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Posted inTom Baxter

In Tennessee boundary dispute, a river of lawyers’ fees

Avatar photo by Tom Baxter

Here’s one way to estimate the chances of getting Tennessee to change its mind and give up a thin strip of its existing territory so Georgia can gain access to the water in the Tennessee River.

Right now, the Tennessee legislature is considering a bill that would end party primaries for U.S. Senate nominees, and give the Republican and Democratic legislative delegations the power to choose their respective nominees.

The idea of giving up some of their existing territory for our convenience has so far met with overwhelming resistance in Tennessee. But you figure, if they’re fools enough to go for the idea of giving up the voters’ right to select their U.S. Senate nominees, we just might be able to talk them out of that land without a fight.

Posted inMaria's Metro

A more walkable Atlanta equals a healthier and more prosperous city

Avatar photo by Maria Saporta

It makes so much sense.

The most walkable cities are the healthiest cities — economically, environmentally and emotionally.

Designing our streets, sidewalks, public spaces and buildings for pedestrians could be the soundest infrastructure investments we could make — on multiple levels.

That’s the overarching message made by Jeff Speck, author of a new book called: Walkable City: How Downtown can save America one step at a time. Speck was in Atlanta last week speaking to a group of the Midtown Alliance and conducting an all-day workshop for the Congress of New Urbanism – Atlanta.

Posted inDavid Pendered

Atlanta, Evander Holyfield, to honor trailblazing firefighters, first black world champ middleweight boxer

by David Pendered

Atlanta on Monday will commemorate its 50th anniversary of the hiring of the city’s first African American firefighters. Their first day of work was April 1, 1963.

There’s more to the event than meets the eye – including a total omission of the department’s integration on the city’s website.

The ceremony actually is to honor three aspects of the city’s history – the integration of the fire department; the city’s first seven African-American female firefighters, hired in 1977; and boxing champion Tiger Flowers (1895-1927), who lived in a 20-room mansion on the site where a fire station was built and where the ceremony will be observed.

Posted inATL Business Chronicle, Maria's Metro

Former Gov. Roy Barnes: State has made strides versus cancer

Avatar photo by Maria Saporta

By Maria Saporta
Published in the Atlanta Business Chronicle on Friday, March 29, 2013

In February of 2000, then-Gov. Roy Barnes began coalescing a team of leaders to turn Georgia from a “worst to first” leader in the fields of cancer research and treatment.

He envisioned a $1 billion public-private initiative that would lead to the establishment of a comprehensive National Cancer Institute center in the state, to attracting 150 cancer scientists and clinicians, to building cancer care centers across the state, to becoming a leading center for clinical trials, to creating a tissue bank, and to increasing the survivability rates for thousands of Georgians who had been diagnosed with cancer.

Posted inGuest Column

The ‘farm-to-table’ movement — more fundamental than a fashion trend

by Teresa Johnston

By Guest Columnist MERIDITH FORD, editorial director of the Reynolds Group in Atlanta

A recent meal in Providence, R.I., sent my brain on a trip. The journey? Trying to define, once and for all, what the term “farm to table” actually means. I’m not sure, after so many years of overuse, it means anything anymore.

The meal was at a much-talked about restaurant, the Dorrance, where the chef, Ben Sukle, mines the mastery of this lauded movement with the precision of a dental hygienist.

Posted inDavid Pendered

Legislature OKs $8.1 million for Xpress buses, stalls MARTA reorganization plan until next year

by David Pendered

Two transit measures that are important to metro Atlanta commuters were resolved when the state Legislature ended its 2013 session late Thursday.

The Xpress bus service received $8.1 million in funding, which will enable the commuter bus program operated by GRTA to continue its service through the fiscal year that begins July 1. An additional $567,000 will keep buses running through June 30.

A proposal to reorganize MARTA and privatize some of its operations stalled in the Senate and is eligible for reconsideration in the Legislature’s 2014 session.

Posted inEleanor Ringel Cater

‘No’ – political satire about 1988 election of Chilean leader Pinochet

Avatar photo by Eleanor Ringel Cater

Chile.

1988.

Tyrannical despot (is that redundant?) Augusto Pinochet has just (for the heck of it ?) called for a referendum on his leadership.

This is not a gracious gesture on his part. Under his iron-fisted rule, voting against him would be like voting against your right to breathe.

But as it turns out, there are many in Chile who would rather hold their breath indefinitely than rubber-stamp Pinochet’s right to rule.

Posted inDavid Pendered

Cityhood proposals in northern DeKalb County gain steam in Legislature for vote in 2014

by David Pendered

The ball is officially rolling on proposals to create one or more cities in northern DeKalb County.

Two DeKalb lawmakers filed legislation Monday that starts the two-year process of determining the feasibility of one or more new cities. If any of the proposals are deemed appropriate by the Legislature when it reconvenes in 2014, voters of the proposed cities could vote to incorporate their area as early as Sept. 16, 2014.

The general borders of the area to be reviewed are, roughly, I-85 to the west; North Druid Hills Road to the south; and I-285 to the north and east – except that the review will include part of the community of Tucker, located north of I-285.

Posted inDavid Pendered

Campaign season begins at Atlanta City Hall; issue for early sparring was proposed mural in Little Five Points

by David Pendered

Election season is rising at Atlanta City Hall, even though candidates won’t be able to qualify for seats until Aug. 26.

On Wednesday, the public tussle was over a proposed mural in Little Five Points. The painting is the kind of thing that used to appear on a building overnight, with no prior discussion other than among the anonymous artists.

Atlanta resident Ron Shakir demanded to know if the proposed mural had received all the required approvals before the Zoning Committee signed off on it. Then he raised a number of questions that foreshadow the issue of open government and consistent process that’s slated to be highlighted at a “gathering” planned for Friday at City Hall by mayoral candidates Al Bartell and Paul Luna.

Posted inATL Business Chronicle, Maria's Metro

Column: Stephanie Blank to chair Alliance Theatre’s 2013 Tony Gala

Avatar photo by Maria Saporta

By Maria Saporta

Published in the Atlanta Business Chronicle on Friday, March 22, 2013

Philanthropist Stephanie Blank is combining two of her passions — early education and the arts — by chairing the Alliance Theatre’s 2013 A Tony Evening Gala on May 18.

The event will benefit the Alliance Theatre’s educational programming for youth and families. Tony Award-winning actress Jane Krakowski, of TV’s “30 Rock”, will headline the Alliance Theatre’s gala this year.

Posted inDavid Pendered

Metro Atlanta’s planned export strategy could sharpen strong existing trade programs

by David Pendered

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed’s decision to have the city lead the creation of a regional export strategy by this summer aims to maintain metro Atlanta’s standing among the world’s competitive alpha trade centers.

The end result is to be a stronger regional economy. Ancillary benefits would include cultural and other aspects of metro life.

Georgia already has achieved measurable gains in its international status, according to an intriguing 2012 report by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce that hasn’t received much local attention.

Posted inTom Baxter

Ominous signs for rural Georgia as hospitals shut their doors

Avatar photo by Tom Baxter

Jimmy Lewis is a man known for dire predictions.

The CEO of HomeTown Health, which represents more than 50 rural Georgia hospitals, he peppers his regular email messages to his clients with urgent warnings to hoard every penny of cash they can get their hands on, and as a lobbyist his testimony has caused the chair of one committee to complain that he always says the sky is falling.

Ominously, his predictions are starting to come true. Lewis forecast at the beginning of the year that five to six rural hospitals might be forced to close in 2013, and already there have been two. Calhoun Memorial Hospital in Arlington closed in February, and Stewart-Webster Hospital in Richland shut its doors last week.

Posted inMaria's Metro

As historic buildings disappear, Atlanta losing its sense of place

Avatar photo by Maria Saporta

Atlanta can be such a disorienting city.

One day a building can be standing on a corner waiting for you like a old friend.

And the next day it’s gone. No warning. Just gone.

That’s what happened to me a few weeks ago when I was driving on Ponce de Leon Avenue going west towards Peachtree Street. A vacant lot at Juniper Street hit me in the face where a familiar building once stood.

The first office building ever designed by world-renowned architect I.M. Pei had vanished — just like that. Once again, Atlanta had erased an important part of its physical history with barely a whimper.

Posted inDavid Pendered

Richard Florida, Joel Kotkin duel as Georgia report presents sober outlook on labor economy, immigration

by David Pendered

A recent report on Georgia’s economy fits right into a debate raging in real time between the urban theorists Richard Florida and Joel Kotkin.

Last week, the battle of titans spilled out in the “Daily Beast.” Kotkin started it with a piece headlined: “Florida Concedes Limits of Creative Class.” Florida fired back the next day under a headline that concluded: “Not So Fast, Joel Kotkin.”

Somewhere in the middle is an economic report on Georgia, which Tom Baxter brought to attention in saportareport.com. The report whispers (in comparison to the theorists) that the workers who farm and build, cook and clean – and perform other such “non-skilled” jobs – are essential to the keeping the state’s economy afloat.

Posted inATL Business Chronicle, Maria's Metro

Global Cities Initiative: ‘City-states’ key to future economic growth

Avatar photo by Maria Saporta

By Maria Saporta

Published in the Atlanta Business Chronicle on Friday, March 22, 2013

The economic and political power of cities and metropolitan areas continues to grow as more and more people gravitate to urban areas — both in the United States and around the world.

Harnessing and leveraging cities’ economic potential holds the key to our ability to compete and thrive. And the world’s top cities, such as Atlanta, must find what makes them unique and distinct as they build their own regional economies.

Posted inGuest Column

A love-hate relationship with the recession teaches life-long lessons

by Teresa Johnston

By Guest Columnist HEATHER ALHADEFF, president of Center Forward, a woman-owned land-use and transportation consulting business

My incessantly analytical brain is ruled by logic. So, to me it just made sense — evolve or die on the proverbial vine. It did take me a while, however, to realize I was hating the very thing I should love.

This incredibly distressing recession required me to question all assumptions. In so doing, it prompted me to launch my own business, doing the work I love while creating more time for friends and family.

Posted inEleanor Ringel Cater

‘Spring Breakers;’ ‘The Gatekeepers’ — two completely different movies

Avatar photo by Eleanor Ringel Cater

There are two movies opening this weekend, and I don’t want you to get them mixed up.

One is “Spring Breakers.” The other one is “The Gatekeepers.”

The first one is a “t-and-a” comedy (not necessarily intentional) about four girls in bikinis who get busted and end up working for James Franco.

I know. It also sounds awfully close to “Beach Blanket Butts.” However, the director is Harmony Korine who, if you haven’t already heard of him, specializes in the sort of calculated smut that’s supposed to be a turn-on in a forbidden-fruit sort of way.

Posted inDavid Pendered

MARTA, developers may start projects at three stations by early fall

by David Pendered

Proposed developments at three MARTA stations are so hot that they could start in a matter of months, according to MARTA records.

The proposals involve the stations of Avondale, Chamblee and King Memorial. Each proposal has “advanced to the point of the board’s decision/action and could be put into action this summer or early fall,” records show.

MARTA can’t wait for a consultant to be hired in May to handle the proposals. Instead, MARTA seeks to hire a consultant to work on these projects over the next 60 to 90 days. Bids for the consulting position close March 25.

Posted inDavid Pendered

ATL concessions: FAA closes inquiry, decides not to appeal GDOT’s rulings that helped four firms win contracts

by David Pendered

The FAA’s review of concessions contracts at Atlanta’s airport has ended with no plan to appeal the matter to the U.S. DOT, the FAA announced Thursday.

The decision evidently means that the $3 billion concessions contracts signed in March 2012 by Mayor Kasim Reed will stand without further governmental inquiry.

Reed’s administration did not issue a statement, but did forward the FAA announcement 13 minutes after its release by the FAA. Reed and his administration had maintained throughout the contract process and subsequent review that the city’s process was above board and without reproach.

Posted inATL Business Chronicle, Maria's Metro

Column: Atlantans helping world’s poorest at Opportunity International

Avatar photo by Maria Saporta

By Maria Saporta

Published in the Atlanta Business Chronicle on Friday, March 15, 2013

Atlanta native Vicki Escarra, formerly the highest-ranking woman executive at Delta Air Lines Inc. as its chief marketing officer, introduced her newest cause — Opportunity International — at a reception at the Buckhead Club on March 11.

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