30 years of MARTA (Atlanta, Dillard: taxes, stations, transit)

[Freeminds]

Originally Posted by Mutiny77

Uhhh, no. While an important asset to the region (even with some mismanagement), it's not the reason why Atlanta is the dominant force within the Southeast that it is. Houston and Miami are both larger than Atlanta and have nothing like MARTA.

Miami is not. If it is not by any significant number.

[Freeminds]

Originally Posted by arjay57

Gee, that's an awfully dismissive comment. In fact I don't "whine about pretty much everything."

However, I do have an interest in how our tax dollars are spent. I just chipped in another $350 to MARTA a couple of days ago and would strongly prefer that the money go to transit instead of pat-on-the-back video productions.

It's clear to anyone who's paying attention to the real world that often public funds are spent on unwise, frivolous, unnecessary and frequently downright stupid things.

I happen to believe that a beleaguered state agency like MARTA ought to be focusing 100% of its attention and resources on providing cost efficient transit rather than making self-aggrandizing promotional videos.

Now, I made this observation without insulting you or anyone else. It's puzzling why you consider it appropriate to respond with belittling and dismissive remarks.

How on earth is an agency supposed to do any sort of promotion without spending any tax dollars?

How are people supposed know about stuff without ads?

[Freeminds]

Originally Posted by gtcorndog

Well, since it isn't a BIG waste, the low level waste should be tolerated.

Good logic.

How on earth is an agency supposed to do any sort of promotion without spending any tax dollars?

[Ant131531]

Originally Posted by westau

You make that sound like a bad thing. I like Charlotte and Nashville.

That's terrible, especially Charlotte. Ewwww.

[AnsleyPark]

Originally Posted by Freeminds

How on earth is an agency supposed to do any sort of promotion without spending any tax dollars?

Why on earth does this agency need to do any promotion at all? It's not as if MARTA is some secret for heavens sake. Seen all the buses and trains lately? This promotional thing is a waste of your and my tax dollars.

[erick295]

Originally Posted by AnsleyPark

Why on earth does this agency need to do any promotion at all? It's not as if MARTA is some secret for heavens sake.

Right. Because they promote it. If anything they need to be promoting it more.

I'd offer to chip in your share of the cost, but they don't make coins that small

[Freeminds]

Originally Posted by AnsleyPark

Why on earth does this agency need to do any promotion at all? It's not as if MARTA is some secret for heavens sake. Seen all the buses and trains lately? This promotional thing is a waste of your and my tax dollars.

It's not a secret because its been promoted.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by Freeminds

How on earth is an agency supposed to do any sort of promotion without spending any tax dollars?

They're not supposed to do "promotions."

MARTA is a state agency charged with providing rail and bus transit in Fulton and DeKalb counties. That's their job, period.

Spending taxpayer money to create "ain't-we-something?" videos doesn't have jack to do with the MARTA's statutory mission.

[Freeminds]

Originally Posted by arjay57

They're not supposed to do "promotions."

MARTA is a state agency charged with providing rail and bus transit in Fulton and DeKalb counties. That's their job, period.

Spending taxpayer money to create "ain't-we-something?" videos doesn't have jack to do with the MARTA's statutory mission.

So how are people supposed to be aware of what the service offers and how it can assist them?

By your logic the government should never announce any of its service to those it might benefit them as tax payers.

[Freeminds]

Also, did you guys know that Marta gets money from rider fees too? Did you know that advertsing might help it gain revenue by encouraging riders who all have to pay to rude anyway?