Where Were You?
Reports show that less than 10% of you voted. In so doing, you let the zealots choose for you. They had the decency to show up.
In the Lithonia mayor’s race , 1 vote seperates first and second. In Mountain Park, the difference between getting in the run-off and being out in the cold is 13 votes. Fewer people could show up for the run-off.
The elections will have major impacts. For example, in Avondale Estates, the redevelopment plan will likely be shelved and change will be more hap-hazard. Doraville faces continued racial stress and tension between the council and police department. These are the people who decide who gets to build in your town, what kind of businesses there can be and how much you’ll pay in sales tax.
What those in government should take from this is that almost nobody cares. In fact, so few people care that a small number of folks can come in and topple everything. Even when elected, your base won’t be there when you need them.
Ironically, turnout in the February primary will be more than 5 times Tuesday’s turnout for an office that ultimately the people do not elect.
Hopefully this will serve as a wake up call and more people will vote in the December 4th. This means you!
November 8th, 2007 at 6:51 am
Actually local sales taxes must be approved by voter referendum and only counties (and the City of Atlanta) can place them on the ballot. City elected officials do decide however, whether you have a police department, fire department, how often garbage gets picked up, zoning and planning and how much you pay in city property taxes and other fees.
November 9th, 2007 at 7:30 am
How can you publish such nonsense about what the newly-elected officials will or will not do in Avondale Estates? Every candidate was for development. The only different is some candidates said they weren’t willing to continue the practice of backroom deals and instead bring development out into the open for the community to have input into what happens in their city. Nearly 50 percent of voters turned out in Avondale. That’s plenty of turnout to send a clear message the the Board as to what the city does and does not want from its government!
November 14th, 2007 at 7:00 am
Well said, amigo.
November 30th, 2007 at 3:16 pm
Honestly, I never know when any elections are except for the Presidential election. The others aren’t promoted as much - but those are the ones I think are votes could count more in. Thanks for atleast covering the topic - it’s something I need to be reminded of more.
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