Sample Blog for CWarmbold at AJC.com

---

Ah, Sandy Springs…a beautiful self-contained city right outside Atlanta, Georgia. There are many things to love about this newly incorporated neighborhood. Nearly everything you need exists in one place – great shops, homes, and business. Like other places, rush hour traffic is busy but not the worst, by far. Though I have lived here all of 4 years, there are many people who have been in the community for decades. The experience has been pleasant. It’s not perfect but it’s perfect for my family and me. That’s why I was horribly disappointed to hear one of the new government’s leaders say he was sorry that the people involved in a recent shooting altercation outside Insomnia’s nightclub, didn’t die.

You read it right. At the last public meeting right before the vote, one of the so-called leaders for Sandy Springs literally said he wanted two people dead. To add insult to injury, half of the audience clapped incessantly. What has this world (or Sandy Springs) come to? Is this not Hitlerish? Come on people! I don’t personally know who these people are that will be creating policy for the citizens of Sandy Springs, but I certainly don’t feel comfortable having a person who wishes death on another representing my best interest, necessarily.

My husband and I attended the meeting because we were undecided on the vote. We felt there were pros and cons to be weighed on both sides. We expected to hear an intelligent, well thought out position statement from the group proposing the incorporation of Sandy Springs. But, this is politics, right? So what did we hear? Baseless rhetoric, hype, clichés and fact-free information. Also suspect, was how impassioned some audience members were about cityhood although the task force representatives did not have a plan and not so much as an outline was offered. The position of the folks proposing incorporation is “Trust me” and that’s it. The position of their supporters is “I want to keep what’s mine” and that’s it. I stand in the middle, not for or against, waiting on someone to concur with.

Unfortunately, it is the folks who feel strongly for the decision that participate, attend the public meetings and vote. Sandy Springs is diverse in its ethnic population but the panel of decision makers, meeting halls and voting statistics do not reflect it. I sense that is exactly how these policymakers want it. Community Task Force meetings are not made public for a reason.

In any case, we are all waiting to see what happens next. On December 1st, Sandy Springs officially becomes its own city. Campaigns for November should be a fun process to watch if it doesn’t incense you instead.

Are you a citizen? Will you vote?

About the Author

Joy Adams love to write. She runs a small publishing company in Sandy Springs producing self-help / educational websites and written materials. Joy is most interested in helping others succeed in their career pursuits. In the workplace, Joy has a solid track record of over 10 successful years contributing to Corporate America in Sales and Marketing at top corporations IBM and Blue Cross Blue Shield. She has been awarded highly with honors for her written and verbal abilities. After relocating to Georgia, Joy started a model agency where she successfully found work opportunities for her clients including a model who was selected to tour with the Fashion Fair show.

Joy relocated to Atlanta five years ago from New York City. She was raised on Roosevelt Island, NY (not to be confused with Roosevelt, Long Island). For those who may be familiar, Roosevelt Island is the small strip of land between Queens andManhattan that you have to take the tramway to. In any case, she has lived in all the boroughs except Queens.

Joy is married and currently residing in the Sandy Springs / Dunwoody area of Atlanta, Georgia. You may contact her at (404) 399-5992, or email: joy@joyadams.com.