April Newsletter
Jared Bailey
District 5 April 2014 Newsletter
Statesman Quote: “Political necessities sometime turn out to be political mistakes.” -George Bernard Shaw
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:
As you may know I am running for Re-Election. To show your support please “like” my Facebook page Re-Elect Jared Bailey or visit my website at www.JaredBaileyAthens.com. I also need help with a few campaign tasks if you can assist me. That help can consist of a wide range of things that I have listed below in order of what I think is the easiest to the most time consuming:
1. Placing a yard sign on your
property.
2. Committing to vote for me.
3. Committing to get your friends and family to vote for me.
4. Making a campaign contribution.
5. Helping with campaign mailings.
6. Delivering yard signs.
7. Hosting meet and greet events for me campaign.
8. Making campaign phone calls to voters.
9. Going door to door to talk with voters.
If you want to help or have any questions about my campaign please contact me at 706-338-9019. Contributions can be sent to: Committee to Re-Elect Jared Bailey, 145 Marsha Court, Athens, GA 30606
ACC FACTS
Employment
• 5.4%- Lowest in State of Georgia (7.4%)
• $715- Average weekly wage (8th highest in top 14 metro areas)
• Cost of Living 8.3% lower than national average
• Cost of Living 2.7% lower than state average
BOARD OF ELECTIONS
Election Dates
The 2014 general primary and nonpartisan election in Athens-Clarke County for federal, state, and local offices has been moved to Tuesday, May 20 as a result of a bill that was enacted by the Georgia legislature and signed by Governor Deal earlier this year. House Bill 310 aligns the date of state and local office primaries and nonpartisan elections with the date of the primary for federal offices in order to avoid having two separate elections. The May 20 date was determined as a result of a ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Steve Jones that the state’s runoff period must last at least 45 days for any election with a federal office on the ballot in order to account for absentee and overseas military ballots. Advanced voting for this election will be held in the Board of Elections office from April 28 to May 16. The Board of Elections will be open Mon-Fri, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and will also include one day of Saturday voting on May 10 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. A primary runoff, if needed, will be held on Tuesday, July 22. The voter registration deadline for both the May 20 general primary and nonpartisan election and the general primary runoff is Monday, April 21. For more information, contact the Athens-Clarke County Board of Elections at (706) 613-3150 or visit www.athensclarkecounty.com/elections.
COURTS
The ACC DUI/ Drug Court was recently named as one of only four National Academy DUI/ Drug Courts in the country. There are more than 600 such courts across the United States, so this is a signal honor. Drug Courts typically target offenders who are found to be clinically addicted and offenders’ participation in the court’s programs usually range in duration from one to two years. They focus upon treatment and participants are required to hold down a job or to attend school. Members of a drug court team usually include a coordinator, a judge, a prosecutor, a defense attorney, a member of law enforcement, a probation officer, and a counselor or therapist. Such courts have a higher success rate of returning people to productive lives than do programs which simply incarcerate them without treatment. This means that offenders are less likely to return to drug use, with all of its attendant negative community and individual consequences.
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DOWNTOWN ATHENS PARKING SYSTEM
New Single Space Meter Pay Options
The Downtown Parking System recently installed 510 new parking meters. This installation means that all single-space parking meters downtown now take credit cards, debit cards and coins. The single-space meters also offer the convenient option of remote payment.
Making remote parking payments from a cell phone if stuck is now possible. However, traditional pay-by-cell phone applications are not the most convenient option when standing at the meter – credit card is! IPS combines the convenience of initial credit card payment with the flexibility of making a remote payment when needed – and remains enforcement friendly. IPS can push time purchased via smartphone in real-time directly to an IPS meter, so enforcement practices are not impacted.
When you pull into a parking space, insert your credit card into the meter and pay for your initial time. Use your smartphone to scan the QR code sticker found on the meter base. The IPS system is unique in that it also allows for initial payment with a credit card and then sends a receipt/SMS to the motorist’s cell phone. Prior to meter expiration, the motorist will receive a reminder notification, and can then add time to the meter via their cell phone before the meter expires. The stickers will be installed and functional by April 15, 2014. Please call the Parking Office at 706-613-7978 with any questions.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
ACC MOU
In February, the Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the City of Greater Geelong, which is located in the State of Victoria, Australia. The MOU will allow our two cities to collaborate on economic development issues related to the life sciences and other areas of common interest. The MOU follows upon a visit to Athens in November by a delegation from Geelong. Geelong and ACC share several similarities – both have major research universities, both have been focusing upon bio-tech as part of their economic development strategies, and both have vibrant cultural scenes, to name just a few. You can learn more about Geelong here: www.geelongaustralia.com.au
Atlanta Consular Corps
On March 20, 2014, 29 officials of the Atlanta Consular Corps stopped in Athens as part of their 2014 International VIP Tour. The Atlanta Consular Corps is an association of officials appointed by foreign governments to represent their country in Georgia. Their duties are to assist their nationals living and visiting the Southeast and to promote economic, commercial, scientific, and cultural relations between the country they represent and their host region. The consular offices and/or trade representation from 70 nations comprise the Atlanta Consular Corps. The International VIP Tour exposes the guests to communities they may be unfamiliar with and broadens their knowledge of what Georgia has to offer international businesses.
The Athens-Clarke County Economic Development Department coordinated with the University of Georgia to host this group’s visit. Their first stop was to enjoy a sampling of coffee at Jittery Joe’s. After a dinner hosted by UGA at the Special Collections Library which included a welcome by Mayor Denson, remarks from UGA President Morehead, Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Chris Carr, and Consul General Steve Brereton , the group concluded their evening with the opportunity to experience Athens’ famous night life on the rooftop of the Georgia Theatre. ACC Commissioners, Mike Hamby, Kathy Hoard, Jerry NeSmith, Jared Bailey, Kelly Girtz; and ACC Assistant Manager Blaine Williams, shared their love for Athens and the opportunities it presents.
LEISURE SERVICES
Awards
The Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County’s Leisure Services Department recently received several awards from the Georgia Recreation and Park Association (GRPA), including the prestigious “Agency Award” for a city with a population of 80,001-150,001. This award is based upon the provision of outstanding programs and accomplishments made during the previous 12 months and this is the seventh time in the past nine years that the Department has won this award. In addition, the Athens Creative Theatre program “Monologues and More for the Cognitively Disabled” was chosen by GRPA as the Therapeutics Section’s “Innovative Program” for having created a theatre-based program for individuals with disabilities. Leisure Services also received a Publication Award recognizing visual appeal and creativity in an official publication for its “Sandy Creek Nature Center Expansion Dedication Invitation”. Lyndon House Arts Center staff received the Special Event Award for the “India Festival” which celebrated Indian culture. Finally, the “Teen Top Chef Art Camp” held at the Lyndon House Arts Center won the Innovative Camp Award.
Summer Jobs
Leisure Services is currently seeking to hire for more than 100 summer positions. Applications are being accepted for camp counselors, lifeguards, park assistants, and pool staff. Applications and job listings are available online at www.athensclarkecounty.com/jobs and at the Athens-Clarke County Human Resources Office, 375 Satula Drive, during regular business hours. For more information, call 613-3090.
MAYOR AND COMMISSION MEETINGS
April 1th - M&C Regular Meeting at 7:00 PM in the Commission Chambers in City Hall
April 15th - M&C Work Session at 5:30 PM in the Planning Department Auditorium
April 17th - M&C Agenda Setting Meeting at 7:00 PM in Commission Chambers in City Hall
POLICE
New Scam Reported
The ACC Police Department and the Clarke County Sheriff’s Office wish to advise people of a new scam in which unknown persons are calling residents and claiming to be deputies with the Clarke County Sheriff’s Office. Typically, the caller claims that the resident and/or a family member has an arrest warrant for missed court dates and/or failure to appear for jury duty. The caller then advises that the resident and/or their family member may purchase a prepaid debit card to pay a fine and thereby avoid arrest. Although the Sheriff’s Office may sometimes contact by telephone people who have outstanding warrants, they do not solicit payment. If you receive a call like this, do not send any money or give out any credit/debit card or bank account numbers. Instead, immediately call 911 to report the fraudulent call. If possible, please record the telephone number of the incoming call to provide to ACCPD.
SOLID WASTE
Leaf and Limb Schedule
March 31 - April 4: 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.
April 7-11: Zone 4
Neighborhoods include: Glen Oaks, Holly Hills, Kingswood, Wood Lake,
Wickersham Plantation, Stonehenge, Deerfield, Holiday Estates, High Ridge,
Woodhaven, Westwood Hills, and Huntington Park
April 14-18: Zone 5
Chadd's Walk, Quailwood, Rosewood, Rivercliff Estates, Tallassee Oaks,
Sedgefield, Hodgson Place, Jefferson Valley, Saxon Woods, Oconee Heights,
Camelot, Cardinal Creek, and Westgate.
April 21-25: Zone 6
Brittany's Garden, Cherokee Forest, Country Corners, Fox Hall Farms, Hidden
Lake.
April 28- May 2
Springdale, Milledge Cr, Bedgood, Bloomfield, Dearing, Milledge Ter, University
Drive, South Milledge
For further information regarding zones, please click on the district maps below or call 706-613-3501.
KACCB Award
Keep Athens-Clarke County Beautiful (KACCB) was recently named the 2012-2013 Keep America Beautiful Affiliate of the Year in the 50,001 to 200,000 population category. Each year one affiliate from across the USA is recognized with this award for its commitment to delivering a cleaner, greener, and more vibrant community. Each year KACCB administers seven litter prevention programs, eight recycling programs/events, and seven community beautification programs. KACCB also participates in a number of national recognition days, including the Keep America Beautiful America Recycles Day, the Great American Clean-up, National Planting Day, and the Cigarette Litter Prevention Program. In 2013 KACCB conducted a total of 29 workshops and 23 outreach events. These events attracted some 8,763 community members and brought 23,763 volunteers into action to improve our community through various activities. KACCB is also involved in environmental awareness education in the Clarke County school system through the Athens-Clarke County Green Schools Program and delivers outreach education efforts to 5,800 students in 29 schools and daycare centers. KACCB is affiliated with the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government’s Solid Waste Department. For additional information, please visit www.athensclarkecounty.com/kaccb or call 706-613-3501 ext. 312.
TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC WORKS
Loop 10 Speed Limit Change
In case you did not notice the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has changed the speed limit on State Route 10 Loop in Athens-Clarke County. The speed limit on the Loop in Oconee County was 65 miles per hour but only 55 miles per hour in ACC. After an engineering study, GDOT decided that most drivers are already driving at 65 mph or faster and has decided to make the speed limit a uniform 65 mph on the entire Loop. Keeping traffic flowing at a consistent speed, GDOT believes, will increase safety along the corridor. The 65-mph speed limit became effective Monday, March 17. The new speed limit change does not affect the work zone on the SR 10 Loop at Peter/Olympic Streets and the speed limit there will remain reduced until construction is complete.
Your
Commissioner,
Jared Bailey
District 5 Commissioner, Athens-Clarke County Unified Government
145 Marsha Court, Athens, GA 30606
706-338-9019, Jared....@athensclarkecounty.com