Couple of things
- I agree with the focus. Long-term economic development is essential to the vitality of Athens-Clarke County, and I hope the recommendations help equip the community to do what's necessary to get things rolling.
- Here's the problem with this argument ... it's inconsistent with the stated vision for downtown Athens-Clarke County, as well as existing law. The Athens-Clarke County Planning Commission has no authority to rewrite local ordinances, so it was bound to reject the Jittery Joe's proposal. Furthermore, downtown doesn't need more surface parking, but more deck parking (as well as connectivity via various means of public transportation, but that's another story).
- Likewise, you can't concede granting the special-use permit could - and arguably would - open the door to increased surface parking, and then, in the next paragraph, encourage the commission to ignore those concerns. The Athens-Clarke County Commission was right to give Jittery Joe's a fair shake in seeking a special-use permit, but it doesn't fit into land use plan. And here's the thing ... Jittery Joe's knows that and, even while applying for this permit, was already seeking alternative options.
- OK, I'm all for bipartisanship, discussion and compromise, but why? A health care bill has already passed both houses of Congress, and all that needs to be done is having the House of Representatives adopt the Senate's language, and we're done. Despite the Beltway media's perception, the heavy lifting of health care reform has already been completed, and what the president should do is tell the House to pass ... the ... damn ... bill.
- Listen, I'm happy for the Saints, but ... all of a sudden I'm meeting all of these 'lifelong New Orleans fans' and I'm calling their bluff. I'd suggest the number of lifelong fans is actually rather low, as this looks an awful lot like how many 'loyal Braves fans' emerged from the woodwork in 1991. Now, I could cite my personal experiences where I was the only seven-year-old at the bus stop pulling for the Patriots against the Bears in 1985 or how I wept as an eight-year-old after Bill Buckner watched the ball roll through his legs in the 1986 World Series, but I think a more appropriate example is my buddy Tim. Year in and year out, this guy suffers through being an Orioles fan, and most recently told me he would be happy with a 70-win season next year and contention for a Wild Card berth in two years. Now that's a fan.
Clarification
Submitted by TKelly (not verified) on Mon, 02/08/2010 - 12:05.Thanks for the positive reinforcement....us Orioles fans need it from time to time...otherwise we let ourselves slip into bouts of horrible depression and our significant others find us in darkened rooms pouring over the hundreds upon hundreds of box scores that make up 12 consecutive losing seasons in a row.But just to clarify - I'm hoping for an 80 win season this year and wild card contention in '11. Even if we don't break that elusive .500 barrier...80-82 is close enough for me. Man, that's depressing to type....if you'll excuse me, I need to go get some orange juice, find a closet and look at the O's 2002 depth chart....catcher: Geronimo Gil, LF: Marty Cordova, CF: Chris Singleton....