Tales from the Corners

From YouTube Along with hundreds of others out there, I cheered on the idea of the Atlanta streetcar, but was skeptical of its long-term survival. I was optimistic because a people-mover using existing thoroughfares is good idea. As a commuter, runner, cyclist, walker, I love the idea of alternative forms of transportation in a city filled with so much 'car madness.' So, the idea of a well-functioning streetcar system that can whisk residents and tourists from Point A to Point B in a convenient, safe and affordable manner is a great idea. Indeed this is the early stages of the streetcar grid. Right now, it's a short loop that goes only a few miles out. I joke that I can probably out-run the streetcar. However, I like the look and quality of the cars. I also like the idea that those who visit the downtown area can hop on the cars and go a few miles to a very few other attractions. I never once thought that the streetcar was a solution to gridlock. Rather, I always...

Attention: Do you know the Post in which you reside? What? Post? What does that mean? If you live within the limits of an incorporated city, you’re residing in a Post represented by a councilperson. For those living in unincorporated areas, skip this part. Okay, back to the Post discussion. Why am I even writing a blog post on whatever this thing is called a “Post?” I got to thinking about the subject of what Post I live in after I recently early voted in a special election in the city of Peachtree Corners, Georgia. One of the members of the city council Jay Lowe, resigned to run for an open seat for state representative in Georgia House District 95. Two members of the community, Eric Christ and Stephen Peet  quickly jumped in to run for that open city council seat. All of this recent local political activity brought Peachtree Corners residents to two separate elections on Tuesday, May 24, 2016. The first election is for the council seats. In order to vote for either S...

Over in Peachtree Corners, Georgia there's been a bit of a brouhaha over a proposed pedestrian bridge that would go over the main thoroughfare that cuts through our little town. Of course something like this stirs up passions. Why? Well, we're talking about local politics and local politics means that we're talking about public dollars. So, whenever we're talking about public dollars, we're talking some drama. Drama comes with the territory, that's a fact. So, folks are passionate about the bridge and that's a good thing. Citizens of Peachtree Corners are asking tough questions about as they should ask. An honest 'gentlemanly' debate on this issue is healthy. This is just my two cents, but a pedestrian bridge would be a great amenity for many reasons beyond aesthetics. I'm saying the bridge would be good for safety reasons. Now, there are plenty who would say that this project is a boondoggle and that crossing the road at the proposed br...

May flowers are certainly popping up everywhere. The school year is winding down as folks look to head out of town Memorial Day weekend. Before all of that of course, are graduation ceremonies including one in my household. Spring fever is in full bloom and with that comes low voter turnout? What? Yes, that’s right, there is yet another Election Day here in Georgia. “Didn’t we have already have an Election Day back in March?” one might ask. Indeed we did, but that election was an early presidential primary preference day. That day was a huge score for Georgia’s secretary of state who put the state in serious play between the myriad of candidates on the Republican side and the two on the Democratic side. That Election Day in March just scraped the surface. In my view, the more important Election Day comes on May 24 th when we chose candidates for offices that have a more direct impact on us in the Peach State. A great example of that scenario is in my neck of the woo...

Photo by Micahmedia at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=13466179 In the aftermath of the tragic news of music icon Prince’s passing, it’s no wonder that just about everyone has come out of the woodwork to express their connection to the legend. Even though millions of us never had the opportunity to personally know the uber-famous/talented musician, many of us try to grab a smidgen of Prince’s spotlight. I suppose it’s all part of ‘processing’ yet another icon who supplied a good deal of the soundtrack of our lives. A cliché indeed, but so true. My 10 th grade English teacher once told us that we students didn’t “have a time.” I countered that “our time” was then, in the 1980s. The 1980s stands as the ‘heyday’ of our generation which would be later labeled Generation X. The Baby Boomers have the 1960s and 70s. The Greatest Generation has the 1940s and 50s. Looking at the younger set, the Millennial generation has 2000s and 2010s. G...

This is one of my “let’s talk extremely local” posts, but I say that this scenario can take place in any U.S. metro area as we all move forward with the economy and struggle with growing pains. The thing to remember is that there's nothing wrong with growth that will improve the lives of citizens no matter where one lives in America. That concept rings true in Peachtree Corners, Georgia. The problems come in when governments engage in 'dumb growth.' No, I'm not accusing Peachtree Corners of abandoning 'common sense' and engaging in 'dumb growth' although there are plenty over here who would like employ that accusation. I'll leave that up to them. Overall, the Atlanta metro area is no stranger to 'dumb growth.' With years of excellent economic expansion came a lot of development that hurt rather than help its citizens' quality of life. One need not look further than some of the thoroughfares that run through Atlanta. To me, thos...

Tax Day is upon us this week. Whether you’re sitting down at the ole desk or kitchen table writing out a check to the federal and state governments or wishing for a decent refund from them, no one gets out of this thing unscathed. Our time and money are at stake. Time and money are why this tax deadline day creeps up on us because, let’s face it, we put it off in our minds. Time and money just have a way of manipulating us to put off the inevitable. Who wishes to tackle taxes right after New Year’s Day? It’s tough to get motivated right after the champagne wears off to do something like organizing one’s tax folder. For many of us, it’s impossible to completely get the tax returns ready because we’re waiting on forms like the W-2 for weeks on end.  Maybe by Valentine’s Day? Not after the sugar rush of chocolates, right? Maybe sometime in March it is a bit more palatable to file those tax returns. Most likely, tax preparers know when the rush is on. Methinks it’s about...