Conservative Government Destroys Atlanta Like Gen. Sherman Never Could

[marmar]

via AlterNet:



Conservative Government Destroys Atlanta Like Gen. Sherman Never Could

By Rick Perlstein, Blog for Our Future. Posted June 23, 2008.

The colossal mismanagement of water in Georgia has produced an urban crisis with no clear solution other than a return to smart government.



Most our media have been far too busy following the news of what kind of fist bumps terrorists favor, and Luke Russert's exceptional poise under pressure, to notice -- well, much of anything. Least of all, the Biblically proportioned drought in one of our nation's fastest growing regions, which is only getting worse, and more civilizationally consequential, by the day.

Atlanta magazine could no longer ignore it. The cover of their "The Water Issue," which I picked up on a recent swing thorugh Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, is graced by a water glass that's one-quarter full -- scratch that, three-quarters empty. The entire magazine is a fascinating document, a potsherd for future archeologists seeking answers to the kind of neuroses that allowed a civilization let itself be run according to an ideology -- conservatism -- so singularly unfit to govern a complex, modern society. Amidst all the schmancy department store and Cartier watch ads, the columns on "Scent marketing" ("among Advertising Age's top ten trends to watch in 2007") and enticements to purchase property at marquee destinations like The Inn At Palmetto Bluff ("50 beautifully appointed waterfront cottages, full-service spa, inspired Lowcountry, cuisine, exlusive Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course...") -- the landscaping ad featuring the gushing backyard waterfall alongside the furnished stone gazebo was an especially decadent touch, directly across fro a full page ad for "Brookhaven Retreat, treating both addiction and mental health challenges" -- these 176 pages document a narcissistic metropolis on the verge of a nervous breakdown, but not quite able to admit it.

In a letter to subscribers, the editor describes what it was like growing up in the Third World, as a child of missionaries: "In one of the places we stayed, water was piped in only one hour a day -- we had to run around with buckets and pots to catch every drop. in another, water that collected in rooftop tanks would turn scalding int he midday tropical heat. No matter where we traveled, flush toilets were a rarity." That's what she's been thinking of, walking into all the Atlanta bathrooms with "empty buckets near the tub": Atlantans, you see, have begun flushing their toilets with recycled bath water. ......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.alternet.org/water/89018/

[TornadoTN]

1. K&R - Too many people are ignorant about this

It's a very disturbing trend and one that follows closely with Climate Change - that almost the entire country is seeing the effects of.

[conscious evolution]

2. Glad I have a well

Most people around here are pretty damned clueless about the ramifications of our water shortage.

What i find interesting is that the main water source and resevoir for Atlanta,Lake Lanier,is the only lake in the area not up to full pool.Funny thing about it is that its water levels are controlled by the Federal goverment.
HMMMM... A blue city whose water is controlled by a red goverment. Tin foil hat time yet?

[underpants]

3. I believe that the water system in Atlanta was privatized

and we all know what followed

Higher prices
less performance

[iquiring mind]

4. Atlanta is Blue in a sea of Red

Atlanta is the largest and most progressive city in the State! How can you call that city conservative?

I lived there for five years and always told my friends that it was an island. Every walk of life was welcome and lived happily in that city. The City government has been Democrat for as long as I can remember.
William B. Hartsfield 1942 - 1962 (second through sixth terms)Democrat
Ivan Allen, Jr. 1962 - 1970 (first & second terms) Democrat
Sam Massell 1970 - 1974 Democrat
Maynard Jackson 1974 - 1982 (first & second terms) Democrat
Andrew Young 1982 - 1990 (first & second terms) Democrat
Maynard Jackson 1990 - 1994 (third term) Democrat
Bill Campbell 1994 - 2002 (first & second terms) Democrat
Shirley Franklin January 7, 2002 - Present Democrat

There have been many factors relating to their recent water woes, including a experiencing a recent severe long-term drought.

They also have an antiquated sewer system that needs a BILLION dollar fix. I am not exaggerating on the cost. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution stated this cost 6-7 years ago. Their sewer system and street drainage system are combined into one system. When they experience heavy rains the sewer system literally overflows (the water reclamation facility cannot handle the volume) and drains straight into the Chattahoochee River, polluting all the way to Florida and the Apalachicola Bay. (by the way, the Apalachicola Bay is one of the major producer of oysters consumed in America)

Atlanta has serious water issues but lets place blame where blame is due. Crying wolf (Conservatives) every time there is a problem, destroys credibility. Once that happens people stop listening.

[marmar]

5. "Crying wolf (Conservatives) every time there is a problem, destroys credibility."

I think you missed some of the key facts in the article.....Enjoying your day at DU?

[iquiring mind]

6. On which facts would you have me focus?

The original post started with, "Conservative Government Destroys Atlanta Like Gen. Sherman Never Could. The colossal mismanagement of water in Georgia has produced an urban crisis with no clear solution other than a return to smart government."
It continues later in the post to state, "The entire magazine is a fascinating document, a potsherd for future archaeologists seeking answers to the kind of neuroses that allowed a civilization let itself be run according to an ideology -- conservatism -- so singularly unfit to govern a complex, modern society." It does speak to affluent stores and neighborhoods but why hate? If somebody busts their ass to better themselves economically, provide their children a safer neighborhood and better schools; should they be denied? Should they instead be forced to live in conditions as the editor describes when growing up in the Third World?
Everybody strives to better their position in life and those of their kids. If they manage to do so, we should be happy for them. Not hate them or display jealousy.

PS: I like your Norm Chomsky quote. We should empower people and let them know they can achieve, they can improve their lot in life. They do not have to remain beholden to the government for the small penance they receive every month. They can succeed!!!

[marmar]

7. Umm, the facts that show that conservative government has contributed heavily to this crisis....

..... N'est-ce pas? ...... And BTW, Chomsky is a very big believer in big government for the good of the people, including nationalizing some industries.

[iquiring mind]

13. Where is this conservative government you mention?

Did you not read my post listing the mayors back to the 1940's??? Please tell me which ones you feel were/are conservative?

I enjoyed the quote because it reminded me of a quote that went something like...
The surest way to destroy initiative and pride is to give a man something for doing nothing.

[lolly]

12. So, it's their own fault?

"We should empower people and let them know they can . . . improve their lot in life. They do not have to remain beholden to the government for the small penance {I presume you mean 'pittance'} they receive every month."

Water systems are not a small pittance. The reason 3rd world countries don't have them is because you need a competent government with enough money to create and maintain them. And it's a vicious circle; one reason these 3rd world countries don't have stronger economies is people are too weighed down trying to survive to get an education, invent new products, or contribute to the economy.

Individual initiative and freemarkets do not tend to keep the infrastructure strong. They will do what gets THEM money, not what benefits all of society over the long run.

When the RED STATE of Georgia screws up its water system, people in the cities will suffer. If you live and work in downtown Atlanta, you can't just go dig a well in your backyard and get all the clean water you want.

Cities and civilizations need infrastructure to function.

[iquiring mind]

14. Empowerment response was to Chomsky's quote at bottom of post.

I agree, water systems are not a small pittance. (spell check gave me other spelling after I initially started with pitence, I knew that wasn't right. Close but ended up further away) And it takes a competent government to create and maintain them.

My original post "Atlanta is Blue in a sea of Red" dealt the position of the original poster blaming the conservative government. The Mayor of Atlanta has been a Democrat at least since WW2. Crying wolf (blaming Conservatives) at every turn destroys credibility and soon no one will listen.

Cities are responsible for their infrastructure, they are responsible for ignoring this problem for as long as they have. It has now reached critical mass and they are looking for help.

[lolly]

19. I know it was a response

And it was one that completely distorted Chomsky. That's why I picked it up.

Water supply depends on a large network--as a Californian, I can tell you that water supplies depend on far-flung supply systems. State and even federal governments are needed to bring water from one source to the next.

Allowing surrounding areas to separate from the city and take water supplies with them (so they can have golf course and fountains) would certainly affect the city's water supply.

[nashville_brook]

17. aquaducts -- there's a reason why we study them in college. they're an index of civilization.

[Zodiak]

8. Have you read the "Shock Doctrine"

Because if you had, or if you have been paying attention to Atlanta area politics, you would know that the suburbs of Atlanta incorporated and removed themselves from the city's tax base (because conservatives hate paying taxes to help "the unworthy"). In other words, a bunch of conservative assholes that didn't want to pay their taxes removed their taxes from the system, and now the inner city of Atlanta's infrastructure is crumbling.

So yeah, the problem is neoliberalism, a.k.a. American "conservatism".

[gristy]

11. Democratic

The City government has been Democratic for as long as I can remember.

[raccoon]

9. Let's get this on Greatest! K&R.

I'm in the state next door. :scared:

[iquiring mind]

16. Which state?

If you're in Tennessee what's the latest on Georgia's attempt at shifting the border to get access to the Amnicola River? Is that the correct river?

[raccoon]

20. SC. I heard about the GA attempt to shift the GA/TN border, but haven't heard

what's going on with it now.

[ensho]

10. Kick and a link

www.atlantawatershortage.com

[nashville_brook]

15. time for free marketeers to take their lumps -- let GA dry up and blow away. it's the only ethical

solution (according to free marketeers, of course).

[Dukkha]

18. I guess their "Prayers For Rain" went unheard

to quote a song from The Cure

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/11/13/southern.drought.ap/index.html

[Doctor_J]

21. I have a friend in Atlanta

She says their water bill is ridiculously LOW. Basically they'd rather have a drought than raise taxes. There are times when conservatism rises to the level of murder.

[burythehatchet]

22. the recent history - Liberal governments should not attempt conservative solutions

http://www.reason.org/commentaries/segal_20030121.shtml


Before privatization operating costs ran about $50 million a year with poor service and a major need for modernization. Then Mayor Bill Campbell decided to privatize water operations as a way out, although he did not generally support privatization. In general, there was not much initial public support for the proposal. However, it went forward and United Water was eventually selected with a winning bid of $22 million.

Entering the contract negotiations phase the city had little idea of the exact location of water mains in the city, or their condition. The city did know that a high percentage of treated water was not billed, and probably leaked out between the treatment plant and meters. United Water (UW) insisted that the city make warranties on the system, but ultimately the city held firm and none were made.<15>

United Water took over operations of the system on January 1, 1999.

Fast forward to this summer, Mayor Shirley Franklin issued formal notice to contractor UW that they were not in full compliance with the terms of the 20-year contract reached in 1997. She noted that problems included: staffing levels, bill collection, and meter installation and repair. This came as UW was seeking an additional $80 million dollars for services they claim were provided outside of the contract.

However, city officials also say that they are saving less than $3 million a year, and there is no room for additional payments. UW officials dispute this claim, state that the city was paying $49 million for water services before privatization, and the contract only pays UW $21 million—an annual savings of $18 million. While there may be some monitoring and oversight costs associated with the contract, it should not be in the neighborhood of $15 million. If the city is only seeing a net decrease of $3 million, money must be flowing into other areas or swallowed by bureaucracy.

UW was given 90 days to “cure” complaints in four key areas: insufficient maintenance, poor bill collection,<16> tardy meter installation, and an improper letter of credit. As of October 31, 2002, the city reported that performance had improved but more improvement was needed. A scorecard will be used to evaluate the performance, which both sides agreed to, since it will be measuring actual outputs and outcomes rather than subjective measures.

In early October, another issue sprang up regarding the requested $80 million in change orders. UW produced letters that had been signed by then Mayor Bill Campbell authorizing the payments of nearly $80 million just before he left office. The letters would have reimbursed UW more than $10 million for work it claims to have done without compensation and increased the company’s rates by more than $4 million for each of the next 17 years. Franklin has contested the validity of the letters and has called for an investigation. Ultimately, UW rejected the notion that the letters weren’t valid, but has since dropped its claim for the additional money rather than fight with the new mayor.

Still at issue in Atlanta is whether or not UW deserves more than the $21 million a year they are paid. UW is contending that the city grossly underestimated basic repairs and maintenance. Assumptions were built into UW’s fee proposal. For example: that 1,171 water meters per year would break, requiring repairs—but in reality, 11,108 broke; another was that 101 main breaks would occur in a year—actual equaled 279; and yet another was that 734 fire hydrants would require repair—when 1,633 needed it. Essentially UW assumed that the system would require one level of repair, when a different much higher level of repair was needed.

Ultimately the problem resulted from poor data, or in some cases no record keeping. The city did not have good records to establish a baseline—either data wasn’t kept, wasn’t kept accurately, or existed but was understated due to bureaucratic malfeasance. However, some of the blame must fall on UW. All of the bidders knew about the lack or quality of data ahead of time before they bid. Furthermore, UW has a lot of experience running old systems (older and larger than Atlanta ’s) and they should have built that expertise into their proposal.