Month: May 2011

Fernbank Elementary To Get Brand New School if SPLOST Passes

Dave forwards this note sent out to Fernbank Elementary School parents.  According to a blurb in the AJC, Fernbank would be one of eight new schools if DeKalb, Decatur, Atlanta and Fulton voters decide to approve and extend SPLOST.

As part of its 10-year Facility Master Plan and its development of a list of projects to be funded by SPLOST IV (the next renewal of the one-penny sales tax used to fund capital improvements throughout the school district), the DeKalb County School System recommended this past Friday that Fernbank Elementary’s building be torn down and a new facility built in its place.  If SPLOST IV is approved by voters this coming November, then construction on Fernbank’s new school building likely would take place some time between 2013 and 2017.  You can review the Facility Master Plan and the proposed SPLOST IV project list athttp://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/www/documents/vision-2020/master-plan-presentation-(2011-05-27).pdf.

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Kindergarten Overflow in Some Decatur Schools Raises Some Concerns

A few days back Caleb wrote in…

I was wondering if you’d heard that despite our new elementary school and re-districting, schools are already overcrowded before the new school even opens. When we went to register my kindergartener for Oakhurst – about 100 yards from my house – I was told there is no more room in the district and she would have to start at Winnona Park.

I followed up with CSD’s Bruce Roaden to see what was up and he replied…

Registration for new Kindergarten students began February 1, 2011. Some schools have filled their Kindergarten slots and families that now register have secured a slot at another K-3 school.

I followed up with this clarifier, “So there isn’t a general overflow, just in isolated zones?”  He replied in the affirmative.

In the meantime, Caleb wrote this follow up on the Oakhurst Message Board…

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Co-Founder of Atlanta Tea Party Fires Across Our Pro-TSPLOST Bow

This comment appeared in our Fayette County post written by someone named “Debbie Dooley”, which just happens to be the name of the co-founder of the Atlanta Tea Party…

You supporters of the TSPLOST just keep being not concerned about the passage of the TSPLOST. Just keep on thinking that it will sail to passage. This is an issue that tea parties throughout the Metro area will be heavily involved with next year. Right now tea party activists are like ducks on a pond regarding the TSPLOST. On the surface, everything is calm. Beneath the surface, we are paddling vigorously preparing to do battle next year.

It will be a big priority next year. We defeated the trauma care tax without spending one dime. We will do the same with TSPLOST.

Debbie Dooley – Georgia Tea Party Patriots State Co-ordinator

This is great.  A look inside the mind of the Georgia Tea Party!

Debbie’s note seems to indicate that they believe they’ll do their usual social media magic, hold a few rallies, and take down the transportation sales-tax like they did trauma care.  An interesting proposition, but I’m thinking the Georgia Tea Party may finally have met its match on this one.

This ain’t health care, trauma care or big bank bailouts.

This is a concrete list of transportation projects that either get funded or not.  It’s not all that hard for the average voter to wrap their head around or foresee the coming impact.  (My road is now wider, my town now has transit, etc).

On top of that, the Tea Party faithful will soon come head-to-head with equally passionate transit advocates.  Both are true-believers, willing to yell, sweat, and blow raspberries for their cause.

Oh hell yeah.  This should be fun to watch.

P.S.  I wonder if they’ll encourage fellow Tea Partiers to take MARTA to their protests at the State Capitol like they did back in 2009.

Planting Flags

Chris writes in…

My son and I usually plant a few flags on my father’ grave and other veterans I have known over the years. We had an extra one this year and decided to leave it at the grave of Goodrich Cook White Jr. I don’t know if his parents, brothers or sisters are still living in Decatur, but I can only guess that Goodrich was greatly loved by his family. On this Memorial Day weekend, I hope the citizens of Decatur can take some time to remember that we have a long line of patriots, dating back to the Revolutionary War, who died for our freedom.

Lost Turtle in Oakhurst?

Eric wrote in yesterday…

Lost Turtle in Oakhurst!

Does anyone recognize this turtle? The old guy made his way into our neighbor’s backyard. He’s not moving too fast – probably had a rough night to kick off the weekend. Seems to respond to the name “Flash”.

 

Decatur Cemetery Construction (and Roundabout?)

Forget the Emory Village roundabout!  Did you know they’re putting one in the Decatur cemetery?

Chris Billingsley sends in a few pics of the ongoing construction at the Decatur Cemetery. Two more a new path and drainage after the jump!

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