From You
Jackson County
originally published April 2, 2008
“…what’re we gonna do in a few years when Jackson County looks like Gwinnett?” [City Dope, Mar. 19]
A few years?
Even though Jackson County is the 10th fastest growing county in the United States, it would take several decades for Jackson County to match the current population of Gwinnett County.
Based on current growth rates (7 percent for Jackson County) and population (60,000 persons in Jackson, over 750,000 in Gwinnett) it would take 20 years for Jackson County to reach a third of the size of Gwinnett County.
Athens-Clarke County currently more closely resembles Gwinnett County than Jackson County will even 20 years from now.
Perhaps that’s why more people are choosing Jackson County over Athens-Clarke County?
Just a thought.
Jimmy Carter's Sweater
originally published April 2, 2008
Dear Pete: Last fall, my wife and I took our children to the Carter Center and Museum. I later told my friend and law partner, Terrell Benton, how I looked at the famous sweater and realized things have never been the same since Reagan came along in 1980 and told everybody, “We’re Americans, dammit, take off those sweaters and turn up the thermostats.”
I just asked Terrell if he has been talking to you, but he ducked the question. I’m just curious: am I a genius because you used my thought [Pub Notes, Mar. 19], or am I a genius because a genius like you had the same thought?
Abbe On Water Rates
originally published April 2, 2008
It is a completely unfair, unnecessary, and foolish procedure to use nebulous water history to calculate water bills. It is also complicated and difficult to justify and explain. For example, we have properties with more than one unit on a water meter as do many others in this town. Suppose those units have been not using any water for years due to various reasons? Are we then going to be penalized for this and charged high premium rates? Are families who worked hard at conservation these past years now penalized for their efforts with this foolish and misguided proposal? All citizens should be simply charged the same rates for water for each unit on a meter period. History has nothing to do with it. What if property changed hands, etc.? Evidently people have forgotten the basic reason the government was “unified” in the first place: unfair water rates. It looks like they are up to the old shenanigans all over again. Charge all residential users the same for water and possibly premiums for very large consumers like the chicken processing plants, UGA and the new terror lab.
RE: Abbe, Water Rates
originally published April 2, 2008
The new water plan is a horrible idea. The worst part is that I find myself agreeing with the infamous Winfield J. Abbe. I need a shower. Oops, can’t afford it.
NBAF & The River
originally published April 2, 2008
Athens citizens recently were invited to a community meeting related to the proposed National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, but we’ll have to wait until May for answers to many questions presented to the Homeland Security team who were visiting our town. These NBAF officials didn’t have the information needed to answer many of the public concerns. One question, however, was graphically clarified. What method would be used for the disposal of infected animal remains once they are no longer useful for research?
At this proposed facility, healthy animals - hogs and cows mostly - would be infected with incurable diseases in an effort to find vaccines for these diseases. In the process of scientific research, these animals would die from various experiments and infections. Nope: The remains will not be incinerated in big ovens; they will be cooked and cooked and cooked some more in large pressure cookers. In due time, the over-cooked meat would fall from the bones; the bones would fall apart and disintegrate. The animal stew eventually would turn to a mush with the texture of oatmeal. In the process, the infecting agents will presumably be killed by the cooking - well, most of them… maybe.
Finally, the animal matter would be flushed from the pressure cookers into sewer lines, and eventually, into the Oconee River. What a vile and nauseating thought! In spite of prevailing problems with the water quality of the river, the argument that a little more “clean” pollution in the river won’t matter just doesn’t cut the mustard.
What a way to celebrate a heritage and a river which once was the western boundary of the United States! But why not? The river was the site of violent conflicts and wars in the 18th and early-19th centuries, so why not link up with that tradition? On the other hand, according to lore and history, the waters of the Oconee River were pure and clear and beautiful when the University of Georgia was chartered, and according to these tales that’s why UGA was located here. Go Dawgs Go!
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