I will have more to say on the subject next week, but the efforts to promote passage of the transportation referendum on July 31 has been just short of atrocious. While I was not there in person — thankfully — the comments from Ed Baker, Dave Stockert and Paul Bennecke at the Cobb Chamber’s First Monday breakfast as reported in Tuesday’s Around Town were over the top and a clear indication that the passage of the referendum is in deep doo-doo. They had best heed the comments of Rep. Rich Golick (R-Smyrna). Golick, a man slow to anger, told AT, “Personal attacks are never productive, and they speak volumes about the individuals or entities making the attack,” and added, “It is not a good idea to burn bridges with the very people they may need to work with on another transportation initiative in the near future.” You would think Baker, Stockert, Bennecke, et al would understand that. ...

Last Saturday, I had the opportunity to moderate a debate among the Republican candidates for the District 6 state Senate seat, covering parts of Cobb and north Fulton. The winner will face Democratic incumbent Doug Stoner of Smyrna in the November general election. Stoner had better strap on his helmet. As the promo for the PGA tour says, “These guys are good.” Not a loser in the bunch. Josh Belinfante, former legal counsel to Gov. Sonny Perdue; Drew Ellenberg, a Smyrna businessman; and Marietta High graduate and Hunter Hill, a businessman and former U.S. Ranger, are vying for the GOP nomination. All are knowledgeable and articulate. …

And then there is House Speaker David Ralston, who graced Cobb County with an appearance on Wednesday and reminded us that efforts to limit lobbying expenditures are a “gimmick.” His Poobahness told the MDJ’s Jon Gillooly that one of the benefits of the current system is “it lets y’all write stories about every nickel and dime that gets spent on us.” I am glad he sees that as a positive because I intend to keep on doing just that. ...

Speaking of Ralston, one political insider reminded me that the speaker doesn’t really give a damn what you or I think about ethics or anything else. All he has to do is get re-elected in his hometown of Blue Ridge and grab the hearts and minds (and perhaps other parts) of the majority of Republicans in the House, many of whom fear him more that the voters, and the rest is a piece of cake (courtesy of a lizard-loafered lobbyist.) …

For those of you that measure success at the University of Georgia by the success of the football team, let the tragedy of Penn State serve to remind you of what can happen when athletics take precedence over academics. Football coach Joe Paterno, once an icon of integrity for the way he ran Penn State’s program, has had his reputation permanently sullied for the way he mishandled the repeated reports of child molestation by assistant coach Jerry Sandusky. The university, an outstanding academic institution, could even be required by the NCAA to drop football for a year or more (the so-called death penalty.) I love my Bulldogs but I love the academic side even more and that is where I put the bulk of my money — scholarships and internships to the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communications. Ultimately, the kids I am assisting today will make more of a contribution to society that many of the so-called scholar-athletes who are at UGA just to play games. …

Kudos to the hard-working public school teachers in Cobb County and the City of Marietta for the progress you have made in Criterion-Referenced Competency Test scores that were released by the Georgia Department of Education on Thursday. You didn’t ask for CRCT or any of the other programs thrown at you, but despite furlough days and an abysmal lack of support from legislators, including many in Cobb County, you somehow make it work. Keep this up and legislators are going to run out of reasons to encourage parents to cut-and-run from public schools. For whatever it is worth, I am proud of you. …

And, finally, Smoke on the Mountain is returning to Marietta; this time at the Earl Smith Strand through the good offices of the Atlanta Lyric Theatre. The show runs July 27, 29, July 31 and Aug. 1 to 5. It was one of the gems from the now-closed Theatre in the Square and the show never gets old. If you haven’t seen it, you should.

You can reach Dick Yarbrough at yarb2400@bellsouth.net or P.O. Box 725373, Atlanta, Georgia 31139.