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The price of progress. Is it worth it?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
When we moved to Georgia in the late 80’s, we moved from a fairly well developed area of Orlando, Florida, to well… the sticks of Cherokee County, Ga.
It was a culture shock for me to say the least. I moved from an area where basically everything I needed or wanted was either within walking distance or at most a mile away to a semi-rural area where everything was at least a good 5 or more miles away.
I couldn’t wait for my new home to catch up to the rest of civilization whereas my parents wanted it to stay away as long as possible.
There are pros and cons to any sort of progress. Unfortunately it seems - mostly cons.
One consequence to the sort of progress I am referring to is.. neglect.
Norcross and the rest of Southwest Gwinnett are my case and point.
I’ve had neighbors and politicians alike reflect on the good ole days of living around these parts. Some have harkened back to the day when Jimmy Carter Blvd didn’t exist and others recalling all the shopping and culinary fare that was once available.
Then progress moved on to other parts of Gwinnett… through Duluth and Snellville.. and eventually finding its way into the farthest reaches of county today that was not so long ago very rural.
That wave of progress was followed by tidal waves of apathy and neglect - and it shows.
I’ve seen proof of that everywhere I have lived or visited - Orlando, Atlanta, Tampa, Jacksonville, Birmingham, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Phoenix to name a few.
For all my wishing for things to change or get better I always had one caveat - it had to be done responsibly.
Unfortunately, responsibility is another con to progress. We have a build now and worry about it later mentality that is coming back to bite us square on the behind.
The most aggravating part of it all is - most of the problems we are facing today were preventable.
Think about our water situation. Traffic. Crowded and poorly performing schools. Rising crime rates.
All results of poorly planning and mismanagement of progress, yet all mostly preventable, or at least manageable. But the powers that be instead play defense… not offense. And in this case.. defense doesn’t win championships. There have been many of you who have commented in the past that you want the development to stop. Well, you can’t stop progress. There have also been just as many who do not fear.. and completely welcome progress, but we wish such progress was better thought out and managed more responsibly.
While there are plenty of advantages to mention regarding progress, and we’ve questioned its price… I have to ask next… was it worth it?
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Economic chaos rules the day
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Utter chaos.
Even though it sounds a bit overdramatic, that is about the best way to describe recent events.
That doesn’t even include the headache that is college football. Geesh. And people think we actually need a playoff.
The story begins two Sundays ago. I woke up and sat down with my first cup o’ joe and to get my fill of Sunday political talk. It started with a story on the gas shortage.
Hardly a minute later I realized I had about a quarter tank of gas. Soon, I was on my way to fill up. Luckily for me, I did.
Ever since, just about the only thing you are able to fill up on at gas stations is… caffeine. All the gas stations near my house and during my daily commute were either petroleum dead zones or witness to new levels of road rage, people getting in fights, and cars lined up and down streets creating traffic nightmares.
It was an unbelievable site.
Our governor says this problem is “self induced.” But this is also the same governor who has now had a term and a half to do something meaningful regarding transportation… and been a miserable failure.
Then there is this bailout mess that is basically a result of the whole mortgage fall out.
I have seen and read some economic experts say this plan has to happen or else we’re facing the next Great Depression… while others are saying “not so fast my friend” and some who say that it could create more problems because it would nearly destroy those property values who surround the “bail out properties”.
I don’t know who or what to believe. I do know this…
I, like many of you, pay my mortgage. I have never been late with my mortgage, nor have I ever missed a payment. I didn’t buy a house that I cant afford.
When companies are mismanaged and/or make bad investments - they typically fail. That is the risk of doing bad business. When they are effectively managed and make smart choices they typically succeed. That is the reward of doing good business.
It would seem to me that all this bailout is really doing is rewarding failure. Something this country seems to be doing a pretty good job of lately.
How are you handling all this chaos? Sound off Gwinnett! I know you have plenty of opinions about what is (and isn’t) happening. What should happen?
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Voting lessons
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It was about this time in 1980 and scores of students at Aloma Elementary School in Orlando, Florida cast ballots in a mock presidential election.
Perhaps those students were the ultimate political prognosticators, because they elected the then Republican candidate, Ronald Wilson Reagan, as president of the United States in a landslide.
That memory came flooding back when I read the article by AJC reporter D. Aileen Dodd on Norcross’ Hopewell Christian Academy, which recently held a mock election of their own.
Three students, selected by their social studies teacher, were chosen to represent and present a speech before their classmates as either John McCain, Bob Barr, or Barack Obama.
In Hopewell’s mock election, there were 86 votes cast for Barack Obama (including one from the guy chosen to represent McCain). I guess we will find out in just over a month if they are anywhere near as accurate as we were at Aloma.
Here is the problem: Obama (and Reagan in 1980) was elected by the popular vote in these mock elections.
Did we learn anything from south Florida in 2000? Nothing?
Class is in session and here is today’s lesson: As far as the presidency goes, your vote doesn’t matter.
That’s right… I said your vote (for president) means nothing.
Why? Because the majority was never meant to rule by design. We are not a Republican nation. We are not a Democratic nation. We are not a Christian nation. Therefore, the popular vote is insignificant. Well mostly. It is a great example of the brilliance of our Founding Fathers so that all men are equal under the rule of law and so our government maintains a balance of power.
See, we have this thing called an Electoral College. THEY elect the president of the United States. The votes you cast in November are nothing more than a message to the Electoral College saying “hey… this is who we think should be the next leader of the free world and we hope you agree.”
There is nothing written anywhere that says that an Elector has to vote according to the popular vote. Nothing.
Now, if those individuals ever want to be an Elector again and not be chased outta town with a witch hunt right on their tail end… they’ll probably want to vote according to the peoples choice they themselves were chosen to represent.
Today’s lesson doesn’t mean you shouldn’t vote. You just need to know and understand when your vote matters… and when it doesn’t.
Class is dismissed.
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Gwinnett, open your arms to evacuees
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
As Hurricane Gustav approached the Gulf Coast, I am sure many of you were entrenched in the news coverage fearing another round of devastation the likes of what Katrina brought to those shores.
In the carnage that followed Katrina hitting the coast, streets became canals, homes were leveled, lives were lost and many more changed forever.
Katrina’s aftermath represents what history will remember as the single greatest example of irresponsibility.
Years later and those families are still picking up the pieces and trying to rebuild their lives. Those who fled to all parts of the country to escape the natural terror to this very day have never returned.
Katrina was in some ways a great teacher. She reminded us not to take Mother Nature for granted and she taught us that we should take responsibility for our actions or lack thereof.
When the Katrina evacuees dispersed across America many found their way to Metro Atlanta including Norcross and Gwinnett.
I remember it didn’t take long before news reports of various criminal activity included that they were “Katrina evacuees.” Whether or not it was fair to point that out is a valid question, however, it is still the truth.
Then along came Hurricane Gustav who recently barreled up the Gulf of Mexico and was bound to follow in Katrina’s footsteps, awakening fears and alarming all those in his path.
Watching CNN’s coverage the day before Gustav hit the coast of Louisiana it was evident that most had learned lessons of the past and to respect the awesome power of Mother Nature. They once again fled across the United States.
Many appeared to have found their way to Norcross to my surprise. Within a 5 minute drive up Jimmy Carter Boulevard, I saw no less than 10 different license plates from Mississippi and Louisiana. Hotels along the way appeared to be very busy.
I found myself making one very serious mistake. I immediately expected to see or hear news reports of criminal activity that followed with “Gustav evacuees”. Whether or not it may have been true isn’t the point. There are bad apples in every bushel that doesn’t make the whole bushel rotten apples.
With this turning out to be one very active hurricane season, and Ike in our backyard, we should keep in mind the circumstances by which more may find a temporary (or permanent) home here in Gwinnett as a result - welcome them, offer any support we can and not jump to conclusions.
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Woody’s Online Town Hall
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s time for yet another edition of “Woody’s Online Town Hall Meeting”.
This time, the objective is for the leaders of both major political parties of Gwinnett County to make their case as to why their presidential candidate is better for Gwinnett County.
Just like in the last debate, three questions on three very hot topics on the minds of Gwinnettians were submitted. Unfortunately, the Gwinnett Republicans were unable to respond in time for the blog to be published, however, both parties have an open invitation to be active participants in the ongoing discussion.
Since Gwinnett is predominantly Republican anyway.. I’m more than sure many of my readers can step up and supply their version of what the response should be.
And now on to the questions with the Democrats’ responses.
Obviously neither candidate can control the weather, but what can your candidate do to solve Georgia’s water woes and end the aquatic battle between the states?
Mike Berlon/Democrats: The allocation of water is critical to Georgia and the southern economy. This is not a new problem. The Bush administration has done nothing to solve it. Barack Obama brings a fresh approach that will evaluate all relevant factors in this dispute and actively encourage a resolution.
Republicans: n/a
Gwinnett County appears to be more welcoming to the idea of mass transit, considering Gwinnett Transit’s increased ridership, the recent results of the ballot questions in July and traffic, which has always been a headache. Is mass transit on your candidate’s radar as a part of their solution to energy or environmental concerns?
Mike Berlon/Democrats: Generally, people opposed to mass transit don’t use it or don’t need it. Conserving energy and protecting the environment are two key issues for Barack Obama. Increasing mass transit will be of the major keys to cutting energy consumption, increasing fuel efficiency and reducing dependency on foreign oil. Republicans: n/a
Residents of Gwinnett County have spoken pretty loud and clear on the issue of illegal immigration. How does your candidate’s position and policies best fit what the majority of Gwinnettians seem to expect?
Mike Berlon/Democrats: Barack Obama recognizes the significant problems that exist with illegal immigration. The highlights of his immigration policy are to crack down on employers that hire illegal workers, fix the bureaucracy and streamline the citizenship process. Obama’s plan would greatly benefit Gwinnett County and law enforcement by helping with federal resources.
Republicans: n/a
Who would you like to see in future editions of “Woody’s Online Town Hall”? What would you ask them?
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As long as I’m a taxpayer I have the right to support or complain against anything that’s being done. Michaels phraseology of “not enough” is a more accurate statement than “nobody” because I am pretty sure I saw me... read the full comment by Cindy | Comment on The price of progress. Is it worth it? Read The price of progress. Is it worth it?
But there were better people than Bannister and Lassiter running in this past election right? And if people were engaged and responsive we wouldn’t have many of the problems we now have nationally and locally. It takes and active... read the full comment by roska | Comment on The price of progress. Is it worth it? Read The price of progress. Is it worth it?
roska -Only one of your complaints about the complainers even registers an honorable mention. If everyone shows up to do everything as you desire, then we would have no need of electing a representative government. Not enough bodies of good judgment... read the full comment by Michael H. Smith | Comment on The price of progress. Is it worth it? Read The price of progress. Is it worth it?
As long as Gwinnett voters don’t participate in primaries and/or keep sending idiots like Bannister, Lassiter and Kenerly back year after year nobody has a right to complain. Nobody shows up at budget hearings. Nobody shows up at public planning... read the full comment by roska | Comment on The price of progress. Is it worth it? Read The price of progress. Is it worth it?