ATLANTA METRO SPORTS AUTHORITY NEEDED?

     In a column in Sunday's ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, Donald
Ratajczak writes the City of Atlanta "loses competitively to the
surrounding communities by hosting sporting activities," and
because of that, an area sports authority is needed.   Ratajczak
notes that the City of Atlanta footed the extra $300,000 for
additional safety and traffic needs and additional expenditures
"in excess of a half million dollars."  Ratajczak says that while
the city does gain revenue from hosting large events, "probably a
third of all spending generated by the Super Bowl falls outside
Fulton County," with that money having "no impact on city
revenue."  Ratajczak:  "Counties outside Fulton and even the
remainder of Fulton outside Atlanta will receive windfalls and
few expenditures burdens.  Therefore, sports activities within
the city enrich other jurisdictions at the expense of the city."
Reasons cited for the need for a metro sports authority:  To
contract with local community safety agencies and cover lost
property taxes (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 2/5).