And we’re not talking about anonymous blog input either.

Patti Garrett reminds us of two upcoming Imput Sessions at City Hall in the next 8 days…

Railroad Crossing Improvements at Candler and McDonough Streets – Thursday November 12

A community workshop to discuss the railroad crossing improvements will be held on Thursday, November 12, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the City Commission meeting room of Decatur City Hall, 509 North McDonough Street, in downtown Decatur. We hope you will be able to join us to learn more about this project.

As part of its capital improvements program, the City of Decatur is considering options for improvements to the railroad crossings at Candler and McDonough Streets in downtown Decatur. The purpose of the work is to improve safety and accessibility for pedestrians, bicyclists and others using these facilities. Measures required to implement a quiet zone in the railroad corridor will also be considered.

The project is based on Decatur’s 2008 Community Transportation Plan. A major goal of the Community Transportation Plan is to encourage healthy lifestyles and active living in Decatur.

The City has retained URS Corporation of Atlanta, a planning and engineering design firm, to help plan the project. The project will be partially funded through a grant from the Georgia Department of Transportation.

Cultural Arts Master Plan Public Input Meeting – Wednesday November 18

The community is invited to a public input meeting for the Cultural Arts Master Plan on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009 from 7 – 8:30 p.m. in the City Commission Room, Decatur City Hall, 509 N. McDonough Street, Decatur, GA 30030.

This is the first public meeting to introduce the Cultural Arts Master Plan process and begin to get public input regarding the arts in our community. The Master Plan also includes an inventory of existing cultural arts facilities, programs and public art located throughout the city, identification of program and facility needs and recommendations for partnerships to meet these needs.

Please plan to join in the conversation! For more information email Linda Harris or call 404-371-8386.

UPDATE: Here’s Rob Pope’s latest note…

The difference remains 26 votes, on absentee/early voter ballots. I hope this provides final closure on the election and allows everyone to move forward. It is my sincere wish that we focus on providing support to all students and teachers and continue to make all the schools in Decatur the best schools.

Dave reports that the recount didn’t change the outcome of the At-Large School Board seat where Valarie Wilson defeated Rob Pope by just 26 votes.

In an interview with a newspaper, Fred Boykin credited “the blogs” for making this most recent election cycle “more interesting.”

This race by far was the most eventful for Boykin, who ran unopposed in 2001.

“This election was different because of the blogs,” Boykin said. “Some of the electronic media made it more interesting. There was more information going back and forth that was covered in more detail than with the traditional media. The anonymity of the blogs made it a little mean spirited at times.”

Aside from the occasional sniping on the blogs, Boykin said the Internet made fact-based information such as campaign finance reports available more quickly, which was beneficial.

Two years ago, I couldn’t for the life of me determine any notable differences between the candidates running for office.  There may have been unspoken, behind-closed-door differences, but that didn’t help this resident who couldn’t hear beyond the doorjamb.  Hopefully the public dialogue this time around helped people make more informed decisions in their respective races.

I also hope the candidates’ extended foray into interactive media will make them – and other public officials – more comfortable with using it in the future.  We’ve come a long way in just two years and I think we’ve proven the added value of an easily accessible, public online environment, regardless of the occasional “sniping”.

Dare I say it, but the community blogs of today have a higher calling than just trying to fill any newspaper gap.  They should strive to take their “community service” to a new level, providing not just a platform for stories (well-written or not), but also informed discussion on a city, town or region’s most pressing issues.

h/t: InDecatur

Angie sends in the details for this weekend’s Run For Justice in Oakhurst…

Atlanta, GA – Don’t miss one of the last great outdoor events before the holidays! The Atlanta Legal Aid Society will hold its 19th Run for Justice in Oakhurst on November 14th, 2009. The event will benefit the general operating fund of the Atlanta Legal Aid Society. Participants in the Run for Justice will enjoy a beautiful a 5-k course beginning and ending at One Step at A Time, 650 East Lake Drive, Decatur, GA 30030. Others can enjoy the crisp autumn day with the 5k walk, great for families and children. Jogging strollers, kids and pets are welcome! Awards will be presented to the top 5-k finishers and teams in a variety of categories, including pets, children and strollers. Families, corporate, church, school and community teams are urged to join us. All participants receive a colorful long-sleeve t-shirt. We also are recruiting race day volunteers to monitor the course and register participants.

The race and walk begin at 9:00 am. Register online at www.active.com or www.rungeorgia.com. This year the race will be presented by the Daily Report newspaper. We hope to bring out around 1,000 participants.

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