BRAC and Kia Set to Make Columbus an Economic Oasis (Atlanta: how much, hotels)

[Sam552311]

Originally Posted by aboutmetro

Sam, I'm not sure what your beef is. These numbers are presented, well, from the military themselves. If you work on base, you might want to mention to the authors that they've gotten the numbers wrong. Benning representatives are at the table at every single planning meeting. So if there's faulty information, the military itself is to blame. I'll be the first to tell you that anything the Chamber of Commerce is involved in is going to be better or not as bad as it really is, but I'll also tell you that they did not come up with this info in a vacuum. Please, if you have access to leadership, set them straight. We'll all appreciate it.


AND as someone who's a military brat of sorts, I too know for a fact that your assessment of the frequency with which military personnel and civilians visit on- and off-post retail services is not quite or nearly accurate. I shop at both the PX and commissary from time to time. If the entire population of the base didn't shop off base, I'd have to park at the airport and walk to the commissary... (there wouldn't be room to park, in other words). Yes, a big bulk of the military will be transient. No one's arguing that point. That's why there's a blue line and a red line on the chart. It's the red line that most folks in the greater community are focused upon. And I can also say that the spouse and family that comes from the military is based on demographics. In other words, they didn't look to see which soldiers at Ft. Knox were married and had families and how many kids. So obviously there's some margin of error in that number.

For the record, my mother, a captain's widow, who lives off base still has base privileges as do many of her friends. Most shop off base much more than they do on base. The commissary and PX's prices are not overall any cheaper than market prices. Just like any other store, some things are cheaper, others are not. Plus, there isn't the variety that's offered in the general marketplace. Not to mention, it's extremely inconvenient.

Next, as someone who's been in both the building and real estate sales in the region, I can tell you the market sets the price. Homes in North Lee County, AL are generally not cheaper than homes in many areas of Columbus. The price of land determines about 20-25% of the cost of a home. In rural areas, where land is cheaper, the price of the home will generally be cheaper. There are trade offs. For example, when gas gets back to $2.50+ per gallon, the cost trade-off of longer commutes to schools, services, etc. begins to out way the cost of 'intown' living. I myself currently live in Lee County. When I moved there, my car insurance went up significantly (and unexpectedly). Home insurance is more too in areas with all or part volunteer fire services, no EMS and/or very far from police services. So the moral of the story is, there's more to calculating the cost of a location than the house payment and even taxes. And by the way, NO government is soliciting military to live in their jurisdictions. There are private companies who are. Columbus will get many of the non-buyer military folks... or people generally. As credit rules tighten, home ownership is less than likely for many, so apartment living is in more especially young families' future than ever.

More accurate description for Columbus would be "Where's the beef?"
Your post sounds fine in theory but is not what is currently happening at the base or the community for that matter.
Retired personnel who live here locally have NEVER been counted as regular customers on base as it is set up for young soldiers and their families who are active duty.
I have to say as well as many co workers and supv that the price gouging of military personnel is over for city companies in real estate/insurance etc as they now have orientations for all new arrivals warning them of this so they are not ripped off.
We took a survey last year on base and you would be very surprised at the amount of online purchases vs local buying with the major complaint being that most businesses locally never had what they wanted or were always told they could order it. They are offered much better rates for auto/life/travel etc on base than anyone locally too.
Honestly I just don't think the city can compete with what the base has to offer and are still operating in old school fashion which is just plain obsolete. Ft Benning modernization is really making Columbus looked dated and our folks out here know it and maybe that is what bothers locals so much.

[Bjohnson23]

Originally Posted by Sam552311

More accurate description for Columbus would be "Where's the beef?"
Your post sounds fine in theory but is not what is currently happening at the base or the community for that matter.
Retired personnel who live here locally have NEVER been counted as regular customers on base as it is set up for young soldiers and their families who are active duty.
I have to say as well as many co workers and supv that the price gouging of military personnel is over for city companies in real estate/insurance etc as they now have orientations for all new arrivals warning them of this so they are not ripped off.
We took a survey last year on base and you would be very surprised at the amount of online purchases vs local buying with the major complaint being that most businesses locally never had what they wanted or were always told they could order it. They are offered much better rates for auto/life/travel etc on base than anyone locally too.
Honestly I just don't think the city can compete with what the base has to offer and are still operating in old school fashion which is just plain obsolete. Ft Benning modernization is really making Columbus looked dated and our folks out here know it and maybe that is what bothers locals so much.

I agree with you but I would not even waste time responding to these posts on Columbus as they seem to think they are a little smarter than the general population/military.
This is the very reason the city will never move forward and will stumble along until it gets totally left behind.
I have to at least give you credit for trying but you cannot argue with a deep rooted biased mentality...lol
Take care

[Mom2TwoAngels]

Hello everyone,

I am chiming in here to give my 2 cents with general observations about Columbus. I went to school in Columbus in the 90s (high school), attended military schools in Ft. Benning a few years before than, Europe before that, and so and so forth. I went to college in Marietta GA after high school and haven't been back to Georgia since except to visit my parents who decided to retire in Columbus, GA.

I'll be real. Not a year passes where I don't pray that my parents will get up and LEAVE THAT PLACE (COLUMBUS) -- Ft. Benning is actually quite lovely for an army base. Columbus is GHETTO to say it nicely and yes, I lived most of my childhood life in Columbus and I can be honest about this...The south side is TRYING TO supposedly change but only b/c of the influx of solider transplants who will be leaving a Kentucky army base that's closing down. They are expecting at least 200K soldiers/families from there so NOW all of a sudden, they are trying to clean up the place by breaking down section-8 housing and frankly..."hoods" like Baker Village, cleaning up Victory Drive and South Lumpkin roads which all lead up to a major entrance to Ft. Benning. They still have quite a ways to go marked by the number of "PROJECTS", tattoos joints, prostitution and nasty motels and pawn shops in South Columbus but they will continue making changes until 2011 which is the deadline for all Kentucky soldiers and their families to move to Ft. Benning. They don't want to give these KY transplants a bad taste in their mouth so they are cleaning up.

You'll notice they have removed the huge trailer park on South Lumpkin road and they have a beautiful golf course, Ox Bow Meadows and museums on S. Lumpkin that lead up to one of the Ft. Benning entrances. Whatever it takes, I suppose to get that place cleaned up so I'm all for Ft. Benning taking an interest in that immediate area, AT LEAST SOMEONE DID because the mayor/government of Columbus GEORGIA surely hasn't given a rats behind about South Columbus!


They are also widening the Interstate near that way but if you notice, you still can't find ANY DECENT shops or restaurants in South Columbus unless you travel to North Columbus near the airport; speaking of the airport, it's a joke. Considering how many people live in that area of the state, you'd think they'd have REAL PLANES flying into a REAL AIRPORT but they have those 8-seaters that will scare the BEJEZUS out of you! No thanks!

You will also notice the LARGE number of lost, un-mentored, unemployed minorities on the south side that the government has turned a blind eye to. It's so pathetic actually. The houses go for 30K in the south side which is fantastic but who the hecks wants to live there? The neighborhoods are downright scary with major drug dealings and usage in the South side. My parents live in an area on the South side that USE To be very nice and filled with many military families...tree lined streets and well maintained yards, ordinances to keep the places looking nice and now 85%+ of them are run down, rented out to low-income families or abandoned. The remaining military families who live there stay in their houses most of the time and PRAY for security. I just returned from a visit to my parents (who live in the south side b/c of the close proximity to Ft. Benning and their hospital and we had to drive to Macon Road just to find a Walmart. Mark my word, I will NOT go to that store again. GHETTO is not even the word to describe it. I suppose I'll have to drive an additional 20 minutes to go further north to visit the Walmart where the more affluent people live....let alone "Sams", Starbucks or Target!

There's a SERIOUS, blatant racial and class divide amongst the people in Columbus. It makes me ill to my stomach. Before anyone goes off on the deep end about race, I'm multiracial (white/black) so please don't assume I can't relate to both sides. Most of the poorer blacks and Hispanics live in the south side and have been forgotten about. Where are the programs to help these people out? The more affluent whites live on the north side and every time "CRIME" occurs, they always blame "those" people on the South side....

The schools and neighborhoods are very sad on the south side. I can only hope and pray a miracle and spiritual intervention sweeps through Columbus to improve the area. I've lived in Atlanta, New York, MD/DC and now the burbs of Chicago and although I'd love to move closer to my parents, I absolutely cannot do it because I have young children and will not sacrifice their security and education. There's no "culture" in Columbus Ga and if you love to be bored out of your mind, stay in the house and enjoy sweltering heat, this place is for you! Overall, this place needs some serious prayer. Again, it's been many years since I lived in Columbus. However, my parents still live there and I would love to hear that great things are happening regarding improvement but as it stands now, miracles are needed...God Bless...

[Bjohnson23]

Originally Posted by Mom2TwoAngels

Hello everyone,

I am chiming in here to give my 2 cents with general observations about Columbus. I went to school in Columbus in the 90s (high school), attended military schools in Ft. Benning a few years before than, Europe before that, and so and so forth. I went to college in Marietta GA after high school and haven't been back to Georgia since except to visit my parents who decided to retire in Columbus, GA.

I'll be real. Not a year passes where I don't pray that my parents will get up and LEAVE THAT PLACE (COLUMBUS) -- Ft. Benning is actually quite lovely for an army base. Columbus is GHETTO to say it nicely and yes, I lived most of my childhood life in Columbus and I can be honest about this...The south side is TRYING TO supposedly change but only b/c of the influx of solider transplants who will be leaving a Kentucky army base that's closing down. They are expecting at least 200K soldiers/families from there so NOW all of a sudden, they are trying to clean up the place by breaking down section-8 housing and frankly..."hoods" like Baker Village, cleaning up Victory Drive and South Lumpkin roads which all lead up to a major entrance to Ft. Benning. They still have quite a ways to go marked by the number of "PROJECTS", tattoos joints, prostitution and nasty motels and pawn shops in South Columbus but they will continue making changes until 2011 which is the deadline for all Kentucky soldiers and their families to move to Ft. Benning. They don't want to give these KY transplants a bad taste in their mouth so they are cleaning up.

You'll notice they have removed the huge trailer park on South Lumpkin road and they have a beautiful golf course, Ox Bow Meadows and museums on S. Lumpkin that lead up to one of the Ft. Benning entrances. Whatever it takes, I suppose to get that placed cleaned up so I'm all for Ft. Benning taking an interest in that area, AT LEAST SOMEONE DID because the major and government of Columbus GEORGIA surely hasn't given a rats behind about South or East Columbus!


They are also widening the Interstate near that way but if you notice, you still can't find ANY DECENT shops or restaurants in South Columbus unless you travel to North Columbus near the airport; speaking of the airport, it's a joke. Considering how many people live in that area of the state, you'd think they'd have REAL PLANES flying into a REAL AIRPORT but they have those 8-seaters that will scare the BEJEZUS out of you! No thanks!

You will also notice the LARGE number of lost, un-mentored, unemployed minorities on the south side that the government has turned a blind eye to. It's so pathetic actually. The houses go for 30K in the south side which is fantastic but who the hecks wants to live there? The neighborhoods are downright scary with major drug dealings and usage in the South side. My parents live in an area on the South side that USE To be very nice and filled with many military families...tree lined streets and well maintained yars, ordinances to keep the places looking nice and now 80%+ of them are run down, rented out to low-income families or abandoned. The remaining military families who live there stay in their houses most of the time and PRAY for security. I just returned from a visit to my parents (who live in the south side b/c of the close proximity to Ft. Benning and their hospital and we had to drive to Macon Road just to find a Walmart. Mark my word, I will NOT go to that store again. GHETTO is not even the word to describe it. I suppose I'll have to drive an additional 20 minutes to go further north to visit the one where the more affluent people live.

There's a SERIOUS, blatant racial and class divide amongst the people in Columbus. It makes me ill to my stomach. Before anyone goes off on the deep end about race, I'm multiracial (white/black) so please don't assume I can't relate to both sides. Most of the poorer blacks and Hispanics live in the south side and have been forgotten about. Where are the programs to help these people out? The more affluent whites live on the north side and every time "CRIME" occurs, they always blame "those" people on the South side....

The schools and neighborhoods are very sad on the south side. I can only hope and pray a miracle and spiritual intervention sweeps through Columbus to improve the area. I've lived in Atlanta, New York, MD/DC and now the burbs of Chicago and although I'd love to move closer to my parents, I absolutely cannot do it because I have young children and will not sacrifice their security and education. There's no "culture" in Columbus Ga and if you love to be bored out of your mind, stay in the house and enjoy sweltering heat, this place is for you! Overall, this place needs some serious prayer. Again, it's been many years since I lived in Columbus. However, my parents still live there and I would love to hear that great things are happening thing regarding improvement but as it stands now, miracles are needed...God Bless...

What a wonderfully truthful post.....God bless you!!
Columbus is like a stagnant rain puddle as it only attracts mosquitoes and you know what they like to do!!

[aboutmetro]

Originally Posted by Mom2TwoAngels

Hello everyone,

I am chiming in here

Wow, where to begin... First, south Columbus does have issues. We'll get to that in a minute. All cities have good and bad sides, even where you live now. (I notice you didn't say where you live now). It may not within the corp city limits, but if it doesn't there's a town nearby that does the same thing, hold the poorer side.

Now, let's try to go point by point. The public housing changes. Those have been in the works for over a decade. They've just now come into fruition because, well it's the federal government and nothing happens fast. As for the mobile home park, that's private property. The owner went belly up and couldn't pay the taxes and the water bills. Had he not gone bankrupt, it'd still be there. You might not like it, but it did provide housing for a lot of people who probably now live in those government assisted homes.

As for shopping and restaurants on the southside. These too are private sector issues. Businesses go where income can justify the investment. If they can't make enough money, they won't make an investment there. Or, yes, if their employees or products are in danger of theft or injury, that's an issue too. As far as the way the homes are maintained. The government doesn't tell people how to maintain their homes or not unless it becomes a public hazard to the occupant or others. There are ordinances that address that, but not general maintenance and 'keeping their houses nice looking'. That's what private neighborhood covenants encourage. It's not the government's (i.e. other taxpayers') fault or responsibility for your parents neighbors to keep their yards and houses up. There are about 10 nice neighborhoods for every bad one in metro Columbus. Your parents can either: 1) start another neighborhood association or 2) move. It's their choice and their responsibility.

The issue is more socio-economic than racial. My neighborhood is about 49/49% white and black. It's middle working-class neighborhood and most people do keep their houses up very nicely. When our covenants expired two years ago, we all met and decided to renew them for another 20. Are your parents involved? If you're expecting the government to handle everything for you, I'm guessing not.

Now, regarding people on the south side, more than two-thirds of the public safety budget is spent on the south side. So the government hasn't turned their backs on them. There are still schools there and every child has an opportunity to do what you and I did which is get an education and become productive members of society. The truth is, that's probably about 95% of the population on the south side. Most people are hard working. A very few make the whole area look bad and scare off new people who would bring in money and investment.

Airport, Columbus will likely have a smallish airport for the foreseeable future. Here again, it's market-driven economics. It's too easy and cheap to drive the hour or so to the Atlanta airport (or take a shuttle). So carriers generally fly their commuter planes into Columbus. Various carriers who's hub isn't Atlanta have flown in from time to time, but especially after fuel prices skyrocketed, they couldn't compete with the proximity to ATL. We'd probably be better off having a train connection to the ATL airport or moving the airport to co-locate with Auburn. But that's another discussion.

Race issues have little to do with drug dealing, it's purely character and economic. There are drug dealers and users of all flavors. If there's buyers, there'll be dealers. Drug dealers are basically business people (their business happens to be illegal, but still).

Regarding cultural activities in Columbus. The town has invested more in its cultural infrastructure than any other city its size. Since the early 1990's well over $200 million in public and private money has been invested. A short list of Attractions is here. I highly recommend you call or e-mail the visitor's bureau for a visitor pack. For kids too, there are dozens of parks with youth sports activities, arts activities for kids through a number of organizations but especially the Rankin Arts Center.

You are right about one thing, most of the investment in South Columbus has been government (taxpayer) money, or money from generous donors. If the area doesn't rise to the occasion and take the opportunity to pull itself up, it will be my last vote for my tax money to go the area, thanks in large part to attitudes like yours.

[aboutmetro]

Originally Posted by Sam552311

More accurate description for Columbus would be "Where's the beef?"
Your post sounds fine in theory but is not what is currently happening at the base or the community for that matter.
Retired personnel who live here locally have NEVER been counted as regular customers on base as it is set up for young soldiers and their families who are active duty.
I have to say as well as many co workers and supv that the price gouging of military personnel is over for city companies in real estate/insurance etc as they now have orientations for all new arrivals warning them of this so they are not ripped off.
We took a survey last year on base and you would be very surprised at the amount of online purchases vs local buying with the major complaint being that most businesses locally never had what they wanted or were always told they could order it. They are offered much better rates for auto/life/travel etc on base than anyone locally too.
Honestly I just don't think the city can compete with what the base has to offer and are still operating in old school fashion which is just plain obsolete. Ft Benning modernization is really making Columbus looked dated and our folks out here know it and maybe that is what bothers locals so much.

Sam, Your views are out of touch with the real world. Some of what you describe regarding online purchases is happening in the general population and is not unique to the military (psst, I know it started out in the military, but the Internet is everywhere now). I defy you to provide any copies of any flyers or other material from the base advising prospective buyers the way you describe. Given your propensity to exaggerate, I seriously doubt that even if such exists, that you have any such access. I personally have assisted officers with home purchases in northeast Columbus. At least I can back up what I say. I've provided links to survey's, documents, etc for all to see and make their own judgments, you seem to only 'promise' these things exist. Mine are facts, and yours are figments of your imagination. The base does consider the 30,000 retirees in the metro Columbus area in their service projections. The military is much smarter than that. These people vote and are very important to them.

Go to this link on the official Fort Benning website and look at newcomer info.

Go to this link and note the Retiree/Veterans focus group on the Customer Management Services page of the official site.

You and a few other disgruntled friends might have issues, but you don't make a trend. There simply no basis for your claims.

[ATLCOL1]

That's why I live in North Columbus where everything is new and nice. South Columbus has come a long way. South Atlanta is the same way. North Columbus is where everything is growing. Nice restaurants, shopping, hotels, subdivisions, etc. Most of you guys are clueless in my opinion.

[Mom2TwoAngels]

I must say for those of you claiming that South Columbus isn't nearly as bad as the opinions stated on this board claim, you really have no compassion, understanding or empathy for what has been occurring in South Columbus since at LEAST the 1980's.


I think every intelligent adult on this board realizes that some portions of EVERY city in America gets the raw end of the stick so there's no sense in preaching that to the choir. Aboutmetro, I specifically updated my profile to include my current location for people just like you. I currently live in Naperville, Illinois; however, my parents still reside in South Columbus. I lived there for over 12 years of my life and have been visiting since 1991. I have friends who have worked for Columbus' government over the decades so I am very aware of what strides and progress have taken place and "who" has benefited from it. Most of the gentrification and major improvements have not occurred in South Columbus for the most part and those that have were and are NOT for the direct benefit of the residents of South Columbus. You cannot claim to spend x amount of budget dollars on "certain projects" in South Columbus when you have not taken a real interest in the people or living conditions of South Columbus to MENTOR and UPLIFT that community. You can give a lemon an amazing paint job with bells and whistles and a nice BOSE sound system to boot -- at the end of the day, it's still a lemon. You cannot simply "MOVE" masses of low-income citizens around to different "parts" of South Columbus, swirling them in various locations in an attempt to claim that you have made progress.

Public housing has not truly changed. Sure, the facade looks different but the content of the communities remain. Camilia apartments are still the same no matter what gate your put around it or how much paint your slap on it. PIECES of Baker Village look quite impressive (as of last week when I drove through) but of course, who is going to reside there? Are you going to let the same individuals back in that community? A rose by any other name is still a rose! Speaking of Baker Village, were you around when Baker High School was no longer a "Military School"? Do you even know how the demise of that school and neighborhood occurred? Care to do some research on the number of low-income residents who have been displaced in the NORTHERN part of Columbus versus the south side? These changes did not occur overnight. South Columbus is the result of years of abandonment.

Over the last 5+ years, what they have done is ripped down buildings, created new ones, and relocated the same individuals benefiting from "public housing" in another area of temporary, non-interest in the South side. Are you aware of what tax implications were placed on the trailer park home off of South Lumpkin drive? If not, please don't assume that you have "quick answers". Ft. Benning and Columbus had their eyes on that piece of property for decades and continually raised the taxes so that the owner could no longer afford to keep it. The upper or middle class part of me is happy they removed the trailer park but the empathetic part of me is not because I realize they have displaced those individuals and sporadically placed those low-income individuals in various communities within Oakland and Colonial park, a ONCE thriving neighborhood that took pride in their communities with active participation in associations and regulatory practices. However, when you move large segments of low-income families into such neighborhoods over a decade or more, those individuals are NOT going to adhere to community ethics or standards nor take pride in their homes. As more and more "DISPLACED" low-income families were throw into these communities, the people who could afford to pick up and move did so. For many, it is easier to leave a community to the slums and look for greener pasture than to stay back and fight drugs, low morals and disenchanted attitudes. The government of Columbus also chose to turn a blind eye to all that has occurred in South Columbus over the last 30 years. There is a noticeable difference in the separation of CLASS when you compare North and South Columbus and this was not always the case. Meanwhile, North Columbus is looking rather dapper with greener pastures so those who could afford to move, did so and forgot about "that" land... and so the cycle continues.

It is no wonder why nearly 98% of the people that graduated with me or within years of me left Columbus. There are very few opportunities there especially for those who have advanced degress. Those who chose to stay found it easier to transplant themselves in the "newer areas" on the northside where things are a tad prettier. My parents have been quite involved thank you very much - They have gone to the city counsel meetings and wrote the letters and made the calls, all to fall on deaf ears. Many of my friends came back to Columbus over the years to try and fight for overall progress to uplift the city as a whole. Instead, many....were more concerned in devising plans to keep parts of Columbus separate and that is quite noticeable today.

It is self-serving, arrogant, attitudes that keep communities like South Columbus oppressed while OTHER neighborhoods in northern Columbus progress. Those who moved to the other side of town did so without any concern for the people and communities they left behind. After eating a hefty slice of humble pie, we SOON realize that leaving any part of a city, community or child behind affects US ALL as a collective whole. This is the case no matter what you live but it is of great importance to me obviously because my parents have chosen to STAY AND FIGHT THE FIGHT in South Columbus -- all without very much intervention and help -- might I add. To each their own regarding where they choose to live, but ff you have not spent considerable years living on the South side of Columbus, please don't raise your hands up in the air and claim to know what involvement the residents and concerned citizens or stakeholders of South Columbus have taken now or in the last 20-30 years.

I will write more later...

[Bjohnson23]

Originally Posted by aboutmetro

Sam, Your views are out of touch with the real world. Some of what you describe regarding online purchases is happening in the general population and is not unique to the military (psst, I know it started out in the military, but the Internet is everywhere now). I defy you to provide any copies of any flyers or other material from the base advising prospective buyers the way you describe. Given your propensity to exaggerate, I seriously doubt that even if such exists, that you have any such access. I personally have assisted officers with home purchases in northeast Columbus. At least I can back up what I say. I've provided links to survey's, documents, etc for all to see and make their own judgments, you seem to only 'promise' these things exist. Mine are facts, and yours are figments of your imagination. The base does consider the 30,000 retirees in the metro Columbus area in their service projections. The military is much smarter than that. These people vote and are very important to them.

Go to this link on the official Fort Benning website and look at newcomer info.

Go to this link and note the Retiree/Veterans focus group on the Customer Management Services page of the official site.

You and a few other disgruntled friends might have issues, but you don't make a trend. There simply no basis for your claims.

30k retirees are catered to by the military because they vote?....right!!
As far as the internet goes you made my point in that it is everywhere and is hurting small and medium locally owned stores all over the city and nationwide for that matter.
Where have you been?
Your links are mostly generic in nature and provide little information on the current base functions which change out here with us almost daily. Some of the graphs are way off from what we have here in payroll.
I think the city is in for a big letdown when this whole thing unfolds next fall as your council continues to beat their drums and do nothing.
Columbus is no longer the republican stronghold it once was so I agree that things can only get better.

[Bjohnson23]

Originally Posted by aboutmetro

Wow, where to begin... First, south Columbus does have issues. We'll get to that in a minute. All cities have good and bad sides, even where you live now. (I notice you didn't say where you live now). It may not within the corp city limits, but if it doesn't there's a town nearby that does the same thing, hold the poorer side.

Now, let's try to go point by point. The public housing changes. Those have been in the works for over a decade. They've just now come into fruition because, well it's the federal government and nothing happens fast. As for the mobile home park, that's private property. The owner went belly up and couldn't pay the taxes and the water bills. Had he not gone bankrupt, it'd still be there. You might not like it, but it did provide housing for a lot of people who probably now live in those government assisted homes.

As for shopping and restaurants on the southside. These too are private sector issues. Businesses go where income can justify the investment. If they can't make enough money, they won't make an investment there. Or, yes, if their employees or products are in danger of theft or injury, that's an issue too. As far as the way the homes are maintained. The government doesn't tell people how to maintain their homes or not unless it becomes a public hazard to the occupant or others. There are ordinances that address that, but not general maintenance and 'keeping their houses nice looking'. That's what private neighborhood covenants encourage. It's not the government's (i.e. other taxpayers') fault or responsibility for your parents neighbors to keep their yards and houses up. There are about 10 nice neighborhoods for every bad one in metro Columbus. Your parents can either: 1) start another neighborhood association or 2) move. It's their choice and their responsibility.

The issue is more socio-economic than racial. My neighborhood is about 49/49% white and black. It's middle working-class neighborhood and most people do keep their houses up very nicely. When our covenants expired two years ago, we all met and decided to renew them for another 20. Are your parents involved? If you're expecting the government to handle everything for you, I'm guessing not.

Now, regarding people on the south side, more than two-thirds of the public safety budget is spent on the south side. So the government hasn't turned their backs on them. There are still schools there and every child has an opportunity to do what you and I did which is get an education and become productive members of society. The truth is, that's probably about 95% of the population on the south side. Most people are hard working. A very few make the whole area look bad and scare off new people who would bring in money and investment.

Airport, Columbus will likely have a smallish airport for the foreseeable future. Here again, it's market-driven economics. It's too easy and cheap to drive the hour or so to the Atlanta airport (or take a shuttle). So carriers generally fly their commuter planes into Columbus. Various carriers who's hub isn't Atlanta have flown in from time to time, but especially after fuel prices skyrocketed, they couldn't compete with the proximity to ATL. We'd probably be better off having a train connection to the ATL airport or moving the airport to co-locate with Auburn. But that's another discussion.

Race issues have little to do with drug dealing, it's purely character and economic. There are drug dealers and users of all flavors. If there's buyers, there'll be dealers. Drug dealers are basically business people (their business happens to be illegal, but still).

Regarding cultural activities in Columbus. The town has invested more in its cultural infrastructure than any other city its size. Since the early 1990's well over $200 million in public and private money has been invested. A short list of Attractions is here. I highly recommend you call or e-mail the visitor's bureau for a visitor pack. For kids too, there are dozens of parks with youth sports activities, arts activities for kids through a number of organizations but especially the Rankin Arts Center.

You are right about one thing, most of the investment in South Columbus has been government (taxpayer) money, or money from generous donors. If the area doesn't rise to the occasion and take the opportunity to pull itself up, it will be my last vote for my tax money to go the area, thanks in large part to attitudes like yours.

Standard hardcore republican speech.........rofl.
Not very original but rather biased.