ATAC: Will Atlanta's East Side become a political force to be reckoned with? (Jackson: middle-class)

[BringBackCobain]

ATAC, or Atlantans Together Against Crime, is a newly formed grass roots organization that seems to be gaining strength on the East Side. The effects of gentrification in these neighborhoods, particularly throughout the current decade, has produced enough middle class citizens to really make a statement.

A lot has changed in the city since 2001. The East Side was nothing compared to what it is today. And although it did have middle class residents, this is the first time they have all been organized and brought together into one organization.

In addition, Midtown has gained a lot more middle class residents since '01. And Buckhead, although always middle class, now has an even large percentage of the electorate with all the new condo towers. If these three areas were to join forces for the next election, they could really change city politics.

The QUESTION is, do you think the organizing of the middle class on the East Side will be the "tipping point" in ousting the "Maynard Jackson Dynasty" from office?

Worried Atlanta residents rally against crime | ajc.com (http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/atlanta/stories/2009/01/26/rally_against_crime.html - broken link)

[atlantagreg30127]

Originally Posted by BringBackCobain

The QUESTION is, do you think the organizing of the middle class on the East Side will be the "tipping point" in ousting the "Maynard Jackson Dynasty" from office?

By that you no doubt mean "ousting black Mayors" from office in Atlanta. Just say it if you're going to say it.

Here's the problem: It's not that Atlanta has had Black Mayors for so long that has been the cause of the problem. It's the fact Atlanta has had several CORRUPT Black Mayors for so long. They traded corrupt White "good old boys" for corrupt Black "good old boys (and girls)" who hire people based on personal friendships and race (white OR black) instead of their personal qualifications to do their jobs well. Every city gets one bad apple Mayor here and there - we've had more than one in a row, so the problems add and stack up.

The thing about groups like ATAC though, is that they are typically VERY loosely organized, and really don't take a very strong approach toward things. Groups like this come and go with the wind here and have for years. A few families show up for meetings, they have a candle light vigil a couple of times, talk to a few news reporters, and send a few emails to the Mayor's office, and that's it. They really don't make a huge impact, eventually die off and that's that. They're good for bringing immediate neighbors together to watch each other's homes, but that's usually about it.

The only time real change will happen is when literally at least hundreds of people gather up signs, media, and march to City Hall and sit in for a few days. And I do mean at least hundreds of people who are fed up with "business as usual" in City Hall who not want but demand change, and then get out and vote for a qualified candidate (regardless of color) who understands where they're coming from, what needs to be done, and then will put qualified people in the key positions in the City.

Until folks are ready to do that, waving candles and singing Kum-Ba-Yah in front of a channel 2 news crew isn't going to do much.

[DeaconJ]

Originally Posted by atlantagreg30127

By that you no doubt mean "ousting black Mayors" from office in Atlanta. Just say it if you're going to say it.

Here's the problem: It's not that Atlanta has had Black Mayors for so long that has been the cause of the problem. It's the fact Atlanta has had several CORRUPT Black Mayors for so long. They traded corrupt White "good old boys" for corrupt Black "good old boys (and girls)" who hire people based on personal friendships and race (white OR black) instead of their personal qualifications to do their jobs well. Every city gets one bad apple Mayor here and there - we've had more than one in a row, so the problems add and stack up.

The thing about groups like ATAC though, is that they are typically VERY loosely organized, and really don't take a very strong approach toward things. Groups like this come and go with the wind here and have for years. A few families show up for meetings, they have a candle light vigil a couple of times, talk to a few news reporters, and send a few emails to the Mayor's office, and that's it. They really don't make a huge impact, eventually die off and that's that. They're good for bringing immediate neighbors together to watch each other's homes, but that's usually about it.

The only time real change will happen is when literally at least hundreds of people gather up signs, media, and march to City Hall and sit in for a few days. And I do mean at least hundreds of people who are fed up with "business as usual" in City Hall who not want but demand change, and then get out and vote for a qualified candidate (regardless of color) who understands where they're coming from, what needs to be done, and then will put qualified people in the key positions in the City.

Until folks are ready to do that, waving candles and singing Kum-Ba-Yah in front of a channel 2 news crew isn't going to do much.

Not that I disagree with what you're saying, but the rally in question did have almost 200 participants, including 2 Atlanta City Council Members.

[BringBackCobain]

Originally Posted by atlantagreg30127

By that you no doubt mean "ousting black Mayors" from office in Atlanta. Just say it if you're going to say it.

Here's the problem: It's not that Atlanta has had Black Mayors for so long that has been the cause of the problem. It's the fact Atlanta has had several CORRUPT Black Mayors for so long. They traded corrupt White "good old boys" for corrupt Black "good old boys (and girls)" who hire people based on personal friendships and race (white OR black) instead of their personal qualifications to do their jobs well. Every city gets one bad apple Mayor here and there - we've had more than one in a row, so the problems add and stack up.

The thing about groups like ATAC though, is that they are typically VERY loosely organized, and really don't take a very strong approach toward things. Groups like this come and go with the wind here and have for years. A few families show up for meetings, they have a candle light vigil a couple of times, talk to a few news reporters, and send a few emails to the Mayor's office, and that's it. They really don't make a huge impact, eventually die off and that's that. They're good for bringing immediate neighbors together to watch each other's homes, but that's usually about it.

The only time real change will happen is when literally at least hundreds of people gather up signs, media, and march to City Hall and sit in for a few days. And I do mean at least hundreds of people who are fed up with "business as usual" in City Hall who not want but demand change, and then get out and vote for a qualified candidate (regardless of color) who understands where they're coming from, what needs to be done, and then will put qualified people in the key positions in the City.

Until folks are ready to do that, waving candles and singing Kum-Ba-Yah in front of a channel 2 news crew isn't going to do much.

First off, If I had meant black mayors I would have said it. And I also never said the past white mayors were not guilty either.

What I mean by "Maynard Jackson Dynasty" is every mayor handpicking his successor. This dynasty would have ended in 2001 if Rob Pitts had won the mayoral election (In case you didnt know, he is black), and was supported by the middle and upper class areas of the city (at the time, was really only Buckhead, Virginia-Highland, and parts of Midtown).

Also, it may be true that these types of organizations come and go, but who is to say it won't keep growing. Plus, it has AJC coverage. This is a major difference from other movements. Lastly, this IS an election year!

You also missed my point about how things could change if the Midtown groups, ATAC, and Buckhead groups join together closer to the election.

In any event it will be interesting to see.

[gt6974a]

ATAC would have to grow some balls first! By balls, I mean sidestep SOME of their liberal thinking when it comes to guns and crime. Showing a woman kicking a mat or some 60's era hippies with posters on the front page of the AJC is going to do little to deter criminals.

Changing the mayor, as crappy as they've been, isn't going to do much for crime reduction.

The guy who carried and shot the other criminal has already done more for the community than ATAC or the mayor will ever do.

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by atlantagreg30127

By that you no doubt mean "ousting black Mayors" from office in Atlanta. Just say it if you're going to say it.

Here's the problem: It's not that Atlanta has had Black Mayors for so long that has been the cause of the problem. It's the fact Atlanta has had several CORRUPT Black Mayors for so long. They traded corrupt White "good old boys" for corrupt Black "good old boys (and girls)" who hire people based on personal friendships and race (white OR black) instead of their personal qualifications to do their jobs well. Every city gets one bad apple Mayor here and there - we've had more than one in a row, so the problems add and stack up...

Very good post, Greg. So true...(and I'm glad you outlined what he was really trying to say... "middle-class" =

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by BringBackCobain

First off, If I had meant black mayors I would have said it. And I also never said the past white mayors were not guilty either.

What I mean by "Maynard Jackson Dynasty" is every mayor handpicking his successor. This dynasty would have ended in 2001 if Rob Pitts had won the mayoral election (In case you didnt know, he is black), and was supported by the middle and upper class areas of the city (at the time, was really only Buckhead, Virginia-Highland, and parts of Midtown).

Also, it may be true that these types of organizations come and go, but who is to say it won't keep growing. Plus, it has AJC coverage. This is a major difference from other movements. Lastly, this IS an election year!

You also missed my point about how things could change if the Midtown groups, ATAC, and Buckhead groups join together closer to the election.

In any event it will be interesting to see.

(See highlighted above) No, the Southwest part of the city (Cascade, Collier Heights, Peyton Forest, etc.) has been and is middle and upper class as well. You need to understand/know the City of Atlanta before posting...

[robdowns]

ATAC is actually a city-wide effort. This is not, nor can be, something taken on by a select few in Atlanta or contained to certain portions or demographics of the city.

We will be doing rallies in different neighborhoods throughout Atlanta the last Monday of every month. February's rally will be on the Westside (stay tuned for details).

[Merin]

Originally Posted by gt6974a

ATAC would have to grow some balls first! By balls, I mean sidestep SOME of their liberal thinking when it comes to guns and crime. Showing a woman kicking a mat or some 60's era hippies with posters on the front page of the AJC is going to do little to deter criminals.

Changing the mayor, as crappy as they've been, isn't going to do much for crime reduction.

The guy who carried and shot the other criminal has already done more for the community than ATAC or the mayor will ever do.

Your argument is fallacious. Most of the residents here do own guns. If you look at the ATAC message board, you will see that a lot of the posts include instructions regarding concealed weapons permits.

[Merin]

I attended the Dine Out on Wednesday. All the restaurants in my part of town were packed full of people.