The Blog of Columbus, Georgia

13 JAN 09: Green-No-Peace

While many government-watchers focused on one part of Atlanta Monday, a legal fight involving Columbus attorneys was going on a short distance away. And from what I saw on the Ledger-Enquirer's web site, Sheriff John Darr was in the wrong place to referee it. He was at the legislature, instead of the judicial building.

The Georgia Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the "greenspace case," pitting the Education Park Coalition against the city of Columbus. A decision may not be announced until June - which would make more sense, because then the greenspace around the central library actually will be green again.

In case you came in late: the Education Park Coalition wants 23 acres around the main library on Macon Road turned into a park. It sued the city to block the spending of sales tax money on other projects. But come to think of it, there's more greenery in front of the library than there is in front of the skateboard park.

Lower courts ruled the Education Park Coalition lacked the legal standing to sue the city, over its plans for greenspace. The Georgia Supreme Court heard an appeal of those decisions Monday. One more rejection, and the coalition may have to take its ball and - well, go to Lakebottom Park instead of the library.

The Education Park Coalition not only wants to sue the city of Columbus. It wants a jury trial over how six million dollars in sales tax money is spent. But where would this stop? Apply this idea to the "streets and safety" sales tax, and juries soon may be deciding which potholes get filled.

Josh McKoon argued the matter for the Education Park Coalition Monday. He told the evening news there needs to be a way for taxpayers to challenge improper government spending. This sounds to me like an admission that protest marches downtown simply aren't good enough.

But Jorge Vega argued for the city of Columbus that if the Education Park Coalition is successful, all sorts of taxpayers will file lawsuits over all kinds of city spending plans. Paul Olson may be too busy seeing attorneys to ever sell flowers again....

You may recall when Josh McKoon wrote this blog about the appeal two weeks ago, he referred to land behind the central library as a "moonscape" [30 Dec 08]. We're sad to report the Space Science Center has yet to seize on this announcement, and hold star-watching sessions there.

Yet Jorge Vega contended Monday improvements are underway, with the land around the library. There's landscaping going on, and a "storytelling plaza" is being built. It'll be perfect for Education Park Coalition members to read aloud from city campaign literature.

After Monday's oral arguments ended, do you think Josh McKoon walked over to the Georgia General Assembly's opening day? Did he go to Ed Harbison's office, and offer to help file campaign affidavits for a reasonable fee?

As the debate rages, blog readers will be thrilled to learn I've developed my own bit of "greenspace." It measures roughly two feet by one-and-a-half feet. And you can stuff all kinds of recyclable items in that blue bin....

-> Our other blog starts with poker, and goes in unusual directions from there. See what we mean at "On the Flop!" <--

E-MAIL UPDATE: Monday's messages had a mix of greetings and legislative analysis. Let's start with this one....

Dear Richard;

Your insightful and hilarious blog keeps us laughing-year after year- thank you.

Did you hear AL Who on the Calvin Floyd, "Rise and Shine" show last week? He opposes the "Strip Joint Tax" on moral grounds---It is surely the first tax he has ever opposed, and as we all know, Al Who is the great moral thinker of our time- maybe we should listen to him. He said:

"Strippers have to make a living, too."

So true, and who would want to limit the strippers income?

Seth Harp is again harping on Sunday Alcohol sales---I wonder if you could ask him how many clients in the alcohol industry, nightclub business, strip joint business, he represents in his law practice.

The Secretary of State Corporations site indicates that Seth Harp is the agent of record for Al Who, Inc.

If Seth Harp does legislation for an industry which he represents and from which he receives income, is he participating in "Pay For Play" by sponsoring or voting on Sunday Alcohol Sales legislation and or other nightclub-alcohol sales industry related legislation?

No, I didn't hear Al Fleming -- but I'd like to know who declared him the "great moral thinker of our time." Did he enroll at Beacon Seminary, after selling his nightclub?

Now there's an early candidate for quote of the year - "Strippers have to make a living, too." Maybe with second jobs actually modeling fashions....

We didn't call State Senator Seth Harp on Monday's opening day of the Georgia General Assembly. For one thing, there seems to be a crackdown on phone calls this session. The House Speaker banned cell phone conversations during sessions, but did permit text messages. All those in favor, put your thumbs up.

But Seth Harp's campaign reports show during last fall's race, he received $1,000 from the Distilled Spirits Council - and another $500 from a council executive in New York. But to be fair, there's NO record that he spent campaign money for bartenders to serve at his victory party.

Here's one more combination message:

Glad to see Chuck Leonard back on the TV 9 news...

So,MCSD might end up with several million less from the state by 2010 and the date of the arrival of several thousand new military dependants is creeping up..I just wonder how they are going to hire more teachers and house these young people without more state and federal money.I wish you success Dr.Andrews. You have a hard fight in front of you..

There's one obvious option at the disposal of incoming Superintendent Susan Andrews. Remember the school sales tax which expired last September? She could try to put a new one on the Muscogee County ballot. The billboards which showed grim police officers last year would be replaced by billboards with sad children and Army wives.

Now let's send some Instant Messages....

+ To Columbus Urban League President Reginald Pugh: That HD camera on WLTZ doesn't hide anything. So why do you have three cans of insecticide near your office desk? Are you planning to start a training program in pest control?

+ To Tracy Rocker: Welcome back to Auburn University. I know you'll be coaching football players - but based on the ratings of retirement communities, you might want to live up to your last name and buy one for the front porch.

+ To Ricky Henderson: Congratulations on your election to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Now do you plan to live up to your major league reputation - and hold out for a bigger plaque?

The number of unique visitors to our blog has doubled since 2006! To advertise to them, offer a story tip, make a PayPal donation or comment on this blog, write me - but be warned, I may post your e-mail comment and offer a reply.

BURKARD BULK MAIL INDEX: 1,200 (+ 46, 4.0%)

The views expressed in this blog are solely those of the author -- not necessarily those of anyone else in Columbus living or dead, and perhaps not even you.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009