MOMania

By WTF??

July 24, 2007 9:02 AM | Link to this

Who cares?!!! What we want to know is why the AJC IT folks can’t seem to fix certain other blogs!!! And we’re sick of the Vick blogs……..of course they’re all working just fine!!! AJC IT DEPT SUCKS!!!!

By Jesse's Girl

July 24, 2007 9:41 AM | Link to this

WTF….I’m sorry you are so ill this morning. No circle time for you until you calm down. But I do agree…the Vick blogs have got-to-go. He’s a dumb thug. End of story.

On topic…..I don’t personally have anything against the gated community. Honestly, I haven’t given it much thought. However, it does speak to one’s wish to be perceived in a certain way. In my humble opinion of course. The only gated communites that are truly doing anything to help secure the neighborhood are the ones with actual guards. Many of my clients live in these communities and its hard for me to get in even with my name on the approved list! For the rest, its all about perception. We just bought land to build on and are considering putting up a gate at the driveway entrance. However….this is only because without one, our family and friends may have a very difficult time finding it! Maybe some nice green neon..with a big flashing arrow!

By crb

July 24, 2007 10:17 AM | Link to this

This one is easy. Gates reduce through traffic and make the neighborhoods safer for pedestrians and kids who are walking and playing.

By Leigh

July 24, 2007 10:22 AM | Link to this

Gated means less outside traffic, which translates to safer. Not completely safe, just safer. Why do you care anyway?

By Elaine

July 24, 2007 10:55 AM | Link to this

To some the gate appears prestigious, to others, pretentious…

tomayto…tomahto…

If I ever have unlimited time and unlimited funds, it is a topic I’d like to research a little more: how the dwelling we choose reflects our values, goals, self-esteem, etc. It’s been a topic of conversation over here in East Cobb, too. As you move from neighborhood to neighborhood, you really do find a somewhat different “kind” of people. Those of us who have chosen older homes (with woefully small bathrooms and yucky kitchens, but amazingly large, wooded lots) compared to those who have opted for the new (14 ft ceilings, gleaming granite, palatial baths, but you can reach out your window to shake your neighbor’s hand projected from his) are different somehow in a deeper way than just our addresses. Something (I’m not sure what) about our upbringing, values, goals, etc. has made us make these different choices.

By Pam

July 24, 2007 11:02 AM | Link to this

I use to think there was a difference in gated communities, but now I know those gates are usually malfunctioning and unless you are living in a neighborhood with celebrities (like Sugarloaf Country Club), the gates are too expensive to maintain and are usually just left open 75% of the time.

By LindsaysImmune

July 24, 2007 11:07 AM | Link to this

Could we get a Lindsay Lohan blog so we can paint ALL people of her demographic with one broad brush?

Hmph.

On topic - those who like gated communities should live in them. Message to the children? I think WE confuse kids sometimes by making things deeper than they are.

By Ron Mexico

July 24, 2007 11:35 AM | Link to this

At this point I’m sure that I don’t have to do to much to bring you up to speed on Michael Vick and his latest troubles. A federal grand jury has indicted Vick on charges related to dog fighting. That may be just the beginning. The State of Virginia has yet to be heard from, and as I understand it mere ownership of property on which dog fights are held is a felony under Virginia law. Just one felony conviction and Vick is through with professional football in this country.

Let’s put this “innocent until proven guilty” nonsense to rest right here at the beginning. When you kill someone you are a killer. If you do so in violation of the law; if it is not in self defense, for instance, you are a murderer. A person who kills a girlfriend because she merely wants out of the relationship is a murderer as soon as his victim’s heart stops beating .. you don’t have to wait for a jury to come in with a verdict.

So, where does this “innocent until proven guilty” stuff come in? The presumption of innocence is, in my view, a limitation that is primarily place on government. Generally speaking, only government can use force – deadly force – to deprive you of your property, your liberty or your life. If the government is going to do so as punishment for the commission of a crime, then the government must afford you your constitutional rights and prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. It is the government, then, that must consider you to be innocent until otherwise proven. After the act, the rapist is only innocent in the eyes of government. The victim views him quite differently.

O.J. Simpson is a murderer. There is not one rational-thinking American familiar with knowledge of the facts of his case who honestly believes otherwise. A renegade jury failed to convict him however, so the government cannot punish him for his butchery. If O.J. objects to my characterization of him as a murderer he has civil remedies he can pursue. I, however, am powerless to punish him for the slaughter of his wife and Ron Goldman.

Now .. back to Vick. Personally, I have no doubt that he knew of and was a willing and eager participant in this blood “sport” of dog fighting. I’m an animal lover. I particularly love dogs. I would have no problem whatsoever seeing him serve some time in jail for his crime. I believe that people can be judged by how they treat animals. If what they allege about Michael Vick is true then he is completely lacking any sense of morality and human decency. Jail might be too good for him. Better to baste him in steak sauce and throw him into a cage full of the very dogs he so loved to brutalize.

What should the Falcons do with Vick? Totally their choice. They have a contract with this thug that would allow them to fire him on the spot. I’m not Arthur Blank and I have no idea what it would feel like to invest tens of millions of dollars in someone only to have them turn out to be such a miserable person and a complete embarrassment to the entire organization off-field. How do you explain to Vick’s teammates that their season is about to be negatively affected because of these indictments? What do you say when they cry “He hasn’t been convicted yet!” Perhaps if Blank and the Falcons had not invested so much time, effort and money into protecting Michael Vick from his own persona over the years things might not have come to this. But Vick was a jock .. a hero .. a prized gladiator. He generated massive amounts of revenue, not only for the team, but for the league … and was thus entitled to treatment that would insulate him from his own repugnant actions.

If someone in a position of authority had smacked him down a few years ago, the team might not be going through this today.

By Don't Care

July 24, 2007 11:50 AM | Link to this

I say live where you want. And Vick is not more of a Thug than the NBA ref who was betting on the very same games he was coaching. Maybe they will be cell mates

By bah

July 24, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this

I live in a gated community because I live in Atlanta, which in far too many ways is a crime-ridden pesthole.

Property crimes are on the rise everywhere, especially in neighborhoods where there’s actually something worth stealing. Gates deter pedestrian transient (read: “bum”) traffic, and more so (and more importantly), deter VEHICLE traffic… which the crooks do not like. They want to drive in, load up the van/truck from your house, and drive out. With gates, it’s harder for them to get in and out and they tend to just go elsewhere for easier pickings, which is fine by me. You can look at the police reports and compare gated crime to non-gated if you don’t believe it works.

It is not about status in my world; I could care less whether passersby think I’m rich or barely skatin’. It IS, on the other hand, about “if you don’t have business around here, stay out”.

By Maggie

July 24, 2007 12:15 PM | Link to this

I used to live in a gated and guarded VERY upscale subdivision where everyone thought they lived COMPLETELY protected from the rest of the world and the crime therein… until there was a HUGE drug bust and it was found out that there were many houses IN the subdivision used as a front - had nothing inside but only used for drug transactions. Everyone in the neighborhood were in denial the whole time thinking that that “type of thing” would never be in their neighborhood - they were all too busy with their noses stuck up in the air to see reality going on around in their neighborhood.

By Jesse's Girl

July 24, 2007 12:22 PM | Link to this

Unless you are Vick’s mama….your lengthy comments should be posted elsewhere.

By Amy

July 24, 2007 12:28 PM | Link to this

Just moved into one of the few more affordable neighborhoods in the area of Alpharetta we wanted to be for our commute. More than one neighbor told me they have considered moving but don’t want to leave the neighborliness of our subdivision. They perceive that “moving up” would put them in a situation where it is not as friendly and caring. Interesting. I have LOVED the interaction and openness of our neighborhood, and hope the demographic doesn’t change too much.

By bah

July 24, 2007 12:35 PM | Link to this

Maggie, only a fool believes that gates are 100% effective, and only a moron believes that you can ever be ‘completely’ protected. Awareness is the second part of the equation. If you lived around people who were ignorant of these truths, then so be it. But don’t blame the tools, blame the people.

Gates still deter criminals, plain and simple. If you let the criminals move in, then of course you will have a problem. (Though I bet there still weren’t that many breakins or property crimes inside the neighborhood, eh? Drug dealers are pretty good about keeping that sort of thing away from where the money is…)

By harold

July 24, 2007 12:36 PM | Link to this

GATED COMMUNITIES ARE GREAT! THEY GET THE CHILD MOLESTERS AND DRUNK DRIVING PILL POPPING HOUSEWIVES ACCUSTOMED TO BEING BEHIND BARS!

By Gordon

July 24, 2007 12:50 PM | Link to this

Hey Ron Mexico, you’re not the only one who reads Boortz.

By .

July 24, 2007 12:55 PM | Link to this

@bah

Where in the city do you live in a gated community?

I didn’t think there WERE any inside the city limits….because all the neighborhoods are old and predate the concept of a gated community.

By Hunter

July 24, 2007 1:05 PM | Link to this

I live in a gated commmunity in Gwinnett. We bought here for two reasons: 1. The gates keep down the flow of traffic through the community; we live in the cul-de-sac and in many non-gated neighborhoods that is the “turn around spot” for people cruising through for whatever reason. 2. The gates make it more secure and safer. I love living in a gated community and can’t imagine ever buying outside of one now.

By ATL Pearl Girl

July 24, 2007 1:14 PM | Link to this

It’s America…… Sounds like someone is a teensie bit jealous of the ‘gated community’. And yes…it is a feeling of security…not just anyone can go in and out of the subdivision. Wish to GOD I had it in my area!

By atltvlagt

July 24, 2007 1:24 PM | Link to this

Well let’s see…roving gangs of teenage thugs everywhere,(6 flags, fayetteville-6 held someone up for 10.00,Marta station incident almost a year ago, 2 college students raped and killed in knoville after being tortured for days…), the government’s inablity to keep multiple offenders incarcerated-3 women in one family raped and killed in home invasion by two offenders on parole with lenghty rap sheets..Illegal aliens with rap sheets here and abroad that nobody is tracking the whereabouts of. What planet are you living on lady? The government has washed their hands of keeping any law and order in our society. Recent FBI statistics bear this out. Wake up.

By JT

July 24, 2007 1:41 PM | Link to this

I’d love to live in a gated community. My current community could gate the premises, but some tax and insurance implications arise.

Gated communities own their own streets and are thus repsonsible for their upkeep. They also own their own streetlights, etc.

Gating a community almost ensures that you are not bothered by door to door religious peddlers and salespeople. It also almost ensures there are no unwanted vehicles in the neighborhood. As someone else has pointed out - criminals want/need their gettaway vehicles at the door. And it does provide a sense of community for those living there and offers kids a welcome and safe area in which to play.

The negatives: the gate maintenance, street and lighting maintenance, as well as insurance issues arising from difficulty for police and fire departments to get to the premises.

I think the positives outweigh the negatives. Yup, if I could afford it, I’d live in a gated community in a heartbeat!

By timmy

July 24, 2007 1:42 PM | Link to this

Next AJC Blog…

What is the point of deadlocks? Do people really need two locks on their doors?

By Jennifer

July 24, 2007 1:46 PM | Link to this

I don’t think most people move into a gated community for prestige or status. It keeps traffic down and solicitors out. There have been days when I’ve had 3 solicitors ringing the doorbell, including one from the AJC who stepped over the AJC already in my driveway to ask if I’d like to subscribe. Having children, I think gates could keep out the majority of unnecessary traffic which is always good.

By Amy in theATL

July 24, 2007 1:53 PM | Link to this

I would divide the middle to upper middle class metro Atlanta housing into 4 sectors: folks who live in older suburban neighborhoods with lots of trees and big lots, folks who live in charming but small older homes intown because they love the ambience and walkability, people who live in HUGE McMansions outside the Perimeter on small lots with no trees, and the same type of people who are attempting to tranport the worst of the suburbs into even smaller lots intown in the new infill communities. From my experience, a high percentage of the people from the second two groups favor looking rich over being financially secure, and are frequently mortgaged to the hilt with $30K in credit card bills. No thanks!

As for the worst of the worst—-that would be Renaissance in East Cobb. A true example of money with absolutely no taste. Nasty!

By shanayay

July 24, 2007 2:08 PM | Link to this

I just want to know how the pizza guy gets in.

By Hunter

July 24, 2007 2:10 PM | Link to this

It is resentment that makes you think that everyone in gated communities wants to look rich, and are up to their eyeballs in debt. I live in a very nice house in a gated community, we have two very nice cars, and no credit card debt. Our total debt, including the mortgage on this house and our vacation house, is only 839k — which is not bad at all given all that it encompasses, and is easily affordable.
Now — as for gated communities — we aren’t trying to be pretentious, we just want security, tranquility and peace and locking out some people can give you that.

By Hunter

July 24, 2007 2:14 PM | Link to this

Shanayay — if it’s a gaurded gate then the guard rings the home that the pizza guy is going to and validates the delivery and let’s him through — an unguarded gate has a call box and the pizza guy either looks up the name on a terminal or has already been given the code to dial to reach the intended home for the delivery (the same applies to UPS, FedEx, etc)

By Amy in the ATL

July 24, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this

Dear Hunter..so how much money are you putting into your 401K or your kid’s college funds?

You may very well be living well within your means, but the majority of people I know personally in similar circumstances aren’t doing so well. I know far too many people with incomes similar to our household (which is quite good, thanks) but who are putting very little money into savings and/or running up credit card debt.

By S.

July 24, 2007 2:34 PM | Link to this

To hell with the gates. I live in the Johns Creek area and those fools out there act as if they are in another world. The (little)kids walk the streets all day and night by themselves. Garage doors are left up all night, It’s like living among stepford wives, when I get home all the women, except me, are in the middle of the street talking and waving as if i am there long lost sister or friend, its scary! The other community where I lived, they would tell you what flowers you could and could not plant, they would come to your patio if they thought you were cooking out just to see if you are being orderly in your back yard, noisey as hell!

By Hunter

July 24, 2007 2:35 PM | Link to this

My children each have a fully funded 90k college fund (total of 180k for the two children) and our 401k is currently valued at a combined 3.4 million, and that is after the disastrous losses we suffered when WorldCom tanked. Our stock portfolio holds another 1.6 million as of last week, and the liquid accounts have a combined 4 months total salary plus monthly expenses for two months. So, we are fine financially, but thanks for your concern.

By .

July 24, 2007 2:40 PM | Link to this

Hunter is bragging.

Is this the same religious nut Hunter?

By Wayz

July 24, 2007 2:48 PM | Link to this

I live next to a gated community, not in it. It’s a nice place to take a walk, good looking huge houses & landscaping. But the best part is that there is very little vehicle traffic, which makes it a great place to ride my bike.

By Laura

July 24, 2007 2:52 PM | Link to this

Hunter:

You must be nouveau riche. Married up, did you?

Old monied people know it’s bad manners to flaunt their wealth, while people like you are insecure about their position and desperate to fit in.

By Chad

July 24, 2007 2:56 PM | Link to this

A gated community with 24 hour guards keep record of who comes and goes. That includes the numerous domestic servants and contractors. It makes it much easier to control theft and we dont have to deal with joyriders, door to door sales people, etc.

I wouldnt want to live any other way. If you dont like it, dont worry about it and ignore it. Its not for everyone. Its those who hate it that we are likely trying to keep out and away from our families.

By Scott

July 24, 2007 2:58 PM | Link to this

What does it matter if you think its obnoxious, exclusive or expensive? If you don’t like gated communities, just remember that when you shop for a new house. However, it does make is safer for pedestrians, keeps out salespeople and misc. thugs driving around checking out your stuff. Not to mention no Chinese rest. menus rubberbanded to your front door knob!

By MLJ

July 24, 2007 3:00 PM | Link to this

Thanks JT for your comment (1:41 pm) I was looking at this gated subdivision in the city of Atlanta (yes . they do exist) and I was amazed at how poorly the streets were maintained. It was like they started paving and just stopped. The HOA dues were very low for a community with a pool and tennis court. So I guess that’s why the subdivision looked like crap.

By LOL

July 24, 2007 3:07 PM | Link to this

There is a “gated” area within my neighborhood, it is a single street with less than 25 homes. The only difference between the “gated” area and the rest of the neighborhood is the owners were able to purchase better “upgrades” on their homes, they have a private street(that they have to pay for), a view of the waste treatment plant and the fire department, they get to pay double the amount for HOA dues, and they have an electric gate guarding their “private entrance” to their “private street”.

There is more crime on that “private” street than there is in the rest of the neighborhood, it is easily accessed by foot by walking around the “gate”. What a waste of money to feel special and secure.

By Eric

July 24, 2007 3:14 PM | Link to this

Funny, most of the people that those living in gated communities want to keep out, are the ones they have to let in to do their yardword, clean their houses and babysit their obnoxious, bratty children.

IRONY

By Hunter

July 24, 2007 3:16 PM | Link to this

I’m not ashamed of the fact that I married a very wealthy man from a prominent Miami family. I don’t have to work, I can afford a nanny to take care of the children, we go on wonderful vacations, own two incredibly beautiful houses. Being nouveau riche or not, what does it matter. Being rich is being rich…regardless of how, when and why I got my money, the fact is, I have it.

By Amy in the ATL

July 24, 2007 3:19 PM | Link to this

Good for you, Hunter, although I’m guessing you’re not a Southerner because old Southern money (read: class) would just say, “we’re doing fine, sweetie.” Then again, old Southern money also probably wouldn’t live in a gated subdivision in Gwinnett.

By .

July 24, 2007 3:22 PM | Link to this

MLJ WHERE is that intown gated subdivision? I know there are gated condo and townhouse communities up in Buckhead but they don’t count…they’re not usually family oriented…

Can you imagine if Candler Park became gated?

Its those who hate it that we are likely trying to keep out and away from our families.

That’s silly Chad. See my comment about Candler Park. People who live there are the types that also “hate” gated communities. I doubt “those” are who you’re trying to “keep out”.

By Laura

July 24, 2007 3:25 PM | Link to this

Amy in the ATL:

Exactly the point I was trying to make! Thank you!

By Jesse's Girl

July 24, 2007 3:31 PM | Link to this

Oh Hunter…dear, sweet Hunter. You have just sealed your fate with anyone who MAY have thought for a hot second that you had something to contribute in a spiritual sense. I pity you, I really do. You come on a BLOG to hike your station up a notch or two…whether it be your religious one or your real life one. Anyone that reads your hipocritical posts looking for some shread of spiritual guidance leaves this blog wondering what they saw in Christianity in the first place. YOU are what is wrong with this world ( and with the religion )…..whether you are for real or not. And I doubt you are. You spout Biblical scripture; giving a supposed account for your strong beliefs. When in reality….seen that lately?….the account you give is of a life full of Benny Hin blather.

Please, do not mistake my calling you on the carpet for anything other than what it is…..no one here is jealous or envious of what you say you have. You are blithering, hipocritical idiot. But I think we here at Momania will take a page out of your whimsical play book and “pray for you”. Because at the end of the day…I think you may need it the mosty most.

By Joe

July 24, 2007 3:35 PM | Link to this

Your going to see a gated community when you die and I hope you know the gatekeeper. Come meet him at Jonesboro First Baptist. Services Sunday morning 8:oo and 11:oo. You will be glade you came.

By Hunter

July 24, 2007 3:43 PM | Link to this

Jesse’s Girl, I am well aware of your jealously and spriritual envy. You are in my prayers so that you may walk away from the sins of jealousy and envy that you commit. Walk away from your heathenist amoral liberal ways and step into the Right light of God. For that I pray.

By Joe

July 24, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this

You will see a gated community when you die, and I hope you know the Gate Keeper. Come meet him Sunday morning at Jonesboro First Baptist. The music is GREAT, and he will be there!!!! John 8:32 the GateKeeper said when you know the truth, the truth will set you free.

By Kev

July 24, 2007 3:52 PM | Link to this

Gated is somewhat safer by limiting traffic and it also ensures that those of us that pay monthly for the ammenities (IE swimming pools) are the ones that get to use them. My last community had courts, pools, etc.., but no gate and as a result everyone treated our community like a public resource. I don’t think it matters if your house is $1 or $1M- gates just add some level of safety and security.

By Alex

July 24, 2007 3:59 PM | Link to this

DUH?! To keep the blacks and mexicans out! Gwinnett is the worst county ever. Are you kidding me? They all moved in and messed it all up. It used to be a nice area. So much for that. Thanks black gang members and mexican illegals.

By Amy in the ATL

July 24, 2007 4:06 PM | Link to this

Man, y’all are making me REALLY glad I live intown.

By JoJo

July 24, 2007 4:12 PM | Link to this

You know Alex if you’re a representative of the type of people that has lived in Gwinnett for years, then it was never a “nice” area.

By Jesse's Girl

July 24, 2007 4:16 PM | Link to this

I always said that if I had to live in the city again…I would like to give Atlantic Station a try. I love it down there! It would be really cool to live and work within walking distance to eachother! Alas….we are very glad to have FINALLY found some land! Now to come up with some house plans….

By troublemaker

July 24, 2007 4:20 PM | Link to this

Hunter’s a storyteller. Anyone who doesn’t work and still can’t manage to take care of their own children has no clue about what shape the finances are in. Dahling.

By Amy in the ATL

July 24, 2007 4:33 PM | Link to this

Hunter doesn’t sound like very much fun. I just hope she’s attractive enough to make up for her lack of personality, otherwise she may have a hard time keeping that rich man.

By Becky

July 24, 2007 4:35 PM | Link to this

Alex, there’s a gated SD down the street from me that is about 85% black, so what’s up with that? I would have to say that if they can afford it, more power to them..Blacks just like whites have the “ones” that aren’t such good apples..Hunter, mot everyone wants to marry their sugar daddy, so I’m glad that money is what makes you happy..Like some others said, if you have children, YOU should be the on eto raise them, not a nanny..A nanny is a farm animal..

By thatsme

July 24, 2007 4:45 PM | Link to this

I live in a gated community, and it’s simply an added measure of safety for me. I use the word “added” because having these gates do not make you or your home 100% secure. And I have been guilty, on a few occasions, of letting the person behind me pass through or allowed my impatience get the best of me by using my remote to let someone in instead of watching them fumble with the keyboard. I’ve decided to not do the latter again; I thought “what if that is someone that means that person harm, and you’ve just let them in?”

By LOL

July 24, 2007 4:51 PM | Link to this

Hunter, money doesn’t buy class but it can get you into charm school.

By Jo

July 24, 2007 4:53 PM | Link to this

Hunter has the nerve to talk about God & morality yet she married for money?? (Legal prostitution) I bet she’s so useless that’s the only “job” she can hold. I feel sorry for her when he gets tired of her & kicks her useless behind out!

By Johnny Rocket

July 24, 2007 5:05 PM | Link to this

And Vick is not more of a Thug than the NBA ref who was betting on the very same games he was coaching.

Betting on games isn’t even in the same ballpark. No dogs are viciously torn apart in a basketball game. No, not even the same league.

By john b

July 24, 2007 5:07 PM | Link to this

gated communities make sense to me. increasing vigilante justice does not make sense to me. being vigilantes you may serve time in the same cells as your prey. time will tell. you will give yourselves enough rope to hang yourselves.

By Pizza The Hut

July 24, 2007 5:08 PM | Link to this

Anyone who has been making deliveries long enough knows how to get into virtually any gated community without involving anyone else’s participation. It takes less than a minute, less than 15 seconds in most cases.

By Alex

July 24, 2007 5:39 PM | Link to this

One question, imagine metro Atlanta if it were 100% white, what a dream come true it would be!!! I looked up crime stats for the state of Wyoming, which is the “whitest” state in the country. Guess who has the lowest crime rate? Wyoming. Hmmmmm.

By Jesse's Girl

July 24, 2007 5:50 PM | Link to this

Alex….Delta is ready when you are darlin’.

By JESUS

July 24, 2007 6:03 PM | Link to this

Well move ur white racist azz to Wyoming then Alex, u piece of ignorant, bigoted, incestuous crack pot, your lil sister is in bed waiting for you! And oh by the way I’m white.

By fy

July 24, 2007 6:04 PM | Link to this

it was the white folk moving here in the 70’s that killed the this county a gate in the 70’s to keep them out would have been great

i miss the country gwinnett this “suburban gwinnett ” is awful

By Alex

July 24, 2007 6:04 PM | Link to this

Jesse’s Girl I would have been long gone if I did not have all of my friends and family here, as well as an amazing job. Trust me. Atlanta sure did used to be great. Oh well.

By Ellen

July 24, 2007 6:30 PM | Link to this

I once lived in a gated community. I will NEVER do so again. It was a PAIN getting in and out of the gate. It was a hassle getting my family and friends in and out of the gate. WAY too much effort just to go to the store! I now live in a normal neighborhood gate-free. Best decision for me.

By Caroline

July 24, 2007 6:39 PM | Link to this

Alex, I guess white people don’t commit crimes. How refreshing. Please tell that to Jennifer Ewing’s family, Amy Yates’ family, Jennifer Corbin’s family, Chris Benoit’s family, and countless other families of murder victims. Most crime is actually INTRAracial not INTERracial, meaning most crime is white-on-white, black-on-black, hispanic-on-hispanic.

By Hunter

July 24, 2007 6:39 PM | Link to this

I am very attractive, thank you. If my husband ever does decide to leave me we do have a pre-nup in place that will take care of me should we divorce for any reason other than infidelity on my part. As far as knowing finances…I keep track of money, it’s important to me. Having a nanny to take care of my children is important to me. I raise the children, but someone needs to tend to their nominal daily needs while I am busy.

By .

July 24, 2007 7:21 PM | Link to this

Hunter…you don’t get to tell us you’re attractive because that’s something that’s in the eye of the beholder. So, if you behold yourself to be attractive…good for you, dork.

Also, while there’s no SHAME in marrying a wealthy man there shouldn’t be any PRIDE in it either….marrying rich isn’t an accomplishment. And if you’re the type of person who thinks it is…then you’re an extra dork.

The rest of us rest on our accomplishments…working, hobbies, and parenting.

What could you possibly be busy with, other than blogging, that you need a nanny.

Excuse me while I go fix my broken scooter…hey, you know, if I fix it…that’s an accomplishment.

By Moving Day

July 24, 2007 7:32 PM | Link to this

Burglars love gated communities, every house has the goods, they back that delivery van in the drive and remove the good stuff. Gates can’t keep them out or in, after they’ve got the goods.

By E.J.C.

July 24, 2007 7:34 PM | Link to this

Why bother when people get on your bumper and beat the gate, where i live it is allways broken.

By Tommy

July 24, 2007 7:35 PM | Link to this

I am an Interior Designer and have worked in many homes in “gated communities”….These are the worst- these communities are occupied with people who have debt coming out of their a*es, and can’t afford to furnish their homes properly…you know who you are…the worst clients in Atlanta… It’s all bllsht…

By Tomb

July 24, 2007 7:41 PM | Link to this

I’m with Hunter. We all have pre-nups and when we gated our trailer park we all felt safer.

By Tommy

July 24, 2007 7:43 PM | Link to this

Hunter,un I know who you are, and know that you used to dance at The Cheetah… I know EXACTLY who you are…and you know I do. Your “husband” left his wife for you… aren’t you proud of yourself? He still hangs out in strip clubs and will leave your plastic a** eventually.. Enjoy it while you can, “Hunter”…

By MLJ

July 24, 2007 7:52 PM | Link to this

Hey “.”

The subdivison was called Collier Pointe. In the Collier Heights area of Atlanta. I-20 and 285 by the HE Holmes Marta station. It’s not an affluent subdivision by any means. That’s why the roads looked so bad. But hey, it’s gated. LOL

By you don't??

July 24, 2007 8:03 PM | Link to this

Theresa,

I think we all assumed you already lived in a gated community.

By HL

July 25, 2007 8:53 AM | Link to this

Hunter - you should listen to Dave Ramsey. He would tell you to pay off that house out of your stock portfoilo. Would you borrow money to invest? Smart people do not.

By Laura

July 25, 2007 9:11 AM | Link to this

Hunter:

You protest too much.

By Theresa

July 25, 2007 9:37 AM | Link to this

to you don’t — I do not live in a gated community —

By Heather

July 25, 2007 10:28 AM | Link to this

Dear S: You Say: To hell with the gates. I live in the Johns Creek area and those fools out there act as if they are in another world. The (little)kids walk the streets all day and night by themselves. Garage doors are left up all night, It’s like living among stepford wives, when I get home all the women, except me, are in the middle of the street talking and waving as if i am there long lost sister or friend, its scary! The other community where I lived, they would tell you what flowers you could and could not plant, they would come to your patio if they thought you were cooking out just to see if you are being orderly in your back yard, noisey as hell!

Well..my dear…this is precisely why I moved to John’s Creek. What is so scary about being neighborly? You should move out to Hiram, buy some acreage, and gate yourself in. we in John’s Creek would love to fill your house with someone a little less “scared” and a lot more friendly!

By DB

July 25, 2007 11:10 AM | Link to this

I would not choose to live in a gated community because it would give me claustrophobia! That’s just me, though. The idea of being locked behind a gate does not make me feel safe, it just makes me feel jailed! Everytime I visit friends in gated communities, I get this creepy feeling when the gate closes behind me. Ugh! But that’s just me and my little neurosis :-)

I would hate to have my friends and my children’s friends not be able to just drop by. And it would drive me crazy to have to wait for the d**n gate to open every time I wanted to run out for a quick errand! But that’s my choice. I understand some folks like the gates, and that’s THEIR choice. I sure wouldn’t put a value judgement on other people’s need for privacy. I don’t share it, but it doesn’t mean it’s not important to them.

By Michael

July 25, 2007 3:15 PM | Link to this

Gated Communities are silly! They do nothing for crime, but they do stop people driving through. But since all of the subdivisions only have ONE entrance in and out now that point is moot as well. They are a waste of time and money.

By Don

July 25, 2007 3:52 PM | Link to this

The reason you need gated communities, and soon you will need armed guards, is precisely because you choose to live in a big, expensive home which says to every gang-banger in or around here that there is something good in there to go after….DUH!!! As long as we invite Mexico to dump every gangster they have into our country and into our counties, there will be good reason to ‘tell our children’ that they’re not going to get their throat cut during the middle of the nite. What planet are you from?

By Jon

July 26, 2007 6:19 AM | Link to this

Yes, I do want a gate on my neighborhood. Every day in Gwinnett there are dozens of home burglaries, robberies, assaults, etc. Crime has gone WAY up in Gwinnett in recent years. Also gates keep out traffic that doesn’t belong and makes the streets safer for kids. If you can afford to live in an area with a gate then why not? Some neighborhoods in North Fulton provide, in addition to a gate, a full time armed patrol. Why is more protection not a good thing. Since when is having wealth a crime? If I can afford it then thats my business.

By Rich

July 26, 2007 6:35 AM | Link to this

As a police officer I must say that it takes longer to get to a residence located in a gated community. When we arrive at the gate dispatch has to look up what the police code is to get in (which often times doesnt work) or we have to wait for another vehicle or the resident to let us in. Same goes for fire and EMS. This isnt just neighborhoods but gated apartments. There are just as many car break ins a burglaries in gated apartments as there are in non gated. The only way a gate is really effective in stopping unauthorized persons entering is if its manned 24/7 by a guard and there are very few in metro Atlanta that operate this way. I can think of at least 4 burglaries and 1 auto theft report I know of inside that neighborhood over the past few years. A gate isnt going to stop someone if they really want to go in. At Sugarloaf for years anyone could just drive to the back gate and drive through the grass and be in the neighborhood in about 5 seconds without anyone knowing. A gate is only effective if its part of a larger security program.

By Rich

July 26, 2007 6:35 AM | Link to this

As a police officer I must say that it takes longer to get to a residence located in a gated community. When we arrive at the gate dispatch has to look up what the police code is to get in (which often times doesnt work) or we have to wait for another vehicle or the resident to let us in. Same goes for fire and EMS. This isnt just neighborhoods but gated apartments. There are just as many car break ins a burglaries in gated apartments as there are in non gated. The only way a gate is really effective in stopping unauthorized persons entering is if its manned 24/7 by a guard and there are very few in metro Atlanta that operate this way. I can think of at least 4 burglaries and 1 auto theft report I know of inside that neighborhood over the past few years. A gate isnt going to stop someone if they really want to go in. At Sugarloaf for years anyone could just drive to the back gate and drive through the grass and be in the neighborhood in about 5 seconds without anyone knowing. A gate is only effective if its part of a larger security program.

By Don

July 26, 2007 8:04 AM | Link to this

A follow-up point is that the AJC staff continue to promote a class-envy deal and a socialist agenda overall - have for years. It’s no wonder that this member of the intown bed-wetters has the same to say - her friends expect it of her, her employer, as well. No mention of the fact that countless intown townhome communities have impenetrable access. I suppose she never locks her door? Why can’t we all come in any time we want? What are you going to tell your children about why you have all your doors locked?

By C J

July 26, 2007 10:07 AM | Link to this

Alex-I guess it’s ok for the white gang menbers and child molesters to move in to Gwinnette and rape the women and kill our kids. it’s ok as long as their not black or mexican. there is no safe place anymore but if gates you can slow cars down so OUR children (black , white and mexican) can play safe then let there be gates. Sorry Alex!! there are no more white neighborhood. we all drink for the same fountain.:)

By C J

July 26, 2007 11:19 AM | Link to this

Alex-I guess it’s ok for the white gang menbers and child molesters to move into Gwinnette and rape the women and kill our kids. it’s ok as long as their not black or mexican. there is no safe place anymore but if gates can slow cars down so OUR children (black , white and mexican) can play safe then let there be gates. Sorry Alex!! there are no more white neighborhoods. we all drink from the same fountain.:)

By Cyndi

July 27, 2007 10:06 AM | Link to this

I don’t live in a gated community, and I don’t ever want to. I live in a very nice older neighborhood, neighbors are friendly, we walk our dogs, kids play safely in the street, nice wide streets, no cars parked on the streets. As a matter of fact, it is so safe, I accidentially left my basement door unlocked over night, and nothing happened. Usually the windows are open at night too.

Paranoia will kill you. I prefer to live a simple life, in a simple neighborhood. I don’t need to impress anyone, I am very happy where I live. I wouldn’t trade my neighborhood or my neighbors for a snobby gated community. I prefer to put my money into my future.

As for Hunter - people who make it a point to brag, really have nothing to brag about.

Anyone ever read the book “The Millionaire Next Door”? That’s me. I live modestly in a house I can afford, and I prefer to put my money into retirement and my future.

By Hunter

July 27, 2007 11:30 AM | Link to this

Cyndi, dear, dear Cyndi. What’s the point in having money if you don’t enjoy it? I married my husband to have the ability to enjoy his money, and damn it, that’s what I do.

By Cyndi

July 27, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this

Hunter Good of you to admit you love to spend hubby’s money. I prefer to make my own way in this world and not have to rely on someone else for my happiness.

Greed makes for a very lonely life. You brag about spending all this money, yet you don’t talk about personal happiness. Money can’t buy that.

And FYI, I don’t buy any of your crap.

By Jennifer

July 27, 2007 1:17 PM | Link to this

I just saw the question about other kids on the school bus judging gated community kids. They probably do judge but reading the remarks here about “snobby gated communities” and “we don’t need the gate to tell us the neighborhood is expensive”, parents are teaching the kids their judgmental ways. I’d worry more about teaching my kids to be judgmental and jealous than I would about whether or not a community has a gate on it.

I’m no Hunter but we live in a pretty affluent community with large homes and while I may be guilty of having more money than some people, I don’t teach my kids to judge others on what they do or don’t have. Maybe I’m a rarity but I don’t care what people have or don’t have, possessions don’t define anyone.

By Charisma

July 27, 2007 2:09 PM | Link to this

i dont know why no body would want to live behind some gates lest you was in prison or something i think these gated comunities are a eyesore and are just there so that people can pretend they are better than us regular people who live in older houses with real yards. you aint got no kind of yard in one of them big houses behind a gate all you got is a little patch of dirt with a fake yard on it made of sod and the house takes up most of your land. i got 4 acres that my house sets on and i got a creek and woods and i can see deers and squirels in my yard and i got real grass not the fake stuff that they put down in them big fancy places so i dont know what you people see in them things but it aint for me.

By Jennifer

July 27, 2007 3:04 PM | Link to this

Charisma, I think we are all happy that you are insulated from the rest of us by your property. If anyone was close enough to you to see you spank your grandchildren for having a pacifier you would be behind bars like the animal you are. God knows what you do to them for real transgressions!?

By Cyndi

July 27, 2007 3:08 PM | Link to this

I don’t think Charisma is very educated. Her 4 acre property is probably some slum down in south Georgia. Think poor under-educated Redneck.

By Charisma

July 27, 2007 3:14 PM | Link to this

at least my grand youngins will grow up to be right. i dont want to have my grand son turn out like my sisters boy and be lite and end up going with another boy. that gay stuff just aint right and if it takes spanking my grandkinds to keep them from being lite then thats what i will do because i aint going to have it in my house and they aint a going to do it and let meemaw now about it neither because they know that meemaw will spank them and then the boogie man will get them for being bad and having the pasyfier and for sucking their thumbs because thats what will make them lite and i dont want that and they know it. now for you being glad i got my land well im glad to because i can do what i want to on my land and no body tells me what i can and cant do like in them neighborhoods where they got the the assoications that tell you what to do and when to do it and how to do it and that you didnt do it right and all that s**. it iant right to live like that thats the way monekys in the zoo live not civilzed people. it aint right and thats what im saying about it.

By smitty

July 27, 2007 3:23 PM | Link to this

Hey charisma, did you know they offer english as a second language at most public schools these days?

You might want to check it out. I know they also have courses on proper grammer and punctuation as well….

By Charisma

July 27, 2007 3:27 PM | Link to this

cyndi i have you know i live in white county in cleavland, gerogia. i am in north georgia not south georgia and my 4 acres of land is up in the prettyest part of this state and im in GODS country and where the moutains and the sky is blue.

By Hunter

July 27, 2007 3:32 PM | Link to this

Oy Vey. Charisma, you dear sweet woman, please do everyone a favor and learn English. Honestly, it’s an embarassment to call yourself American if you can’t properly speak and/or write in our native tongue. I would, as I am sure others would agree, appreciate it if you took your drivel back to wherever it is that is home to the rock from under which you crawled. Gated communities are a wonderful thing, they are safer than regular neighborhoods, offer more traffic control and have restricted access to keep out the riff-raff (ie, your kind).

By JB

July 27, 2007 3:37 PM | Link to this

The more I see you post here, Hunter, the more I wonder if you are really and truly serious. It’s very sad if you are, and just totally unhumorous if you aren’t. A stay-at-home mom who employs a nanny? You’ve got to be joking. How beautiful that you can drink martinis and play tennis while someone else is changing diapers and wiping runny noses for you. I don’t have children yet and it’s because I’m not yet ready for the challenge of taking care of them.

By Jennifer

July 27, 2007 3:38 PM | Link to this

I’d bet a round of cocktails that someone here never has lunch alone, if you know what I mean…

By JB

July 27, 2007 3:39 PM | Link to this

Oh wait! I forgot, you don’t drink, otherwise you’d be going straight to hell, so please excuse me regarding the martini comment.

By Hunter

July 27, 2007 3:49 PM | Link to this

I am not a “stay at home” mother. I do a lot of things with my time outside of the home, I just don’t happen to be a “working mother”. While I may not have a job I do have community responsibilities. I serve on my HOA, I am a member of several organizations that take up quite a bit of my time and I also enjoy days at the spa, days out shopping with my friends and other things that a working mother could not do. I enjoy my life.

By Hunter

July 27, 2007 3:55 PM | Link to this

Charisma, I just don’t think I can respond to that. I just, well I can’t.

DB, just for your information, the nanny was hired as a requirement of my having children. My husband wanted to have two children, I did not. My caveat to agreeing was that I could employ a full time nanny. He, after much discussion, agreed and well, here we are.

By JB

July 27, 2007 4:18 PM | Link to this

HOA meetings typically meet in the evenings so I if I had children I would get a baby-sitter during those hours. And as long as we’re bragging about how wonderful and generous with our time we are…here’s my scenario. If I become a working mother, I will hire a nanny or find daycare. But if I am blessed to have the privelege of staying home with my children, I would never consider leaving those responsibilities to another person full-time. I would enlist the help of my family or part-time sitters so that I could fulfill my volunteer and extra-curricular activities. But again, Hunter, how wonderful for you. We must certainly all be jealous of such a priveleged person and wish with all of our hearts that we could be as perfect as you. But all sarcasm aside, your life does sound nice. But I urge you to prayerfully consider, what kind of existence is it when you choose not to take care of your own children’s “nominal daily needs while you are busy”?