ATL WTF?

I live on the east coast and grew up in the midwest.  Both regions are accustomed to snow storms and, as a consequence, both regions have developed protocols to handle bad weather.  So I can (sort of) understand how the City of Atlanta and its surrounding counties in the state of Georgia do not have a well developed game plan for snow storms.  I get that.  What I don't get, however, is two-fold:

1. Why local officials chose to ignore the clear warnings about the snow storm that were shouted from the mountain tops as early as Monday by weather stations all over the country? (and I'm looking directly at you, Atlanta Mayor who chose to keep the schools open!) 
and
2.  Why all of the citizens throughout the entire state of Georgia seem woefully inept at driving through just 2 inches of snow (really? two inches and you guys freak out?? Talk to me when you get two FEET of snow)