As of Friday, December 14, 2012
© Copyright 2013
Rockdale Citizen
The Citizen Poll is a weekly compilation of reader comments on subjects of local interest. The Citizen publishes as many comments as space allows. Comments, which may be edited for space or content, are published anonymously on Sunday. To submit a comment, call 770-483-7108, ext. 402, email poll@rockdalecitizen.com or complete the online form.
"Drunk drivers cause many deaths every year. Should we outlaw cars? Some people think we should make guns illegal because criminals use them. If robbers start using hammers and bashing cashiers over the head, would we make hammers illegal?"
"OK, so I go into (a store) on West Avenue, I made a $1 purchase. I was the only one at the register, cashier is yakking on her cell phone. I pull out a dollar and seven cents put down on counter ... start to walk out, she says excuse me sir, I have to ring that up ... I say to her ... Well, I certainly did not want to interrupt your important conversation, what is wrong with people?"
"Thank you for the clarification that Cherokee Run Golf Course is being run by the city of Conyers. I guess it can be said that the city of Conyers bailed out the golf course with taxpayer monies. This means they will do anything to save face with the course, anything, all at the taxpayer expense. It is interesting that many people of Rockdale County will whine and complain about bailouts up north, but when it comes to their own back yard they say nothing. It is obvious that the city of Conyers is pumping loads of taxpayer monies into a golf course, state of the art greens, updated club house, and who knows what else. Could some of our taxpayer monies be paying for portions of green fees for players, thus being able to say they are the lowest game in town, all the while we as taxpayers foot the bill? All of this would be worth an investigation to show exactly how our monies are being spent on a course that is now a city-supported venture, i.e. tax breaks, etc. Can somebody just ask the question, 'Why is the city running a golf course?' All you golfers, if you are from Rockdale County, realize that you are playing the game just like our neighbors up north, so go ahead and enjoy your game at taxpayer expense. Why not, it's obvious, you paid for it anyway. The real question should be asked what other things in the city are going by the wayside at the expense of a golf course?"
"Saving people from themselves is not the role of government, but this has been at the core of what liberal Democrats and some Republicans in Washington have done for at least the past 80 years. The results are plain to see, with us now poised to plunge over the financial cliff. The taxpayers are the victims of this and now those who have caused this mess are again looking at us as the chumps who must pay for it."
"Thanks to the illiterates, welfare cases and mindless liberals, the mistake in D.C. will be repeated. No telling what our country may look like after this next four-year sentence."
"On Wednesday, the transfer station was 'closed' because of 'wires down.' This is completely unacceptable! It takes no power whatsoever to throw bags into a bin. If they absolutely need the power, then that's what generators are for."
"I am looking forward to celebrating my team's National Championship on the 7th of January being a true Alabama fan. It saddens me to see so many poor losers here in the county and of the so-called Nation. In my opinion even the Georgia coach is a little on the eating crow side. The other day he so much tried to evade the question on why his team continued to not hold up when the big game comes to town being visibly upset. What really gets me is the crying attitude the team and coaches, fans and the college take when they feel that they have been some how shorted, when they feel they can only make a few million in the bowl they were given to play in than the one they thought they somehow deserved. Get over your loss and spilled milk and sit down and wait and see what GT will do to you next year... Go Alabama ..."----
"Seriously whatever your views ... Republican or Democrat, I think what we can all agree on, what makes this country strong, is the two-party system -- a party on Friday night and another on Saturday, except for the Georgia fans lately they are not partying at all .... Go Alabama ... And you need to party now for the next four years. It is only going to get worse with this administration ... in my opinion ..."
More like this story
- Rockdale Citizen Poll for Dec. 9, 2012 ( December 7, 2012 )
- Rockdale Citizen Poll - 04-09-11 ( September 3, 2011 )
- June 3 Rockdale Citizen Poll ( June 1, 2012 )
- Rockdale Citizen Poll - 02-05-11 ( September 3, 2011 )
- Rockdale Citizen Poll - 04-23-11 ( September 3, 2011 )
Comments
SylviaWatkins 5 months ago
Would the person(s) in Deer Run Subdivision who let their dog(s) urinate on my newspaper, please stop it from happening! The paper is on my property and in my driveway. There are plenty of trees and bushes and there is a leash law. If your dog is on a leash, then you are aware of your dog's actions and can prevent it. If your animals are not on a leash and roaming free, then put your pet on a leash. There are several early morning walkers with dogs, so please don't be rude and inconsiderate. Please be a good neighbor.
Elmo 5 months ago
Regarding the "Cherokee Run Golf Course":
After two, successive weeks of railing and wailing about the purported "taxpayer funded" Cherokee Run Golf Course, only the names were changed, but the original accusations stand pat.
Having an aversion to either the game of golf, or those who play it, is fine...I don't play it either. But I'm not envious of those who do. I tried it a couple of times back in the 70's...didn't like it...determined it wasn't for me. But, I could care less if others enjoy it, and more power to them.
What is disturbing is the fact that the reader presents no facts, whatsoever. Other than a couple of "it's obvious", and "could'a, should'a, would'a" guessing, nothing concrete is presented in the way of sources of revenue, amounts, or spending thereof.
The point of the letter seems to be a deranged effort to some equate the City of Conyers owning and operating a golf course to the "government bailouts" up North. We don't even get the specifics of WHICH bailouts (and there have been many), or, WHERE "up North".
Now if the reader is trying to equate the $49.5 BILLION GM bailout to the cost of running a local golf venue, then they are not only fact-challenged, they are math-challenged as well.
The attempt to sow the seeds of liberal guilt on the local officials operating a local recreational venue and equate it to the largest bailout boondoggle in our Nation's history, granted mostly for the unions and "redistributed" to campaign coffers for re-election, is preposterous, and wildly ignorant.
So, I hope in the next "Citizen's Poll" we'll see some evidence of this persons allegations in the form of facts and figures, percentage (if any) of taxpayer funding of the golf course.
Otherwise, the reader is just jumping on his horse, and riding off in ALL directions.
superman 5 months ago
I don't play nor am I a fan of the City operating a golf course- but I do see value is having a golf course to attract people. If anyone would do any amount of research you will find it's not nearly as bad as everyone thinks. I spent 10 minutes looking for this information and found out that the tax payers are only paying about $225,000 per year to operate it.
If you look at the City's budget you'll see that the revenue from the course is $1.184 million while the expenses are $1.408 million. So really, it costs us $225,000 per year to have a golf course. I don't know how to calculate the additional money this is bringing in via local sports shops, restaurants, etc... I think the City has done a nice job turning it around and I'd like to see it self supported very soon.
Source: http://www.conyersga.com/Portals/3/BudgetFY2012-2013.pdf See page 80
AJK 5 months ago
RE: Cherokee Run - If I'm not mistaking, the City of Conyers has always owned the property the golf course is located on. The city leased the property to a company who built the course, but when the company started getting behind on lease payments and taxes the courts ordered the course turned over to the city. I suppose instead of "bailing out" the golf course, the city could have just let it grow over. But why let such an asset go to waste? I'm betting the course is self-sustaining and the use of taxpayer dollars is minimal if at all.
"Why is the city running a golf course?" Probably for the same reason they're running a horse park, building concrete walking trails, and maintaining community parks....quality of life. Just think of all the money you'd save if they weren't doing all of that!
As for an investigation to show exactly how our monies are being spent, I guess you have some work to do. Bone up on the Georgia Open Records Act, then use it to obtain the records you need for your investigation. I can't wait to see what YOU find!
Elmo 5 months ago
AJK: I don't really think the poll reader who is raising all the hoopla about the golf is going to do much, other than complain and point to non-existant straw men. It's a non-starter and will lead nowhere.
The first posting showed that the reader didn't even know who owned the course. Credibility out the window.
ctownslimm 5 months ago
You're right. this poll is really just a few folks spouting. I have never seen anything real come from info shared here. I have seen a lot of legitimate complaints from teachers and citizens put here and it can be informative to a degree but not really effective as a change agent. I am speaking in general. No one in leadership here in the county takes it seriously even when info is valid.
LoveIt 5 months ago
Since everyone who has commented about the golf course is partly right and partly wrong, it is time for the Citizen to do a story on the Horse Park, Cherokee Run Golf Course, etc. and how it all came about. Many people who live here now were not here during the preparations for or during the 1996 Olympics.
This facility came about because of broad community support and volunteer effort to bring Olympic events to our community. We are proud that we won several events and the facility's creation was a part of that.
Rockdale Citizen, please educate these folks. And before anyone else makes judgments about what is being done here, it behooves you to educate yourself. By the above comments you have only shown your ignorance, readiness to jump to judgment, and prejudice about those of us from the South. I have lived in many places, north and south, and found we are all alike in this country in our ability to do things well and then not so well. But sadly right now, too many people just want to criticize and assume the worst.
It is time for Christmas and the gentle spirit that goes with it. Merry Christmas to you all!
thesmad1 5 months ago
Really Alabama fan? Saban was crying about the bowl situation for the SEC loser well before Coach Richt and I'm not a UGA fan. It was a great game by two very good equal teams leave it at that. GO SEC!!
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID