FreeSpeech for 01-06-10

Tue, 01/05/2010 - 4:17pm
By: The Citizen

I want to thank Cleveland Elementary School for posting “Merry Christmas” outside of their school. Finally, someone is not afraid to say it! All you hear these days is “happy holidays and holiday party” and everything else except “Merry Christmas.” Thank you, Cleveland, for your example.

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I work in a federal building and there are several TVs (eating area, lobby, etc.). Each day these are rotated to a different news channel [CNN, HLN, CNBC, MSNBC, and Fox News]. When a dispute broke out a few weeks ago between the current administration and Fox News, Fox News has been dropped from the rotation. You are no longer able to watch Fox News in this federal building.

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Stop the insanity. Instead of annexing and building, why not fill in all the empty buildings we have now? No one should be allowed to approve and build more retail space when we have so many empty retail spaces in PTC now. The empty retail space in PTC is beginning to look like something out of a SciFi movie. Fill in the empty spaces, then you can build some more.

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I am relatively new to PTC, and I really love the place, but allowing developers to build more vacant shopping centers when 50 percent of the stores are vacant in the existing ones is insanity. A lovely patch of woods is a lot nicer than streets lined with “village sized shopping centers” that are mostly vacant. Anyone who thinks residents aren’t running to Newnan to do their “big box” shopping is kidding themselves. One of our local hardware stores is extremely well-stocked and convenient but charges more than double the Home Depot price for a spark plug. I am very thankful that we have a Home Depot in PTC, otherwise I would have to leave town for most of my shopping. Zero revenue for our over-priced local merchants. They need to wise up, too.

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OK, enough is enough. I’m having serious withdrawal problems here. Why has there been no Free Speech columns in the weekly paper? You’ve got to help me.

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Once again the PCFD fire chief has proven what type of leader he wants to be. I have just heard that he has gotten approved a raise for the volunteer firefighters. This is great for them, but I am a little confused why he chose to do this the same year his paid firefighters had to take a pay cut.

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Nice to see the article in The Citizen about “Schools catching more out-of-county students.” Cheers to Pupil Personnel Services Director Serapion for suddenly improving the percentage of students found to be illegally enrolled, versus the previous director who looked the other way. What about the football players at Sandy Creek High School that don’t live in our county?

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Congratulations to all the winners in the PTC elections. Now that we have a new mayor and three new City Council members, let’s see how long it will take to ask for the city manager’s resignation. The city manager has proven over and over that he is not capable of running this city. A capable manager could reduce the cost of running this city by a minimum of 20 percent without breaking a sweat. If the newly elected keep their campaign promises, you don’t need a planning department. Does the recreation director still get paid the same amount of money for only having one-half the work to do?

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Fayette County taxpayers are being overcharged. Your property tax bill states it is based on “fair market value.” The value of the average property in Fayette has dropped 25-30 percent or more. Look at past sales in your area or ask any Realtor. Better yet, call one and give them the amount on your tax bill and see how long before they start laughing. If the value has gone down, then why are your tax bills the same or have gone up in the past few years? We are being robbed, not with a gun but a pen, which is worse when we place trust in our elected officials to do the right thing.

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We found [The Citizen’s] cartoons extremely offensive. I wonder if The Citizen realizes that not all of its readership is conservative. Fayette County has a decent amount of Democrats. How about if you at least try some middle of the road cartoons? Articles? Op-eds? Obama is our President. He won. Show some respect, perhaps? Disgusting!

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Hey, Kedron Kroger: Why do the managers stand in front of the wine cooler like chain gang bosses? Are they trying to insure we the customers are getting good service? NOT. The Kedron Kroger store is really nice since the remodel, but the employees and managers are rude to customers. I never get a offer to help me out with my groceries and the bagger and cashiers barely speak, other than to each other. Often they do not give you the total, they just expect you to look at the screen and pay, and heaven forbid if you have coupons; the eye-rolls are unbelievable. If I want my shopping to be a pleasure, I could take my business to Publix, but I guess I want to save money and have to put up with bad service. Maybe Kedron Kroger can make all of the pay lanes self-checkout and place a mirror over the keypad and I could smile at myself and take my own groceries to my car!

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You people who walk your dog without a leash, exactly what part of the leash law don’t you understand? Don’t tell me he’s friendly, or she wouldn’t hurt a flea. There is always the possibility that they will behave unpredictably. As you jog through the neighborhood with your unleashed dog trailing behind you, happily relieving himself in whichever yard he chooses, exactly what are you thinking? The leash law applies to everyone. Your dog may be special to you, but you and he are not exceptions to the law. Do us all a favor and show some respect for your fellow man. Obey the leash law!

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I find it amusing that irritated citizens complaining about their neighbors burning leaves in the fall rather than taking them to the recycling area when these are probably the same people I see walking their dogs without a plastic bag in their hand. I would much rather smell leaves burning on the weekends than smell dog dirt all of the time.

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One of the requirements that Obama required of Hilary Clinton before he would appoint her to Secretary of State, was for her to disclose the contributors to Bill Clinton’s William J. Clinton Foundation. But he refuses to disclose his college records, birth certificate, political contributors, or give up his Blackberry whereby all correspondence would be recorded if he used email or the phone in his office. He has broken almost all campaign promises in regard to being transparent. His administration is as transparent as the Flint River after a 4-inch rain.

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And so the downward spiral begins. On Jan. 4 I had the privilege of visiting our neighboring county with my trip to the Sam’s Club. After I had checked out and was leaving, the team was having their morning meeting at the cafe area by the exit door. Not to my shock or surprise as I walked by the “Coach” giving his motivational speech for the day, I heard the following: “I’d rather you do your job halfway and spread the wealth than do your job all the way.” WOW! You’ve got to be kidding me. What mentality is that? Oh, that’s right, the mentality that’s gotten us to where we are today.

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Cyclist's picture
Submitted by Cyclist on Sun, 01/10/2010 - 12:47pm.

Imus moment.

Harry Reid describing Barack Obama during the 2008 presidential campaign as "light-skinned" with "no Negro dialect" unless he wants to have one.

I can't believe this. What should be done with him?
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Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.


JeffC's picture
Submitted by JeffC on Sun, 01/10/2010 - 9:22pm.

Did you hear where Harry Reid came out and denounced the English as the National language bill as another example of racism by the Republican Party in a crude attempt to stereotype Hispanics? Besides, he added, the Mexicans are too busy mowing lawns and spreading pine straw to learn another language.

On a lighter note: I saw a poll over the weekend that put his approval rating in Nevada at 33%. I'm seeing a R. pickup of 8 in the Senate counting Reid. That leaves the Senate in Democratic control and somebody else taking over Reid's spot. Happy days would be here again.


Cyclist's picture
Submitted by Cyclist on Sun, 01/10/2010 - 10:21pm.

I'm still jealous that the almighty one came down and answered your post. Smiling
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Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.


JeffC's picture
Submitted by JeffC on Mon, 01/11/2010 - 5:27pm.

What can I say? Some people have that blogging mojo and some people don't.


meanoldconservatives's picture
Submitted by meanoldconservatives on Sun, 01/10/2010 - 9:58pm.

LOL!!! My humble offering:

Senator Majority leader Harry Reid was asked if he felt there was an urgency to pass the Senate's proposed health care reform bill. To which Reid replied, "Like my friend Ted Kennedy would have said, we'll drive off that bridge when we come to it."

Re: your other point. I can live with that if you guys lose Reid AND the supermajority. Might I suggest "happier days" rather than "happy days"????


Cyclist's picture
Submitted by Cyclist on Sun, 01/10/2010 - 10:25pm.

Don't forget about them smelly tourists visiting the Capitol building.
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Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.


carbonunit52's picture
Submitted by carbonunit52 on Sun, 01/10/2010 - 9:48pm.

"I am not a member of any organized political party. I am a Democrat."
Will Rogers

It's not easy being the carbonunit


Submitted by skyspy on Sun, 01/10/2010 - 5:42pm.

Oh gee, I'm sooooo surprised........

NOT!!!!!!

Gosh gee, I can't believe he brought race into this. Why is this such a racist country? Oh gee I can't believe a liberal/marxist/socialist tinfoil hat club member is a RACIST!!!!

Submitted by skyspy on Sun, 01/10/2010 - 5:42pm.

$

carbonunit52's picture
Submitted by carbonunit52 on Sun, 01/10/2010 - 12:59pm.

He obviously needs to be given the task of completing a Sesame Street coloring book. At least he wasn't doing a tap dance in a men's room.

It's not easy being the carbonunit


Submitted by AtHomeGym on Sun, 01/10/2010 - 12:51pm.

He should receive the same treatment as Trent Lott did. I have an old Army bud in Las Vegas and he tells me the word on the street is that Nevadans have had enough of Searchlight Harry and he will be out in the next election.

Cyclist's picture
Submitted by Cyclist on Sun, 01/10/2010 - 1:00pm.

I just wish the voters in California would do the same with Princess Pelosi. Then we can put an end to the Princess diaries.
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Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.


Cyclist's picture
Submitted by Cyclist on Sun, 01/10/2010 - 9:39am.

stay off those ice covered ponds. Every time we have an extended cold spell and the ponds freeze up we hear news reports about someone falling through the ice. This time, it was 3 Gwinnett teens; two of which died. Nuf said!
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Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.


Submitted by jevank on Thu, 01/07/2010 - 7:56pm.

Kind of fun, sitting at home and watching the PTC council meeting. Is anyone watching? Amendment of Line Creek development denied. woo hoo!

mudcat's picture
Submitted by mudcat on Thu, 01/07/2010 - 8:23pm.

They voted down Doug and Hyde. Both good decisions, I guess.
The presenters were mixed- Lindsey who is a buttoned down attorney and that guy Mike who is a real dreamboat. Did you see his tie? His grey hair?


Submitted by jevank on Fri, 01/08/2010 - 1:41pm.

I thought you loved Dar. What happened? Did you give up on that crush? Keep us posted, Mud. Kind of like a realty blog.

Submitted by MYTMITE on Fri, 01/08/2010 - 3:53pm.

interesting. RE: Mudcat--you just can't count on her to be faithful! Poor Dar--guess he doesn't look too good without the skating rink in his future or maybe he needs to dye his hair or maybe not dye it and let it go grey naturally--or maybe start wearing a tie---who knows--with Mudcat it could have been anything that made her replace Dar as her heartthrob--you know how these fickle younsters are!!!

cogitoergofay's picture
Submitted by cogitoergofay on Thu, 01/07/2010 - 5:07pm.

***** SNOW DAY ***** ?????

Six counties have called for tomorrow to be closed. Fayette has not yet done so.


Submitted by AtHomeGym on Thu, 01/07/2010 - 5:32pm.

Don't think so--it passed us by to the North.

Submitted by MYTMITE on Thu, 01/07/2010 - 4:30pm.

when you run to Newnan for the items you feel you are overcharged for in PTC? Smaller merchants pay more for their stock than large box stores due to volume. You get much better customer service at local hardware stores and you help you community when you buy locally. I admit I sometimes shop Lowe's or Home Depot but prefer the smaller stores because of the better service and more knowledgeable employees and employers. Figure out your savings in running to Newnan and I am sure you will find that mostly the cost of extra gas evens out the small increase in price.

Cyclist's picture
Submitted by Cyclist on Thu, 01/07/2010 - 5:29pm.

I was just about ready to send out an APB on you. Both Bonker$ and I are glad you are back. Right Bonker$.
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Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.


Submitted by MYTMITE on Thu, 01/07/2010 - 7:41pm.

nursing since Bonkie has spurned all my efforts to establish a long and lasting relationship with all of him. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas and hope this New Year brings us all a more settled country and a chance for all our troops to come home--or at least to be out of harm's way. I'm really hoping we still have the country we know and love when we go into the next year. Sometimes i have my doubts. But, I guess we have to keep the faith. On a better note, may we all enjoy good health and happiness as we go into 2010. Thanks for being concerned about me.

Cyclist's picture
Submitted by Cyclist on Thu, 01/07/2010 - 7:49pm.

..a long lasting relationship with all of him or is it - all of them? Anyways, it's good to have you back. We are looking at a coffee gathering soon. Stay tune to this local channel.
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Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.


Submitted by MYTMITE on Thu, 01/07/2010 - 7:55pm.

be either or--or neither nor. Looking forward to coffee klatch and the lurking
Bonkers-could it possibly be in Peachtree City? May be able to make it if it is here.

Cyclist's picture
Submitted by Cyclist on Thu, 01/07/2010 - 8:00pm.

Yup, Starbucks PTC. Somewhere around Jan. 16.
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Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.


Submitted by MYTMITE on Thu, 01/07/2010 - 8:05pm.

great--one at The Avenue?

Submitted by jevank on Thu, 01/07/2010 - 8:11pm.

I'm pretty sure it's the one on Hwy 54 near Publix.

Cyclist's picture
Submitted by Cyclist on Thu, 01/07/2010 - 8:22pm.

it's the one that "jevank" noted.
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Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.


matt.barnes's picture
Submitted by matt.barnes on Thu, 01/07/2010 - 12:18pm.

"One of our local hardware stores is extremely well-stocked and convenient but charges more than double the Home Depot price for a spark plug"

Congratulations! You went to Home Depot and you saved about $2.00 on a spark plug. Just because something costs less at Walmart or Home Depot doesn't mean the local guy is screwing you. Companies like those don't pay the same amount that small local merchant's pay for product. That spark that you probably paid around 2.00 for at Home Depot. That's probably the same price Gilroy's or Ace paid for it.


The Wedge's picture
Submitted by The Wedge on Thu, 01/07/2010 - 12:54pm.

I agree with you that smaller stores pay more for the same product to be on their shelves than the large scale big box stores. I shop Gill Roys and Home Depot and Lowes. They all have their place. The best decision that I have made as far as purchases at these stores was the one I made at Gill Roys. I purchased a lawn mower there in 2004 and have it serviced there every year. Home Depot and Lowes certainly will not service their equipment year after year for as low of a cost as the great people at Gill Roys do.


matt.barnes's picture
Submitted by matt.barnes on Thu, 01/07/2010 - 1:29pm.

I shop all three, Ace, Gilroy's and Home Depot. All three have great customer service. However, if I need advice I go to Ace or Gilroy's. The people at Home Depot are friendly and willing to help but they usually don't know much more than what is written on the packaging. On the occasion I don't know how to fix something the local guys can usually give me pretty decent instruction.


SPQR's picture
Submitted by SPQR on Thu, 01/07/2010 - 11:13am.

Kroger is a well oiled machine. They lack the customer service of a Publix type operation and definitely treat their employees like cogs in a machine whereas Publix is strong in customer service and generally treats there employees with consideration.

The remodeled Kedron Kroger looks a little better and has been designed to increase your shopping time with a revamped floor plan.

It will take you considerably longer to buy a list of items at the new kroger as compared to the PTC Publix store on Hwy 54.

Obviously both stores have their strong points but I have given up on Kroger If for no other reason than having to deal with unhappy employees

Kroger will have some items not available at Publix but not many.

The employees at Publix are generally a happy lot, at Kroger they seem unhappy.

If there is a cost savings benefit to shopping at kroger I haven't discovered it.


Submitted by LM1430 on Thu, 01/07/2010 - 12:50pm.

The managers most likely stand in the front of the store to avoid all of the customers who are unable to find items and are seeking help. They have remodeled that store many times and with each change, it becomes harder to find what you need. The employees have no idea where anything is.

I gave up and now shop at Wal*Mart or BJs for staple items. I use Krogers only for fresh produce or meat/fish. Those are about the only areas I have been able to find in the "new and improved" store. I wonder why they have so much space allocated to "gourmet" food, salad bars, wine etc. when I never see anyone buying any of those items? At least they finally put a case of milk in the front of the store!

I don't understand why a company in financial trouble ($875-million quarterly loss in the third quarter of 2009 and they will likely take a $1B write down this year due to poor performance of Ralph's) would spend so much money to remodel a perfectly fine store!

matt.barnes's picture
Submitted by matt.barnes on Thu, 01/07/2010 - 11:53am.

I like that comment. It is so true. Every time I go there no matter how busy or backed up the check out lanes are there is always a Kroger Manager standing in front of the wine staring off into space. Wouldn't the better position be on the other side of the lanes? That way he could actually assist the baggers and cashiers. But I don't have any customer service issues with Kroger. They are not as bubbly as Publix employees but they polite and get the job done.


Submitted by ptc103 on Thu, 01/07/2010 - 2:47pm.

I'm not sure what goes on on the north side of town but the staff at the Braelinn Village Kroger are friendly and very helpful. They always smile and make pleasant conversation at the register. The staff in the meat dept is always friendly and willing to help with any questions or to custom cut your meats with a smile. The lack of parking due to the remodel construction is driving us all nuts but it sounds like it may be still be worth the trip to our side of town if you want service with a smile.

Submitted by jevank on Wed, 01/06/2010 - 11:32am.

You're such a tease. Thanks for the FreeSpeech again.

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