Update on Greg Germani

On June 9, neighbor Greg Germani was the victim of a hit-and-run while cycling on Flagler Avenue in Morningside. The Atlanta Police has found the vehicle that struck him but has not issued any other updates on the case. To contribute to the CrimeStoppers reward, go here.

Greg's girlfriend, Beth Anne, has a wonderful update as of July 8 via her Facebook page:

All these great prayers and vibrations are working, folks. Today we had an exciting and unexpected day. Greg spoke for the first time. He was able to say "hello" and "I'm fine" in response to questions by the medical staff on three occasions. Happy tears today, definitely. This is a big step, coupled with his gradually improving alertness. It also take a tremendous amount of effort for these short bursts of activity, so for every excitement, there’s a lot of down time. They've advised us that it will come in fits and starts and may not be consistent, but Greg is making progress. Thanks to his physical and speech therapists, Ruchita, Crystal, Holly, and Vicky for all their hard work today!

Hello back at you, Greg! Keep on soaking up the good thoughts and well wishes, of which there are so very many.

Community meeting: Dunkin' Donuts [July 10]

Site location, via http://planningdekalb.net

Dunkin Donuts will hold a community meeting on July 10, 7pm, at the Scott Boulevard Baptist Church to discuss plans for a shop with a drive-through on Scott Blvd near the North Decatur Rd. intersection. The drive-through requires that they secure a special land use permit (SLUP) before the project can proceed.

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