January Newsletter

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jared bailey

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Jan 15, 2015, 4:36:07 PM1/15/15
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District 5 January 2015 Newsletter

 

Statesman Quote: “Political language... is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind.” – George Orwell

 

This newsletter is intended to keep the residents of District 5 informed about community matters. If you are not receiving this newsletter, please email me at Jared....@athensclarkecounty.com and I will add your address to the list. If you have any questions or concerns about community issues contact me by email or at 706-338-9019.

Dear District 5 Residents-

Here is another installment of news that affects the best district in Athens:

 

ACC FACTS

The ACC website (www.athensclarkecounty.com) had the following activity in 2014:

·       1.64 million visitors

·       4.58 million page views, 3.26 million unique page views

·       436,140 site searches

·       Top 10 search terms: jobs, jail, divorce, water, employment, wellness, Court docket, human resources, jury duty, probation

·       1.23 million downloads from the site or via external links on the site

·       Visits: 57% on a desktop computer, 25% on a mobile computer, 17% unknown

·       The most popular day to visit is Monday, the least popular is Saturday.

·       1:00-4:00 p.m. is the most popular three-hour stretch for visitors

·       27,145 email and text message subscriptions

 

COOPERATIVE EXTENSION

Georgia Master Composter Program

Established in 2011 as a partnership between Athens-Clarke County Extension and the Solid Waste Department, the Georgia Master Composter Program is an adult education course and Extension volunteer program. Master Composters complete a nine-week training course that covers all aspects of the composting process. Classes are taught by UGA faculty, Athens-Clarke County and US Forest Service staff, and small and commercial business owners. Subjects include the chemistry and microbiology of composting, types of and reasons for composting, composting techniques and teaching tools. As Extension volunteers, Master Composters then use this information to share composting basics with their family, friends and community. 

 

The 2015 class dates are Wednesdays from 9-11:30 a.m. starting on Feb. 4 through April 1, 2015. Classes are held at the Athens-Clarke County Solid Waste Department, 725 Hancock Industrial Way, Athens, GA 30605.The two class field trips are scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 28 and Saturday, March 14.

The cost for the program is $150. This fee covers 20 hours of instruction, the Georgia Master Composter handbook, your name badge, shirt, reference materials and handouts, refreshments during class, certificate of completion and graduation reception. To register, please download the attached PDF and submit it to the Athens-Clarke County Extension office. Registration forms and payments must be received by January 26, 2015. 

HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

The ACC Housing and Community Development Department (HCD) planned the annual point in time count of homeless people in Athens. Counts are based on household type including individuals, families, and child-only households, and are further broken down by sub-population categories, such as homeless veterans and people who are chronically homeless.  The point in time count will take place during the last week in January.  Last year 249 people were homeless in Athens either in shelters or unsheltered on January 29.

 

MAYOR AND COMMISSION MEETINGS

January 20th - M&C Agenda Setting Meeting at 7:00 PM in Commission Chambers in City Hall

January 22nd - Legislative Review Committee Meeting at 5:30 PM in room 303 in City Hall

January 22nd – Government Operations Committee Meeting at 5:30 PM in room 103 in City Hall

February 3rd - M&C Regular Meeting at 7:00 PM in the Commission Chambers in City Hall

February 10th – M&C Work Session at 5:30 PM in the Planning Department Auditorium

 

MLK DAY OF SERVICE

On January 19th Community Connection invites us all to join the Athens community in “a day on, not off,” spending the national holiday in service to others. Spaces are limited, so signing up early is advised. The kickoff event for the Day of Service will be at Thomas Lay Center, 297 Hoyt Street from 9 am–10 am.

 

**Please bring donations for the canned food drive to the kick-off event!** Volunteers who are not pre-registered will be assigned project sites at the kick-off event. Though you’ll be able to sign a waiver at the Kickoff Event, in order to be among the first 300 people and get FREE breakfast and a Day of Service T-shirt, feel free to print and sign the volunteer waiver and/or the youth permission form now and bring it straight to the registration table!

 

POLICE

Citizen Police Academy

The Athens-Clarke County Police Department is seeking applicants for the 33rd session of the Department’s Citizen Police Academy. The Academy will begin Thursday, February 12, 2015, at 6:30 p.m. at the East Precinct, 3035 Lexington Road. This is a 12-week course with classes held one night a week for three hours. Instruction includes career development and training, patrol functions, criminal investigation, communications and 911, crime prevention, SRT, and many other functions of the police department. I have taken this course and I highly recommend it for any and every ACC citizen.


Applicants must live or work in Athens-Clarke County, be at least 18 years of age, and pass a criminal background check. The deadline for registration is Thursday, January 29. The application is available online at www.athensclarkecounty.com/police. Click on “Public Information” and then click on “Citizen Police Academy.” The application is available in a PDF or Word format. Questions should be directed to Lt. Jerry Saulters at 706-613-3358 X226 or via email at jerry.s...@athensclarkecounty.com.

 

Nextdoor Program
The Athens-Clarke County Police announce a new virtual neighborhood watch program called “Nextdoor.” This is an electronic tool for the Police Department to share information on crime prevention, public events, and emergency notifications as well as local crime and safety updates.
Athens-Clarke County has been set up with virtual “neighborhoods.”

 

Residents can share information with each other about their neighborhood. Only residents in the assigned area can see the posts. You can be assured that your website remains private and that there will be no spam. Police personnel will NOT be able to see any content on your neighborhood website except for direct replies to our posts. Also, remember that Nextdoor should not be used to request emergency services, police services, or to report criminal/suspicious activity, file a report, etc. If you require emergency services, continue to call 911.


If you are interested in having your neighborhood participate in this program, please contact Lieutenant Jerry Saulters at 706-613-3358 X226 or jerry.s...@athensclarkecounty.com. We look forward to connecting with you on Nextdoor to build stronger, safer neighborhoods throughout Athens-Clarke County.  Remember, if you see something, say something!

 

Scam Alerts

Last year several releases were made warning citizens of scams that were being run in Athens-Clarke County. These scams are still ongoing and the Police Department is reminding citizens to beware of suspicious calls soliciting money. The most common scam involves a person who calls and identifies themselves as a police officer or sheriff’s deputy. The caller states that the citizen or a family member has an outstanding warrant for a missed court date or failure to appear for jury duty. The citizen is instructed to purchase a prepaid debit card to pay a fine in lieu of being arrested. Although the Sheriff’s Office may call people with an outstanding warrant, they do not solicit payment over the telephone.
Another scam also starts with a phone call in which the caller says a family member has been arrested and needs money for bail or to keep them from being arrested.


These are only two examples of ways criminals try to part you and your money. Criminals are always coming up with new ways to trick you out of your money. Don’t become a victim. If you receive calls similar to these, do not send cash, purchase a prepaid debit card, or give out personal credit/debit card and bank account numbers without verifying the information. If you feel the call is not legitimate, call 911 to report the activity. If possible, record the telephone number of the incoming call to provide to police.

 

Roadway Solicitation
Over the weekend the Athens-Clarke County Police Department responded to complaints of individuals unlawfully soliciting funds from the roadway in the area of the Atlanta Hwy and Timothy Rd.
The solicitors provided officers with the name of the organization they represented, but officials have been unable to connect the solicitors with the faith-based organization in Atlanta. It is likely the solicitors were from a questionable group that has a long history of suspicious fundraising. The leader of said organization has previously been convicted of food stamp fraud.
Georgia Code 40-6-97 prohibits persons from standing on a highway for the purpose of soliciting employment, business, or contributions from the occupant of any vehicle unless issued a permit by the local government. Athens-Clarke County does not authorize any person or organization to solicit from the streets or highways within its jurisdiction.
Motorists are asked to not give donations to persons soliciting along the roadways in Athens-Clarke County. Should citizens wish to make charitable contributions, there are a number of legitimate organizations available within Athens-Clarke County to which they may donate.
Tips for donating to charities:
• Always ask for and wait until you receive written material about any charity.
• Before you give money to a charity, find out what percentage of the money is paid in commissions and what percentage actually goes to the charity.
• Always take your time making a decision. Legitimate organizations will not pressure you to make a snap decision.
• Never send money or give out personal information such as credit card numbers, bank account numbers, dates of birth, or social security numbers to unfamiliar companies or unknown persons.
• If you have information about a fraud, report it to a law enforcement agency.

SOLID WASTE

Automated Pickup

Automated recycling and trash collection trucks have arrived and are in training in Athens. The new automated trucks use a mechanical arm to pick up and bump roll carts into the garbage truck. The arms have been nicknamed “The Claw” and so far collection with the new technology has been much quicker and less labor intensive.

 

Leaf and Limb Schedule

Jan 12 - Jan 16 - Zone 1
Neighborhoods include, but are not limited to - Shadow Moss, Cedar Creek, Spring Lake, Green Acres, Crestwood, Ashton Place, University Heights, and Clarkdale
Jan 19 - Jan 23 - Zone 2
Neighborhoods include, but are not limited to - Bar H Estates, Idylwood, Hunter's Ridge, Epps Bridge Crossing, St. Ives, Berkley Hills, Timothy Estates, Skyline Park, Renfrew Estates, Waverly Woods, Ansley Park, Villas at Snapfinger, Rock and Shoals, Old Lexington Garden, Old Lexington Trace, Timber Creek, Brookstone, Georigan Hills, McNutts Creek, Fox Trace, Brittan Estates, Shoal Creek Farms, Wyndfield, River Oaks, and Plantation Estates 
Jan 26 - Jan 30 - Zone 3 
Neighborhoods include, but are not limited to - Weatherly Woods, West Winter, Winter Hills, Oakmont, East Meadow, and all households within Winterville City limits 

For further information regarding Leaf and Limb collections, including guidelines for pickup, please call 706-613-3501 OR visit www.athensclarkecounty.com and search “Leaf and Limb.”

 

TRANSPORTATION & PUBLIC WORKS

Tallassee Road Roundabout

The contractor began initial clearing for the construction of the Tallassee Road and Whitehead Road Roundabout and Intersection Improvement Project.

Prince Avenue Crosswalks

On January 7th the Athens-Clarke County Transportation and Public Works Department began a six-month pedestrian crosswalk flag pilot program by placing flags at the crosswalks located at Newton Street and at Pope Street along Prince Avenue. The pedestrian flags are kept on a post located on each side of the crosswalk at The Grit Restaurant and at the Daily Co-op Grocery locations on Prince Avenue.

These pedestrian crosswalk flags are intended to serve as a safety enhancement for crossing pedestrians by helping to gain the visibility of motorists. Pedestrians may carry the flags across the road, but should still always activate the crossing signals and follow the existing safety measures for crossing: observe traffic, initiate lights and signals to cross, make eye contact with drivers, and proceed with caution.

To properly use the flags, pedestrians should first activate the flashing beacons and remove one flag from the holder per crossing group. Flags should first be made visible to drivers on the pedestrian's left. Once traffic on the left has stopped, pedestrians should proceed with caution towards the center of the road and then make the flag visible to drivers on their right. When traffic on the right side has stopped, pedestrians may complete the crossing of Prince Ave. and return the flag to the holder for others to use.

Pedestrian crosswalk flags are a communication tool and do not ensure safe passage outright. Flags should be used as an additional method to attract the motorist’s attention to cross Prince Avenue. Pedestrians should always use caution and good judgment to cross the street safely. The flashing beacons should be considered the primary device used by pedestrians to alert passing motorists of one’s intention to cross Prince Avenue.

After the six-month pilot project is complete, ACC Transportation and Public Works will evaluate the data for any recommendations as to continuing the project on Prince Avenue or utilizing pedestrian crosswalk flags at other locations. For more information, contact Steve Decker, Athens-Clarke County Traffic Engineer, at steve....@athensclarkecounty.com or 706-613-3460.

Your Commissioner,

Jared Bailey
District 5 Commissioner, Athens-Clarke County Unified Government
145 Marsha Court, Athens, GA 30606
706-338-9019, Jared....@athensclarkecounty.com

 

 

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