tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2935662058758102231.post4064860293562822195..comments2024-03-20T11:21:16.856-04:00Comments on Heneghan’s Dunwoody Blog: Time to Remake MARTA by Representatives Fran Millar & Mike JacobsJohn Heneghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18046846808671417720noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2935662058758102231.post-35270773863758151772009-12-31T08:28:50.463-05:002009-12-31T08:28:50.463-05:00It would be nice if we had some folks who could st...It would be nice if we had some folks who could still think "olympic size" large. <br /><br />The ten counties should be combined. This new county, called Hartjack County, would be responsible for all regional issues: water and waste water; pollution; a land-use framework; and transportation--including all airports in the region and traffic enforcement on all but local-only city streets. MARTA, GRTA and ARC would go away.<br /><br />Inside Hartjack everyone would live in a city, either by creation of new cities or annexation into existing cities. These cities would be responsible for schools, local zoning within the overall land-use framework, local fire and police protection, parades and lemonade days, and fowl patrols.<br /><br />This will eliminate enough politicians and folks on the various government payrolls such that we will ultimately reduce the balkanization that now threatens our existence. <br /><br />Or not.Sight Edmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02209999489685877741noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2935662058758102231.post-24629815415574227932009-12-30T22:35:39.982-05:002009-12-30T22:35:39.982-05:00Nice article by Thomas Wheatley of Creative Loafin...Nice article by Thomas Wheatley of Creative Loafing discussing more changes proposed for Marta.<br /><br /><a href="http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/freshloaf/2009/12/30/kevin-levitas-bill-smaller-marta-board/" rel="nofollow">Rep. Levitas wants smaller MARTA board, ponders state takeover</a> <br /><br />A state lawmaker says MARTA’s board of directors needs to be downsized.<br /><br />State Rep. Kevin Levitas, D-Atlanta, says he plans to file a bill before the end of the week that would reduce the size of MARTA’s board from 18 members to seven.<br /><br />And oh yeah, Levitas also hinted that the General Assembly should consider folding MARTA into GDOT — a controversial topic among transit wonks and political leaders. In October, state Rep. Fran Millar, R-Dunwoody, said he’d push for such a change during the next legislative session. Atlanta Mayor-elect Kasim Reed said on the campaign trail that he’d be willing to discuss the issue — provided the state put up a bunch of cash to make due with Atlanta, Fulton and DeKalb County residents who for decades have paid to build and operate the system.<br /><br />“If we think the state needs to do more, I think it’s certainly a relevant topic for discussion,” Levitas says. “If there is a state buy-in and [MARTA's] not viewed as just an issue of Fulton and DeKalb, I think you’re more likely to get support. And what our job is in the Legislature — and what I think is MARTA’s job in terms of public relations — is making [Georgians outside the metro counties] understand why MARTA is important for the viability and prosperity of the state. It’s a state issue.”John Heneghanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18046846808671417720noreply@blogger.com