5A – Identifying Local Opportunities

1) The local newspaper I decided to use was the Atlanta Journal Constitution

2) Five stories with links (listed below)

3) Listing the five opportunities

1. First opportunity

• Suit: Stadium should pay property taxes - Filing targeting Mercedes-Benz Stadium could have implications for exempted facilities across nation.

• https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=0D0CB57BE7FF6D8A&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F171160D25E65EBE0

• The city of Atlanta and Fulton County are putting together a lawsuit that is demanding the Mercedes-Benz Stadium be required to pay property taxes. Currently the stadium is property tax exempt, like many other stadiums in the U.S.

• The problem presented is that Fulton County property taxes have been increasing, and residents are becoming upset that the Atlanta Falcons football franchise is not being required to pay property taxes. The 30 year lease for the stadium has the opportunity to generate $700 million in property tax revenue for the city and county.

• The people or groups who have the problem are the Atlanta Falcons franchise, who are being taken to court for the property tax exemption

2. Second Opportunity

• METROWIDE: Atlanta, Marietta schools look to hire furloughed workers

• https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=0D0CB57BE7FF6D8A&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F1712B2D79F32A608

• Marietta and Atlanta school districts decided to speed up the hiring process for federal workers currently out of work due to the shutdown. They were given priority for positions such as faculty assistants and substitute teachers.

• The problem presented in this article is that federal workers have been furloughed, and this is causing a strain in some parts of Georgia. 16,000 federal workers in the Peach State have been out of work for almost 5 weeks, and the state wants to help remedy the situation any way they can.

• The people or groups who have the problem are the furloughed workers along with the Georgia counties who have residents who are affected financially by the shutdown.

3. Third Opportunity

• AJC DIGGING DEEPER COBB VA - System overhaul frustrating vets - New clinics are on the way, but process has become cumbersome.

• https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=0D0CB57BE7FF6D8A&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F1711B5542FBE84D8

• The Cobb County VA clinic, the only one in the county, is shutting down as the VA offices have announced the opening of several new clinics in the county.

• The problem presented in this article is that veterans in the care of the VA clinic are now unable to visit any clinic since the only one in the area is closing down. They are now having to wait until the new facilities are open.

• The people or groups who have the problem are the veterans who are not being given the proper treatment that they require.

4. Fourth Opportunity 

• ONLY IN THE AJC CONFEDERATE NAMES - Rebel-named roads: More changes afoot?

• https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=0D0CB57BE7FF6D8A&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F1711B553F3AC5520

• Throughout the city of Atlanta, many of its roads and streets are named after various Confederate generals and other associations with the Confederate Army.

• The problem presented in this article is that there are quite a few roads that are alleged to be named after Confederate individuals, and while the city of Atlanta wants to rename them, many people are against the changes and wish for these roads to retain their historic names.

• The people or groups who have the problem are the city of Atlanta wanting to rename the roads, and the people who are against renaming the streets.

5. Fifth Opportunity

• AJC INVESTIGATES CITY HALL - City seeking to limit credit card abuse - Ordinance will be taken up today at city council meeting.

• https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=0D0CB57BE7FF6D8A&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F1711B5541E6C96E8

• Atlanta city issued credit cards have been used for expensive vacations and dinners, with taxpayers footing the bill for these negligent purchases.

• The problem presented in this article is that Atlanta city council issued credit cards for members that have been used for lavish expenses, none of which were considered essential.

• The people or groups who have the problem are the taxpayers of Atlanta, GA along with the Atlanta City Hall.