This shout-out in a Kittery Point, ME article is kinda funny…

While asking for ideas and specific issues from all involved, Abercrombie also gave examples of what he called “classic mistakes” residents and town officials make, such as not trusting the town’s process or assuming that a small number of residents turning out for a meeting means the citizenry at large is happy.

Abercrombie also said that some conflict can be a good thing. As an example, he spoke of a number of divisive projects in the town of Decatur, Ga., where residents brought energy and passion based on their individual viewpoints and eventually poured that same energy into improving the community.

Sometimes in the midst of these conflicts, its easy to lose sight of previous accomplishments.

Since first being featured on Decatur Metro, human candy voting booth, Moey, has become a Halloween sensation.  First it was a feature spread in AccessAtlanta; now his mom Mindy (a.k.a “altmod”) directs us back to candyvote.com, where there are links to interviews Moey has done with both XM Satellite Radio POTUS ’08 and XM Kids. (He’s one smart cookie!)

If that wasn’t enough, there’s even talk that 11Alive might cover Moey’s canvasing of Ponce Heights on Halloween night AND a potential segment on CNN Headline News.

We’ll keep you updated!

Oh…and let me throw one more humorous, “I’m so clever!” costume suggestion on the pile:  Have a 6 hour line of voters trail along behind him…sort of like those Verizon network commercials.

The Decatur Minute announces the installation of pay-by-cell parking meters on N. McDonough and E. Court House Square and is asking for feedback from those that have used it.

To be honest, the process sounds kind of complicated.  You gotta sign up online and then carry around a user number and password (The Decatur Minute has a step-by-step flyer, which I can’t link to) But I guess if you’ve left all your change in the dryer, or you need to recharge the meter and your miles away, it could come in handy.

There’s also a 25 cent service charge for each transaction,  so those that use change are, in effect, rewarded.  Shouldn’t there be incentive to try the new method as opposed to stick with the old?

UPDATE: Just to prove I’m not a recreational griper, I did a Google search of “Pay-by-Cell” parking meters.  From what I’ve seen, areas of San Fran, Vancouver, Oklahoma City, Houston, Coral Gables and Boston have already adopted or tested the technology.

However, I can’t find much that talks about the success/failures of the system.  Here’s an April ’08 article about San Francisco’s system saying that response has been “tepid” and a conversation on Portland Transport from the same month saying that their version of this system hasn’t caught on. Different articles talk about a city’s ability to now vary the rate for parking depending on the time of day and the obvious benefit of eventually doing away with meter maids if the system were universally accepted or adopted.

Stupid prior commitments prevent me from attending…

Over on Fresh Loaf, Clark (Superman) Wheatley brazingly promotes his co-worker’s performance tonight at Push-Push (10p).  I’ll rip him off word-for-word since I don’t think he’ll complain in this particular instance.

He might be too modest to post it, but by God I’m not.

Tonight, CL senior writer Andisheh Nouraee will join the talented members of the Doug Dank Project at PushPush Theater in Decatur to perform a free-wheelin’, mindblowing, chuckle-inducing improv performance. The fun starts at 10 p.m.

Here’s the gist of how the evening goes: Andisheh will stand before the crowd and begin talking. The members of the troupe will use these delicious thoughts and topics as fodder for improv. Andisheh decides when to cut them off and the process repeats until time runs out or the fire marshall has all parties arrested for safety concerns and/or noise complaints. Hilarity does indeed ensue.

Tickets are $5 at the door. Push Push is located here.

Decatur isn’t the only DeKalb city looking at annexation…

It could be the beginning of an urban triangle in northern DeKalb County if voters in three neighborhoods north of Chamblee Tucker Road agree to become part of Doraville during next week’s election.

The annexed borders of Doraville would bump against the new city of Dunwoody. City leaders in nearby Chamblee hope to get their own annexation plan before the Legislature in the next year, which would stretch their borders north to the new Doraville city line.

And don’t forget that Avondale started looking at annexing part of E. College after Decatur’s annexation plans came to light earlier this year.  That leaves Stone Mountain as the only DeKalb city that currently isn’t considering any substantial annexation.

As someone from a state with no county governments, the idea of county control seems antiquated in a metro area.  I understand the functionality in more rural areas, but in places with dense populations, massive geographic counties can’t hope to effectively listen and address the needs of millions of constituents.

After a little confusion, Lyn follows up with a schedule surrounding the annexation issue.

Monday, November 17th at 6:30 p.m. Decatur City Hall — Joint work session with the Decatur City Commission and Decatur School Board to review options outlined in the report.

Monday, December 1st at 7:30 p.m. Decatur City Hall — Public hearing on annexation options as part of the regular City Commission agenda

Monday, December 15th at 7:30 p.m. Decatur City Hall — Action item on annexation is tentatively planned for the City Commission agenda. Public comment will be taken on the agenda item. Any action taken by the city commission would be on which option to pursue and would not result in actual annexation.

Third-graders will be participating in an age old tradition next Monday…bringing political life to the public square.

Can you identify the three branches of government and explain how they work? Are you able to describe how democracy began in America and its connection to Ancient Greece? If you ask a Third Grader from Oakhurst Elementary on November 3rd, they will be able to tell you.

To connect their learning to real life experiences, the third graders from Oakhurst are holding a voting rally on The Decatur Square on November 3^rd from 11:30 am to1pm. As students learn that voting is both a right and responsibility of citizens in the United States, they will encourage local adults to go exercise their right to vote on November 4^th. Students will remind Decatur citizens of those who were instrumental in our right to vote.

With a non-partisan approach, third graders will encourage adults to vote by carrying handmade signs; they will give speeches, perform songs, and cheer on the crowds. In addition, a polling place information table and map will be available to assist registered voters find their polling locations. Members of the Democratic and Republican campaigns will be present to offer information about their candidates. This is truly a hands-on learning experience for the Third Grade students at Oakhurst.