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October 2008
Do you feel that voting doesn’t matter?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Since this is the last week to discuss all things election related, I wanted to ask your opinion on a matter I was confronted with recently.
I was talking to a small business owner in Fayetteville this week. As we started talking about politics, I decided to ask him if he was going to vote; Not WHO he was going to vote for. He answered politely “No. I don’t think voting really matters.”
Now, I wasn’t going to get into it with him. And he gave me his reasons why he wasn’t going to vote. But it got me thinking about how many people you’ve heard say that same thing.
I suppose I could have tried to convince him otherwise, but why bother? He clearly already made up his mind and I totally respect that right.
I would just like to hear from anybody else out there who doesn’t plan to vote or who has met up with someone who said they won’t be giving their stamp of approval for the next president. And what’s your opinion regarding those who don’t vote? Does it bother you? Or do you just turn around and walk away?
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How long are you willing to stand in line to vote?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
There’s a lot of talk about long waiting lines for early voters and on election day, Nov. 4. I don’t know about your county, but a friend of mine went to the Fayette County Election Office last week and said she waited about 35 minutes.
I started wondering if that was a fairly common wait time; so I called April Crosby, the Fayette County voter registration officer.
She confirmed what I already thought and had some other things to add: “The average wait time last week was about 30-45 minutes,” Crosby said. But she really wants voters to know is this: 1) Starting today there are four locations where Fayette County residents can vote from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. a) Tyrone library B) Peachtree City Library C Two locations in the Fayette County Administrative building-Suite 210 or the public meeting room, downstairs.
2) If you can help it, don’t come around lunchtime because that is when the waiting time and lines are longer.
3) If you don’t make it for the early voting this week, then the next available day to vote, will only be Tuesday, Nov. 4. “We need Monday, Nov. 3 to prepare for election day.” 4) Make sure you bring a government issued identification. 5) If you want to shorten your time on Nov. 4, you can preview the ballot online at www. fayettecountyga.gov.
Given all this information, if you have to wait until Election Day to vote, how long would you be willing to wait in a line? One hour? Two Hours? Or more?
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: Abby Brunks
Old-school or online? How do you pay your bills?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In this age of online everything- banking, dating, shopping, I still chose to do some things the old-fashioned way…I use paper.
I use this manner of record keeping particularly when it comes to banking. I will confess that I can view my banking info online, but for whatever silly, scared or illogical reason, I can’t quite seem to make the switch to online payments.
Every time I go to the grocery store and one of my children is with me, they make fun of me as I open my checkbook to record the transaction. They’ve told me that they rarely see anyone pulling a checkbook register out of their pocket anymore. Is it that I’m in my 50s? Nah, I don’t think so. It’s not that I’m afraid…I suppose it’s just about replacing old habits with new ones.
I’ve heard it’s very simple to pay bills online, so why on earth wouldn’t I just do it? Do any of you still jot down numbers in an old fashioned checkbook? Or have you made the switch to paying bills online? And lets hear some good arguments for both sides!
Permalink | Comments (4) | Post your comment | Categories: Abby Brunks
Underage drinking is everyone’s problem
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The issue about under age drinking on college campuses has been on my mind a lot.
Then I saw this story on The Citizen Newspaper’s website last week: Officials confirmed Friday that eight McIntosh football cheerleaders were suspended this week for being intoxicated with alcohol while at last week’s varsity football game. The cheerleaders received a 10-day out of school suspension, said schools spokesperson Melinda Berry-Dreisbach.
Because it is their first offense that suspension can be reduced to seven days if they choose to participate in an alcohol and drug intervention program, she added
Also, they will be suspended from participating in 25 percent of their remaining season, Dreisbach said. That suspension is also called for in the system’s student code of conduct, Dreisbach explained.
It was fortunate that the cheerleaders’ impairment didn’t lead to injuries while they and their teammates were performing stunts during the game, Dreisbach said. So, while it’s a problem at colleges across the nation, it’s obviously a problem at the high school level. But the real issue that I continue to wrestle with is just how to solve this problem…or at least make some headway.
Lower the drinking age to 18? Maybe, but I’m not convinced that will help. And the other thing I think about is that I don’t believe this is a problem in Europe, where alcohol is readily available to all ages. Feel free to correct me on that one. I did live in Rome for almost four years, but that was 20 years ago and maybe things have changed. In those days I saw wine flowing freely amongst all ages. And I can’t recall seeing any disorderly Europeans doing foolish things.
So, please share your thoughts on how this issue can be resolved. What has to happen for under age drinking to stop being a problem?
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: Abby Brunks
Annual fairs bridge generation gaps
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The 57th Annual Fayette Kiwanis Fair is in town, Fayetteville, to be exact and will be hanging around until Saturday.
Now, to some, it shouldn’t be missed, but to my 16 year-old, her decision to go was made very clear to me.
Here’s how the conversation went: Mom: “So, are you going to the fair?” Daughter: “No way. The carnies scare me!” Mom: “Don’t be ridiculous. They are just folks trying to make a living like everyone else.”
That was the end of the conversation and the end of the possibility of going to the fair. Possibly, some of her friends will convince her it’s just a good ol’ fashioned way to have fun. Maybe it’s an older generation thing, but when I think of a county fair, I don’t think of the people that run them, but rather the fun rides and great food. What about you? When you think of a county fair, what comes to your mind? And if you’ve been to the Fayette Kiwanis Fair, give us a report of what you liked and didn’t like.
Future fair-goers might want to know.
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Talking politics is risky business
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
How would you feel if you were about to have surgery and you found out your surgeon was supporting a candidate you opposed?
Would you feel differently about him or his abilities? Hopefully, that would be a one-time issue and maybe you wouldn’t see him/her again. So, what if your personal physician, dentist or veterinarian, favors the “other” candidate? Would you switch your medical providers or are you able to separate ability from personal preference?
I know it’s highly unlikely you talk politics with those that are providing medical help, but if you have, have you broached the subject of politics? Did you talk about which candidate you plan on endorsing and did you ask your physician/dentist/vet, who they plan to vote for? It can be one of those questions you might not want to know the answer to.
For that matter, have you ever found out someone you are well acquainted with was a Democrat or Republican and was surprised by their affiliation? And did that make you think differently about them?
Permalink | Comments (6) | Post your comment | Categories: Abby Brunks
Doggie daycare
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
With the holidays creeping up slowly but surely, there’s plenty to think about. The throngs of people coming to the house, what to prepare for meals, where to put all the guests, and the proverbial, what about the dogs if you’re going away?
When we are out of town, I always take my dogs to a local boarding place. I know they are out of their comfort zone, but I feel more secure knowing someone is watching over their behavior and eating habits. I have several friends who prefer to leave their animals at home and pay someone to stay at the house. I understand that method, too, but this past summer I learned why leaving my pups at Doggie Daycare, in Fayetteville, paid off.
It was the first day of vacation and Betty, from Doggie Daycare, called to say Molly, my Lab/Shar Pei mix was fine, but since someone noticed blood in her urine, they called in a vet. Sure enough she had a bladder infection. They got her on meds and once I picked her up, all was good. That experience settled the debate, for me, regarding home care or day care for my dogs.
And what about you? What kind of baby sitting services do you use when you’re out of town? And why do you prefer it?
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What would you do with a financial windfall?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I think the topic of money is fascinating. I’m fairly curious about how people spend it, prioritize it, share it, and even waste it.
Now, I know the subject wasn’t so fascinating recently with the downfall of the market and the $700 billion bailout, but on a personal level, I like to ask people how they’d spend their windfall if they were so fortunate to receive one.
However, unlike the question of what would you do with billions, I’m paring down the amount and adding some parameters: Let’s say you are given $500,000, and with that money, you have to purchase a home.
So the question is: would you spend the entire amount on a home? Would you spend part of it and bank the rest? Or would you spend a small portion on housing and use the rest for a fancy car? Hey, it can’t hurt to dream a little, right?
But if you don’t have billions to spend, and most of us don’t, check out Your Money on how to manage what you have.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: Abby Brunks
How do you talk to a neighbor in distress?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I have a neighbor who moved into his home several months ago. I don’t know him or his family very well, but I do know that he works (or maybe worked) for Bill Heard Chevrolet.
And if you’ve been keeping up with the news, then you probably know that that company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and has closed all 14 dealerships around the country. My neighbor and his family were transferred, by Bill Heard’s company, to Atlanta last year from the state of Washington,
They rented a home for about eight months before they purchased in our subdivision. So, as I said, I don’t know them well, but I say “hi,” and have been as friendly as I know how to be. But, with all this bad news, I’m kind of in a neighborly-quandary.
Do I go over and ask him how he is doing? Do I just ignore the situation and not ask any questions? How about a simple note in his mailbox letting him know I’m just a concerned neighbor.
I don’t want to stick my nose where it’s not wanted, but… I just feel like I should say or do something.
What do you think I should do? Have you ever had any experience in this kind of situation?
