Chris Horne's note on facebook/consolidation

So, anyone who is on Facebook should really check out Chris Horne's breakdown of city/county relations. It pretty well breaks down what all is going into the consolidation debate, and why it may or may not happen.

Noone really answered my question on my FB status, which was why are some Republicans against consolidation when "Republicans" are supposed to be for less government? I'd really like a real answer to this. For instance, Maurice Atkinson- I like you and we agree on a lot of things but I don't understand why you are not in favor of this. Allen Peake has been good about making his stance known, and at least asking his constituents how they feel.

And for those who aren't Republicans even, why are you against this? I'd like to know how, for instance, Elaine Lucas feels. And I'd like to hear it directly from her.

The funny thing is, Ms. Lucas came to speak to one of my poli sci classes at Mercer once. I really liked her,actually. Even though I disagree with her a lot politically, as a person she seemed really nice.

Anyways... could some local politicians please answer this for me? Thanks.

Lunch in Macon

So.... went to lunch yesterday. It was not good. The food itself was OK, but the desserts were generic. Like they came off of the Sysco truck. I was pretty irritated. Not only that but the server seemed like she just was not on top of her game. I had to tell her things more than once, and when I was ready to go she took her damn time bringing the check.

Now once the check came I was caught off guard: it was presented in a paperback book. Frankly, I thought she was just an airhead and ran out of check presenters. Only later did I find out it was done on purpose, apparently there are places in NYC doing that. I think maybe I would have gotten it but the whole atmosphere was just confusing to me. Like there wasn't a clear message.

The quiche was pretty damn good though- except the crust was burned AND falling off. And I like the crust! Oh well.

Things went better today. Went to Briandi's finally, as I keep hearing good stuff about them. Not only was MY sandwich good, and the service top notch, but even Bishop's child's grilled cheese was good. :) Probably the best grilled cheese I had! and they didn't try to use fancy cheese, it was American cheese, but somehow they managed to keep the consistency of the cheese perfectly creamy. I will be going back.

Meanwhile, it's Cherry Blossom time. I don't really have a problem with Cherry Blossom but I must say I got to see the founder of Cherry Blossom really show her you know what one time and it really put a bad taste in my mouth for anything she was associated with.

Welcome!

I think too many people state their opinions without this preface: this is simply my opinion, I reserve the right to change that opinion should my education on said subject change or other relevant information come to light. I will try my best to be as educated on said subject as possible before stating my opinion. I will respect the opinion of others to the fullest extent possible without thinking they are morons, unless of course they are morons.

I hope to encourage frank and honest, but open dialogue with this blog.

My own opinions on our city are as follows:

Our biggest problem is education. Education affects everything. If you have good schools, then people want to live here. If you have good schools, people want to bring business here. If you have good schools then the population is educated enough to properly contribute to their surroundings, rather than being a drain on it.

From there- the biggest problem that contributes to education is poverty. I’m not sure what the current poverty count is but I remember reading somewhere that a third of our population in the city lives below the poverty line. When people are more concerned about putting food on the table and simply surviving, they don’t always know that education is what will bring themselves and their children up out of that hole. There are execeptions to this theory, of course.

I don’t know the solution, but I would suspect it will take a combination of people CARING and coming together. People from all socio-economic backgrounds. People from north as well as south Macon, etc. I do NOT think this requires the help of government, but rather our government allowing private groups and churches and other civic organizations to come in and work with educating the parents and children of poverty. To help them put food on the table so long as they work to educate and better themselves, and perhaps a guarantee that once they become educated that they will then give back to the community that helped them.

Just some ideas… feel free to contribute yours!