AJC Atlanta Forward: Making the case for regionalism (Dallas, Clayton: how much, layoffs)

[Gulch]

Originally Posted by cqholt

Negative, several suburban cities decline to join DART.

At least MARTA referenda are conducted at the county level. Could you imagine the start up cities around here trying this?

[bu2]

Originally Posted by cqholt

Negative, several suburban cities decline to join DART.

Dallas Area Rapid Transit - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

15 cities did join as noted in the previous paragraph that you didn't quote. Its basically all of the cities in Dallas County on the north side, west side and near southwest along with Plano in Collin County to the north. The more industrial/blue collar areas to the east and south didn't join. Denton County to the northwest has a commuter rail and Tarrant County to the west (Ft. Worth) is working on commuter rail into Dallas.

DART.org - About DART
DART: It's all connected

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) gets you around Dallas and 12 surrounding cities with modern public transit services and customer facilities tailored to make your trip fast, comfortable and economical. Our extensive network of DART Rail, Trinity Railway Express (TRE) and bus services moves more than 220,000 passengers per day across our 700-square-mile service area.


Enjoy the best in bus services

DART operates local and express bus routes serving Addison, Carrollton, Cockrell Hill, Dallas, Farmers Branch, Garland, Glenn Heights, Highland Park, Irving, Richardson, Rowlett, Plano and University Park.

[jero23]

Originally Posted by bu2

But Dallas which has strong, large suburbs, a history of urban/suburban fights, and is one of the most conservative big cities in the country has cooperated very well on transportation. The state hasn't lead there.

We need better local leaders here. We've got, in all counties, a lot of parochial leaders. Many only interested in lining their own pockets.

You just answered your own question...see the embolden for example...

There is no huge divide between Dallas and its suburbs because it is large socially conservative city, so is Houston. Where there is little political/ideological divide then of course things between the core city(ities) and suburbs will cooperate. Atlanta doesn't have that luxury because it is a large (black) socially progressive city surrounded by socially conservative and (still to this day) mostly predominately white suburbs and exurbs.

[cwkimbro]

Originally Posted by jero23

You just answered your own question...see the embolden for example...

There is no huge divide between Dallas and its suburbs because it is large socially conservative city, so is Houston. Where there is little political/ideological divide then of course things between the core city(ities) and suburbs will cooperate. Atlanta doesn't have that luxury because it is a large (black) socially progressive city surrounded by socially conservative and (still to this day) mostly predominately white suburbs and exurbs.

Alright... I have to chime in here. We have to be more careful.

First, so there is no confusion I completely agree with your premise and it is an excellent point. Creating an atmosphere where people can ideologically get along, they can move forward together easier.


But throughout this threat are tons of small remarks/comments that seem to be stuck in the old way of thinking.

The suburbs are not all predominately white anymore and unlike what another poster mentioned earlier Gwinnett County is easily the most diverse place in town, despite not being liberal enough for him Gwinnett is actually a very well managed county within itself and people are not rushing to make aggressive changes.

And in case anyone has forgotten Dekalb, Clayton, Rockdale counties are all suburbs too.

Another important thing to mention is diversity beyond white and black is increasing. Many of these new populations don't fully prescribe to the South's older black liberal and white conservative platforms, even if they trend more conservative or liberal. They are also found in the suburbs more often.

In time this can change the behavior of the parties for specific positions and it can also make some people left out of the process where they don't vote.

One small example is Hispanics often come from societies that are much more economically conservative, than here. Yet, they are completely scared away from the Republican party for their social stances.

[cqholt]

The suburbs are not all predominately white anymore and unlike what another poster mentioned earlier Gwinnett County is easily the most diverse place in town, despite not being liberal enough for him Gwinnett is actually a very well managed county within itself and people are not rushing to make aggressive changes.

OK, the electorate is predominately white and conservative.

[cwkimbro]

Originally Posted by cqholt

OK, the electorate is predominately white and conservative.

Or too many people are playing aging stereotypes that are no longer true...

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by cqholt

OK, the electorate is predominately white and conservative.

Well, I don't see the wealthy black suburbs in southwest Atlanta clamoring for transit. Whereas predominantly white north Fulton is.

Race is a factor but it's certainly not the only factor these days.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by arjay57

Well, I don't see the wealthy black suburbs in southwest Atlanta clamoring for transit. Whereas predominantly white north Fulton is.

Race is a factor but it's certainly not the only factor these days.

Buses already serve that area and research has shown that white people are less likely to ride a bus than use rail-based transit.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by cqholt

Buses already serve that area and research has shown that white people are less likely to ride a bus than use rail-based transit.

I'd be surprised if there were many bus riders in those wealthy black neighborhoods, cq.

[Tryska]

Ultimately the issue is that you have little micromunicipalities cobbled together, to come up with something the size of other normal cities. and all of these micromunicipalities have competing interests.

I read this article over the weekend - and the thing that struck me, was the temporary wins in poaching large businesses from one side of the region to the other. umm...yay you! I guess.


It drives me nuts even in my area. Theoretically we could get a lot more done, working regionally - but instead there is constant infighting and competition for resources.

Georgia is very jacked up in this regard.