Home > Fayette.Talk > Archives > 2009 > January
January 2009
Video cameras make their way to Fayetteville
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Guess what I just read? Peachtree City might get its first video camera.
Here are some excerpts from the story which appeared on The Citizen newspaper website this week: A proposed new traffic light for Ga. Highway 54 West will come with a video camera that can zoom in either direction with the feed going straight to the area Georgia Department of Transportation office in Thomaston.
I don’t believe Fayetteville has any video cameras posted on the traffic lights. But if I could have my vote where one would do some good…I’d say put a camera (make that two cameras) at the intersection of Ga. 54 and Ga. 85. That is one place where there are simply too many cars and not enough lanes.
And on top of that, people tend to run the light in both directions, so maybe knowing a video camera was keeping a watchful eye on them might deter some folks. I would like to believe that there is some magical force that keeps speeders from speeding when they know a camera is watching.
If you could have your say so over where to install a video camera in Fayetteville, where would you like to see it posted?
Permalink | Comments (16) | Post your comment | Categories: Abby Brunks
What do you love/hate about Fayetteville?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
If someone you knew was considering a move to Fayetteville how would you describe this city?
And would you even call it a ‘city?’ or is it more like a town or a community? Is this typical suburban living? What would you say are its good points and bad points? I ask because when I try to describe this area to family and friends in other places, I find myself filled with different descriptions for the place I’ve lived in for nearly 12 years. Physically speaking, I tell people there are lots of trees in many subdivisions (not mine unfortunately) and as a matter of fact, lots of subdivisions.
Lots and lots of them. I would say I use the word “typical” a lot in my descriptions of Fayetteville and I don’t mean that in a derogatory way, it’s just that we are and that’s okay. You know, we’ve got Target, Wal-mart, movie theaters and Home Depot. We are not hip or cool. We are simply Fayetteville. I think Fayetteville is friendly and generally reaches out to newcomers and has a mix of transplants and natives. One of the things I do complain about is the lack of public transit within the county.
But frankly, I knew that coming here 12 years ago, so it’s just something I’ve had to accept. That is a smattering of my descriptives for the place I call home. How would you describe Fayetteville? Or for that matter, how do you describe whatever place, city, town or community you call home?
Permalink | Comments (9) | Post your comment | Categories: Abby Brunks
Jordan’s Salvage: One man’s trash is another’s treasure
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Many of us who live in Fayetteville are familiar with Jordan’s Salvage.
His array of …umm… “stuff” takes up nearly the entire block at Jeff Davis Blvd. and Ga. 54. There are used rusty bicycles, dilapidated chairs missing legs, old worn out doors and cabinets. There are grimy golf clubs. There is a very old structure that appears to be on the brink of falling down.
You know the place. Like if you move one item out of place, the whole building just might collapse.
If you’ve driven by and saw it for the first time, you just might wonder why such an eyesore exists. But if you take a closer look, you might be surprised. With the push to “go green” and recycle, don’t you think this a perfect place to pick up a second hand item?
Wouldn’t it be a worthy investment to purchase something that needed a little extra cleaning and scraping for the sake of the environment and your wallet?
I know some of you think the whole business should be shut down simply because you just can’t stand the way it looks. But really, in this day and age, don’t you think he’s just like everybody else…trying to make a buck in an honest way?
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment | Categories: Abby Brunks
What’s in a name?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Today I’d like to talk about people’s names.
Take Barack Obama. I wonder if he liked his name when he was a little kid.
Maybe boys don’t get into that sort of thing when they’re little like girls do. When I was a kid I wanted a name like Christina or Laura. I just thought they sounded so pretty and girly.
My name was great fodder for name calling. There was Gabby Abby and Flabby Abby, and a few others I’d rather not mention. So, is it just me or did you want another name when you were little? Do you have a name that people struggle to pronounce or you simply don’t like? “Dear Abby” (the one in Georgia) wants to know.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Abby Brunks
What should the new Kroger look like?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Those of you who live in Fayetteville and shop at the Kroger on the south end of Ga. 85 are probably aware of the expansion that is going on.
The Hallmark store that used to be there is now completely gone. And that is exactly where Kroger is adding on. I know there is a blueprint of the new section, but I haven’t taken the time to look at it.
Instead, I’ve been contemplating what I’d like to see added to that grocery store. It didn’t take long for me to come up with this answer: a larger health food section. I think all the other departments of that store are stocked quite well…except for the one I mentioned.
There are plenty of fruits and vegetables. A nice array of canned goods and frozen food. But every time I walk down those two (or is it three) measly aisles, it just kind of feels like an afterthought. What about you? If you could decide what department could use a little enlarging, which would it be?
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: Abby Brunks
Hang up and drive! Proposal would target teen drivers on cell phones
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Dear readers: I really hope you all read this story last week by my colleague, AJC reporter John Hollis. If not, here’s an excerpt:
If a state lawmaker from Peachtree City has his way, teens found using their cell phones while driving could lose their licenses. When the General Assembly convenes later this month, Rep. Matt Ramsey plans on introducing legislation that would make it illegal for drivers under 18 to talk, text, e-mail or instant message on their phones while operating a vehicle.
If the bill becomes law, violators would face a fine of $175 and the addition of a point on their license on their first offense, and a $500 fine and two points to their license with a second offense. Those found to be using their phones at the time of an accident would receive an automatic 90-day suspension of their licenses and a six-month license suspension for a second such infraction.Exemptions would be allowed for calls seeking to summon emergency help, prevent injury or report illegal activity.
Who can argue with this? Doesn’t it make perfect sense. The only thing anybody, teens or adults, should be doing while driving is….driving! No talking on cellphones, no texting and no getting involved in heated discussions with a passenger. Isn’t paying attention to the road what we were all taught? But I’ll add a little something to this topic.
What if your kid, friend or relative wasn’t caught by the police, but by you? Maybe you passed your kid/friend/relative on the street and saw him/her gabbing away on the cellphone. What kind of personal punishment would you impose? I’d probably take away the car and cellphone. Nothing like a double whammy to get your point across.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Abby Brunks
How do you handle your work schedule?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I was talking to my daughter the other day about the real world. You know, the one you enter after college, when you get your first taste of reality.
There are bills to pay, groceries to buy and of course you and only you can clean up that first apartment. But specifically, we were talking about the different work schedules people have.
Some work the regular ol’ 9-5 and that works just fine for them. Others prefer that afternoon shift of something like 3 -11. Then there are those graveyard workers who exist just fine while working through the night. While we talked about the pros and cons of actual work shifts, we also talked about the different of schedules, specifically the kind most teachers have.
They get a few days and weeks off scattered through the year, but then…there’s the big one. They get nearly three months off for the summer. My daughter said while it sounds great, it’s not something she would want. She prefers to stay busy. I think it helps keep her motivated. I’ve never been a teacher, but I would think for as hard as they work, that summer-break is really well deserved.
But it must be hard to gear-up for school after being away from work for that period of time. If I could have a summer off, I think I would take it. What about you? Do you work better with a schedule where you determine your own holidays or does a giant clump of time off from work sound good to you?
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment | Categories: Abby Brunks
Do you tip on “to go” orders?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I have a question regarding tipping- specifically, tipping the cashier when you pick up an order to-go.
The reason I bring this up is because recently I went to a local Chinese restaurant and saw the tip jar at the front counter. As she handed me my bag of food, I felt a bit compelled to put something in the jar. I mean, isn’t she entitled to a little something for her work just like the waiters and waitresses?
I just feel like people who work in the food industry work so hard and have to rely on the generosity of the public to help them pay their bills.
And just so you know, I did put whatever change she gave me from my purchase into the jar. It was the least I could do. What about you? Have you ever noticed those tip jars and shared some of the wealth? Or in times like these when money is tight, do you only tip those that actually serve you at the table?
Permalink | Comments (117) | Post your comment | Categories: Abby Brunks
Services »
