Free-For-All Friday 8/23/13
Decatur Metro | August 23, 2013Feel free to use this post to make comments and ask questions about local issues not yet discussed here over the past week.
Comments close on Monday.
Feel free to use this post to make comments and ask questions about local issues not yet discussed here over the past week.
Comments close on Monday.
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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Come meet Annie Caiola at Brick Store Pub’s Belgian Room on Monday, August 26, 2013 from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. All are welcome, so bring your friends and neighbors along!
This will be a great opportunity to meet Annie, ask questions, or just show your support.
Annie is an At-Large Candidate for the City Schools of Decatur School Board. Vote November 5, 2013.
Hosted by the Committee to Elect Annie Caiola.
http://annie4schoolboard.com/
Neighbors, please let me introduce Lewis Jones, who is running for a seat on the Board of Education for the City Schools of Decatur. Rob Pope will host a meet-and-greet for Lewis this Sunday, August 25, from 2 to 4 at 120 Dogwood Way, and you are all invited. You can also learn more about Lewis and his reasons for running by going to his website: http://www.jones-for-school-board.org or by writing him an email at .
You know what would be great? A friendly debate for all the contested offices. Preferably webcast b/c so many people most concerned have kids and would need babysitters.
Since I’m not nearly together enough to organize this myself, however, I’m probably dreaming.
Actually, doesn’t this usually happen? Usually the Oakhurst Neighborhood Association (I think) organizes something for the south side and at large candidates. On the north side, Deanne from this blog and others have organized forums for the community to meet the north side candidates. The forums aren’t formal debates but a chance for each candidate to present and then take questions. A moderator collects the questions ahead of time.
For at least some of the forums in the past, the candidates for uncontested races also have a chance to speak and answer questions. I like that.
That would be great. I am from here, but I was away from a long time, so I’m not that familiar with local politics.
I’d just like to point out that Annie Caiola and Lewis Jones are not
running against each other. Annie is running for the At-Large seat, and
Lewis is running for the District 1 seat.
thanks for answering the question that I was just getting ready to ask, Amy.
Thanks to all for some great recommendations on local termite control companies!
Have a great (and maybe dry?) weekend.
Does anyone have a good recommendation for in-home pet sitters? We have a 14 year old dog and a new 8 month old puppy and have always had someone come in 3 times a day to take them out while we are out of town. Our previous pet sitters have retired and I was hoping to find someone new or a new service, any suggestions would be very helpful!
Sally 404 378 1389
Craig with Petmeisters is great! He’s helped me with a crazy puppy and an old dog during his last days.
Yup yup.
Dogs on the Go is an awesome service. Barb and team are great. You get a QR code and when the walk your dogs, you get an email to your smart phone telling you when they arrive and leave and a little update on what the dogs were doing.
Several of the staff at Rex and Roxy’s will pet sit. We use one of them (Shelby); he stays in our house with our dogs when we go out of town. Completely trustworthy and the dogs love him. He even went into our safe, got our marriage certificate, and faxed it to us when we had a travel emergency. (Pro tip: your boarding pass has to match your passport when traveling abroad.) Rex and Roxy’s phone number is 404.377.9699.
Care.com is a good place to comparison shop for pet-sitters. They have several useful features.
Frogs to Dogs in Kirkwood.
+Infinity!
If we’re going to continue to have events at Harmony Park in Oakhurst, maybe the City could invest in actually making it park-like? Remove some concrete, like the 6 parking spaces and weird cut-through street there, and add some grass? just a thought…
You should check out the Oakhurst Village plan, which includes just that. If GDOT would quit laggin’, we could actually get it built.
That plan was put together with lots of input from residents and businesses (and whoever wanted to chime in) and submitted to GDOT in 2007. I guess someone somewhere may draw comfort from knowing that GDOT never rushes into anything.
whoa, they let non-residents have a say?
Why would GDOT have a say in it? No state routes through Oakhurst, right?
GDOT has a say because all transportation grant money passes through them.
There are state routes through Oakhurst. 2nd Avenue is one of them. Not all state routes are marked with signs.
We get so caught up on Decatur politics, I thought it might be interesting to pull back for a second to raise a bigger issue… the Grand Jury report on rampant and persistent corruption in Dekalb county.
Aside from recommending prosecution of Ellis and investigation of Vernon Jones, the Grand Jury recommended abolishing of the CEO position. They argue that this position concentrates so much power in a single individual,l without oversight, that it fosters a culture of corruption.
So what do you think? Should the state legislature abolish the Dekalb CEO position?
Let’s form a City of Decatur! …Oh wait…Ok, Get Dekalb out of Decatur! T shirts being printed now!
at least with power concentrated in one position, there’s only one person at a time to prosecute.
I LOLed. Sadly, as funny as the comment is, it’s also true.
I think it screams for the opposite. Get someone tough in there that doesnt have a hand out and try to end corruption from the top down. Have to jail and fine folks for even the little graft items to get it to stop. Leaving ‘pockets’ of power is going to make it much harder to banish entirely.
I recognize that this is a little bit of a naive view, but I dont see how else it changes.
I think it’s interesting/curious that the Grand Jury would even weigh in on something like abolishing the CEO position altogether. That sounds like a policy consideration for the county or state to consider. Not something within the function of a Grand Jury.
Am I wrong about this? I thought a Grand Jury just voted on whether to indict or not.
Special grand juries, of which that was one, are formed to look into whatever the DA tells them to. Even regular grand juries do things like visit the jail and write a report on it.
Seriously? Huh. What happens to the reports next? Does the DA’s office send them on to someone else? is anyone required to act on the findings?
Yes, one of my best friends sat on that special grand jury. Had to be there every Wednesday for an entire year and then they weren’t officially released until just very recently. I think they have become very well educated and their recommendations should hold some serious weight.
That’s a typical deal for a grand jury – once a month for year. Sometimes you’re lucky, and sometimes you’re real lucky.
It’s my understanding that this kind of special purpose grand jury has only been held once before in Dekalb county, and that they weren’t even released as jurors until just recently is quite unusual. The jury, although their regular weekly attendance was official for just one year, wasn’t released for another six months. A year and a half commitment is not the norm.
Is it true that Dekalb is the only county in Georgia with a CEO?
If so, It may be worth doing just for consistency in legislative oversight.
Also, there seems to be something structural contributing to delinquency of officeholders in that position.
AJC implies there may be others, but I don’t know if/which ones they may be. It’d definitely unique with some history behind it.
Yes. In 1986, the Dekalb delegation pushed the state assembly to establish the CEO role. In 2000, Vernon Jones was elected. He served two terms, and was followed by Burrell Ellis in 2009.
Vernon was accused (never convicted) of all sorts of bad behavior, including rape, assault, discrimination, etc.. He certainly abused his office – for example, he had a dedicated “security contingent” of Dekalb county officers who escorted him around town and used county funds to conduct background checks of challengers.
Burrell is currently indicted on corruption charges. He is charged with soliciting campaign funds in return for routing county contracts.
When you realize the size of the county budget, the discretion that the CEO has to manage that budget and the almost total lack of oversight, this governance model can foster a culture of corruption.
The Champion (http://crossroadsnews.com/news/2013/aug/23/scathing-grand-jury-report-released/) has this quote: “Gannon noted that more than 700 counties in the United States have a form of government similar to the one in place in DeKalb and they haven’t suffered the same allegations of corruption.” According to WIkipedia, the US has “3,007 counties and 137″ county-equivalents. So, ~22% counties in the US rely on this model. Maybe there’s a reason for that low %?
There have only been two others besides Mr. Ellis and Mr. Jones: Manuel Maloof and Liane Levetan.
Vernon Jones was bad news. While walking in a secured hallway in the courthouse I PERSONALLY heard him once talk about getting “Crackers out of the courtroom.”. He wanted only black judges. I have no reason whatsoever to say that any of the judges who are black feel that way, but the CEO’s intentions were clear. The reason I am sure that it was him was that I turned the corner to see him talking to someone.
If your 1st-5th grade boy might be interested in Cub Scouts,
Join our Pack 134 Meeting “Learn to Camp” Monday Aug 26, 6:30PM First Baptist Church Decatur – Fellowship Hall
308 Clairemont Ave, Decatur, GA 30030
Great opportunity for my son to have fun, meet others and learn – thanks!
The Oakhurst Community Choir will hold its first ever rehearsal on Wednesday 11 September at The Solarium, 321 West Hill St, 30030 from 7pm-8.30pm, and all adults and teens are invited to come and join in!
There will be no auditions for the OCC and, although some ability to read music is useful, it isn’t essential; nor is previous experience of choral singing. So, whatever your experience, if you like the idea of singing with a group please come along and try us out. Typically, choirs find it easier to recruit high voices than low ones – so we’re especially keen to see some guys turn out to give it a go!
Rehearsals will be held at the same time each week, and this semester we’ll be learning a selection of sacred and secular traditional Christmas carols to be performed a cappella at the tree lighting in Oakhurst Village in December. The choir will be led by Holly Scarborough, music teacher and Decatur resident. We are currently seeking a neighbor willing to accompany us on a keyboard at rehearsals, or even just loan us a portable keyboard to use each Wednesday evening. If you might be able to help with this, please email us at – and thank you!
There is no membership fee for the choir – all you need to pay for is your copy of the sheet music. This semester, we will be using Joy! A Carol Collection: twenty a cappella Christmas favorites arr. by Jay Althouse. To order your copy at a cost of $6.49, email . In return, you will receive a link you can use to pay by debit or credit card, or PayPal. Payment must be received by Sunday 1 September in order to allow time for delivery. Your music will be waiting for you at the first rehearsal.
And that’s it – except to say that we very much look forward to seeing you at the first rehearsal! And if some of us should feel like stopping off at one of Oakhurst’s fine drinking establishments afterwards… well, those vocal chords do need regular oiling, after all.
I guarantee you, if I came out for this, you would revisit your “no auditions” policy.
If you haven’t tried it, go check out Lawrence’s Cafe over by Revolution. If you’re like me, the thought of Lebanese cuisine didn’t sound to appealing even though I knew nothing about it. But, the food has a very Mediterranean feel and lots of options for carnivores and vegetarians alike. Hope you enjoy it!
Lawrence’s Cafe is owned by a good friend of mine. I personally do not care for Lebanese food but I ate there and it changed my mind about Leb Cuisine. Service and staff are fantastic. Highly recommended.
I’m actually glad Lawrence’s hasn’t become a “hot spot,” so to speak. We attract a lot of places that rise and fall on their star power or hipness quotient, it’s actually a nice relief to have a place that’s just a solid, reliable neighborhood joint. Not cool or uncool, fashionable or unfashionable. Just tasty, friendly and decently priced.
All well and good, and I feel ya, but you want them to at least get enough people through the door to keep the lights on, and it sounds like that might not be happening here. So if you want to keep enjoying it as a neighborhood place, should probably take a page from Dave’s book and sing its praises when the opportunity presents itself.
Well, I haven’t gone kind of late like Dave but during prime dining hours I’ve always found plenty of folks. Concern over its looming demise may be premature.
I’ll probably just continue showing them my affection in the form of going there for dinner.
Falafel is one of those things that is good in theory but often awful in execution. They do an excellent job – crunchy exterior, moist interior.
Ask for the homemade hot sauce and/or garlic sauce. So good.
Do you work there?
No, don’t work there. Went earlier in the week, kind of late though, and had the place to myself. Seemed like a damn shame.
Cool. I was just surprised to see the website linked to your username. Seems odd unless you are representing them in some way.
I have been meaning to check that place out to see how it compares to my grandmas cooking (Im Lebanese).
Lawrence’s is certainly missed by the folks who used to frequent it for lunch on Buford Highway. Hopefully, it will become a staple in Decatur as well.
Does anyone remember when they widened Church Street from two to four lanes?
Is this a nostalgic or factual question? Factually, around 1985.
I ask about Church Street because on the proposed city wide 24 mph study they call Church Street an Urban Mixed Use roadway / urban collector. I moved to the area in 1983 and remember Church as more of a neighborhood street and not a main roadway into The City of Decatur and now it is referred to as an urban collector, so this reference must have started after the street was made into a 4 lane. I moved to Church Street in 1997
My understanding is that the City really didn’t want Church St widened, but the GDOT Gods overruled that.
Thanks Steve and Ted. I seem to remember that the city commission was highly in favor of this project. The development of the old Candler hotel property (corner of Ponce and Church) depended upon the widening of Church. Another memory is that the commission vote to support the project was taken the night of the final episode of MASH tv. Not much of a rucas but Decatur was different back in the 80s. I do recall that some people were upset about trees removed from the front of the Church street apartments.
I defer to you, Mr B. I was not here at the time, just going on what some folks have told me.
Weird. No matter how hard I search, I can’t find the Decatur Metro thread about that commission vote. I guess people just didn’t care back then.
Check the microfiche archives of DM
Who remembers working extra-hard to find source material available on microfiche, to avoid dealing with reels of microfilm in order to get a term paper done?
The City was absolutely in favor of the widening. (Was Susan Purdom involved in the study committee?) I think the trees along Church just south of Willow were Bradford Pears which were ‘new’ introductions at the time, and were relocated to Agnes Scott, where they either died or were eventually removed.
Bradford pears are just not good trees. They grow quickly, but as a result they’re weak and split and/or die easily.
Anyone else noticed this? My Android phone keeps opening the App Store page for the game, Candy Crush Saga. Suppossedly this results from using WordPress to follow discussions, as I do on DM. What is the solution?
Develop a Candy Crush Saga addiction?
Stuck…. on…. level…40…. Must wait 20 min. for my next life.
I hate Android apps! I have been sans computer for the last month since my dog got into the Androgel and tried to mate with my computer, knocking it onto the floor and breaking the screen. I am thusly limited to the world of Android.
I….uh….well…that is to say…um…
What?
He said his dog got into the Androgel and, um, yeah, you’re right…whaaaaaaaa???
Buy an IPhone?
I had this problem after I installed Vine. Whatever app I opened, Vine came up first. I turned the power off and rebooted. That worked for me. YMMV.
some love for Ms. Mack, Oakhurst, and COD Schools as inspiration for a branding vlog entry today.
what’s happened under her leadership has been nothing short of remarkable and provides lessons for all of us in our lives and business.
https://vimeo.com/72981665
Patch has up news about Mark Arnold running for CSD School Board for District One.
http://decatur.patch.com/groups/schools/p/financier-announces-bid-for-decatur-school-board
Speaking of IPhones…..I’m getting ready to give up my “old” Blackberry Bold from work. Retirement is rapidly approaching. Need to consider options — iPhone vs. Android. Samsung vs. whatever. Anyone recommend any good web sites for unbiased comparisons?
I have a Motorola Droid from Verizon. My technogeek nephew who has an IPhone covets it. High praise.
+1 on the Droid. I have the HD and it’s great.
The continued popularity of the iPhone somewhat amazes me. IMO, a side-by-side comparison of the iPhone 5 with either the Droid HD or the Samsung Galaxies puts the iPhone to shame. Screen size alone makes the iPhone pale in comparison.
thanks, DEM & AMB!
After having an iphone for 4 years, I recently crossed over to the other side with a Galaxy S4. After some frustration initially with moving my music from itunes to the new phone, I can tell you that the S4 runs circles around the hubby’s Iphone 5.
The screen is HUGE.
Yet, the phone is light and thin.
The customizeability (is that a word?) is miles ahead of the iphone.
You can add memory via a micro SD card– lots of it– and choose (mostly) what you store on that card.
There’s a waterproof version. (Yesssss!) It can even be used IN the water!
There are, unlike a few years ago, TONS of quality apps on google play.
I’m offically sold on Android.
another thanks, RWD!
Hey, don’t forget to check out the awesome Windows phones! Comes with a free Zune!
Ha, ha, just kidding.
I’m intrigued by what I’ve read about the MotoX, which I’m not sure is available yet. I’ve had a Motorola Bionic for about 18 months. Motorolas aren’t the slickest phones, but they’re durable.
I’m also upgrading before long and would love input about 3G vs 4G. My Samsung Captivate is pretty poky nowadays — is that because it’s 3G or because it’s running an older version of Android (Gingerbread)? I don’t need a giant screen so the slightly smaller form factor of the S3 appeals, but it seems to only be available for 3G and maybe it’s worth moving on up to 4G now? BTW, I’m pretty sold on the Android platform but am open to other makes of phone — although I’m on my second Samsung and have liked them both, especially their durability. (This one has hit the pavement more than once without benefit of a case, and just keeps going.)
STG, When I recently lost my Motorolla HD MAXX , I went to Best Buy to get a new one. They suggested that they HTC they had was better. I took their word for some reason, and they were right. The HD MAXX had marginally better resolution and battery, but the HTC is much better in all other respects. It has a 1.5 quad-core processsor that makes a big difference. Voice recognition is dramatically superior. As well, it costs less than the top of the line that I previously had.
Thanks, Monty. I will give the HTC a good look.
The one praise I can give the iPhone is iMessage. Anyone you text who has an iPhone, it’s free. Period. Doesn’t count towards your text limit, etc.
We love this as you can text non- cell Apple devices. Which means my kids can talk to friends with iPods or to us as long as they have a wifi connection. Messages even can be read/sent on my laptop – which makes it easy to talk when on long conference trips.
Had an iPhone since they first came out. At this point for me it is the ease of use and ease of transfer. New phone? A quick sync will automatically put in all the apps, contacts, etc I already had. Ever have a problem with the phone for any reason? Take it to the apple store and problem solved pretty quickly and most times with no charge.
I also have a MacBook and iPad and because of work travel with at least oneof them so if ever I need a bigger screen I just use it.
There are a lot more options now than in the early smart phone years. Go, play with all of them. Continue to ask questions about ease of adding apps and more to figure out what works for you. Good luck!
How do you text from an Apple laptop/desktop to an iPad/iPod/iPhone or vice versa? Via iChat? Some other way? The more explicit the explanation, the better. I do not probably deserve to have Apple products but had to switch because of endless hours spent on viruses on PCs.
If you have Mountain Lion as the operating system (its the most current os offered, new one comes out this year) it includes a Message app. When you first open it, you link your apple I’d to it and then voila – any iMessage on your apple id can be sent or seen. It doesn’t let you send pictures on the laptop end, but does let you see pictures sent to you. It’s not something I thought much about at first, but as someone who works on a computer almost 24/7, it’s actually been really nice to have. Means I don’t have to find a second device if I need to send off a quick message, and eliminates the “whose phone just buzzed on the table” game when in meetings. Love the fact my kids can connect to me and eliminates the need (or rather their perceived need) for a cell phone for them.
Yep. Also FaceTime. My daughter does this all the time with her grandparents – her iTouch to their iPhones.
It’s Friday. Forecast calls for warm and sunny temps in the afternoon with a 100% chance of cold beer in the early evening.
There’s talk the cold beers may roll in earlier than predicted.
Better run and grab some pretzels before the rush hits the grocery stores!
Should we try to arrange a FFAF meet-up at a local watering hole for a Happy Hour next Friday? I would really like to meet all of you — well, most anyway
— and put faces to the names.
Anyone else interested in some cold beverages and a few laughs sometime over the long Labor Day weekend?
I tried that once. The only person to show was the commenter formerly known as Decatur’s Token Republican. Well, actually, I can’t be sure about that. Other people might have shown up just to see who I was but thought better of introducing themselves. In any case, I’d be up for trying it again.
Probably need to set some ground rules, though. First, obviously it cannot be held at any place that used to be a gas station. Second, I think we should open it up to non-COD residents but perhaps limit their numbers (and, of course, we must make it clear to them that simply eating and drinking in our town does not entitle them to any say in our civic discourse). Third, it’s got to be at a bar that serves Jager. Anything else I’m missing???
Would anyone ride a bicycle to this shindig? If so, I think it opens a massive can o’ worms in light of (a) the well-known lawlessness of cyclists and (b) the civic obligation of Decaturies to immediately report any and all criminal infractions.
I will not ride my bike, but I will wear my drinking helmet if there is going to be Jager.
I’ll bring a copy of the Constitution!
It’s alive, Walrus. Just ask it walk on over to the bar. And I suppose it could pay for the first round of drinks!
It will have to find someone to take money from first! I know that’s written in there somewhere…
You realize, of course, that large quantities of beer were served at the Constitutional Convention to keep the delegates in the room. I imagine it facilitated allot of creative problem solving.
Commerce Clause? Power to tax?
The taxing power was not meant to allow a confiscation tax. However, the 16th Amendment changed that. So yes, it is indeed in there.
DEM and Walrus- This is y’all’s best bit yet! INSTANT CLASSIC! :0)
There is only one place it can be held:
Trader Joe’s.
Or the Suburban Plaza parking lot. Either way.
Or the Suburban Plaza parking lot.
* Front, not back lot– otherwise, @#^$! neighbor will file a lawsuit!
The Saba truck is at the big Kroger giving out hummus with a toppings bar. You can play put put to win a prize. It was a great treat for my kids after grocery shopping!
Anyone who knows a tech-minded young person who would enjoy tinkering with a partially disassembled (displayless) iMac from back in the day, please text (404) 992 4721. It’s gratis.
Does anyone have a hookup for an inexpensive lawn care company? My wife and I are moving out of our house on N Decatur near Melton’s and into Winonna Park (!). We’re renting it out to a young couple, but we’re not sure they’re up to the task of the yardwork… so I’m exploring my (cheapest) options.
Thanks!
My husband and I live in your neighborhood and he owns a small lawn and landscaping business (he’s a firefighter for his main occupation), and he would be happy to give you a quote. He can also provide multiple references for the yards he maintains throughout the neighborhood already. Chad Carley: 404-354-9815
I would like to take a poll on people’s opinions about Resident Parking. Background: I live on a street that has those signs so I do understand the need for them. Several of my neighbors don’t have driveways, so when they come home from work I certainly want them to be able to park in front of their house.
On the other hand, I come from a city that had Resident Only – after 5:00 pm and on Week-ends. This makes sense to me. Most street parking is empty during the day, why not let non-residents park?
I tried to pull over on N. Candler by the Rec Center to maker a phone call. With my car still running, a resident started taking photos of several cars’ tags and putting notes on their cars. He proceeded to knock on my window to tell me I’m illegally parked. I tried to explain that I was pulled over to make a call and pointed out that my car was still running-therefore not parking.
I guess I’m just scratching my head why we can’t park on some streets when it’s during the day, most residents aren’t using the spots? Just wondered if I am alone on this?
I think you have pinpointed where Berkley and Mayberry collide.
It is not clear to me *which* residents are allowed to park there. It’s not as though residents who live on N. Candler get a special parking sticker. My assumption has been that the signs are meant as a deterrent and that if someone chalks to complain, the police will come out and may e issue a warning? But maybe the grumpy resident you encountered is seeking redress beyond that.
I live on a street with a no residents sign that is always ignored and there isn’t really a problem. So I have no problem ignoring the sign on other no-resident streets if I have brief, nearby business. Anyway, how would anyone actually know which cars belong to those visiting a resident and which were violators –assuming that you can park on the street when visiting residents. And how would the police know? Knock door to door to check which cars belong?
The only problem on my street is when there are so many cars parked on both sides of the road emergency vehicles cannot get through or cars going in opposite directions cannot pass. This happened in the past a couple times when there was an extremely large gathering of people, but hasn’t been a problem in recent years.
I agree a lot of the no parking signs need to be revisited to see if there are hours when parking in that area would actually be ok, such as loading zones during non-business hours, or as you mention residents’ parking during the day- except Fairview, I think they get slammed w/ Taqueria parking at lunch too.
When I park in those areas my kids holler – MOM you can’t park here. I say – I’m a resident of this town so let’s park.
I think you gotta decide – live in a vibrant community with things that people want to go to…restaurants, concerts, stores OR live in an area where the good of your CAR is the primary force of design. Hard to have it both ways.
I would be ok with hour limits. Like 3 hour parking except with “C” sticker.
Great parenting! Do you teach your kids to run stop signs too?
And those signs have absolutely nothing to do with the good of the car.
“Stop” is an unambiguous command, clear in purpose and for the good of all. Including good for my car and kids so it doesn’t get slammed by other traffic.
“Resident Only Parking” is unclear to me. Resident who? I am a resident but 10 streets over? Does it mean no commercial parking? Well I’m not making a delivery so I am resident vs commercial…. is that what the intent is? Is the goal an empty street? On some streets that’s what you get.
In fact great parenting also involves figuring out what is the clear rule or standard that inspires the desired outcome.
I bet Candler downtown has lots of people parking for day long trips and they could benefit from a sticker system that requires only resident parking except for some time period ( 1 hour, 2 hour?)
But really, do you get to be the only person to park on a street because you live there? Not sure if I’ve ever lived anywhere with that standard.
Clearly the signs are outdated. High priority – probably not. But I agree with KMT we need to revisit.
Come on Sfmaster, you know well what “Resident” means. Showing children how to be sleazy is hardly worth it.
So you’re saying David Junger is sleazy?
I do not know David Junger , so no. But the attitude I inferred was one that would also say, “Slow School Zone does not apply to me because I am going slowly in comparison to an airplane.” I must have gotten Androgel on my phone because it is a little too quick to comment.
But you also told her that she knows well what “resident” means when in fact your assumption about its meaning was wrong
I think that in the context of a residential community, “resident” applies to those living within walking distance. The vaunted boundries of COD may lie within feet. I suggest that the spirit of the law dictates that those residing next-door are residents. Albeit, ones of a gauche variety.
I live within “walking distance” of Taqueria Del Sol, toy park, etc. But my toddler doesn’t. So am I a hoodlum for driving over and parking?
don’t we all pay for the roads? i understand the need to park by your house, but you do have land right there next to the street, don’t you? how about parking on your private land, and letting others use the public space?
Dear Kids,
Your Mom’s not breaking the law (but don’t tell her I told you, okay? Feeling like a rebel gives her some fun while hauling you kids around! :0)
According to David Junger, an Assistant City Manager, any City of Decatur resident can park on any city street where there’s a Resident Only sign. Mr. Junger is actually quite entertaining when he gets going on the topic of folks wanting to restrict the use of city streets, whether parking or driving through. You should definitely ask him about it! (In person. Because, unfortunately, he’s kinda lousy at following up on emails or phone calls about things related to streets.)
Sincerely,
A City Resident too
Clearly we’ve got some variation between the letter of the law and the enforcement of it. I’m glad David Junger is treating it this way because I generally disagree with community assets being treated as though they were someone’s private property. But that said, getting back to sfmaster’s kids, it actually is against the law:
Sec. 98-9. Resident parking only districts.
(a) Resident parking only districts are those streets or parts of streets in residentially zoned areas of the city designated by the city commission where parking on the designated street or part of the street is permitted only for residents of the designated street or part of the street, for the guests and visitors of such residents and for commercial vehicles making deliveries to such residents. When a street or part of a street has been designated as such by the city commission and a sign with the legend “resident parking only” has or have been erected, it shall be unlawful for any person other than those permitted by this section to park a vehicle on such street or part of street.
Hmm. And oh dear. So, what you’re sayin’ is that Mom *is* a rule breaker and David Junger’s, uh, interpreting the rule as he wants it to be, rather than abiding by what’s on the books. … I don’t believe I agree that’s a good thing for a city official to be doing. And because he was adamant about it both times it came up, I’ve since passed it along as fact to my neighbors. I reckon I’ll need to correct that. Scott, thanks for looking it up and letting us know.
Just stopping by to say that I enjoy any debate over the “letter vs. spirit” of the law.
Dear Kids,
Please ignore my previous suggestion regarding Mr. Junger. Instead, suggest to him that he go before the City Commission and propose that the ordinance be changed. That way, you can still hear his animated take on it – AND- you’ll get to see how good government is supposed to work.
(And make your Mom a “I’m a Parking Rebel, HELL YEAH!” t-shirt– she’ll like that! :0)
Sincerely,
A City Resident too
(and a Commission Meeting attending one, to boot)
Why not make it a bumper sticker so it’ll be easier to know who to ticket?
We looked at getting resident only parking for our dead end street. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been barricaded in on my street because people visiting the 4/5 school decide to park across the street from each other not realizing, or caring, that there is no passable space for other cars. However, we were told by the city that Resident Only parking does not mean people only on your street can park there, but anyone who is a Decatur resident. So now we’re trying to get no parking on one side of the street so at least if we get barricaded in the police can actually tow the offender. Before, police were called and they couldn’t do anything because technically both cars were parked legally on the sides of the road, never mind our road is 2inches wide. And the whole emergency vehicles can’t get through argument did not work.
Thanks Deanne and OHM.
Deanne. As long as I’ve lived in Decatur, I assumed that resident parking meant those who live on the street. Thanks for sharing. You really can learn something from reading this blog!
Oakhurst Mommy. I sympathize with your parking problem. Growing up on Ponce Place, my family resented the employees from Leiphart Cherolet who parked in front of our house at 307. Complaints to the city went nowhere. Now that Leiphart is gone, Ponce Place neighbors have other parking issues that were probably helped by “Resident Prking Only” ordinance. Your problem is different. May I suggest a solution? Petition the city to make your street “Resident Republican Parking Only”. To weed out the free-loading Democrats, the city could require resident Republicans to have a decal on their vehicle. Few would apply for fear of vandalism. The result would be no cars parked on your street, anytime, any day. Best of luck!
“To weed out the free-loading Democrats”
Moochers Against Welfare
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/17/opinion/krugman-moochers-against-welfare.html?_r=0
Even Critics of Safety Net Increasingly Depend on It
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/12/us/even-critics-of-safety-net-increasingly-depend-on-it.html
Chris, turns out that I got it wrong. See Scott’s comment above.
While we’re chatting, I want to commend you for taking your concern about the upcoming shindig at the Cemetery to the City. We didn’t get to talk after the Commission Meeting, but I want you to know that what you had to say has really stayed with me. You put a whole lotta heart into the things that you care about, and I’m very glad to call you my friend.
(And I see you trying to push our buttons with that parties silliness! Just know that no matter what label you slap on yourself, I’ll still push the “Mr. B” button should you ever decide to run! :0)
Any recommendations for buying a foreclosed home/condo/townhouse? Pros, cons, listings? Realtors recommendation?
Some stuff out there (on the web) seems like a scam…
Give Josh Keen a call at 404-270-9374. We have worked with him and recommend him highly.
Our podcast is #172 on itunes’s list of top 200 history podcasts! World domination, we are coming for you!
To make this way more legit/Decatur-focused: anyone have a topic they’d like to hear more on?
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/footnoting-history-podcast/id603173915
PICK THE HIVEMIND QUESTION:
I need some structural work done on a house – a couple of posts to stabilize a sinking floor. Your recommendations?
Trotter
Does anyone know where to buy locally a personal shopping cart on wheels for pedestrians? I need to get one for a someone today so can’t do online. Target and Walmart apparently don’t stock them in stores. Any ideas?
Medical supply shop?
The Container Store
I’m pretty sure the drugstores carry them. (I think I even recall Chira saying she got hers at Walgreen’s.) I’ve seen them before at Family Dollar. The Dollar-ish store in Belvedere Plaza definitely carries them (located between Value Village and Kroger), and Aldi may still have some in stock from their promotion 2-3 weeks ago.
Got the last one at Aldi on Buford Hwy! Cheap! Thanks, Deanna!
Wish I’d seen this earlier & hope you found one. Either Lowe’s or Home Depot has tons of ‘em. I think it’s HD although I’ve been haunting variuos locations of both for the past month.
I mean thanks, Deanne! They should call it auto-incorrect.
The “fixer” definitely needs fixin’! :0)
Glad you were able to snag one at Aldi’s! I keep looking at those carts for when I’ll be able to grocery shop up right up the street!
I just receive the July/August issue of “Imprimis” in which WSJ children’s book reviewer Meghan Cox Gurdon describes much of YA literature as “…too many books for adolescents act like funhouse mirrors, reflecting hideously distorted portrayals of life”. Both Ms. Libby Bray and Lauren Myracle, who are scheduled to speak at the AJC Book Festival, are mentioned in the article. Ms. Cox Gurdon does not write favorably of most current YA literature and seems to prefer more traditional standards, such as the Chronicles of Narnia and The Wind In The Willows. She closes her essay quoting Saint Paul: “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things.” Things for parents and teachers to look for when promoting great literature for kids.
The essay can be read at http://www.hillsdale.edu/news/imprimis.asp
Hillsdale College says it, I believe it, that settles it!
there’s nothing hip, progressive, nor enlightened about feeding children dark material — there’s ample supply of it in reality, and i consider my job as a parent to set a normative context so that when, as they age, they encounter such things, they’ll be able to process them through an ethical/moral filter.
I read Stephen King’s “The Shining” as a 10 year old 5th grader. Both my parents and I seemed to be in lock step with the concept of “fiction.”
Aaarg. I still have nightmares from the movie.
I vividly recall finishing the book one late night/early morning at 2:00 AM because I was too scared to turn off the lights, so I kept reading until it was over.
I’m not sure what folks are considering dark–“classics” like Chronicles of Narnia and Wind in the Willows or the current trend of fantasy and vampire children’s/YA lit. Personally, I never liked dark as a kid and don’t like it now either. I miss Anna of GreenGables, Little Women, Nancy Drew, The Borrowers, and the like. I’m of the mind that reading a lot is much better than not reading much so I’m not about to discourage reading of any genre other than porn. But I can’t say that I enjoy the current styles in children’s and YA lit.
YA confuses me as a label. What does it mean? Is a 14-year old a young adult? Because I can’t imagine anyone older than that reading, for example, The Hunger Games. Not having children, I don’t follow this stuff, but I have an in-law who has been a middle-school librarian for 15+ years and she says The Hunger Games books are by far the most popular books she’s ever seen (including Harry Potter).
i don’t really understand it either. Sometimes it means Harry Potter which erudite 8 year olds read and sometimes it means books that I think are aimed at 15+ and I wouldn’t want a 12 year old to read.
“Because I can’t imagine anyone older than that reading, for example, The Hunger Games.”
Why not? Have you read it? I’m a middle-aged guy who loved the series, and I’m curious as to why you hold this opinion.
My wife and I are both retired and on S.S. and we loved The Hunger Games!
SO, what are we considering “classic” YA that is acceptable?
Isn’t Catcher in the Rye a classic, YA, and dark?
How about anything by SE Hinton? Pretty bleak stuff.
Watership Down? Animal Farm?
Or my favorite disturbing story growing up – Chocolate War – or really anything by Cormier.
Maybe I’m not going back far enough for “classic,” but my kids consider all of the above ancient.
Catcher in the Rye. Now that was a true young adult novel when the A in young adult really meant adult vs. YA now which often really means young adolescent or ages 11-12 years.
Neither Libba Bray or Lauren Myracle — Lauren grew up in Atlanta and stops by on occasion — will be at DBF this year but did have very popular appearances in the past.
It is important to remember that “Young Adult” is a label that is attached largely for marketing purposes. The most interesting example is The Book Thief which was considered an adult book in Marcus Zusak’s native Australia, but YA in the U.S. It is dark — about Nazi Germany and narrated by death — but has deservedly spent years on the NY Times best seller list.
I, in my mid-50s at the time, thoroughly enjoyed the Hunger Games trilogy: thought provoking, highly engaging, and well written for its genre, but also disturbing and violent. When it became very popular among older teens and people in their 20s and 30s, younger high schoolers wanting to emulate their elders were interested in reading it. Then middle schoolers. Then 4th and 5th graders. Parents, as always, have to set limits.
There are lots of great relatively new YA books out that have some dark content that are far more likely to engage and challenge readers than the classics mentioned by Meghan Cox Gurdon. (Sherman Alexie’s The Absolute True Story of a Part-Time Indian and and Tom McNeal’s Far Far Away to name two; keep in mind that I’m more into guy books).
Dave
Little Shop of Stories
Recommendations for antique furniture repair? Two oak straight chairs need to be re-glued & refinished. Not fine furniture, just old family hand-me-downs that are too comfortable to part with and too rickety to use as they are.
Superglue?
Actually, white wood glue is much better. Supeglue doesn’t work well on porous surfaces like wood.
Has anyone else noticed the sign spinning guy, on Clairenont, out side the strip that houses Los Loros? Across from Publix?
He’s promoting a new craft brew place called Taps Craft Beers in the strip . A drive-by suggests it’s retail, not a drinking place but I haven’t been inside.
Just surprised I haven’t seen it mentioned here.
Here’s their website: http://tapscraftbeers.com
I’ve got no connection to the place, this comment is purely a public service.
I believe it was mentioned here before. Either way, good spot for growlers or bottles/cans. The owners are very friendly.