Friday, January 24, 2003
Friday, January 24, 2003 |
| Sharing
just a few random thoughts as we begin the new year
By PATRICK STAFFORD Sharing just a few random thoughts as we begin the new year Sometimes you have to just stop writing mental notes to yourself and sit down and let folks know what is on your mind. Well, I have made it to that point today. Please allow me to provide you some random thoughts and tidbits that one or more of you also may have spent a little time thinking about this year (or even last). Here goes ... There is a changing of the guard in marquee players that help to fill National Basketball Association arenas. Yao Ming, the rookie center for the Houston Rockets, was in Atlanta recently to play the Atlanta Hawks. The Hawks missed this opportunity to market and hype this night, but still managed to draw the largest crowd of the year (thanks in part to a promotion to provide coats and donate some money to the homeless). Yao Ming will and has made the Rockets one of the NBA's best teams this year and will be back in February to participate in the All-Star Game. Do not miss the opportunity to see the future international direction of the NBA's marketing efforts for many years to come ... Yao Ming. When we go to the automatic teller machine ("money machines"), it is bad enough that we can not withdraw $5 or $10 each time ... but the categories begin in multiples of $20. It would be nice to be able to get multiples of $5. When we pay for gasoline at the pump ... we ought not to have to play twenty questions with the machine. Want a receipt? Want a car wash? Credit or debit? Look, machine ... you ought to be able to figure this out ... I just want some gasoline. Kroger and CVS should track how many folks do not shop at Kroger or CVS because of the need for a card to earn a discount. Traffic has been terrible to and from downtown in both the mornings and the evenings since Jan. 13, not because of the General Assembly being in session, but because of the new Cobb County and North Fulton Republican state employees heading to and from work without the use of mass transit options. Each state (and therefore the nation) could solve alot of economic woes and jump-start an economic recovery if they immediately (by March 1)presented each taxpayer a check for $2,000. The reciprocal impact on spending and subsequent recovery of some of this money by state sales taxes on items purchased would create a "feel good" attitude that would linger on through the end of the summer ... and lead any state out of a recession in late 2003. Downtown Atlanta parking lots should offer plenty of $1 an hour lots that would encourage folks to come downtown more during the day, run errands, and spur the economy of the central city. Everyone should visit a public library once a week; ride MARTA once a month; and read a newspaper once a day. I do not think that personal praise is what many folks seek when trying to do their jobs well. However, I believe that having one's efforts bear fruit is simply the primary goal and satisfaction one seeks. "Let not my efforts be in vain" is a personal favorite of mine. Everyone should hug their children, spouse, parents, and other loved ones as much as they can today ... because you need to let them know you appreciate them and love them. Do it today ... tomorrow is not promised to anyone! God Bless and Happy New Year! [Patrick Stafford is executive director of the Fulton Industrial Business Association. He can be reached at fibamail@bellsouth.net.]
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