Do You Long For The Bill Campbell Days Again? (Atlanta: sales, property tax)

[onemanarmy]

Originally Posted by J2rescue

No police or firemen have been fired in Atlanta either.

Let me explain the projected deficit more clearly. Atlanta like most governments periodically have audits of the city's finances. They look at incoming revenue versus financial obligations and project that over the remainder of the fiscal year. What the $50 million represents is that the current financial obligations for the remainder of the fiscal year is estimated to be $50 million more than revenue coming into the general fund. City revenues are down by nearly 13 percent so far this fiscal year therefore cuts had to be made. IT IS NOT LOSING ANYTHING.

Don't bother to educate these people who insist that the city lost 74 million or 140 millions. They have no idea on the meaning of budget deficit. Now how Shirley handled the mismangement of her CFO is my biggest beef, but no one lost anything.

[J2rescue]

Originally Posted by onemanarmy

Don't bother to educate these people who insist that the city lost 74 million or 140 millions. They have no idea on the meaning of budget deficit. Now how Shirley handled the mismangement of her CFO is my biggest beef, but no one lost anything.

I'm with you. I have a lot of disagreements with Franklin's term in office but some of the criticism that I hear from suburbanites and here is just way off base.

[johnatl]

People that wish for Campbell to return must have really lousy short-term memories.

Shirley hasn't been perfect, but she got a standing ovation from the business community the other day at her final State of the City speech. Bill Campbell wouldn't even return their calls, let alone be seen in the same room with them.

Good riddance to bad rubbish, as my Mom used to say.

[Georgia]

Originally Posted by johnatl

People that wish for Campbell to return must have really lousy short-term memories.

Shirley hasn't been perfect, but she got a standing ovation from the business community the other day at her final State of the City speech. Bill Campbell wouldn't even return their calls, let alone be seen in the same room with them.

Good riddance to bad rubbish, as my Mom used to say.

First I will state, NO to Campbell, but in regard to the business leaders standing. All pomp, no substance. The Queen of the Lapel Flower does not get props.
Heck if it wasn't for the kindness of Bernie Marcus and Art Blank we would have lost Coke's HQ to Charlotte due to her bull headedness in regard to the panhandling. Also, thanks to her tax and spend wonders, BoA announced via the Atlanta Biz Chronicle that they are packing and moving everything out of downtown to Charlotte's HQ. No, this is not due to the current economy.

Wow, the Sewer Queen is "America's Mayor" since she is better than Campbell. Better than a convicted felon now that's an accomplishment. I'm sure if she took better appreciated for our fair city instead of taking tours of Communist China and Africa on the taxpayers dime, along with cleaning up the streets of panhandling etc., the city would be much better off. Let's hope in 09 the general population wises up and actually elect's someone who really does give a damn about the city more than their type of giant flower on their collar. I'm sure she will have the full support of the FOP and Firefighters

Kev, was tired of seeing you take the bullets alone. It's usually this poor pheasant that receives the stone's for daring to comment about our city royalty.

[Georgia]

Originally Posted by J2rescue

I'm with you. I have a lot of disagreements with Franklin's term in office but some of the criticism that I hear from suburbanites and here is just way off base.

Yes, we evil surburbanites just HATE Atlanta. On the contrary, we actually think Atlanta has the full opportunity to be the jewel of the Southeast. Think about all the growth we have and continue to have in the MSA. Atlanta could really be the New York City of the South in regard to identity. I think all folks in Georgia rather city or burb, want Atlanta to be the best it can be. What it has settled for over the last decade has been medocraty.

What Atlanta needs is leadership that LOVES this CITY more than they LOVE THEMSELVES. A leadership group that wishes to place PUBLIC SERVICE and EXCELLENCE over CRONYISM and PERSONAL GAIN.
New York had it with Rudy, Philly had it with Rendell, and Charlotte has it now with Pat McCrory.

Frankly, if you had this the Atlanta board would be more celebration than sadness.

[johnatl]

So Georgia, who do like for Mayor now that Clark has dropped out of the race?

[Georgia]

Originally Posted by johnatl

So Georgia, who do like for Mayor now that Clark has dropped out of the race?

Right now, ugh! I really thought Howard would do a good job as he can transend across party lines along with being a uniter. I did feel that he would back out mostly due to his current celeb status and TV deal.

Now, who do we have.

Councilman Ceaser Mitchell
Councilwoman Mary Norwood
Atty Jesse Spikes
Sen. Kasim Reed

Almost reminds me of the past US Election between Oh God and Oh My God

It will boil down to
Fiscal responsiblity
Love of the City
Strong Business Friendly leadership
and Tough on Crime.

I will wait for my monthly Atlanta Magazine (Wow! a burb guy subscribes to Atlanta Magazine and The Atlanta Business Chronicle) and see word for word where they actually stand. Heck, who knows if we can garner a leader who loves Atlanta I may even buy a pad on Peachtree

[johnatl]

Thanks! Good response.

I was extremely supportive of Lisa Borders, but she dropped out too. It should be very interesting, that's for sure.

[KevK]

Originally Posted by J2rescue

No police or firemen have been fired in Atlanta either.

Let me explain the projected deficit more clearly. Atlanta like most governments periodically have audits of the city's finances. They look at incoming revenue versus financial obligations and project that over the remainder of the fiscal year. What the $50 million represents is that the current financial obligations for the remainder of the fiscal year is estimated to be $50 million more than revenue coming into the general fund. City revenues are down by nearly 13 percent so far this fiscal year therefore cuts had to be made. IT IS NOT LOSING ANYTHING.

If this was Detroit, I might buy the "revenue down" crap but when I look around everyday and see perhaps a dozen cranes in the skyline and see a booming population and a city that is, when compared to many others, in relatively good shape, revenues should be UP and not down.

[KevK]

Originally Posted by Georgia

Yes, we evil surburbanites just HATE Atlanta. On the contrary, we actually think Atlanta has the full opportunity to be the jewel of the Southeast. Think about all the growth we have and continue to have in the MSA. Atlanta could really be the New York City of the South in regard to identity. I think all folks in Georgia rather city or burb, want Atlanta to be the best it can be. What it has settled for over the last decade has been medocraty.

What Atlanta needs is leadership that LOVES this CITY more than they LOVE THEMSELVES. A leadership group that wishes to place PUBLIC SERVICE and EXCELLENCE over CRONYISM and PERSONAL GAIN.
New York had it with Rudy, Philly had it with Rendell, and Charlotte has it now with Pat McCrory.

Frankly, if you had this the Atlanta board would be more celebration than sadness.

I agree. I actually do care about the city- I work there. And like I said before, I would not object to paying a commuter tax to Atlanta - much like Birmingham has- so long as the city is professionally ran and the money is used for what it is supposed to be used for. I am starting to think that maybe Atlanta should change to a City Manager form of government.