Just curious, Have any of these walking signs caused you to go shop at the store mentioned on the sign?

Do you think Peachtree City Jewelers would have used them for 3 months before they closed?
Do you think they would waste their money if it wasn't working?

He closed. Must not have worked! Yes desperate people waste money.

on more than one occasion I wanted to smack whoever made that poor kid put on that hot and heavy costume and stand out in that boiling heat. I often wondered how they avoided sunstroke. I do worry about kids with buckets collecting for something that go between lanes of cars. Kinda dangerous. The only ones I ever give to in those situations are the firemen/women with the boots. I will give to them anytime, anywhere.

I'll bet you are terribly concerned about all the people mowing the grass in the heat, too?
Do you think ads work?
We will stop em all if they don't!

Wouldn't it be better to just raise your taxes and pay the firemen more, rather than have them beg?

Charities use firemen and policemen (on the phone) to raise money for them but they get a very small portion of what is raised.
They usually get a lump sum---not a percentage---usually between 2500 and 3000 dollars.
The phone raisers may get as much as a million!
Of course that is illegal due to tax deductions of the givers.

Bonkers - You really live up to you pen name, as you really are!

The firefighters who are standing at intersections and store fronts are not begging. They are raising money for the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation and its program "Give Burns the Boot". So the next time you see them, reach into your pocket and give them a buck for this worthy cause.

fool. If you have read many of his blogs you will know he opposes everything and everybody. Seems everyone but him knows that the firemen are collecting for a cause they believe in-not for their own benefit. Let's hope and pray (oops, right, he does not believe in either hope or prayer) that he never needs the services of the burn center or all the other things he knocks. I always go out of my way to find the firemen when I know they are out with their boots--as I also go out of my way to support the police with any of their local fund raising--just do not send to fund raising professionals. Thanks for your blog.

I have hope sometimes and I automatically pray sometimes (privately and don't menttion it).

I just said all that bragging about praying for nearly everything and doing no actual deeds puts it out of your hands.

Send the family a steak box or a $1000 bond, or a gift certificate for clothing. Do not put your name on it---too embarrassing for them.

Where is this "burn" center? (Is it Grady?)
Is it for people with no insurance? (Who get burned).

How much do they collect each year? Does the "burn" center spend it wisely? Do the locals keep any?
Could it be for charitable work other than paying hospitals and doctors? (grants, plastic surgeons, food, shelter, and the biggie--administration?)

I usually also put $1.00 in those poppy bowls and several at five points!

I prefer to let Salvation Army decide who gets such money, however.
I don't need the "reward" for dropping dollar bills in shoes.

Las Vegas with Bonkie Wonkie and his alters. Gonna be kinda crowded in that Prius. Maybe with all the money he'll save with all those coupons, etc. he will be able to afford to drop more than a dollar in those poppy bowls--(I think maybe he is ingesting some of that poppy). He could also take a minute to call a fire station and ask any of the firemen on duty to tell him about their worthwhile Burn project---I am sure they would be able to provide him with all the information, seeing that they are an honest up-front organization. People who donate get the reward of knowing that have done something for someone else and that is all the reward they need.

You know I think your suggestion to call the fire department and ask questions about something is the third or fourth time I have seen that suggestion given when anybody asks questions about working hours, two-three jobs each, schedules, stations, etc.

I know they have a designated public relations expert to give the spiel on all such stuff, but I want the facts and details not the intentions.

I remember many years ago while serving in the military, there were several fellows from New York City there and their one goal in life was to get on the NYC fire department.
At that time the pensions, graft, favors, time off, and low hours was a gold mine.
However it took clout to get on there. Irish and Italians had much the best chance.
You also owed for the job!!!!
That is not the case generally in small town set-ups, but it is an organization requiring a lot of publicity, freedom, and no nosy people.

I am sure all those firemen who put their lives on the line and in many instances lost their lives on 9/11 were really thinking about the graft, pensions etc. If you read or had someone read to you or watched the coverage during 9/11, you know many of those firemen were off and went in immediately upon learning of the situation.
Anyone with an ounce of sense looks for the best benefits and pay when they seek employment. But then no one ever accused you of having an ounce of sense. I just know you went to each and every prospective employer and said give me your dirtiest job with the most hours and the least pay. I hope if you ever have the need for a fire truck/firemen that you do run into just the kind you mention--out for graft, favors and time off. Maybe they will open a bottle of champagne (paid for with all that graft money you mention) and sit there and ponder if there is enough time before the end of their shift to even bother trying to fight your fire, as they eat their escargot and foie gras. I would be happy to stand there then and tell you "Yep, Bonks, for once you are right." But since we have a dedicated fire department that would never happen.
Oh, my next blog will be about Mother Teresa---just wanted you time to get all your misconceptions in a row. Did you happen to hear that she secretely made all those sick, poor and starving people she was supposedly helping out of the goodness of her heart give up their first born so she could sell them into slavery??

Most firemen will do their job when called upon. I didn't say they didn't! They are mostly very "nice" people to talk to also. Hasn't got much to do with why they are firemen.
Anyway I didn't mean to compare big city firemen to PTC.

Some of Mother Teresa's writings found after her death said she (after umpteen years in hell on the face of the earth with gross suffering)lost her faith in helping them and had many doubts. I think ahe was probably like many others who say they have enuring faith of some sort but aren't sure---how can they be?
Ig one knew whether they were to suffer for eternity or not I'm pretty sure they would live their life much differently!

She wasn't married and had no first born to anyone's knowledge unless very early in her life.

No where did I say I sent money to any organization making solicitations on the phone. In the first place those organizations do not use firemen and/or policemen to make calls. They use professional fund raisers and the ones doing the calling get the bulk of the money. If you question them they become very evasive and only admit they are professional fund raisers when you corner them. If you tell them that you will make a donation when they send you, in writing, a breakdown of how much actually goes to the organization and how much goes to 'administrative expenses etc, you do not hear from them until the next year when a new caller gets your number. I refuse to even talk with them on the phone. The firemen with the boots are usually not collecting for themselves but for a charity they are assisting. I don't know or do I care where you get your figures but they probably come from where your head seems to be most of the time from the garbage you post. Like I said before-take a pill and chill.

Are OK because of a Supreme Court decision.

They use to be restricted to just before the election. That got tossed as well.

They are legal on private property, which includes commercial. They are not legal on the right of ways and do get removed by the City.

Don Haddix
PTC Councilman
Post 1
donhaddix.com

...the follow up and clarification. It's a shame that local politicians will have a hand up over the kid who makes minimum wage.

What it means is using all of the Officers for every effort has resulted in uneven enforcement across the board.

This designate one officer to specialize in housing. There are tons of complaints and they need to be addressed consistantly, which isn't the case currently.

We have good officers but there just are not enough of them to cover everything fully.

We are an aging community. We have issues with more and more home owners doing less and less maintenance, especially on homes that have been allowed to deteriorate for years. We have problems with homes being turned more and more into rental properties, even being subdivided and over occupied.

I hope to add more officers to get more done. It is a quality of life, home value and more issue. Communities that turn a blind eye to these issues suffer in the long term.

If you are thinking it is an effort to promote redevelopment, as in taking homes etc, no, it isn't.

Don Haddix
PTC Councilman
Post 1
donhaddix.com

I suggest you kick sum tail and scatter the office personnel every few days to check on some of these foul looking things around.
I have never seen anyone in the code section or anywhere else breaking a sweat from working like a UPS driver!
It is never going to get any better if you continue to sayy they are working too hard now! Organize better. Keep them on the road!
Right now they won't take the responsibility for code violations except for new construction! They want a neighbor to take the blame and keep the heat off them!

has to do with changing jobs titles to allow for a reduction in pay. I hope this is not the case. This is one department that is (from my humble opinion) functioning well. I would hate to see a shortsighted action (budget) cause long term dysfunction. The old "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". Usually, taking "SR." out of a job title means a reduction in pay and/or duties.
Am I off base here? I hope so.

There has been no mention of a pay cut, just a job designation.

I can see no justification for a pay cut.

As well, from the proposal:
There are no budget impacts associated with this position as the position will maintain the same pay
grade as the Senior Code Enforcement Officer This position will continue to be budgeted through the
Building Department

Don Haddix
PTC Councilman
Post 1
donhaddix.com

Though I do not know Tammi Babb personally, I hope she knows we residents do appreciate what, at times, must be a thankless and difficult job she does.
I wish her well in this new title (if changed) and do agree that housing code is now going to be a real issue in the next few years with this economy.

Yeah.... ban those signs for all those bad businesses and civic groups BUT let's allow a variance once a year for a "special event or two a year" for people like Spyglass.

Are You Freer Today Than You Were Before Obama?

That's it..I see the art of compromise isn't your forte. Actually, just pass the law and forget the variance.

Compromise typically constitutes a benefit for all parties involved. Or compromise can mean one party loses ground while the other party gains. So which is it? And who will benefit from your compromise and who will lose? Sometimes compromise isn't compromise at all but rather it becomes a "variance for special people who think their causes are special events that somehow deserve special considerations over the other minions in the community". Soooooo... who decides who is special and who is not special. Kinda reminds me of a minority set-a-side program for a "special kind of people".

Sounds special to me.

Compromise...... Hmmmm... isn't that what the Republican's did for years in trying to get-a-long with Democrats and befriend them? Yeah they compromised all their principles away.

The art of compromise as defined by Spyglass..... Yup... Tain't my forte. (eyes rolling)

Are You Freer Today Than You Were Before Obama?

What code enforcement?
Ever notice they never see nothin unless at least one person complains and demands that it be checked?
People are parking 2-3 vehicles in their front lawn, trailers by the house, etc. and nobody sees nothin!
They want to walk up and say, "your neighbor complained!" Sorry about that dude!

It just so happens that I spoke to a code enforcement officer at the beginning of the week. I was calling about an issue in my neighborhood and she took the time to discuss many issues with me. It was a housing problem and that does go to the new housing code official that has been mentioned as well. But we continued to talk at length about my neighborhood. I also learned in my discussion that there are only 2 code officers that enforce the city ordinances b/c the sr. officer is enforcing the house code. TWO people for the entire city is alot of ground to cover in my opinion. I asked her if they would give my name out and the answer is NO. She said there is no reason to give my name. A violation is a violation. So funny that today(sat) I saw a code enforcement off picking up illegal signs in the city. I'm sure they enjoy giving up Sat. to make sure all of us are "satisfied" Even though that is imposssible. I think they do a great job in keeping up with the city with such a small staff.

does a wonderful job. If you think otherwise, just travel to any town around here and see the difference. How many new laws has Council put on the books here that need to be enforced and how many addl. staff have been added to enforce those new laws?
If you see things, YOU report them. I guarantee the staff here will follow up. How hard is it for YOU to pick up the phone and report an enforcement issue?
And, yes, I WANT neighbors who violate code to know the neighbors complained.

Am I to understand you two that code officers should not see (look for) code violations ujnless there is a complaint that they can use to tell the violator why they are being harrassed (by the complainer not the town)?

If there is a code against what is occuring why does a neighbor have to be involved and maybe get shot?

Enforcing laws only when there is a complaint surely wouldn't bring in much cash or help safety with speeders, would it?

I guess if the bank doesn't complain formally, then bank robberies aren't investigated!

What kind of of foolishness is that?

It is like the cat leash law---ignored entirely!

your comment. Too much caffeine, I suppose!

but you're wasting good time arguing with $$$. He's/She's a consummate blowhard.

"inundated" means 2 people called.
"besieged" means 3
"a tidal wave of protest" means 4
They have never had more than 4 people complain about anything, so the lesson ends here.

Oh yea, when one person calls, it is "some whack job complaining" That happens a lot.

Good job David. Do everything you can to keep businesses from surviving during tough times. I hope the grown-ups on council slap this silly idea down and focus on their real serious business, which is running for mayor or insurance commissioner.

That's what happened when the portion of Planterra who are idiots decided to all call 911 during the airshow a few years ago because they heard a loud noise. I think most of these same goofs also have called numerous times to try and get trains to stop blowing their horns when approaching intersections.

I think people drastically underestimate just how quickly people in PTC will complain about ANYTHING.

Nuk, as I said before, you can describe many (maybe most) PTC resident with 4 words: never satisfied about anything.

And you're just a fountain of positivity?

TinCan AKA Destroyer

TC, I think I'm generally positive about most things and I don't think you'll find where I've publicly whined about situations in the county that I don't necessarily approve of. I'm more prone to go directly to some elected official who might be able to impact the situation--if there is one! I'm pretty much a live and let live kinda person. As an example, while you won't find me walking the street with an ad sign hung on my shoulders, I sure don't oppose those who do and applaud them for doing SOMETHING to earn a buck. BTW, was it just one enlistment or more? Over the years,I worked closely with members of the Naval Security Group and their skills and professionalism were top notch--and they always had cold beer in their hootch!

about anything, so the lesson ends here.

Let's see what happens if they build those house off the end of the runway.
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Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.

Two of the people calling city hall complaining are Logsdan and Boone. 4 just means that they called each others voice mails twice! The whack job would be either one of them.