Monday, August 22, 2005

I'm still waiting on her to make us proud.

Franklin signs ban on panhandling

By TY TAGAMIThe Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionPublished on: 08/22/05

Saying you want money for nothing is officially illegal in downtown Atlanta and at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site.
Mayor Shirley Franklin has quietly signed legislation that bans verbal panhandling in those tourist destinations.
The ordinance restricting "commercial solicitation" was adopted by city council Aug. 15 after two months of heated public hearings, where business people fed up with beggars were pitted against free speech advocates crusading for the homeless. Franklin signed it Friday and is expected to deliver it to the city clerk's office today.
The law makes it illegal to ask for money or other valuables in a public place "under circumstances where a reasonable person would understand that the purchase is a donation."
The Atlanta Police Department will begin enforcement immediately, said Lt. Trudy Boyce, the downtown day watch commander. That doesn't mean arrests will be immediate, but it does mean that a specially trained team of five officers could begin referring some panhandlers to social services Tuesday, she said.
It could take at least a month until the law is fully enforced, said David Edwards, a program management officer who handles special assignments for the mayor. Signs must be installed to clarify where the ban will be in effect, and police from other jurisdictions — MARTA, the Capitol police, the National Park Service and Georgia State University — must be notified, he said.
An all-out ban on verbal begging — one can still ask for money silently, with a sign — is in effect in a so-called "tourist triangle" that extends from Martin Luther King Jr. Drive northward to Ralph McGill Boulevard and from Marietta Street eastward to Piedmont Avenue.
Franklin wanted the downtown ban, and the council added the King site last week. That added area is enclosed by Auburn Avenue, Jackson Street, Irwin Street and

Thursday, August 11, 2005

I'm a christian

I'm a Christian


When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I'm clean living."
I'm whispering "I was lost,"
Now I'm found and forgiven.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble

and need CHRIST to be my guide.


When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
and need HIS strength to carry on.

When I say... "I am a Christian"

I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
and need God to clean my mess.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible,

but God believes I am worth it.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain,
I have my share of heartaches
So I call upon His name.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not holier than thou
I'm was just a simple sinner

Who received God's good grace, somehow.

by Maya Angelou

Sunday, August 07, 2005

My take on the Birmingham Domed Stadium Issue

As an avid supporter of a domed stadium, I must say that I am appalled
at the progress that this project has made so far. I must ask; What
in the world are our elected officials doing?
A domed stadium should not be funded solely on the backs of citizens.
That will only raise already higher taxes, particularly since our
great County Commission has added an extra tax that does not have a
proven benefit for the quality of education; but I digress.
It takes neither a rocket scientist nor a political pundit to
understand the concept of a private-public relationship. We must
heavily rely on the private sector for financial backing for a domed
stadium.
Having a domed stadium would be beneficial on all levels of government
by increased tourism, which would fill our coffers for better roads, a
stronger police force, and a quality education for our children.
Words cannot express my disgust for our elected officials and their
torpor towards the economic development of this city county and state.
However it would not be surprising to see the dome project receive
support if it was in a location such as Bessemer or Hoover.
We must hold our officials accountable particularly on the city and
county level and fight for transformation of our leadership in the
upcoming elections.