td

July 31st, 2012
1:23 pm

Carol

July 31st, 2012
1:01 pm

No legislation will be offered and nothing done until a second term when he does not have to answer to the people any longer. Just another good reason if you are a gun owner and believe in the 2nd amendment not to vote for Obama.

freemefromtraffic

July 31st, 2012
1:24 pm

I give Mayor Reed a lot of credit for trying to do something. He has been fighting for years to do something with this horribly antiquated transportation system. He committed to bettering our outdated transportation before he was Mayor as many people forget. We have a real and serious problem and while the rest of the nation, particularly similar cities, advance and invest in their infrastructure, we sit back and complain. We are losing economically and acting without common sense. And I am so over all of the traffic accidents and the lives that are lost.

Not Your Typical Atlantan

July 31st, 2012
1:29 pm

I voted NO to the joke of a T-Splost-
Mayor Reed should have been on TV offering solutions to the mess that he has created with over zeleous rookie police officers he has hired in order to avert the laying off of City Of Atlanta Traffic court judges. These officers were hired for the specific task of generating revenue through additional frivolous ticket writing and wasteful lawsuits that they incur when they kill innocent motorist on the same streets they were hired to protect-

Mayor Reed should have offered a solution to taking control of Park Atlanta writing bogus parking tickets for the generation of revenue which has successfully chased out of town and suburbanite tourism away from the city-
Mayor Reed should have offered an apology for sticking the residents of Atlanta and Fulton County with the bill for the new international terminal that we really did not need so that his buddies could land the construction contracts to build it-
Mayor Reed should have initiated an investigation on why his own brother was allowed to work and drive around for the city of Atlanta with an expired driver’s license while we get arrested for doing the same thing-
Mayor Reed should asked himself how and what would a trolley traveling through downtown Atlanta do to help motorist sitting day after day and evening after evening on 285, 75/85 and I-20 coming into the city for work-

Mayor Reed should have told Nathan Deal that you can’t eliminate the 400 tolls just days before having your hand out again for more of our tax dollars when Deal just a couple of weeks ago cut unemployment payments because of a slowing economy for the reason Georgia could not afford more weeks of unemployment payouts-
Nathan Deal should not have ignored the fact that the Georgia Department Of Transportation is incapable of developing a viable solution to traffic relief due to the incompetency they have shown with HOT LANES, EXIT RAMP TRAFFIC LIGHTS, IMPROPER TRAFFIC LIGHT TIMING, LACK OF RESPONSIVENESS DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, LACK OF KNOWLEDGABLE INSPECTIONS ON NEWLY CONSTRUCTED BRIDGES (ie 17th street bridge fencing falling onto motorist traveling on the highway below the bridge)-
Nathan Deal should have thought globally that the majority of this money should have been put towards a light rail that runs along side ALL of our major highways and did the case study to see that this is ingredient of all economically sound cities….they have rail-
Nathan Dela should have stronlgy mandated these major companies that supported this to show their commitment to WORK FROM HOME TELEWORKING which would encourage people to stay off the streets and work from home!!!!!!

The City of Atlanta leaders supporting this obviously thought that we voters are stupid, and that we all have a short memory span as to all that transpired over the last few years since these officials were elected to public office-
They thought that we would just fall for any old OKIE DOKE-
I voted NO already and wished I could vote NO again several more times!!!!

bc

July 31st, 2012
1:29 pm

RBM- You hit the nail on the head. The wording on the charter school issue was sufficiently confusing to send most people the wrong way.

Paul Johnson.

July 31st, 2012
1:32 pm

Phil Gingrey needs to be retired. Chicke sh@$ non-answer if he voted for or against TPLOST…
All that dye in you hair can’t hide the fact that you are 70 years old…
Vote for William Llop for the 11th congressional district TODAY!
Need a common sense approach for job creation and he cane get it done!

Selah…

RBM

July 31st, 2012
1:36 pm

I think “Not Your Typical Atlantan” should run for office. I will be your campaign manager. Very well writtend and pretty freakin obvious when you think about it. I actually work for a large Atlanta based airline and agree with that point also. The terminal is beautiful….it adds 12 new gates. Total that up at a cost per gate and see what a great buy that was.

Jess

July 31st, 2012
1:36 pm

@freeme, how does this “do something” other than line the pockets of officials and business leaders who are the only ones benefitting? How does a trolley between 2 points that no one visits eliminate traffic accidents? People would support a plan that actually solved traffic and transportation problems. This one simply does not. It’s laughable. It is clearly aimed at benefitting special interests in the business & political circles, and does nothing to improve transportation for 99% of everyday people in any of the counties involved. It solves no problems. Supporting this is like blowing money to hire a mime in the hopes he will fix your plumbing problem. Makes zero sense.

Kris

July 31st, 2012
1:46 pm

My Voting list.

Vote NO —tspLOST….check
Vote all incumbents out….Check.
If there is a question on the ballot Vote NO….Check

A TAX is a tax no matter what you call it…A pig is a pig even if it has lipstick on it.

Vote NO

tom

July 31st, 2012
1:51 pm

I don’t blame Westmoreland for not facing his opponents. One of the might ask him to name the ten commandments.

findog

July 31st, 2012
1:55 pm

I typically support SPLOST
It is a great concept: if a community wants more than what the federal, state governments [and local taxes] can provide they take an option for better schools, parks, sewers, or roads.
Now because the republican state legislature has given away its ability to tax they are trying to super-size a good thing.
The regressive nature of this tax when local is easy to accept as it supports the local tax payer. Regionalizing a tax and then spreading a percent of the proceed to local control is completely beyond what the framers of our constitution meant when they passed the first one to get the liberty bell.

Church Announcements.....

July 31st, 2012
2:06 pm

I VOTED YES FOR the TPSLOST in support of the future of our region! You can’t blame our elected officials now! At least they are trying to work together and compromise on getting issues resolved for the greater good. No CITY or STATE is perfect! Deal with it!!!! I don’t know GA political history, but I know that GOLD DOME has had ethical issues for years. I strongly support the Mayor and his efforts and I dont believe that we will be fooled by supporting this effort to work together for the future.

Ya Know

July 31st, 2012
2:08 pm

First ask why is there sprawl? If Atlanta Down Town was desirable, everyone would live near Marta stations, use Atlanta schools, and more efficient use of existing infrastructure. Same reason Atlantic Station is failing. Crime, School Performance and High Taxes. Fix the first problem. What economic boom would there be if people lived down town?

Atlanta suffers because they are trying to survive on property tax on real estate worth $40K, when it could easily be $400k. Some cases $4M! Oh well.

Jack in Kirkwood

July 31st, 2012
2:11 pm

@Hmmmmmmmmmm it is no secret that this campaign is being paid for by a cooperative movement to move this city forward. WE CAN NOT CONTINUE TO PUNT ON THE SERIOUS ISSUES OF TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC IN THIS CITY! This measure is the way forward for our city.

Just say no

July 31st, 2012
2:13 pm

I voted no mainly because a large portion is being allocated to the Beltline project. There is already a TAD to fund this project so why is there an addional tax needed? I am also inclined to vote no to any tax increase that supports MARTA until there is new leadership in place within that organization. Just throwing money at the problem will not solve anything until there are fiscally minded people in the leadership roles

Bobo is Not the Problem

July 31st, 2012
2:20 pm

@dd — “It’s inane to think drivers should pay more than for what they use.”

Really, dd? Maybe you should check out all the areas where government charges for services you do not use. Schools are a big recipient of property tax money. Does the government make sure you have school-age children before assessing property taxes?

Everything government does is inane.

Bobo is Not the Problem

July 31st, 2012
2:24 pm

In the early 1980’s, the entire sales tax in the state of Georgia was 3%. Some counties tacked on another 1%, many didn’t. So for most, total sales tax was 3-4%. If T-SPLOST passes, total sales tax for most people will be 8-9%.

Why does government now need 2 to 3 times the proportion of sales tax revenue than it needed 30 years ago?

Why didn’t government budget for needed transportation and infrastructure changes with all the revenue already at its disposal?

Why should we the people believe government will effectively spend these billions?

Why should we believe that the T-SPLOST will ever actually go away, even after it has theoretically “expired”?

joe

July 31st, 2012
2:25 pm

No vote: Check.

End of checklist.

OneWhoBeleives

July 31st, 2012
2:26 pm

All too often we confuse facts with rhetoric and conspiracy! TSPLOST IS a plan that will benefit a region of people! Understand that transportation issues effect us all and we need to all work towards solutions for all. Fundamentally TSPLOST is necessary to secure resources that come from many individuals. We are not in this alone! Increase jobs, increase access to alternative means and just do the right thing and VOTE YES and begin to move our region forward! Thank you Mayor Reed for being a fearless leader for our City, our Region, and our State!

Ted

July 31st, 2012
2:26 pm

Vote for new people.

I supported Gingrey when he first ran, but ten years is enough. Ditto every other office. Give new people a chance.

DeKalb Wonkette

July 31st, 2012
2:32 pm

Look ahead to August 1 and beyond. Regardless of the outcome on the T-SPLOST, we’ve all suffered a huge setback because of it: the ability to have civil dialogue.

bc

July 31st, 2012
2:32 pm

55% to MARTA and buses? Are you joking? Less than 10% of the voting region uses mass transit. Why in the hell would somebody vote to pay for something they won’t use? The trickle down “spread the wealth” crap hasn’t worked before and won’t work in the entitlement driven, “gimme that” culture of Atlanta government.

Fartavious

July 31st, 2012
2:38 pm

I voted No to the TSPLOST for most of the reasons already mentioned. I also voted against incumbents. These actions are a voter’s equivalent of hitting the mule over the head to get it’s attention. Politicians, are you paying attention?

A.E.

July 31st, 2012
2:40 pm

Can we see the front of the chick in the brown at the “podium” next time please?..she may be hot.

Jon Lester

July 31st, 2012
2:42 pm

I really hope GA-3 voters won’t be stupid enough to keep Lynn Westmoreland, but that may be in vain. Maybe some constituencies just don’t deserve any better.

jj

July 31st, 2012
2:42 pm

TSPLOST has more pork in it than an Iowa farm.
Would you vote for this?
Rail up 400 to Windward
E & W on 20 — Conyers to Douglasville
N & S on 75 — Town Center to Griffin
N & S on 85 — 316 to Peachtree city.
Every region represented equally.
A comprehensive system that brings all areas of subrubia into and out of the city
As a matter of public trust everyone on any MARTA board is thrown out, and we start over with new representatives from each region.
Is this something all of Atlanta would support?
I voted NO today but would gladly support this plan.

Keith

July 31st, 2012
2:43 pm

I’m definitely voting NO for T-SPLOST.

Definitely not a good time to RAISE TAXES when our unemployment rate is just shy of 10%.

Outrageous.

findog

July 31st, 2012
2:44 pm

Hey Jack,
The state of Georgia punted when it voted for people who signed Grover Norquist pledge to never, ever, ever raise taxes.
You have all the infrastructure you are ever going to get. All the other states will get the federal dollars because they will raise taxes to meet the matching demand.
Pray for calamity, that is the only way things will be upgraded in Georgia – FEMA Grants

oldfart

July 31st, 2012
2:45 pm

TSPLOST is still going to haunt for years to come and once it is proven unconstitutional only the lawyers will be happy in the end. Keep in mind there is still a penalty to be paid by every county in an unconstitutional “special district” that does not vote for the TSPLOST. The counties will be required to pay a 30% match rather than 10% one for road improvement grants (derived from gas tax revenue) until their “special district” agrees to the 1% sales tax. There are no provisions in the Georgia Constitution for “special districts” to levy taxes.

Gov. Deal has rescinded the automatic increase in the gas sales tax twice now within a year that would have increased the state sales tax nearly a penny from 12.1 to 12.9 cents. He would rather see the TSPLOST approved for a 1% sales tax on everything including food and medicine for transportation.

And for the person imitating Ms. Scarlett, (Where shall I go? What shall I do?). Hold your reps responsible for this travesty of legislation. Tell them to grow a set and make the hard choices to vote what is right and not just down the party line. They could start with a little sunshine on the selection of members to the DOT board. Insist that something is done regarding the inequitable distribution of the motor fuel tax even if it is tilting at windmills. Insist that if Gena Evans wants HOT lanes then bonds should be floated if anyone is willing to buy them for the absurd periods it will require to pay them off. No motor fuel tax money should be used on Lexus Lanes when it can be better utilized on projects that actually alleviate traffic jams rather than making them worse.

Vote them out. I will be voting against every incumbent with the exception of the ones that have broken ranks and opposed TSPLOST and HOT lanes.

Realist

July 31st, 2012
2:46 pm

Let’s be honest, a 1% tax for T-SPLOST isn’t that much more money out of anyone’s pocket. Also, for the folks who are voting “No” for T-SPLOST because they believe government waste will overtake the project, you are probably right. However, the idea of T-SPLOST is bigger than the project itself. If we don’t show the rest of the south that we have a plan for traffic, we will lose billions of dollars from businesses looking for a new city to call home. Vote YES now, we can figure out the details later.

Keith

July 31st, 2012
2:46 pm

Yes, i’ll be voting against many incumbents as well.

Term limits, anyone?

Keith

July 31st, 2012
2:48 pm

Re: Realist

“Vote YES now, we can figure out the details later.”

That is shortsighted and a bit naive.

findog

July 31st, 2012
2:58 pm

1believer,
Really, this is so important that it took three years to pass and they then scheduled the vote 18-months after that during a primary.
Next you’ll be passing the bong with the it’s a job program smoke as the first shovel will not be turned for five years
This is not planning, planning is what will you need, this is a hostage situation where we pay them for ten years and in fifteen we will be where we need to be today
Force the politicians to do their jobs and get the revenue to pay for transportation improvements that are overdue.
And they could cut the budget by meeting just every two years like Texas, and do not pay them per diem to travel on state business outside the 40-day window

RBM

July 31st, 2012
3:05 pm

Hey Realist?? This increase is over 16%….how do you not consider that a lot of money. Go buy a crappy toyota for 20K and add $200 to your price. No..not really that much money

Let’s be honest, a 1% tax for T-SPLOST isn’t that much more money out of anyone’s pocket.

DawgDad

July 31st, 2012
3:18 pm

Realist: You post as “Realist” but then you advocate voting for empty SYMBOLISM? Sorry, not biting.

bc

July 31st, 2012
3:20 pm

jj, I’d vote for that plan all day long, but this hodgepodge that we were given on the ballot today is a mess, an example of work done by self-serving committees

Ga Values VOTE NO FOR WASTE, GRAFT & CORRUPTION

July 31st, 2012
3:30 pm

OneWhoBeleives

July 31st, 2012
2:26 pm

were you “vote yes” yesterday &” proud voter” earlier in the week..Hope you are being paid in cash.

OneWhoBeleives

July 31st, 2012
3:31 pm

@notYourTypicalAtlantan…thank goodness that we have Atlantans who continue to support initiatives that are designed to enhance the lives of typical and non-typical Atlantans alike…let us know when you want to refuse any services that have been secured on your behalf!

Church of the painful Truth

July 31st, 2012
3:33 pm

I did not vote for Westmoreland. Time for a change.He rides the coattails of others in D.C.trying to look like he is doing something,which is really nothing. I also voted NO on everything and any incumbent did not receive my vote.

hiram

July 31st, 2012
3:33 pm

Does anyone know what the relationship is between Toby Carr, who was just appointed to be the “State Transportation Planning Director”, and R. Bradley Carr, the attorney for Rudy Bowen, “Chairman of the DOT Board” ?

KALEIDOSCOPE LAND DEVELOPMENT, INC.
Agent Name: R. BRADLEY CARR
Office Address: One Sugarloaf Centre
1960 Satellite Blvd. Suite 4000
Duluth GA 30097
Agent County: Gwinnett
——————————————————————————–
Officers
Title: CEO
Name: DAVID R. BOWEN
Address: 6650 Sugarloaf Parkway
Suite 200
Duluth GA 30097

“DOT board chairman Rudy Bowen said he liked working with Carr(Toby). “I think it’s a great choice from the governor’s office,” Bowen said. “He’s a very capable young man.”

http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-government/deal-appoints-aide-to-1425102.html

DawgDad

July 31st, 2012
3:33 pm

To all the TSPLOST supporters I pose this simple calculus:

TSPLOST would require me to pay $xxx.xxx per year for at least 10 years (likely forever) for projects that are by lack of design not going to improve my commute on I-75, not alleviate traffic in my locality, not help me get in and out of downtown quicker. With the relevant traffic congestion not cured (at all, by even my most generous estimations) and all the new MARTA and beltline infrastructure to support, how long would it take the politicians and “business community” to come calling for MORE money? (I’d say next year, via Gas Tax hike). How likely is it this tax would ever end? (not in my lifetime).

seabeau

July 31st, 2012
3:34 pm

Ga.needs more water reservoirs!! Additional and improved roads will simply add to the congestion!!

RBM

July 31st, 2012
3:38 pm

So good I had to re post it

hiram

July 31st, 2012
3:33 pm
Does anyone know what the relationship is between Toby Carr, who was just appointed to be the “State Transportation Planning Director”, and R. Bradley Carr, the attorney for Rudy Bowen, “Chairman of the DOT Board” ?

KALEIDOSCOPE LAND DEVELOPMENT, INC.
Agent Name: R. BRADLEY CARR
Office Address: One Sugarloaf Centre
1960 Satellite Blvd. Suite 4000
Duluth GA 30097
Agent County: Gwinnett
——————————————————————————–
Officers
Title: CEO
Name: DAVID R. BOWEN
Address: 6650 Sugarloaf Parkway
Suite 200
Duluth GA 30097

“DOT board chairman Rudy Bowen said he liked working with Carr(Toby). “I think it’s a great choice from the governor’s office,” Bowen said. “He’s a very capable young man.”

http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-government/deal-appoints-aide-to-1425102.html

Eustis

July 31st, 2012
3:38 pm

Vote no on T-SPLOST, We don’t need more Mexicans working on our roads.

Romney has a proven track record as an anti-gun Governor, socialized medicine, pro-choice, and jobs killer.

Why do you think he’s going to be different as President?

atlanta needs relief from overpopulation

July 31st, 2012
3:47 pm

Well, the T-SPLOST is all set to fail…..guess what? The sun is still gonna rise in the morning. Atlanta won’t have disentigrated to ash. We’ll actually have a few less traffic problems than with new construction traffic created by T-SPLOST. You want 10 years of that?
Doomsday predictions of the sky is falling and last minute threats by supporters have not come to fruition. And will not.

Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes

July 31st, 2012
3:48 pm

Ga Values VOTE NO FOR WASTE, GRAFT & CORRUPTION

July 31st, 2012
3:30 pm

were you “vote yes” yesterday &” proud voter” earlier in the week“Kris” earlier this morning & Kris (Please Vote) & Kris (voted NO and damn proud) & Kris (Vote NO) last night? Hope you are being paid in cash, sport.

atlanta needs relief from overpopulation

July 31st, 2012
3:54 pm

Hope this causes a mass exodus of population….there’s not enough jobs for what we have now. And new jobs won’t meet expectations for further populace growth.
That will solve traffic problems. And much easier to meet job expectations with a more feasible population.
And it would make for a much nicer town than it has been for many years now.

Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes

July 31st, 2012
3:54 pm

TSPLOST would require me to pay $xxx.xxx per year for at least 10 years (likely forever) for projects that are by lack of design not going to improve my commute on I-75, not alleviate traffic in my locality, not help me get in and out of downtown quicker.

Doing nothing will not improve your commute on I-75, not alleviate traffic in your locality, not help you get in and out of downtown quicker.

Sorry, not biting.

Thomas Heyward Jr

July 31st, 2012
3:54 pm

Vote no to Tsposh.
Vote no to all incumbants.
.
Vote YES to Liberty and Ron Paul in November.
Or possibly Gary Johnson.
.

atlanta needs relief from overpopulation

July 31st, 2012
3:59 pm

Please move out of Atlanta, especially if a failed T-SPLOST was a fear for you.
Leave and take an extra 2 or 3 million more people with you….
please move back north, back to mexico, or whereever as long as it’s the heck out of GA

time to move

July 31st, 2012
4:02 pm

Why won’t politicians or press address the real issue…..OVERPOPULATION.

hiram

July 31st, 2012
4:05 pm

Lobbyist Name:
MOELLERING , DAVID J

On Behalf of:
GEORGIA HIGHWAY CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION

Public Official:
RUDY BOWEN – CHAIRMAN GDOT BOARD

Date:
04/26/12 – 04/29/2012

Amount:
$1200.00

Description:
Georgia Highway Contractors Association
Annual Convention Ritz-Carlton
Luxury Resort Amelia Island, FL
Guest/Speaker

ethics.ga.gov

Pompous Pontificator

July 31st, 2012
4:05 pm

Here’s what I’ll be watching tonight as the votes roll in. I’ll be hoping that every candidate that harrassed me with a robocall goes down in flames. In November, I’m going to keep a record of those annoying calls. I will not vote for any candidate that participates in robocalls.

Brought to you by the chamber of commerce.....we can't sustain anymore either!

July 31st, 2012
4:05 pm

get off your unemployed butts and move to where there are jobs…if it’s not here, why do you stay?
Insanity….different results aren’t coming…..MOVE

20/20

July 31st, 2012
4:06 pm

Another 4 “NO” votes from this household. Were there needed projects on the TPLOST list? Yes, Indeed there were! Why, please tell me WHY: almost 1 BILLION for MARTA? 600K for a “BELTLINE?” OODLES (no final price) for the “CLIFTON CORRIDOR?” The City of Atlanta’s Mayor and GUV DEAL both think the rubes outside the perimeter will follow along like guppies being fed in a fish bowl and all vote, “Yes.” Surprise…It doesn’t work that way. Look at the distribution of population in the Metro area of 5.5 mil: less than 10% live within the city limits of Atlanta. that means 90+% lives OUTSIDE Atlanta proper. Why do I want to pay 1 cents extra sales tax so we can enjoy bike paths, walking corridors, parks, ad infinitum when I will never use them? The Beltline? god God what a dumb idea. Who would use it? Who benefits from its construction? Where will it go and why?
Captain Marvel, Spider man and the Green Hornet could not save the TPLOST vote!
Scrap the whole idea, go over the entire plan and cut out the egregious pork/giveaways/paybacks, etc. and put forth something – with explanations of how, what, why and where the new TPLOST referendum will be handled.
And, PLEASE..spare me the “Atlanta needs to become a first-class city and leader in…hype! Ain’t ever gonna happen; not with the demographics today.

Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes

July 31st, 2012
4:07 pm

Vote YES to Liberty and Ron Paul in November being punked by fake news stories about drone strikes on a wedding in Wisconsin.

Marlboro Man

July 31st, 2012
4:07 pm

Fire one for running the mouth about “no” — gone.

Greg

July 31st, 2012
4:08 pm

So the governor is going to take down the toll booths next year, oh really and how does one pay off 10 year bonds in one year, he probably will just cancel unemployment payments, after all those people are out of work cause they are lazy. Ya know we have all these problems due to wall street moving all our jobs overseas so the rich get richer, but now it’s back firing. This tax is a boondoggle for the rich folks building the beltway, and how does a new control tower help my traffic. Trains are the anwser, every major city but ours, we have the most crooked sleazy bunch of bums running this state that money can buy. Tons of money for a military to protect overseas business and what used to be our jobs, but no money for anything else, bridges falling down and the no party still says no, dont fall for these jerks. Corporations are sitting on more cash than ever before to make us miserable so they can win the election, they are laying people off and making the others work overtime to keep up, Obama should hammer this home that this is a republican plan for a power grab. Every one already knows corporations have so many loop holes that they barely pay taxes at all, if at all, and yet say its to high. What the american people should do is pick a company that has all thier manufacturing in China and boycott them till they go out of business, the chinese cannot afford what they are making and now we can’t either, great business plan. Ever notice all the crooks on wall street come from Harvard and Yale?

ok

July 31st, 2012
4:10 pm

quit birthing babies like c ockroach es

Pompous Pontificator

July 31st, 2012
4:11 pm

As I stated previously, when we cast our absentee ballots, the 3 voters in my household voted “No” on TSPLOST because “HELL NO” was not an option.

Formally make English the official language

July 31st, 2012
4:15 pm

force government documents, notices, information, etc to be in english only.
Learn the damn language if you moved here. It was your choice.
saw gov doc in 7 different languages recently. That’s wrong on so many levels

Hamiltion

July 31st, 2012
4:22 pm

Many presidents have believed ideas that they understood would not be accepted by the majority. Assuming, without believing, that, before he was president, Obama said he believed in restricted gun ownership. Facts remain: 1) not a single initiative relating to guns in his first term; 2) no credible hint that he’ll spend time on the issue in a second term should he get one; 3) the inevitably Republican House of Representatives would never give it to him.
I believe we would benefit if people were required to correctly identify the first letter of the last name of at least one candidate standing for an office before being allowed to vote in that election. But I don’t think I’d push that agenda if in an elected position, simply because there are more important things to worry about.
What will the gun/islam/birth conspirators do when Obama is out of office?

close Atlanta's borders

July 31st, 2012
4:23 pm

Where was the referendum to make Atlanta an international town? We didn’t have our say.They never held that vote.
It isn’t better in any way, shape or form, no matter how much your personal gains were by making it that (Maynard Jackson, Andrew Young, etc.)
From Cham-bodia, Int’l Buford Hwy., to Metro-Mexico Atlanta, to all the Int’l gangs.

Mike Geigerman

July 31st, 2012
4:25 pm

Let’s get it right now that the voters have spoken. We need solution but not by demo cray when it comes to efficient and effective with our dwindling dollars.

close Atlanta's borders

July 31st, 2012
4:27 pm

don’t need american transplants here either. stay up north and especially don’t bother coming here if your from bamalama

Mike Geigerman

July 31st, 2012
4:28 pm

Let’s get it right now that the voters have spoken. We need solution but not by democracy when it comes to being efficient and effective with our dwindling dollars. { Corrected grammar }

RBM

July 31st, 2012
4:29 pm

re

What the american people should do is pick a company that has all thier manufacturing in China and boycott them till they go out of business, the chinese cannot afford what they are making and now we can’t either, great business plan

Never happen. I phone is too damn popular.

back to the drawing board....get to work

July 31st, 2012
4:34 pm

Kasim Reed can take his ugly mug and doomsday threats to a different state.
Atlanta hasn’t had a decent mayor or city politician in 40 years.

Greg

July 31st, 2012
4:40 pm

Obama’s going to win, and I would wager that many republicans in the house may well indeed lose, people are getting tired of the 1% getting everything and the rest must live on crumbs. If you look at every state that has a republican governor they all have the worst education, health care, and consumer laws that favor the corporations over the common man. Deal is unethical and he admitted it and paid a fine, why is he still in office? Look at Westmorland saying the Clintons aid is part of the muslim brotherhood, ah she is married to a jewish fellow, Westmorland is a flake and a moron and yet they keep voting him in. Remember at the booth to just vote no, just say no, hey it does work.

Sid

July 31st, 2012
5:25 pm

what, no mention of the IMPORTANT question: when will we FINALLY be able to buy beer on sunday in east cobb?!? what BS challenge(s) will the opposition file this time and/or how many months will cobb co claim it will take them to do what everyone else managed to do in a few weeks? give me CABERNET or give me DEATH!!!

jj

July 31st, 2012
6:44 pm

Sonny and Gena doomed this vote with their lie to extend the 400 tolls. We voted sonny out. Now Fire Gena.

earthworx

July 31st, 2012
8:38 pm

Why should the business community be obligated to Reed? Reed and Deal’s lack of ethics is a big reason T-SPLOST will fail. They are simply not trusted to disburse the monies in an equitable fashion, nor without graft. Remember the new international terminal debacle at the airport.

Sam

July 31st, 2012
8:43 pm

@dd who thinks the gas tax shouldn’t be used for transit. Folks who ride transit are freeing up highway space – in turn helping your commute time – it’s all connected. Stupid is as stupid thinks. No wonder we’re in this mess.