If you’ve yet to vote in Creative Loafing’s “Best of Atlanta” poll for all things Decatur, you only have one day and roughly 8 hours left to do so.

In addition to “best blog” and “best blogger” (found at the bottom of the Cityscape section), I’m hoping DM can produce surprise victories in “overrated thing about Atlanta”, “local rabble-rouser”, “street character” and “person you hate to love”.

In it’s own narrative section (pages 16-18), Decatur’s Active Living division discusses ways it will be cutting back (aka identifying “cost savings”) in the coming year, including finding more efficient options for large program registration events, reducing the use of paper and office supplies, and looking for more partner opportunities to share costs.

For the 09-10 budget year, the Active Living Division’s four budget priorities focus mainly on maintenance and repairs, along with a new storage building.  Here’s the quick rundown.  Full descriptions for each priority can be found after the jump.

1. Priority One: Storage building with restroom for Ebster Field.
2. Priority Two:Fencing for the small softball field at Oakhurst Park and a bin for special infield dirt material for both Oakhurst softball fields.
3. Priority Three:Re‐paint and fix cracks at the heavily used basketball courts at Oakhurst Park, Ebster Park, and Mead Road Park.
4. Priority Four: New fencing at the McKoy Skate Park.

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Asst. Superintendent Thomas Van Soelen forwards another note from the superintendent.  This one seems to leave the door a bit more open for potential furlough days later in the school year.

We are reviewing the situation. While we do not wish to cut short the work of our teachers and staff, the serious nature of the economic picture may require that we take this step. We are exploring the options. At this time, should we consider the reduction of work calendars, as suggested by the Governor, we will plan forward so the days in question can take place the latter part of the year.

Lynne writes in with details about a new annual Decatur/DeKalb YMCA 5k run/walk in Oakhurst, branded the “Fall Five”, which will help provide funding for College Heights’ after-school and camp scholarships.  Here are many of the details, straight off the website.

The Decatur-DeKalb YMCA will host its first ever Fall Five, a 5K and Tot Trot on September 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. to benefit it’s Partner With Youth program with proceeds going directly to College Height’s Early Childhood Learning Center in Oakhurst.

The YMCA Fall Five will provide partial funding for College Heights’ after school programs and scholarships for sending children to camps.

Race route begins and ends at Harmony Park at the intersection of East Lake Drive and Oakview Road in Oakhurst. The route runs through residental streets in Oakhurst and is mainly flat with rolling hills. Water stations are located along the route.

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