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DEL.ICIO.USConversations after a funeral
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Friends gathered in Marietta late this morning for the funeral of Renate Shipp, wife of 51 years to political columnist Bill Shipp.
The eulogy was offered by George Berry, who once ran Atlanta’s airport and what was then called the state Department of Industry and Trade. Berry recounted the couple’s first meeting on a bridge in Heidelberg, West Germany in 1955 — she was a picket-waving student demonstrator, and he was an MP sent to shut the protest down.
The service was elegant, but the gathering of guests outside the funeral home took a somewhat awkward turn when former Gov. Roy Barnes ran into Dick Williams — host of WAGA’s “The Georgia Gang,” publisher of the Dunwoody Crier, and fervent advocate of a new city of Dunwoody. A vote on the issue comes up Tuesday.
Williams has been critical of DeKalb County’s hiring of Barnes to explore the possibility of a lawsuit that would block the incorporation of Dunwoody.
The former governor opened the conversation, which remained jocular throughout, by pointing out that a late, great Republican named Paul Coverdell often decried the vast number of governments that Georgians choose to afflict themselves with — 159 counties and 535 cities is the current count.
Williams responded by marveling over the governor’s $533.33-an-hour retainer, paid for by DeKalb County. What’s the 33 cents for? the TV host asked.
The governor replied that his usual rate is $710 an hour. The odd number, Barnes said, is the result of a government discount he offers — which would be 25 percent, according to the calculator on this computer.
Comments
By Blogfather
July 10, 2008 5:20 PM | Link to this
Gov Barnes should be charging $911 per hour, for that’s the price Georgia pays every day that idiot is allowed any influence in any of our politics or resourve allocations.
By King Roy
July 10, 2008 5:49 PM | Link to this
Umm, the Guv may want to get his calculator fixed:
A 25% discount would be 710 * 75% = 532.50 whereas 533.33/710 = 75.117%, or slightly less than a 25% discount
And the taxpayers get screwed again! (Even if it is just a can of Coke per hour…)
By lucylou
July 11, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this
I agree Governor Barnes should be charging $911 per hour and he is worth every penny of it. Actually, when you think about it, the people of DeKalb County are lucky he agreed to represent them. He is one of the brightest, most articulate attorneys in Georgia and the Southeast. People don’t meet with you before they sign the dotted line to run for President of the United States if they think you are interested in the position, unless you are highly highly highly thought of. Not to mention that your skills as a leader, forethoughts on how to run government, and fresh ideas to create a better world, are well respected too. That’s what happened to Roy Barnes. Presidential hopefuls met with and talked to him extensively about his interest or lack thereof in national politics. He wasn’t interested - a better Georgia was his first priority. He was also looked at for the VP position. There is no moss growing around his feet.
If the citizens want to really see what is happening to them they should check the digits Perdue has generated and lost during his tenure as Governor. He has manipulated and manuevered state government and his tag-a-longs quite well. Other than the current President of the United States, Perdue is one of the biggest disappointments in political history. Georgia’s Stats: Education - last place; transportation - 7th in the nation for the worst traffic congestion and no long range plan to alleviate the pain; number one in teen pregnancies; continuous loss of jobs; continuous loss of industry - yeah, he’s a real winner. Too bad we don’t have “King Roy” right now - I know this - Georgia wouldn’t be last in the NATION under his education plan; he had an extensive transportation plan that would remove large trucks from using downtown interstates, etc.; teen pregnancies would have been addressed; industry came and was in the process of coming to Georgia but lost by current Governor’s inability to negotiate; and jobs were and would have been continued to increase based upon tax incentives for all types of industries that located or stayed in Georgia. If you’re gonna “pick” at least tell the truth while your doing it.
As far as DeKalb County goes, anyone with common sense knows when you incorporate a city that revenue will decrease for the county. Anyone with common sense knows that it is more expensive to run an incorporated city - you take responsibility to provide all costs, repairs, and services to the citizens, which the city alone must provide - thus, tax increase (I don’t care what they tell you- tax increase). This is just common sense. My father was a city councilman for 10 years where we live. I saw him struggle over the incorporation of our city. I also saw, that after the incorporation of the city, the city couldn’t provide for itself and was about bankrupt. I heard conversations at council meetings where the only option discussed was to borrow money on a weekly basis from a bank so the city could pay it’s employees; then the city would repay that money with interest. I saw as the councilmembers struggled to find the right city manager to bring the city out of its dark times. After years of struggle, they finally made it, but the economy was not this bad and no one would have ever thought of paying $4.00 per gallon for gas. My dad said that he didn’t want to ever be involved with anything like that again.
So, you do the math but most of all listen, I mean really listen to all sides before you vote. Be careful of what you wish for because when you get it you just might want to give it back and find you can’t.
By Anne Weltner
July 11, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this
You go, LucyLou!!If Roy Barnes had only been Governor these past years, Georgia would be a State to be proud of. I read with great interest that Sonny was on the very short list for veep, so the Republicans could be certain of winning Georgia. So, if the Republicans DO win Georgia with Sonny as veep (!?), what about the country? Sonny is a very good and nice man, but McCain should pick someone very young and in very good health.
By The Thin Guy
July 11, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this
Was Ken Nugent unavailable? One call, that’s all. Mid Town hookers only charge $ 20 per 10 minutes which works out to $ 120/hour. They are quick and efficient and make you feel good. The only way I’d give King Roy 10 cents is if he promised to move to Alaska. The only useful thing KR ever did in his entire life is appoint Zell Miller as senator. The best way to improve this country is to close down all of the law schools for 100 years. And to classify all lawyers as convicted felons so none can run for public office.
By New South Lady
July 11, 2008 5:35 PM | Link to this
Maybe the folks in North Fulton should hire Gov. Barnes to help them separate themselves from the mess from Midtown South. Up with a return to Milton County where we should be.
New South Lady