T-SPLOST: Count 4 ‘NO’ votes from us
Tuesday, July 24, 2012 - 4:35pm
Submitted by Letters to the ...
Submitted by Letters to the ...
I was wavering a bit on the T-SPLOST vote until I decided to take a closer look at the project list.
It didn’t take very long to discover a real stinker: Projects TIA-CO-018 and 020.
Total cost: $3.2 million.
The project: a new control tower and airport lighting at McCollum Field in Cobb County.
Can somebody please explain to me how this is going to “untie” traffic congestion? Are you kidding me?
Count four no votes from my family.
Mike Thomas
Peachtree City, Ga.
Thu, 07/26/2012 - 7:48pm
#2
istilldontknow: Maybe I don't know either.....
....but Ognio and Oddo seem like decent candidates to me, even if they have somewhat an alliance with the anti-everything group. Barlow, Bost Hogg, Brown....yeah, they are a big fail and madness indeed but some of the incumbents like Horgan and Hearn have only themselves to blame and Jack Smith frankly sucked before and maybe needs to wait a little while longer like his nemesis Steve Brown before running again.
In FC, we aren't slow learners, but we are fast forgetters, especially when it comes to lousy politicians. It's just 2 years isn't long enough for Smith and he needs to do complete 180's on certain issues like Brown has done over and over. This is a crowd that likes to be pandered to and principles be damned!
Thu, 07/26/2012 - 5:54pm
#3
Clayton County & Kasim Reed & MARTA
But, but, but but... didn't you hear the mayor whining about those suffering folks in Clayton County 3 days ago, on the radio fighting the NAACP?
"Did you know that right now, folks in Clayton County can't get on a bus and get into the heart of the city? That's 1960's, 1970's stuff. If I live in Clayton County, and I am a working person, I can't get on public transit and get into downtown or Buckhead or east Atlanta or Cobb or Gwinnett from home? You know what that means? That means I have to take extraordinary steps just to keep a job, just to keep a roof over my head."
(Cue) tears rolling down political cheeks everywhere...boo hoo!
http://blogs.ajc.com/political-insider-jim-galloway/2012/07/25/your-morn...
Thu, 07/26/2012 - 5:32pm
#4
TSPLOST - Failed Proposals
Under the current TIA wish list, for 10 years we'll all pay for Clayton County's transit system which failed before and will most assurely fold at the end of the 10 year term. I'm not willing to pay for it so it's a no vote for me.
Thu, 07/26/2012 - 3:58pm
#5
T-SPLOST "NO" Votes
Mr. Thomas, we have four voters in my household. We all voted "NO" on the T-SPLOST.
There are two voters in my next door neighbor's house. They voted "NO."
There are two more "NO" T-SPLOST voters across the road from me.
That makes eight "NO" votes for T-SPLOST right here in my little neighborhood.
Wed, 07/25/2012 - 4:01pm
#6
Answer to your question
Mike, Cobb Chairman Lee and Kennesaw Mayor Matthews chose those projects out of Cobb County's funding allocation. (McCollum Field is in Kennesaw.) It is a "regional" project because aircraft from throughout the north section of the metro region use McCollum Field, just like many businesses on the south side use Falcon Field in PC. Aviation investment and maintenance is a responsibility of both state and local governments and these improvements were needed in Cobb County, according to their leaders.
Wed, 07/25/2012 - 4:42pm
#7
Yes, but...
Certain interests in Cobb County may want the airport project, but it's a real stretch to say that's the best use of the money to reduce traffic congestion.
And that's what "Untie the Knot" was supposed to be all about...
Wed, 07/25/2012 - 6:39pm
#8
Untie the Knot
Bob - Clearly the "Untie the Knot" portion of the referendum and campaign applies to traffic mitigation. However, as I have posted several times, the bill specifically sites congestion mitigation, increased lane capacity, public safety and economic development as examples of specific public benefit from the projects. Certainly, keeping a well maintained airport is important to the economic development in Cobb County. I'm going to give you a HALF-TRUTH on that one which, of course, is better than the FALSE that PolitiFact gave you and Steve recently.
Here's the bill. See Draft Investment List on page 20.
http://www.dot.state.ga.us/localgovernment/FundingPrograms/transreferend...
And just so the casual reader knows what I'm talking about, here's the Politifact score.
http://www.politifact.com/georgia/statements/2012/jul/24/steve-brown/Tra...
Wed, 07/25/2012 - 8:41pm
#9
AJC reporter Mariano can't do the math, you try it
$3.2b available for congestion relief / 35k cars it'll take off the road = $90k per car
Wed, 07/25/2012 - 9:42pm
#10
Quit Digging
I saw you trying to run your line of reasoning by isdk last night and he kept smacking you down. All I could think of was the old saying that when you find yourself in a hole, quit digging.
I can't give you much for accuracy but you're damn sure persistent.
Thu, 07/26/2012 - 3:07pm
#11
The funny thing is, Mr. Drake,
... they're not my numbers.
The figures come from the Atlanta Regional Commission's publication (Travel Impacts of the Transportation Referendum 2013-2040) and the Regional Transportation Roundtable's Oct 13, 2011 Final Investment List as delivered to the State Legislature.
Thu, 07/26/2012 - 6:28pm
#12
Numbers - not just a TV show.
Bob - I think that the AJC called you and Steve Brown out as "cherry picking" numbers to meet your cause. Use any numbers you want, just use ALL of them.
Just because you can use Excel doesn't mean you should.
Fri, 07/27/2012 - 5:03pm
#13
Those are the two broadest numbers, which ones would you use?
.
Wed, 07/25/2012 - 7:04pm
#14
efdrakejr - Direct PAC
We understand that you still don't like Commissioner Steve Brown, I don't believe that he cares for you much either. But ....... my question to you still stands:
Were you by any chance, a member of, or associated with, an organization called Direct PAC?
Wed, 07/25/2012 - 7:19pm
#15
Direct PAC
No. I've never even heard of it.
Wed, 07/25/2012 - 8:35pm
#16
Well now Eugene, listen and learn. Direct PAC was important
Direct PAC was a political action committee founded in the third year of Steve Brown's first and only term as mayor of Peachtree City. The purpose of Direct PAC was to prevent him from having a second term. It worked, he was trounced, life went on.
The stupidity and unprofessional behavior that mayor Brown foisted on Peachtree City during his 4 years was unprecedented and certainly not appreciated. His gang of 4 -Murray Weed, Dan Tennant, Steve Rapson and of course himself, did many despicable things too numerous to mention. Brown was opposed by several people - 5 or maybe 6 - and he lost in a runoff with Logsdon.
Organizations like Direct PAC can spring up again and might. Many are discussing a similar thing against the tiny minded little mayor in PTC and in many ways I will side with them and donate money.
Hope that helps, Gene. Sorry the concrete and rail thing is going down next Tuesday. Got a Plan B? Toll roads, I suppose.
And BTW, Steve Brown's opposition to the Tplost is not coming from a sincere belief that it is bad (although it is) instead it is coming from an unbelievable ego that he feels needs to be fed by constant media attention. So, give him a break. He is not your opponent, he is just a doxie seeking the brightest light.
Wed, 07/25/2012 - 9:51pm
#17
Wow, two lobbyist beneficiaries of the TSPLOST in the same blog
Gene "lying" Drake and Mr. Lawler.
Gene, still no sign of your citing the reference on the lies you blogged about me. Put up or shut up!
Wed, 07/25/2012 - 10:09pm
#18
Well Steve
He's obviously using the same tactic you use, asked a question you don't want to answer, just ignore it.
Wed, 07/25/2012 - 10:17pm
#19
TSPLOST Lobbyist Beneficiary Gene
The audience at the Sandy Springs debate on Tuesday got a big laugh out of my being "Politifact-ed" in the Tuesday, July 24 AJC. I had submitted a figure in the AJC debate that the transit projects in the TSPLOST would cost around $90,000 per rider. They quibbled that I had transit maintenance money in the number, so they said it would be "$84,500" - well, OK, now I'm voting in favor because $84,500 per rider is so much better.
The most humorous point was when the Politifact-ers said, "We found Brown's approach may vastly overstate and underestimate the problem at the same time." I am so talented that I can produce one figure and overstate and underestimate the problem simultaneously! Not just anybody can do that [Do not try that at home]. This is the price of demanding that the AJC provide full disclosure of their parent corporation's large donation to the pro-TSPLOST side.
Wed, 07/25/2012 - 10:31pm
#20
Do You Read...
..or just make stuff up as you go along. Nice try laughing it off as just the difference between $90,000 and $84,500. If you continue reading, they pin it down around $5 - $13. That's a far cry from $90,000.
You missed the point in the "overestimate, underestimate" comment. What they're really saying is that your figures are so much convuluted BS, there's no telling where your going with them. But then that's always been your approach...baffle with BS.
I'll be glad when you quit benefitting from my tax dollars. I believe I was right when I said the only jobs you've had were as a failed mayor and a half-term commissioner drawing his pay from the public trough. Don't be too high and mighty.
Wed, 07/25/2012 - 10:39pm
#21
Are commissioners and mayors qualified or not?
Gene, just a minute ago you were supporting the T-SPLOST list by saying that county commissioners and mayors created it. Now, in your attack against Steve Brown, you're admitting that certain commissioners and mayors may not be qualified for much of anything.
Will you admit that the people preparing the transportation list were not qualified for that job...that maybe we need to start over and do it right?
Wed, 07/25/2012 - 10:05pm
#22
Minister of Misinformation
I'm having too much fun posting this report by PolitiFact that your claims are FALSE. Not HALF TRUE or MOSTLY FALSE, just FALSE. You and Bob have been cooking the books this whole campaign and you're getting called out for it.
http://www.politifact.com/georgia/statements/2012/jul/24/steve-brown/Tra...
Tell me this Steve. Do you think Fayette voters are intelligent and that if they know the facts of the TSPLOST, they will vote against your position, or do you think they’re stupid and you can lead them to whatever conclusion you want? Either way, according to PolitiFact, you certainly aren't being very truthful with the voters.
Thu, 07/26/2012 - 12:14am
#23
So glad you found something that is providing you some fun. You
sure have not been having any on this site--or I should say about as much fun as you have had success in swaying anyone to your way of thinking. I really like the way you state that Fayette voters will show they are intelligent if they vote for T-SPLOST but are stupid and they can be led by anyone if they choose to vote against it. Did it ever occur to you that Fayette voters are smart enough to take everything into consideration and make their own decision that T-SPLOST is a bad idea and not for us? No, of course you wouldn't because you have such a superiority complex that you cannot fathom that anyone would not be swayed by your silver tongue, or in this case, your scintillating prose. Hasn't worked for you here so far, has it?
Wed, 07/25/2012 - 10:20pm
#24
By the way TSPLOST Lobbyist Beneficiary Gene
98% of the TSPLOST debate audience in Sandy Springs raised their hands saying they were going to vote "no" at the end the debate. Pretty much like the debates you attended.
Wed, 07/25/2012 - 10:49pm
#25
Debate Polls
I don't know who sponsored the one in Sandy Springs but the ones I attended were sponsored by the Tea Party. Drawing a broad conclusion from their vote is like going to a GA Tech pep rally and deciding that everyone in the state hates the Bulldogs.
Did you take Statistics from the same Journalism school where you took Roadway Design?
Wed, 07/25/2012 - 9:18pm
#26
Direct PAC
Well, I take back my previous comment because now that you explained it, I do remember hearing about it. But, still no, I was not involved. Sounds like Stevie, along with his buddies Harold and Bob, might be getting his revenge if page A11 of the paper is true...and I suspect it is.
Toll roads probably are the Plan B (assuming it doesn't pass) and I can't imagine that folks are going to be any happier with that. I've spoken to several legislators about the possibility of raising the gas tax and they tell me there is ZERO chance.
Believe me, I know Steve is anything but sincere and is trying mightily to extend his 15 minutes of fame. I just hate to see him dupe the public on his way.
Thu, 07/26/2012 - 10:03am
#27
efdrakejr - Direct PAC & Tsplost
Mudcat explaining Direct PAC is like Obama explaining healthcare - you just don't get an accurate picture. Giving due credit though, she is the only one with enough integrity in these blogs to admit that she was "associated" with what had degenerated into a thoroughly despicable group. There was one other blogger that admitted the association but he later recanted and denied involvement.
The group was made up of realtors, builders, bankers, a couple of developers, and a few others associated with building and development. The group numbered about sixty at best and used every dirty trick in the book to stop Steve Brown from ending what had become a thoroughly unhealthy relationship between that crowd and City government.
That group brought us Logsdon and, among other things, the payoff of a $1M illegal bank loan. Everybody knows how Logsdon's term went but by then people had learned and the incumbent Commission chair (Jack Smith) got his butt thrown out of office in favor of someone who would truly do what he was elected to do - represent his constituents. And that my friend, just scares the hell out of some of the special interest groups.
Reference the West Fayetteville Bypass fiasco, the demise of the County Splost, and the imminent demise of the "three amigos" and you can start to get a feel for the current level of voter disgust. This heightened level of disgust/distrust has a direct effect on tsplost - people just don't trust the bulk of our elected leadership to manage the money in these trying economic times.
TSplost, with all of it's ramifications, is needed, but with the sad reality of governmental mismanagement, graft, corruption, and political agenda, well.... it just ain't gonna happen.
Sadly, I don't see Government at almost any level as being willing to clean up it's own act.
Thu, 07/26/2012 - 1:45pm
#28
I will stand behind my DirectPAC facts, Major Mike
It was formed to defeat Brown and it did.
DirectPAC never endorsed Logsdon or any candidate, although that was the original intent. So many candidates came forward it just created divided opinions of support within the organization and it eventually was decided that "anybody but Brown" would be the best choice.
Regardless of you and others may feel, the founders of DirectPAC were disgusted with his showboating and self-promotion and overall immaturity. The fact that his first official act was passing an illegal building moratorium against the advice of the city attorney does explain why several bankers, builders and developers were in the group at first.
However, the group of 60 or so that were dues paying members were much more diverse than you suggest. That group had at least one doctor, dentist, active military, retired military, civil engineer, insurance agents, chiropractor, landscaper; several business managers in the industrial park, several retail business owners, a couple of advertising and public relations people, government workers - and those were just in the core group.
It is misleading to say the membership was 60 because the 60 were the active front people who were not intimidated by Brown or his cronies and didn't mind public exposure. The overall membership was over 200 and that was made up of some who preferred a lower profile - a couple of former elected city officials, former city employees, current and (then)future county commissioners, airline pilots, attorneys, CPA's, several who were active in the local Republican Party and many, many business owners.
Thu, 07/26/2012 - 2:42pm
#29
mudcat - DirectPAC "facts"
Active members of DirectPAC were less than 60 and the organization was so underhanded, misleading and untruthful that many members dropped by the wayside and asked that their names be removed from the rolls (including one major developer). I will allow that many of the original membership were in it for honest differences of opinion until they found out they were being used. See how many of those that you "listed" will admit publicly to their involvement today.
You can stand by your DirectPAC "facts" all you want, I stand behind history and the fact that most PTC citizens were ashamed to have listened to them at all. It looks like the people of PTC and Fayette paid more attention to the facts of history and less to the whining's of the disgruntled few and corrected that particular mistake. Now we have the continued whining of the County level "good ole boy" club as the voters of Fayette County are correcting the mistakes there.
"OMG, OMG, SB has insulted our buddy the banker by calling his illegal loan to our other buddies .. well ..ILLEGAL! Lets sue him and The Citizen and whoever else dares to question the will of OUR good ole boy establishment." Bwahahahahaha
Some things never change. Go back and read The Citizens archives - it's all there even though it is a bit time consuming.
Thanks to The Citizen for sticking to (and reporting) the facts over a long, long period of time.
Thu, 07/26/2012 - 7:15am
#30
Brown is not duping the public, Gene
Don't worry about that at all. Not even a little bit. Nobody takes him or what he says seriously. There are no original ideas, no leadership, no nothing. He is simply a publicity hound that parrots populist positions - some right, some wrong. In this case he's right in opposing TSPLOST, but that came after hundreds of people in Fayette County already made up their minds. Talk about leading from behind.
Now, consider this objectively Gene - just assume TSPLOST is defeated (regardless of your personal feelings) and Brown's buddy Barlow is elected to Fayette County Commission and that is a prelude to Brown being elected Chairman of County Commission by a 3-2 vote. McCarty is an empty suit, but a reliable yes vote for Brown and of course Brown (like Pressburg, Smith and Bost) is crass enough to vote for himself). With me so far? Ok so, TSPLOST fails and the ARC and DOT and others are working on Plan B. Now who are the 2 ARC representatives from Fayette County? That would be Chairman Brown and one of the Mayors. So does Fayette County come out of those ARC meetings looking good with this gadfly as (guaranteed) our most visible and vocal rep? Keep in mind he was up there once before as the mayor rep.
We can avoid that nightmare by electing Smith (who would be chairman, again) or Huddleston. I thought this through and voted for Huddleston.
Thu, 07/26/2012 - 7:31am
#31
Don't Have To Convince Me
Remember, I'm the guy Barlow yelled at that I was going to have to answer to God for supporting the TSPLOST. Not much chance he gets my vote.
You're right on about the ARC and GDOT. They are dreading the possibility that Steve becomes Chairman. Hard to get things done with a guy that thinks he knows a lot more than he does, has an enormous ego and would rather hear himself talk than listen to anyone else.
Thu, 07/26/2012 - 7:51am
#32
God is busy with other things
He or She could care less about Mr. Barlow, Fayette County Commission or even TSPLOST. God's focus this week is whether or not the gay marriage supporters will Eat Mor (or possibly less) Chiken. That is something important and God does have a dog in that fight because He or She was the One that defined marriage in the first place - a long time ago.
These gender-impaired bozos used to get a pass from me as being harmless and their wedding each other had no effect on my lifestyle, but now all bets are off. Keep your dirty little hands of my Chick fil-A. Some things are sacred
Thu, 07/26/2012 - 7:57am
#33
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
I'll be having all three at my local Chick-fil-A on Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day, August 1.
I might even wash it down with a delicious shake to celebrate the TSPLOST victory!!
Thu, 07/26/2012 - 8:09pm
#34
Gonna wash those gays right out of my hair
I'm with you Gene. August 1 is Chick fil-A all day, all the time. Those that think they can repress Dan Cathy's personal beliefs and hurt the second best run business I have ever seen are on my s*** list.
The best run business I have ever seen? - Gee, I don't know - Solyandra? GM producing the Volt? City of Boston? Bank of America? No then, let's put Chick fil-A in first place.
Support Chick fil-A on August 1 - right after you vote for all the ladies on the ballot July 31. To the best of my knowledge all the female candidates are straight - not gay. Isn't that a good thing?
Thu, 07/26/2012 - 11:13am
#35
Chick-fil-A
It is known that a small percentage of chickens are gay.
We do not know if any end up at Chick-fil-A, but persons who are bothered by gayness may want to think twice about the chicken salad.
Thu, 07/26/2012 - 2:54pm
#36
Chick-fil-A
I support all those who are boycotting Chick-fil-A. Makes the lines shorter for me.....
Thu, 07/26/2012 - 3:10pm
#37
Rahm Emanuel and Farrakhan
Rahmbo tells Chick-Fil-A to stay away from Chicago for their CEO's stance on gay marriage and the very next day welcomes with open arms the extremely anti-gay(and also racist/bigoted/just plain dumb) Farrakhan and Nation of Islam to Chicago to try and help lower the crime rate. In Rahm's world, this passes for logic.
Thu, 07/26/2012 - 4:32pm
#38
That's what the Bible to him to do, NUK...
...'turn the other face.' That is the saying, right?!? ;) Oh, wait, he's Jewish...must be him just being a politician.
Thu, 07/26/2012 - 10:16am
#39
efdrakejr & all
If Tsplost were planned and managed by Chick-fil-A management, I'd vote for it!
BTW - I think that you'll be skipping the shake. Try the peach fried pie and an ice-T in order to consume the wished for amount of carbs.
Thu, 07/26/2012 - 8:09am
#40
Eugene
Enjoying life totally detached from reality in your dreamworld Eugene?
You might want to wash that Chick-fil-A down with dose of humility.
Thu, 07/26/2012 - 8:18am
#41
It Was A Joke, Grizz
We're down in the polls and it's going to be tough to come back and win. Just joking around a little so feel free to lighten up.
Thu, 07/26/2012 - 9:10am
#42
Grizz, you only have to look back at the other times Elfie said
he was only joking to realize he always misses the mark when he tries to be jocular. Let's give him the benefit of the doubt and chalk it up to the fact that he is working overtime to convince us that T-SPLOST is the way to go. Also, be careful 'cause if you don't agree with him he can get downright testy.
Just go look at the printed Citizen - page 11.
THANK YOU! We may not agree on the SPLOST, but HALLELUJAH the chorus is singing against the Barlow/Oddo/Ognio/Ross/Brown/Smithfield/Bost MADNESS.