Blueprints to Redefine DeKalb Leadership Team's statement

via Commissioner Gannon, reporting on the Blueprint to Redefine DeKalb Leadership Team:

First, to the volunteers appointed to serve on the Interim CEO’s Operations Task Force, thank you for your time and service.   As constituted the missing link to the Task Force seems to be the citizens of our communities.  The Blueprint to Redefine DeKalb was launched in January 2014 as a citizens’ reform effort and perhaps our work can complement your efforts. 

DeKalb County reached a ‘tipping point’ in 2013 and in 2014 matters even further deteriorated: nearly everyone now agrees that fundamental reforms are due.  The attached Blueprint to Redefine DeKalb was drafted and electronically distributed in January.  In February a group of citizens from across the County reached consensus on its main issues.  A diverse Blueprints leadership team emerged and began focusing upon the consensus issues: Internal Auditor, Ethics, Procurement Procedures, Elections, Government Structure and HOST. 

Lakeside and Briarcliff, sitting in a tree, K I S S I N G...

The leadership of the proposed City of Briarcliff and City of Lakeside have released a joint statement after having agreed

"... to collaborate with the goal of creating a unified map free of overlapping areas and respecting existing city borders and future annexation plans."  Read the full statement here.

The future annexation plans at least in part refers to City of Decatur and City of Avondale's plans to annex a significant swath of commercial properties along North Decatur Road and the Farmers Market, respectively. The plan (to give existing cities "dibs" on existing commercial tracts) was hatched at the end of the 2014 legislative session.

Red outlines expanded borders. Darker outline within marks current city limits.
via http://www.decaturga.com/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=4724

Lost dog now found [July 1]

Happily--Elliott was found and is back home with his family!

Splash pool conversion for DeKalb kiddie pools

Theresa Same (MANA Zoning Chair) alerts us to DeKalb's project to make toddler pools ADA-compliant, including conversions to splash pools. Our Medlock kiddie pool should be part of this project.

from the BOC Agenda Summary from June 24, 2014
LB2.    DeKalb County Toddler Pools ADA Conversion Project:  Invitation No. 13-100387 for use by the Public Works Department, Engineering Services Division.  Amount Not to Exceed:  $534,275.50 (Accepted to the Regular BOC Meeting Agenda; Assigned to the Finance, Audit & Budget Committee – recommended approval) - APPROVED

Also, several MANA members are communicating with the County and trying to secure shade sails for the kiddie pool area, which currently is fully exposed to the sun and gets unpleasantly warm as a result.

DeKalb County issues (Lawrenceville Hwy corridor, CEO's Operations Task Force) [July 1, 2]

MANA has received notice of these two important meetings through which our residents can actively engage with the County's leadership. Thanks to Jim Smith and others who drafted these announcements.

Tuesday July 1,  7pm, Rehoboth Baptist Church 2997 Lawrenceville Hwy., Tucker, GA 30084 

Citizens concerned about Lawrenceville Highway Corridor  

The church is "partnering with a number of groups and networks in our community to advance positive economic development and reduce crime in our community. Join us as neighbors, DeKalb County government leaders, GA State leaders, and our law enforcement work together to make DeKalb a great place to live and work."
This is Jim Smith's description of the purpose of the meeting: This meeting was organized after an application was filed to put a liquor store on the site of the old Batteries Plus location at L'ville Hwy and 285. The hotels at that intersection are known for allowing drug and prostitution activity and the belief is that adding a liquor store to the equation will only make things worse. Once folks started talking, they realized that the problem is larger than just the proposed store and that the entire L'ville Hwy corridor needs to be looked at before it goes the way of Memorial Drive in its worst days. 

Wednesday July 2, 6-8pm, Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive, 1300 Commerce Drive Decatur, GA 30030   

Lee May's Operations Task Force: studying ways to improve DeKalb County  

Over 100 people attended the first meeting of the Task Force on June 5. Meetings are open to the public, with participation encouraged, and also broadcast live on DeKalb County's cable channel, DCTV, on Comcast Channel 23. The Task Force and its subcommittees will meet on a rotating, weekly basis, with one subcommittee meeting one week, the other subcommittee meeting the next week, and the full Task Force
meeting every third week.  The next Operations Task Force meeting

Where to go for 4th of July fireworks

via archives.gov

Ready to celebrate Independence Day? Crossroad News has a great listing by Erica Relaford, see Parades, fireworks, laser show abound for area Independence Day celebrations.

If you plan on celebrating at home and setting off fireworks in a residential area, please

• make sure your fireworks are legal in Georgia (nearby states have different laws). Even if they are legal, consider where your spent fireworks will land (they certainly count as litter if they fall in someone else's property and may pose a fire hazard)
• be mindful of our families with children and their bedtimes, and time your fireworks accordingly. On July 4, sundown is at 8:52pm. 
• don't forget the critters: many pets are extremely stressed out by the loud, repetitive noise of exploding fireworks. Owners whose pets are in distress also get pretty stressed too...

Happy Independence Day!

Grocery deliveries: a new player in town

Today's AJC featured Instacart's launch in the Metro area. Instacart is a grocery shop and delivery service that, as you will see below, serves the Medlock area. Per the AJC,

"...the service allows you to select grocery items from multiple stores and have them delivered in an hour for $5.99 on orders above $35. Currently in Atlanta, you can order from Kroger or Costco and your first Instacart order (over $10) is delivered free."

The announcement triggered some excitement on Facebook, in particular wistful references to now defunct Webvan and Publix's Curbside Delivery. So what are our grocery delivery options? Neighbor Blair mentioned Nature's Garden Express (a Tucker company that delivers organic produce and local groceries). Rise 'N Shine Organic Farm's CSA delivers year-round farm-fresh veggies and eggs (and when available, meats) to the North Decatur Presbyterian church--not quite door-to-door but pretty close. As nearby commercial properties develop and aggressive competition over our grocery dollars continues, it is likely we will eventually see additional delivery options (e.g., Walmart offers a pick up/delivery service in some areas, and Amazon is experimenting with deliveries in the west coast. Dare we dream of deliveries from Your DeKalb Farmers Market?).

Neighbor Marja Lee could not contain her enthusiasm and placed an Instacart order in the name of research. Here is her report, which included a call to confirm substitutions on some items, and timely delivery:

App screen capture. Click to enlarge.

I just got the app and placed an order to see how I like the service. I really, really miss Publix Curbside. It kept me from a ton of impulse buys. Order should be delivered between 1:30 and 2:30. Will let you know how it goes. Did a variety of dry goods and produce. Also, you can order from Costco without a membership. 

So my dude just called with some substitutions. Called back for another set. Expecting to order to arrive shortly.

Prices on some items are totally reasonable, utterly ridiculous on others, though. Not sure I will use again although they did give me some lovely reusable shopping bags (that are HUGE) and the delivery person gave me his personal promo code for 5$ off. The produce that they selected for me is just fine.

Thanks for the research, Marja! Additional screen captures after the jump.