Monthly Archives: May 2009

Preservationists are continuing their quest to save the historic Crum & Forster building in Midtown.

The building has been endangered for nearly a year when its owner, the Georgia Tech Foundation, began seeking a demolition permit for a possible expansion of its Midtown campus.

Ever since, the foundation has confronted a mass of opposition.

The city has denied ithe demolition permit, but the foundation is appealing that decision in the courts.

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Back in the day, people who were in government were not called bureaucrats.

Instead, they were public servants — meaning they served the public in the best sense of both words.

And that describes Richard Stogner, an institution at the city of Atlanta, Fulton County and most recently DeKalb County as executive assistant to the CEO.

Stogner is retiring after more than 40 years in public service. And his friends, colleagues and admirers are throwing him a toast this Sunday evening by telling tales and showcasing his professional career and his unique

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Shareholders are becoming bolder about holding companies accountable.

At both the Southern Co. and Home Depot annual meetings this week, Donald Kirshbaum, an investment officer for Connecticut’s Treasury Office, was one of the shareholders introducing a proposal calling for both companies to put together an “environmental assessment report” for those holding shares.

(Interestingly enough, Home Depot CEO is a director of the Southern Co., but he was unable to attend Wednesday’s meeting at Callaway Gardens because he was preparing for his annual meeting today at the Cobb Galleria.

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After three years, the ghost of Robert Nardelli still looms large at Home Depot.

At today’s annual meeting, shareholders never actually mentioned Nardelli by name.

Yet he was referred to by shareholders a half dozen times, mostly as a benchmark of what went wrong during his five years as CEO; and how the company has improved under the leadership of current CEO Frank Blake.

Nardelli, who has been running Chrysler Corp. for the past couple of years, was a controversial figure during his time running the Atlanta-based home improvement company.

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It was a friendly and polite crowd that attended the Southern Co.’s annual meeting today in Callaway Gardens.

Even shareholders that had submitted proposals opposed by the company had kind words for Southern’s executives and their willingness to discuss sensitive issues of carbon emmissions, coal plants and climate change.

“We have been discussing these issues with the company for a long time, and we want to acknowledge tremendous progress over the years,” Sister Barbara Aires told CEO David Ratcliffe.

Sister Aires spoke on behalf of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth of Continue reading →

The Georgia Conservancy has shed the word “interim” and named former Lt. Gov. Pierre Howard as its new president.

Howard has served as interim president of the environmental organization since January, following the departure of Jim Stokes, a former partner with Alston & Bird.

In an email to Georgia Conservancy members sent out late Tuesday, Howard stated that the organization “plays a vital role in the conservation of Georgia’s natural resources, and I look forward to the challenge of building a greater network of environmental Continue reading →

It appears that newspaper ink is more potent than partisan politics.

Dining at the Commerce Club today were two newspaper men — one Republican and one Democrat. And one of those newspapermen is running for governor.

DuBose Porter, House minority leader (Democrat) who also is editor Dublin Courier-Herald, was having lunch with John Mellott, the former publisher of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Mellott, a longtime Republican, told me that he is supporting Porter’s run for governor. Continue reading →

Nearly four years ago, I told Frankie Pence I would come meet her in person at her Italian restaurant in Rockmart.

Never did I think it would take me this long to make good on my promise. But I’m so glad I finally made it.

On Saturday, my son, David, and I loaded up our bicycles and headed for Rockmart. We parked near Frankie’s Italian Restaurant, and then headed out for a 16-mile ride — eight miles east and back — along the Silver Comet Trail.

When it comes to cycling in Atlanta, there are few places as delightful as the Silver Comet Trail. There are sections of the trail that are totally surrounded Continue reading →