Disagreements and Agreements

I'm old but I don' t think I'm a grumpy old man. Hall County Commission Chairman Dick Mecum and I have been great friends and a tax preparation client for many years. We usually agree on most things but occasionally disagree. This is one of those times, at least partially.<br /> <br /> I was stunned upon learning the county commission had unanimously voted to change the name of Friendship Road to Lanier Islands Parkway (which indeed it is a road to the islands). Most residents of Friendship Road were rightfully angry. At the very least, the road could have been renamed to Lanier Islands Parkway/Friendship Road. Or it could have left the name Friendship Road on the other side of the main highway.<br /> <br /> Sure, the Islands contribute greatly to Hall County's economy buying water, bringing tourists to the county, creating jobs, etc. It's not a great but a tremendous asset we don't need to do without. But the fact remains, Friendship Road is part of our history we need to preserve. While I don't mean to quibble, let's take our citizens' desires into account and work hard on acceptable give-take compromises.<br /> <br /> For example, I see nothing wrong with "Lanier Islands Parkway/Friendship Road." That tells drivers they're welcome to the community. Or at a bare minimum Friendship Road on the southern side of the main crossroad could keep its name.<br /> <br /> I think the commission dropped an easy-to-catch pass this time. Wake up commissioners and listen to those who elect you.<br /> <br /> Something the commission did exactly right was, after careful, unrushed consideration of several possibilities, it chose to partner with Lula on providing water and sewer service on that northeastern part of Hall County's part of the highway to Cornelia. Lula had existing infrastructure that was compatible and experience in its operation. That was a whole lot better than trying to go it alone and running over Lula.<br /> <br /> I can't let this column pass without noting the death of longtime family friend Gloria Cassidy Stargel, wife of Joe Stargel. I had thought Joe, in the latter stages of Alzheimer's Disease, would go first.<br /> <br /> Gloria was a multi- talented and always energetic lady with many interests. A fellow member of Lakewood Baptist Church, she was director of the Sunday School Primary Department for about 30 years at the same time my wife Betty was director of the Nursery. She was an author. She wrote a moving non-fiction book on Joe's miraculous full recovery from cancer named "The Healing" and another book, a fictional novel. She was a regular contributor to "Guideposts", a Christian magazine, for years and wrote articles for other women's magazines. Fellow writers and family friends we kept in touch to her end.<br /> <br /> Joe was a U.S. Marine officer and supposedly retired. During what I guess is semi-retirement (like me today, was a longtime U.S. Bankruptcy Judge before fully retiring.<br /> <br /> Finally, after 4 long years and 2 months, President Barack Obama has seen the light. After the GOP agreed on raising tax rates in exchange for an equal amount of spending cuts, he reneged on the cuts and instead asked for another tax increase. The GOP balked and let the nation fall over the "Fiscal Cliff". That mandated across-the-board cuts. The GOP now has him coming to them and finally negotiating in a true manner now that he realizes he won't get his way all the time. True, it's hurting the economy. While the official unemployment rate is 7.7%, that doesn't include at least another 7.7% who have left the job market in despair.<br /> <br /> Employers aren't hiring and instead many are having to impose "furlough days" meaning their workers don't get paid for that day even if they come in to work.<br /> <br /> At first, Obama was making cosmetic cuts designed to make it look like he was doing something but in reality doing very little. Finally learning the GOP isn't going to roll over and play dead, he's coming to them and jointly seeking real solutions. That's the good news.<br /> <br /> There's more! Jeb Bush, the son of President George H.W. Bush and brother of two-term President George W. Bush, Jr. has come out of the publicity shadows. He made a speech or two and was asked if he were planning to run after Obama's term ended. He said he wouldn't think about that possibility for another year. We can suppose he'll be gaining national recognition during that time. True, he may not run. Others are interested including New Jersey Gov. Christie, Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida of Hispanic descent, Gov. Bobby Jindal and others. The GOP race will be fascinating to watch.<br /> <br /> (TedOglesby's long time column appears regularly on AccessNorthGa.com.)<br />

http://accesswdun.com/article/2013/3/259191