Clairmont Heights Civic Association

Fee increase is apparently $12 on top of the current $48 base, according to the North Druid Hills - Briarcliff Patch.  From the county CEO's Office of Neighborhood Empowermemt: Community Meeting.  Storm Water Utility: Proposed Fee Increase. Hosted by Commissioner Stan Watson and Commissioner Jeff Rader.  Thursday, May 2, 2013. Chamblee Library, 4115 Clairmont Rd, Chamblee. For more information, call 404-371-7031.

From organizer Wade Medlock: Hi all you country music lovers,  RSVP now as the North Decatur Pickin' Community reconvenes this Thursday, May 3, in our new location:  the fellowship hall at North Decatur Presbyterian Church, 611 Medlock Road, Decatur 30033.  Look for the sign near the driveway which says "Country Jam Tonite @ 7pm. That's when doors open for set-up.  The jam actually starts at 7:30pm.

From Thomas Doolittle: Subject: Public Hearing Required to Amend DeKalb County's Urban Redevelopment Plan (Urban Redevelopment Area) April 25, 2013. Moderated by Luz Borerro, Dep. COO Development 404-371-2562

From district 2 commissioner Jeff Rader:  Urban park competition deadline extended; Oak Groove Festival; Cityhood town hall meeting; Kids to the Park; Pop-up Art.

From wsbtv.com: "DeKalb County commissioners have decided to table a decision on changes to an animal shelter that some call a “House of Horrors.”  Animal advocates showed up to a county commissioners meeting Tuesday hoping lawmakers would move forward with a larger, better site, but officials decided to hold off on making a decision...." [Read more]

From the Wylde Center via Beth Bond at Southeast Green, for our gardeners: The Wylde Center is also elated that spring is finally in bloom. Our spring plant sale is officially up and running! We are your source for plants of all types: we have over 50 types of tomato (including heirloom), 30 types of pepper, 20 types of eggplant, fruit trees, ,medicinal herbs, native plants, and many other fun summer goodies like muscadine!

Notes from Dawn Forman about the meeting Wednesday, April 24.  Republished from the Laurel Ridge Neighborhood listserv with permission: Tonight we had a community neighborhood watch meeting. I wanted to thank everyone that came out, as well as let you know the information that we learned from Major Ellison, our new police major Mr. Fowler, our new community education coordinator, and the police detectives and officers present at the meeting. I also want to thank Chick-fil-a for donating a large tray of chicken nuggets for tonight's meeting.

From the Medlock Area Neighborhood Association: Join fellow Medlock neighbors in a neighborhood clean-up this Saturday, 27 April.  Meet at the International Community School (the former Medlock School) at 9 AM to check in and volunteer for a clean up task.  Give a few hours to make our neighborhood look better by removing debris from streets, sidewalks, and other common areas.  Bagels and coffee will be served between 8:30 and 9:15.  Please bring gloves, shovels, rakes, or other work tools.  Trash and composting bags will be provided.

From Beth Bond at Southeast Green. Location: Decatur United Methodist Church  - 300 East Ponce de Leon Avenue, Decatur, GA 30030. This recycling event accepts numerous items. We encourage you to read through the entire list to see where all the items accepted.

From the DEA via the Clairemont Great Lakes Neighborhood Association: *DRUG TAKE BACK DAY: Safely dispose of unused or expired prescriptions on Saturday, April 27th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient and responsible means of disposal, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of these medications.

From the DeKalb legislative delegation via the Civic Association Network.  See also the notice in the North Druid Hills - Briarcliff Patch: Members of the DeKalb House and Senate delegations, including those who have introduced legislation to create new cities or annex new areas to existing cities, will hold a Town Hall meeting on May 6, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at Clairmont Hills Baptist Chu

From James Dillon: The morning of Saturday, May 4th will be “The Birds and the Bees Day” at Fernbank Science Center. This free event has plenty to offer anyone with an interest in ornithology or apiculture. Fernbank staff, as well as the Atlanta Audubon Society, The Chattahoochee Nature Center, and Wild Birds Unlimited, will be on hand to explain, show, and answer questions on birds and bees. A bird photography contest will be judged, and winners announced, during the morning.

From wsbtv.com (h/t North Druid Hills - Briarcliff Patch): "....Internal auditors at the VA revealed at least two patients in the mental health unit in Decatur showed suicidal tendencies in recent months, sought help and then got lost in red tape.

From the county CEO's office:  DeKalb County will hold a public hearing on April 24, 2013 to expand the boundaries of the DeKalb County Urban Redevelopment Area and amend the DeKalb County Urban Redevelopment Plan. [It currently includes our area.] The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will be held at the Manuel J.

From the organizing committee via the Laurel Ridge neighborhood listserv: The ... Community needs to make their opinions known for the Druid Hills Charter Cluster. Please take a moment to complete the survey ASAP! The Organizing Committee for the Druid Hills Charter Cluster initiative is committed to developing a charter petition that is reflective of the unique needs, interests, and desires of the students, parents, teachers/staff, and community stakeholders.

From Clairemont Great Lakes Association neighbor Wardell Castles (See also this AJC article.): "Following an outcry from DeKalb citizens, the DeKalb Animal Services Task Force was commissioned by the CEO and commissioners to assess conditions and determine reasons for our high euthanasia rate.

From the Reporter Newspapers: "As the Perimeter fills in, many believe mixed-use development will become the standard pattern of development...." [Read more]

Ironic perhaps that citizens of a city created to make local government more responsive feel it's still not responsive to them.  From the Reporter Newspapers: ".... Although the original members were interested in different issues, they agreed that they felt shut out by the city government....." [Read more]

From DeKalb County Schools via the North Druid Hills - Briarcliff Patch: "The DeKalb County School District has undertaken a fast-paced technology plan to make 123 schools and centers wireless by the winter.