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Dear Neighbor:
Memorial Day weekend marked the opening of pools across DeKalb County, which could only mean one thing -- Summer is in full swing. From attending Movies in the Park to enjoying the great outdoors at our nature preserve, there are several opportunities to get out in our community and get active this summer.
Speaking of getting out in our community, I hope you have the chance to take advantage of the services, resources and programs we are hosting at off-site locations in June, such as our mobile career center or Adopt-A-Stream Water Quality Workshops.
If you are visiting one of our county offices this summer, keep an eye out for our customer service terminals where you can provide feedback on the service you receive from us. This is a part of our ONE DeKalb Serves initiative, which is our promise to always strive for excellence in our interactions with you.
I encourage you to check our website often to get the most up-to-date information about what is going on in your county, and I look forward to seeing you as I participate in your events being held throughout our community as well.
- CEO Burrell Ellis
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CEO Ellis to Participate in "Wireside" Chats
Join me and Decatur Mayor Bill Floyd as we field calls from county residents on Wednesday, June 13 at 7:30 p.m. as part of a "Wireside Chat" about the July 31 Regional Transportation Referendum.
The chat is designed to provide a convenient way for thousands of residents to talk to local officials about the upcoming transportation referendum and address questions about the list of projects.
On July 31, residents from the 10-county metropolitan Atlanta area will have the opportunity to vote on the referendum which would fund $8.5 billion in transportation improvements through a regional one percent sales tax.
All questions will be answered live during the call or after in writing. Residents are asked to register for the "Wireside Chat" online at www.wiresidechats.com or by calling 404-463-3227.
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"Excellence in Public Service" Award
I was honored to be recognized for my work in public service by the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce at its XXIV Annual Award Gala last month.
The Award for Excellence in Public Service was presented at the celebration at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta.
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DeKalb Earns Top Community Engagement Honor
ACCG names ONE DeKalb Advocate of the Year
DeKalb County's Office of Neighborhood Empowerment - ONE DeKalb - was recognized as the 2012 Civic and Community Engagement Advocate of the Year by the Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) during its annual conference.
ONE DeKalb maintains a responsive and people-centered government, promote neighborhood organizations that lead to sustainable development, and inform and engage citizens to enhance the quality of personal and communal life.
Since its inception in 2009, ONE DeKalb has achieved unprecedented success rallying hundreds of neighborhood groups. Among other milestones, ONE DeKalb launched its inaugural Neighborhood Summit in 2009, which was expanded to include a green expo in 2010. At each of the summits, more than 500 citizens, representing more than 300 neighborhood and civic associations, participated in community roundtables and presentations, and received valuable information on county services.
ACCG created the partnership and advocacy awards to recognize outstanding individuals, county programs, business leaders, and media representatives who support the efforts of county governments as well as further the Association's mission. For more information on ACCG, go to www.accg.org.
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State of Arts in DeKalb Survey Available Until July 1
Attention artists, art and cultural organizations, faith-based institutions, or residents who support the arts: We want your feedback on shaping the future of arts and culture in the county.
The Creative Industries Task Force was appointment to undertake an inclusive and comprehensive study of DeKalb's creative and cultural industry and to develop a plan to shape the cultural future of our community and position DeKalb County as a cultural center and destination.
Not only is this a cultural arts program, it is also an economic development opportunity. When new businesses are recruited to our community major selling points are the quality of life and the leisure opportunities for employees. Increasingly, cultural amenities are also major attributes for attracting and retaining workers.
Toward that end, we need your help. The DeKalb Creative Industries Task Force is conducting surveys on the state of the arts in DeKalb County to determine the cultural opportunities and desires of stakeholders across the county's diverse communities. The survey is available until July 1, online at www.dekalbcountyga.gov and at all DeKalb County libraries.
There are four surveys online designed to glean feedback from artists, art and cultural organizations, faith-based institutions, and residents. The results will be used to develop a framework to foster a healthy arts and culture community and support artistic endeavors in the county. The surveys take less than 5 minutes, and are available 24 hours a day.
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DCTV Adds Another Prestigious Award to its Repertoire
DeKalb County's Government Access Station, DeKalb County Television, Channel 23 has won another award for its stellar programming. The 131st edition of DCTV's newsmagazine show, "Inside DeKalb," was selected for a Bronze Telly Award for outstanding achievement in the TV Programs/Segments category.
The 30-minute program features stories, events and programs happening in DeKalb County with a direct focus on county government departments. "Inside DeKalb" informs residents about upcoming events, special affairs and how to utilize various services offered throughout the county.
Founded in 1979, The Telly Awards is the premier award honoring outstanding local, regional, and cable TV commercials and programs, the finest video and film productions, and web commercials, videos and films. Winners represent the best work of the most respected advertising agencies, production companies, television stations, cable operators, and corporate video departments in the world.
This marks the second Bronze Telly Award for DCTV this year. DCTV also received three Pegasus Awards of Honor and four Pegasus Awards of Distinction earlier this year. Collectively, DCTV has won more than 60 national awards since 2006, including 31 Pegasus Awards, 14 NATOA Awards, nine NACIO Awards, two AABJ Awards, and an Emmy award.
Since launching its full programming roster in 2003, DCTV has produced more than a dozen different county-related programs and major features, including "Inside DeKalb," "Let's Talk DeKalb," "Commissioners' Corner," "DeKalb Salutes You," " Check It Out," "Arts, Culture & Entertainment Living" as well as award-winning public service announcements.
On Comcast Cable, and now online through a live video stream at www.dekalbcountyga.gov/dctv, DCTV Channel 23 serves as the sole media source of DeKalb County government events and programs, working to inform the more than 700,000 residents in DeKalb County.
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DeKalb Watershed Management Wins Top Awards in Water and Wastewater Treatment
The Georgia Association of Water Professionals presented Gold and Platinum awards to all three DeKalb water and wastewater treatment plants. The Pole Bridge Creek and Snapfinger Creek Wastewater Treatment Plants both received the 2011 Platinum Award and the Scott Candler Water Treatment Plant received the 2011 Gold Award.
The Platinum Award received by both the Pole Bridge Creek and Snapfinger Creek Wastewater Treatment Plants recognizes local public utilities throughout the state of Georgia who have completed five years in a row without violations of their National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) or water production permit. The Scott Candler Water Treatment Plant received the distinction of Gold Award by completing the 2011 calendar year without violations of their NPDES or water production permits.
As authorized by the Clean Water Act, the NPDES permit program controls water pollution by regulating point sources that discharge pollutants into the waters of the United States. Industrial, municipal, and other facilities such as water and wastewater treatment plants must obtain permits if their discharges of water from their plants go directly to surface waters.
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DeKalb County Receives Brownfield Grant from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently notified us that we will be awarded a grant for $900,000 to capitalize a Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund (RLF).
Brownfields include sites where expansion, redevelopment or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant or contaminant. The Brownfield RLF will provide cleanup financing for eligible projects within DeKalb County. The loans will help to fund the remediation required for site cleanup, which will then allow redevelopment projects to go forward.
DeKalb County applied for the funds in partnership with the Development Authority of DeKalb County. The DeKalb County Office of Economic Development prepared the grant application. The Development Authority of DeKalb County will administer the Brownfield RLF Program.
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Did You Know?
It is not too late to support Team DeKalb. Click below to join our efforts.
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Job Well Done!
We commend Andrew Baker in the planning and sustainability department for helping to resolve a stakeholder's problem within 24 hours.
This is what Steve Ingram had to say:
"I am sure you regularly field questions regarding performance issues with your county staff. If your job is like mine, we end up hearing more negative than positive. Just wanted to drop you a quick note to let you know the professionalism that Mr. Baker and his team have displayed."
Thank you Andrew for a job well done.
Did a DeKalb County employee or department go beyond the call of duty to make your priorities our priority?
Please send us an email so that we can recognize him or her for a job well done.
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Mobile Career Center Schedule
June 7, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Villages of East Lake
460 East Lake Blvd.
Atlanta, GA 30317
June 11, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Salem Panola Library
5137 Salem Rd.
Lithonia, GA 30038
June 12, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Wesley Chapel Library
2861 Wesley Chapel Rd.
Decatur, GA 30034
June 13, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Georgia Piedmont
Technical College
495 North Indian Creek Dr.
Clarkston, GA 30021
June 14, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Scott Candler Library
2644 McAfee Rd.
Decatur, GA 30032
June 18, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Redan-Trotti Library
1569 Wellborn Rd.
Lithonia, GA 30058
June 19, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Covington Library
3500 Covington Hwy.
Decatur, GA 30032
June 20, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Tucker-Reid Cofer Library
5234 Lavista Rd.
Tucker, GA 30084
June 21, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Stonecrest Library
3123 Klondike Rd.
Lithonia, GA 30038
June 25, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Georgia Department of
Human Services
2910 Miller Rd.
Decatur, GA 30035
June 26, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Wesley Chapel Library
2861 Wesley Chapel Rd.
Decatur, GA 30034
June 27, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Department of Family & Children Services
178 Sams St.
Decatur, GA 30030
June 28, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Scott Candler Library
2644 McAfee Rd.
Decatur, GA 30032
For more information and to access a calendar with scheduled locations, please visit www.dekalbworkforce.org.
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