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DEL.ICIO.USCity fever may be spreading to Vinings
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Sandy Springs, what hath thou wrought?
A notice has gone out to Cobb County residents in a certain geographic sector, inviting them to a meeting to discuss a City of Vinings, sponsored by the Vinings Homeowners Association. The date is Monday, Oct. 16.
One immediate problem comes to mind, should this section of southeast Cobb become citified. If the upscale name of Vinings in fact becomes a kind of trademarked commodity, half of Smyrna will have to call itself something else.
Here’s the entire notice from VHA president Ron Sifen:
Subject: Should Vinings investigate becoming a city?
COMMUNITY MEETING MONDAY OCT. 16 AT THE COCHISE CLUB
Hello Vinings. At the annual meeting in April 2006, a Vinings citizen asked whether Vinings should consider becoming a city. This topic was not on the agenda, so after a brief discussion, we moved on to other issues. However, a vote was taken to gauge preliminary interest. Only about a quarter of those present voted against to the idea.
As a result, the VHA Board put together a Committee to study the concept of a City of Vinings. The Committee, and subsequently the whole VHA Board, initiated an in-depth study.
The VHA Board concluded that there were substantive reasons to investigate becoming a city. Ultimately, we asked, in the long run, is Vinings better served by putting itself in a position to make its own decisions on key issues that will impact the future of Vinings?
This will be an initial discussion of the concept of Vinings becoming a city. We will not make a final decision on cityhood at this meeting. There will be a vote to determine whether Vinings wants to request a non-binding “Viability Study”. We will discuss issues that are crucially important to Vinings.
We will have a community meeting on Monday October 16 at 7:00 at the Cochise Club. Please plan to attend this very important meeting.
I will get additional information out to you in the next week or so.
Please let me know your questions or comments.
Thanks
Ron Sifen President, Vinings Homeowners Association
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Prootwadl
September 25, 2006 3:02 PM | Link to this
Heck, there are developments out by us in east Mableton (roughly E-W Connector and Cooper Lake Road) which call themselves “xxxx at Vinings”.
I guess those folks might actually be in Smyrna, though, since Smyrna expended out that way somewhat recently.
Cities in the Atlanta metro are weird. In the Minneapolis area, every suburb is incorporated as either a city or a township, and there isn’t the kind of no-mans-land you tend to see here.
By Coco
September 25, 2006 3:04 PM | Link to this
Great, Another rich white section of town trying to segregate itself from the rest of the “common” folks. The racism in Atlanta and surrounding areas is alive and well. These people must think the rest of us are just stuck on stupid and parked on dumb to think that the reasons they are forming cities is to accomplish anything other than keeping out people that do not look, act and have money like them. Ridicules. What is so funny is that whether we are in your city or not, if you are forming cities to help make your communities wealthier and ours poorer, belive me, just like New Orleans, it will come back to bite you. You can not segregate yourself from the rest of what is going on around you by trying to keep all your wealth to yourself. The old South is still alive and well……
By Prootwadl
September 25, 2006 3:10 PM | Link to this
Coco, I’m unclear. How is the fact that an area is deciding to incorporate as a city an act of segregation?
Anyone inside the area is included regardless of race/sex/religion, right?
Unless you’re suggesting that the boundaries will be drawn in such a way as to discriminate against certain areas?
By Brett
September 25, 2006 3:12 PM | Link to this
Coco*
Pulling out the race card with this story??? Really?!?!?!?!?
By Prootwadl
September 25, 2006 3:15 PM | Link to this
Coco, I don’t get it.
How could wanting to incorporate be seen as a racial action? Aren’t all folks in the effected area included regardless of race, sex, religion, etc.?
Or are you saying that the boundaries will be drawn in such a way as to unfairly exclude certain areas?
As I said in my first note, this metro area is weird in my experience. In most metro areas I’ve seen, every inch of the suburbs is part of one city or another, and counties don’t get involved so much in things like schools, fire or police forces, and the like. Those things are all handled on the city level.
By Shannon
September 25, 2006 3:17 PM | Link to this
I’m not a big fan of the recent push for cityhood by some of the metro area’s suburbs, but give me a break!
I fail to see how incoporating as a city is an attempt to “keep people out”. Short of building a wall and a moat around Vinings, I’m fairly certain that people of all creeds and colors will be able to live, work, and play in Vinings if they so choose.
By FT
September 25, 2006 3:18 PM | Link to this
Why is it segregation to want to keep the tax money you pay from your paycheck that you worked hard to earn in your own community? Sounds like Marxism is still alive and well to me.
I don’t particularly see all the fuss or excitement over all these new cities, but I pay federal taxes to support my country not the world so why should my local taxes not be local?
By Brett
September 25, 2006 3:19 PM | Link to this
Coco*
Pulling out the race card with this story??? Really?!?!?!?!?
By Pam
September 25, 2006 3:20 PM | Link to this
This is so funny. I went to visit a friend that said they lived in “Vinings” and when I got there, I realized they lived in Mableton. It’s amazing the power of development using “Vinings” in their name. They are getting people to spend $400+ on a house that was formerly considered “Bankhead.” In fact, my friend’s house is off of Bankhead Highway. If Vinings becomes a city, all of those “Vinings” neighborhoods in Mableton will get a wake up call. You’re not in Vinings!
By Theresa Andrews
September 25, 2006 3:26 PM | Link to this
Hey Coco, don’t know if you have been to South Cobb or the Vinings but the african american population has grown greatly. So enough with the race baiting is does make you look as bright as road kill.
By Zach
September 25, 2006 3:37 PM | Link to this
Atlanta’s not weird, it’s young (in relationship to size). Older large U.S. cities have already experienced the rush to incorporate outlying areas, thus resulting in the checkerboard communities surrounding the central “city”. This is a product of growth; as the density increases, there is usually a corresponding decrease in the effectiveness of the existing central government to service and meet the expanding community requirements (ever heard of Fulton County/Sandy Springs?). It’s an elemental lesson in civic growth, not rocket science. As for the race issue… if one is tired of seeing white faces pushing for incorporation, then get out there and do something about it alongside those trying to make a positive difference for their communities. Complaining is the easy way out, and finger pointing is the hallmark of cowardice; get out there and make a difference yourself.
By Prootwadl
September 25, 2006 3:37 PM | Link to this
Pam
To be honest, I’d rather live in Mableton than in Vinings. A lot less traffic. :-)
By Kevin B
September 25, 2006 3:38 PM | Link to this
Coco…it’s rediculous, not ridicules….maybe they just want better schools????
By Larry
September 25, 2006 3:39 PM | Link to this
One of the best reasons to live in Cobb County is the low taxes and the (relatively) efficient public services. Why would a group want to make it far more expensive to live in Vinings without any specific benefit accruing to the population? A few of the “movers and shakers” may be interested in the power they would derive from the City of Vinings; but, I can’t see any benefit to the rest of the residents. I live in Smyrna; but, my neighbors on either side of me call our address, “Vinings”. I don’t know if I would be affected or not; but, until I see a reason to impose yet another level of government on my head, I want to see a very valid reason why.
Now, if we could keep Coco out, it might be worth it…..
By Zach
September 25, 2006 3:40 PM | Link to this
Atlanta’s not weird, it’s young (in relationship to size). Older large U.S. cities have already experienced the rush to incorporate outlying areas, thus resulting in the checkerboard communities surrounding the central “city”. This is a product of growth; as the density increases, there is usually a corresponding decrease in the effectiveness of the existing central government to service and meet the expanding community requirements (ever heard of Fulton County/Sandy Springs?). It’s an elemental lesson in civic growth, not rocket science. As for the race issue… if one is tired of seeing white faces pushing for incorporation, then get out there and do something about it alongside those trying to make a positive difference for their communities. Complaining is the easy way out, and finger pointing is the hallmark of cowardice; get out there and make a difference yourself.
By mike jones
September 25, 2006 3:43 PM | Link to this
George Bush’s fault.
By Prootwadl
September 25, 2006 3:43 PM | Link to this
Zach
Atlanta’s no older than Minneapolis or Kansas City, yet those metro areas have very different patterns w.r.t. incorporation.
Density alone is not an adequate explanation.
I suspect it’s simply harder for a city to incorporate and/or expend down here.
By Zach
September 25, 2006 3:44 PM | Link to this
But seriously, it’s about location, location, location. After all, doesn’t Vinings begin in South Carolina and end somewhere past Cedartown? After all, Buckhead starts at the Florida border and ends just shy of Chattanooga.
By Col Reb
September 25, 2006 3:49 PM | Link to this
COCO go crawl back under your rock.
By Ernest B
September 25, 2006 3:49 PM | Link to this
Kevin B its “ridiculous” not “rediculous”
By Ernest B
September 25, 2006 3:50 PM | Link to this
Kevin its “ridiculous” not “rediculous”
By Zach
September 25, 2006 3:51 PM | Link to this
That qualifies us Atlantans as ‘weird’? True, the state legislature had a hand in stalling the FC/SP event, but there are far more US examples of older cities incorporating land because of density, than not. Don’t forget the rate of this metro area’s expanision over the past twenty years, often the fastest in the nation.
By Flibberdigibbit
September 25, 2006 3:53 PM | Link to this
I remember when Vinings boasted a ski-slope (location: Home Depot) and lost it’s fight with the postal service to be distinguished from Smyrna with it’s very own 30339 mailing address, after being featuered as a hick-town in an edition of National Geographic Magazine.
There was no sympathy from the US Postal Service and the area was given the option of an Atlanta address or remainning as Smyrna.
Even thoguh it’s inside 285, if Vinings incorporates, I hope the misnomer can finally be correcteda and all those satellite wannabes are distinguished as the “also-ran” that they really are.
By Ernest B
September 25, 2006 3:55 PM | Link to this
CoCo everything is not about race, and I grew up in the 60’s,70’s,80’s so i speak from authorithy, I was victim to a lot of racist attitudes, but incoorporating is not about that, its taxes my friend and better services, schools, etc.
By Hugh D.
September 25, 2006 3:57 PM | Link to this
Kevin B, don’t attempt to correct another’s spelling with an incorrect spelling. Coco’s could look like a typo. Your post makes it obvious you can’t spell. You sir, are RIDICULOUS! On topic, though, Zach is right on with informed facts, not personal opinion. It’s just another of those growing pangs the Atlanta area will continue to face.
By buck
September 25, 2006 3:57 PM | Link to this
This would seem to be less a financial issue (or even racial) but rather more an attempt to segregate themselves from the rednecks who live in most of the rest of the county.
By Hugh D.
September 25, 2006 3:58 PM | Link to this
Kevin B, don’t attempt to correct another’s spelling with an incorrect spelling. Coco’s could look like a typo. Your post makes it obvious you can’t spell. You sir, are RIDICULOUS! On topic, though, Zach is right on with informed facts, not personal opinion. It’s just another of those growing pangs the Atlanta area will continue to face.
By JU
September 25, 2006 3:58 PM | Link to this
coco is just trolling, ignore “her”. people should determine locally, how best to allocate their own tax money. requiring neighboring areas to determine what goes up in another part of town is ‘red tape’. i do wonder the feasibility of a ‘City of Vinings’.
By Tommy
September 25, 2006 4:04 PM | Link to this
When I first moved to Atlanta, I lived at Post Vinings. The Smyrna City Limit sign was on Post Vinings property. I now live off the old Bankhead Hwy with a Mableton address and love it. I am minutes from 285 and I20 with easy access to the airport and downtown. The value of my home keeps going up and up and up. I’m glad I bought when I did because I could not afford my house now.
By Carla
September 25, 2006 4:05 PM | Link to this
I think John Wieland proclaimed it Mableton/Vinings.
By Prootwadl
September 25, 2006 4:13 PM | Link to this
Zach, I didn’t mean “weird” in a derogatory sense. I should have said “unusual”, perhaps, at least based on my experience with metro areas of roughly similar size in the midwest (okay, half the size ).
By Becky
September 25, 2006 4:14 PM | Link to this
Could be that CoCo is just upset that she can’t afford to live in Vinings. I do agree with Zach though, Vinings does go all the wasy past Cedartown. Money talks & that’s what all of it about..
By Reggie
September 25, 2006 4:23 PM | Link to this
While some areas do incorporate on socio-economic exclusivity, you can’t make that assumption with all communities. Metro Atlanta is not ‘young’, it was stunted from the normal growth of new municipalities due to state laws that prevented new towns within 3 miles of an existing town. That law had been enacted to encourage regionalism, which did not work too well because of, yes, race. After many years of county’s making capital investments in their jurisdiction, they supported the ‘no new towns’ because they could recover their investment faster through larger tax revenue. Once the GOP-controlled legislature created this brief window of opportunity for communities to incorporate, it was a land rush with Sandy Springs leading the way. Will the new landscape with small incorporated communities work any better than ‘regionalism’ did? Perhaps look to Metro Charlotte after 10 new towns were created in less than 10 years.
By Reggie
September 25, 2006 4:24 PM | Link to this
While some areas do incorporate on socio-economic exclusivity, you can’t make that assumption with all communities. Metro Atlanta is not ‘young’, it was stunted from the normal growth of new municipalities due to state laws that prevented new towns within 3 miles of an existing town. That law had been enacted to encourage regionalism, which did not work too well because of, yes, race. After many years of county’s making capital investments in their jurisdiction, they supported the ‘no new towns’ because they could recover their investment faster through larger tax revenue. Once the GOP-controlled legislature created this brief window of opportunity for communities to incorporate, it was a land rush with Sandy Springs leading the way. Will the new landscape with small incorporated communities work any better than ‘regionalism’ did? Perhaps look to Metro Charlotte after 10 new towns were created in less than 10 years.
By Mike
September 25, 2006 4:31 PM | Link to this
Coco,
I truly understand where you are coming from. If you are not from here or have grown up in this city, or are african american, you could not possibly understand where she’s coming from. I think this city is screwed up enough as it is. Parts of decatur are in Decatur and fulton? Avondale estates is a city? Now sandy springs? Incorporation is an excuse to charge out the wazoo for homes and devolpments that will eventually price out the people whom grew up there. I think the same type or regentrification is going on in the East lake and Capitol Heights areas. Buy the land cheap, build new stuff at a premium price to price out the people who were there and make a huge profit at the expense of others. This is where Coco was going with her blog…I think. Caucasians…wake up and stop acting like you are so blind to what’s going on…I get so irritated with these “duh duh, u playin the race card” thoughts when it’s so blatantly plain and in our faces…geez, must be a room full of “look the other way” Bush voters!! LOL!
By R.E.H.
September 25, 2006 4:33 PM | Link to this
Coco, you and people like you will continue to play that race-slave card for now, but time is quickly running out on this line of thinking.
By andrew
September 25, 2006 4:43 PM | Link to this
Is living in Smyrna such a bad thing now? The success of Smyrna’s Market Village and Village Green have made Smyrna a model for downtown revitalization. The city as a whole has undergone a reformation. This is the reason why property values in the region continue to skyrocket.
By andrew
September 25, 2006 4:43 PM | Link to this
Is living in Smyrna such a bad thing now? The success of Smyrna’s Market Village and Village Green have made Smyrna a model for downtown revitalization. The city as a whole has undergone a reformation. This is the reason why property values in the region continue to skyrocket.
By Ernest B
September 25, 2006 4:47 PM | Link to this
CoCo everything is not about race, and I grew up in the 60’s,70’s,80’s so i speak from authorithy, I was victim to a lot of racist attitudes, but incoorporating is not about that, its taxes my friend and better services, schools, etc.
By Drew W.
September 25, 2006 4:49 PM | Link to this
I live in the city of Smyrna less than a mile from 285 & Paces Ferry, yet my neighborhood has “Vinings” in the title. Even though we could probably pass for a “Vinings area”, I thought it was pretty stupid since we are technically not in Vinings. However, it is not nearly as bad as people as far away as Mableton claiming the Vinings name. Personally, I hope Vinings is successful in their effort & then they chase everyone down who lives outside their city limits & demands they stop using the name (and that includes my subdivision). I am sick of people claiming they are from an area they are not. If you live in Mableton, Powder Springs, Bankhead, etc., be proud that you are from there. Don’t tell people you are from Vinings when you live 30+ minutes away!
By Drew W.
September 25, 2006 4:50 PM | Link to this
I live in the city of Smyrna less than a mile from 285 & Paces Ferry, yet my neighborhood has “Vinings” in the title. Even though we could probably pass for a “Vinings area”, I thought it was pretty stupid since we are technically not in Vinings. However, it is not nearly as bad as people as far away as Mableton claiming the Vinings name. Personally, I hope Vinings is successful in their effort & then they chase everyone down who lives outside their city limits & demands they stop using the name (and that includes my subdivision). I am sick of people claiming they are from an area they are not. If you live in Mableton, Powder Springs, Bankhead, etc., be proud that you are from there. Don’t tell people you are from Vinings when you live 30+ minutes away!
By Ernest B
September 25, 2006 4:53 PM | Link to this
And to all those that do not know CoCO was using an actual word “Ridicules”
which means: Words or actions intended to evoke contemptuous laughter at or feelings toward a person or thing: “I know that ridicule may be a shield, but it is not a weapon�
By Drew W.
September 25, 2006 4:54 PM | Link to this
And as for Coco’s comments, How is incorporating Vinings as a city keeping anyone out? Will they be able to pass city laws that say “no blacks” or “no latinos”? Doubt it. If you can afford a house in an area where you want to live, then you can live there. Nothing is going to stop that.
By Prootwadl
September 25, 2006 5:02 PM | Link to this
Zach, here’s an example of a metro area (Minneapolis/St. Paul) that has developed very differently due to the relative ease of incorporation in that state (Minnesota).
http://www.metrocouncil.org/about/metromap.pdf
Notice that there are NO holes in the metro area, and that everything is incorporated as at least a township well outside the metropolitan area boundaries (which you can’t see, admittedly, on the map).
By KP
September 25, 2006 5:04 PM | Link to this
First off, the whole having Vinings attached to your name thing is stupid. I used to live in Vinings Estates, which was in Smyrna, but used a Mableton post office. Only in Georgia. We had a nice house, but I didn’t think it was more valuable b/c I lived in “Vinings” Estates.
Even if they do become incorporated, they shouldn’t be able to demand anyone outside of Vinings stop using the name. Hell, I can’t make up a company name and then go and demand people who had the name before me stop using it. What sense does that make? Maybe they can stop any future development from using it.
Anyway, I think this whole City of Vinings thing is just an attempt at “Me too” to copy Sandy Springs. If anything their taxes will only go up b/c in addition to paying Cobb Co. taxes, there may be a new Vinings city tax. If you want to pay more go right ahead.
By BW
September 25, 2006 5:05 PM | Link to this
Coco is loco, but to be serious, an example of local Atlantans. Problem is,local, black Atlantans. New Orleans has nothing on Atlanta, or Detroit. This is a “chocolate city”. The blacks have tried their best to take over Atlanta for a number of years, but now they better not look over their shoulder. The hispanics have displaced them as #1 minority, and the whites are moving back into the city. As a native Atlantan, I have seen many changes in this city over the years, and most have been negitive. If Vinnings, or any other area wants to incorporate, or become a city, I say go for it. Years ago, I grew up in Tucker, but if Coco wants her own city, why not try to get Northlake incorporated? Im sure the local, black population could have it’s way over there, or around Memorial Drive area.
By DRJ
September 25, 2006 5:06 PM | Link to this
I think the socioeconomic feasibility analysis will determine the likelihood of this becoming a reality. The tax rate needed to sustain a new city will be large for an area as small as Vinings with small quantities of commercial development. This could be an interesting scenario. I anticipate that it will go the route of the Chattahoochee Hill Country and see that the exorbitant tax rate to sustain municipal services will be too much for those property owners to bear, especially since they already live in a low tax area (Cobb County).
By DRJ
September 25, 2006 5:06 PM | Link to this
I think the socioeconomic feasibility analysis will determine the likelihood of this becoming a reality. The tax rate needed to sustain a new city will be large for an area as small as Vinings with small quantities of commercial development. This could be an interesting scenario. I anticipate that it will go the route of the Chattahoochee Hill Country and see that the exorbitant tax rate to sustain municipal services will be too much for those property owners to bear, especially since they already live in a low tax area (Cobb County).
By KP
September 25, 2006 5:08 PM | Link to this
First off, the whole having Vinings attached to your name thing is stupid. I used to live in Vinings Estates, which was in Smyrna, but used a Mableton post office. Only in Georgia. We had a nice house, but I didn’t think it was more valuable b/c I lived in “Vinings” Estates.
Even if they do become incorporated, they shouldn’t be able to demand anyone outside of Vinings stop using the name. Hell, I can’t make up a company name and then go and demand people who had the name before me stop using it. What sense does that make? Maybe they can stop any future development from using it.
Anyway, I think this whole City of Vinings thing is just an attempt at “Me too” to copy Sandy Springs. If anything their taxes will only go up b/c in addition to paying Cobb Co. taxes, there may be a new Vinings city tax. If you want to pay more go right ahead.
By Lara C
September 25, 2006 5:10 PM | Link to this
If the community is in Smyrna but uses Vinings in the name, most people I know just call it Sminings.
By Dave
September 25, 2006 5:19 PM | Link to this
Vinings is pretty much all of Cobb County within I-285. The 30339 zip code could be designated as the Vinings zip code.
Local control is very important. In fact, this needed to happen about 20 years ago in order to keep skyscrapers out of the village area. But better late than never.
By Eddie
September 25, 2006 5:29 PM | Link to this
Would you people stop mentioning Mableton. As far as I am concerned it is the best kept secret in the Metro. We are really close to Atlanta, have ever increasing property values, don’t have a lot of traffic and have no government to answer to except Cobb county. I think I said too much already.
By Eddie
September 25, 2006 5:29 PM | Link to this
Would you people stop mentioning Mableton. As far as I am concerned it is the best kept secret in the Metro. We are really close to Atlanta, have ever increasing property values, don’t have a lot of traffic and have no government to answer to except Cobb county. I think I said too much already.
By Prootwadl
September 25, 2006 5:35 PM | Link to this
Caucasians…wake up and stop acting like you are so blind to what’s going on…
I’m white, and I admit I’m not from here, but I’m starting to be glad that I didn’t grow up here for one big reason: it seems to have freed me from a number of serious hangups with regard to race.
Damn. Some of you folks are really messed up. I’ve seen better attitudes towards folks of different races in small towns in South-fricking-Dakata than I’ve seen from some folks down here in Atlanta, black and white, and that’s saying something.
Some of those folks can be harsh with the feds giving native Americans tax breaks and all, but at least there’s some CURRENT reason behind the resentment up there, not all the rehashed crap I see down here.
Down here it’s sad. Grow up, people. It isn’t the 60’s anymore, just like it isn’t the 30’s, or the 1860’s.
You think someone is somehow better than you or worse than you? Okay. Show me why. Show me how. DEMONSTRATE it to me.
I want to see proof — otherwise, all you’re doing is talking spit.
Cultural differences exist and have meaning, so those are fine. They’re real, and that’s one fairly good reason why folks who like rap and folks who like country ain’t ever going to get along. :-) But a difference of “race” means no more than a difference of eye color as far as I’m concerned.
One nice thing about the Internet — nobody knows what color you are; it simply doesn’t matter. I could be OJ Simpson for all you know, posting here and grinning away, but you have no idea. No idea at all.
So… Looking at my current neighborhood in Mableton (a fairly nice if somewhat older convenant community), I see almost all “professionals” living in the neighborhood, and fairly nice houses surrounded by nice lawns and lots of big trees. I like trees.
Our immediate neighbors are a black couple (a lawyer and his wife), a white couple (accountant and IT guy), a white single mom (don’t know what she does), an Indian couple (he’s a technology guy), and another black couple (doctor and her husband).
Pretty good mix, all good people. Does it matter what color they are? Not to me. I think it’s cool, actually, because it gives me a chance to get to know people from background that are probably quite different from mine.
Maybe others here need to adopt the same attitude. Black or white, if you’re a bigot I don’t want you living anywhere near MY neightborhood…
By Bob
September 25, 2006 5:42 PM | Link to this
I say let Vinings vote on incorporation. However, they have to evaluate whether it is the best thing to do. In Atlanta I notices, area change overnight from one type of population (economically not racially) to another. So will Vinings be able to keep the tax revenue it has now in order to stay a viable and productive city?
By CTO
September 25, 2006 5:47 PM | Link to this
All of this is stupid. Generalized judgement based on a possible event. Vinings the city? White, Black, Hispanic, Rich, Poor, $400K home owners, $40,000 Home owners - whatever. In America, you are ALL spoiled, compared to humans(What we all are) all over the world.
I grew up in ‘east cobb’. I didn’t realize how blessed I was until working to help build houses for the poor in honduras.
Coco. The difference between, the lower and higer income areas around metro atl are miniscule compared to the differences between America and the poor parts of the world. While you might have a tiny argument, don’t make it a reason to draw a line of judgement.
For everyone else, crying about your tax dollars going to the wrong place. Totally justified, but I have little pity if all that new money you don’t pay on taxes goes into buying a bigger SUV. Donate it to the poor in other countries and I’ll support as many new cities as can be created.
By Jerome
September 25, 2006 6:13 PM | Link to this
Coco, I live in Sandy Springs and I voted yes to incorporate as a city….oh by the way I’m black!!
By Jerome
September 25, 2006 6:14 PM | Link to this
Coco, I live in Sandy Springs and I voted yes to incorporate as a city….oh by the way I’m black!!
By Danny
September 25, 2006 6:28 PM | Link to this
Mike, you obviously did not live in Atlanta when the areas you mentioned were white. Now, affluent individuals, not necessarily whites, want to move back to the Atlanta area and yes, the victims are the poor African Americans that allowed their neighborhoods to run down, so the affluent could buy them cheap. Blame the folks that could not, would not, or did not care about their property and it’s value. Don’t blame the people that want to rebuild and re-establish vibrant communities inside of I-285. This has nothing to do with race. It has everything to do with improving Atlanta and taking back crack houses and making something good out of them.
By BubbaV
September 25, 2006 6:39 PM | Link to this
Vinings is a great area with some great folks and I haven’t seen any signs of racism. All we are doing is “exploring” the possibility of incorporation. It’s worth a look and if the numbers don’t pan out, we’ll keep things the way they are. Sandy Springs is a much different situation. They were sick and tired of their tax dollars being distributed in the wrong place. Vinings pays Cobb County taxes and that doesn’t seem to be a complaint. The main concern is density.
By Vinings Geezer
September 25, 2006 6:56 PM | Link to this
We’ve lived in the heart Vinings for over 40 years and all our kids went through County schools here. Believe me, race is not an issue. Recent high-density zoning decisions by Cobb’s Board of Commissioners is at the heart of this. If cityhood is viable and financially feasible, the only reason we would go that route is to try to keep our beloved Victorian village from becoming totally urbanized. Already the traffic is horrendous and several thousand more cars will be added to our narrow 2-lane intersection just because of the 5 recent zonings plus one more applied for on Paces Ferry Rd. between Cumberland Pkwy. and the Rail Road tracks alone. New proposed code and Land Use changes could allow multiuse high density developments in very low density neighborhoods (like Cochise) without rezonings. We all moved to Vinings to enjoy the trees, birds, creeks, wild flowers and the wonderful community spirit we have here. It seems all that is being pushed aside for big development including Mc Mansions. Vinings Geezer
By Vinings Advocate
September 25, 2006 7:07 PM | Link to this
It’s about time. Human nature dictates that people want to be with others who are like them, whether that be white, black, rich, or poor. It just happens that the neighborhood of Vinings (the REAL Vinings) is made up of people who have either worked hard and done well or have inherited well and worked hard to keep it that way. In either case, it is not a RACIALLY motivated thing, it is a CLASS and MANNERS motivated thing. Money does not always buy class, but it definitely helps to keep the riff-raff in its own neighborhood.
By Vinings Advocate
September 25, 2006 7:08 PM | Link to this
It’s about time. Human nature dictates that people want to be with others who are like them, whether that be white, black, rich, or poor. It just happens that the neighborhood of Vinings (the REAL Vinings) is made up of people who have either worked hard and done well or have inherited well and worked hard to keep it that way. In either case, it is not a RACIALLY motivated thing, it is a CLASS and MANNERS motivated thing. Money does not always buy class, but it definitely helps to keep the riff-raff in its own neighborhood.
By Ari
September 25, 2006 7:14 PM | Link to this
I think metro Atlanta is going in the wrong direction…instead of breaking up into yet more governments, counties should merge with cities or become more like cities. Many of metro Atlanta’s growth problems stem from having too many jurisdictions that are not on the same page (remember the Fulton/Cobb war about the widening of Johnson Ferry Rd?)While race may not be a “major deciding” issue for these areas to incorporate, I feel that it’s an unspoken reason why many people want to incorporate. Example: In a community such as Vinings, after incorporation, they could impose a moratorium on multi family construction, because having multi family homes allow easier entry into an area than buying homes in that area. Of course anyone with the income could move into these communities, higher price points would keep out the masses and only allow the “upper income minorities” to live in these areas. It’s probably more of a class thing, rather than race, but would probably become more racial if higher numbers of minorities (regardless of higher income)were to move into the communities.
By val
September 25, 2006 7:28 PM | Link to this
Is anyone original in this country city Sandy Springs did it now everybody is jumping on the band wagon. Monkey see Monkey do.
Let’s make major streets in Atlanta cities too.
By Lee
September 25, 2006 7:28 PM | Link to this
Mableton has been brought up a few times … can someone describe the whereabouts and other interesting information about Mableton? I might be willing to check it out. Is there any gentrification happening?
By val
September 25, 2006 7:29 PM | Link to this
Is anyone original in this country city Sandy Springs did it now everybody is jumping on the band wagon. Monkey see Monkey do.
Let’s make major streets in Atlanta cities too.
By val
September 25, 2006 7:36 PM | Link to this
Yeah, it’s happening in downtown Atlanta.
By sonya
September 25, 2006 7:42 PM | Link to this
I live in a subdivision with Vinings in the name. Technically I’m in Mableton but I pay my water bill to Smyrna and Smyrna police monitor our neighborhood, so I’m never 100% sure where I actaully live. I usually tell people we’re in “Smynings.” Is that bad? Perhaps we should join the Vinings HOA and create an even bigger city. This way city services are spread among more households and each household pays less. Just a thought.
By Lee
September 25, 2006 7:51 PM | Link to this
I have heard that Smyrna-Mableton areas have a very large hispanic population and an increasing African-American population. I’m white, and I want to live in a very diverse area..to me its a truer reflection of the world in general.
By GEE
September 25, 2006 8:07 PM | Link to this
WHY CAN’T WE ALL JUST-GET-ALONG!!!
By GEE
September 25, 2006 8:08 PM | Link to this
WHY CAN’T WE ALL JUST-GET-ALONG!!!
By Eddie
September 25, 2006 8:43 PM | Link to this
Mableton is a terrible place to live. Do not move here……..I mean there.
By Mark
September 25, 2006 8:44 PM | Link to this
First of all, if the members of VHA want to vote on establishing Vinings as a city, then that’s their choice. Secondly, it’s not nor will it ever be “the Vinings”. That just shows that you don’t have any real history in this area. The same applies to anyone that refers to their place of residence as “Smynings”. Thirdly, those of you that live west of Cooper Lake Road need to learn that you live in Mableton (regardless of what John Wieland named your subdivision). Finally, if you live in Cobb County inside I-285, then YOU can claim Vinings. All others, you live in either Smyrna or Mabelton. get over it.
By Alex
September 25, 2006 8:49 PM | Link to this
I love it! Race gets brought up in EVERYTHING with black people. Does not matter if it is coaches in sports, forming a city, police, etc. Why do you people do this? What is wrong with trying to form a good city? Look what Mexicans and Africans have done to Sandy Springs already. Every night on the news you see a murder in a run down apartment. “White people” hardly have anything left.
By Eddie
September 25, 2006 9:02 PM | Link to this
Hey Alex, White people have plenty left. What we have left are people like you with the mentality that the “Africans” (Blacks)and “Mexicans” (Hispanics) are the cause of all that is bad in society. Check the posts, the only person who had anything negative to say about white people wanting to do “evil” to blacks was Coco. The rest of us had written her off as an imbicile. Hers was the second post. Please catch up. I love it Alex, that you portray the white male as the last victim.
By Vinings Geezer
September 25, 2006 9:05 PM | Link to this
When we moved to Vinings in the early 60s, a sizable portion of the population was a black settlement across the RR tracks. The Vinings Rotary has annual cleanups of their cemetery on Paces Ferry Rd. Our kids went to Teasley in the early days of integration and our daughter’s entire first grade class came to her birthday party. Several kids were black. Unfortunately, development drove most of that community away. But one of the most famous folk artist in the USA did live there until she died in 1982. A section of the High Museum shows some of her works and Ga. Pacific had a great exhibition of her works several years ago. Her art is selling today for $10,000 or more apiece. Her name was Nellie Mae Rowe. Her mother was a slave. We cherish Vining’s black history.
Vinings Geezer
By andrew
September 25, 2006 9:10 PM | Link to this
Why is living in Smyrna a bad thing? Smyrna’s Market Village and Village Green serve as a model for downtown revitalization. Many cities are seeing Smyrna’s success and copying the model. Smyrna is no longer the “hicktown”. The forward movement of Smyrna is leading to a rejuvenation of South Cobb, which includes Vinings, as a whole. It is because of this success that property values in the area continue to rise.
By sonya
September 25, 2006 9:12 PM | Link to this
Just because history has demonstrated Vinings is geographically the area in Cobb that is ITP, that doesn’t necessarily translate into the ways things will/should always be. A new City of Vinings could have boundaries that include areas OTP, including JW subdivisions in Mableton. In fact, our substantial property taxes could help the feasibility of this new city.
By gnight
September 25, 2006 9:24 PM | Link to this
To Gee : We “don’t just get along” due to the Coco’s and Mike’s of the world.
To Mike and Coco : I suppose , as usual , you don’t like where you live and want to blame people not of color for your plight in life.
One question : why when someone visits YOUR neighborhoods are there bars on the windows , old cars in the yards and gang activity rampant ? Did a group of “non-color” people come into YOUR neighborhoods and threaten and terrorize you and steal from you and kill your neighbors kids ? NO !
DROP the race-card once and for all and face the Issues you HAVE in your neighborhoods and the trouble YOU are having with the people there ?
Maybe then you can complain about other peoples areas/choices of living selections.
ps - it was said earlier and bears repeating : IF Vinings becomes a city…..will the put up a sign to ask those of color to leave ? NO , THEY WON’T.
By Vinings Geezer
September 25, 2006 9:41 PM | Link to this
When we moved to Vinings in the early 60s, a sizable portion of the population was a black settlement across the RR tracks. The Vinings Rotary has annual cleanups of their cemetery on Paces Ferry Rd. Our kids went to Teasley in the early days of integration and our daughter’s entire first grade class came to her birthday party. Several kids were black. Unfortunately, development drove most of that community away. But one of the most famous folk artist in the USA did live there until she died in 1982. A section of the High Museum shows some of her works and Ga. Pacific had a great exhibition of her works several years ago. Her art is selling today for $10,000 or more apiece. Her name was Nellie Mae Rowe. Her mother was a slave. We cherish Vining’s black history.
Vinings Geezer
By ok
September 25, 2006 9:51 PM | Link to this
Lee,
I just put my house on the market in Smyrna….or is it Mableton. It’s a fantastic area and I hate to leave. If you want to know more…link to this email!!!!!!
By ok
September 25, 2006 9:58 PM | Link to this
Dear Mark,
We pay taxes to the city of Smyrna over here on the west side of Cooper Lake Road. Hmmmmmm…..makes us residents of Smyrna. I guess the Smyrna City Limits signs don’t mark the boundaries either, huh? Last time I looked, they were past my subdivision.
Lee,
I just put my house on the market over here. Love the area and hate to move. If you want to know more, link to this comment!!!
By observer
September 25, 2006 10:37 PM | Link to this
The Vinings Geezer has a lot of insight into the motivation for this debate. It is about DENSITY, self-preservation and the right to self-determination. A community should have the right to enjoy and protect its own unique character. That is all that is going on here.
By Dave
September 25, 2006 10:46 PM | Link to this
What outsiders don’t understand is that a city of Vinings would be separating from a mostly REPUBLICAN county. So, for those people waving the race card at Sandy Springs and Dunwoody for separating from DEMOCRATIC counties, that weak argument doesn’t stick in Vinings’ case.
By Dave
September 25, 2006 10:46 PM | Link to this
What outsiders don’t understand is that a city of Vinings would be separating from a mostly REPUBLICAN county. So, for those people waving the race card at Sandy Springs and Dunwoody for separating from DEMOCRATIC counties, that weak argument doesn’t stick in Vinings’ case.
By Jim
September 25, 2006 10:51 PM | Link to this
What outsiders don’t understand is that Vinings would be separating from a mostly REPUBLICAN county. So, for those waving the race card at the cityhood efforts of Sandy Springs and Dunwoody for separating from Democratic/minority counties, that weak argument absolutely doesn’t apply in Vinings’ case!
By Reality
September 25, 2006 10:56 PM | Link to this
Creating a city of Vinings doesn’t make any sense. Cobb County has served that are well and I’m sure the those in the Cumberland Business District/Association will appose it just like the Perimeter Business District is in opposition to Dunwoody incorporation. I agree with the poster who said Atlanta is moving backwards. I agree with the previous poster that while there should be merger and consolidation for gov’ts and/or services for regional benefit, there’s too much selfishness and seperatism. Having so many divisions of government is why the area has many of the problems it has now (lack of sufficient transit, planning, etc). Sandy Springs had a legitimate reason for incorporating, though it didn’t have a legitimate reason for joining today’s Atlanta (the past is the past, why not have a positive/substantial affect on a regional gov’t?!?). What real reason does Vinings have for an extra layer of gov’t. Cobb County has served that area well, and I’m sure ac incorporation movement would fail in Vinings.
By Reality
September 25, 2006 10:57 PM | Link to this
Creating a city of Vinings doesn’t make any sense. Cobb County has served that are well and I’m sure the those in the Cumberland Business District/Association will appose it just like the Perimeter Business District is in opposition to Dunwoody incorporation. I agree with the poster who said Atlanta is moving backwards. I agree with the previous poster that while there should be merger and consolidation for gov’ts and/or services for regional benefit, there’s too much selfishness and seperatism. Having so many divisions of government is why the area has many of the problems it has now (lack of sufficient transit, planning, etc). Sandy Springs had a legitimate reason for incorporating, though it didn’t have a legitimate reason for joining today’s Atlanta (the past is the past, why not have a positive/substantial affect on a regional gov’t?!?). What real reason does Vinings have for an extra layer of gov’t. Cobb County has served that area well, and I’m sure ac incorporation movement would fail in Vinings.
By Mark K.
September 26, 2006 3:01 AM | Link to this
Actually, the heart of the matter is self-rule. This argument applies to both Sandy Springs and Vinings. Many people in Vinings feel that Cobb has NOT looked out for Vinings over the years. Due to this pent-up frustration, I think a cityhood movement would definitely pass.
By Mark K.
September 26, 2006 3:05 AM | Link to this
Actually, the heart of the matter is self-rule. This argument applies to both Sandy Springs and Vinings. Many people in Vinings feel that Cobb has NOT looked out for Vinings over the years. Due to this pent-up frustration, I think a cityhood movement would definitely pass.
By Mark K.
September 26, 2006 3:08 AM | Link to this
Actually, the heart of the matter is self-rule. This argument applies to both Sandy Springs and Vinings. Many people in Vinings feel that Cobb has NOT looked out for Vinings over the years. Due to this pent-up frustration, I think a cityhood movement would definitely pass.
By Mark K.
September 26, 2006 3:10 AM | Link to this
Actually, the heart of the matter is self-rule. This argument applies to both Sandy Springs and Vinings. Many people in Vinings feel that Cobb has NOT looked out for Vinings over the years. Due to this pent-up frustration, I think a cityhood movement would definitely pass.
By BE INFORMED
September 26, 2006 10:26 AM | Link to this
Why do you supposed CONGRESSMAN TOM PRICE (R-6TH) refuses to show up at scheduled debates with his challenger Steve Sinton? Is it because, as one of the 10 richest men in Congress, he feels he OWNS the 6th district? Does he not “get” that America has a two-party system in which candidates present the voters with issues and choices? Does he feel he is ABOVE addressing his constituents in an honest debate?
Or perhaps Congressman Price is AFRAID to debate Steve Sinton on the issues. But how would we know? He never shows up! What does that say about his respect for the people he collects a paycheck to represent?
By Jessica
September 26, 2006 12:10 PM | Link to this
I happened to be at the forum last night, and from the looks (and sounds) of the room, the constituents of the 6th district (be them Republican or Democrat) are angry at Representative Price. It was more a room full of angry Republicans and they seemed pretty excited about this Steve Sinton character….who by the way, did a really good job.
By Carole Hunt
September 26, 2006 3:51 PM | Link to this
The forum at the Roswell Library was the second time Tom Price did not show. Call me a political junkie, but I showed up for the scheduled forum at the Marietta City Hall a few months ago. Steve Sinton was there and was great but Tom Price did not show then either. He did show at the AARP forum with Steve Sinton and John Konop. Steve made mincemeat out of him at that one. So far, for three at bats, he struck out once and failed to swing twice — not who I want in Washington. In fact, if I look back over his record, he has struck out every time he had an at bat, like voting for the transportation package that included a 200-million plus bridge to no-where in Alaska where there is no real traffic problem while in his own district the gridlock is so bad that may be why he can’t get to these forums.
By Debbie
September 26, 2006 6:09 PM | Link to this
You Sinton staffers have too much time on your hands or is it that you lack money to advertise ?
I now many GOP voters in the sixth and they are very happy with Tom. The Sixth is one of the most Republican Districts in the nation. They are not going to elect a bleeding heart liberal, pro amnesty for illegal aliens Democrat.
Tom has done a great job and will be very easily re-elected.
By John Richards
September 26, 2006 6:35 PM | Link to this
How should we pun this? Price-less? No Price Twice? Whatever it is, I think this is really shabby behavior from an elected official. He works for us, after all, not the other way around. And we deserve to hear what we’ve been getting for our tax money over the last 2 years.
But I suppose we should expect as much: outside of the massively expensive direct mail campaign (printed and mailed at taxpayer expense, mind you) telling us what a marvelous job he was doing, as a representative of the people of the Sixth District, Tom Price has been basically INVISIBLE.
I for one am demanding that he do better; that he own up to his voting record; and that he do so publicly in a debate with his opponent, Steve Sinton. To that end, an online petition has been set up which I am asking everybody who feels like I do to sign. Republican or Democrat–anyone who is fed up with high-handed, arrogant politicos like Price.
http://www.petitiononline.com/price1/petition.html
By Debbie
September 26, 2006 7:24 PM | Link to this
Price has been in Washington doing what he was elected to do.
I would much rather Price be in Washington helping pass bills to SECURE OUR BORDERS than back here campaigning. Of course, Sinton is pro illegal immigration so he probably would rather Tom come home and not help pass border security measures.
You Sinton people need to get a grip. YOu have a pro illegal immigration, bleeding heart, left wing candidate and you actually think he has a shot of winning in one of the most Republican Districts in the country.
Hey, I have some ocean front property in Tennesse I would like to sell you…
Check out the House schedule and see why Price is in Washington:
http://clerk.house.gov/floorsummary/floor.html
By RepublicanRUs
September 26, 2006 8:35 PM | Link to this
OK - I usually never got on blogs because some peoples conduct can really hit the gutter.
I am a Republican who attended the debate last night, and I called the Sinton campaign today and asked some of these questions.
As printed in the WSB-TV Guide on the 2006 General Election - STEVE SINTON CLEARLY STATES HE OPPOSED AMNESTY. Rep. Price is one of the ONLY incumbants to NOT TAKE THE TIME TO FILL THIS OUT AND GIVE US HIS POSITIONS.
He said he is a fiscal conservative and a social moderate. I believed him last night. Every answer he gave was consistent with these positions.
I voted Price in the last election and worked for his campaign. I am a Republican. I WILL VOTE SINTON. I find Price above the fray, and I resent it as a tax payer.
I asked if any of the Sinton campaign staffers were writing the blogs on this thread, and as I was told by the receptionist, this was the first they had heard of it. Everyone at the office had been to busy all day fielding calls. So - I don’t believe for a minute his staff wrote this.
I thought Price was doing a good job too. Then Sinton peaked my interest on his votes. HOLY COW - PRICE SAYS ONE THING AND VOTES ANOTHER. I looked myself today on the Washington Post. It is true.
I encourage people to have their facts or have been there in person BEFORE they spout off. It makes you look foolish.
I am a REPUBLICAN FOR SINTON - tired of being taken for granted.
PRICE - DEBATE THIS MAN - YOU OWE IT TO US ALL.
By RepublicanRUs
September 26, 2006 8:42 PM | Link to this
Debbie,
You need to get your facts and READ Sinton’s web site. He is opposed - completely - to illegal immigration - puts it in writing - puts in an election guide that Price was not interested in wasting time on - and shows up in person and says he is OPPOSED TO AMNESTY AND ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION.
Stop making up wedge issues. You look foolish - the man has it on record in writing. And - I personally was the first person who even let the Sinton campaign know this blog was going. Mr. Sinton, I am told, had 5 interviews today. No one has time for this in a real campaign.
BY THE WAY, THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS CLEARLY STATED LAST NIGHT AGAIN THAT PRICE CHOSE THE DATE AS HE DID THE LAST DEBATE. I HEARD IT. I find it suspicious - don’t you just imagine he knew when he chose this date he could use being in Washington as an excuse - and not be caught telling lies as before.
I am a Republican who is angry at my congressman. We need a two party system, and this guys gets my vote. I will still support most other Republicans who care enough to show up.
By RepublicanRUs
September 26, 2006 8:50 PM | Link to this
Debbie - one last thing, it is clear you know nothing about Sinton and were not at the debate. You are lumping him into your own prejudices, and are exactly what our country DOES NOT NEED - MORE DIVISION, MORE BLAME, AND MORE ANGER. You need to find something else to talk about - you look foolish and in print - got called to the table. You are not alone. Just get the facts, and don’t make the rest of us Republicans look bad with you, ok?
Sinton is no bleeding heart liberal. He owns a gun and was a deputy sheriff. His positions on issues show him pretty damn conservative. And when he answered hard questions in a hard room filled with Republicans mostly, the man ended with a standing ovation - the only one of the night.
By RepublicanRUs
September 26, 2006 8:56 PM | Link to this
HEY POLITICAL INSIDER, WHY DON’T YOU TAKE THESE BLOGS REGARDING PRICE’S NO SHOW AGAIN AND START ANOTHER BLOG? ABOUT 300 PEOPLE WERE AT THIS EVENT LAST NIGHT. WE ARE BURIED DOWN HERE, AND THIS SHOULD HAVE ITS OWN TOPIC.
By the way, most of the Republican candidates were exceptional and made me proud to be a Repubican.
By MattThomas
September 26, 2006 9:27 PM | Link to this
I attended the debate back in May, and as a Republican CEO who voted for and supported Price in the last election, was stunned to come away planning to vote for Sinton.
I live in Roswell, so it was an easy track over to the Library last night to watch the debate.
I made the right choice. Sinton is the right man for this district - and it has nothing to do with his party - it has to do with the fact he is in touch with the districts needs - not self advancement in Congress.
By the way - thanks RepublicansRUS - I have the voter guide from WSB-TV. Price is indeed to arrogant to stop and fill it out, though the other Representatives in Washington doing our business made the time.
I see a pattern, and I don’t like it.
My taxes pay his salary - and apparently ran his campaign with all the mailers he sent me on tax payer dollars. Yet - he will not even show up unless it is a friendly room, where he is the special guest.
By John C. Fremont
September 26, 2006 10:18 PM | Link to this
Oh me, oh my—Little Debbie—Republican Sistah—now how many living husbands do you have?????
By Sandy
September 26, 2006 11:36 PM | Link to this
I must have written Price at least a dozen times in the past two years. When I do get a response, it is either non-responsive to the original question, or a parroting of the administration’s talking points.
Apparently my Congressman has no mind of his own and is using this two years as a vacation from his practice. Just parrot the Bush line. He apparently deigns not to consider his constituents worthy of his presence.
He had the utter gall at the only debate where he showed (E. Cobb Senior Center) to say that his opponents (Konop and Sinton) didn’t understand that one man cannot make a difference. Apparently not, if his name is Tom Price.
I’m voting for Sinton and most of my friends are as well, and I live in probably the most Republican area of Cobb County.
By Tom
September 27, 2006 8:18 AM | Link to this
What absolute baloney that Tom price is in Washington taking care of immigration and securing our borders. George Bush and the Republican Congressional leadership have dropped any pretense of passing comprehensive immigration legislation in this session of Congress. Why? Because they don’t have a prayer of reconciling the GOP House and the GOP Senate version of the immigration bill. Republican divisions, ineptitude, and incompetence once more carry the day. It’s called unfitness to govern.
Tom Price remains a poster boy for the culture of corruption that Bush Republicans brought to Washington and for being a 100% lackey of George Bush. E.G.: Did ol’ Tom ever return Tom DeLay’s tainted PAC money, which everybody now knows was gained illicitly?
By Debbie
September 27, 2006 9:13 AM | Link to this
Tom, why don’t you try READING the link I sent you instead of spouting off talking points of the far left? If you had bothered to follow the news, Frist said the Senate was bringing up the House Bill just passed within the past few weeks to secure our borders. Bush said he would sign it.
Your candidate is pro illegal immigration. Justify that.
By Debbie
September 27, 2006 9:24 AM | Link to this
http://tom.house.gov/html/release.cfm?id=164
Below is what Sinton has to say about illegal immigration. He only supports going after the largest employers and not securing our borders. Price supports comprehensive reform without amnesty for illegals.
Sinton’s position on illegal immigration is just a cop out and is the position of liberals like Teddy Kennedy. Don’t punish those that broke immigration laws. Just go after the employer. What bs!!
Comprehensive reform targets border security, going after employers that knowingly hire illegals and making sure those illegally in this country can not take advantage of government services and those here illegally are deported.
http://www.stevesinton.com/issues-immigration.php
“Immigration – Enforce tough immigration laws that target the worst violators – large employers
The only reason we have an Illegal Immigration problem in this country is because we have an Illegal Employer problem.
Georgia is one of the fastest growing states in the country, but we have lost approximately 100,000 jobs during the past few years.
Want to stop illegal immigration? Remove the incentive for those who come here. When large employers hire illegal workers that take the place of American workers they must be penalized to the fullest extent of the law.
A 21st century Social Security card that cannot be duplicated is a good start to solving our illegal problem as well.
I will support the enforcement of immigration laws that target large employers.”
By Jimbo
September 27, 2006 9:28 AM | Link to this
I know many Republican activists in Cobb County and they are solidly behind Price. Even those that supported Lamutt against Price in the primary.
You guys are obviously Sinton plants just spreading false information.
Your efforts are really transparent and laughable.
By Debbie
September 27, 2006 9:31 AM | Link to this
All anyone has to do is to take a look at the results of the Primary to see how much support Price has from Republicans in the Sixth. Price did have GOP Primary opposition.
http://www.sos.state.ga.us/elections/electionresults/20060718/federal.htm
UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE - 6TH DISTRICT Democrat 100 % of precincts reporting
STEVE SINTON 15,989 100.0 %
UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE - 6TH DISTRICT Republican 100 % of precincts reporting
JOHN KONOP 10,322 17.7 % TOM PRICE 47,925 82.3 %
By BE INFORMED
September 27, 2006 9:50 AM | Link to this
Debbie, let me see if I understand you: Are you advocating that we, the American citizens, forego our November elections every two years and just rely on primary results instead? Do you propose amending the Constitution to eliminate November elections on the basis of… what? That YOU think anyone who votes Democrat is a dweeb? Is that a sufficient reason to subvert the process by which we elect representatives? You think that Primary votes, if weighed heavily in favor of one man in the summer, make November elections null and void? That discussion of issues is a pointless waste of oxygen better spent panting at reality shows or gabbing to some uninterested party how interesting you think you are?
Or is it the money that talks, Honey? He’s rich, so you wh-re for him? Is that it?
By Debbie
September 27, 2006 10:01 AM | Link to this
I don’t think that at all. I simply posted the results of the primary because you Sinton people have obviously posted pretending to be Republican voters in the Sixth that are disgruntled with Price.
The primary results don’t show GOP voters are unhappy with Price.
I support Tom because he has been effective and he is a CONSERVATIVE !!! I really don’t care what left wingers think…
Funny, how all the GOP activists I know love Price…
By Jimbo
September 27, 2006 10:05 AM | Link to this
Be informed, I see nothing to indicate that Debbie is advocating doing away with the November election. Please quit reading things that are not there. But the truth is you are a left winger and the truth means nothing to you. You just like to make up things as you go along and don’t like to be challenged.
I bet you just love Michael Moore and Howard Dean.
By BE INFORMED
September 27, 2006 10:35 AM | Link to this
Jimbo, I MAINTAIN that people have a right to hear from our incumbent in a forum of questions, answers, and clarifications. Debbie defended Dr. Price’s decision to NOT debate by citing the number of votes he received in the primary, and arguing that this indicates debate is not necessary or warranted. This premise ignores the tens of thousands who did not vote in the primary, but will be represented in Washington by whomever wins the November election. I MAINTAIN that debate on the issues is a healthy and important part of the electoral process. Do you agree with Debbie that this is NOT an important part of our democratic process?
By Carole Hunt
September 27, 2006 2:20 PM | Link to this
Jumping back in — I guess I will never get over being shocked at the incivility of Republican (and some Democratic) discourse. I charge that, most of the time, it is Republicans who come out spitting venon, fulminating and fuming at anyone who disagrees with them. But, then they are merely following in the footsteps of a President who calls his opponents of both parties in Congress enemies and whose bumbling attempts to speak the English language have provided so much wonderful fodder for the so-called liberal media. I think moderates within the Republican Party can look at Debbie’s in- print hissy fit and see that Steve Sinton’s reasoned arguments and the level at which he has conducted the discouse of his campaign bespeak the candidate they will chose in the general. Please do go on, as I think you probably make a case for not voting for Tom Price quite well on your own.
By debbie
September 27, 2006 2:41 PM | Link to this
Carole, I would strongly advise you check comments made by Nancy Pelosi, George Soros, Rosie O’Donnell, Al Franken, Ted Kennedy, Jimmy Carter, and many others. You think it is ok for liberals to “come out spitting venon, fulminating and fuming”. You just don’t like conservatives to start calling a left wing candidate a liberal. Stop being a hypocrite.
I was not nasty, but I believe in calling it like it is. The bottom line is Air America is guilty of what you accused Republicans of. Steve Sinton bragged about helping found this extreme left wing radio station.
Then there is Larry Sabato making public statements about Sen. Allen using a racial slur. The press jumped all over that. He has recanted that story.
http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2006/9/27/102012.shtml?s=lh
By Jarrod
September 27, 2006 2:43 PM | Link to this
Poor dear Debbie - Bless your little heart. If you are so sure of your Tom Price, why do you protest so much anything Steve Sinton does or says - Tom has nothing to worry about as long as he has you speaking for him. Did you know Tom voted to cut funding for foster children? - it didn’t pass but he voted for it. I wonder if you really know all the things Tom has done and Sonny did!Poor dear Debbie. She is so angry.
By Debbie
September 27, 2006 2:56 PM | Link to this
I am not the one that is angry or started the attacks. Sinton supporters started attacking Tom for not debating on threads that had nothing to do with the Sixth.
You don’t like attacks? Then don’t start them.
Not one of the Sinton people have answered my questions about Sinton’s positions on:
Abortion School Vouchers Fair Tax How about Gay marriage? Which immigration bill does he prefer? The House or the Senate one?
Price’s stances on these issues are well known.
Sinton is a stealth candidate that does not want to give details. He is trying to say he is a moderate on social issues and a fiscal conservative. Most fiscal conservatives I know support making the Bush tax cut permament. Sinton opposes it.
Sinton is trying to sell voters of the Sixth a bill of goods and they will not buy it.
You liberals get angry when challenged. Just look at Clinton’s interview on Fox News.
By Zell Miller Democrat
September 27, 2006 3:03 PM | Link to this
God, I love that Debbie gal!! What spirit she has!
She makes you let wing nuts so mad. You hate anyone to challenge you.
You Sinton people tried to pull the wool over the eyes of the voters of the Sixth by pretending you were all GOP voters disenchanted with Price. You tried to pretend Sinton was actually a moderate/conservative. Good ole Debbie popped you on it.
Sinton can not get away from AIR AMERICA. You Sixth District voters want to see what Sinton is so proud of helping found. Check out their web site.
http://www.airamerica.com/ http://michellemalkin.com/archives/003117.htm
By Jarrod
September 27, 2006 3:18 PM | Link to this
I repeat, Poor poor Debbie - I am sorry you are so angry at Steve Sinton and all Democrats. They run to give those voters who are not happy with this Congress, this President, this administration - this Tom Price, a choice for change. Perhaps you would prefer a one party system, otherwise known as a monarchy or dictatorship.. No dissenting opinions, only your party’s philosphies and no oversight of any kind. In a brave new world of your liking —Everybody’s a Republican.
If people vote for the same people they voted for to make this Republican majority Congress what it has been and is today - with an almost non-existent approval rating - then they and you should not complain next time around no matter what they do. Steve wants to change the direction of this country from the status quo and staying the course. New thinking, new strategies, new ideas, new people are needed in Washington.
By Debbie
September 27, 2006 3:32 PM | Link to this
Steve wants to elect Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House. Steve wants the liberal ideologies of Air America and George Soros to succeed.
We have had not had a terrorist attack on U.S. Soil since 9-11. Great Britain and other nations have.
You would have us go back to the days of the Clinton Administration. The die was cast for 9-11 when Clinton turned tail and ran after our servicemen’s bodies were dragged through the streets in Mogandishu.
By Debbie
September 27, 2006 3:33 PM | Link to this
This Republican Congress has kept America safe. If Bill Clinton had spent as much time hunting Bin Laden as he did playing hide the cigar with the Whitehouse intern, 9-11 would have never happened.
By BW
September 27, 2006 3:40 PM | Link to this
This post has gone on way too long. The original topic was strayed away from a long time ago. What ever happened to that idiot Coco?
By Carole Hunt
September 27, 2006 4:40 PM | Link to this
Debbie dearest, what is an “Abortion School Voucher”? I did not know there were such schools; or, have you forgotten how to punctuate a sentence? Did you go to a Republican School and just learn how to take tests? Please rave on, you have helped us more than you ever intended — people who visit the web site can see and hear Steve’s positions; they can see and hear the level of discourse; they can judge for themselves and they have been doing so as observe Steve’s follow seems to have grown quite a lot judging from the three forums, two of which Price did not attend.
You reference to Pelosi or any other Democrat in any other state is not germaine to this discussion. We were discussing the 6th District of Georgia. We are discussing Tom Price’s record and you inability to express yourself property.
By John Richards
September 27, 2006 4:58 PM | Link to this
Zell and Debbie, froth on the same cheap bear and not a good head between them. Left or right, Steve makes sense and moderate Republicans and Democrats hear him. People filed out of the Roswell forum, claiming they were Republican’s going in and Sinton Democrats coming out, they signed the petition, shook their heads and went home to think about new directions. You can sign the petition too. Just sign up to let Price know he needs to come out of the closet and debate. http://www.petitiononline.com/price1/petition.html
By Debbie
September 27, 2006 5:18 PM | Link to this
Excuse me Carole, dearest, I did have it on separate lines but the formatting got messed up. We were not discussing my property. Oh, did you mess up? My, my…Ever heard the old saying that if you live in glass houses you should not throw stones? I guess you went to a liberal Democrat School put on by Air America.
Typical liberal Democrat. Evading the questions.
Pelosi IS relevant. If the Democrats take control of the House, Pelosi will be speaker. She and other Democrats like her will be in charge for the House. I can see why you would like to distance yourself from that fact.
Why doesn’t your boss post his positions on his web site? He would rather be evasive in person.
What is his position on abortion?
What is his position on Fair Tax?
What is his position on gay marriage?
Will he vote to repeal the Bush Tax Cut?
What is his position on school vouchers?
You Sinton people are desparate and grasping at straws. I seen Congressman Price at many events in the past few months and he was always ready to answer questions and was very accessible.
By Zell Miller Democrat
September 27, 2006 5:28 PM | Link to this
Debbie has exposed the suberfuge of the Sinton campaign in their quest to appear moderate.
She and Reagan Conservaive have opened up a lot of eyes today, including mine. I did not realize Sinton had the Air America connection. As far as I am concerned that is the kiss of death. I am quite sure most of the voters of the Sixth feel the same way.
By Jarrod
September 27, 2006 5:51 PM | Link to this
I repeat, new ideas, new people, a new direction is needed in Washington. Otherwise everything will remain the same. If that is what you want, then vote that way, but if you want a change, then vote for change. Ask yourself, have your views really been represented? When is the last time you saw and spoke to Tom Price? When is the last time he took your phone call? How connected is he to his own district? How is the deficit doing? How are your healthcare premiums and health benefits, copays, deductibles? How are the Georgia schools still 49th in the USA? How much money is being spent on war and not on security at home? What happened to pay as you go fiscal responsibility? We have to hold these elected officials accountable. They should be accountable by appearing in their district to answer to their constituents.
By John Richards
September 27, 2006 5:55 PM | Link to this
Well, guess you ought to proof your barbs, too, Debbie and Zell. If you attended the forums you could hear Sinton’s positions on your questions and you might have heard, as I did, Tom Price parroting back some of Steve’s responses for a pod-cast. Tacky, very tacky. You might also have seen, as I did, a big guy at the AARP forum wearing a Tom Price Button, go over to Steve, take the button off and declare then and there for Steve Sinton.
Zell and Debbie, Price has been pulling your legs, careful he doesn’t cut them off.
Price has had three chances to come before the voters of the Sixth and challenge Steve on the issues. It is not Steve’s fault that Price failed to show TWICE; it is not his fault that Steve had the floor to himself. But, I must say, from everything I hear and the response of the room every time, Steve used the time very well. If the worst epithet you can throw at Steve Sinton is that he was co-founder of Air America, your attack was pretty weak. Compared to the vicious right-wing extremists of Fox, Air America is pretty tame stuff. If the worst thing Steve can throw at Tom Price is his voting record, that tactic has been pretty successful for Sinton. The truth is Steve is what he says he is and people in the Sixth want a change.
By Carole Hunt
September 27, 2006 7:19 PM | Link to this
Jarrod, you are right. It is just that simple. Ask yourself how it’s going and if you don’t like the answer, vote for a change. I did not like the answer on health care. Health care premiums have increased another 8% on average over the last year — twice the rate of inflation. Clinton, whether you liked him or hated him, left this country with a budget surplus which Tom Price has help to spend into a huge deficit, a deficit that Debbie and Zell’S grandchildren will have to repay. College enrollment is off because parents cannot afford the costs and we are 48th in the nation in schools over all. Sure we do better than that here in the Sixth, no thanks to Tom Price. But the continuing deficit and subsequent budget crunch will begin to erode any superiority we may have. Even then it is shortsighted to just look at our district and sit around in some sort of insular haze of fatuous contentment — we are not doing that well and we and everyone else in the country are suffering from the fact that our schools are last on the list and the drop-out rate is astounding.
The steady erosion of the Bill of Rights frightens me more than Republican scare tactics because it is real. How is it that standing up for the Bill of Rights and the Constitution makes one a “left wing radical”? Listening in and gathering data about domestic phone calls without establishing any show of due cause, and other domestic spying does erode the Bill of Rights. How does re-defining the Geneva Convention not make us less than the good guy; how can we even imagine that torture is permissable? The Republicans have abdicated the moral high ground again and again and I want a change. And I WANT TOM PRICE TO COME OUT OF HIS HIDING PLACE AND DEBATE THE ISSUES, NOW!
By Ann
September 27, 2006 7:22 PM | Link to this
I want to make a statement, I am close with people in the Sinton campaign. No one speaks for it but the candidate. Everyone else, pro or con, has a democratic right to express their opinions. Let’s keep them focused on the issues and not sling mud.
Mr. Price nor Mr. Sinton have all of their positions on a web site, nor does any candidate.
It is preferable that the candidates debate the issues, in public, and that the rest of us stop shooting arrows or attempting to lump either candidate into the positions of anyone else in their party.
Let’s be professional - if possible. I for one am certain that both of these men have been misrepresented in these blogs today. One of the reasons it is hard to get good candidates to run for elected office is this type of rhetoric that has nothing to do with issues or candidates themselves.
I am a “Sinton People” Debbie, and I am nothing you have accused me of on a broad basis. You have also made multiple false statements regarding Steve. Read the WSB - TV General Election guide. He makes it clear he opposed amnesty and supports tough immigrations laws - all of them.
I am also a centrist, and not a liberal nor am a conservative. I made a choice based on the candidates and their positions. Period.
I am certain I have never heard Steve make any of the things you have accused him of. Lets put this to rest.
By Debbie
September 28, 2006 7:19 AM | Link to this
Why does not Sinton post his postions on his web site?
He claims to be a fiscal conservative, yet opposes making the Bush Tax Cut permament.
What is his position on gay marriage?
What is position on partial birth abortion?
Woudl he support the House or Senate immigration plan?
Steve Sinton openly bragged about helping found Air America. Air America is a far left wing radio station. I posted Steve’s comments on Air America.
The Geneva convention should not apply to terrorists. Terrorists deliberately target civilians.
By Debbie
September 28, 2006 7:41 AM | Link to this
Tom Price is not pulling my leg. He is not trying to pretend to be a moderate/conservative when he isn’t as Sinton is.
You insult the intelligence of the voters of the Sixth. Do you really believe that the voters will actually believe that someone is moderate that help found Air America and bragged about it?
The House has cut the deficit and decreased spending. Look at some of the bills they have passed within the past few months.
http://www.theorator.com/bills109/billspassedhouse.html
You libs would have our intelligence communities hands tied. I don’t have a problem with ease dropping on phone calls of supsected terrorists making phone calls to countries that harbor terrorists.
This ease dropping has been around since the Clinton Administration. Ever hear of Echelon?
By Debbie
September 28, 2006 7:49 AM | Link to this
Apparently Sinton does not even know what precincts are in the Sixth. Note to Steve, Austell nor most of South Cobb is in the Sixth District.
A friend working the Cobb GOP Booth at the North Georgia State Fair said flyers were being passed out with a lady from Austell named Irene addressing voters in South Cobb on behalf of Sinton.
Austell nor most of South Cobb are in the Sixth. Only a slim portion of Vinings is in the Sixth and Vinings very strongly supports Price.
http://www.cobbelections.org/results/pdf/jul2006/2006%20July%20Primary%20BY%20PRECINCT.pdf
You can verify that at this link. Scroll down to the Primary Results for the Sixth District.
Price will very handily win this race. A voter for Sinton is a vote for Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House.
By Jimbo
September 28, 2006 8:16 AM | Link to this
Sep-25-2006
Club for Growth Honors Congressman Tom Price With First Annual Defender of Economic Freedom Award
Congressman Price was 1 of only 36 Members of Congress to earn an award based on his support of growth issues in Congress.
Washington, D.C.- Pat Toomey, President of the Club for Growth, the nation’s leading free-market advocacy organization with over 36,00 members, today announced that Congressman Tom Price has earned the first annual “Defender if Economic Freedom Award created to honor Members of Congress who have a strong voting record on economic issues.
“With his score of 93, Congressman Price is clearly a hero of the pro-growth agenda,” said Club for Growth president, Pat Toomey. “He demonstrates a strong commitment to economic freedom and free-market principles.”
“Congressman Price is 1 of only 36 out of 535 Members of Congress to earn this award,” Tommey said. “We hope that in each year to come, support for commonsense, economic principles will continue to grow, allowing more Members to earn this award.”
The award was based on certain votes that the Club for Growth tracks on their scorecard.
“The scorecard is an important tool in providing the general public the opportunity to see how their Representative and Senators vote,” said Tommey.
The study included a comprehensive examination of each lawmaker’s record on pro-growth policies and computed an Economic Growth Score on a scale of 0 to 100. A score of 100 indicated the highest support for pro-growth policies. Those lawmakers scoring 90 or higher receive the Defender of Economic Freedom award.
The rating examines legislative actions that reflect the Club for Growth’s immediate pro-economic growth policies, including:
-Making the Bush tax cuts permanent
-Death tax repeal
-Cutting and limiting government spending
-Social Security reform and personal retirement accounts.
-Expanding free trade
-Legal reform to end abusive lawsuits
-Replacing the current tax code
-School choice
-Regulatory reform and deregulation
Whenever possible, the Club sent a “key vote” alert to each member of Congress prior to an expected roll call vote of pending legislative action that it planned to include in the scorecard.
By Jimbo
September 28, 2006 8:22 AM | Link to this
Tom Price supports the Fair Tax Plan. Tom Price also has a record of votes on issues. Sinton has a record of helping found Air America and has no record on issues.
Sinton also apparently does not know what areas fall into the Sixth. Not someone I would want for my Congressman.
I will admit that I had problems with the spending but they have gotten that under control. I strongly urge each of you to research the bills passed by the House this year. I am very pleased. Research also the ones that originated in the House but did not pass the Senate. I only wish the Senate voted more like the House.
By BE INFORMED
September 28, 2006 9:57 AM | Link to this
-Making the Bush tax cuts permanent- In spite of record debt and deficit, a financial plan that we continue borrowing from China for the next six generations
-Death tax repeal- A measure of GREAT concern to five percent of the population — the five percent who already have the most, to ensure that they continue to have the most. To the rest of us, meaningless, except as it increases OUR portion of the national debt.
-Cutting and limiting government spending- Hahaha! Uh-huh. You mean, he’s demanding an end to no-bid government contracts?
-Social Security reform and personal retirement accounts.- Trotted out pie charts on the “ideas” of his elders on this one, and was overwhelmingly trounced by everyone who can do the math.
-Expanding free trade- And the free flow of good jobs away from American shores.
-Legal reform to end abusive lawsuits- And all but eliminate the right to civil justice for those who have been injured, wronged, or maimed by someone else’s negligence or greed. In other words, suck it up! You have no actual rights anymore.
-Replacing the current tax code- Talk is soooo cheap.
-School choice- Not for everyone, but certainly for Americans with money! Do not confuse this with bettering the system for everyone, as that might cost money that’s better spent on his own tax cuts.
-Regulatory reform and deregulation- Because the S&L scandal taught us nothing, and the Georgia natural gas de-regulation saved us all SO much money, and look at how much better our service is! Hahaha!
By melissa
September 28, 2006 3:00 PM | Link to this
Dear Debbie,
The Geneva convention should not apply to terrorists. Terrorists deliberately target civilians.
And our ports should not be given to middle easterners with known terrorist ties - yet this Bush crowd wanted to do it.
You who challenges anyone who is willing to step out front - who would hide own hate behind the protection of a wall.
You make us all look terrible. Got do your real job - if you even have one.
You speak from NO position of knowledge or authority - and I personally encourage everyone to do what most do with people so far out of touch - ignore them or put them away.
By Laura
September 28, 2006 3:04 PM | Link to this
Many people in South Cobb support the Sinton campaign with money and volunteering their time. It does not require you live in the district - or had you not learned that?
The campaign knows the boundaries very well.
Debbie, do you know your own boundaries of hate and prejudice?
By baxter
September 28, 2006 9:02 PM | Link to this
Debbie—a size five—you are really into those Clinton cigars or is it something else you’re still looking for