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Phase II of MARTA Community Forums
Monday, March 8, 2010 Senior Connections in Chamblee
5238 Peachtree Road
Chamblee, Georgia 30341
Tuesday, March 9, 2010 North Fulton Service Center
7741 Roswell Road
Sandy Springs, Georgia 30350
Both events are scheduled from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
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Leadership DeKalb Extended Dates
We have added a 3rd Open House for Prospective Members - Thursday, March 11, from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm, at Dunwoody City Hall, 41 Perimeter Center East, Suite 103, Dunwoody, GA 30346. You are invited to attend to learn more about Leadership DeKalb. For reservations, call 404-373-2491 or e-mail.
Applications Deadline - Extended to March 29, 2010
Your completed application must be received in our office by Monday, March 29, 2010, at 5:00 pm.
Class Member Notification - mid April, 2010
A Selection Committee comprised of Leadership DeKalb graduates will review the applications and determine the members of the Class of 2011. We will notify you if you have been selected.
Tuition Due - May 17, 2010
Tuition for the program is $3,200 and may be paid by either yourself or a sponsor. Your sponsor may be your employer or another organization with which you are affiliated as a volunteer. If you are selected, the full tuition is due upon acceptance but not later than May 17, 2010. A limited number of scholarships (up to $450 each) are available. See the application for details.
You may download the application from our website by going and clicking on the Application page.
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| Senate Judiciary Hearing on SB 292
The Child Protection and Public Safety Act
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Room 125
State Capitol
Please join us as we continue the legislative review of SB 292.
The next hearing is on Tuesday, March 9 and will continue with Article 4 - Termination of Parental Rights and Article 5 - Independent Living Services.
Please contact your state legislators informing them that hearings on SB 292 are continuing and that you support JUSTGeorgia and the need for juvenile code revision. Please express your hope to your legislators that they be engaged in this process.
In particular, if your legislator is on the Senate Judiciary Juvenile Code Rewrite Sub-Committee, please call them and ask them to attend the hearing.
Sub-committee members are:
Chair: Sen. Bill Hamrick, Dist. 30
Sen. Seth Harp, Dist. 29
Sen. Robert Brown, Dist. 26
Sen. John Crosby, Dist. 13
Sen. Seth Harp, Dist. 29
Sen. Ronald Ramsey, Dist. 43
Sen. John Wiles, Dist. 37 |
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News from the office of Gov. Sonny Perdue
Georgia Continues Racing to the Top
Governor Sonny Perdue today announced that Georgia has been selected as a finalist by the U.S. Department of Education for the first round of federal "Race to the Top" grants. Georgia stands to receive up to $462 million over four years to implement its plan if selected. To read more click here. |
In the News ...
Atlanta Business Chronicle
State floats RFP in selloff of water, sewer loans
The Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority issued a request for proposals Monday for financial consultants to help sell all or part of a loan fund that supports local water and sewer projects. To read more click here.
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Legislative Update from the League of Women Voters of Georgia
EDUCATION
HB 1031- Rep. Oliver (Dist. 83)
Gives new residents to a community 30 days to enroll their child in an elementary or secondary education facility. Makes truant behavior and the aiding of truant behavior a misdemeanor. Status: House Second Readers
HUMAN RESOURCES
Allows those who receive food stamps to purchase certain foods over the internet from 501c nonprofit organizations. Status: House Committee Favorably Reported
ENVIRONMENT
Requires that state agencies that deal with water management provide regulations, incentives, and assistance as an initiative on managing water conservation in Georgia. It also establishes a 12-member joint committee that will issue a report by December 31, 2010. Lastly, it would require all new multi-unit buildings constructed after 2012 to have sub metering systems. Status: House Rules Committee
PUBLIC SAFTEY
SB 325- Sen. Butler (Dist. 55)
Prohibits law enforcement officers from impermissibly using race or ethnicity in determining whether to stop a motorist or pedestrian. It implements the following: annual training on proper law enforcement conduct to prevent discriminatory behavior, documentation by law enforcement that reports the race, ethnicity, and gender of all individuals that are stopped for a traffic violation. Status: Senate Read and Referred
HB 1099- Rep. Marin (Dist. 96)
Prohibits law enforcement from discriminately using race, ethnicity or gender as a determining factor in stopping pedestrians and motorists. The definitions are as follows: law enforcement, pedestrian stop, racial profiling, and traffic stops while also providing definitions for what is and isn't authorized by law during a "stop". HB 1099 is a continuation of SB 325, but provides greater clarity and provisions. Status: House Second Readers
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Legislation Sponsored by Rep. Stephanie Benfield in 2010
HB 276 - Mountaintop Removal - Prohibits Georgia from purchasing coal obtained by mountaintop removal
HB 310 - Statewide Recycling - helps expand Georgia's recycling programs statewide
HB 604 - Breweries & Brewpubs - allows Georgia breweries and brew pubs to sell a limited amount of their product on site
HB 847 - Farm to School - establishes a statewide program to provide fresh, local foods to public school cafeterias
HB 890, 891, and 892 - Ethics Reforms - enacts a host of ethics reforms, including caps on contributions to political candidates, limits on gifts lobbyists can give to legislators, and calling for a public financing system for judicial elections
HB 940 - Anti-Bullying - strengthens Georgia's existing bullying laws to include harassing and intimidating behavior and provides for counseling
HB 1032 - Placement of Names on the Ballot - allows for candidates names to be placed randomly on the ballot and not alphabetically
These are just some of the bills sponsored and co-sponsored by Rep. Benfield. For the full text of these bills and any other bills pending in the Georgia Legislature, please visit the General Assembly's website.
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Georgia Rides to the Capitol 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Riders will leave from Roswell at 9:45 am or Decatur at 10:45 am and converge at the Capitol at 11:40 am.
Registration for the 2010 Georgia Rides To The Capitol event is now open. The website is current too. PLEASE pass the word to your e-lists and networks. Event organizers are trying for a big turn-out this year. Don't forget the non-traditional cyclist so think of church lists, neighborhood lists, etc. The Decatur route is great for beginners, families, etc.
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| Help Rebuild Children's Home in Decatur!
On November 2007, a fire destroyed part of the Children's Home in Decatur.
We are asking for help to help rebuild the home. We are planning to spend
several days putting up sheetrock from February 15th thru 18th (Monday
through Thursday). We need experienced OR inexperienced help. This is a family affair. Bring your youth (middle school and up) and lend a hand
sometime during this week and be part of 'giving back to our community'.
The Children's Home is a ministry to help hurting children and families. All of the services are aimed at preventing the breakup of families,restoring and healing separated families, or teaching teens and young adults how to create successful and meaningful lives for their own future
families. The center teaches all of the youth and families that they have
the power to overcome their past and reach a brighter future.
Please help us to help them!!!
Contact Charles Chase (770) 365-7926 or by email or can also contact Lori Stanley-Chase at (770)928.0830. |
Do you have students not currently enrolled in City Schools of Decatur but plan to attend in 2010-2011?
Help us plan for your child's enrollment in City Schools of Decatur for the 2010-2011 school year. We want to hire the very best teachers, so the earlier we know of your plans, the better.
Come to register beginning February 1, 2010, bringing the following to the Central Office at Westchester (758 Scott Boulevard, Decatur 30030):
Parent/guardian picture identification
Student certified birth certificate
Student social security card
Georgia immunization form (3231)
Georgia hearing, vision and dental screening form (3300)
Verification of residency-click here for more information.
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KIDS EAT FREE!
Who doesn't like to save money, especially when it comes to eating out?
Here's a list of local restaurants that offer great kids' meal deals - either "kids eat free" days or special reduced rates.
Please call to confirm details, since most offers are limited to certain ages and require the purchase of an adult entrée. If you know of any other local restaurants featuring kids' specials, please send the information to me.
Enjoy!
Boston Market
2535 Briarcliff Rd.
Atlanta, GA 30329
404-329-0700
All Weekend - Two free kids' meals with 1 adult purchase of $6 or more. Four free kids' meals with purchase of a Family Meal. Offer available to kids 14 and under for dine-in, carryout and at drive-thru. No coupon required, but kids must be present to claim their meals.
Captain D's
1487 Church Street
Decatur, GA 30030
404-378-3868
2 free kids' meals at participating locations with any adult entree purchased at regular price every Thursday. Dine-in only.
Cici's Pizza Buffet
3912 N. Druid Hills
Decatur, GA 30033
404-329-1535
Although Cici's doesn't offer kids eat free, they do let kids (ages 3 & under) eat for $1.49 daily and their daily buffet is $3.29 for kids 10 & under, which is a pretty good deal.
Flying Biscuit
1655 McLendon Ave
Atlanta, GA 30307
404-687-8888
Kids under 12 eat free from the Kids' Menu from 4-7 pm with every purchase of $6.95 from the regular menu on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights.
IHOP
2741 Clairmont Rd.
Atlanta, GA 30329
404-633-1889
Kids 12 & under eat free every day from 4:00 - 9:00 p.m. with the purchase of an adult meal. Dine In only.
Loco's
2480 Briarcliff Rd.
Atlanta, GA 30329
404-329-1999
Corn dogs, burgers, mac 'n cheese, chicken and more. Kids eat for 99 cents daily.
Maddio's Pizza
3027 N. Druid Hills
Atlanta, GA 30329
404-929-6700
Kids Eat Free on Tuesdays with purchase of adult entree.
Melton's App & Tap
2500 N. Decatur Rd
Decatur, GA 30033
404-634-9112
Kids 12 and under eat free Tuesdays with purchase of adult entree.
Moe's Southwest Grill
1524 Church St.
Decatur, GA 30033
404-373-0675
Kids eat free all day on Saturday with the purchase of an adult meal for at least $5.
Piccadilly Cafeteria
2595 N. Decatur Rd
Decatur, GA 30033
404-373-5116
Piccadilly's Kids' Days features 99 cents kids' meals all day Thursday and Saturdays from 11-4 (regular prices $3.99) with the purchase of an adult entrée. Available to kids 12 and under. Dine-in only. Check out. Visit their
website for more information.
Steak 'n Shake
2845 N.Druid Hills
Atlanta, GA 30329
404-549-5346
Kids Eat Free all weekend - One free kid's plate for every $8 spent. Dine-In only. |
House of Grace Health Center
The nonprofit House of Grace Free Health Care Services serves adults 18
years and older who are uninsured and with income at or below 200 percent of
the federal poverty level. It is open twice a month on first and third
Mondays and serves 15 patients per evening with non-emergency primary care including physical exams, screenings for blood pressure, diabetes, prostate cancer, cholesterol and HIV/AIDS and some lab and prescription services.
Diabetics can get help managing their illness and there is also nutrition
and weight management, smoking cessation and stress management services.
The clinic is located at 3567 Covington Highway is open from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. For more information visit their website or call (404) 298-6078.
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Plant a Book
Grow a School
A library full of great books is a wonderful way for The Museum School to welcome its first class of students. Please help us build our new library by donating to our book drive, going on now.
Until April 5, you can donate new or gently used children's books at more than a dozen Avondale-area businesses. At the drop-off site, please write your name on a bookplate and place it on the inside cover of the book.
The books should be appropriate for children in Kindergarten through fifth grade; our wish list is posted on the school website.
Drop-off boxes are located at Avondale Antiques, Avondale Pizza Café, Frost Hair Salon, Jack and Jill Consignment Boutique, James Joyce Irish Pub, Finders Keepers Fashions, Finders Keepers Furnishings, Gastroenterology Specialists of Dekalb (on Mountain Drive), Little Tree Gallery, Savage Pizza, Skip's hot dog restaurant, Sweet N' Sinful Bakery, The Bead Shoppe and Urban Grounds.
In lieu of books, consider donating to our library by sending a check to Avondale Education Association at The Museum School of Avondale Estates, Book Drive Donation, P.O. Box 117, Avondale Estates, Georgia 30002.
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Please support Oaktree Farms, Wonderland Gardens and our School Garden Initiative by purchasing your organically grown vegetables from Wonderland Gardens. Please go to our website to do so. |
TAX CREDIT EXPIRES
APRIL 30, 2010
On November 9, President Obama signed an extension of the Home Buyer tax credit as part of a $24 billion economic stimulus bill that will also extend unemployment benefits. The tax credit applies to new and resale homes.
There are some significant changes to the tax credit that was due to expire at the end of this month. Namely, the new tax credit is for first time home buyers (anyone who has not owned a home in the previous 3 years) who purchase a home by April 30, 2010 or by June 30, 2010 when a binding purchase agreement was in place by April 30, 2010.
The tax credit is equal to 10% of the purchase price up to a maximum of $8,000 and is refundable meaning you can get the money back even if your tax bill is less than the amount of the tax credit. The income limits were increased to an Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) of $125,000 for individuals or $225,000 for joint filers. The credit phases out by 10% by every $2,000 you make over these limits. The law allows some flexibility as to the tax year you use to calculate your MAGI.
The tax credit is only good for purchases under $800,000, but it does apply to all types of homes including detached houses, townhomes, condos, manufactured homes, and houseboats. The home must meet the definition of a primary residence used to determine the $250,000/$500,000 capital gains exemption. You can also apply the tax credit to a home you build on land that you already own. For more information click here.
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Group Fitness Classes at the Decatur Recreation Center
All fitness levels welcome.
Mondays
1:45 pm Yoga
6:30 pm Pilates
Tuesdays
5:30 pm Body Sculpting
6:30 pm Yoga
Wednesdays
1:00 pm Yoga
Thursdays
5:30 pm Body Sculpting
6:30 pm Pilates
Fee: $7.00 per class. A 10 class card is available for $60. Please bring a yoga mat to each class.
All classes held at the Decatur Recreation Center, 231 Sycamore St. For
more information, please call LaWanda L Brokenborough at 1-877-697-6249 or e-mail. |
Get your new active playbook by clicking here.
Decatur Launches New Tax Blog. Click here to join. |
Coca-Cola, KAB partner in recycling bin grant program
The Coca Cola Co. and Keep America Beautiful have announced a new partnership for a recycling bin grant program aimed at supporting community recycling.
Grant recipients receive donated recycling bins and information on beginning community recycling programs.
The bin program is part of a $60 million investment by Coca-Cola in recycling initiatives in the U.S.
"Our company is committed to designing packages that are recyclable and resource efficient," said April Crow, sustainable packaging manager for The Coca-Cola Co. "We also are focused on ensuring that there are strong end-markets for our packages by investing in commercial recycling and community collection programs like RecycleBank and the Recycling Bin Grant Program. We hope this program will encourage communities to expand recycling as we continue to close the loop for our products as well as other valuable recyclables."
Grant applications can be submitted at http://bingrant.org through March 12. Eligible grant recipients include government agencies, civic organizations, schools and nonprofit groups. Successful applicants will be notified on or before April 22.
Since its inception in fall 2007, the Bin Grant program has placed more than 5,700 recycling bins in 150 communities in 48 states and the District of Columbia. Recipients have included municipalities, colleges, Native American tribes, and community-based NGOs. The National Recycling Coalition previously sponsored the program with Coca-Cola.
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The Benfield Beat is a weekly, nonpartisan publication featuring state and local government news and community events. A "job postings" feature has also been added to help people find employment during these tough economic times. Internship and scholarship opportunities for students and recent graduates are also listed. I welcome submissions for news stories, community listings, or employment postings. Submissions can be made by emailing me directly at stuckey@mindspring.com.
Feel free to circulate the Benfield Beat to friends, neighbors, and associates. You can subscribe by visiting my website at: www.benfieldbeat.com. If you would like to receive progressive news from a Democratic perspective, you can subscribe to the Political Beat by emailing me at stuckey@mindspring.com and putting "Political Beat" in the subject line.
I welcome your suggestions and feedback on entries in the Benfield Beat. I read all emails personally and do my best to respond in a timely fashion.
Thanks for reading!
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Tobacco Tax Rally
HB 39 co-sponsored by Rep. Stephanie Benfield
Please join the Georgia Alliance for Tobacco Prevention coalition for our rally at the Capitol on Monday, March 8, 2010. Coalition members are sending volunteers from all over the state to show their support for Rep. Ron Stephens' HB 39 which raises the tobacco tax by a $1.00. Volunteers will be gathering at the Central Presbyterian church across the street from the Capitol from 9:00 am to 10:00 am then moving to the Capitol. We will reconvene
upon adjournment back to the church. Please take advantage of these two opportunities. It would mean a great deal for these volunteers to get to meet the legislators who have stepped up to the plate and given their support to this legislation. |
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DeKalb County School System School Closing Information
Click here for more information.
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| Atlanta Journal Constitution
House bill would eliminate CRCTs in first and second grade. Hurrah or Hurrumph?
A few weeks ago, I ran into state Rep. Stephanie Stuckey Benfield (D-Atlanta) at Kroger and she told me about her bill to end mandatory CRCT testing in the early grades. House Bill 1132 has been introduced and it eliminates mandatory criterion-referenced competency tests in grades one and two. To read more click here.
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DeKalb County Branch NAACP
Presents
Landlord and Tenant Forum
Saturday, March 13, 2010
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
DeKalb county Public Library
215 Sycamore Street
Decatur, Georgia 30030
2010 Veterans Symposium
Saturday, March 13, 2010
9:00 am - 11:30 am
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4706
5362 Covington Highway
Decatur, Georgia 30035
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Legislative Update
Transportation Update: Many Moving Parts
This week, the House Special Subcommittee on Transportation Funding met for yet another round of hearings. Tuesday gave the opportunity for a public hearing on Governor Sonny Perdue's HB 1218, and many organizations took the opportunity to comment on the legislation. The Atlanta Regional Commission voiced objections that the state will set the criteria for project selection; and the Association County Commissioners of Georgia voiced strong objections to the state setting regional boundaries outside metro Atlanta, and to the fact that no county would be given the ability to opt-out. Many of the speakers, including the Georgia Municipal Association, voiced objections that the referendum is set for 2012, when 124 local sales taxes will be up for renewal.
Rep. Jim Cole (R - Forsyth), Governor Perdue's floor leader and sponsor of the legislation, continued to be optimistic about where the legislation is headed.
On Thursday, the Special Subcommittee met again, this time to consider a committee substitute for HB 1218, presented by House Transportation Chairman Jay Roberts (R - Ocilla). The major changes contained within the committee substitute included:
- Changing the period of the tax levy from eight (8) to ten (10) years
- Inserting a provision that if the Regional Roundtable does not approve the project list, then there will be no vote in that region. This essentially removes the ability of the Director of Planning (at the Department of Transportation) to finalize the project list and call an election without regional buy-in.
- Changes the fiscal agent for administration of the funds and control of project delivery from the State Road and Tollway Authority to the Georgia Department of Transportation.
- Finally, the committee sub alters the proposed changes to the funding allocation formula (which would replace congressional balancing). Now, for expenditures on the statewide asset improvement program (capacity building), 40% of the funds would be split equally among regions and 40% would be split among regions based on population. For expenditures on the statewide asset management program (maintenance), 80% of the funds would be split among regions based on total lane mileage. The amount of funds in each category will be set by the General Assembly annually.
Rep. Cole spoke to the changes contained in the committee sub, saying the Governor is open to discussion on most. In his comments, however, he clarified the Governor's stance on a county opt-out, explaining that the language inserted to allow for a regional opt-out if the Regional Roundtable does not approve the project list would result in a veto.
Rep. Kevin Levitas (D - Atlanta) proposed an amendment that would prohibit MARTA from using the flexibility provided by HB 1218 to enhance staff compensation. This amendment passed unanimously.
Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R - Cassville) proposed a legislative oversight committee for each region. The oversight committee would be a five-member panel, appointed by the Speaker of the House and the Lt. Governor, and one member must be from the minority party. This amendment passed with only three "no" votes.
Rep. Ed Rynders (R - Albany) proposed to add two Representatives appointed by the Chair of the House Transportation Committee and two Senators appointed by the Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee to each of the regional councils' executive committees. The amendment passed with only one vote in opposition.
Rep. Tom Rice (R - Norcross) proposed to require two town hall meetings in the region prior to holding the final regional transportation roundtable. The amendment passed unanimously.
The amended committee substitute will be voted on by the Subcommittee early next week.
Cuts to Higher Education Proposed
In response to the legislature asking for the University System of Georgia (USG) to prepare a list of $300 million in additional cuts, the USG released their own list of budget cutting measures that offered to lay off up to 4,000 employees, cut dozens of programs and departments, and even limit future admissions to universities and colleges. Roughly 2,500 of those employees would be at Georgia State University, Georgia Tech and the University of Georgia. Other cuts proposed include closing roughly half of the county extension offices around the state, and eliminating the state's 4-H program. The USG is facing $265 million in cuts in the FY 2011 Budget put together by Governor Sonny Perdue (the $300 million would be in addition to this amount).
As soon as the list of cuts became public, emails and phone calls in opposition began to flood in to the Capitol. Rep. Earl Ehrhart (R - Powder Springs) and Senator Seth Harp (R - Midland), who chair the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Higher Education, were quoted by multiple sources on Thursday saying that the $300 million was a worst case scenario that the Legislature was preparing for, and that the Legislature was supportive of Higher Education. Insider Advantage quoted Rep. Ehrhart as saying that the cuts wouldn't be as bad as outlined, and that the work between the Legislature and the USG would lead to a historic effort between the two governmental entities.
Water Legislation Moves Swimmingly
On Tuesday, after hours of hearings and committee discussion, Governor Sonny Perdue's legislation, HB 1094 to conserve water resources in Georgia unanimously passed the House Natural Resources and Environment Committee. Only one amendment was added earlier that day in subcommittee, language that clearly prohibits inter-basin transfers. Rep. Matt Ramsey (R - Peachtree City), one of Perdue's floor leaders, explained that the language was necessary because the intent was never to allow inter-basin transfers. Among other items, the legislation proposes to create incentives for local governments to fix leaky water infrastructure, requires all new constructions to use low-flow hardware beginning in 2012, and requires all apartments to have individual water meters. The legislation is being proposed in response to a federal court decision that will greatly restrict the City of Atlanta's ability to draw water from Lake Lanier, and is intended in large part to give Georgia leverage in negotiations with Alabama and Florida.
Thanks to Brock Clay Public Affairs for Providing the Information Contained in this Update
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Family and Policy Legislative Newsletter
Appropriations subcommittees met during the week of February 22nd to try to deal with the FY 2011 budget. The House and Senate panels met jointly to hear from agency heads, and in some cases, from the public. Faced with the continuing budget crisis, they asked for information on how many state employees are eligible to retire, presumably seeing an opportunity for savings through personnel reductions. Members also took the opportunity to raise other issues.
The Human Services Subcommittees asked Commissioner Shelp of the Dept. of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities if he thought HB 1040 (Pruitt, 144 th) would help move people out of institutions and into the community more rapidly. (HB 1040 allows certain nursing tasks to be performed by trained workers who are not nurses.) Com. Shelp replied that he could not say it would speed the move, but that he thought it would help sustain people who do move into the community without introducing harm or risk. Subcommittee members also questioned Dept. of Human Services Com. Walker about items in her budget such as the SHINES computer system contract. They were especially concerned about the impact of the loss of 137 eligibility workers (out of about 2,000) at a time when the number of applications for food stamps and Medicaid is extremely high because of the bad economy. Com. Walker says workers focus more on being accurate so as not to incur a federal error rate penalty rather than on trying to make timely eligibility decisions. House subcommittee chair Houston asked Com. Walker for a budget plan that would avoid eliminating the eligibility worker positions.
The House-Senate Health Subcommittees heard details of the Medicaid, PeachCare and State Health Benefit Plan budgets from Dept. of Community Health Com. Medows. DCH's budget is built partly on proceeds from the Governor's proposed hospital tax which has attracted opposition. Rep. Pat Gardner asked how much the state pays PSI, the vendor that determines PeachCare eligibility and collects monthly premiums ($19.8 M). She asked whether it is wise to continue having separate entities decide eligibility for Medicaid and for PeachCare when children's applications too often get bounced between the two. Com. Medows agreed that it would make sense to have Medicaid and PeachCare eligibility determinations joined and said she would like to see families be able to apply through kiosks or the health departments. She thought it would take investment in web-based resources. House subcommittee chairman Channell asked Rep. Gardner to follow up. The Health subcommittees held a three-hour public hearing on 2/25. Many organizations urged legislators to find ways to avert cuts to health care provider payments, health departments and other services, and/or to forego the proposed hospital tax. They encouraged lawmakers instead to enact a higher tobacco tax, which could raise $300-$400 M, and to consider other ways of getting the necessary revenues.
The Senate Education and Youth Committee will hear bills on discipline of children who bring weapons to school. The committee will meet Tuesday, March 2nd, at 10:00 a.m., Room 307 CLOB. The agenda includes SB 299 and SB 332 (Jones, 10th). SB 299 makes changes related to the zero tolerance policy, and SB332 requires boards of education to report statistics annually, by school, on disciplinary proceedings against students.
The Budget transparency bill passed unanimously by the Senate is still in House Rules. SB 206 (Goggans, 7th), requiring creation of a "tax expenditure budget" showing the cost to the state of special tax breaks, was amended and favorably reported by the House Appropriations Committee, but is still awaiting approval of the Rules Committee for a vote by the full House.
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Legislative Update
House Transportation Funding Subcommittee holds First Hearing on Transportation Bill
The House Special Subcommittee on Transportation Funding had their first public hearing on HB 1218 this week. The subcommittee heard from both the governor's transportation policy advisor and the governor's floor leader in the House. The subcommittee had numerous questions about how the planning director would work with local communities in determining which transportation projects would be funded as well as numerous other issues.
The Subcommittee did not take any comments from the public during this first hearing. Additional hearings are scheduled for March 2 and March 4 where public input is expected to be taken. The RBC will be asking the subcommittee members to amend the legislation to provide local communities with maximum flexibility in determining which regional projects should be funded as well as the priority of those projects. The RBC will also be working to add additional flexibility for determining the most appropriate date for the regional sales tax referendum.
Rumors continue to abound that a substitute bill will be introduced that will address concerns discussed at last week's hearing, as well as input from transportation interest groups.
Proposed Legislation to Regulate Inter and Intra Basin Water Transfers Being Circulated
Proposed legislation by House Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom McCall to regulate both future intra-basin and inter-basin water transfers is being circulated among water resources interest groups. The legislation would change the definition of "inter-basin transfer" to also include pumping groundwater from beneath one water basin and discharging any or all of the water in a different basin. The proposed legislation outlines a minimum of 36 requirements on the EPD and local water authorities that would be required for approving any new or renewal of existing inter-basin transfer permits. The bill would also require a public hearing if any city or county government anywhere in the river basin requested a hearing or if just 20 public citizens made a request.
The bill would also prohibit the inter-basin or intra-basin transfer of water which originated in a second county and was transported into a third county. One example of such a restriction might be on the City of East Point, who gets their water from a Douglas County reservoir and provides water to the City of College Park which is partially located in Clayton County.
This legislation has not been introduced in the House yet, but the author is still seeking co-sponsors, which number is rumored to already be over 70 signatures.
There are 20 legislative days remaining in the 2010 Legislative Session.
The next legislative day will be March 8, 2010.
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Southern States' Budget Cutting Endangers Pre-K Gains
A new report released by the Southern Education Foundation (SEF) finds that Southern states are in danger of losing critical, hard-earned gains in early childhood education - the South's most effective innovation in public education - if state legislatures in the region enact substantial cuts to pre-kindergarten programs (Pre-K). Click here to read report.
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Metro Homeowners Overpaid 2009 Property Taxes By More Than $200 Million.
Despite efforts by assessors to lower property tax values, highest-foreclosure neighborhoods overpaid their taxes last year by $82.2 Million, accounting for more than 40% of the metrowide overpayment. To read report click here.
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Upcoming Author Readings and Book Signings
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Avi Author Visit
Wednesday, March 10th| 7 pm
Newbery Medalist Avi is coming to Little Shop! Information is on the sidebar to the left.
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Mary Pope Osborne and Natalie Pope Boyce Author Visit
Thursday, March 11| 6:30 pm
How cool is this? The authors who brought Jack and Annie to life and explain it all will be here at Little Shop! Information is on the sidebar to the left.
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Origami Yoda Author Event
Saturday, March 13 | 3 pm
Combine origami, the Jedi Master, laugh-out-loud Middle School humor (a la Diary of a Wimpy Kid), and you have a fantastic new book, The Strange Case of Origami Yoda. We're super excited that the author Tom Angleberger is visiting us, so come on out for a reading and signing. And make our own Origami Yodas, we will!
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Saint Patrick's Day Storytime
Sunday, March 14th | 3 pm
Top o' the mornin' to ya, lassies and laddies! You don't need to be Irish to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. (Hey, even St. Patrick wasn't Irish.) Think green and join us for a special storytime celebrating all things Irish.
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Little Shop of Stories
133 East Court Square
Decatur, Georgia 30030
(404) 373-6300
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Sign Up Today for TOUR deCATUR
Early Registration Deadline Extended to March 1!
TOUR deCATUR is an annual road race event for the whole family and every dollar raised benefits the Decatur Education Foundation. Started in 2003, TOUR deCATUR includes the 5k Road Race, One Mile Run/Walk and Tot Trot.New course starts at the Decatur High School Performing Arts Center
New t-shirt design by Michele DeHaven of Function!
View the route on Gmaps by clicking here.
Click here to download a sign up form (PDF).
Click here to register online
Interested in sponsoring this great community event?
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22nd Annual Decatur Arts Festival
Mark your calendar for the 22nd annual Decatur Arts Festival on Memorial Day Weekend, May 28-30. Events take place throughout the month of May. Please see below. Come enjoy and celebrate the arts in Decatur. Stay tuned for more information!
Poster Unveiling - May 6
Artists Market - May 29 & 30
Fine Arts Exhibition - May 25 - June 6
ArtWalk - May 28
Kids and Teen's Festival - May 29
Literary Arts Festival - May 29 & 30
Speak...easy - May 28
Performing Arts - May 29 & 30
New Dance - May 29 & 30
Fine Arts Exhibition Last Call - June 6
To apply for the Decatur Fine Arts Exhibition click here.
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DeKalb House Delegation Meets
Every Monday during the 2010 Session
at noon or upon adjournment
Room 605 , Coverdell Legislative Office Building
THE PUBLIC IS WELCOME TO ATTEND!
To learn more, contact the office of
Rep. Howard Mosby at (404) 656-0298
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CEO Ellis Announces Video Streaming
Twenty-four hour access to DCTV, Channel 23 now offered on-line
DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis recently announced a new medium DeKalb stakeholders can access to remain connected to county government. The county website now offers 24-hour media streaming of DeKalb County Television (DCTV), Channel 23.
By visiting www.yourdekalb.com or www.dekalbcountyga.gov and clicking the "DCTV" link, visitors to the county's website will be able to view DCTV's live media stream or DeKalb County 's video on demand, including regular commission meetings and CEO Ellis' 2010 State of the County address. To read more click here.
CEO Burrell Ellis Applauds the Creation of 250 New Jobs
in DeKalb
County welcomes new medical research center to the community
DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis applauds the announcement of a partnership between Emory University and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta to build a $90 million research center, and create 250 new jobs. To read more click here.
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MAKE SURE YOU'RE COUNTED!
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DEKALB COUNTS! MAIL CENSUS FORMS BACK BY APRIL 1, 2010
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DeKalb County has formed a partnership with the United States Census Bureau to ensure every DeKalb County resident is counted in the upcoming 2010 Census. A full and accurate count positions DeKalb to get its fair share of the more than $400 billion of available funds to support vital local services like health care, schools, law enforcement, transportation and other services, as well as making sure our interests are represented on the congressional level. It is estimated that Georgia could stand to gain 2 additional congressional seats if everyone is counted. Everyone in DeKalb County needs to be counted whether they are living with relatives or friends temporarily or regardless of immigration status. Undocumented immigrants and families may fear that providing information to census takers will compromise their safety and security. The census form does not ask about immigration status. Census responses are completely confidential and protected by the strongest national privacy laws on the books. Every census worker swears an oath to keep information confidential for life. A census worker or other government official who violates census confidentiality can be imprisoned for up to five years and fined $250,000. No other government agency; law enforcement, courts, companies, landlords, employers, banks, or creditors can get any person's individual census information for 72 years. This information cannot even be obtained with a court order.
For more information on the 2010 census, visit www.census.gov, call Commissioner Connie Stokes, Chair of the DeKalb County Complete Count Committee at (404) 371-3053, or visit www.conniestokes.org.
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Congregations or Businesses
DeKalb Habitat has several parcels of land that are ready to build, the only thing lacking is a sponsor. While sponsors provide funds and volunteers to build houses, they also benefit from being a sponsor. Volunteers come together to work, but they also have fun at the same time. They build community and help make a better life for a low-income family, which makes the larger community stronger.
Sponsorships can be as little as $5,000, or as much as $100,000. The business or congregation gets publicity on the house sign, on our web site, and participates in the First Nail and Dedication ceremonies. The rewards of sponsoring a Habitat house cannot be measured in monetary terms, but the benefits will last long after the keys are turned over to the Family Partner.
Ask your employer about the posibility of house sponsorship. Click here for more information, or call Joe Stoner at 404-534-1611. ____________________________________________________________________
Haiti Relief: Help Is Needed To Assemble Recovery Kits
Habitat for Humanity is planning a multiphase strategy for Haitian relief. The first part will consist of the creation of recovery starter kits. The kits are designed to help families make immediate repairs and construct emergency shelter. Materials in the kit include a bucket, a tarpaulin, wire, rope, a pry bar, a mason's chisel and trowel, gloves, nails, a hammer and a saw. The kits will be distributed to families by Habitat employees and partners.
Volunteers are needed immediately to receive and unpack materials, count, re-pack into individual kits, and load into containers. No experience is necessary, but the work may include heavy lifting and repetitive tasks.
The kits will be assembled at the Whirlpool Regional Distribution Center located at 195 King Mill Road, McDonough, Georgia 30253. To reserve your spot, click here or call 1-800-422-4828 ext. 7956. Volunteers able to work all day are preferred, but two shifts are offered.
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Free File Now Available to Almost All Taxpayers; Software Can Help Find New Economic Recovery Tax Breaks that Could Be Overlooked
The Internal Revenue Service and its private-sector partners are making Free File available. Most taxpayers can have free use of helpful tax preparation software and free electronic filing of the federal tax returns.
There are many new tax breaks this filing season and Free File software can make it easier for people to find all the credits and deductions they are due. Taxpayers must go through www.IRS.gov homepage or www.IRS.gov/freefile to access the free options.
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COMMUNITY EVENTS
Decatur Earth Day Celebration T-Shirt Design Contest
The theme is 'A Colorful Earth.'
The entry deadline is March 19 and the winners will be notified by April 1.
Prizes will be awarded at the Earth Day Celebration at the Oakhurst
Community Garden Project on Sunday, April 18, 2010, at 1:30 pm.
Please drop/mail your art and the application to OCGP, 435 Oakview
Road, Decatur, Georgia 30030. Please contact Stephanie Van Parys to
receive a copy of the contest application at director@oakhurstgarden.org. Tuesday, March 16, 2010
12:00 pm - 1:15 pm
Central Presbyterian Church
201 Washington Street SW
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
To RSVP please send an email.
Musical Bookings at the Decatur Library
Thursday, March 11, 2010
6:30 pm
Decatur Library Auditorium
215 Sycamore Street
Tom Fisch-acoustic guitar and vocals
Spring Stampede 5K Run/Walk and Tot Trot
Friday, April 23, 2010
6:00 pm
Hosted by Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church
Runners can register for the race online.
American Legion Dance
The Big Band Ballroom and Swing St. Paddy's Dance
Saturday, March 13, 2010
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Harold Byrd Post 66, Inc.
30 Covington Road
For more information contact the American Legion at (404) 292-2352.
Scout Fair
Saturday, March 13, 2010
11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Avondale Lake
Please contact Assistant Scout Master John Pilger at (404) 313-4064 for more information.
Marathon Rolls through Clifton Community
The marathon is sponsored by Emory's Center for Rehabilitation Medicine (CRM) and will take place on Sunday, March 21. Just as in years past, the Druid Hills Civic Association will be sponsoring a cheer zone at Emory's main entrance (North Decatur Road and Dowman Drive). At the 16th mile of the race, Clifton Community residents will don their orange apparel to cheer their friends and neighbors along the course.
Read the complete article.
Support the DeKalb Symphony Orchestra
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
5:30 pm
Avondale Pizza Cafe
2823 E. College Avenue
Concert afterwards by Amy Leventhal, Avondale Estates resident and formerly of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. To purchase a ticket click here.
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Job Announcements
City of Avondale Estates
City Planner and Community Development Officer
When submitting application, please include, resume and 3 references. Application, resume and references should be emailed to rcbrown@avondaleestates.org or faxed to 404-299-8137 or mailed to:
Clai Brown, City Manager
ATTN: City Planning and Community Development Officer Position
City of Avondale Estates
21 North Avondale Plaza
Avondale Estates, Georgia 30002
Teen Employment Opportunities
Click
here to learn more.
SPARK Reproductive Justice NOW
Administrative Assistant
Indicate Part Time Administrative Book Keeper in the subject line of the e-mail. Please no phone calls. This position will remain open until filled.
Georgia PTA
Regional Advocacy Specialist
A full position description and application instructions, send an email to lobbywatch@aol.com with the subject "Please send PTA position Info."
Communications Director
To apply, please send a brief cover letter along with your resume, salary requirements, two writing samples, and three professional references to Leadership DeKalb
Attn: Office Manager
315 W. Ponce de Leon Avenue
Suite 1069
Decatur, Georgia 30030
GA Voice GLBT Newspaper
Advertising Sales
Catholic Charities Atlanta
Community Liaison & Resource Specialist
Assistant Secretary
To apply contact Yvonne Hawks, Esq., President by email.
Internal Revenue Service
Equal Employment Specialist
United Way of Metro Atlanta
Early Reading First Project Director
United Way of Metro Atlanta
eBusiness Support Coordinator
Send cover letter and resume to:
Attn: eBusiness Support Coordinator
United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta
100 Edgewood Avenue NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Pan Asian Community Services
Project Coordinator
Start Date: As Soon As Possible. The Center for Pan Asian Community Services (CPACS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to create and deliver culturally competent and comprehensive social and health services to counteract issues faced by immigrants, refugees and racial-ethnic minorities. To Apply: Send resume and a cover letter to: Marianne Chung The Center for Pan Asian Community Services, Inc. 3760 Park Avenue, Doraville, GA 30340
Telephone (770) 936-0969 ext. 22 Fax: (770).458-9377
Temporary Administrative Assistant
The position is located downtown, the assignment is scheduled to last one month (possibly longer) & the pay is $16 per hour. Qualified candidates must have a minimum of 3 years of corporate Administrative Assistant experience, preferably some of that experience would be supporting executives &/or sales. ADVANCED skills in Microsoft 2007 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint & Outlook) are required. The position will start immediately! Please send resumes ASAP to khunt@kinetixhr.com
Temporary Administrative Assistant
Business in the Perimeter Mall area has a need for a temporary Executive Administrative Assistant. The duration of the assignment is unknown at this time, it could be a month up to a few months. The pay is $22 per hour. Send resumes to: khunt@kinetixhr.com
DFCS is looking for 3 FICM Supervisor(s) over their COMPASS (Common Point of Access Social Servicese) team. This is a time limited position not to exceed one year.
Only those with FICM case management and supervisory experience will be considered. Locations can be North, Central, or South Georgia. To learn more click here.
Decatur Career Center @ Avondale Crossing Plaza
Resources, technology and support services have been designed to help Job Seekers secure employment, and to assist in the development of Micro- Businesses. For more information contact Dee Dee Bullock at (404) 728-8635. The Center is located at 1295 Columbia Drive, Decatur, Georgia 30032.
GDHS, Division of Child Support Services
Interested parties should visit their website.
YWCA of Northwest Georgia, Inc.
Family Violence Director
Receptionist/Information Specialist
Safe Routes to School National Partnership
Two State Network Managers:
To learn more about the positions click here.
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. For more information on the position and how to apply, click here.
Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities
Recruiting employees for Atlanta headquarters
Other opportunities include:
Bright from Start: Georgia Early Care and Learning Pre-K
Internship Opportunities
GoGirlGo! Atlanta Regional Office
Two collegiate level interns
Send resumes to:
Women's Sports Foundation
1946 Starvine Way
Suite 207A
Decatur, Georgia 30033
For more information visit their
website.
email.
Catholic Charities Atlanta
Paid Internship
Please submit cover letter and resume via email to cc.archatl@yahoo.com with subject line "CCHD Intern." No calls please.
Summer Internships/Programs
2010 Summer Leadership Institutes
G5! Goizueta Requirements
Current 9-10-11 graders
Click here for an application
EarthCare Requirements
Current 9-10-11 graders
Click here for an application
21st Century Leaders Experience Requirements
Current 9-10-11 graders
Click here for an application
The deadline for applications is April 1, 2010.
Scholarships and Grants for Students
Harvard University
To find out more about Harvard offering free tuition for families making less than $60,000 a year, visit Harvard's financial aid website or call (617) 495-1581.
2010 QuestBridge College Prep Scholarship
QuestBridge provides more than 1,000 awards that equip outstanding low income high school juniors with the knowledge necessary to compete for admission to leadering colleges.
Community Bankers Association
The Community Bankers Association (CBA) of Georgia will award at least four Julian & Jan Hester Memorial Scholarships in the amount of $1000 each for 2010. These scholarships are open to Georgia high school seniors who will be entering a Georgia college, university or trade school in fall 2010.. Applications and details are available online. Applications are due to a CBA Bank by April 2, 2010.
Scholarship Contest for High School Seniors
Student Insights is sponsoring a scholarship contest for high school seniors. The 2010 Student-View Scholarship Program is offering $8000 worth of scholarships to high school seniors who plan to attend a four year college, community or junior college or career school. Students should log on to the website to complete a 15-20 minute application survey about colleges in our area.
Award for Promising African American High School Juniors
Berea College is recognizing promising African American high school juniors with the Carter G. Woodson Enduring Legacy Award to be presented to students at an on campus event on Saturday, March 20, 2010. Students selected to receive this award will visit Berea College to receive this prestigious honor. African American juniors in high school who are actively involved in community, school, civic and/or church organization, who rank in the top 25% of their class and who have a 3.2 cumulative high school GPA or higher are eligible for the award. In addition, students must have demonstrated financial need, such as qualifying for free or reduced lunch. Students interested in being nominated should contact their guidance counsler before the nomination deadline on February 12. For more information click here.
DeKalb Rape Crisis Center
To learn about ways to volunteer please visit their website.
StandUp for Kids
To see training calendar and to get more information, please visit their website.
DeKalb County Animal Services
DeKalb County Animal Services and Enforcement's volunteer program - Friends of DeKalb Animal Services - needs volunteers to play with the animals at the shelter and help pose them for photos. We are looking for people to come regularly, preferably once a week.
M-F 10-5 or Saturday 10-4
DeKalb County Animal Services
845 Camp Road
Decatur, Georgia 30032
(404) 294-2996
For more information please visit theirwebsite.
Decatur Education Foundation
Office Volunteers
Prefer volunteers who can work 2-3 days per week a few hours each day or 1-2 longer shifts. To inquire please send an email.
Oakhurst Dog Park Committee
Volunteers for the Dog Park committee will be asked to assist neighbors, conduct permit checks, and help with fundraisers to add curbside appeal to the park. Each volunteer will be ask to serve for 1-2 hours. If you are interested in volunteering please send an email to ona@oakhurst.org.
Clairemont Elementary School
School is revitalizing its tutor program and, of course, we need YOU! If you could give 30 minutes 2x/week (or even once a week!), you would not believe the difference you could make for a struggling student. We are focusing on math for the time being and would give you materials and direction. For more information contact Holly
Neil at (404) 538-1635.
Meals on Wheels
Lifting Latina Voices Initiative (LLVI) is looking for Latina volunteers. Are you interested in being a part of action-focused solutions to help address the community's needs? FWHC is looking for women of all ages interested in providing education and information within the Latina community regarding issues related to reproductive justice. No prior experience necessary and all training will be provided. Please contact Maria, the LLVI Program Coordinator at (404) 248-5445, or email her directly at latinaleaders@feministcenter.org.
Community Grant
Grants for Belvedere Community
Residents of DeKalb County's Belvedere Community have a new opportunity to make positive changes to their community via the Healthy Belvedere's Small Grants Program. Individuals or organizations with an innovative and sustainable idea for a project that promotes healthy eating or active living can be awarded up to $3,000. Applications for the Healthy Belvedere Small Grants are due by March 26, 2010 at 5:00 pm and can be downloaded from the organization's website,www.healthybelvedere.org.
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