New Auto Plant

DETROIT GETS FIRST NEW AUTO PLANT IN NEARLY FORTY YEARS, by Stephen Ahle, 2/27/19.

Fiat Chrysler announced Tuesday that the company is opening a new auto assembly plant in southeast Michigan that will employ 6,500 people and require billion in investment. Now, if the can just keep AOC away from Detroit until the plant is built and in operation.

Detroit is in bad shape after so many years of Democratic domination. They have bought an old engine factory and are working at refitting it so the plant can produce the Jeep Cherokee and a new SUV Fiat Chrysler has planned. This will be a big lift for the city and has it’s risks for Fiat Chrysler due to the erosion of the city.

From The Daily Caller - The plant will provide roughly 6,500 jobs to the city and is considered a monumentally large commitment, especially given Detroit’s recent struggles. The Mack Avenue Engine factory will be converted to an assembly plant for the Jeep Grand Cherokee and a new SUV, the company told reporters.

“This is the way the city of Detroit fights unemployment and poverty,” Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said in a statement about the assembly plant. “Standing here today, to be back in the city of Detroit, is truly remarkable.” Other government officials mirrored his point, adding that the plant means new job opportunities citizens.

“It’s much bigger than the city of Detroit,” Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer told reporters before the announcement. “This is going to be an incredibly wonderful thing for the state of Michigan. In the last 15 years, only seven new assembly plants have been built in the United States.

“Economic indicators, as we see them, are strong,” FCA Chief Executive Officer Mike Manley told reporters, explaining that the company is diversifying products to capture new customers and further strengthen Jeep and Ram products.

One FCA former rep also stated: “It makes me feel really good. I’m very happy. To me, it’s about creating good jobs that people can have for 30 years and support families. That’s what I’m all about,” she said. “I’m so glad to know it’s in the Detroit area. My only hope, because they still have many temporary workers, and they have not yet hired them permanently, I want to see people get permanent union positions.”

https://steadfastandloyal.com/news-for-you/detroit-gets-first-new-auto-plant-in-nearly-forty-years/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=subscriber_id:1095731&utm_campaign=Trump%20Wins%20Again!%20Detroit%20Gets%20First%20New%20Auto%20Plant%20in%20Nearly%20Forty%20Years

Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader

GA 400 Update

40-plus Sandy Springs buildings targeted for demolition in Ga. 400 toll lanes project, by Evelyn Andrews, 2/28/19.

An illustrated map by the Georgia Department of Transportation shows the conceptual Ga. 400 toll lane alignment and potential property impacts on Northgreen Drive and Talbot Colony. North is to the right.

The Georgia Department of Transportation’s Ga. 400 toll lanes project could require the demolition of more than 40 buildings in Sandy Springs — including single-family homes, an apartment building and offices — the agency revealed at a Feb. 28 public meeting.

The majority of the buildings are concentrated in two neighborhoods south of Spalding Drive. Nineteen homes are targeted on Northgreen Drive and 11 are targeted on Talbot Colony. The other properties are spread along Ga. 400 and include two multi-family structures and a commercial building. A billboard on Roberts Drive on the west side of Ga. 400 is also marked for demolition.

Rekha Desai, a Talbot Colony homeowner, said finding out her home would be taken is “a shock.” She and her husband have lived in the house since 1993 and they have “a lot of emotional investment” in it. “But if we have to do it, we have to do it,” said Desai, one of several local residents who trekked to Alpharetta for the meeting.

GDOT has said the concept design is still preliminary and could change after an environmental review process. To see the designs and other meeting documents, including an illustrated video, visit GDOT’s website. 

GDOT is working on two projects that would add four new toll lanes, called “express lanes” or “managed lanes,” along I-285 and Ga. 400 in the Perimeter Center area over the next decade, with the intent of improving overall traffic flow. Parts of the toll lanes are expected to be elevated, including a high flyover atop Northridge Road, to use existing right of way. The toll lanes are part of a system being built metro-wide, including recently opened lanes on I-75 and I-575.

The toll lanes project has become controversial for the limited information being released and the property impacts, some of which were privately being discussed with homeowners. For months, GDOT had refused to release information about possible property-taking, saying the public had to wait for this meeting.

“It’s surprising to come and find your home is going to be taken,” said Mary Louise Austin, a Talbot Colony homeowner for 35 years, referencing the initial private meeting with the neighborhood. “We thought this would be our forever home.”

An illustrated map by the Georgia Department of Transportation shows the conceptual Ga. 400 toll lane alignment and Pitts Road bridge replacement. 

GDOT recently shifted the section of Ga. 400 south of the North Springs MARTA Station into the I-285 toll lanes project, which is undergoing a separate planning process on a later timeline. That means many other property impacts and access points likely will not be presented by GDOT until that project’s public meetings start in December.

The Ga. 400 project’s potential property impacts were revealed in GDOT’s first public information open house for the project held Feb. 28 in Alpharetta. A local meeting for the Perimeter Center cities is set for March 12 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Sandy Springs City Hall, 1 Galambos Way.

GDOT’s plan showed toll lane access points would potentially be located at the North Springs MARTA Station and Northridge Road.

While the project has not been fully approved or finished the environmental review process, GDOT is beginning the process to acquire properties. “There’s not a lot of flexibility in this area, so there’s a need to do early acquisition,” Phil Copeland, a consultant working on the project, told a Talbot Colony resident.

The Ga. 400 lanes also would carry a new MARTA bus rapid transit route. MARTA officials attending the meeting and displayed basic information about potential BRT stations, which included none in Sandy Springs.

The BRT system would replace a Red Line extension beginning with a station Northridge Road MARTA had been planning for years and Sandy Springs had prepared for. The BRT station at Northridge Road is not currently part of this project, according to the list presented by MARTA.

The stations are proposed for Holcomb Bridge Road, North Point Mall, Old Milton Parkway and Windward Parkway, all north of Sandy Springs.

An illustrated map by the Georgia Department of Transportation shows the conceptual Ga. 400 toll lane alignment and southern Roberts Drive bridge replacement.

Other plans revealed at the public meeting include replacing the Pitts Road bridge with a version long enough to cross the toll lanes and realigning the road near it, which would require demolishing several homes. The Spalding Drive and Roberts Drive bridges over Ga. 400 would also be replaced.

The Reporter previously revealed that 20 houses were targeted for demolition on Northgreen and Spalding drives. At that time, Ronda Smith, the president of Sandy Springs Council of Neighborhoods, which represents homeowners associations in the city, said the organization is planning a strategy to help those who may be affected by the project. “As a board we are gathering as much information as we can from the affected parties (HOA’s or homeowners) so we can be most effective with any efforts we undertake to assist these parties in working towards mitigation,” Smith said in an email.

Sandy Springs Councilmember Jody Reichel, who represents a large part of Ga. 400 that may be affected, including Northgreen Drive, said the city is working to gather information to reduce the impact on residents and has met with GDOT several times. “Even though our influence is minimal, the GDOT has committed to continue meeting with the city as final plans are created and to listen to our feedback and input,” Reichel said in a written statement. “I want my constituents to know that I will stay informed and, together with the mayor and city council, will push GDOT as hard as possible to reduce the impact on our neighborhoods and to be transparent with our citizens as this project moves forward.”

Rafael Celedon, a homeowner on Talbot Colony, said he is disappointed his home will likely be taken for the project, but is now just hoping to get enough compensation from GDOT to afford a similar property nearby. If he doesn’t get enough, he fears he’ll have to move far away, he said. “It’s only fair that we be compensated appropriately,” Celedon said. “That is a big unknown. It’s causing a lot of uncertainty and anxiety in our life.”

GDOT follows the federal guidelines for property acquisition and offers fair market value, Copeland said. Once an offer has been made, property owners are given a maximum of 60 days to relocate, he said.

GDOT is already acquiring property for the I-285 toll lane project as well. One possible property impact already revealed for that southern portion of Ga. 400 now folded into the I-285 project is a proposed toll lane access point on Crestline Parkway, instead of one GDOT is currently planning on Mount Vernon Highway. The Crestline option was requested by Sandy Springs city officials, and would require demolishing eight homes.

The full list of properties marked for demolition in Sandy Springs for the Ga. 400 project:

West of Ga. 400 south of Spalding Drive. 

Two houses on Mabry Road. 

   19 houses on Northgreen Drive.

   One house on Spalding Drive

East of Ga. 400 south of Spalding Drive. 

Townhouse building on Village Creek Trace. 

11 houses on Talbot Colony

West of Ga. 400 south of Pitts Road. 

At least one apartment building at Colquitt Road in the Parc at Dunwoody. The map marked one building, but was imprecise.

East of Ga. 400 south of Pitts Road. 

Four houses on Pitts Road

East of Ga. 400 north of Pitts Road. 

One house on Spindlewick Drive

West of Ga. 400 north of Northridge Road.

A building in a commercial complex on Dunwoody Place that is the location of several law offices. 

   West of Ga. 400 north of Roberts Drive.

   A building in the Lexington Crossing Condominium complex

https://www.reporternewspapers.net/2019/02/28/40-plus-sandy-springs-buildings-targeted-for-demolition-in-ga-400-toll-lanes-project/?ct=t(Template_for_Friday_messages_COPY_01)

Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader

Lose Nukes

Preventing the use of Nuclear weapons is one of the reasons the US Military is the world’s policeman. The objective is to prevent terrorists from having access to nuclear weapons. A nuclear bomb exploding in any large city would destroy that city and its economy. Most countries lack the resources to prevent this.

The eradication of terror groups is required to deny these groups a base and the resources needed to build and deploy a nuclear device. Islamic terrorists are particularly dangerous, because their Koran encourages the killing of all non-Muslims and suicide bombers are promised immortality.

The risk of a nuclear explosion is also increased by proliferation of nuclear weapons. Having these weapons fall into the wrong hands is most likely by having them in unstable countries.

The US is establishing a Space Force to deploy the capability to destroy or redirect intercontinental ballistic missiles in space. This is designed to make these missiles useless. That leaves nuclear device delivery by terrorists or hostile countries still viable.

Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader

Pakistan Economy

Pakistan has a population of 205 million and a land area 340,509 square miles. Labor force is 61 million. Inflation is 7.2%.Labor force by sector is agriculture 42%, services 35%, industry 23%.

Pakistan has a Nominal GDP of $277 billion and GDP growth at 5.2%. Nominal per capita GDP is $1,641. GDP by sector includes agriculture 19%, industry 21%, services 60%.

Main industries include textiles, apparel, food processing, pharmaceuticals, construction, materials, chemicals, cement, mining, machinery, steel, engineering, software, hardware, automobiles, motorcycles, auto parts, electronics, paper, fertilizer, shrimp, defense, shipbuilding. Ease of doing business is 136^th.

Exports are $25 billion in textiles $13.3B, food $4.8B, oil $575M, manufacturing $4M and other $1.4M sold to US 15.6%, UK 7.1%, China 7%, Afghanistan 6%, UAE 5.6%, Germany 5.5%, Bangladesh 2.9%.

Imports are $56 billion in food $5.5B, machinery $8.8B, vehicles $3.2B, textiles $4.1B, agriculture and chemicals $8.36B, metal $4.8B, other $10B from China 20.5%, UAE 16%, Indonesia 8%. Saudi Arabia 5.5%, US 3.7%, Japan 3.4%.

Government revenues $48 billion, spending $68 billion, Debt to GDP 66%, foreign reserves $13 billion.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Pakistan

Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader

India Economy

India’s population is 1.3 billion with a land area of 1.27 million square miles. Labor force is 527 million. Labor force by sector, agriculture 47%, industry 22%, services 31%. Average salary $1,600.

India’s Nominal GDP is $3 trillion, GDP Rank 5^th, GDP growth 7.3%, Nominal per capita GDP $2,134, GDP by sector, agriculture 17%, industry 29%, services 54%.Inflation is 2% Interest rate 6.5%.

Main industries are textile, chemicals, food processing, steel, cement, mining oil, machinery, software, pharmaceuticals, vehicles, ease of doing business 77^th.

Exports are $303 billion including agriculture 13%, fuels and mining 14%, manufacturing 70.5%, other 2.9% with products sold to EU 17%, US 16%, UAE 10%, Hong Kong 5%, China 4.2%, other 48%.

Imports are $465.6 billion and include agricultural 8.1%, fuels and mining 30%, manufacturing 52% and other 10.2% purchased from China 16.6%, EU 10.4%, US 5.7%, UAE 4.9%, Saudi Arabia 4.6%, others 58%.

Government revenue $550 billion, spending $730 billion. Debt to GDP 69%. External debt $510 billion. Foreign reserves $400 billion.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_India

India v Pakistan

India is much larger than Pakistan in population, land area and Nominal GDP.

India has a population 1.3 billion and a land area of 1.27 million square miles. Pakistan has a population 205 million and a land area of 340,509 square miles. India has a Nominal GDP of $3 trillion. Pakistan has a Nominal GDP of $277 billion.

Both are poor countries with low per capita GDP, but the developed economy in India delivers $3 trillion in GDP. India is much wealthier and has more military resources than Pakistan. India is also not likely to allow terrorists to operate in their country, but Pakistan does allow this.

Both countries have nuclear weapons, but Pakistan is most vulnerable to failing to secure these weapons.

Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader

India Pakistan Hostilities

On 2/14/19, a Pakistani-based Islamic Terror group suicide bomber killed 40 Indian Police who were in transit on an Indian highway.

On 2/26/19, the Indian Air Force retaliated claiming to kill 350 Terrorists. On the same day, border clashes broke out between both nations' armed forces, leading to at least 4 civilians being killed in Azad Kashmir.

Today the US is urging the Indian and Pakistani governments to stand down and not accelerate the hostilities.

Both Indian and Pakistan have nuclear weapons and a widening of hostilities could lead to endangering their entire region.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_India%E2%80%93Pakistan_standoff

Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader