BRAC and Kia Set to Make Columbus an Economic Oasis (Lumpkin: low income, home)

[Bjohnson23]

Originally Posted by 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...

As far as the trailer park fiasco goes you are correct that they railroaded them out.

How about the previous sheriff going 80 miles an hour drunk on vets parkway gets pulled over by local police and pulls a gun on them?
Mayor had to come and drive him home....why wasn't this in the paper?

[Bjohnson23]

Originally Posted by 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.

You must be proud to be voted in as president of the clueless club.
South Columbus has come a long way?
Talk about out of touch with reality.

[ATLCOL1]

Originally Posted by Bjohnson23

You must be proud to be voted in as president of the clueless club.
South Columbus has come a long way?
Talk about out of touch with reality.

Think you hold that title ROFL. My parents grew up in Oakland Park and went to Baker High.....yes, it has come a long way .

[aboutmetro]

Originally Posted by Bjohnson23

As far as the trailer park fiasco goes you are correct that they railroaded them out.

How about the previous sheriff going 80 miles an hour drunk on vets parkway gets pulled over by local police and pulls a gun on them?
Mayor had to come and drive him home....why wasn't this in the paper?

Here again, so off topic that it's hardly worth a response.

[ATLCOL1]

Originally Posted by aboutmetro

Here again, so off topic that it's hardly worth a response.

I agree, I shouldn't have fallen into the trap. Keep posting the good information Aboutmetro!

[Bjohnson23]

Originally Posted by ATLCOL1

I agree, I shouldn't have fallen into the trap. Keep posting the good information Aboutmetro!

Well you 2 have your cheerleading club.
Congratulations..lol

[Bjohnson23]

Originally Posted by ATLCOL1

Think you hold that title ROFL. My parents grew up in Oakland Park and went to Baker High.....yes, it has come a long way .

It definitely shows in your posts.
Look at Oakland Park and Baker High now....come a long way?
That is putting it mildly..lol

[ATLCOL1]

Originally Posted by Bjohnson23

Well you 2 have your cheerleading club.
Congratulations..lol

ROFL, have more than that. We present facts, unlike you.

[ATLCOL1]

Originally Posted by Bjohnson23

It definitely shows in your posts.
Look at Oakland Park and Baker High now....come a long way?
That is putting it mildly..lol

Another young grasshopper who has trouble comprehending things. You are just too young to see the difference. It's OK though......

[Bjohnson23]

Originally Posted by ATLCOL1

Another young grasshopper who has trouble comprehending things. You are just too young to see the difference. It's OK though......

You didn't get your ged till 2002..lol
Who's young?