From You
Kappa Alpha
originally published March 12, 2008
What will 30 pieces of silver buy today? What does the integrity of a neighborhood mean, and how much is that worth? What does good will cost? Who is responsible for the destruction of a neighborhood? The answers are not simple, but they are disturbing. Thirty pieces of silver will buy a bulldozer for Gamma Partners, LLC to destroy two architecturally significant houses in the Reese Street neighborhood. Watching the demolition of these houses, I thought of the lives, the stories and the history embedded in their walls, and almost cried. However, the loss of the houses is more than just a physical, spatial loss with a flattened expanse of dirt at the intersection of Church and Reese. These houses were contributing structures in the historic district, and anchors to the integrity of the neighborhood. Can the neighborhood and its residents survive the callous destruction and greed of Gamma Partners, LLC to get the residential density they wanted for the fraternity and apartment buildings? Let us hope so.
In this season of hope and redemption, let us hope that the young men of the Kappa Alpha fraternity distance themselves from the wanton destruction of the 12 anonymous alumni who make up the corporation that owns the property. Let us hope they become socially responsible citizens of this neighborhood who will preserve and advocate for the integrity of the neighborhood. Let us hope they take a leadership role in rebuking corporate greed, in promoting authentic good will, and in respecting the people, the buildings, and the history of this neighborhood.
NBAF
originally published March 12, 2008
While at first glance, falling for that cute little bio-terror lab might have seemed a “no-brainer,” as you suggested [Pub Notes, Feb. 27], once we crawled out of that sleazy bar into the cold, clear light of day and seized control of our higher faculties, some of us could see that she has a lot of… uh… “baggage.” In fact, quite a few of us are wishing that she would just take her bad self out of here and find a new, poorly-lit bar full of gullible suckers (preferably on another planet - if she can find one without the Internet).
With regard to your comparison of the NBAF uproar to that kicked up by the “weapons factory” design of the Classic Center back in the ’90s, the message I got was that, when faced with enough citizen outrage, the county will back down and acquiesce “to a better plan acceptable to the populace.” Although our Mayor and Commission say they will not make a formal stand one way or another on NBAF, we have the recent example of North Carolina municipalities withholding support (admittedly short of “withdrawing” support), and this action certainly sends a clear signal, if nothing else, to DHS.
And right here, in this very space, is that elusive “better plan!” Why is the adaptive reuse of the Navy School as a satellite campus of the Medical College of Georgia not being presented to this community as the project that will take us where NBAF could never go? Perhaps we would do well, as the smallest county in the state, to focus our time, money, energy and talent on this one promising (and expensive) undertaking and the positive things that could accrue to this community over time through the addition of much-needed physician training facilities and all the associated growth in biomedical (NOT “bioterror”) industries that would follow.
Just a thought. Time to report back to my bunker for some more guerilla training.
NBAF And Stipe
originally published March 12, 2008
I write this in response to Pete’s commentary saying that NBAF’s courting Athens as its potential home is akin to Michael Stipe asking us if we want to hang out. [Pub Notes, Feb. 27] In reality it is not that innocent. In reality it is more like Michael Stipe asking if we want to hang out and do drugs… lots and lots of drugs. We really shouldn’t - but it’s Michael Stipe! No, wait - it’s Michael Chertoff!
And let’s face it - bringing jobs to ACC is good in theory, but all that really does is bring traffic to ACC as all of those high-salary Plum Island transplants will live in the ’burbs of Oconee County, send their kids to Oconee County schools and spend their hard-earned dollars on property taxes there - not here.
If ACC and UGA want Athens to appeal to a tall, dark and handsome corporate suitor, we need to funnel money into our schools and do some other fundamental housekeeping in order to compete with Oconee County for residents (if that is what we truly desire). Maybe then Athens will appeal to a corporate suitor devoid of Michael Chertoff baggage - someone dreamy and uninterested in jacking us up on highly infections, incurable substances. Athens - love thyself! We are too good for NBAF.
NBAF & Doc
originally published March 12, 2008
So, Doc Eldridge asked, “If not NBAF, then what?” Editor Jim Thompson at the Athens Banner-Herald and others await a response to add credibility to those who question whether NBAF is the best fit for Athens. How about this? Let’s diversify our economic development plans for Athens and reach out to the green economy.
The green economy is on its way, and we in Athens could be right there at its forefront. Last August, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the Green Jobs Act of 2007, to help train workers for jobs in renewable energy and energy-efficient industries. Political leaders from both parties - John McCain, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Hillary Clinton, and Barack Obama - all emphasize the importance of the green economy in their policy proposals, with Clinton, for example, just having announced a “Green Jobs Plan.” In Pittsburgh, labor leaders in the AFL-CIO are meeting to make their move into the green economy with their “Good Jobs, Green Jobs: A National Green Jobs Conference.” Last summer in Richmond, CA, 21 students graduated from a solar building class with expected starting incomes of $18-$21/ hour, part of an affordable housing initiative to promote solar power and jobs in a community with high unemployment rates in that city’s young non-white male population.
Right now our county government embraces forward-thinking energy and environmental practices - building L.E.E.D energy-efficient government buildings, using electric vehicles, responding quickly to the drought and looking for ways to recycle more, start a countywide compost program and reduce landfill use. Now we need to move our local economy in the same direction.
With a move towards the green economy, we become leaders in this burgeoning economic field, we build jobs to fight our very real poverty problems, and we do our part in fighting the now finally-accepted reality of global warming. What a perfect solution for this progressive community.
Ready To Rock
originally published March 12, 2008
Dear Athens: Many of you know my husband Brandon McDearis suffered a stroke, on stage, in November of 2007. What y’all might not know is how much our family appreciated all the love and support shown to us from members of this community. From the folks who helped us at the frat house, to the ones who made hospital visits, lent entertainment material, inquired about his health and dropped off food, we learned that our music community is not only cool, but enormously generous and caring as well.
Also, I would also like to give a big thanks to Doc Eldridge, his friend, who is a local physician, that also assisted us at the frat house, and the badass ambulance driver from St. Mary’s. To get to a frat house in less than 20 minutes, when a UGA game is letting out, is nothing short of a miracle.
I am happy to report to you all the results of Brandon’s latest tests show his artery has healed completely and the blood clot has dissolved. This clean bill of health means he can beat the crap out of his drums again (while making his usual weird faces and bobbing his head), and we couldn’t be happier!
Mad love and big props to you all!
Where's The Art?
originally published March 12, 2008
While on my latest visit to UGA in Athens, and walking around the college campus, I noticed a couple of musicians on the street corner playing the guitar and a well-imagined and designed percussion instrument. What ingenious artists these two were!
After visiting the fine arts building, I continued my walk through the many eateries, in search of more art. I was disappointed by the very few and far between art establishments at this location. What has happened?
The fine art building is in need of much attention! These two musicians have what the college campus seemed to be lacking, moxie and artistic expression. Why so many eateries? Why so few artists? Does anybody care?
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