Guest Book

I have been guilty of firing off some heated posts in the past so this is not intended to judge anyone. With that said a member and I had some things to say to each other and we used the Private message awhile back.Now it is PRIVATE message so I won't mention the other party but we shot back some PM's that first started very hostile and then progressed into a conversation and at the end it was an understanding.We kept it off the GB and now all the hostility between the two of us I feel is all in the past. It works,even if it does not it would at least leave the negativity off the GB which seems to really feed on itself. We will all never agree on one topic much less all of them, my point of view differs from others, does not make me right or the opposing view right, or vice versa, but slamming folks for their point of view really gets nothing done One thing we all have in common is we dig the music of the Allman Bros.,it hits us in the gut whenever we hear it,that I think is something we all agree on,or maybe not!

Hey Chris! Love Marshall Tucker! No doubt....they copped some stuff off the ABB, but that flute, man, that flute was very cool! Did anyone here like The Mavericks? I thought they were pretty good....liked their diversity in their music.

Thanks I knew atleast two of you would get a kick out of the guitar :))

There are several wonderful people that never post here anymore....wonder why??? I spoke to one on Thanksgiving evening that told me that he did not have time for all of the BS that is now here. I know that things cannot remain the same and change will take place but I dont think that human decency does. However, somewhere along the way, rudeness to others seem to be a way of life....and it has invaded this site. Yes, I have a scroll bar and I use it but this has always been a nice place to escape from the real world but is no longer. I dont have to call names for the ones to know who they are, but they (and all of us) need to remember when we are posting that we are guests on this website...that we are all fortunate to have been invited into the cyberspace living room of Rowland and Lana's. I miss my friends that feel that this site is no longer fun to visit because of a few bad apples that like to verbally threaten people and keep the drama at a high peak. Rowland and Lana did give us an area on the website where we more or less have free rein to say what's on our mind...it's the "Whipping Post" section of the Forum. What happened to all of the music discussions that we used to have that made for great reading?? As our dear friend Gerald says, "Keep It Kind", and perhaps some of our missing friends will return....I hope so!!!

I dont have a dog in the FL development argument, but I am going to offer my own 2 cents worth re development in general. I DO have experience with commercial development, as an engineer for over 20 years and someone who worked for the top commercial developer in Atlanta, let me preface. Not that it matters however, as we all have opinions, since we are all affected in some way by development. What I do not like about over- development falls back to a lack of strong regulations and master plans, and that is the fault of local planners and local governments, plain and simple. If you as a resident want to control development, then your efforts must be at the city/town/county political level. I dont like what some developers do in residential communities Hemlock, no, I do not. I dont like zero lot lines. I dont like developers who cut down every mature tree and plant a few boxwoods in their place. I dont like the lack of attention to planning....just build it, sell it, and move on to the next jobsite. Nope, I dont care for it. Let me cite Birmingham development, in particular Highway 280. Because of excessive and intense development, lack of planning, and lack of cooperation between jurisdictions (last count= 6 cities touch 280 in about a 2 mile stretch), this road stys packed and cannot support the traffic. Our dumb assed State DOT has bought into the concept of an elevated road to run parallel with 280. Oh yeah, THAT'S the answer. I have lived in Birmingham most of my life Hemlock, and I absolutely hate what I see Birmingham become. Its terrible and in time, will simply become more blight to maintain. All of these "new buildings" WILL decay over time, and, as population trands move and leases expire, these once "new buildings" will become vacant. How many Wal-Marts have you seen vacate a building, only to build a Super Center in a strip development? So, I am moving to what I consider to be a much more sensible and progressive State to spend my older years, North Carolina. They are doing it right based on what I have observed. Yeah, its somewhat a crap shoot for us, but I am willing to take it considering. I have actually witnessed small communities around Birmingham say to developers to whoa, because the infrastructure cannot support their grand plans. Can you say sewer/water/fire protection morotorium? Another point re jobs and housing. Well Hemlock, around here anyways, most of the jobs in construction (residential and most commercial) are low wage jobs held together loosely with illegals who DONT pay taxes, who DONT live in the community, and who DONT buy goods/services in the area. The local Lowes or Home Depot gain in materials sales, but overall the pattern for residential development looks like this: -Bunch of houses thown up. -New strip mall, with low-end class "B" tenants, like nail salons. -New Lowe's or Home Depot. -New Wal-Mart. -New Grocery store. -Some mom and pop resturant, usually mexican. Personally, I am kinda getting tired of this pattern of development. I am also getting sick and tired of 18 wheelers and the damage they cause the interstates and the effects of NAFTA, but lets not go there. Nothing personal there Hemlock, but I just dont like what I consider to be abuses in development. I dont know if you ever hunted or fished much as a kid. I did, and when you see all of the dirt you hunted on gone to housing, and the ponds and creeks you fished in no longer available, you kinda develop the sore-asss about it. I gave up hunting years ago, and now its a struggle to find quality places to fish. There, off my soapbox....y'all have your turn at it. Rick

Good Morning! 🙂 I think I will have my coffee with a shot of Wild Turkey!:lol:

Turn around, Gary! I'm right behind you with them. 🙂

{You *know* the Beacon is going to happen, and Derek will be there. There are just some last minute details to be worked out before specific dates (which will be numerous) can be announced. Speaking of announcements, a major one concerning the ABBeacon and Moogis is coming in a POG soon, most likely tomorrow or Tuesday} WoooHooo!! 🙂 Thanks for the update Lana! 🙂 :dance:

ugh -grunt and sunday morning bells--- need coffee.... :laugh: Hey guys!! I love HTN Issue 51!!! I great one :D.... Mitch - i played :guitar: for 2hours last night - i must be ready.....or deaf..... i'll let you know if my hands & arms still work tomorrow....sure hope so!! :rolleyes: :smokinsmiley::bike::smokinsmiley: Hey Michael!! :waving: What CD did I break today??? LOL.... Is it BirdSong?? Say hey Bird!!:D

Good Sunday Morning to ya'll. Been a long time. Hello to everyone, hope all's well! Looking forward to NYE w/ Derek and Susan in in Hot 'Lanta with the new Wife! Any Beacon Style Pre-Parties???? 😎