Do You Long For The Bill Campbell Days Again? (Atlanta: appointed, city hall)

[KevK]

I am beginning to. He was a criminal for usre but at least the city was not firing cops and firefighters or tearing up EVERY street in Midtown at the SAME TIME. To me, Shirley Franklin is one of the worst urban mayors in the country. Just my view.

[atlantagreg30127]

His biggest problem was that he pocketed money from contractors and such into his own personal account. Ok, well, he also avoided taxes and slept with half the city if the rumors were true. Truth be told, that's not as uncommon among politicians as some would believe, though. But you're right - he didn't mess with the general funds and LOSE money in the sum of millions like what has happened under Franklin and her personally appointed staff.

One can only hope that those who are within the City limits will wise up during the next election and actually get out and vote for the BEST and most qualified candidate next time.

[KevK]

Originally Posted by atlantagreg30127

His biggest problem was that he pocketed money from contractors and such into his own personal account. Ok, well, he also avoided taxes and slept with half the city if the rumors were true. Truth be told, that's not as uncommon among politicians as some would believe, though. But you're right - he didn't mess with the general funds and LOSE money in the sum of millions like what has happened under Franklin and her personally appointed staff.

One can only hope that those who are within the City limits will wise up during the next election and actually get out and vote for the BEST and most qualified candidate next time.

I just don't get it. How the Hell do you LOSE $50 million??? Even the largest city or even state would notice if $50 million dissappeared!

[atlantagreg30127]

Originally Posted by KevK

I just don't get it. How the Hell do you LOSE $50 million??? Even the largest city or even state would notice if $50 million dissappeared!

Actually, it was just over $74 million dollars for one year. An estimated approx. $140 million over two.

[grindin]

Originally Posted by atlantagreg30127

One can only hope that those who are within the City limits will wise up during the next election and actually get out and vote for the BEST and most qualified candidate next time.

LOL, yeah like that's going to happen. Elections around here are popularity contests and emotionally charged. That's not unique to Atlanta, but given the history of the city, I can't say I'm surprised.

At least Atlanta doesn't have Frank Meltun (Mayor of my hometown Jackson, MS who is about to go on a trial on Federal charges). Yet.

[AcidSnake]

Um.. we did have our Frank Meltun moment! Bill Campbell! Didn't he go to jail on federal charges?

[J2rescue]

Originally Posted by KevK

I just don't get it. How the Hell do you LOSE $50 million??? Even the largest city or even state would notice if $50 million dissappeared!

Nobody lost $50 million. It is a PROJECTED budget deficit based on incoming tax revenue versus spending committments.

Just like the state's PROJECTED $2.5 billion deficit that has led to cuts in the state government.

Georgia’s budget shortfall could top $2 billion (http://www.ajc.com/green/content/metro/stories/2008/10/01/georgia_budget_shortfall.html - broken link)

STATE BUDGET TROUBLES WORSEN

You're nuts if you think the city isn't ten times better off with that loser in jail. There were some businesses that refused even do business in the city because the city's permitting process and city hall were so corrupt. That has changed dramatically. Yes the roads are torn up but that is due to a sewer system being negelected for DECADES. It HAS to be done. I do agree that the police force should be off limits with these budget cuts but the answer to your question is a huge NO!

[J2rescue]

By the way, Campbell certainly did leave the city with a budget deficit. The difference is that he never made it known to the public and the mess of the city's finances was only discovered when he was out of office.

While he easily won both of his mayoral elections, he was criticized by business interests as soft on crime, and he left the city with an $82 million budget deficit and a crumbling infrastructure.

Ex-Atlanta mayor Campbell convicted

Enron's got nothing on the mess left to Atlanta by Bill Campbell

I personally know several suburban Atlantans that love to bash the city for sport and had assumed that was primarily because of Campbell. Campbell embodied the stereotype of the black city politician that is so often repeated on this forum. But if you prefer Campbell over Franklin then you plainly have no clue what you're talking about.

[KevK]

Originally Posted by J2rescue

Nobody lost $50 million. It is a PROJECTED budget deficit based on incoming tax revenue versus spending committments.

Just like the state's PROJECTED $2.5 billion deficit that has led to cuts in the state government.

Georgia’s budget shortfall could top $2 billion (http://www.ajc.com/green/content/metro/stories/2008/10/01/georgia_budget_shortfall.html - broken link)

STATE BUDGET TROUBLES WORSEN

You're nuts if you think the city isn't ten times better off with that loser in jail. There were some businesses that refused even do business in the city because the city's permitting process and city hall were so corrupt. That has changed dramatically. Yes the roads are torn up but that is due to a sewer system being negelected for DECADES. It HAS to be done. I do agree that the police force should be off limits with these budget cuts but the answer to your question is a huge NO!

No, I don't want Campbell back either but I have had more than enough of Franklin- and since you mention the state Sonny too. I have an idea- let's just put Cobb Charman Sam Olens in charge of everything. He does a good job out here, stays out of the news and we are not "losing" 50 million dollars or firing policemen, firemen or EMTs.
Yes the sewers HAVE to be done- but do they have to be done ALL at the same time in the middle of the workday? Can't maybe we tear up West Peachtree one week, Peachtree the next and Piedmont the next so it does not take 2 friggin hours to get to Buckhead? Can't maybe we do some work at night or on the weekends?

[J2rescue]

Originally Posted by KevK

No, I don't want Campbell back either but I have had more than enough of Franklin- and since you mention the state Sonny too. I have an idea- let's just put Cobb Charman Sam Olens in charge of everything. He does a good job out here, stays out of the news and we are not "losing" 50 million dollars or firing policemen, firemen or EMTs.
Yes the sewers HAVE to be done- but do they have to be done ALL at the same time in the middle of the workday? Can't maybe we tear up West Peachtree one week, Peachtree the next and Piedmont the next so it does not take 2 friggin hours to get to Buckhead? Can't maybe we do some work at night or on the weekends?

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.