It’s good to see this guy back in town. Let’s hope his news is also good. We are in bad need of jobs in Lamar County even if they are low paying.
Can you just imagine what it would be like if rapid rail service to the metro Atlanta area was readily available from Lamar County? Jobs, jobs, jobs would be available and at a wage that would increase the standard of living by at least 60%. People could afford new homes, new cars, new flat screen TVs. The tax base would go up and the county would harvest enough revenue that the school system would be top notch. Purchasing access from the metro area would mean much greater buying power for Lamar citizens.
Could it happen? Would the big fish in the small pond try to stop it? Would local citizens be spooked by the possibility of increased crime?
I believe crime would not go up if the rail terminal was some where in the county that would require a car to leave from. The crime in Lamar co. is already higher per 1000 than most the metro area. When is the last time you saw someone with a big screen TV on MARTA….never. Would the shakers & movers in Lamar allow such to happen? It would mean they would have more competition for the local work force and contend with the Metro sales market.
Since I can remember I have been talking to whomever would listen about rapid rail to ATL. Our history books tell us of the Nancy Hanks that ran from ATL to SAV and then back around. What an amazing service. Stops in Macon, Barnesville, etc.
Mass transit works in so many other communities. I fear though that in areas such as Lamar many people hesitate to part with their automobiles and that sense of "freedom." Real freedom is passing right by traffic while you read the paper or check your email or listed to your iPod or something.
I can also imagine people going to ATL for a day trip of shopping, if necessary, or people from ATL coming here for a "day in the country," so to speak without having to drive.
I do think that the "big fish" would not look so kindly to outsiders coming here (even if it meant increased revenue) and would see the sound of a train several times a day to be obnoxious (although we have several passing through now as it is).
I would love this option to be explored more by the county. The tracks are obviously in place!
Can you just imagine what it would be like if rapid rail service to the metro Atlanta area was readily available from Lamar County? Jobs, jobs, jobs would be available and at a wage that would increase the standard of living by at least 60%. People could afford new homes, new cars, new flat screen TVs. The tax base would go up and the county would harvest enough revenue that the school system would be top notch. Purchasing access from the metro area would mean much greater buying power for Lamar citizens.
Could it happen? Would the big fish in the small pond try to stop it? Would local citizens be spooked by the possibility of increased crime?
I believe crime would not go up if the rail terminal was some where in the county that would require a car to leave from. The crime in Lamar co. is already higher per 1000 than most the metro area. When is the last time you saw someone with a big screen TV on MARTA….never. Would the shakers & movers in Lamar allow such to happen? It would mean they would have more competition for the local work force and contend with the Metro sales market.
Since I can remember I have been talking to whomever would listen about rapid rail to ATL. Our history books tell us of the Nancy Hanks that ran from ATL to SAV and then back around. What an amazing service. Stops in Macon, Barnesville, etc.
Mass transit works in so many other communities. I fear though that in areas such as Lamar many people hesitate to part with their automobiles and that sense of "freedom." Real freedom is passing right by traffic while you read the paper or check your email or listed to your iPod or something.
I can also imagine people going to ATL for a day trip of shopping, if necessary, or people from ATL coming here for a "day in the country," so to speak without having to drive.
I do think that the "big fish" would not look so kindly to outsiders coming here (even if it meant increased revenue) and would see the sound of a train several times a day to be obnoxious (although we have several passing through now as it is).
I would love this option to be explored more by the county. The tracks are obviously in place!
Yes. 4 years ago.