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by thatlisagirl from atlanta

Last Post 18 days, 1 hour Ago


Oh Woe's City of Atlanta
May 1, 2008 | 10:12 AM
Category: News
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It is sad...truly, and also amazing.

Decades of corruption have come to a head, resting on a shoulder. The bad part about this is its not just about the airing of dirty laundry, but from former Mayors' of the past. We hear of employee personal spending IN THE THOUSANDS with those city credit cards, underestimation with computer upgrades costing twice as much, judgements against the city for not paying employee the OT when they were asked to work it, federal funding given to the sewer system that was mis-spent...the list goes on and on.

What is truly amazing is the audacity of Mayor Franklin to CONSIDER asking the citizens, who are already paying stellar property taxes and water bills, to AGAIN to PAY MORE in taxes!  Why is it that when as an individual, you have to bear the brunt of the choices you make if you make a bad investment or spend frivously, there is nobody that has to pick you up from your fall unless someone wants to pick you up. BUT!!!! If you are elected to a position with the empowerment to spend the tax payers money and there is a windfall shortage in the MILLIONS....hit up the tax payer again?

The nerve.

What happened to the contractor that misquoted the computer upgrade? Why was that not reduced to only the necessary systems needed or a better question would be how extensive did they shop for the best estimate before they committed to the upgrade? Why were the employees that used the city credit card for personal use forced to return the money spent by taking it out of their checks? Why did the federal monies given for the sewer system NOT go to the sewer system and, evidently, to other projects that were not on the slate?

It is my opinion that the captain of the ship is responsible for the crew AND if there is anyone that should be let go, is the captain and the mates conspired to commit the acts...TO WALK THE PLANK! Its not for the citizens to keep picking up where the city government keeps F-ing up!

The City of Atlanta is going to be a ghost-town before long!

 

 

 

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Member Comments Total Comments: 5
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normal read my blog
May 5, 2008 | 2:10 PM

After spending over thirty years as a local civil servant, I can assure you that when a politician or a city department head issues a stupid statement like"must have placed the decimal point in the wrong place" that something else is going on. these people do not get promoted to that postion or elected because they are stupid.
In some cities in the metro area the citizens are getting fed up and fighting back.

get involved in your local government, it is truly your money!
thatlisagirl read my blog view my photos
May 5, 2008 | 5:55 PM

I dont disagree with that statement...BUT...the ONLY time we hear of something like this is when the damage has been done...or if you know someone involved and if its something good for them...they aint talking either!
normal read my blog
May 5, 2008 | 8:49 PM

People really do need to get involved in their local government process.
don't take me wrong there are some really good politicians out there and there are some very bad ones also.
most people have no idea what kind of perks these people get and if they did they would demand better governments.
in some cities in the metro Atlanta a city politician gets into the employee retirement fund at a executive rate of pay and can draw a full retirement for just one term in office, health insurance ,paid trips and not to mention credit cards and free gasoline.its really better than winning the lottery! and they want to raise taxes?
Cromagnon read my blog view my photos
May 5, 2008 | 9:58 PM

You can be 'INVOLVED' as much as you want to in your local government but you are not going to stave off CORRUPTION. Atlanta's problems began during the days of Maynard Jackson and possibly even earlier. I think Shirley Girl is actually trying to get the books right. Look, this mess was here before she got there, her crime is that she is the FIRST ONE to try and solve the problem.
I don't want to sound like I support her for every decision she makes but this is just one of those "TREATMENTS" that are going to hurt.
thatlisagirl read my blog view my photos
May 5, 2008 | 10:36 PM

hence, the beginning of the blog...everything is resting on ONE shoulder...Shirley's. And I completly agree she was trying to set the pace forward instead of backward. I can see her calling those former mayors that are still alive, asking them WTF?!

However, the question still remains and will probably never be answered...where is the money? Where did it go, and WHY did it go?

There was only one occurence (that we know of) regarding the payroll error, and all but 2 employees paid the overage back, what about the other $140 million? I dont believe the family of Kathryn Johnston has sued the city yet, and when they do...watch out. But THE POINT is...I have never heard any sort of accountability regarding the losses and what Ms. Franklin is DOING or HAS DONE to rectify the situation: for example suspension without pay, payroll deductions until the losses the employees misapproprated with personal purchases are paid and so forth and so on. I do see that many lower level employees have been fired, makes you wonder how many of the upper crusted employees have been fired. I mean, that is where alot of the money is....

.....and, Normal....I dont believe that it was intended for the city employees to receive free gasoline for their personal use, and if it was, its completly ludicrous, no matter what the price of fuel is, and credit cards were not supposed to be for personal needs, but for business. I guess thats why they call it "interpretation" and why city of Atlanta residents are going to have to pay more if they want to continue to reside there.
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thatlisagirl

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