At a recent Bisnow event, Atlanta developer Mark Toro, head of North American Properties, blamed the stalled Marta expansion on racism. "It's racism," said Toro, as quoted by Curbed Atlanta . "We've got to recognize it and call it what it is … The train runs both ways, and we don't want those people out here. That is the prevailing theme in suburban communities."
Bisnow called Toro's claim "shocking" but really, it isn't, considering he pretty much said the same thing a year ago. He just didn't use the word "racism."
Writing for the AJC in Dec. 2014, Toro said he's a MARTA rider and expressed his confusion at metro Atlanta's attitude toward public transportation and the people who ride it.
"The expansion of public transit into north Fulton County has been playing catch-up since the connection of Ga. 400 in 1993, when economic development outside the Perimeter began a boom that has increased population, added jobs and prompted rampant development. With it came traffic, lots of it. For myriad reasons, not the least of which is the cultural and racial bias (a.k.a. fear) of our leadership, the reaction has been building “faster horses” by adding lanes to Ga. 400, stalling public transit at the North Springs station."
You can read the full story here , and rest assured that Toro is consistent in his messaging.
Patti LaBelle on the other hand is being very inconsistent.
After initially calling and thanking James Wright Chanel for plugging her Patti LaBelle Sweet Potato Pies on Facebook (for which he got 10 million views and counting), LaBelle backtracked this weekend when she was caught on the street by TMZ.
Sales of the $3.48 pies spiked and subsequently sold out at Wal-Mart stores nationwide since Chanel's video went viral , but LaBelle told TMZ she did it herself and she was selling pies before he showed up. Here's the clip:
And an Itchi gitchi ya ya da da to you too Patti.
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