Atlanta Joins Earth Hour 2008
On Saturday March 29, Atlanta will make a bold statement in support for global action on climate change by joining more than 20 cities worldwide that will turn off all non-essential lights for Earth Hour 2008.
Atlanta’s participation in Earth Hour – as the U.S. Eastern Time Zone representative – delivers a powerful message that by working together people can make a huge difference. “I call on citizens and business leaders across Atlanta to support Earth Hour,” said Mayor Franklin. “Once again our great city will be a beacon of action and change for the rest of the world to see.”
From 8-9 p.m., Atlanta will join major cities like Copenhagen, Toronto, Chicago, Melbourne, Brisbane and Tel Aviv and “switch off” all non-essential lights. Major landmark buildings in downtown and midtown, Atlantic Station and Buckhead will go dark. Confirmed landmarks include Coca-Cola Headquarters, the New World of Coke, the Equitable Building, Promenade II and the Georgia Aquarium.
Individuals, businesses and neighborhoods are encouraged to join this effort. City operations will function as usual with full fire, police and safety support. Georgia Power will measure the drop in electricity use during the event.
“Earth Hour is one way to remind the citizens of Atlanta that their use of electricity has an impact on our environment,” said John Sell, Georgia Power company spokesperson. “We are proud to partner with Mayor Franklin and the City to provide technical assistance and monitoring for this event.”
Earth Hour 2008 complements Atlanta’s recently launched Sustainable Atlanta initiative. Sustainable Atlanta focuses on improving green programs and policies like water and energy conservation, reduced solid waste and emissions, and improved recycling rates. For More Information on Sustainable Atlanta, visit here. For More Information on Earth Hour, Visit www.earthhourus.org
Atlanta will join Earth Hour on Saturday March 29 – a global movement to affect climate change. |
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Materials from “Green” BeltLine Demolition Used to Construct Recreation Center
The demolition of Boulevard Crossing – a 21-acre commercial and industrial property in Southeast Atlanta and the future site of an Atlanta BeltLine park – has been conducted according to certified green standards.
Typical demolition construction sites are a mass of debris, generated from a giant wrecking ball that demolishes buildings to rubble. A “green” demolition, by contrast, is the careful disassembly of walls, frames, beams and siding, which can be recycled for use on another construction project.
Approximately 90 percent of the materials from the Boulevard Crossing green demolition will be recycled and reassembled for a boy’s recreation facility in Moultrie, GA. Recycled materials included blocks, frames, beams and siding. Recycling of these materials was conducted according to Leadership in Energy in Environmental Design (LEED) standards.
“It is a significant effort on the part of City and our partners to minimize waste and conserve resources by recycling the building materials for use at other sites,” said Mayor Shirley Franklin. “The green demolition process provides us with a major reduction in disposal costs while allowing the City to provide a building for use as a refuge for teenage boys.”
Visit www.beltline.orgfor Atlanta BeltLine Updates.
BEFORE: Boulevard Crossing site before green demolition.
AFTER: Boulevard Crossing site after green demolition.
Organized building materials after green demolition of Boulevard Crossing. |
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More Atlanta Water Customers Benefit from Sewer Repair Program
The Department of Watershed Management (DWM) has announced that it has increased the income limits for participation in its Sewer Lateral Repair Program, which funds repairs to clogged, broken and crumbling sewer lines on private property.
The 2008 qualifying income for a family of four is $59,950. Previously, the qualifying annual income for a family of four was $30,975. Qualifying incomes are up substantially for households of all sizes.
“We know how helpless people must feel when they have sewer backups that they cannot afford to address. It is a serious matter of public health,” said Rob Hunter, DWM commissioner.
Damage to sewer pipes or clogs caused by grease, tree roots and other materials can cause serious backups. While the City is responsible for maintaining the sewer and drain lines located in the public rights-of-way, property owners are responsible for the maintenance of the lines that extend from their homes to the City’s main sewer pipe.
Eligible customers will receive a one-time, direct assistance to fix completely blocked or collapsed sewer laterals.
To be eligible, residents must:
- Be a City of Atlanta water/sewer customer
- Meet income guidelines;
- Own the property with the blocked or damaged lateral;
- Be current with their water/sewer bills
The Sewer Lateral Repair Program is a component of the DWM Care and Conserve program, which provides bill payment assistance and plumbing retro-fits to qualifying City of Atlanta water and sewer customers. For eligibility information and assistance, call 404.885.1877. Income guidelines are also posted online here.
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Women Doing Business with the City Conference, February 28
Female business entrepreneurs (FBEs) and women seeking professional networking opportunities are invited to attend the fifth annual Women Doing Business in the City of Atlanta conference, Thursday, February 28.
This event will be held at the Loudermilk Center, 40 Courtland Street from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm. The 2008 keynote speakers are Mayor Shirley Franklin and Maryam Alavi, vice-dean of the Emory Goizueta Business School.
The 2008 Conference will bring together over 300 of Atlanta’s top female business leaders, City of Atlanta decision makers and major company representatives currently doing business with the City for a networking and information-gathering seminar.
Workshops include: Branding your Business; Legal Issues; Procurement with the City of Atlanta 101 and 201 (highlighting changes in the City procurement code); Financing your Small Business; Business Communication; and Technology.
This conference is presented by the Atlanta Commission on Women (ACOW), a board of the City of Atlanta. Tickets costs for this event are $60 in advance; $70 day of conference. Lunch is included. To register, visit www.atlwomen.com or call 404.330.6330.
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April 15 – the deadline for filing 2007 income taxes – is right around the corner. Mayor Shirley Franklin recently joined City and State officials to announce Free Tax Preparation Days at the Atlanta Workforce Development Agency (AWDA). Click here to visit the Video on Demand (VOD) webpage and find out more about this service.
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Rave Reviews!
- The Atlanta City Council recently confirmed the appointments of Kelvin Cochran and Frank Sizer as the new Atlanta Chief of Fire Rescue and Atlanta Chief of Corrections, respectively.
Pictured from left to right: Atlanta Fire Rescue Chief Kelvin J. Cochran and wife Carolyn Marshall Cochran; and Atlanta Corrections Chief Frank Sizer and wife Caroline Sizer. |
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Upcoming Events & Volunteer Opportunities
- Traffic pacing on the Downtown Connector will continue for the next two weekends – March 1-2 and March 8-9 – to allow for the 14th Street Improvement Project. Beginning at 7 am, Atlanta Police Department (APD) officers will pace traffic on the Downtown Connector to 20 mph for up to 15 minutes each hour (10 paces per day). These pacings are expected to cause heavy daytime traffic delays. Motorists are urged to use I-285, I-20 and other alternate routes. The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) urges travelers to call 511 for updated information about this project or visit www.511ga.org.
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Job Announcements
With the City of Atlanta’s online application system, you are able to create an account and select a Username and Password and then log in to your account.
After your account has been established, you can create an application by clicking on the “Build Job Application” link. Once your application is completed, it will be stored in the system and can be used to apply for future job openings. To get started by viewing current open positions, click here.
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Weekly Features
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