Clean Water Atlanta Update from Mayor Shirley Franklin
Last week, Mayor Shirley Franklin sent a progress report to City residents, media and other stakeholders regarding the $3.9 billion Clean Water Atlanta sewer and wastewater overhaul program.
In her letter Mayor Franklin states that the Clean Water Atlanta program, implemented in 2002, is almost at the half-way point of completion. This week, the City will celebrate the finalization of the eight-county Greenway Acquisition program. The letter also provides updates on combined sewer overflow (CS0) systems, sanitary sewers, drinking water and operational improvements.
“I am proud to say that we are on schedule to meet virtually all of the hundreds of consent decree milestones set by the EPA and EPD on-time and on-budget,” said Mayor Franklin.
“Clean Water Atlanta represents nothing less than a total overhaul of the City’s waste and water systems. To fund such a program, Atlanta asked its ratepayers to assume an enormous burden with unprecedented rate increases and tolerance of the inconvenience associated with massive construction projects.
It’s important that we remember that the City’s drinking and wastewater systems are actually regional systems that serve 1.2 million daily. I want you to know what your support has meant for the City, the Chattahoochee River and our other urban streams and downstream neighbors.”
To Read the Full Text of Mayor Franklin’s Clean Water Atlanta Letter, click here.
Keep up with Clean Water Atlanta updates. Sign up for News In A Splash, click here.
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Free Opportunities to View King Papers at Atlanta History Center
There are just a few weeks left to visit the Atlanta History Center’s iconic exhibit, “I Have A Dream: The Morehouse College Martin Luther King Jr. Collection,” before it closes permanently on May 13, 2007.
More than 44,000 people have already gotten a glimpse into the mind of Dr. King, one of the 20th century’s greatest leaders, through his private papers, draft speeches and sermons now on view at the Atlanta History Center.
Free Admission
Admission to this exhibition is free the first full weekend of May and every Monday thru May 13, 2007. Free audio tours are also available.
AT&T Family Fun Days/Family Weekends
All youth 18 and under will be admitted free to the exhibit when accompanied by a paying adult. Remaining dates for Family Fun Days are: April 21, and 28. Remaining dates for Family Weekends are: May 12 and 13.
Free School Tours
Free school tours for all Georgia schools are available until May 9, 2007. Tours are available on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. Reservations are required. Please call 404.814.4110.
For more information, please visit the Atlanta History Center online at Atlanta History Center or call 404.814.4000.
The I Have a Dream: Morehouse College Martin Luther King Collection at the Atlanta History Center will close on May 13, 2007. |
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City Launches Greener Atlanta Environmental Program
Join Mayor Shirley Franklin and the City of Atlanta environmental green team (EGT) this weekend at Grant Park for the first citywide Earth Day Celebration, Arms Around Atlanta.
Arms Around Atlanta launches an important new City environmental initiative, Greener Atlanta. Mayor Shirley Franklin will announce the city’s new Greener Atlanta initative on Saturday, April 21 at 1:30 p.m. at Grant Park. Greener Atlanta will encompass sound environmental programs that preserve our planet and improve the lives of residents and visitors for generations to come.
The City will host “green” events throughout the city all weekend long. On Saturday, April 21 from 8 a.m. – noon, thousands of residents and stakeholders will join the City, Keep Atlanta Beautiful and the BeltLine Partnership to clean up areas close to the BeltLine. Also on Saturday from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., electronic and tire waste recycling will be done at Turner Field (Gold Lot).
On both days there will be entertainment, organic food tastings, eco-education and arts at Grant Park. Hundreds of eco-friendly organizations will be on-hand to share information about “going green.” The times for these events are Saturday, April 21 from 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., and Sunday, April 22 from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Contributions to Arms Around Atlanta were made by numerous Atlanta-based and other businesses. Contributions allow the City to provide recycled items for parks including rubberized jogging tracks, park benches and picnic tables.
For more information about Arms Around Atlanta, call 404.330.6850 or visit here.
Arms Around Atlanta, an Earth Day Celebration, will be held April 21 and 22. Arms Around Atlanta is the launch of the City’s Greener Atlanta Initiative to keep Atlanta clean, healthy and sustainable for future generations. |
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Efficient On-Line Job Application Process Makes City More Competitive
Thousands of jobseekers seeking employment with the City have experienced the ease of an efficient and effective application process through the City of Atlanta’s new online system, ATLAS (Atlanta Application System).
ATLAS was designed by the Department of Human Resources (DHR) and NEOGOV, a best-in-class government hiring program. Since implementing ATLAS in July 2006, the City has reduced the time required to generate lists of eligible candidates by, at least, one-third.
ATLAS helps to reduce the time for evaluation processes and gets people hired quicker by minimizing paperwork associated with the application process. The program also allows applicants to check the status of their application online and complete job interest cards that will notify them electronically when positions open that fit their skills profile.
“This system has been a real boost to the City’s employment process and helps to make us a more competitive employer,” said Benita Ransom, DHR Commissioner.
To apply for a City of Atlanta job online, visit here.
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Department of Aviation employees gathered to clean-up Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (HJAIA) for its first-ever Opening Day Fresh program. Many Atlanta visitors arrive and depart through HJAIA, making the airport their first and last impression of the city. Last year, more than 85 million passengers were accommodated at the world’s busiest airport. Click hereto watch the Opening Day Fresh program launch.
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Rave Reviews!
- During Monday’s Atlanta City Council meeting, Mayor Shirley Franklin and the Atlanta Fire Rescue (AFR) department received a plaque of recognition from Bluffton University President James Harder for Atlanta’s best-in-class service as first-responders on the scene of the March bus tragedy that claimed the lives of several Bluffton baseball players. President Harder also thanked other emergency personnel for their support, including the Atlanta Police Department (APD), the American Red Cross, the Atlanta-Fulton Emergency Management Agency and the Atlanta Employees Assistance Program. Mayor Franklin presented an Atlanta proclamation to President Harder in honor of the Bluffton baseball team for their commitment to continue with their season in spite of the tragedy.
Mayor Shirley Franklin and Atlanta Fire Rescue (AFR) Deputy Chief Harold Miller join Bluffton University President James Harder for a plaque presentation in Atlanta’s City Council Chambers. Mayor Franklin and AFR were recognized as the first-responders on the scene of the bus crash that killed members of Bluffton’s baseball team. |
- Mayor Shirley Franklin was honored among Essence Magazine’s May 2007 “Bold and Beautiful” for her work spearheading the Dear John public awareness campaign to end the sexual exploitation of children. Mayor Franklin joined six other distinguished women for this annual list, which also included author Maya Angelou. Atlanta has been called a major hub for human trafficking and sexual exploitation. In November, Mayor Franklin and the Atlanta Women’s Agenda (AWA) joined a consortium of law enforcement and community outreach leaders at a news conference to announce the campaign launch. Essence applauded Mayor Franklin for sharing her own personal experience with sexual abuse as a young girl. “The only way to reverse the problem is to acknowledge it. I imagine that’s why I told my story,’’ said Mayor Franklin. “These men are breaking the law. We want to make it clear that this is not acceptable.” For more information on the Dear John campaign, visit here.
- The City of Atlanta welcomes Karin Zarin, who will manage the Department of Public Works (DPW) recycling programs. Zarin is the former executive director of Keep Sandy Springs North Fulton Beautiful and brings a wealth of knowledge to this position. Prior to her work in North Fulton, she worked as an education instruction specialist at IBM, as well as served as the executive director of the Atlanta Clean City Commission under former Atlanta Mayors Maynard Jackson and Andrew Young. Zarin earned her BS from Ohio State University and her Masters in Education from Georgia State University.
Karin Zarin will join the City of Atlanta Department of Public Works (DPW) as the new manager of the City’s recycling programs. |
- The Municipal Court of Atlanta has established a new customer service Court Ombudsman Team to assist the public and the legal community. The Ombudsman Team will help create a court experience that is responsive, efficient and delivers services in a caring manner. The concept for the Ombudsman Team was conceived by Mayor Shirley Franklin and implemented by Chief Judge Deborah Greene. Said Court Administrator Doug Mincher, “The creation of the Ombudsman Team will make the Municipal Court of Atlanta the most advanced and customer friendly court in the nation. While courteous customer relations have always been stressed here, the Ombudsman Team will offer hands-on assistance and will anticipate and correct problems before they occur.”
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Upcoming Events & Volunteer Opportunties
- Join in the fun! Become a “Jazzteer” for the Atlanta Jazz Festival! There are several volunteer opportunities for “31 Days of Jazz” and the Atlanta Jazz Festival. The final orientation date for volunteering is Saturday, May 19 from 10 a.m. – Noon at City Hall East, Office of Cultural Affairs, 5th Floor. For more information, visit www.atlantafestivals.com.
- On April 25 at 5:30 p.m., the Atlanta Development Authority (ADA) will host the Small Business Monthly Information Session at its offices at 86 Pryor Street, Atlanta, 30303. This month, Carrie Salone, a McDonald’s franchise owner, talks about the successes and challenges of running a small business. To RSVP, email cbrackett@atlantada.com or call 404.614.8295.
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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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