FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 24, 1995
Contact: Phil Smith (404) 584-0008
ATLANTA -- After being shunned in Marietta, the Concord Coalition's US Debt Clock will be on display today at the state capitol. Georgians will be able to see exactly how fast the federal government is spending their hard-earned tax dollars when the giant electronic scoreboard that ticks off the national debt at $9,600 per second pulls into town.
The Cobb controversy began last Friday when local bureaucrats there refused to permit the group to bring the debt clock to Marietta Square. Ironically, Marietta and Cobb county bask in federal funding, reaping per capita almost twice as many federal dollars as New York City1, the "culture of waste" as termed by Georgia's own Speaker Newt Gingrich.
After several attempts, the Concord Coalition was officially refused a permit Friday by Marietta Parks & Recreation Official Wendy Johnson. She said that there "is no way" the city government would allow the display in Marietta Square or any other public park property regulated by her office, without obtaining strict governmental permission eight to nine weeks in advance. By contrast, the group obtained permission from Athens area officials just days in advance. State officials were quick to approve the event at the capital with just one phone call.
The National Debt Clock has traveled to hundreds of towns and counties across America and never been denied access to a public area until it reached Marietta. "This marks an unfortunate first time for us," said Smith, "I'm ashamed that it happened in Georgia, much less the self-proclaimed family values town. I truly hope they change their mind before the debt clock leaves our area Wednesday."
Former US Senator Warren Rudman, Concord's National Co-chair, summed up the group's mission. He said, "Too many politicians are engaged in a conspiracy of silence born out of fear... fear that if they confront the problem honestly, they'll lose. What is required is a frank public discussion of the deficit to build support among the American people for some tough fiscal medicine."