Free-For-All Friday 7/24/15
Decatur Metro | July 24, 2015 | 7:28 amFeel free to use this post to make comments and ask questions about local issues not yet discussed here over the past week.
Feel free to use this post to make comments and ask questions about local issues not yet discussed here over the past week.
J_T
J_T
tom
Steve
Hola
CarolD
lumpintheroad
Pierce
At Home in Decatur
Telemachus
Chris Billingsley
Scott
Last night’s Waterpocalypse. WTF?
“Waterless Residents in Decatur turn to Beer for Survival -up next on 11Alive” 😉
Maybe even “Breaking: Beer Soaked Residents in Decatur Fail to Notice Absence of Tap Water.”
I was telling my chiropractor about Slide the City, and she asked me if alcohol was going to be involved. I just laughed and laughed.
I was under the impression that we were sliding on beer tomorrow. Isn’t that the case? Mmmm, maybe a nice stout.
We had very low water pressure last night on North Candler. I accused my wife of leaving the hose on after watering plants on the porch.
So what was the cause? It seems better now.
48-inch water main burst at the intersection of Henderson Mill and Evans roads
reposting my comment to here:
Is it dangerously weird that the County has no method of alerting residents of water supply issues — particularly in the so-called post 9/11 era?
Not wanting to be so snarky, but I managed to figure out what was going on by randomly calling the Treatment plant at 11 pm and talking to some dude.
Could they appoint a 19-year old in the Department of Watershed Management to set up a Facebook page and download the app to the Director’s phone?
Oops, went to their site and the Director’s name is listed as “Vacant.”
The other night there was a power outage in Oakhurst. Within about 5 minutes, it was noted on Georgia Power’s online outage map, along with an estimated restoration time. They beat that time by almost an hour.
Meanwhile, in DeKalb County…
The City of Decatur is wasting $125,000 on a silly effort to develop a “Community Action Plan” mainly because a small and very vocal group of residents and non-residents have unfairly accused DPD of racial profiling (which does not seem to happen as shown by statistics collected and compiled by DPD). That really stinks. Stop wasting taxpayer money on feel good social engineering programs.
It looks like CSD is going to have to pay CoD $125,000 for cutting down trees when it prepares to build more space for students. That also stinks.
Eric CoD will pay nothing you and I will pay moving our tax money from one bucket to another then have some tax increase to re fill the first bucket.
If it’s not coming from taxpayer dollars then great, but it certainly reads like CoD is paying from the Decaturish article posted on the 21st. (City manager discussing costs implies the costs are to the City and it only mentions a partial grant. )
This is not a benign transfer of money. CoD is paying what is essentially a fine, to a new agency that was set up to enforce the tree canopy ordinance. What this agency does with these fines is unclear. What is clear is that CoD is taking a hit, roughly the cost of a couple of teacher positions.
I think you mean CSD is paying.
Personally, I think they should build treehouse classrooms. It would be a win-win for the kids and the trees.
Noel Maloof is out at principal at DHS–he is replacing a recent vacancy at Central Office and will be the COO there (?). On the positive side, I have been corresponding with Renfroe’s new principal, Johnathon Clark, and he has been really responsive and seems to be taking all the construction chaos in stride.
Hmmm … Maloof is brought in one year ago to be principal at DHS. Now he is being “promoted” to a vacant position at the Central Office. Anybody else smell something fishy here?
Indeed I do Smith
This smells VERY funny
More info over on Decaturish: http://www.decaturish.com/2015/07/noel-maloof-out-as-decatur-high-principal/
My DHS grad loves Arlethea Williams and thinks she will be an excellent principal!
Aretha Williams will be an excellent principal. With regards to Maloof, he very well might not have been cut out to be the principal at DHS, but I find it appalling that some Decatur teachers celebrated his departure after a year of publically criticizing his leadership – sometimes in front of students. You may not agree with his leadership style, but complaining in front of students and parents is exceptionally childish.
You want to know what I find appalling? That it took a whole school year plus the whole summer for the Superintendent to figure out that she hired the wrong guy and do something about it. These teachers you are talking about are not “rookies”. They have been here for a long time and have worked for a number of principals – good and not so good. These teachers are not malcontents. When the administration turned a deaf ear to their grievances, the teachers were left with no other option. I suggest you go over to Decaturish and read the thoughtful comments from teachers and parents.
I read those comments too. I just don’t consider whining to be a very professional thing to do in front of kids. It sounds like he was the wrong choice from the get go. But that doesn’t give anyone – a rookie teacher or someone who has been there 25 years – the right to act like that. What kind of example does that set?
The teachers tried to go about it the right way. The person in a position to make a change would not listen. The choice was simple – clam up and take it for as long as he wanted to stay – or do something about it. My point is that the gravity of the situation drove these people to do something they would not normally do – air their grievances in public.
Kids should never be involved in teacher grievances.
I have to agree–teachers should not air grievances about the principal to students. It puts them in an awkward position at best.
This is one of the few CSD controversies that I haven’t been smack in the middle of or affected by. I am so glad. I suspect that I know all the players on all sides and that all are good people. I hope this works out in the best way possible for the students and that the rest of the players can move forward without too much damage and hurt.
Do you like winning stuff?? Than enter right now through this weekend for a Decatur BBQ Prize pack including (4) free tickets to this years event (4) festival t-shirts, and an assortment of music from this years artists!!!
http://woobox.com/gwxmjd
Seeking input, positive and/or negative, about TMJ docs in the Atlanta area. Mine retired several years ago and I need a new bite splint to wear at night. Past experience indicates a vast range of expertise and competence. Any endorsements? Cautions?
Try Steven Roser and / or Gary Bouloux at Emory on Clifton Rd. Found them both to be sensible, practical and helpful.
Goodluck. TMJ sucks!
Yay! this topic again!
Has anyone gotten the Walmart phone service for their iphone? I am using Tmobile and drop at least 1 call a day, and get the weird underwater sound that kills conversations about that often as well. My coworker and I were up North and she had the Walmart service with 4 bars, I only had 1. Given Tmobile too long to get their stuff sorted out, need a change. Of course, money is an object. Paying $90 a month for 2 phones and don’t want to go any higher than that. Thanks!
I’ve got news for you – the WM branded phones use the T-Mobile network: http://www.debtroundup.com/walmart-family-mobile-review/
Get cricket ! $35 a month with autopay gets you unlimited call and texts and 2.5 GB of LTE data.
and it uses the AT&T network.
Wow, I wonder if I can use my phone on cricket. I only get 1 GB with Tmobile. Will definitely look into that. TY!
It depends on your phone. After I switched, I got a new unlocked Galaxy S4 on Ebay and I get LTE wherever it’s available, which is almost everyplace. The cricket website has several LTE capable phones for less than $100.
you might be jumping to the same provider under a Mobile Virtual Network operator (MVNO)
List of United States mobile virtual network operators, search for Walmrt
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_mobile_virtual_network_operators
That is a great list. Thank you!
Did anyone else read that interesting Decaturish letter to the editor about the Decatur Terrace neighborhood and MARTA? The article inspired hubby-the-history-buff to look at the archives for info on some of the other surrounding areas.
Concrete repair? We have a patio section that has broken and is pushing against a retaining wall. Anyone have recommendations for someone? Also need another small retaining wall built.
Very happy with the experience of ACK Construction, Inc. We have a beautiful new patio, with proper drainage. Plus more work waiting when they re-open in August. Mark can be reached at 404.394.0911 or [email protected] . (FYI, I think Mark is out of town this coming week.)
Great – thanks for the referral!
Can anyone use the cliff buses or do you have to have a connection to emory?
Anybody.
Is that still true? I’m pretty sure they changed it to just Emory folks in the last 3-4 years.
I haven’t ridden lately, so I can’t say for sure. The last time i was on was about 2 years ago, though.
I ride it and no one has asked for any ID. The web page says it is for staff, students and visitors.
I probably use them 10-15 times/year to get to/from Emory. Never a problem, never seen an ID asked for.
They are a community service. The drivers do not check your ID.
Anybody.
Has anyone gone to pick up their Slide the City packet today? Is the line ridiculous? I was going to try to swing by after work, but timing will be tight since pick-up closes at 7.
Note to Slide the City organizers (just in case you are reading): If you are going to have an advanced packet pick-up that you want people to use, you need to have it on a weekend day or weekday with at least 4 hours of evening pick-up. A lot of people have jobs that they can’t duck out of mid-day to pick up an inner tube.
I was up around lunchtime and there was a short line that moved quickly.
Reading the horrific story about Sandra Bland, I am reminded of a quote from The Godfather…
My youngest son was forced to leave this country because of this Sollozzo business. All right, now I have to make arrangements to bring him back here safely cleared of all these false charges. But I’m a superstitious man, and if some unlucky accident should befall him… if he should be shot in the head by a police officer, or if he should hang himself in his jail cell, or if he’s struck by a bolt of lightning, then I’m going to blame some of the people in this room, and that I do not forgive.
Very low water pressure again in Lenox Place.
I’m surprised no one has considered the implications for tomorrow’s slide event. Hope those Slide the City folks travel with tankers of their own water.
No water on East Lake. What’s going on now?
http://www.ajc.com/news/news/local/burst-main-leaves-some-dekalb-residents-without-wa/nm53g/
Sounds like this might be needed for repair of the leak. Hopefully a short term issue…
Not sure if anyone has commented on this yet, but I’d like to give a shout out to two City of Decatur staffers who recently announced they were moving on. John Madajewski, our city’s Senior Engineer, recently announced his retirement, and our Director of Planning, Amanda Thompson is leaving for a new job. Congratulations to both of them.
On a more reflective note, much of what I like about Decatur is personified by both of these individuals. When I first moved here I called to get some advice about living in a flood plain. John must have spoken with me for 2 hours, patiently explaining the ins and outs of floor insurance, home improvements, and the history of our property. Anyone I’ve ever spoken with about his customer service has shared a similar story. The man just cared, and it made our city a better place. Amanda is one of the people who has truly shaped the physical transformation of our downtown, but has also championed progressive policies, fighting to maintain what little affordable housing is left, supporting the arts, and keeping Decatur as an inclusive community.
Bill Floyd stepping down felt like the end of an era, but it was often the people behind the scenes who made this city great, and it’s concerning to see them leave as well. It’s with a wary eye that I look towards the future of Decatur, with pressure on the school system, absurd home prices, and expensive public amenities. We’re going to need some real vision for the next 20 years to be as positive as the last.
+1.
No water at Hibernia and Adair at 3:30
DeKalb County in negotiations with Atlanta United FC to locate team training facilities inside 285 near Memorial Drive.
http://www.ajc.com/news/sports/pro-sports/atlanta-united-fc-considers-training-site-in-dekal/nm6DQ/
I’ve heard rumors from a couple of Oakhurst neighborhood sources of a brewpub going into the old Mulligan’s space in the Family Dollar/Dollar Tree strip mall. Anybody else know anything?
Are they maybe talking about the new place that is in negotiates for the old McGowans space? Decaturish had a recent article on this.
A question for the seasoned commuters among you: I need to be in East Cobb at 9:00 AM next Wednesday. What time should I leave downtown Atlanta? (Yes, it crossed my mind to spend Tue night in Marietta but that seems a little bit drastic.)
Actually, getting into East Cobb isn’t as bad as you think since it’s virtually a mass exodus every morning in the opposite direction. Is there any way you can commute up 75? You can get off at the loop and then take Roswell road straight into the area. Otherwise, I would take 400 N to Abernathy, and then take Johnson Ferry Road on in. In terms of time, I would probably give at least 45 minutes from downtown to the area. From Decatur…I would probably tack on another 30 minutes to that.
Do not, I repeat DO NOT take 285 =)
Thank you, SDJackson! I can easily hop on 75 downtown. My destination is on Johnson Ferry Rd between Roswell Rd and Lower Roswell Rd. Any recommendation on which one to use? (I work from home so never leave the house at rush hour and only venture to East Cobb every five years or so.)
STG- I use the app WAZE and it often navigates me around traffic. Example: had to be at an office at powers ferry & 285 yesterday, and left about 4:15pm. Instead of 285 west to 75, it sent down north side south to 75, missing tons of bumper to bumper. Use the “routes” function to get 2-3 options
Waves 1 and 2 of Slide the City: Please post your experience and tips so us later Waves can profit! E.g., lines, what to wear (or not), recommended inflatables, etc……including whether there’s water!
Postponed for those of us with afternoon tickets. Not sure how they will handle the early birds who got a few slides in.
I don’t know how many of you are watching the fireworks in the eastern sky but it’s something!
Wow! Thanks, Chris
Yessir! Saw it down here in the ‘hurst! I should make a bad joke about cutting down canopy cover, but I won’t. Watching those clouds develop with the lightning was spectacular!
Saw a beautiful self-contained fluffy cloud with lightening illuminating from within. Mesmerizing…
My water is out. Again. The Dekalb Water emergency line is busy. Again. There is no info on the website. Again.
It’s all over the news. Try turning on the radio or TV.
I am going to go pursue reimbursement for the water I have had to buy on Monday.
Boil water advisory just out.
http://www.ajc.com/news/news/local/the-water-main-fix-did-not-hold-h20-issues-continu/nm6cW/
The booters did not arrive until 1015 today. But they did post a pro-active warning for a change. I feel bad for the folks on Ponce Place and nearby that have had all the Commerce traffic detoured through Commerce Square and into their neighborhood. The event organizers should have been held to a higher traffic standard, like providing a big flashing sign that says “Commerce Square and Artisan parking only” at Clairemont and Commerce.
http://imgur.com/8S867eR