agree that there is a frightful double standard that some folks choose to ignore, this may not be the best way to approach the argument. It seems to me that your anger, while completely justified IMHO, is getting in the way of rational discourse and putting our political and ideological opponents on the defensive. I disagree like hell with Davids mom, but I do try not to put her on the defensive because it never leads to anything but a fight, and she's fairly polite up until that point.

Now, Main Stream, on the other hand... go nuts!

"We don't need to vote the Democrats out of office and replace them with Republicans, and we don't need to vote the Republicans out of office and replace them with Democrats. We need to vote them all out and replace them with better people.

Most of the recent video I've seen on the local news channels has been primarily of black people flooded out of their homes and apartments. Where is Sonny? I haven't seen him fill one sand bag or fly over any flooded areas in a helicopter...he must hate black people.

My wife came home and was telling me about almost being hit coming down Peachtree Pkwy and a high speed pursuit. I had to run up to McIntosh HS and was on Robertson Rd. going to Hwy 54(ptc) about 6:25 and a dark colored small car came by me going south at a high rate of speed and 3
patrol cars were chasing them. I went up to McIntosh and was returning and saw GSP headed East on 54 going about 70-80. Dont know what was happening but it looked like they wanted this person really bad.

Obama's weapon of Choice!

and the police vehicles came flying by in the other direction with sirens blaring. Wondering about the car ahead of them that was going at a high rate of speed. Was the perp caught?

Now why in the heck would you use those hateful words "dark, colored"---- you gonna provoke a march or something. Snifflemati would be out there too protecting the rights of high speed motorists but he's too busy campaigning. Just shoot away at the car. It's a race neutral strategy.

We just make all inside PTC roads a speed zone at 25 MPH.
Most of the Parkway is now a speed zone for schools.

Doesn't need to flash a light, it is everywhere!

Hey we get $200 a month rent off the TC!

ptc207, surely your posting was a joke right? Because, obviously you haven't been to the concerts. The crowds are smaller this year than anytime I can remember! At least on Friday nights when I attend. And while part of the cause can be attributed to the economy, a big reason is the lineup. I don't know Nancy or Sara personally and certainly don't have anything against them (I hope they do well), me thinks you must be one of Nancy and/or Sara's friend trying to....well to be honest I don't know what the point of the posting is since it is factually incorrect.

Did anyone ever tell you, That you never give money up front on something like roofing. Never, Never, Never. You call your insurance company and see if you need a new roof, if caused by hail or other weather related damage. If you do, your insurance company will work with whomever you choose. You have to come up with the deductible on your insurance policy and anything extra the insurance doesn't cover, like a better roofing material, or whatever. If not damaged by weather then the cost will be all up to you, but you still do not pay up front. If they want money up front and won't do it any other way then find another legitimate roofing company, this company is not legit. If this company still has not replaced your roof after trying to contact them and them not responding and paying them $5,000 up front, then they are crooks, call the Sheriff. If they are still doing business in this County they should be shut down if not doing what they say they will do. Buyer beware always. Once they have your money, they have no incentive to do your roof or anything else for that matter.

We had our roof replaced over 10 years ago. No money changed hands until the final inspection was done on our new roof and that is the way it should be.

Calling your insurance company to see if you need a new roof is very bad advice. If you don't need one, it can still be counted as a claim. Just an inquiring phone call a can be added to an insurance database making you more eligible to be dropped if you have other claims within a certain time period.

However, you are correct about not paying anything up front. A reputable company would never ask for payment up front.

Well, instead of me just picking on the Health Insurance Companies maybe we should start giving the whole Insurance industry a going over. Seems like something is wrong here in the Good Old U.S.A. if all you do is make a phone call to your insurance company and they raise your rates. Yep, one more thing for the President to take a look at. Ummmm wonder how much the CEO'S of all the rest of the Insurance Industry makes. Wanna make a bet, it is out of the ball park?
I have to say 10 years ago, I did exactly that. I called my insurance Co. after a weather event, they came out, yep needed a new roof, and it was paid for and my rates stayed the same. Up until Katrina that is, since then my rates have gone up every year with not one claim and no I don't live near the Gulf, Bay or Ocean. Something has happened to this Country, in the last 10 years. I think Greedy Corporations took over, while we were all asleep at the wheel.

the insurance companies, and the mortgage companies, as well as the credit card companies, have been let run wild. Anything goes.

It gets down to paid lobbyist that wine and dine our congressmen. What has happened in this country is crime on a grand scale by those who were already almost vulgarly rich. Take the head of Countywide as an example.

I watched as he, and several others were pulled in front of congress and questioned. They should have gone to jail but nothing has been done with them. Countrywide gave loans to our congressmen that no one else could get. They should be locked up too. As they sat there with their low interest rate, they knowingly let countrywide suck the life out of the little guy.

give loans to politicians "no one else could get." While I have no love for those investigated in congress recently, the facts said that the loans they got weren't loans no one else received, and weren't the "best" rates/terms/fees that Countrywide was giving out. Try again.

Two U.S. senators, two former Cabinet members, and a former ambassador to the United Nations received loans from Countrywide Financial through a little-known program that waived points, lender fees, and company borrowing rules for prominent people.

Senators Christopher Dodd, Democrat from Connecticut and chairman of the Banking Committee, and Kent Conrad, Democrat from North Dakota, chairman of the Budget Committee and a member of the Finance Committee, refinanced properties through Countrywide’s “V.I.P.” program in 2003 and 2004, according to company documents and emails and a former employee familiar with the loans.

Other participants in the V.I.P. program included former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Alphonso Jackson, former Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala, and former U.N. ambassador and assistant Secretary of State Richard Holbrooke. Jackson was deputy H.U.D. secretary in the Bush administration when he received the loans in 2003. Shalala, who received two loans in 2002, had by then left the Clinton administration for her current position as president of the University of Miami. She is scheduled to receive a Presidential Medal of Freedom on June 19.

Holbrooke, whose stint as U.N. ambassador ended in 2001, was also working in the private sector when he and his family received V.I.P. loans. He was an adviser to Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign.

James Johnson, who had been advising presidential candidate Barack Obama on the selection of a running mate, resigned from the Obama campaign Wednesday after the Wall Street Journal reported that he received Countrywide loans at below-market rates.

Most of the officials belonged to a group of V.I.P. loan recipients known in company documents and emails as “F.O.A.'s”—Friends of Angelo, a reference to Countrywide chief executive Angelo Mozilo. While the V.I.P. program also serviced friends and contacts of other Countrywide executives, the F.O.A.’s made up the biggest subset.

This has been a scandal the news media hasn't covered that much. The so called 'Ethics committe' of the government found them 'not guilty', but then I think it came out that some on the 'Ethics committe' had also gotten the same kind of loans. There were 2 politicos..on Dan Mather show this week, they were talking about it and the fact that no one was prosecuted. They also mentioned about people on the 'ethics committee' getting the same loans. What a joke our government is.

loans were about 7.5 to 6.5 for most people...the VIPs in question already had good loans, below .05....they were refinanced again down into the .4 and .045 range and charged no points.

I have a loan with countrywide, now Bank of America, at .075...I have begged to have it lowered with the new Obama program. They put retards on the phone that will not help you. That is the whole point of it. To make sure you give up and go away and they can suck every dollar youve got out of you while they give our law makers very different treatment.

I do not give up easily. On one occasion, they told me they were just lowering their rates 'for their good customers', that came from the mouth of nothing less than a supervisor.

On another occasion, I was told they were only working with people with .08 and above and that I didn't quality.

Another occasion, you make too much you don't qualify. I'm retired on a small pension.

Still another occasion, I was told I didn't make enough and that I was just going to loose my house anyway and that I should have known better than to buy something I couldn't afford! I swear on my child's life, they really said that!

The most arrogant thing they did was put on a recording telling people they knew who was eligible, that you need not call, they would identify you and get in touch with you.

In the end, they will eat up every penny of our tax dollars the governement has given them to lower interest rates and we won't see a dime of it.

They have lett everyone f@@@jk the little guys till there is nothing left of us to even pay taxes.

I don't respect these people. Anyone could be rich if they figure out legal ways to steal you blind and they have friends in high places that help them do it. The truth is that most people have more ethics and tolerate the scum, but now it has gotten so bad, the public can't function after being sucked dry.

Check your PM's on the other site.
-------------------------------------------
Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.

Otay!

Obama.... The Bernie Madoff Of Washington

you would like PTC alot. We have been here for 23 years. Just about anyplace in PTC is good. The closer you are on the northside from Hyw 54 & Peachtree Parkway to Hwy 74 would be a faster trip to Atlanta which for me ,I can get to the airport in 27 minutes and downtown in good traffic in 40-45 minutes. If you consider Tyrone ,they have some beautiful houses,smaller town right off HYw 74 but you will hear a train ...you have to decide if that's something you want. I know some nice realtors that would help you find something. There was a beautiful house for sale on a neighborhood lake & its right on the Fayetteville/PTC line right off Hyw 54 , I could send you the info on that if you like. BJ

thank you kindly, not looking for a home just yet, just an apartment.

Being a great server doesn't guarantee a great tip. Some people just aren't going to leave a decent tip no matter how well the service is.

I agree. So many factors affect the amount of your tip - being a good server is almost trivial.

Did I read this right? You were there and bought cigarettes?

Yet, you don't want cigarettes sold?

Does a family helper selling them mean that she smokes?

What did the cop say about the sale to a youngster? (No evidence?)

Sorry about the big smile!

A 12 year old boy accidently shot his 10 year old brother in the back of the head with a pistol. The boy is in intensive care at Egleston. My prayers are for that family and the boy's survival and recovery.

Bad timing. They aren't getting any customers now?

Lay-off!

Mind your own business.

I yam what I yam....Popeye

Hmmmm. Interesting that the girls confessed to bringing alcohol to the game, drinking during the game, screaming "We're Drunk!" into the stands, etc. The charges were dropped because no McIntosh administrators attended the hearing. "Innocent" and "charges dropped" are two very different things indeed. Wake up and smell the Kahlua, mom, your girl did it. Wait until you find out what else she's done.

I'm glad you had access to what was written by every single girl. That would make you an administrator or a parent of the accused...I doubt it...and no, all of them did NOT confess to bringing alcohol to the game and drinking during the game. The administration is on to your "craziness" and has realized they made a mistake that's why they didn't attend the hearing. You know, if they were guilty then the administration would have attended the hearing. Blood tests and urine tests do NOT lie. Video tapes of the game and in the parking lot, do not lie. Only mean viscious people lie. The lawyers had evidence and there's not a court in this nation that would find all of them guilty with that proof or lack of proof. I said 6 of the 8 were innocent, not all 8. You did not see/hear all 8 yell into the stands "I'm drunk". I don't drink kahlua or anything else for that matter. Definetly, positively, without a doubt - most of them are INNOCENT! You need to raise your own kids - based on rumors sounds like they have issues of their own that need attention from a good parent. Should I believe all the accusations/rumors that I hear?

Not Involved,

DITTO to all of your comments! You know it will drive her crazy to hear that they are innocent. She can't stand that everyone finally knows that she is wrong, but really, don't waste your time trying to get an apology from someone that will never admit she made a mistake. She will contiue to drag you down with her if you let her.

"Monkey See, Monkey Do..." When parents stir things up, so do their kids. When parents lie, cheat and put others down, so do their kids. When parents are alcoholics so are their kids. (usually) Children live what they learn...

BTW-you stole my new name..."Not Involved!" hahahaha...

They should play Jonesboro next year the you could really have a half time show.. With poles and all....................PEACE

LINK

The above link goes to Sugarfoot's post on how to obtain the salary of any member of the board of education. There's an online site hosted by the state of Georgia.

I've also been dismayed that Fayette compares themselves to much larger systems. If we had OUR school students with THEIR infrastructures I truly believe we could have one of the top ten school systems in the entire United States of America.

I am, however, convinced that we're not too top heavy in the school hierarchy. We have one superintendent, and the two assistant superintendents (one for teachers and curriculum, the other for physical buildings and infrastructure). That's not out of line for a system of our size. I'd be interested in hearing what the "deputy superintendent" does on a daily basis, though!

I hear he good Dr. O is on the R.O.A.D. Retired on active duty.

Thanks. Pretty cool.

I'll take the 12-string Taylor and the Gibson Hummingbird.

____________________

"Puddleglum" by Weatherwax (one of the Muddlings).

Jeeves to the Rescue

Maybe I can help you understand the lack of praise for a long-serving sheriff.

I don't personally know the old sheriff or the new one.
I have lived here in Georgia for 28 years and my understanding of such things here is that we still haven't gotten over the uses the old sheriffs were put to in the days gone by.
In order to be elected they were required to do and say the same things the citizens who voted said that they should.
Some very bad things happened to minorities and to travelers and also to local citizens who didn't agree with how law enforcement was carried out, or not carried out.

It is unlikely that the last sheriff entered into much if any of that kind of thing, but he is probably the last of the holdovers and will be required to suffer some tinges of others malfunctions.

Much of County History should not be preserved for everyone to see, but it should be written down for those who wish to see it can.

As to the new Deputy (I assume you mean Sheriff) attending Mandate school, I assume that is what his job is supposed to be. Why would he not attend and why wouldn't we pay for it?

Research on just what the important things are for a sheriff are pretty simple:
Is the officer delegated to arrest other law officers in his county who violate the law and has a warrant to do so. They won't
arrest each other!
Keeps the peace in unincorporated parts of the county.
Runs the jail and protects the court.

I don't really see how this is a quality-of-life issue. The traffic light is actually a quality-of-life issue, whereas the swearing in ceremony, though historically significant (I suppose), doesn't really effect anyone.

This is only the tip of the iceberg. I am a senior citizen type of taxpayer. I have paid tax longer than most of these illegals have been alive. It is my personal opinion that unless your parents are legal citizens you should not be eligible for welfare,medicaid,foodstamps or any other taxpayer funded programs. Just because you make it across the border before you give birth should not determine the citizenship of the infant. Give the parents a choice of leaving the baby and returning to Mexico or having the baby deported with the parents. It seems like the system now makes the taxpayers on the hook for the child and their illegal parents. I'm sick of a system that rewards deadbeats.

Babies aren't deadbeats!
Even though they may be of Mexican descent, Italian, French, English, German, Japanese, Chinese, Hungarian, Lebanese, even of Arabic descent, they are not deadbeats as babies!

I assume one doesn't have to be a third or fourth generation southerner from starving Ireland, and a "Christian, or off the Mayflower, to be a baby who is not a deadbeat!

After all Jesus was a Jew and not even an American Citizen! Not even a Roman! Not a Persian, Not a Greek!

I'm pretty sure pomsmom wasn't referring to babies as deadbeats, but the illegals themselves.. although i don't think they're deadbeats. I am blaming more the "system" than them..

Quebec?

These guys like it, maybe, eh?

(I'll check it out. Thanks. )

____________________

"Puddleglum" by Weatherwax (one of the Muddlings).

Jeeves to the Rescue

There is a place just south of the chic-fil-a on the northbound side of hwy 85 selling oak firewood, or you can call Joyce Jones at 770-461-6928 and she will deliver for 95.00 a half cord.

I yam what I yam....Popeye

Thanks, Hutch, I owe you one !

Hadn't seen you on line...What are your thoughts on the election ?

Hope you are well.

http://www.iceskate.org
website for:
The Benton H. Wilcoxon Ice Complex, a two sheet facility serving the ice skating community in North Alabama.
This is a city-owned rink, just as proposed here.
This is not Dar's idea....I back him up, he isn't involved in any ownership.
Ice rinks are popping up around the country, yes even here in the south, as the game of hockey increases in popularity. Ever hear of the Atlanta Thrashers??????????

WOW you just dont get the point. AGAIN>>> it's not about whether it will fail or not: I hope it succeeds. It's not about Dar: I don't know him or anyone else proposing the idea. I have already complimented them on being successful business men who have the means to do this on their own. It's not about the sport: My family and I attend several Thrasher games each year. We went to one this season. Oh by the way, my son plays in the PTC roller hockey league. I'm sure he would enjoy playing on an ice hockey team too. What it is about is a free hand out with public money to open up a facility that will be run and profited by a private enterprise. So once again, if this is such a sure fire lock to be a great success let the folks who want to profit off of it build it themselves. Since everyone loves sarcasim in these blogs so much let me add mine: I like Burger King. There is not one in PTC. I'm sure based on the success of the BK's in Alabama and the north that one would be a great success here. There are 3 McDonald's, 2 Wendys, 1 Arbys, a few Chick-fil-a's blah blah blah. I think that having Whoppers available in PTC would be a great asset to our community. I have the means and the experience to operate a succcessful restaurant but I am not willing to risk the tremendous amount of money it would take to build one. Perhaps the tax payers could buy me the land and build the building and parking lot so I could open one up. I would have senoir discount day, discounted kid's meals and a playground complete with a slide and ball pit!!! There is not a person in this town that would be upset with a BK and most would use it at sometime or another but I doubt ANY OF THEM WOULD SUPPORT A BOND THAT PAYED FOR IT TO BE BUILT!!!!

apples and oranges. we (ptc) spend five-million dollars a year in recreation, none of which bring economic impact to the community. let me say it another way the citizens of ptc spend about five-million dollars a year in taxes that are directed toward recreation.

recreation is a very important component in any successful city and / or community, without it, communities crumble. having said that,i think the city has become very pro-active in their approach to make this sports complex viable for everyone, the taxpayer and the community. the private company that will come in and run the ice center will save the city about 20 million dollars over the next 20 years (20 year lease and 100% of operating cost). that is of course assuming that the city moved forward and did this project solely on their own, as with every other recreation venue we currently have. you are currently spending $4.00 to $5.00 a a month on an aquatic center that loses about one-million dollars a year. the city runs that facility.

i guess we could have it the other way, whereas we could pay three times the number that is currently proposed or we could have a company come in, and yes take much of the risk. they may make a few dollars along the way or they may lose a few dollars along the way. at the end of the day does it really matter?

if this project performs as designed, the economic impact should off-set your $2.18 per month tax increase and thus the net bottom line may in fact equal no added cost to the tax-payer.

just remember, this is about recreation, not about a business making money.

First off I dont think it's apples and oranges but I promise to leave my Burger King dream out of this. Second I really am intrigued by the idea of this Sports Complex and DON'T want the city to run it. It's my understanding that the tennis center, aquatic center and 'The Fred' all lose money. I do however have some questions that all taxpayers should have answered. 1: According to ptcsportsplex.com the bonds are for 9.95 million dollars for a 'turn key completed project'. If said project comes in over this cost where do the additional funds come from? Do we raise our taxes more or will we need to dig into the cities not-so-deep pockets for the rest? 2: The website also says this is for phase 1 of the project. Who is paying for phase 2 & 3? 3: I understand that we would not be the 1st city to build a sports arena and turn it over to a private business. Big cities do it all the time for professional sports teams. These venues bring in all the advantages and economic impacts that you have used in your arguments. The city raises tax money through bonds or sales taxes and the team signs a long term lease. Everybody wins. The only difference is that I believe you would be hard pressed to find one city that footed 100% of the construction costs for, and I quote from the website: "all site work, architect fees, construction management, building cost (86,000 s.f.), interior build-outs, interest on bond principle, and contingency fees". When the big cities do it with big businesses the tenant pays for a large percentage of these building costs. There are negotiations on who is going to pay what percentage for the building, parking facilities and the roadways. With the big cities it's hundreds of millions of dollars, with small cities it's 10 million. Apples to apples. Oranges to oranges. You can repeat your mantra of $2.18/month all you want but 100% paid by the taxpayers is still 100% paid by the tax payers. This is the "hand out" that I referred to in previous posts. Not to be too cynical but it seems like whenever a developer (like Group VI but not just them) proposes an idea to the city we just lay down and give them whatever they want. So I guess my third question is: Why 100%? 4: How long is this "long term lease" and what is the penalty or payment to the city if broken? I won't even ask my last question about the building being turned into a "city storage shed for large equipment and such" if the rink fails. I'm laughing too hard. But seriously, how about answering these questions for a hard working taxpayer and ten year resident of this fine city?

sorry...

I'll try to slow down...

and smell the roses...

next time...

They are good thing...

Where? Just kidding...

Your analogy actually makes a lot of sense. But that said, I would vote for the bond if the City ran the rink. But then you'd have to raise my taxes for operation and maintenance...so instead of that, why not just let a few single folks (the operators) take that expense from me as a taxpayer.

I voted for a bond for a Fieldhouse (Kedron) I don't use.

I voted for a bond for a library expansion I don't use.

I voted for a SPLOST for education for a system I don't have children in. And will probably vote for the next one too.

I voted for a SPLOST for cart paths I rarely use, and for roads in other parts of the County I will probably never travel on.

Why? Because I think these things are good for all of us. If we left it up to the private sector for things in PTC, we wouldn't have much anymore (that philosophy worked when it was a single-developer town, but now...not so much...). If it did, why don't we have a arts center or a "better" aquatic center? Because the private sector doesn't think it's good enough to put their money where their mouths are.

I think the recreation facilities down there are a good idea. I have $26 a year, and think I probably will for the next 20 years. I'd like to make sure that new folks who move into the area also pay for the benefits they receive, which is what a bond does.

Again, $26 a year. And in the end, if the private business folds, we get recreation facilities we can continue to use.

But, I also support that landowners can develop the land they buy according to the laws, too, so I'm guessing I'm just a horrible human (as most folks on this site seem to want to restrict landowners rights - see the people who want the rules on development changed to make sure no new buildings are built while existing buildings sit empty). Amazing hypocrisy there...sorry, off topic.

Vote for $26!

stated. i couldn't agree with you more! nor, could i have said it any better.

When we first came to Peachtree City one of the selling points was the Tennis Center. It gave the city something that was unique and was a big selling point.
For many the Ice Rink will be the same. For the pittance that it will raise the tax bill, it will add to the property values of your homes. Peachtree City is a great place to live because of all the recreation choices afforded us. The ice rink is just another option.

For those who are looking to make this a class warfare thing, well there is nothing I can say. Envy is a corrosive thing and that is what they have to live with.

The ice rink will be a selling point for future homeowners and will benefit our property values. Like the schools, the Tennis Center, the Aquatic Center, the soccer and baseball fields, and the cart paths, the ice rink will be a drawing card for Peachtree City and differentiate us from the rest of Atlanta. For 26 bucks a month or so, that is one hell of a bargain.

No one is "against" an ize rank!
If you want to build one, we will try to patronize it some.

But just why do you think none of these guys with all of these fancy ideas don't build it themselves? The answer is of course, it is not even close to being profitable--won't even pay half the debt and overhead!

Have you paid your share of the 1.5 million the Tennis Center owes? Did the Bank and the Pros take it with them in interest and bonuses?

I might even suggest that the developers, banks, etc., get together and build one together to promote their business! What do you think?

Each one can stick some kind of business on the end of it to gather the crowd of skaters.

If we can just have our old "planned" community we had when I moved here 22 years ago, my home will hold its value.

Nobody even thought of a "walled-in" road on 74, a jungle on 54 west, and it appears a new commercial doing along Robinson Road where all those dudes have their homes and land for sale!
They know they won't sell now--at least not for what they have been offered.

Passed those properties today and noticed the "sale" signs. Thought the multi-family rezoning for that corner was turned down. Are there some other shenanigans afoot? You know anything Jeff?

That land is estate residential not commercial. I saw the signs too but I don't know what's up.

Just as long as you and Dar sign for all expenses that me and my fellow PTC citizens will get charged for when it fails.

Better yet, why don't you and Dar put up ALL the money and just ask the city to donate the land?

P.S. singing over your house won't cut it.

'class warfare' and 'envy' have nothing to do with this debate. The point is that if this is an economically viable facility it should be built and run buy a private enterprise. A local government building a ice skating arena and a gym to be run and profited for by a private business makes no sense to me. never will. Again, there are much better ways to spend our tax dollars particularly in trying economic times when our county and city budgets are being cut to make ends meet. As far as 'class warfare' and 'envy', I am blessed with a comfortable living, finacial security and two wonderful children who play in several PTC sports leagues. Please stick with the facts of the question we are voting on and leave the mud slinging to the politicians.

Switch to the other site.

Go to chat

I, too, believe in separation of church and state; however, a firestation? I don't think that bottlenecking firestations with thousands of voters is what's best for the community. The firefighters need to be able to move expeditiously in the event of an emergency and not be hindered by the congestion of voters.

As for the schools, this should only be allowed if the students were given the day off from school. As a parent, I do not want thousands of strangers making their way into my childrens schools. This could be a potentially dangerous situation.

Maybe a better location would be an ice rink!

Another reason we use the empty church buildings to vote here in Fayette County, and in the Bible belt, is because there is a church built about every 500' feet or so and they do come in handy during voting time!

...do you really think we would lower ourselves to voting in taverns or saloons(as was the case some time back)? Not a bad idea, however, make mine Dewars.

and dismayed that anyone would be shocked and dismayed to have to enter a church to vote. Churches were often the cultural centers of activity back in the good old days. Of course back then, you probably wouldn't have been eligible to vote anyway.

The real cultural centers back in the day were taverns. In fact, most of the real business at the Constitutional Conventions was conducted at the City Tavern in Philadelphia....2nd and Walnut.

Are you that idiotic that you can't see why a church is a polling place, yes, for the reasons stated by the other blogger; however, no one is asking you to worship at that location. Be thankful that there are so many different locations so that you will not have to wait in incredibly long lines. Would you really want to clog up a firestation with the crowds on election day? Do you not think that might pose a safety hazard if there were an emergency and the trucks needed to get out? You said that it wasn't "your church" meaning you might actually attend a church, does that mean you would never set foot on another denomination's grounds? I would say how unchristian can you get, but that just crosses the boundaries of plain common sense.