District 8 Mid-Year Report
Some things take longer--or are more complicated--than we might like, especially in the public sector.
Work on the Powers Ferry replacement bridge that spans Nancy Creek began last Fall and should be complete in mid-August --- several months later than expected.
My home is near the Powers Ferry bridge, and I share the community’s frustration with the detours and delays. Though weather and utility relocations factored into the delay, the work has taken way too long, and I appreciate the patience residents have shown as this inconvenient, but critical, bridge project takes place.
|
|
|
The ‘party house’ on Garmon Road
|
|
It’s not just construction projects that seem to drag out as we await resolution. Reining in loud, illegal gatherings at the ‘party house’ on Garmon Road has been an uphill battle--complicated by the few weak legal tools at our disposal.
I’ve spent more than a few evenings standing with Atlanta police officers outside the Garmon ‘party house,’ as they attempted to issue citations for noise violations. My staff and I have prodded zoning officials to disallow use of the residential property for commercial purposes. We’ve been somewhat successful, but we need new laws with more teeth. That’s why I’m sponsoring a city ordinance, which has the Mayor’s backing, to bring an end to these obnoxious affairs and restore peace to our residential neighborhoods.
As several constituents have reminded me, we also need to thread the needle between a commercial party house and a residence hosting, say, a charity fundraiser for a worthy cause. How do we respect the rights of a homeowner at the same time we respect neighbors? It’s complicated, but we’ll find a way.
|
|
Recently, I found myself at a packed Cobb County school listening carefully to another complicated issue: possible carcinogenic emissions from a medical sterilization facility near Smyrna. I attended the meeting because the plant is approximately one mile from the District 8 border, and public safety is my number one priority.
State Sen. Jen Jordan has filed a petition with the Centers for Disease Control, asking for an evaluation of the health risks from emissions at the Sterigenics plant in Cobb. Sterigenics uses ethylene oxide to sterilize medical equipment. The federal Environmental Protection Agency has projected an elevated risk of cancer in surrounding neighborhoods, due to emissions from the plant. In addition to Senator Jordan’s petition with the CDC, several of my Council colleagues and I are also introducing legislation to seek further action.
On August 19 officials from the federal EPA, the CDC, and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division are scheduled to meet to discuss the issue. We will be there and will keep you informed as we learn more about this developing and potentially serious matter.
This is what I signed up for when you elected me to represent District 8 on the Atlanta City Council. But my job is not about conflict resolution alone.
|
|
It’s about celebrating the success of the Chastain Park Tidal Waves Swim Team, winners of their 6th consecutive Atlanta Swim Association Championship held at Georgia Tech. (The Tidal Waves were 320 strong this summer and won the ASA League comprised of 124 teams and 16,500 swimmers.) In addition, Chastain Park Athletic Club's partnership and swim programs taught another 180 children how to swim, as well as served 4 recreational summer camps.
My job is also about helping the Northside Youth Organization celebrate turning 70 years old. How many tens-of-thousands of us have played, coached, volunteered, or cheered our kids at NYO these past seven decades?
And we’re also going to celebrate the $36-million in capital improvements (including 12 miles of repaved roads) allotted for District 8--which is no small feat!
Consider the August newsletter a mid-year report to you from me. It has a lot of accomplishments--and a few disappointments. As always, you deserve the unvarnished truth.
One more reminder: school resumes this month. Drive safely.
|
|
|
|