Who Knew ?

Found this on WXI's web site other day...All I can say is "Well Duh"

Reported By: Jaye Watson
Web Editor: Tracey Christensen
Last Modified: 7/8/2006 3:15:06 PM


A new book slated for release this fall is setting off a firestorm in Metro Atlanta. The book entitled "The Absolutely Worst Places to Live in America" names Atlanta, College Park, Douglasville and Hinesville among the bottom of the list.

The author, Dave Gilmartin, said people may refer to the city as "Hotlanta" but he calls it a pseudo McCity. However, Gilmartin said Atlanta is paradise compared to Douglasville.

Douglasville Mayor Mickey Thompson read the ridicule about his town. "It was a total surprise," Thompson said. In his criticism, Gilmartin said Douglasville might as well be called "Hee Haw Town, USA" and that it's always been a simple slow-paced place for rednecks and hillbillies.

"Actually it is a slow-paced place. However, we consider that a plus, and as far as rednecks yeah, we have some, but we have business people, people from all over the world moving in," said resident Sue Roberts.

The book is supposed to be a humorous travel guide but sometimes it's hard to laugh when you're the one being singled out unfavorably and, Mayor Thompson believes, unfairly.

"Douglasville has been one of the fastest-growing cities in the state of Georgia with a population of more than 25,000 for a number of years," the mayor said.

Gilmartin also criticized Hinesville as the sort of town everyone talks about moving away from. He called College Park "a realm of crime, razed buildings and televangelists currently in the midst of a transition from community to runway."

The citizens and officials there are not amused.

"I think this is a great city next door to the busiest airport in the world. We have a tremendous amount of development going on in our community," said College Park city manager William Johnson.

Some College Park residents would like to know how Gilmartin picked their city to pick on. Several calls placed to Gilmartin's publisher were not returned to 11Alive News.

I like the part about the hillbillies...