As of Thursday, July 12, 2012
© Copyright 2013
Rockdale Citizen
The genie is out of the bottle, T-SPLOST is challenged again and Rockdale County becomes unhinged. The emotional energy generated through the propaganda and rhetoric surrounding our new T-SPLOST referendum is enough to fuel a coast-to-coast train blocking the West Avenue crossing. The genie continues to wreak havoc on the mental equilibrium of residents, but they will not be deterred from deciphering the facts.
It seems that the "annex" game between the governments of the City of Conyers and Rockdale County continues to reflect "one-upmanship" and generally ignores the equitable use of acquired assets, including taxpayers' money.
Today, transportation is the paramount issue that impacts our funds without regard for sorely needed improvements in Conyers and Rockdale County. The state continues to mandate legislation without funds and we continue to struggle with long- and short-term transportation issues. It appears that the only solution is to complement the Transportation Investment Act (TIA).
The anti-SPLOST effort is more of the same. It fails to focus on the benefits of the TIA for Conyers and Rockdale County. Act as an independent-minded voter. Gather the facts and data for yourself. Consider the impact on jobs, road repairs, bus transportation lines, highway congestion and other transportation issues throughout our county. Cast your vote to equitably improve the quality of life for all residents of Conyers and Rockdale.
Lew Belcher
Conyers
More like this story
- For or against -- T-SPLOST draws attention ( July 10, 2012 )
- Rockdale says 'no' to T-SPLOST ( July 31, 2012 )
- New direction sought for transportation funding ( August 2, 2012 )
- Oden renamed as economic, transportation policy chair for ACCG ( May 7, 2012 )
- T-SPLOST, county pay raises top topics for Rockdale BOC candidates ( July 25, 2012 )
Comments
Rob 10 months, 1 week ago
Ok. Got it. Did my own research and discovered that only a mentally insane person would vote to raise their own taxes and hand the money over to a bunch of bureaucrats. I think I'll keep my money and do my best to keep Rockdale from becoming DeKalb East. But thanks for pointing this out!
Elmo 10 months, 1 week ago
There's a couple of old adages that apply to selling, in general. The phrases, like, "Don't sell the steak, sell the sizzle", and, "Don't sell the shoes, sell walking comfort", make the point that the salesperson should not spend so much time selling the product, but concentrate on the BENEFITS to be derived from the product. Bureaucrats are masters at this game, but have the not-so-welcomed habit of enhancing the proposed "benefits" by stretching the truth a bit. But to these types, the end result justifies the means, at least, to them. This sudden speculation that Rockdale County is literally drowning in traffic is being spread like the concocted emergency in healthcare in America was in peril and we needed socialized, government run, healthcare to solve the "crises". What we'll wind up with is, longer lines, higher taxes, quotas, and - by far -much worse healthcare. The sales pitch, like socialized medicine, will be the worse debacle to ever hit our County. Like "affordable healthcare" it will benefit a handfull of people, while the rest of us pay the bill. I worked in Atlanta back when the Olympics came to town, with it's predicted deluge of traffic, and employers and governments joined together to forestall the expected traffic jams by creating different shifts for workers, promoting telecommuting, and other measures to keep the roadways clear of excessive traffic. It worked well. Venues, like the Horse Park, we're spread to different outlying communities to split the traffic load into different times and directions.
Herding the people into cattle-car-like mass transportation, wrought with danger, is not something just everyone will be wanting to take part in; the ability to come and go on your own schedule, is still a powerful incentive to many to drive their own car to work. Working within the confines of the train schedule, then a bus home, throws a kink into picking up the kids, buying groceries, and other before and after work necessities. Just remember, a spoiled piece of meat can be made to "sizzle", too. You'll not only be paying the fare to ride an inconvenient conveyance, but you'll be paying the taxes that put it there in the first place.
Clark 10 months, 1 week ago
Closing the barn door after the horses have left doesn't work anymore, and neither does making road improvements after the congestion is here. While the 3 projects in the county will do both, the 4th project that straddles the Rockdale/Dekalb line is aimed at heading off traffic congestion before it begins. The 5th project that benefits this county, MARTA's I-20 East project, is an example of a reactionary project that's been needed for years, and waiting to fund and build it won't do anything but make traffic on I-20 worse.
I fail to see how providing transit options is "herding people into cattle-cars wrought with danger." Transit is supposed to be crowded, every person on the train is probably a car not on the road. Good transit (and yes, MARTA rail is an example of this), runs frequently enough that missing one train shouldn't throw a "kink" into anyone's plans unless they wait till end of service, or don't allow themselves enough time, something that that same person would probably do if they were driving, or else they'd speed and make the highways "wrought with danger."
VPublicola 9 months, 4 weeks ago
Even a Caveman can understand this message! by VPublicola
colvic 9 months ago
The improved transportation would not only benefit the economy but also the industry of cars since it would be easier for vehicles to travel back and port. On the other hand, the number of vehicle models would increase as well. In other words this is a wake up call for auto makers to come up with the most efficient mode of transportation they have for people. Most of all, car repair shops would also be benefited since they will able to come up with hundreds of costumers which are truly car drivers and car owners. Good thing now however is that there are replacement stuff like that store i have visited the last time selling Highland parts for vehicles. Now it's truly easier to get an access to them.
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