Decatur’s Public Information Officer Casie Yoder sends along this statement from the city, which includes various linkage and the path for the ordinance draft…

As requested, here is some updated information about the development of the proposed tree ordinance:

On behalf of the City of Decatur, we would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to participate in developing and reviewing the proposed tree ordinance.  We know that people have strong feelings on these issues, and we are working to ensure our processes are transparent and understandable.

We know that there will be questions and comments about various elements in the proposal, and encourage your readers to submit them at DecaturNEXT.com.  The summary document will be updated periodically based on your input, and we will do our best to respond to questions as we receive them.

The consultant is working to finalize the ordinance and develop administrative standards based on comments that will be received this week from the City Commission and the Environmental Sustainability Board.  We anticipate having a final draft available by 1/15.  The current draft represents what has been developed to date, and should be reviewed with the understanding that many of the elements are subject to change.  Download the draft here.

We highly encourage anyone who is interested in this topic to also review the presentation materials from the City Commission work session.  These materials accurately reflect the policy goals and operational structure of the proposed ordinance.  A recording of the presentation is available online here.                         

Presentation Materials  

1.       Trees! Work Session Presentation

2.       Flowcharts demonstrating how the ordinance applies

• Residential 
• Commercial

3.       Summary of Proposed Ordinance 

Tree Factsheets

• Decatur Tree Canopy Facts

• Current Tree Protection Strategies

• Impact of Development on Trees

Greg Coleson sends along the announcement…

DECATUR FARMERS MARKET MOVES TO NEW LOCATION

New Location to Offer Fresh, Local Food in Beautiful Community Space

ATLANTA, Dec. 17 2013- Community Farmers Markets (CFM) is excited to announce that the Wednesday Decatur Farmers Market will launch at a new location in the beginning of 2014. Starting on January 15, 2014 the Wednesday Decatur market will be held in the spacious front lawn of The Decatur First Baptist Church on the corner of Clairemont and Commerce Drive.

“We are incredibly excited by this relocation and our new partnership with The Decatur First Baptist Church,” says Katie Hayes, Executive Director of CFM, the umbrella organization that operates the Decatur Farmers Market. “In addition to offering our patrons a beautiful, communal space to shop and congregate, this move empowers the Decatur Farmers Market to expand the number of residents we serve and offer a great variety of healthy, local foods.”

The Wednesday Decatur Farmers Market is open year around and helps make healthy and local food accessible to thousands of Decatur residents. The market currently boasts 26 diverse vendors offering a variety of produce, meats, breads, dairy, baked goods, teas, candles, rubs, prepared meals and dog treats, among other items. The market also helps support Georgia’s farmer economy while providing a community space for families and residents to enjoy. The Saturday Farmers Market location will remain the same.

“Sustainable food and meaningful fellowship are often essential ingredients to any healthy and thriving community, said Van Smith of The Decatur First Baptist Church. “We are excited to leverage our church home to partner with CFM to continue its mission making healthy food accessible to all Atlantans.”

To learn more about the Wednesday Decatur Farmers Market, please visit decaturfarmersmarket.com

Locations

Decatur Wednesday will be located at 308 Clairemont Avenue. Market hours are 4pm-7pm during Daylight Savings and 3pm-6pm during the winter.

Decatur Saturday is located at 498 N McDonough Street, next to Decatur High School. Market hours are 9am-1pm during Daylight Savings and10am-1pm during the winter.

Michael sends along the details.  Believe it or not, the weather prediction currently is 62 degrees with a change of rain.

The Decatur Bulldog Boosters invite you to start 2014 off on the right foot by participating in the 9th annual Run With The Dogs 5K this Saturday, January 11. Register online at www.active.com (search “Run With The Dogs”.)

Run or walk this 3.1 mile course through the neighborhoods of the City of Decatur. Challenge yourself or just come out with friends and neighbors for the health of it. Dog owners are invited to bring their canine companions. Long sleeved event t-shirts are guaranteed to all pre-registered participants. Each canine companion will receive a special commemorative event kerchief. The run/walk begins at 9AM in front of Decatur High School at 310 North McDonough Street. Registration begins at 8AM. Discounted registration for Decatur school system students, teachers and staff and City of Decatur employees. All proceeds support the athletic programs of Decatur High and Renfroe Middle Schools. The Run With The Dogs is the first qualifying event in the City of Decatur’s 2014 Grand Slam Fitness Challenge.

As reported by Decaturish from last night’s City Commission meeting…

Decatur Police are investigating allegations of racial profiling by its officers, City Manager Peggy Merriss said during the Jan. 6 City Commission meeting.

Decatur Police spokeswoman Sgt. Jennifer Ross said she wasn’t familiar with the investigation when Decaturish.com contacted her for a statement. The alleged incident that prompted the investigation upset commissioners. They apologized to Don Denard, a former city school board member, after he told them he was stopped by officers who were racially profiling him.

Decaturish also has video of Mr. Denard’s remarks and reaction from the Commission.