Georgia couple throws '1st birthday party' for metal plate on street

[TexasTowelie]

ATLANTA -- Shortly after some frustrated Atlanta residents pulled a gimmick regarding a road issue, the city helped fixed their problem.

A big metal plate had been on McDonald Street for more than a year, so a couple decided to throw it a little party, WSB-TV reported.

To mark the anniversary, Marko Bajic and his wife sketched “One Year Old” above the skyline, decorated the plate and sang to it.

After learning about the satirical celebration, WSB-TV called city officials about the plate. Hours later, a crew came to haul it away.

Read more: http://www.statesman.com/news/national/georgia-couple-throws-1st-birthday-party-for-metal-plate-street/TIMmIiRGxHVdV2LlZ7hiiI/

[Phentex]

1. Saw this on the news. What I don't understand is

why some metal picker didn't steal it. They take manhole covers and grates along the highway to sell for scrap. Seems like this would have been worth stealing.

I do love the creativity!

[Plucketeer]

2. The reason it wasn't taken

is that the value of scrap metal is still in the toilet.

[demosincebirth]

8. It's 1000lbs, at least.

[Phentex]

13. makes sense

would be hard to get away with

[klook]

3. Surface streets all over metro Atlanta are full of potholes, broken pavement, etc.

Unless you're in a well-to-do neighborhood, you have to be constantly on the lookout for hazards. If you travel the same route repeatedly, you learn where to swerve or slow down to avoid them. Some last for years on end, and others are never fixed.

[american_ideals]

6. Our road building is fundamentally unsustainable

We build many more roads than we have the money to maintain.
Federal subsidies support building some roads, but local communities have to maintain them.
This contributes to sprawl, too -- federal subsidies make it seem like suburbs connected by highways are affordable, but they're really subsidized by millions of highway dollars.


Strongtowns.org goes through this in detail.

[klook]

7. Agreed - we need more sidewalks, bike lanes, and public transportation.

Thanks for the link. I will check out that site.

[american_ideals]

9. Density and zoning are also important

Our frequent zoning requirements for single family housing contribute to low density. When you have only single family housing, density decreases and you need fast roads not conducive to bike lanes or sidewalks, and public transit is impractical because it has to go so far.

One interesting Strong Towns factoid is that if a road has a speed limit much above 25 mph, people don't like to walk along it whether there are sidewalks or not.

[IronLionZion]

4. Nothing like a public shaming to force action

If it was a large pothole, some residents have taken measures into their own hands in some cities. People learn how to repair it themselves with home-made asphalt. In India, they put waste plastic in the hole and set it on fire.

[AllaN01Bear]

5. great gimmick

do i spy street car tracks there ?. good luck solving the problem

[kaotikross]

10. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Not "Platey!"

Platey was a quiet neighbor, he kept to himself, although he wasn't the kind of guy that could just be shoved around. His personality was perhaps a bit flat, but you knew he had it covered. Ever vigilant, 24-7, stoically doing his job and never moving from his post. We can truthfully say that Platey was one of the few denizens of the street that wasn't looking to break into cars, or sell/buy drugs, or turn a trick. Rest in Peace, Platey.

Platey
2016-2017.

[TexasTowelie]

11. .

Welcome to DU!

[Phentex]

12. funny!