Clairmont Heights Civic Association

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.

For our gardeners: Georgia Native Plant Society annual Plant Sale, being held in Cobb County. Shop for yourself or for *Your Local Park*. These are some of the plants that would be growing here naturally, though exactly which ones would naturally be in which location depends on the soil, lighting and water conditions of that location.

From state rep. Mary Margaret Oliver, April 18, 2013  –   2013 GENERAL  ASSEMBLY FINAL WRAP-UP   --  SINE DIE!  This is Mary Margaret Oliver’s FINAL WRAP-UP email newsletter for the 2013 General Assembly Session which convened January 14, 2013 and adjourned at midnight March 28.    To follow MMO’s legislative work and learn about opportunities to participate please friend her on Facebook and follow her Tweets.  Thank you for your interest!          

MEETING ON CITYHOOD BILLS – On May 6, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm, members of the DeKalb delegation who have introduced new cityhood or annexation bills will hold a Town hall Meeting at the Clairmont Hills Baptist Church at the corner of Clairmont and North Druid Hills to discuss all the bills introduced, including provisions for Druid Hills, Lavista Hills, Tucker, Lakeside, and the City of DeKalb.  Please come, learn about your options and how you may participate in a broad discussion about DeKalb governance.  More details about this meeting will be forth coming in future notices, but please put this date on your calendar.  Thank you for your interest!   .  

From commissioner Kathie Gannon: Local green vendor shopping and eudcational workshops. Conference Center at Georgia Piedmont Technical College, 495 North Indian Creek Rd, Clarkston, GA 30021. Door prizes; Food trucks; Fun workshops; Vendor shopping; Children's terrarium activity; Live music. For more info, contact sustainabledekalb@gmail.com or call 404-371-7045. Sponsored by DeKalb County green commission, Decatur Environmental Sustainability Board and Dunwoody Sustainability Commission. Organized by Dekalb Commissioner Kathie Gannon.

From the Medlock Area Neighborhood Association: MANA Neighborhood Watch - April 2013. Neighborhood Watch Meeting  April 24, 2013. 7:00 pm at North Decatur Presbyterian Church.   Just a reminder, there will be a neighborhood watch meeting next Tuesday, 7pm.  Al Fowler, the new Public Safety for Dekalb and Major Ellison, the new Center commander will be at the meeting answering questions.

From U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson: Purple heart; Foreclosure settlement; DeKalb Chief; Gun control; Arts competition; Immigration reform; Taxes; Mother-daughter walk; Academy Day; Nominations; C-Span; Grants page; Make it in America; South River clean-up; Biometrics; U.S. Mail; Jobs online.

From a local resident near the intersection of N Superior and N Decatur: Hi, I wanted to report that our house, near N Decatur Rd, got broken into again (the last time was late February). I got home right before 6pm today [4/18/13]. They kicked in the carport door and took a jewelry box. It looks like they also tried to take our iMac, but dropped it and smashed it in the process. Like before, the police advised that it was most likely kids en route home from school--based on the time of day and the things they took.