Clairmont Heights Civic Association

From a resident next to the Williamsburg subdivision... Hello everyone, This is an update on the LeCraw/Williamsburg redevelopment proposal. ... The BOC will hear this request to change the property land use from Suburban to Town Center on Tuesday, May 19 at 6:30pm at the Maloof Auditorium in downtown Decatur. This is the FOURTH cycle of hearings on this application, which has been deferred each time by the BOC, despite continued recommendations by the Community Council to deny it.

From City of Decatur police chief J.M. Booker... We have talked with members of the community who have offered valued suggestions about improving communications between the police department and community. We have tried to incorporate many of these suggestions and hope the changes will be beneficial to all. We recognize that the information contained in our monthly reports is often “time sensitive” and needs to be disseminated as quickly as possible. We are now using http://Crimereports.com a website that is updated every night to reflect crimes that have occurred in the City of Decatur.

"All landscaping does not involve plants, some of it involves planning to enjoy what you have" Speaker: Tara Dillard – great writer, speaker and designer, A real joy to listen to and she inspires good gardening Please register in advance by calling 404-298-4080 Fee: $7 per person which qualifies you for door prize entry. DeKalb County Extension Service 4380 Memorial Drive, Decatur, GA 30032 (County Training Center behind Tax Office) http://www.ugaextension.com/dekalb/

Contents include ARC Application, Executive Park Development, Green Space Purchase, Pension Act. ARC Application: The Board of Commissioners (BOC) voted to formally seek feedback from the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) on two applications for changes to the county's comprehensive development plan in District 2. Both applications are requesting changes to character areas in the master plan. ...

From state rep. Mike Jacobs... May 12, 2009 The news media had a lot to say about the 2009 session of Georgia General Assembly. Not much of it was particularly flattering. If you’re a homeowner, there’s good reason to tune out this echo chamber of Negative Nellies. That’s because property assessments have been frozen for the 2009 and 2010 tax years ... Read more

From the AJC... DeKalb to send out new tax assessment notices: Monday is deadline to appeal property values from original mailings By D.L. Bennett, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Tuesday, May 12, 2009 DeKalb County promises a second round of assessment notices will be mailed on Monday after admitting assessors failed to follow state law by not using foreclosures to set values for 2009. But that doesn’t mean DeKalb property owners who got revaluation notices last month should ignore them. read more

From the Druid Hills Civic Association... Be on the lookout for the following vehicles that have possibly been involved in several burglaries in the area of Druid Hills: 1980 Gray Ford LTD 4 door. Ga Tag BDU2892. Suspects 2 black males mid 40's 2007 White Cadillac Escalade. Ga Tag ABG1940. Suspect Black Male mid 30's.

A lovely black female dog, medium sized, pointy ears and a high, curled tail, was found Wednesday April 15 in the Agnes Scott parking garage. As she was wearing no collar, the college had to give her over to DeKalb County Animal Services. Although she was very frightened, she knew all of her commands and was very sweet. She probably has a family. She is still at the shelter, but can't be there much longer. And, the shelter thinks she is pregnant. If you know of her family or are interested in adopting her, please email or call Jamie Martinez, Dekalb Animal Services Adoption Coordinator, main: (404)294-2996, direct: (404) 294-2165, JSMartinez@co.dekalb.ga.us Thank you! Lee Davis

Dear Neighbors, DeKalb County is going Green and so can you! May 3 – 9, 2009 DeKalb County celebrates Greening Our Future, National County Government Week and the launch of Commissioner Gannon’s Green Commission for DeKalb County. Under the sponsorship of CEO Burrell Ellis, events will be held throughout the week to raise awareness of the County’s responsibility to protect the environment and use our natural resources wisely. The week culminates with the Green Commission Kick –Off event on Saturday, May 9 from 9:30 am to 12:00 at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts Center, the County’s newest building that was built to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards and has certification pending.

Water main work continues -- DeKalb County continues to replace an antiquated water main that runs through Emory Village and should complete their work this month. At the close of this project, Georgia Power will begin work to bury power lines in the Village, which will remove unsightly utility wires and wooden poles in the commercial district. After the power lines are buried, DeKalb County will begin work on the Village roadwork and roundabout. Thank you to all for your patience during this project, and please continue to patronize Village merchants during this time. Read more

Your DeKalb Farmer’s Market, 3000 East Ponce De Leon Avenue, Decatur, GA.

This is a great ride for anyone who is new to group rides or riding in general and families with older kids. We leave the shop at 9:00 AM and make our way out to Stone Mountain and back on the bicycle path. Total mileage is about 18 miles round-trip. Free snacks and drinks at Bicycle South after the ride. Please show up a few minutes early to pick up maps, cue sheets and meet your ride leader. Call the shop (404-636-4444) if you have any questions. Shop Riders Ready To Go!

From Bicycle South and Atlanta Bicycle Coalition... Be the envy of your co-workers as you show up to work energized instead of frustrated. Biking is safer and easier than you might think, and better for you than almost any other kind of commute. You'll soon look forward to your commute -- that's pretty unusual in Atlanta! The Atlanta Bicycle Coalition and partners including metro Atlanta Transportation Management Associations, Clean Air Campaign, Centers for Disease Control, and bike clubs and advocacy groups from across the region are combining forces this year to put on a full week of activities to celebrate Bike to Work Day 2009.

To our Clairmont Heights Dekalb County Neighbors ... DECA's (Dresden East Civic Association) Neighborhood Watch group is petitioning the Dekalb County Police Department to reaffirm their commitment to the Interactive Community Policing (ICP) Program. In order for this program to be effective, ICP officers must be allowed to dedicate themselves full-time to the areas where they are assigned. Please sign our online petition.

Addressed to Emory community but of possible interest to CHCA residents... Update 5/02/09 0900 EDT To the Emory Community: The World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and state and local public health agencies continue to investigate and respond to an expanding outbreak caused by the H1N1 (swine) flu. The number of cases confirmed in the United States has increased to one hundred forty one (141) across nineteen states. There has been one reported death in Texas; public health experts are indicating it likely that the number and severity of cases in the US will increase and new geographic areas will be involved.

Contents (Read more) Commencement Travel What's New at the CDC? Ancient Fossils, New Discoveries at Fernbank Museum Georgia Gets First NCI Designated Center at Emory Urban Design Guidelines Recognized for Merit Award Cliff Updates Stormy Weather Biotech Conference Plants Seeds for Future Industry Growth Art Festival Fun in Decatur Five Questions: Luis Izaguirre

From communityradar.com: The City of Decatur is proud to announce Decatur Green Fest, presented by Bonterra Vineyards, and hosted by the Dogwood Alliance, to be held on Saturday, May 2 from 3 pm until 9:30 pm. The event kicks off the annual Concert on the Square Series presented by Wachovia, and features a day of earth friendly family fun and music featuring Trey Rosenkampff, Deep Blue Sun, and Y-O-U presented by Half-Moon Outfitters at 8pm. read more

For our gardeners... This Saturday we will have our first Saturday Plant Sale in May. We have a large selection of plants and shrubs to add to the beauty of your landscape. We hope you also have a chance to look at the garden.

Many of you have noticed the removal then reinstallation of traffic calming devices along N Superior. This is the message we received a couple days ago from commissioner Rader's office in response to our inquiry: "This was a mix up. The traffic islands were supposed to be narrowed to accommodate emergency vehicles, so now they are putting them back in. One exception [is an] island [that] will be a speed table based on administrative decision. Hope this helps clarify."