Special report: Our to-do list

About 1,800 subscribers acted on our e-mailed request to complete an unscientific survey on Atlanta’s challenges.

Some of what you told us

● One-third of survey responses rated the area’s quality of education as below average. Nearly half expected things to decline in the next 12 months.

● You felt better about health care access and delivery, with 44 percent rating its quality as good. Only 2 percent said the situation here was poor. Nearly equal numbers of readers surveyed felt matters would improve or, alternately, decline in the next year.

● The list goes on. Transportation was a hot topic. Reducing crime across the area was important to many, as was finding ways to bolster our regional economy and create more good-paying jobs.

● Many of us agree on what the big issues are. Now we must make headway in resolving them.

Ranking the issues

These readers’ comments illustrate the issues as ranked by survey respondents in order of importance:

1. EDUCATION

Shelton Jones, 66, Decatur:

Continue to raise student achievement standards. Refocus all schools on the essential learning outcomes. Move toward year-round schooling. In order to really improve education, we need a common understanding of why we educate. What is education supposed to accomplish? How much time is needed? Is our present process the best way?

2. TRANSPORTATION

Betsy Rhame-Minor, 31, Alpharetta:

I can’t believe they canceled an important bus route between the airport and Clayton County! Also, MARTA leaves a lot to be desired. It’s not all things to all people, and it really should be. Atlanta is not going to grow smaller. We need MARTA to move both people who use it only occasionally and the people who rely on it to get to jobs.

3. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Scott Huie, 47, Snellville:

Let the market forces work. Free enterprise with important checks and balances is crucial. Yes, it may mean raising certain taxes. ... It seems like we need to cooperate more to devise an overall plan for transportation for the next few decades.

4. HEALTH CARE

Ellen Spiceland, 58, Marietta:

We should expand and improve the public health system that is already in place. That would clear up congestion in the emergency room and might even educate patients as well as emphasize wellness to keep people out of the medical system.

5. QUALITY OF LIFE

Denice Brue-Clopton, 57, south Fulton:

If metro Atlanta is down in any one place, it pulls everybody down. We should all want to improve all of metro Atlanta, including reducing crime and poverty [across] all of the city. Imagine what a model city that would be! ... Place a priority on physical fitness. Add walking and biking trails all over metro Atlanta, including the south area.

6. REGIONAL COOPERATION

Mary Robinson, 65, Conyers:

“Atlanta metro is a great place to live with lots of great entertainment and quality of life options. There are too many “turf” wars. Until we admit there is a problem, it will never be resolved.

The Editorial Board: Who we are

Michael Joseph, Publisher: Joined the AJC in 2009. He previously worked as president and general manager. Joseph has also held executive roles at Ohio newspapers owned by Cox Enterprises, which owns the AJC.

Julia Wallace, Editor: Since becoming editor in 2002, she’s focused on improving the printed newspaper while growing digital offerings. In 2004, she was named editor 
of the year by Editor 
& Publisher magazine.

James Mallory, Senior Managing Editor: Joined the AJC in 1988. He’s worked as a business reporter, an assistant managing editor, deputy managing editor for metro and business news and as managing editor.

Andre Jackson, Editorial Editor: Jackson was hired in 2008. He’s been an editorial writer on business and the economy and was senior editor for business, state and federal news.

Ken Foskett, Opinion Editor: Foskett joined the AJC in 1989, where his work has included stints as Washington correspondent, statehouse reporter and investigative reporter. He’s written a book on U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.

— The Editorial Board

Atlanta Forward: We look at major issues Atlanta must address in order to move forward as the economy recovers. Look for the designation “Atlanta Forward,” which will identify these discussions.