OK, I’m willing to try anything once.
Use this open forum to make statements or ask questions about local topics that haven’t been brought up in other posts. All the same commenting rules apply.
Depending on how successful and headache-free it is, it could become a weekly feature!
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Oops, I was posting this elsewhere when this popped up. So here’s a repost:
“This is slightly off topic, but could someone please clarify the lane intentions at the intersection of Clairmont & Commerce in front of the church near McDonalds? Traveling toward the square there are two left turn lanes, a continue straight lane, and a right turn lane. I was under the impression the two left turn lanes were “left turn only” lanes, but there seems to be a regular habit of drivers continuing straight from the right hand “left turn” lane.
Am I wrong in my assumption of “left turn only” at that intersection?
(To DM, sorry this is off topic, but I am truly curious)”
There are two left turn only lanes, but people go straight from the right hand one all the time.
Yeah, I know. I mainly wanted reassurance that my horn honking was justifiable.
Also, I like to see if I can rub some paint off on their passenger side without them knowing. Or, accidentally dropping a handful of nails out my drive side window….ok, I’m kidding.
This is so awesome, DM. A free-for-all!
So my post has little to do with Decatur, but I think we are all close to this subject. Is everyone else as sick as I am that Mike Vick is going to get $1.6M this year from the Eagles? And people ask why I no longer watch sports.
DM, if this is way too off-topic for your blog, feel free to shut it down.
Yes, totally sick about Vick. Luckily I hate football (and all professional sports–what an oxymoron!) anyway, but this just makes it sink to a new low.
Here’s my question. I live on Sycamore Dr. and there’s a large house that was built a few years ago back behind some other houses right at the fork off to Ridgeland Ave. It was originally a single-family residence, but there is something else entirely going on there now. At all times of day, I see random people going to and from that house. There is a lot of trash every week and the MARTA handicapped bus stops there frequently. There are people walking to and from the Avondale MARTA station all the time. So I am trying to figure out what is going on there. It looks like too many people coming and going for it to be a halfway house, but what do I know. Some kind of therapy place? I am SOOOO curious!
I think this came up here a month or so ago – maybe DM can help us find the thread.
I did a search on “Sycamore” and went through all the threads with a hit, but didn’t find anything. Metro, do you have any ideas? Thanks.
Is this what you’re talking about?
http://www.gmhcn.org/wellnesscenter/index.html
I’ve gotten emails about this in the past and have followed up with the city but never posted anything for some reason. Here’s the original email I received from a resident…
“I am 99.99% sure that this program DOES NOT fall under residential zoning. So a variance had to be given in order for this program to be granted a business license. IMO, that should have triggered a need for public comment. I don’t remember seeing a zoning notice in front of that building. And to be honest, even if a notice was provided there is no way this use should have been approved. NONE!
With the exception of Suburban Day Care and the church, this neighborhood is 100% residential. It is zoned for residential and is used as such.
This covert placement of a mental health facility in the middle of a residential neighborhood is simply ridiculous”
——————————————————–
And now here’s Amanda Thompson’s response…
“I am aware of this situation and working with the Sycamore Heights neighborhood association. The city does allow what we call “personal care homes” in residential districts. The issue here is if the facility is a personal care home as defined by the state department of human resources or something else.”
Thanks, DM.
Yes, that’s it. Thanks. Wow. I am shocked that something like that is tucked behind some other houses and smack in the middle of a neighborhood of hundreds.
“This covert placement of a mental health facility in the middle of a residential neighborhood is simply ridiculous” – DM
“I am shocked that something like that is tucked behind some other houses and smack in the middle of a neighborhood of hundreds.” – CSDMom
What bothers you folks about this? It sounds as if you object to (1) the presence of people suffering from mental health issues, and/or (2) the fact that it was done “covertly.” I can sympathize with objections to processes that aren’t transparent. But if the “lots of trash” is properly bagged and placed for pickup, then what is the real objection? There are precious few resources available to anyone in this country with any type or degree of mental illness, unless they have access to their own unlimited financial resources. The website clearly states that people using the facility are not a danger to themselves or others. So what is the problem?
Somebody please convince me this ugly strain of bigotry is not alive and well in Decatur! Unless someone can clarify, I have to assume these posts reflect the same old attitude that prevails in this society: ignore the mentally ill, and if you can’t do that, stigmatize them and do whatever is necessary to make them go somewhere else. I was brought up that way, too. But it’s a counterproductive and, IMO, immoral attitude. These are people, struggling with illnesses the same way patients of chronic physical illnesses struggle. They don’t deserve to be ignored or stigmatized. And as long as they don’t make noise and handle their garbage appropriately and do all the other things we expect of each other in a nice neighborhood, they should have as much right to live there as anybody else.
Just to be clear….I didn’t write that. I was quoting a reader’s email.
Sorry, DM, I didn’t read your post carefully. Didn’t mean to inaccurately ascribe the quote to you.
I’m as confused as Small Town Gal. Why is it outrageous if they’re no more dangerous than your run-o-the-mill “normal” neighbor? It’s not a brothel or a crack house, for gawd’s sake.
[Based only on the info here and the facility's website. If anyone knows anything different, please share.]
Just as an FYI, People First, an organization that helps mentally, physically & developmentally disabled people become empowered through self-advocacy and Atlanta Legal Aid Society’s Mental Health and Disability Rights project are both housed in Decatur just a couple of blocks from this personal care home. The MHDRP won a US Supreme Court case in 1999 for two disabled clients that extends the ADA and requires states to find appropriate alternatives to institutions in the community for those with disabilities. It’s no surprise then, given how two important nonprofits that work to help empower the disabled are based in city of Decatur, that group/personal care homes like this are nearby.
Thank you, smalltowngal, for posting. I think this is a fabulous addition to our community. I am happy to hear we are embracing the mentally ill instead of discarding them and increasing the homeless epidemic in our nation. Most mentally ill individuals are non-violent, meek people. It is wonderful that this facility is providing them a haven.
Hello,
I live in this neighborhood…Sycamore Heights. I have not had an issue with this mental health haven/home. I walk past it frequently and have seen a few people on the sidewalk waiting for rides..no big deal. I have heard though that some living closer to the home have had issues with the guests hanging around outside their homes or even coming up to the doors. I could see where this might make some people uneasy but I do not feel it justifies being called a bigot.
“I could see where this might make some people uneasy but I do not feel it justifies being called a bigot.”
If a person in a wheelchair or wearing a leg brace approached these neighbors’ doors, would they become uneasy? What about someone with both arms in casts?
Bigotry is probably not the best term for what I’m smelling. Maybe prejudice or discrimination is more precise. Whatever you want to call it, there’s no place for it in a community that points with pride to its own diversity and tolerance.
For that matter, there’s no place for it anywhere. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): “An estimated 26.2 percent of Americans ages 18 and older — about one in four adults — suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year. When applied to the 2004 U.S. Census residential population estimate for ages 18 and older, this figure translates to 57.7 million people. Even though mental disorders are widespread in the population, the main burden of illness is concentrated in a much smaller proportion — about 6 percent, or 1 in 17 — who suffer from a serious mental illness. In addition, mental disorders are the leading cause of disability in the U.S. and Canada for ages 15-44. Many people suffer from more than one mental disorder at a given time. Nearly half (45 percent) of those with any mental disorder meet criteria for 2 or more disorders, with severity strongly related to comorbidity.”
Homeless shelters are full of people whose problems are rooted in untreated mental illness. Jails are full of people who are not criminal, but are non-functioning due to untreated mental illness. One reason is the lack of resources allocated to diagnosis and treatment. Another is the incredibly powerful stigma associated with mental illness that prevents sufferers from seeking or accepting help. Imagine what our society would be like if people with physical disorders and disabilities were as starved for treatment and resources as those with mental problems. Now imagine what things would be like if we supported treatment and resources for the mentally ill the same way we do for the physically ill.
What if one of the people using that wellness center was a close relative of yours? How would you want the neighbors to perceive and respond to him or her? Withdraw in wariness? Or greet them with kindness?
I think berry was just trying to show some empathy with people who feel uneasy around mentally ill persons. And saying that the uneasiness they feel does not necessarily make them prejudiced, but also, I think, it doesn’t really warrant another lecture with statistics from NIMH.
Frequently, throughout history, mentally ill people have proven to be dangerous–not all of them, again, not ALL of them, but some of our best and brightest freaks have, sometimes obviously, been mentally ill. So within a community you are bound to get some level of uneasiness.
Also, for what it’s worth, I have a theory that everyone is mentally ill–you, she, he, me.
Also I think it’s more productive to understand where the fear is coming from and then trying to reconcile it, instead of classifying them in one judgmental category. There’s a level of insult in these arguments that makes me uneasy.
Also, I’m wondering if I’m the only one getting a little tired of the “Decatur promotes itself as BLANK, but it’s actually a bunch of freaking BLANKS.”
First off, Decatur doesn’t promote itself as progressive, all-accepting, etc. It’s just known for that because it is those things in comparison to other cities across GA and the U.S. But don’t fall for all the word of mouth PR. Decatur isn’t just one viewpoint. As we’ve established here frequently, Decatur is a complex mess of all viewpoints just like everywhere else,…just some more than others. And thank goodness for that. Without the more conservative-minded the progressives would dream themselves to the point of destruction, while without the progressives the conservatives would resist change to the point of destruction.
As Madison, Jefferson, Adams, Franklin and many of the founders saw, the safest answer is somewhere in the compromise. When there’s no one there to challenge you, you’re almost doomed to failure eventually.
So thank goodness for the discourse and civil discord. I wouldn’t want Decatur to be any less of a complex mess.
Nobody enjoys a lecture, and I knew I was coming across in a strident tone. Please consider the pain and frustration that might lie behind it. As for Berry’s defense of the neighbors who feel uneasy, empathy is generally a good thing. But a generation ago many people were uneasy around physically handicapped individuals, who were consequently marginalized to an extent that we find appalling today. As a society, we have made huge strides toward overcoming that discrimination and the unease that lay behind it. Dare I hope that in my lifetime we can say the same about our attitudes toward the mentally ill? Not unless we consciously strive for it. People with physical disabilities became activists on their own behalf 20 and 30 years ago, and are usually able to talk back and stick up for themselves if they choose. People with mental illnesses don’t dare to “act out” or engage in activism. The risk is too great of being re-diagnosed and winding up in even worse situations. Their challenge is to function and interact appropriately with the world, and learn NOT to struggle against it, no matter what. Plus, it is now against the law to discriminate against people with physical limitations. But try job-hunting with a mental health diagnosis on your record, even if it is one that is effectively managed through medication and/or therapy.
Yes, extremely ill people can be dangerous. But those who use this particular facility are not.
Full disclosure: I have a close relative who has battled mental illness for most of her life. The single biggest obstacle has been–and remains–convincing her to accept help. She feels so thoroughly stigmatized, as a mentally ill person, that she would rather be homeless than let her diagnosis be known so she can obtain treatment and support. As long as she doesn’t get “officially flagged,” she can sustain a hope of one day resuming her career, finishing her doctoral thesis, getting her life back. But without professional help, none of that is ever going to happen. Her illness has grown severe enough that we have lost the daughter, sister, cousin that we knew, maybe forever. For her, and for us, the situation is something like a living death. And that’s not hyperbole. That’s our family’s life. So yes, I’m strident and prone to lecture.
Finally, Decatur most certainly DOES promote itself (and, to be honest, congratulate itself) as diverse. It’s practically the unofficial tagline these days. I’ll be the first to agree that means there is room for all kinds of perspectives. But IMO there is not a valid perspective that legitimizes discrimination against a group of people because they are different, and certainly not because they are ill. This isn’t a “progressive vs conservative” debate. It’s about making noise to let some people know they unwittingly touched a very tender nerve; and hopefully help folks realize that nerve is exposed for a lot more of their friends and neighbors than they might suspect. (That was why I quoted the statistics that some apparently found so onerous–read ‘em again and do the math, and try to figure out who you know that’s contending with mental illness, their own or a loved one’s, and never mentioned it to you.) There are more than you think.
If anyone read all the way to this point, I appreciate it.
IMO, your story is the one people need to hear smalltowngirl. “Making noise” can be useful, but often it just makes others defensive and they stop listening. Thank you for sharing something that is obviously very personal part of your life.
The point about Decatur was a minor one obviously. But the fact that you called it the city’s “unofficial tagline” makes me think that we’re on the same page. I was only saying that it’s not like it’s the city’s official marketing slogan. It’s what is transmitted word-of-mouth. And it’s no real surprise that reality doesn’t match a Decatur cheerleader’s limited perceptions. But I’ve belabored the point already too long.
Again, thanks for giving more background on your situation. Hopefully it will encourage some to rethink a knee-jerk reaction sometime in the near future. I know I will.
As far as I can tell, all our knees were tucked neatly under the table on this one.
I have known several people–including close family members–that have mental illness, but with this experience also comes the realization that people that suffer from mental illness can be unpredictable–which in turn leads to an uneasy feeling in the rest of us. That was, from my point of view, the gist of this thread. Sorry for the exhaustive treatment of this expired horse.
I think people can feel sympathy for the mentally ill and concern about a strange facility moving in next door to them at the same time. The feelings aren’t mutually exclusive, nor is the latter reserved solely for bigots. Some facilities are more appropriate for residential neighborhoods than others, and as Amanda Thompson made clear, there’s a lot of confusion about what type of facility this is. As far as I know, no one from this facility has met with the neighborhood association to explain what the facility does and who the residents are. Without that understanding, I think the concern of the residents around this facility is understandable. There are a lot of people coming in and out of this facility, some of whom wander around the neighborhood and some of whom look pretty medicated. And besides the large number of bagged trash in front of the house, there’s also a consistent amount of trash dropped on the street from persons waiting for a bus. Finally, my understanding is that the GA Dept of Human Resources runs this facility and, considering how well the DHR cares for the mentally in its institutions (See the AJC’s series on “A Hidden Shame”), I’m not filled with confidence that it’s vigilant in caring for those in the community.
He gets a second chance. The dogs did not.
there are two left turn lanes, a continue straight lane, and a right turn lane
Are there are arrows drawn on the left-turn lanes?
There’s a similar set-up of ambiguity on Ashford-Dunwoody, at the main entrance of Perimeter Mall and the side of the Park Place shopping center (there’s a gas station at the intersection, on the Park Place side).
Drivers turn left from what I’ve always interpreted to be a go-straight-only lane. There is no arrow on it saying one can turn left. I google-mapped it with street view. Ashford Dunwoody Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30338 and screencapped it. Sorry it’s so dark.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/StHemingway/AshFRav.jpg
How common are these multi-lane intersections?
There are arrows in both the left turn lanes.
I’ll definitely look for them the next time I’m there. Oddly, every time I approach that intersection (from the Park Place/Ravinia side), I only see a left turn arrow drawn for the left-most lane. Curious.
Oh, and something local:
It will be a great weekend at
http://www.decaturbbqfestival.com/
Indeed. Be sure to get to the BBQ-fest by 6:00 for DejaBlue.
A kciking bluegrass band.
Oh, and good friends of mine
When can we get a roundabout put in at the intersection of Ponce/Nelson Ferry/Northern? I’m seeing more and more people run the light going from Nelson Ferry onto Ponce all the time. That light is painfully long.
Regarding Vick, what about it bothers you? Is it that you don’t agree with salaries in professional sports at all? Or that you do not think he paid his debt to society through our justice system? Or that he was reinstated to play in the NFL?
About Vick: You pretty much covered all the reasons.
Decatur history question….
has anyone seen pictures of buildings that used to be in Decatur?
ie…the structures that used to stand where the Ponce project is going up..
or the structure where First Baptist church now stands
or the old neighborhood that was leveled for public houseing
just wondering what Decatur looked like years ago…I have found aerials of Decatur from 1940 showing many many buildings that, by the time you get to an aerial of Decatur from 1970 the city is pretty much a just a giant parking lot.
Go to the Development Office downtown. They have a cool drawing of old Decatur on the wall, and they probably have some other neat pics and stuff.
Land, city hall has a bunch of scrap books in “the Vault” which is the result of city employees cutting out articles as they appeared in papers.
However, the best place to find Decatur stuff is at the DeKalb History Center. They have a ton of Decatur folders, and luckily some intern put them in chronological order at some point in the recent past. Just make an appointment and you can stay as long as you like. (within reason)
Also, if you haven’t checked out Next Stop…Decatur, he often posts old pics of the city. He’s got quite the collection and if you asked him for something specifically, I’m sure he could point you in the right direction.
Which Ponce project are you talking about?
In terms of “the old neighborhood that was leveled for public housing” I have a couple pics of Beacon Hill…but most are of the wreckage when they went through with a bulldozer. Oh! Also, there’s a Beacon Hill booklet that a grad-student put together back in 2007 that has a lot of pics of that area. The city has copies of that.
If you want to be lazy and not leave your computer, start with the LOC’s American Memory Project. If I remember, there are some Decatur photos in the online archive
I always WANT to be lazy…
Thanks for the responcs!
The Ponce project I was talking about is where the huge 60’s block building is (I cant remember the number…350 Ponce?). In old aerials there is a building that takes up much of the lot, as well as a few houses along Montgomery. Just wondering what they looked like.
Beacon hill is what I was talking about. What kind of houseing was it? turn of the century craftsman…or older…or kinda trashy shacks? I’ve never seen what the homes looked like. I’m sure its depressing, especially seeing what they replaced them with!
Nelliebelle-I’ll have to check out that site…havent heard of it but sounds interesting!
Thx!
The American Memory Project is incredible. AND since it’s Library of Congress, you can download all pictures for FREE!!
Beacon Hill was a fairly typical lower-middle neighborhood with mainly single family houses. Elizabeth Wilson has some background on it and also some contact of people who actually lived there.
Here’s one for the open forum (gutsy move, DM):
Pretend that, due to a freak accident (say, an underground leak of Belgian beers from BSP mixing with the runoff from the new Yogurt Tap and creating some kind of toxic cloud) we all had to leave Decatur. Assuming that you have to stay in the greater metro ATL area (for work, family, etc.), where would you move? And why?
And no, we’re not moving, I’m just always stumped when I talk to people at work and try to give them a local comparison to Decatur.
For schools: Oak Grove area, plus the Vista Grove shopping center and nearby shopping centers have some slight quaintness to them; plus I think there’s some swim communities to join which I consider key for summers with children. Maybe Candler Park or Lake Claire but there just isn’t that same sense of a core community. Grant Park is nice but too close to Downtown which I consider a wasteland after 4 PM.
Actually, I’d move to Vermont, Oregon, or North Carolina.
Tough question, since I think Decatur is just about the best town in metro Atlanta (no joke). The problem with the answer is, I can think of dozens of places in the area I WOULDN”T want to move to. I guess maybe Inman Park, or Grant Park.
“leak of Belgian beers from BSP mixing with the runoff from the new Yogurt Tap” = BEER YOGURT = HEAVEN!
I’d like the Leafmore subdivision near C’mont & LaVista for the same reasons CSD Snowflake mentions.
I’d consider the north end of the MARTA line. I guess that’s the Sandy Springs area. The parks and trails along the Chattahoochee are beautiful, plus it’s close to the mountains and, with MARTA, the commute to downtown isn’t bad. Too bad there aren’t any sidewalks up there.
If Vick were a plumber before his conviction, I would hope he could return to plumbing work without criticism. And, having learned a lesson, perhaps he can be some kind of spokesman against the behavior that landed him in jail. I’m glad he has a second chance, and I hope he uses the opportunity wisely.
The evacuation route down Eastland Drive will be available at a very modest toll fee.
Some people’s actions put them beyond the pale. By hiring Vick, the NFL confirms it is no longer polite society. It is a collection of thugs, mugs, and trash that can play a sport.
I was walking into town on Tuesday and noticed an “open” sign at the ice cream & classic cars place (“Relics & Rarities?” Something like that?) across from the high school. Is this true? I had expected to hear something about it opening, but that was the first I’d heard of it. Anyone been there and can post feedback? Also — anyone have updates on the the pizza/pasta place that’s opening where Silk Road Cafe used to be? There’s been a “coming soon” banner there for ages, but when I go by does not seem like too much progress is being made. Thanks!
Oops… turns out Valarie is running for school board again. Sorry for the misinformation!
TGIF!
Does anyone know when Piece of Cake is scheduled to open?
Does anyone know what kind of trees those are next to the Wachovia building? I’m talking about the large (maybe 100 ft tall), sort of triangle-shaped ones that are on the east side of the building. Also, that building seems mostly empty. Anyone know about any plans for it?
Are you talking about the 315 W Ponce building or the one at E Ponce and N Candler?
If the W Ponce builfding, I recall a discussion here several months ago about those trees in the middle of the whole redevelopment thing.
http://www.decaturmetro.com/2008/07/30/315-west-ponce-dawn-redwoods-in-jeopardy/
The trees were saved because ultimately they decided not to build the front building.
The building is actually about 95% occupied at last check. Don’t be fooled by the ever-present “For Lease” sign.
Thanks DM. Glad to hear those trees are staying. I haven’t seen any others like them in Georgia.
See smaller dawn redwoods behind Mellow Mushroom / Thai Bowl. And there’s one next to City Hall. I’ve also seen at least one elsewhere in Decatur, but I’m blanking on the location right now.
- AMB
“Some people’s actions put them beyond the pale. By hiring Vick, the NFL confirms it is no longer polite society. It is a collection of thugs, mugs, and trash that can play a sport.”
I do not think its fair of you to generalize and cast judgment upon an entire organization such as the NFL. Sure, there are players who have serious issues and should be dealt with. However, there are many, many fine upstanding players who respect the law, provide time and money to charities and are great role models. You can find individual character issues with any “group” – politicians, for instance.
Let’s not forget that the NFL suspended another player for a whole year because he killed a man while driving drunk.
I am sure there are many fine people playing football. I am also sure there are dog-killing, murderous thugs playing football. The NFL welcomes them both. I see no reason to support such a business enterprise.
And to compare the NFL and politicians? Is that a race to the bottom?
The whole point of our judicial system is to identify accused criminals, charge them with crimes, try them for their crimes, and judge and sentence them appropriately, if found guilty. After they have served their sentence (if any), they are allowed to resume their civilian activities with various legal and/or time limitations. If Vick were a plumber, would you object to his resuming his previous occupation?
If Michael Vick was just a plumber he would have gotten a more worthy sentencing for his actions.
Does anyone know about part-time day-care options? Most of the places my friends use are full-time only. Two days a week, or three mornings a week would be perfect.
I think Scottdale Daycare (or something like that) will do that.
http://www.scottdale.org/
North Decatur Methodist Church. They have PMO 2 or 3 days/week (your choice) and it is very affordable.
I’m giving props to the Decatur Police for putting that electronic speed limit sign next to the Path on West Howard, AND for their very visible presence on West Howard in the morning during school zone time. Man, you should see people hit their brakes when they see two sets of flashing blue lights!
Good News Story of the Day
A customer, who had come into Heliotrope with her baby to shop, made her purchase and proceeded to her car parked across WePo in front of the CVS. She sat her bag on the sidewalk while she got her child seated for the ride home. Upon arriving home, she realized what she had done.
Meanwhile, one of Decatur’s great PALS, Jonathan Scheffel, while making his appointed rounds, noticed the bag in front of CVS with no car in that spot, saw the Heliotrope logo and dutifully took it to the store.
The customer made her way back to CVS to find the bag gone. She decided to take a wild chance (knowing that her goods had been lost) and came in the store. When she heard me call out that I was so happy she had come back, here are your things, she became visibly emotional, with me soon to follow, and said her faith in the inherent goodness of people had been fully restored. (She asked her girl, “What were we looking for?” “Bag,” she replied and pointed to the counter.)
Jonathan Scheffel – Today’s Decatur Hometown Hero!
Way to go Jonathan! And all of our great PALS.
I agree with Cheryl. The PALS are great and perform good deeds everyday. Thanks Jonathan for going the extra mile yet again!