Business Insider

By Bill Moore

August 5, 2008 3:30 PM | Link to this

We’ll sure miss you! Invest your money wisely! I retired at 55 (now 62) and am reaping (and enjoying) the fruits of my wise investing.

I’ve read AJC all my life both growing up in Tallahassee and now here in Cohutta, GA (n. of Dalton) I was REALLY shocked when all deliveries were stopped. Our whole world is changing so much on a daily basis. Perhaps we’ve had it too good too long!

Good luck to you……

By Al

August 5, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this

Oh no Maria! So sorry to hear you will be leaving the AJC. I have enjoyed your columns and reporting for years. The AJC is losing one of its best. Thanks for your many years of top-notch reports and columns. The AJC will not be the same without you!! Best of luck in your future endeavors.

By Bob Hope

August 5, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this

Maria,

There are not many people who are still around and can be called an institution in Atlanta, but you are one of them. I will miss your column but will make sure I stay in touch and retain your friendship. I am assuming I will still see you at every civic event in town. I am thinking you went to them all because you just really liked being at them and knew I would be there. Good luck. You are a treasure.

By Bobby

August 5, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this

Having Maria cover our news, our civic leadership, our warts and our best days so well for so long a period of time was almost too good to be true. I look forward to hearing about your next assignment…enjoy the time off. Bonne chance, Maria, et restent en contact.

By Dan

August 5, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this

what a loss….You and Cynthia Tucker are the reason I read the AJC. Good Luck !

By newkid

August 5, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this

No W-A-Y. No, no, no. Just say you’re kidding.

Will truly miss your work Maria.

Very best to you in your future endeavors!

By Mark Scott

August 5, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this

The AJC loses an institutional resource of incredible value, but I’m excited to learn of the next steps in your career. Best of luck and thanks for years of great stories and great reporting!

By Robert Solomon

August 5, 2008 5:26 PM | Link to this

Dear Maria, To me, you have always been one of Atlanta’s great natural resources… an ever flowing river of insight and honesty. Every word you’ve formed, no matter how critical, has always been shaped by your love for this city. While the AJC continues its sad, inevitable decline, I can only hope that the clarity of your voice and the beauty of your mind and spirit will continue to be heard and felt throughout our region in a forum more condusive to your talent and professionalism. Like all of our precious resources, we must recognize and hold onto to them. It’s for our own good. Keep on rolling proud Maria.

By Joe

August 5, 2008 5:27 PM | Link to this

Smart move Maria. I don’t blame you a bit for taking the buyout. We readers will not miss you. Your columns were typically very weak in content as you have been a brown-noser to the business elite in Atlanta. Enjoy your year off and good luck finding a job in 2010.

By beauchamp Carr

August 5, 2008 9:48 PM | Link to this

Dear Maria, You represent the soul and conscience of our civic and business interests. I’ll miss reading you in the AJC. Sincerely, Beauchamp Car

By Renee DeGross

August 5, 2008 10:07 PM | Link to this

Maria: The paper is losing an institution when you walk out of the door. From one former colleague and friend to another , see you in your next endeavor. — Renee DeGross

By Renee DeGross

August 5, 2008 10:10 PM | Link to this

Maria: The paper is losing an incredible reporter who always worked on and off duty. Few reporters can say they have most, if not all, of Atlanta’s notables in their rolodex like you can. From one former colleague and friend to another , see you in your next endeavor. I can’t wait to see where you’ll land — Renee DeGross

By Brian

August 5, 2008 10:22 PM | Link to this

Maria:

Best of luck — you will be missed by many, many readers. Lets hope the paper continues to cover the leadership and stories that continue to make the economy of Atlanta go.

Brian

By Sam Olens

August 6, 2008 7:07 AM | Link to this

The Regionc will greatly miss Maria and many other fine reporters. Print media is in big trouble.

By Jack at OV

August 6, 2008 9:07 AM | Link to this

Congratulations, Maria!!!

27 years of your loyalty to COX and their loyalty to you is a blessing.

Good for COX to recognize the contributions you and others have made to the paper, and the business of the paper, with respectful buyouts.

Know that while we, so many of your readers, can not fully appreciate your personal love and commitment to Atlanta, following the proven example of your dear beloved father of blessed memory, we have seen that your genuine love and care about our parks, our education system, our architecture, our well managed growth, our rich past and promising future and, I think most of all, our people; both leaders and citizenry is the real deal.

Enjoy your exciting new life and new freedoms, Maria. They are special gifts.

As were, and are, YOU a special gift to the City we all are proud to call our home.

In due time though, perhaps we’ll see you on TV, online and otherwise remaining involved in some of those Atlanta related passions.

Either way, job very well done, Maria!

By Dennis

August 6, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this

I am a regular reader also. Your 2nd paragraph from the end points to my major difference with you and most other Editorial Board members. “I remain fully committed to Atlanta.”

Your committment to Atlanta, inside I-285, is real and it is costly. Costly to the AJC, to the metro Atlanta and to the City itself.

Both Atlanta and metro-Atlanta need a paper committed to serving the news and information demands of the entire area. I hope for the best, but doubt the coming changes will provide such a committment.

By Patrick

August 6, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this

I have greatly enjoyed reading your articles and Horizon columns for the past six and half years. Thanks so much and best of luck in your future endeavors.

By Dennis Berkholtz

August 6, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this

Even though I no longer live in Atlanta I still read your columns. I have always admired how you stayed clear of the troubles inherit in reporting on numerous people and events. You were always fair and accurate. Thanks for the many years.

By Harry

August 6, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this

We didn’t often agree, but I always respected your ideas and opinions. Good luck with future endeavors.

By Dick Hodges

August 6, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this

Words fail me. And, as Maria and some other friends in media and outside media, well know that is rare. But, I will try to add my voice, with as much brevity as I can muster, to the expresssions of many others who are saddened that Maria will be leaving the AJC the end of the month. As a longtime ago reporter on the Constitution and a veteran of many years in public relations and advertising, I consider myself somewhat of a “student” , if not expert, on journalism. And Maria Saporta, over the years, has proven herself to be one of the very best in this challenging field. Especially valuable to her readers have been her insights, vision,and energy in seeking out and interviewing personally the “important” and the “not important” in covering Atlanta and the rest of Georgia. She has always beem a first-rate reporter, gaining information, often exclusively, which formed the basis for excellent commentary on a wide variety of matters important to our area. What a loss to our business community which she covered expertly without fear or favor. I can only join, what I am sure, are thousands of other readers and admirers in wishing her well and cheering her on in her next undertaking.

By Archie Brown

August 6, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this

Maria,

Thanks for your professionalism in reporting. As an African-American, I always could not wait to read your articles. You really had a good understanding of the issues concerning our great city. I could tell that you understood that Atlanta’s greatness, had more to do with it’s humanity than race, gender or class. You always spoke truth to power in your articles. I hope that your future endeavors include articles that we can read and be inspired to make Atlanta and the world a better place. “I WISH YOU THE BEST.”

By Todd

August 6, 2008 12:30 PM | Link to this

Maria, I have enjoyed reading your column since I moved here in 2000. After reading most every one (especially those columns devoted to local and state transportation ideas), I wondered if government leaders were paying attention to what you had to say. I hope so, as your advice to them has always been spot on. You will be greatly missed.

By Joeventures

August 6, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this

Just to think… I’ve been reading your columns since I was in high school!

Congratulations on the legacy you’ve left, Maria. I hope this is not good-bye.

By John Brown

August 6, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this

Best of luck to you, Maria.

And shame on the AJC for letting you go. The last of many nails in that once-great paper’s coffin.

By Bill

August 6, 2008 6:22 PM | Link to this

Maria, I wish you the very best….take some time off and get your life & health is reasonable order. Think about a place you have never been to, yet always wanted to visit…Always remember, it’s people like you who make life so wonderful.

By Alan Yorker

August 6, 2008 8:18 PM | Link to this

Maria, You have earned a good rest and a new challenge. You have had passion for decades for projects that are only now getting a fair and open hearing (e.g. commuter rail for the metro area). You will be missed by many, and I for one am honored for having known you. Thanks. Alan

By Jerry Attkisson

August 6, 2008 11:09 PM | Link to this

Maria: The number of comments posted here following your informing readers you will be leaving is testament to how many people have followed your columns with keen interest. I hope you become an even more powerful force in espressing your views on the futre of the metropolitan area.

By Richard

August 7, 2008 8:26 AM | Link to this

Happy trails, Saporta Reporta!

By Bill Todd

August 7, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this

Maria, You have served this community well for many years. Your commitment and love for Atlanta and its quest for continuous improvement has made us a better place. Thanks.

Bill Todd

By Stephen Loftin

August 7, 2008 5:18 PM | Link to this

Maria,

Thank you for the excellent job you do covering metro Atlanta’s business and civic community. I refuse to use the past tense because I know that you will continue to cover this important segment of our region in whatever format you choose to work in next. My best to you in the future.

Stephen Loftin

By Stephen Curry

August 8, 2008 8:56 AM | Link to this

Wishing you the very best of luck - the story of Atlanta’s growth wouldn’t have been nearly as appreciated had it not been well-told, by talented writers like yourself.

By Bob

August 8, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this

The AJC is losing money becaused of it’s editorial policy. They are out of synch with the majority of people in metro Atlanta. Many long time subscribers are finding their news elsewhere rather than paying to be offended by the editors of the AJC. This includes the editorial cartoonist. They all have lost their sense of common courtesy to their readers. You should blame them for the lost of your job and career at the AJC. I also find it interesting that one of the wealthiest families in America is unwilling to subsidize the AJC. They donate to many causes but the AJC isn’t one of them. A one year severance for 27 years of service is minimal.

By Matt McCoy

August 9, 2008 6:54 PM | Link to this

With your departure goes the last traces of character and accountability at the AJC