AJC > Sandy Springs > Blog > Archives > 2009 > January > 12
Monday, January 12, 2009
Are you better off today, Sandy Springs?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Soon we inaugurate a new president, which for some will be a welcome sign that the election season is finally over.
No more yard signs, no more bumper sticker, not more attack ads clogging our TV’s. I can hear the collective sigh of relief.
But not so fast.
This is the year that the first duly-elected government of Sandy Springs will be contested. When they were elected as the city began they were running on what they were going to do. Now they have to answer for what they have done. So to twist a phrase from Ronald Reagan — are you better off now than when we achieved cityhood, and if not, what are you going to do about it?
This is where we, the people, have out voice. It always sounds so profound when someone looks at election results and says “the people have decided” but it’s true. If you feel strongly one way or the other about a public servant what are you willing to do to back up you convictions?
If you like someone are you willing to campaign for them. Write a check? Talk to your neighbors? Volunteer in their campaign?
And if you don’t like someone are you out looking for an alternative? Are you aware of who else might be out there? Can you articulate why you think some rascal should be voted out of office? Are you willing to really put your beliefs on the line and run for office?
One of the things that bugs me is that local elections like these often get decided by a very small portion of the electorate. There is something about an off-year election that fails to stir the people who need to be involved the most. These races do not have the sex appeal that brings voters out in the same numbers as a presidential race, but they have more to do with our day-to-day lives.
And that brings me back to the question over the quality of our lives. When the city council approved the application for a sports complex for Holy Spirit Preparatory School over the objection of the neighborhood there was a lot of talk/threats that there might be some payback come election day.
I’m not advocating any candidate get another term or be sent packing, but it you have experienced one of those moments this is your year.
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