Mr. Hyatt, you stated that "but as a local economy – the RaceTrac is helping a lot of people." The gas station isn't creating more money, it's merely redistributing what was already along the Spring Rd. corridor. So explain what you mean by that statement.

No one has ever said that the big, blue bldg wasn't an eyesore. But replacing an old eyesore with a brightly lit new one still leaves us with a poorly landscaped and manicured new one. And the worst of it is that if this station follows the trends of every other RT, it won't stay clean and shiny very long.

Refering back to previous comments made doesn't answer my questions.
I'm well aware of where their HQ is, and I say; So What?
Do you really think that the mgrs for this store are local? That they live on Bell Dr, or down in your neck of Afton Downs?
Just because it's "prettier" (now) than the previous bldgs, doesn't mean it's a good idea in the long haul for Ward 1.
How did Smyrna get such a narrow vision of what good, bad and great are?

It is a shame that people continue to be so accusatory when someone doesn't share their POV. It's neither positive nor negative to have a different opinion. The divisiveness is yet another symptom of the greater problems our communities face.

You know Oscar, I once held crappy, low paying retail jobs like this one, and lived off them in fact... IN COLLEGE!

If you want a job that you can live off of, get some skills or provide a service/product that demands more money! I view these jobs as a stepping stone to something better. They fill a needed part of the economy- low paying jobs for low skilled labor.

And what's next? Demand lower paying jobs have higher wages, hence prices go up, then people just complain about that!!!!???

Actually Oscar, I was censored by a user, not the Patch. That's a very different circumstance, & irrelevant to this issue. That said, it's both laughable and telling that you consider someone telling you to "put your money where your mouth is" instead of incessantly complaining a "personal attack". I'd be curious to hear your rationale for that. At any rate, I'll reiterate my question, you've been vociferously objecting to this store, as well as many other things in this city, so inquiring minds would like to know what you plan on doing about it...other than vociferously objecting? Everything Christian says is spot on, but even if it weren't, it's there now & there's nothing you can do about it. So short of putting your money where your mouth is & doing something to remedy all of these ills you perceive, it would seem that all you want to do is constantly remind everyone how unhappy you are.

Maybe they were just blinded by the big neon glitter.

Ahahahaha!
What? There isn't a yogurt dispenser at every gas pump?
You WERE cheated Alex! ehehehehehhee.

Alex,
I think the only reason you feel cheated is because your expectations were clearly excessive. The "cool & hip" people championing this new development don't appear, from what I see, to have claimed anywhere that RT was an amazing or something that people from all over Atlanta would "seek out" and certainly no one ever said or claimed it was to be a "land mark" like the Big Chicken.
The contributors, such as Leo and Christian and supporting posters simply pointed out the clearly positive impact this station is having on the area already. Any glorification or "underlining" of the positives has only been done in the face of very negative comments from a few regularly negative posters. Everyone always knew it was a Race Trac. It is a big, well lighted and well landscaped gas station. Could there have been some other great new business here?...Sure. But there was not any interest by any developer to build something else.

Alex, I too feel cheated. Cheated, because I'd expect this type of response from some, but I'd expect something more constructive from you. You've been on this site long enough to know all of the outlandish things that were said in opposition to this store last summer, & are now being regurgitated by a lone parrot even though the store is already here & will not go anywhere. & yes, as much as you sarcastically want to point out that this is just a gas station, that is precisely the point to all the detractors. Nobody's holding it up as a panacea, but what people have said to rebut the nonsense is true...it is a nice, new place as far as gas stations go (unlike several of the run down gas stations we have along Spring & elsewhere), it fills a need, it's a local company, it's bringing new jobs, etc, etc, etc. I get that you are perpetually unhappy, but is this the type of stuff we all would have been graced with should you have actually won your campaign for city council?

Alex...I'm your neighbor, I will buy you a muffin. I hate to see any one feel unhappy or cheated. Maybe I will even splurge and buy your gas (even though I prefer QT or Kroger), I am a firm believer in Paying It Forward. :)

And you point is what, exactly?
I am not PERSONALLY attacking anyone with any of these comments and you know it.
I do think that people have been bamboozled by the big neon glitter.
And I don't understand it.
I do think that a gas station is just that..a gas station, and not some great welcome mat to visitors of our city. If you actually look at a location that is welcoming, inviting, says "progressive" and "modern" and "intellectual" you're not going to see a huge, red, neon circus tent there. I don't think that's even a question to argue.
And simply allowing, ney, inviting that monstrocity to set up shop there, simply because "no other builders were interested" seems completely irresponsible to me.
Now, nothing truly great can be placed anywhere near there. It's a GAS station.
Not the Taj Mahal. (And the landscaping looks like amateurs planted those dying bushes.)

You guys on the other hand were naming people who don't post on here, never post on here, and making derogatory comments about them..HERE.
That's what I was talking about. It's shameful and speaks volumes about the character of some of Smyrna's residents.
I do think that Mr. Hyatt is cheering for this gas station, and I, along with others, have an opposing POV.

on the council's mind when allowing this to be built there.
I believe that we need to plan accordingly for the growth of the city.
Much like you would plan for a garden. Nothing can grow here now because of that Big Neon Glitter.
That gives the distinct impression that the city has cut their nose off, OUR noses more specifically, to spite our face.
You didn't want a liquor store in YOUR neighborhood anymore than we wanted this circus tent in ours.
And I may be mistaken, but I don't think the city owned the Spring Rd. properties.
We weren't on the line for anything monetarily.
RT will not improve the quality of life, the value of the homes, the "face" of Smyrna.
And no business of substance will ever build anywhere near that place.
There was a clear lack of long term, big picture vision by allowing it be built there.

Those of us opposed to RT realize that this hideous beast is here for the long haul.
Much to our dismay. But please do not expect that when someone publicly chants and cheers for it as some benchmark of our city that it won't be countered by those of an opposing POV.

There is a difference between the Dunton St. property and Spring Rd.
Trying to manipulate or misrepresent what's been said, or take comments out of context doesn't change that or make it any less true.

Thank you for posting this, 30080.
This is the kind of "Community Vigilance" that Ward 1 so desperately needed, but it's too late now.
We're stuck with that big neon glitter. Ugh.

I noticed today that all the stations close to RT have the same prices for gas.
We can go to which ever station we prefer at this point and pay the same at the pump.

But that's the free market at work, isn't it? In an ideal Republican world, you'd see that all over the place, in all markets. The large undercutting the small, until there is only one business in each business category. Then we all win. Right?

Which brings me to another topic to address, my "self appointed SHN mouthpiece" of a husband. Surely that is not an indirect personal attack on him because you have made it very clear how you feel when someone does that as well as offered excellent advice as to "stay classy", I know you would ALWAYS practice what you preach, right?!? :) Anyway, yes, usually when you create a neighborhood association for the sole purpose to unite and bring a voice to your community or neighborhood, you do have a tendency to be the "mouthpiece" and are "self appointed" because you created it. Since this seems to bother you, may I suggest you start your own and then you could do the same verses hiding behind a computer. Or not, which ever works best for you. Since times have changed, he is no longer the sole "mouthpiece" for our neighborhood, but that really is irrelevant, nor is he on the DDA. As for what was potentially going to happen in our neighborhood verses yours is also irrelevant because that was not my question or comment, nor was that the subject in this article. >>>>

Again, Michelle, snarkiness and distortion of comments and facts.
I could just as easily go back from earlier threads and pull comments to toss out, (including ones that specifically clarify your husband's position as the SH mouthpiece) if my position wasn't strong. Which apparently yours isn't.
It is arrogant and frankly tacky to assume that I'm "only hiding behind a computer."
And incorrect. But that's neither here nor there. The only reason I mentioned him, SH, or the DDA at all was because YOU felt a need to rehash that thread and take things out of context. AGAIN.
I have a tremendous problem with the hypocrisy of Smyrna's gov't, no question about it. Your liquor store and our Big Neon Glitter are prime examples.
Which I thought I'd made clear. Apparently not.
I do not believe for one minute your supposed politeness to the "powers that be" had even one shred of influence on that liquor store going in or not. You believe whatever you choose.
Facts remain facts. There is no debating facts. Its becoming more commonplace for people to attempt to debate FACTS when they're losing ground. It's ridiculous.
Clarification is one thing, but to insist that something isn't what we know it is, that's just wagging the dog.
And the facts remain that Ward 1 did not need, nor really want that bloody gas station. Fact: most people here are not involved in local gov't, hence us being saddled with that glowing eyesore. Fact: there was another signalized intersection>>>

one traffic light down, where Dos Amigos is right now. RT could've easily converted that location into a new gas station, with less effort and less damage to the environment. But again, we had Mellany Pritchett's hands all in this mess. RT will in all likelihood outlast that hideous Mexican place. And then, the property will sit empty once again. But that wouldn't have been the case if RT had built there instead.
And, we'd have good locations for real businesses to build there. Drawing real jobs, nice architecture, landscaping, something..anything better than RT! And now, we're stuck with the Big Neon Glitter. And no hope of anything substantial coming in there. As a consumer, I don't care for RT, and I never have. But I understand commerce. It's the location of that glorified gas station that, to me, is the most problematic. One light down, and I wouldn't have had a word to say. But having it directly in front of that apartment complex, which BTW, a few SPD have indicated to me is a big concern for them as well, along with having it across the street from a residential neighborhood is nothing but bad planning. PERIOD.
And it shows, yet again, how poorly the "powers that be" think things thru, and how little they really care for the residents they were Elected to Serve.
It's disgusting.
And I think this horse has been ridden as far as it can go.
There's nothing else to say.

Oscar, you still have missed the point that you specifically state that the city should not snub businesses and we need revenue, regardless of who it is, unless it is RT or something that does not make you happy. If any one is "losing ground", it would appear to me that would be individuals who regularly need to divert the attention of facts to making comments about others in a negative tone in a thread unrelated to them or the original issue discussed. I can assure you that the method taken to encourage a liquor store to not open at the entrance of our neighborhood happened because yes, MANY (clearly I need to repeat myself) voiced our concerns to the appropriate people in a manner that is dignified and the outcome was favorable. Based on your comment of the lack of people involved in your ward, the same did not happen for you. That must be discouraging. >>>>

Fortunately, because that "self-appointed mouth piece of a husband" created a neighborhood association years ago, we were able to come together and unite in opposition and that sent a message to the appropriate people which created success in our efforts. Maybe instead of expressing contempt for citizens who only have the best and honest intentions to better their neighborhood and community, you could politely ask for suggestions in how to achieve such an accomplishment and prevent future things from happening in your ward that make you unhappy. As for hiding behind the computer...I believe I have extended the olive branch before and will again...would love to meet you any time at Rev (but definitely not RT) for a beverage of your choice and a nice civil chat or we can hide behind our computers. Better yet, you bring your two dogs, I will bring my ill behaved kids and we can walk the paths of TB park and pontificate about ALL things Smyrna. As usual Oscar, I wish you well and can only anticipate an opportunity to engage in conversation beyond the screen of technology. :)

So to sum this up since you felt the need to take it to a place way of course from the original article and question, you are clearly in opposition of the RT and the business, jobs, and revenue that it brings to this city, inspite of the criticisms of the city for "snubbing" other businesses, regardless of their size or reasoning...and last time I checked, a Wal-mart and RT are not even close to the same "big box" merchants. Allow me to follow up with your other comment in that thread as copied below and actually agree with you that "some money coming in is better than no money coming in". Amen to that!!!! Stay classy Oscar as my "thinly veiled snarkiness" will stay classy too. :)

"Oscar G.
12:03 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012
Some money coming in is better than no money coming in.
It doesn't take a Nobel Prize Winning Economist to realize that fact.
We are in a deeply recessed economy. It is foolish to continually turn away revenue simply because it's not another Lockheed Martin or some such manufacturer.
If as a council they are not going to accept these bids, they should tell we the people "why not?"
All the speculation would die off if we could just get a straight forward answer.
I for one am tired of hearing about what "could've" been."

WOW...that was a lot to say. Sorry to be so long winded....but we always seem to have such stimulating exchanges. Enjoy your evening.

Oh..and they never said Why Not?
The council doesn't care about it's citizens. At least not in Ward 1.
And we have the Circus tent to prove it.

Then maybe you should move to Ward 4. We would love to have you as a neighbor. :)

People will speed everywhere, but in the 5 years I've lived off Spring Road in that area, I can count on my hands the number of times I've thought someone was speeding excessively. What I can't count any more b/c the number is too high are the times where I wanted to scream b/c people wouldn't go over 35-40. Even though the signs say 45, most people tend to drive it as if it were a 35 zone. & there are enough stop lights, & traffic during peak times, to break things up.

How does the School Zone Speed Restrictions already there come into play with your area of concern? Feel free to contact me offline if I can help. Else - If you haven't reached out to Councilwoman Pritchett I ditto 30080 that you and Ms. Krier should do so.

Yes, it's the crown jewel, that's what this is all about. Riiiight. Funny that you mention her getting blasted, but her comment's been up for over 4 days & nobody's said a word. That's probably b/c of all the objections to the RT store, hers is the only one that has any substance. Ingress/egress was always a concern about that location. The rest of the opposition to the store is just noise.