Comments on: College Ave Annexation Goes Before State Legislature This Week

By: Frank

Frank — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 07:52:59 +0000

Avondale residents gladly pay the taxes to afford them the lifestyle that they have. The only reason more projects haven’t gotten off the ground is because there is always somebody who is against something.
I would be if I gave you a block of gold, you would complain about how heavy it was

By: Frank

Frank — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 07:48:35 +0000

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

It may be obvious to many that I am unashamedly in favor of the two cities. I do not apologize for it. I am not a elitist and don’t consider myself any better than anyone else, but I do seek a nice environment to live. I am only speaking up because I am tired of only hearing from the naysayers and negative folks. if I have offended anyone it was not my intention, but I realize it could have taken place. I say that because I was offended by their comments and wanted to counter. I apologize if anyone was personally offended by anything I said, but I stand by it still.

I also invite people to check out our cities and see if there isn’t more good there than you know!

By: Frank

Frank — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 07:42:31 +0000

Ok, lets ask the nice people in the Avonwood Subdivision about annexation.

They were having problems with through traffic off of beech Dr. off Memorial Dr. The traffic and associated foot traffic were causing headaches and crimes against property in the area.

So, they sought the help of the Dekalb Co. Government. “Please close the street the residents said! NO, cried the County. So, not having a government that was responsive to their needs they sought annexation to the City of Avondale. Have they been happy since? I think so, we closed the street as they asked (per their request) and property crimes dropped dramaticly.
Also, their property values DID NOT go down. On the contrary, property in the city is generally held at a premium. We keep our streets clean and safe. I think people should stand up and scream the benefits of our town and its sister to the west (Decatur)!

By: Frank

Frank — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 07:34:19 +0000

Amen…. Do we remember the Louisiana Purchase? WOW, what a piece of annexation! Or how about Sewards Folly? (thats when we bought Alaska for a pitance)

Think about it……..if we never grew or made any changes the way some of these people think we would not be where we are today

By: Frank

Frank — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 07:29:11 +0000

Joe, get your facts right. The city of Avondale has done mostly residential annexation for the last 25 years. The reason for seeking only business was to round out the city limits and get rid of the “No Mans Land’ and enhance the tax base. A general rule of thumb is for Commercial every dollar spent you collect two in taxes, for residential every dollar collected in taxes you spend two.

Its also evident that the two cities haven’t exactly been treated nicely in their efforts to grow. it has always been our hope that people would want to be in our cities to both enjoy a a better quality of life and improved property values.

Now…armed with this information, please rethink you position and ask yourself does our stand have any merit?

I for one welcome the residents of the A. Station apartments and think they would enhance our city.

By: Frank

Frank — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 06:48:20 +0000

No, I do not think that is on the table for this session. I think it is something the City of Dec. wants long term but does not have the support of those living there right now. I think the Sam’s crossing annexation is the main goal this year!

By: Helme

Helme — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:41:15 +0000

Jeepers, yeah, Avondale has done such a grand job within it existing borders why shouldn’t they add more….
Look at their vacancy rate, and don’t miss the ongoing shabbiness of the whole town. They have committees for Historic Preservation and Business Development and blah blah blah. The reality is there is a lot of ‘ We are gonna do this and that” but they are a pain in the butt to deal with. Oh, and don’t miss the proposal at the planning meeting last month that they install a new sign at the entrance to the city for $20,000. Is it just me or does that seem a bit over the top. Especially when they are looking at legislatively usurping adjacent land for more tax revenue.

Lets review
Population 2550 folks,
$2.7M budget
and
47 city employees hmmm.
The biggest commercial project completed in the last 15 years in Avondale is City Hall.
Interesting the Rep Bennie is going full steam ahead when the majority of property owners are giving it the thumbs down.
As to property values, they will go down. If for no other reason than that Avondale has lower density zoning than Dekalb.
Perhaps a more appropriate move is for Avondale to disincorporate and go away. Really, are they anything more the another layer of unnecessary government.

oop, there I go ranting again

By: Degreatur

Degreatur — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:06:46 +0000

As a Decaturite, I’m really hopeful this happens too. That area is a bit of an eyesore. I want it annexed though because at the least it needs sidewalks and crosswalks. Walking from the Avondale MARTA stop to Avondale is a hazard.