This morning, the AJC announced plans to downsize from 323 full-time employees to 230.  That’s a 28.79% reduction in staff…which they round up to 30%.  The paper also announced another reduction in distribution area, eliminating service in Barrow, Bibb, Clarke, Houston, Monroe, Oconee and Putnam Counties.

As the article points out, the AJC had around 500 staffers in 2006.  By May, they’ll have only 230.  That’s a 54% decline in three years.

So how does the AJC plan to survive?  This paragraph from a letter sent to staff by AJC editor Julia Wallace sums it up…

Our mission and goals remain the same. We need to continue to grow digital. We need to produce a very high-quality Sunday newspaper, filled with unique local content. And we must produce a daily newspaper that quickly and efficiently tells our readers the news of the day of and the news coming up.

The focus on local is reassuring.  The lack of ad dollars online is not.

Will the AJC be able to right the ship?  And how many people will be left if/when it does?  Its become a gripping news story in itself.

h/t:  Fresh Loaf

In trying to persuade committee members at the state capitol to release some of the $65 million set aside for “capital improvements”, MARTA Gen. Manager, Beverly Scott talked of cutting service completely on certain days of the week  if the money wasn’t made available.

Undeterred by the possible catastrophe foretold by Scott , some committee members took the opportunity to question MARTA’s “pre-market collapse” pay raises and some complicated “back-lease” bank deals that the agency got involved with the help of the feds.

20/20 hindsight sure is great, isn’t it legislators?  Personally, I like to use it when contemplating your own $2-$3 billion deficit.

Let’s say it together now, “What were you thinking!?”

Helme pasted this article of unknown origin in a comment…

The city’s (Avondale) request of the Georgia Legislature to allow it to annex 23 commercial properties bordering East College Avenue and Maple Street, west of its city line to Sams Crossing, won’t happen this year under the Gold Dome.

State House Representative Stephanie Stuckey Benfield informed the city on Monday that she was unable to secure the required 10 signatures to move the legislation forward by yesterday’s 4 pm deadline.

“I’ve never gotten the 10 signatures in the past,” Rep. Benfield was quoted in Monday’s Atlanta Journal-Constitution regarding the signatures needed from 10 members of the DeKalb County House Delegation. “But it makes sense, and it’s something that is important for that area.”

Also stalled is the City of Decatur’s request to annex 10 commercial properties bordering Sams Crossing, east of its city line to Sams Crossing. The goal of both cities is to extend its borders to meet at Sams Crossing, eliminating the unincorporated island that currently separates the two cities.

The Board of Mayor and Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution at a March 18th Special Called Meeting in support of the proposed annexation. Rep. Benfield represents both cities and said Monday night she will continue to champion the effort during next year’s legislative session.

Question:  Does anyone know when we’ll have some idea of the impact of Dunwoody incorporation on DeKalb’s taxes?

Judy writes in with some kind words and wonders what downtown Decatur and its restaurants are doing for Earth Hour this Saturday (3/28) at 8:30p.

Well, the city recently posted its plans for the hour over on The Decatur Minute…

The City of Decatur has signed up to participate and will turn off lights on the MARTA Plaza as well as non-essential lighting in city buildings.

But I haven’t heard or seen anything about downtown business participation.  Anyone out there with a plan?

Perhaps an hour of mandated candlelight dinners?