UPDATE: The city has provided this direct link to Open City Hall, if residents want to make statements directly to the city regarding this ordinance proposal.

The City of Decatur has just posted the final version of the proposed tree ordinance on its website along with…

• Administrative standards – “information on how the ordinance is to be administered and implemented”
• A 11 page list of “Common Questions”
• Ordinance summary – draft recommendations, future improvements, and a summary of public input

Furthermore from the Decatur Minute…

That effort has been underway with the assistance of tree consultant, Connie Head of Technical Forestry Services, and the City Commission is scheduled to consider the recommendations at their regular meeting on January 21st at 7:30pm.  Please review the materials and provide your opinion using Open City Hall.  The forum for this discussion will be open from January 16th – January 21st (noon).

I’m copying a few Q&As below from the residential section of the FAQ that address some of the reoccurring questions that have come up here over the past week or so, but it’s an 11 page document, so certainly go through it yourself when you have a moment.

Here’s the letter that Principal Lauri McKain sent to DHS families today with more details on her promotion to CSD’s new Director of Secondary Education…

Dear DHS Families,

Last night at the school board meeting, Dr. Edwards announced that I will be moving to a new position for the 2014-2015 school year. For the past fifteen years, I have taken on increasing responsibilities in the district, moving from Media Specialist, to Assistant Principal, to Principal at Decatur High School. My new title will be Director of Secondary Education. Though the title is a new one in the district, the position is a restructured one. In the past there was an Associate Superintendent and two curriculum directors. In order to tackle the complex challenges in our state and community, Dr. Edwards restructured the instructional services department. One of the things that drew me to this position is the opportunity to continue working with adolescents in our community and the faculties who serve them.

I will remain the principal of Decatur High School through this school year. By later this month, a committee of SLT, parents and staff members will be organized to plan the search for the next principal with the process being organized and implemented through our Human Resources Department. After the new principal is on board, I will still be available and will continue to serve as a support.

Our strength as a school relies heavily on your involvement. I want to thank you all for your continued support.

Lauri McKain

Decatur High School | Principal

310 N. McDonough St. | Decatur GA 30030

Make sure you have no valuables in your car.  Decatur PD just sent out this alert…

On 1-14-14, Decatur Police received reports of 11 vehicles entered during the overnight hours in the Winnona Park neighborhood.  The vehicles were located in the 100 block of Avery Street, 100 block of Hilldale Drive, 200-300 block of Winnona Drive and 100 block of Shadowmoor Drive.  Some of the vehicles were knowingly left unsecured and others may have been left unsecured unintentionally.  There were no signs of forced entry to any of the entered vehicles.  Most of the vehicles were parked in driveways, but a few were parked on the street.  Items taken from the entered vehicles include a wi-fi device, iPod, phone chargers, checkbook, flashlight, loose change, ear phones, laptop, Xbox game system and controller, digital camera, a 6-pack of paper towels, sunglasses, chewing gum, mints and a blue tooth transmitter.  Many of the items taken were in plain view.

We understand that some residents do not want to lock their vehicles in the hopes of preventing a window being broken out but we encounter entering auto suspects who specifically target unsecured vehicles because it is easier and makes less noise.  Whether you choose to secure your vehicle or not, please remove any valuables from plain view.  Place items in the trunk or take them with you.  Also, if you have or are looking to install motion activated lights at your home, make sure the lights are installed so that someone walking into your driveway will trip the motion sensor.

There have been 7 similar cases reported in the Kensington Road area today and we are currently working with the Avondale Estates Police Department to share information and determine if these cases may be related.

Poverty is Real has announced the Colin Meloy of The Decemberists fame- and acclaimed artist, Carson Ellis “are stopping by Kavarna Coffee (707B East Lake Dr.) in Decatur on February 7, 2014 to host a special event with Poverty is Real!”

The duo will be give a reading from their acclaimed “Wildwood Chronicles” starting at 7p that evening.  Tickets are $15 per adult and $10 per child, with a one per family book purchase.  Tickets go on sale at Little Shop of Stories starting this Friday, January 17th.

And it’s all for a good cause…

Ticket sales from the event, hosted by Decatur-based nonprofit Poverty Is Real (PIR), will benefit the Decatur Education Foundation’s literacy programs, which aim to ensure that all students in the community, regardless of income, have access to great, age-appropriate books in their home libraries and develop a lifelong love of reading.

You may recall the wife/husband team gave the keynote at the Decatur Book Festival a couple years back.