Atlanta's Economic Stupidity Continues - Commentary by J.A. Davis

Jeff Davis

Georgia Heritage Council
Phone: 770-297-4788 email: chairman@GeorgiaHeritageCouncil.org
Web: www.georgiaheritagecouncil.org

Atlanta's Economic Stupidity Continues, by J. A. Davis

Now we get word that the National Association of Home Builders, one of the largest if not THE largest national expositions and meetings has cancelled their agreement to meet in Atlanta in 2007 and 2008.

This convention traditionally brings over 100,000 visitors and more than one hundred million dollars to Georgia from its lavish displays and generous visitor spending.

In a recent column I wrote of Atlanta losing economic opportunities, "Stupidity and political correctness is no excuse."

How stupid can you get when you have signed contracts for the NAHB for two years and blow it over an alleged stupid suggestion to placate the association with their attendees own money by suggesting hotels increase their rates for this convention only and kick back the increase into a kitty to compensate the association for a perceived loss of exhibit space?

It is true The World Congress Center in Atlanta may be outgrown for this convention in the coming years, but 2007 and 2008 were set before this reported unfortunate departure from ethics took place. This form of stupidity is part and parcel of what I previously addressed.

There seems to be a mentality in the Atlanta business leadership which has put ethics, honesty and forthrightness in a closet along with its culture, history and heritage. That's stupidity. To make room in the closet, out came an annual gathering of homosexuals widely promoted by the convention bureau along with a separate celebration for pimps, also widely promoted.

As one who was there and actively participated in the late fifties and sixties in the growth and prosperity in Atlanta, I have justification to speak out for all those who faithfully worked to bring Atlanta and Georgia to the forefront of America's leading convention cities. During this period Atlanta and Georgia, working together, developed the greatest growth in tourism, new businesses developed, greatly enhanced revenues and sales taxes, huge population increases, major league sports franchises, the Olympics, thousands of new homes and first time property owners, and multiple increases in per capita income for all Georgians----the most in the history of the state.

I noted previously that the 1956 state flag with its St. Andrews Cross flew over Georgia during this greatest era of growth and prosperity. We didn't hear about anyone being offended. We were all too busy counting our mutually derived long overdue and welcome blessings.

Political correctness was never a consideration. We didn't try to alter or disguise our history or heritage. We featured it and they came and loved it. The Atlanta business community along with citizens of all backgrounds worked together for for common cause. Atlanta truly rose from the ashes after a hundred years of trying to regain a foothold from one of America's tragic errors, The Reconstruction Era.

Under the leadership of Bill Hartsfield, a descendant of a Confederate veteran, we took the slogan "A city too busy to hate." Today's leaders disavow this slogan with their own politcally correct slogans.

It was not unusual for me to get a call late at night from Mayor Hartsfield. Sometimes he'd say such and such is having a convention in Washington, or wherever. "Coca-Cola has said we can borrow their plane (a DC-3) and go visit those folks and invite them to Atlanta for some real Southern hospitality. Can you go with me?" Sometimes the mayor discovered a business firm that might be considering the benefits of moving to a Southern locale. Same thing, "I'll pick you up at six in the morning."

That probably explains why Mayor Hartsfield kept a recliner in his office. I remember several occasions where he nodded off during meetings, yet he never missed a beat.

Wouldn't it be nice to see Coca-Cola remember its great heritage? At one time they had great leaders who took them to worldwide business prominence. In those days they were loved and respected by the home folks.

I volunteered to help as did many others. Some of us had interests in tourism and industrial development. I was then assistant to the president of the Biltmore Hotel Corporation. It just happened to be the largest hotel in Atlanta with a convention exhibition hall that rivaled any in the country. It was built with Candler money largely derived from Coca-Cola.

It seems to me that some of the real community spirit and integrity toward showcasing Atlanta and Georgia could and should be revived. All of Georgia could be the beneficiary of right-thinking leadership that could constructively look to the future travel and tourism industry. To do this the selfishness and stupidity of the Atlanta business community has to be replaced by people genuinely interested in the growth and prosperity for all the Georgia people and not a chosen few who consider themselves elite.

A good start would be to go back to our base roots and not only honor our past, but make it the focal point of interest. I can never forget the memories of thousands of visitors asking "How do I get to Tara?" With true tolerance for all and promoting our honorable heritage, I say that Georgia's best days are NOT "Gone with the Wind."

Jeff Davis is a retired radio-TV journalist living in Gainesville, GA. Active in civic and political affairs, he is past president of the Georgia Jaycees, former vice president of the US and the world Jaycees, former campaign chairman of the Georgia Republican party. He voluntarily serves as chairman of the Georgia Heritage Council. He is a collateral descendant of President Jefferson Davis.

Contact: Telephone 770 297-4788 P-6, 2363 North Cliff Colony Drive Gainesvlle, GA 30501