Paces Civic :: Forum

Re: Recycling? [by Catherine Sweat]

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 15:43:28 -0000

Local Government Issues:: Recycling?
Another problem with our recycling service is that there are areas that never get picked up. We moved into the neighborhood 9 years ago and our full bin would sit on the street for 3 weeks at a time and was never picked up unless I called the city. This went on for over a year and, out of frustration, I finally gave up recycling. It was way too much hassle and an eyesore. I believe the reason is that there are only 4 houses on our segment of Ridgewood and, at the time, no one else was recycling, so they never drove down our section of the street; hence, my bin never got emptied.

Re: From Clare Muller - Re: Connect Atlanta Plan - traffic issues [by Dianne Wisner]

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 13:52:17 -0000

Local Government Issues:: From Clare Muller - Re: Connect Atlanta Plan - traffic issues

Updates regarding traffic and road planning around our neighborhood from Clare Muller are greatly appreciated. However, with the energy and economic crisis, personally, I would wish our neighborhood to be proactive in working towards having the area around the OK and Houstons become more pedestrian and bicycle friendly. I was hopeful on seeing the new divider at Paces Ferry and West Paces Ferry but disappointed to just see more concrete. A planter or fountain would have dramatically changed the quality and character of the area. Urban studies indicate encouraging pedestrians and cyclists can often deter crime and speeding. And, quite frankly, the cost of those new vanity signs on Northside could have paid for some beautification efforts instead. I don't want Northside to eventually look like Cobb Parkway at the big chicken -- no offense to our local landmark.

Info on Back Property Taxes - recent mailing from City of Atlanta [by Paces Admin]

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 01:28:03 -0000

Local Government Issues:: Info on Back Property Taxes - recent mailing from City of Atlanta

this note was posted on the FCTF web site:

Dear Members and Supporters,

Over 5,000 of you received tax bills from the County that claim you owe back taxes. Many of you have called/emailed about this issue. What we have discovered:

Great News!!!

Our esteemed friends at Proctor and Hutchins have agreed to file a class action suit concerning the frozen CPI values/back tax bill issue!!

We want to thank everyone who held one for the last few weeks while the FCTF researched all possible avenues to find relief for the Taxpayer.

Please, if this issue directly affects you or someone you know, have them contact the talented folks at Proctor Hutchins at 770-394-3500 www.proctorhutchins.com.

a note from another neighborhood association about Buckhead traffic [by Paces Admin]

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 01:49:44 -0000

Local Government Issues:: a note from another neighborhood association about Buckhead traffic
Dear Buckhead Council of Neighborhoods Supporter,
>
>
>
> Please plan to attend an important meeting on Monday night, September 8th at 6PM. It
> is about the Connect Atlanta Plan, which is going to present its
> “final” recommendations. Based on what we understand will be
> recommended, Buckhead residents may be very disappointed – it appears
> that the plan will not solve some of our most pressing problems. In
> my mind, these problems are:
>
>
>
> 1.    The I-85/GA 400 interchange was never completed. This deficiency
> diverts large amounts of traffic onto Buckhead’s surface streets,
> particularly Piedmont Road. For example: Without using surface
> streets, there is no way to go directly from Atlantic Station to
> GA400, nor any way to go from southbound GA400 to northbound I-85, nor
> southbound I-85 to northbound GA400.
>
>
>
> I understand that the routing of bridges from southbound GA400 to
> northbound I-85 might be configured so the completed interchange would
> be devastating to residential areas south of I-85. I believe that a
> route that uses parts of the old Home Depot site at Sidney Marcus can
> avoid most or all of these problems.
>
> If the Connect Atlanta Plan does not include completion of this
> crucial I-85/GA400 interchange, Buckhead will be forever* burdened
> with unnecessary congestion.
>
> 2.    Buckhead is offered no east-west traffic/transportation solution.
> Large volumes of traffic to and from Buckhead come from Cobb County
> and other places to our west and northwest. This growing volume of
> traffic is destroying the quality of life of some of our finest
> neighborhoods with heavy traffic along West Paces Ferry Road, Powers
> Ferry Road, Roswell Road, etc.
>
> While the building of new roads through residential northwest Buckhead
> or expansion of existing roads would be a devastating “solution” to
> this east-west problem, there are other alternatives. I have proposed
> a light-rail subway tunnel deep under Buckhead neighborhoods as a
> possible way to provide a connection for Cobb residents who work in
> Buckhead. Please note that this small-diameter tunnel would be in
> deep rock far under the neighborhoods (like the Nancy Creek Sewer
> tunnel) and would be for electric trains only, not for automobiles and
> trucks.   See my proposal at in the Buckhead Reporter. See supporting
> comments from noted architect George T. Heery, also in the Buckhead
> Reporter.    There are probably many other solutions, to the east-west
> problem, but apparently none will be proposed as part of the “final”
> plan.
>
> If no east-west solution is included for the Connect Atlanta Plan,
> Buckhead will be forever* burdened with unnecessary congestion.
>
> 3.    The “Peachtree Streetcar” is part of the Connect Atlanta plan. In
> heavily developed Buckhead, there is no room to provide dedicated
> lanes for the streetcar, so transit riders will go no faster than
> other gridlocked traffic. A deep tunnel under Peachtree should be
> part of the Connect Atlanta Plan for Buckhead. (See Heery’s comments
> in the link in item 2.)
>
> I believe that higher speed transit along Peachtree should be part of
> the Connect Atlanta Plan and that Buckhead will be forever* burdened
> with unnecessary congestion unless it is.
>
> 4.    There are other problems, but the ones above are some of the most
> important to me. You might disagree with my assessment and priorities
> – if so, it is especially important that you attend and let the
> Connect Atlanta Team know what you think.
>
>
>
> I encourage you to come to the Connect Atlanta meeting tomorrow
> (Monday night) and carefully listed to what is being proposed for
> Buckhead. I personally think it is wonderful that the Connect Atlanta
> Plan encourages the redevelopment of much of the remainder of the
> City. Redevelopment of other parts of the city will help them to
> become able to share the tax burden that falls disproportionately on
> Buckhead today. But, Buckhead must not be ignored and left to wither
> and die from congestion.
>
>
>
> Please attend this important meeting. Listen carefully and
> respectfully. Then, if you don’t like the recommendations, let them
> know what you think the problems and solutions are.
>
>
>
> What:    Connect Atlanta Northside Area final recommendations briefing
>
> When:   Monday, September 9, 2008 (6PM - 8PM)
>
> Where: Peachtree Road United Methodist Church
>            3180 Peachtree Road
> Atlanta, GA 30305
>
> Room: Not announced
>
>            Map - where to park and where to enter
>
>
>
> Gordon Certain
>
> President
>
> North BuckheadCivic Association

A Note From Mary Norwood about Traffic [by Paces Admin]

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 01:46:05 -0000

Local Government Issues:: A Note From Mary Norwood about Traffic

VIEW ONLINE AT http://www.marynorwood.com/20080905.htm

Mary Norwood E-Update

September 5, 2008

3371 Habersham Road NW - Atlanta, GA 30305 - 404-237-3774

mary@marynorwood.com - www.marynorwood.com

If you're sick of traffic, COME: Monday night - September 8 - 6:00 p.m. - Peachtree Road United Methodist Church.

On your behalf, I have been lobbying to get congestion relief into the City of Atlanta's first-ever, soon-to-be-released Transportation Plan.

SO FAR, I have been unsuccessful. TO SUCCEED, I need YOU.

Monday night is the LAST opportunity for you to tell our City's Transportation Planners how important it is to FIX our current traffic problems in our city.

Please come and hear their presentation…and then GIVE THEM YOUR FEEDBACK!
They need to hear from YOU!

Date:	Monday, September 8th
Time:	6:00 p.m.
Place:	Peachtree Road United Methodist Church

Please call my office if you have any questions: 404-330-6302 (city hall) 404-237-3774 (home) or 404-824-1014 (cell)

Thank you.

Recent mailing of Fulton County Tax Bills - errors?? [by Paces Admin]

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 14:14:55 -0000

Local Government Issues:: Recent mailing of Fulton County Tax Bills - errors??

This is a message from the Fulton County Taxpayers Foundation:

Over 4,000 of you received tax bills from the County that claim you owe back taxes. Many of you have called/emailed about this issue. What we have discovered:

According to Burt Manning, these bills represent revalued CPI values, reassessed square footage, the lack of your Homestead Exemption and other elements that would denote a change in your taxes.

We have contacted our friends at Proctor and Hutchins to determine whether or not the County is acting in an illegal fashion and if they'd be willing to provide an avenue for Taxpayers to defend themselves. As many of you may know, Bob Proctor has pending lawsuits against the County; his firm will be deciding next week whether or not to pursue this particular issue.

It is extremely important that you let the right people know that this billing may be INCORRECT. Please contact the Chair of the Board of Assessors, E. Gayle Barnett at gayle.barnett@fultoncountyga.gov and inform her about your recent billing.

The Fulton County Taxpayers Foundation will continue its research and will provide our members and supporters with any news we receive.

City of Buckhead luncheon - Thursday, September 11th, 12noon [by Paces Admin]

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 09:34:49 -0000

Local Government Issues:: City of Buckhead luncheon - Thursday, September 11th, 12noon

There is a luncheon scheduled to hear Glen Delk speak about the possibility of Buckhead forming a city - tickets to attend the luncheon are $50 and must be purchased in advance - information is below:

Thursday, September 11th, Noon to 1:30pm
City of Atlanta vs. City of Buckhead - WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

Mr. Delk has been a practicing lawyer in the City of Atlanta since 1976. He and his law school roommate have operated their own firm since 1990. A graduate of Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt Law School, Mr. Delk represents private investors and companies in business and real estate transactions, as well as civil litigation.
In addition to his legal practice, Mr. Delk has been actively involved in the school choice and charter school movement in Georgia and throughout the country. With Atlanta's Public Schools spending over $500 million of property tax revenue annually, APS now represents over 50% of the average taxpayer's annual tax bill. Mr. Delk's talk will address how the budget of APS impacts the possible formation of a City of Buckhead.
A native of Savannah, Georgia, Mr. Delk and his wife, Barbara, raised three daughters in Buckhead where they still reside.
To purchase tickets to this event, click below:
http://fctf.org/index.php?pr=Events

The state of Atlanta Public Schools [by Paces Admin]

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 09:24:51 -0000

Local Government Issues:: The state of Atlanta Public Schools

Follow this link to read some interesting information on how Atlanta Public Schools compare to other school districts around Atlanta, and how things might be improved:

http://fctf.org/media/Biding-For-Public-Education-Juuly2008.pdf

Privatization in City Governent [by Paces Admin]

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:06:14 -0000

Local Government Issues:: Privatization in City Governent

Here are some thoughts by the Fulton County Taxpayers Foundation on how the City of Atlanta can save money by privatizing some city services so that taxes do not have to be raised and city services do not have to be cut.

See this link: http://fctf.org/media/May2008.pdf

Info on the Possible Formation of the City of Buckhead [by Paces Admin]

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:00:29 -0000

Local Government Issues:: Info on the Possible Formation of the City of Buckhead

There are some interesting ideas being floated right now about possibly forming the City of Buckhead in order to lower our taxes and increase the accountability of government.

Click on the link below to read more about this idea:

http://fctf.org/media/June2008-2.pdf