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Home > Clayton.Talk > Archives > 2007 > April > 16 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USWhat have your representatives done for you lately?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Last week a bill sponsored by state Rep. Roberta Abdul-Salaam (D-Riverdale) requesting that a portrait of Coretta Scott King hang in the state Capitol was rejected. Abdul-Salaam plans to take this bill to Gov. Sonny Perdue and obtain an executive order to accomplish her mission.
My intent is not to personally attack or single out this representative, but to ask: what does any of that have to do with the city of Riverdale or any of the issues that need to be addressed there? No disrespect to the King family, but the Riverdale residents I know would prefer to see their representative discussing quality of life issues on the evening news.
Before you ask, no, I do not live in Riverdale. But I do travel through, shop in and frequent the area regularly. We have friends who live there who feel their elected officials should be concentrating on solving the city’s problems. Further, we should all care about what goes on in and around this county, regardless of whether we live in the affected area or not. One day, it could be your part of town that needs fixing.
At least for me this begs the question of ALL of Clayton’s residents: what has your representative done in your district lately? Who is your district representative? Are you satisfied with what he or she is accomplishing in your section of Clayton County, or are you patiently waiting to vote them out?
If you are a registered voter unsure of which district you are in, go to: http://www.sos.state.ga.us/cgi-bin/locator.asp for more information.
If you are unsure of who your representatives are or how to contact him/her, go to http://www.co.clayton.ga.us/officials.htm to find out.
If you want to see what types of bills your representative is sponsoring or supporting, go to http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2007_08/house/07alpha.html, click on your representative’s “Fact Sheet” and then click on “Legislation” under his/her photo.
Permalink | Comments (13) | Post your comment | Categories: Kimberly Allen
Comments
By Julia
April 16, 2007 10:26 AM | Link to this
Well, I for one am glad someone had the guts to say it. I live in Jonesboro on the border of Riverdale and have also lived in Riverdale. None of the concerns I have are being addressed. What about addressing the increase of crime and how to improve on education? Why are these issues always put to the side when the cameras come on so that these reps can have their 5 minutes of fame fighting for something that doesn’t help the people that elected them into office. I love the King’s and I think no other leaders have done more to help us. However, I could think of better ways to spend my tax dollars.
By Anita
April 16, 2007 4:13 PM | Link to this
I live in Riverdale and I truly hope Ms Roberta is doing this on her own time!
By Kimwhit
April 16, 2007 5:19 PM | Link to this
Ms. Abdul-Salaam has a GREAT deal of work to do at home. I don’t see how she has any time to advocate for anything outside of what is going on in her home district. She had not and will never receive my vote. Last year she ran unapposed and I still didn’t vote for her. I have complained to zoning about the houses at the corner of West Fayetteville Road and Norman Drive. These houses are located in close proximity to an elementary school. These vacant houses are hazardous because children and vagrants can possibly enter. I reported this issue months ago and nothing has been done. One can drive around and clearly ascertain that there is no real leadership in this county, the seedy infrastructure says it all. Riverdale Road is covered with litter and this is the first view of our city that many airport hotel guests receive. The sad fact is that the responsible voters are leaving the county in droves and we are being inundated with the Section 8 crowd who don’t vote and don’t care. Folks, more housing projects are scheduled to be torn down in Atlanta so we’ll be getting more of these types of residents. The situation is going to deteriorate unless all responsible citizens band together to demand county government uphold and enforce a certain standard of living all over Clayton county. I fear that we are stuck with the schills that we have in office now and they will have long careers as a result of voter and resident apathy. You have to fight to protect your investment in this county. We can’t give our house away, probably will raffle it on Ebay to some unsuspecting soul :):) Meanwhile, we pray for gentrification!!!!!
By Sir Laughsalot
April 16, 2007 5:52 PM | Link to this
I’m sure there are ways for someone to find out what their representatives are doing for them, and I appreciate the ones pointed out by K. Allen. However, no representative truly keeps their constituents informed as to their accomplishments until campaign time comes around. Then all they have been doing is told with great pomp and circumstance in their re-election campaign.
By Kristie Carter
April 17, 2007 10:16 AM | Link to this
As a former employee of the State House of Representatives, I’ve seen many of our legislators at work, and at play. As a life-long citizen of Clayton County, I’m appalled at the amount of foolishness going on at our Capital by our local reps. Mike Glanton is on the job- he’s a good man and my Rep. The honorable lady from Riverdale seems to be missing something. I’m tired of the strife in our county, and hope that at the least, our Reps are reading the local part of AJC, and at the best, would start holding some serious Town Hall meetings. If you’re not involved in our democratic process, stop your complaining and get involved. Write your legislators, call them, go to the Capital… let them see your face, and learn your name. Only those who are being held accountable will become accountable, and its OUR job to make sure they listen.
By Joe
April 18, 2007 10:15 AM | Link to this
The current members of the Legislature from Clayton are a disgrace to their race, stae and to themselves. Surely the voters can do better than this?
By Marilyn Jones
April 18, 2007 11:27 AM | Link to this
As a homeowner in Forest Park for the last 19 years, I have found myself disguised at the representatives who oversee our communities. Our communities have become drug infested and with home owners leaving and renting to people who just don’t care. Also, the 5th runway for Hartsfield International Airport has caused airplanes to fly directly over my house and the noise is truly disturbing. What can I do? Is there funding for some soundproof doors & windows. What about decrease incurred in property value?
By Sharon J.
April 18, 2007 3:09 PM | Link to this
This is typical of our community leaders. They tell the voters what needs to be heard in order to win votes. But as soon as they take office, the community’s REAL issues are slowly, if ever, tackled. As fellow reader Kristie stated, IF WE, THE VOTERS, DON’T HOLD OUR COMMUNITY LEADERS ACCOUNTABLE THEN THEY WILL ALWAYS EVADE ACCOUNTABILITY!!! UNITE AND STICK THE FIRE UNDER THEIR BUTTS!!
By alison garrison
April 18, 2007 3:13 PM | Link to this
When is someone going to make an issue out of the fact that Abdul-Salaam made an joke out of herself and her district when her bill was not voted on she stood up and said that u-p and said it was like calling Mrs.King a “Nappy Headed N-Word”. I think that the King family was probaly embarrassed and outraged that they have someone like this even supporting them. If you ask me someone needs to start the process of getting Abdul-Salaam out of office and and getting a real representative in Riverdale that cares about what is going on in the district. Not someone who comes from the Cynthis McKinney school of showboating!
By John Q
April 18, 2007 5:30 PM | Link to this
I overheard a conversation that would gather commissioners, law enforcement heads,state senators & representatives, school board members,clergy,chamber pres., business owners, landlords, a few informed homeowners, and the media to take a bus ride all around Clayton. Let the camera roll and distribute it uneditted to the homeowners of this county. Michael Edmondson is the only commissioner who has agreed to take such a trip.
By WTF?
April 19, 2007 10:09 AM | Link to this
Clayton county residents need to take a long hard look at our elected officials and vote those who are only serving themselves or their own personal causes out of office. Somehow I really don’t think Corretta King would have cared about having her picture hung in the capital, but she would care about the denigration of her race by elected officials.
By Concerned
April 19, 2007 3:49 PM | Link to this
It is not only legislative leaders that are a disgrace. Many of the cities in Clayton County have terrible leaders. Some are so old they have no touch with reality. Some are out only to make money off real estate dealings. And some, have their heads so deeply buried in the past they have no idea the chages being made while they refuse to modernize. Clayton County, at one time had the potential to be a good place to raise a family. However, I see nothing going on that would encourage me to move back or buy new property.
By DH
April 20, 2007 5:09 PM | Link to this
Clayton County used to be a nice place to live. Now, with the black, democratic leadership in place, nothing has been done. I remember when Hwy 85 and Riverdale Road were nice corridors and there were no trash was found alongside the roads.
The true travesty is how the citizens have just allowed their leaders to not be held accountable and responsible.