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[decaturga]

Holiday Schedule for Solid Waste and Recycling Services

January 12, 2017 at 10:56AM source: Renae, http://ift.tt/2ikgj7Z

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Monday, Jan. 16, 2017

Monday services will be on Tues., Jan. 17; Tuesday services will be on Wed., Jan. 18.

more: Renae, http://ift.tt/2ikgj7Z

[decaturga]

LaVista Hills vote investigation tied up in records dispute

January 12, 2017 at 10:05AM source: Dan Whisenhunt, http://ift.tt/2j4Chho

Lavista Hills supporters sport I’m a Georgia Voter stickers. File Photo: Jonathan Phillips

It’s been over a year since the Georgia Secretary of State’s office opened a probe into the Nov. 3, 2015 LaVista Hills referendum.

The vote failed by a narrow margin – 139 votes – but there were complaints about voting irregularities raised by a former DeKalb Voter Registration and Elections Office employee, Leonard Piazza.

The Secretary of State’s Office has long said it is unable to discuss the ongoing investigation, which has been underway for more than a year. Recently, the Atlanta Journal Constitution revisited the issue and found that the holdup involves a dispute between the Secretary of State’s Office and Superior Court Judge Tangela Barrie.

Elections Director Maxine Daniels said the records the state is looking for – tapes from the machines and printouts, among other items – are required to be turned over to Superior Court and are not available unless there’s a court order. She noted the original allegation involved an unsecured machine in Dunwoody, meaning that it had nothing to do with the LaVista Hills vote. She said a secured LaVista Hills card was taken, which is how LaVista Hills became involved.

Barrie told the AJC she hasn’t received a subpoena for the information and that she can’t turn over the records unless the Secretary of State’s office files the proper records to ask for them. The judge declined to comment when contacted by Decaturish.

“I’m just trying to protect the integrity of the procedure,” Barrie told the AJC.

To read the full story, click here.

Candice Broce, a spokesperson for the Secretary of State’s Office, said the records are required to finish the investigation.

“My understanding the court is not clear that they have the authority to compel the clerk officials to hand over the records,” she said. “We don’t expect a big revelation. That’s really it.”

She said typically the office does not have problems obtaining records in cases like this.

The post LaVista Hills vote investigation tied up in records dispute appeared first on Decaturish.

more: Dan Whisenhunt, http://ift.tt/2j4Chho

[decaturga]

Firefighters fighting for higher wages

January 12, 2017 at 08:55AM source: Horace Holloman, http://ift.tt/2iKPCdR Low wages and a high work load have created a dangerous atmosphere in DeKalb County, according to a representative of professional firefighters in DeKalb County.From 2011 to 2014, the DeKalb County Fire and Rescue Department had a 9.3 percent attrition rate, according to a Matrix Operational Efficiency Study provided by the Archer Company. According to […]

more: Horace Holloman, http://ift.tt/2iKPCdR

[decaturga]

Carla’s Corner: College players have the right to look out for their best interests

January 12, 2017 at 08:55AM source: Carla Parker, http://ift.tt/2jHH37I It was the knee tear that broke the camel’s back. During the 2016 Fiesta Bowl against Ohio State, Notre Dame linebacker and potential Top 5 NFL draft pick Jaylon Smith suffered a knee injury in the first quarter of the bowl game. It was later discovered that Smith tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and […]

more: Carla Parker, http://ift.tt/2jHH37I

[decaturga]

Decatur Time Machine for Mojo Pizza N Pub & Wilson's Ice Cream

January 12, 2017 at 12:00AM source: Next Stop...Decatur, http://ift.tt/2j9SHHI

Decatur's Wilson Ice Cream Co. was very popular for Decatur back in the late 40's and 50's W. L. Wilson owner of the ice cream company said this new innovation of two horse drawn carts was a great way to deliver their frozen treats to the doors of Decatur customers. The two cart will have designated routes, one will be solely for the north side of Decatur while the other will remain south of the railroad tracks. He pointed out this was developed to appeal to the children and in it's first week of operation proved to be highly successful.

  Today this location is Mojo Pizza N Pub and they are very successful at this location. Their slogan is :

"My neighborhood pizza joint can kick your neighborhood pizza joint's butt!"

They also deliver to Decatur customers.

more: Next Stop...Decatur, http://ift.tt/2j9SHHI

[decaturga]

MLK work day at the Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve [Jan 16]

January 11, 2017 at 09:35PM source: noreply@blogger.com (Cathy), http://ift.tt/2jlkan7 In honor of MLK Day, the Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve will hold a volunteer day from noon until 3pm on Monday, January 16. Come out and help us with trail maintenance, stream cleanup, and invasive plant removal, among other tasks. The Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve is located at 2580 Pine Bluff Drive Decatur, GA 30033. For directions, see their website.

more: noreply@blogger.com (Cathy), http://ift.tt/2jlkan7

[decaturga]

Developer closes on property for multi-use development in Avondale Estates

January 11, 2017 at 04:16PM source: Dan Whisenhunt, http://ift.tt/2jkqF9u

Photo obtained via the city of Avondale Estates website.

Developer South City Partners has closed on 3.17 acres on the north side of East College Avenue that will become the site of a multi-use development.

The property is located between Hillyer Street and Sams Crossing.

“The development will feature a vertical mixed use project with approximately 8,000 square feet of podium retail/restaurant space on the ground floor, approximately 197 residential units in four stories above, including a gateway park, which will preserve the mature trees, a rear parking deck with additional on-street parking and generous sidewalks and street trees to enhance the pedestrian experience,” the city said in a press release.

The project was first announced in February of 2016.

“On behalf of the City of Avondale Estates, the Board of Mayor and Commissioners is happy to announce that today South City Partners closed on their property acquisition at Sam’s Crossing and will soon break ground on construction,” Mayor Jonathan Elmore said, according to a press release. “Their mixed-use project will be handsome and welcoming edifice at our western gateway and an inspiring catalyst for our entire central business district.”

The Downtown Development Authority worked with the city to move the project forward.

“This development is a great addition to the downtown district, and we are honored to have worked with the City of Avondale Estates and South City Partners to help bring this project to fruition,” DDA chairperson Matt Delicata is quoted as saying in the press release. “We know it will be a huge success and are excited to watch it serve as a catalyst for future development.”

  The post Developer closes on property for multi-use development in Avondale Estates appeared first on Decaturish.

more: Dan Whisenhunt, http://ift.tt/2jkqF9u

[decaturga]

Run with the Dogs 5k and 1-Mile Pup Trot Set for Saturday Jan. 21st

January 11, 2017 at 03:41PM source: Decatur Metro, http://ift.tt/2jEW9uw

Always so enjoy this event’s posters.  And the event itself!  Bethany sends in the details… Come  out and support Decatur High and Renfroe Middle School athletics by participating in the 12th annual Decatur Bulldog Boosters’ Run With The Dogs 5K — with or without a dog.   If you or your 4-legged friend are looking for a shorter distance, this […]

more: Decatur Metro, http://ift.tt/2jEW9uw

[decaturga]

Bradford Tolleson Is IN as Brush Sushi Izakaya’s Bar Manager

January 11, 2017 at 03:05PM source: Chris Fuhrmeister, http://ift.tt/2jETX6o

Tolleson takes over for Jeff Banks

Having recently left Cast Iron in Old Fourth Ward, local cocktail veteran Bradford Tolleson has a new gig. Tolleson tells Eater Atlanta he is taking over as bar manager at Decatur’s Brush Sushi Izakaya. He replaces Jeff Banks, who has been with the restaurant since it opened last April.

“I'm a huge fan of the food and the staff, and I hope to maintain the high standard of excellence and creativity bar manager Jeff Banks implemented during his tenure,” Tolleson says. “New drinks and new ideas coming soon.”

Brush chef and partner Jason Liang tells Eater Atlanta Banks is moving on in the booze industry and has taken a job with Savannah Distributing. His last day is this Saturday.

“We appreciated his talent and skill that led us to today,” Liang says. The restaurant will continue to serve its “huge selection of Japanese and Taiwanese (Kavalan) whisky,” and it will expand its list of premium sake and Japanese beer.

Omakase with [beverage] paring is getting popular; Brad and I will work together to make sure customers are going to have wonderful experience,” Liang says.

• Michelle Louise Bird Replaces Bradford Tolleson Behind the Bar at Cast Iron [EATL] • All Brush Sushi Izakaya Coverage [EATL]

more: Chris Fuhrmeister, http://ift.tt/2jETX6o

[decaturga]

Family seeks financial assistance after man fatally struck by car

January 11, 2017 at 02:45PM source: Carla Parker, http://ift.tt/2iHfEi4 On Christmas Eve, south DeKalb County resident Marvain Adams was out in his subdivision doing what he loves—helping others. Adams was using his leaf blower in the middle of the street on River Mist Court off Dogwood Farms Drive when he was struck by a car. Adams was transported to Grady Memorial Hospital with an […]

more: Carla Parker, http://ift.tt/2iHfEi4

[decaturga]

Decatur Hydration Station Crew Chief Wanted for the March 19th Publix Marathon

January 11, 2017 at 02:50PM source: Renae, http://ift.tt/2jEJBmV

Crew chief’s responsibilities will include: 1.    Attend a crew chief meeting in early February. 2.    Organize the volunteer team, and ensure that all volunteers register electronically through Atlanta Track Club’s online registration. 3.    Pre-race communications and instructions to the volunteer team. This will include learning how to use volunteerlocal.com (it’s not hard!) 4.    Lead the charge on race day!

Interested? Please contact Shirley.Baylis@decaturga.com or call 678-553-6573 before January 13th.

more: Renae, http://ift.tt/2jEJBmV

[decaturga]

Southwest DeKalb upsets defending champion McNair for county JV title

January 11, 2017 at 02:45PM source: Mark Brock, http://ift.tt/2jELOih The Southwest DeKalb Panthers wrestled to eight Top 3 finishes, including four gold medals, to jump past 2016 champion McNair and runner-up Decatur to capture the 2017 DeKalb County School District Junior Varsity Wrestling Championship on their home mats Dec. 17. Southwest DeKalb finished with a team total of 171.50 followed by McNair (151.00), Decatur […]

more: Mark Brock, http://ift.tt/2jELOih

[decaturga]

Lake Avondale Advisory Board seeks board member

January 11, 2017 at 02:17PM source: Mary Margaret Stewart, http://ift.tt/2jk9aq3

Lake Avondale. Source: Avondaleestates.org

The Lake Avondale Advisory Board is looking for one more member to fill an opening on their team. The board is made up of five local advisors whose role is to survey the Lake’s environment and suggest enhancements to the Board of Mayor and Commissioners.

The Board of Mayor and Commissioners formed the Lake Avondale Advisory Board to direct the community “in preserving the beauty and vitality of Lake Avondale.”

The qualifications:

– Each member must be a resident of Avondale Estates.

– Each member has a degree of ecological expertise, such as experience in environmental engineering, environmental management, natural resource management, and watershed/lake management.

Applications for the opening can be found at: http://ift.tt/2jjZqMw. Contact Gina Hill with any questions via phone or email at: (404)294-5400 and ghill@avondaleestates.org.

The post Lake Avondale Advisory Board seeks board member appeared first on Decaturish.

more: Mary Margaret Stewart, http://ift.tt/2jk9aq3

[decaturga]

Upcoming local march and rally demands equality

January 11, 2017 at 02:17PM source: Mary Margaret Stewart, http://ift.tt/2j7Be2n

A crowd gathers in Harmony Park for the rally calling for social justice. File photo

Next Friday, Jan. 20, at 11 a.m., an Atlanta-based rally and march called The People’s Inauguration is taking place in Woodruff Park. The Georgia J20 Coalition is heading up this event to combat “the growing climate of hatred, bigotry, Islamophobia, and xenophobia.”

The People’s Inauguration agenda includes a march to City Hall, where “local immigrant activists, labor organizers, and faith communities” will present a list of rights that Atlanta needs to uphold.

The list of demands includes:

We demand that the City of Atlanta institute a minimum wage of $15 an hour.

We demand that the City of Atlanta pass and implement ordinances that protect people’s self-determined gender identities and sexualities.

We demand that the City of Atlanta stop detaining immigrants for ICE in the Atlanta City Detention Center.

Local activist groups, like Create Community 4 Decatur – which organized Oakhurst’s Black Lives Matter rally this past December – will be present to back the event.

All community members, including local families, are encouraged to attend the rally, MARTA serving as a recommended accessible mode of transportation.

Call (770)457-5232 with any questions. To follow updates about this event, check out the Facebook event: http://ift.tt/2j7u261.

The organizers also provided these event flyers:

The post Upcoming local march and rally demands equality appeared first on Decaturish.

more: Mary Margaret Stewart, http://ift.tt/2j7Be2n

[decaturga]

DeKalb Officials: Lessons learned after metro-Atlanta ‘snowpocalypse’

January 11, 2017 at 12:43PM source: Horace Holloman, http://ift.tt/2j74CFB Just two years ago, metro-Atlanta was hit with icy conditions and two inches of snow. The combination was enough to gridlock major interstates and secondary roads for hours and in some cases days. However, DeKalb County officials said the county learned a lesson from the snowy debacle in January of 2014. Ahead of the predicted […]

more: Horace Holloman, http://ift.tt/2j74CFB

[decaturga]

Potential sale of United Methodist Children’s Home topic of upcoming meeting

January 11, 2017 at 12:19PM source: Dan Whisenhunt, http://ift.tt/2jvVibz

The United Methodist Children’s Home on South Columbia Drive in Decatur. Source: Google Maps

A former resident and employee of the United Methodist Children’s Home in Decatur is planning an informational meeting about the potential sale of the property.

Members of the Board of Trustees, which would have to approve the sale, have all declined to comment about the matter, referring questions to John Cerniglia, Vice President of Development at The Children’s Home.

The meeting will be held on Jan. 13 at the Avondale Estates Fire Station, located at 24 North Clarendon Avenue. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m.

“Alumni, staff, board members and neighbors are welcome to attend,” alumna Deborah Burger said. “Space is limited to 30 people so neighborhood associations may need to send a representative.”

Burger said she knows about the pending sale due to her connections within the school’s alumni network. She has said the 77 acre property on South Columbia Drive could become the site of more than 600 homes. The prospect has alarmed residents who live on and around the busy street.

Decaturish reached out to the nearly two dozen active members of the UMCH board of trustees to ask about the potential sale. Most did not return messages. The few who did return messages or answered the phone all declined to comment, referring questions to Cerniglia.

Cerniglia had previously confirmed that the board was considering a sale of the property, but has been tight-lipped about the details saying more information would be available when a decision is made. He has said the nonprofit has an important mission of serving children and that any decisions would be to further that mission.

A reader who contacted Decaturish said when she contacted UMCH to express her concerns, she was told there had been a public meeting in December to discuss plans to sell the property and that residents of South Columbia Drive and Missionary Drive were notified. Neighbors did not receive this notice, the reader said.

Cerniglia confirmed there was a meeting.

“Yes, there was,” he said. “For clarity, the property is not on the market for sale, and we have not petitioned the county (where our land is) for a zoning change. So it was not a ‘public hearing’ from a zoning perspective. We do value input from our neighbors at this early stage, and so we invited neighbors who use the land or live nearby to come and give us input. Some attended, and their input was conveyed to the Board.”

While the property has a Decatur address, it is not in the city limits Mayor Patti Garrett said.

“A tiny part along the front of South Columbia Drive is in the city,” she said. “Almost all is not.”

Garrett confirmed that the property had been in previous versions of the city’s annexation plans. The city currently does not have a plan for this year’s Legislative session.

But the city has expressed an interest in buying the property, according to Assistant City Manager Lyn Menne.

On Jan. 11, the city announced the City Commission will hold a closed-door executive session at 8 a.m. on Jan. 12 to discuss real estate matters. The timing is unusual because executive sessions often occur around regularly-scheduled commission meetings. City Manager Peggy Merriss declined to discuss the subject of the meeting.

“Matters that are part of an executive session are not discussed outside of the executive session,” she said.

When asked if the City Commission would take any action following the meeting, Merriss said, “Not immediately.”

Burger said the potential sale has stunned UMCH alumni, a tight-knit group of former residents who are like family.

“From the alumni perspective, a lot of people are grieving,” she said. “They don’t want to see this happen.”

One of the alums, Mike Haynie, protested on the busy street in front of of UMCH and an unidentified person interviewed him on camera. Haynie said alumni got wind of it because they wanted to do something to remember the home’s longtime administrator Bev Cochran, who passed away in 2016.

“The alumni wanted to plant a tree in his honor … and they wouldn’t let us do it,” he said.

The Children’s Home has been in Decatur since 1873 and was established to care for children orphaned during the Civil War.

  The post Potential sale of United Methodist Children’s Home topic of upcoming meeting appeared first on Decaturish.

more: Dan Whisenhunt, http://ift.tt/2jvVibz

[decaturga]

Eye on the Street

January 11, 2017 at 11:38AM source: Decatur Metro, http://ift.tt/2j6GS4y

North McDonough, Decatur GA (pic courtesy of DM)

more: Decatur Metro, http://ift.tt/2j6GS4y