By Danny

Aug 4, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this

This city is addicted to suburban sprawl, poor planning and the automobile, which as we now see is all weakly based on inexpensive energy. Now that energy isn't so cheap and will become ever more expensive, this lifestyle will begin to crumble and errode as it's completely unstainable in so many ways.
I grew up in rural Georgia and am saddened everytime I go home to see ever more farm and forest land consumed by cookie cutter development.
Unlike so many, it pleases me to see the price of gasoline rise because it's the end of this shameless over-consumption of land and resources.
Georgia must get serious quickly and start planning for a sustainable future, which means a dependable, usable mass-transit system and less highways not to mention smart land-use and the death of stip malls. Otherwise, the economy here will collapse and we'll all pay a big price.
And by the way, the desire for a sustainable, clean, healthy, responsible city with a future is in no way a "liberal" or democratic idea. That is pure ignorance that several on this board have referred to. If you've ever lived out West, you've seen how conservatives and liberals alike share this goal.

By Tom

May 1, 2008 8:56 PM | Link to this

Gee, must have touched the nerve of a 'real' environmentalist.

The reason the air is better than 30 years ago is irrelevant. The problem is that the truth never gets to the public. You know why 'pure genius'. The general public wouldn't put up with the ever increasing demands of the environmentalists. Putting out a list showing what we all already know is nothing more than a ploy to brow beat the public.

By geez

May 1, 2008 7:07 PM | Link to this

Janie! Stop taking so much speed, damn

By Janie

May 1, 2008 5:51 PM | Link to this

I ride a bicycle.
There are grocery stores; Kroger, Publix, Ingles, WalMart, Sams; within about a mile radius from my house. I used to drive the car. I became shocked when such short trips drained the gas tank. I thought it was impossible. But, it wasnıt. The Tucker library is, as well, that close.
Usually everything I need will fit in my backpack.
I stopped in the Texaco convenience store at Cofer Crossing on my bike. Actually took it in the store with flashing tail light and headlight one evening at dusk. There was a man there that talked to me about my bicycle. He was older. As I left, with the clerks smiling, he escorted me out. He said, in a large southern accented voice for all to hear, ıThere goes the future.ı
Iıll be 59 this year in September. I think I am young. I really donıt see a difference between now and when I was twelve. Maybe a few broken bones, but they donıt stop me. They come with being athletic.
Last Tuesday, April 29th, I went to the Microsoft Launch at the fantastic Georgia International Convention Center in College Park. I took MARTA all the way except that my husband dropped me off at the stop in front of Tucker High and then picked me up at Idlewood and Fellowship because my arms were breaking under the weight of all the wonderful things I was trying to carry back from the Launch.
Last summer I idiotically locked my keys in the car at Publix. OK, so I tried to walk home. I only got as far as Idlewood Road and took the bus from there because the air was so bad.
One day last summer I was driving to downtown on Ponce. I started passing out; short little pass outs like a second or so. My eyes were stinging with sweat. Once I got inside Underground everything was OK.
Yesterday I rode my bicycle to Ingles. The clerks and managers are always happy and talkative about my bicycle. They let me bring it in the store while I shop. There arenıt any bicycle bays there. When I left I tried to cross Hugh Howell. A driver coming from Publix tried to run me down when I had the nice little walk man light. I stood in front of the car and shouted loudly, ıSTOP.ı The driver only stopped shortly and about sideswiped me in the crosswalk. Luckily I thought, there was a Dekalb County Police car stopped at the light while I crossed. I flagged him down. I essentially said that Dekalb needs to do the same sorts of stings as Gwinnett is doing on Jimmy Carter Blvd. He listened woodenly and said nothing. I think spital flew from my mouth I was so upset at the aspect of being road kill for doing the right thing. And, I was intentionally wearing a fluorescent powder blue pair of trainers with matching fluffy fleece top and my bouncy pony tail with helmet so I donıt get killed because it looks so cute ı IT DOES NOT MATTER!
This is not a new event. I tried to cross Lawrenceville Highway at Lavista ı three drivers turning right from Lavista tried to kill me. Standing in front of them and shouting was not going to stop them. I understand a new library is being constructed there ı get my drift.
My name is Janie. Please if you are driving donıt run me down. I am too cute. Donıt you feel bad if you run over a squirrel? There were 80 pedestrian fatalities, who knows how many maimings, last year in Georgia. I understand that Jimmy Carter is upset about thirteen fatalities caused by rocket booms and is making headlines. I am confused.
Maynard Jackson wanted Atlanta to be an international city like Paris. I always wanted to live in Paris, maybe I can make that happen here.
Remember, I have the right of way the whole time I am in the cross walk.
I ride a bicycle. It is very nice. Iıd like to think as nice as Paris ı letıs try harder folks.

By woodie

May 1, 2008 5:22 PM | Link to this

There are too many people. There is nothing you can do about it unless you figure out how to get rid of people. The quality of life will continue to degrade and there is absolutely nothing that can be done about it until people start dying or leaving. Community planning has failed. Immigration has failed. Everything which would reduce the people has failed. So live with it.

By DebraL

May 1, 2008 4:50 PM | Link to this

This is a true shame. Atlanta has the most beautiful, park-like setting for a city and with normally great, sunny weather.....and pollution! This town could be one of the best. We need a meaningful, clean, statewide, mass transit (ie: train system!!)-that would help tremendously.

By cough

May 1, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this

And so what do the politicians in GA propose? - additional filthy, coal-burning power plants when GA already contains the most egregious power plant polluters in the nation, expanded lanes of traffic to accommodate more pollution spewing vehicles, while they eschew any mass transit-oriented solutions.

I moved here 3 years ago and I keep wondering when the progressive voters in this state will get off their arses and demand meaningful changes in the status quo.

By Eric

May 1, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this

Atlanta needs to consider the contribution of the airport to local pollution - both air pollution and noise pollution.

By Cathy E

May 1, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this

One day a few years ago I was standing on Brasstown Bald, enjoying the beautiful view from all directions -- except southwest. In that direction, a menacing purple haze tinted the horizon, hinting that Atlanta was having a nasty smoggy day. It felt tragic that even so far away the pollution of the city could spoil the pristine beauty of the mountains.

By SecondSage

May 1, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this

what we're seeing here is a result of lack of adequate infrastructure. Multimodal transportation would reduce this. Everyone talks about how expensive it is on the front end but doesn't pay attention to the backend traffic congestion reduction and pollution reduction. You can't put a price on that.

We have half the people of NY, LA, and CHI and we are comparable in pollutuion, Sad Sad Sad.