Martin Luther King Papers Return Home to Atlanta
Following the collective efforts of Mayor Shirley Franklin and a group of Atlanta’s business, community and civic leaders, the “Collection of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,” which was set to be auctioned at Sotheby’s in New York this Friday, is returning to the city Dr. King called “home.”
The collection was purchased for $32 million by a myriad of Atlanta-based donors– reflecting the city’s intense desire to keep the King legacy close to its roots. Upon its return to Atlanta, Morehouse College, King’s alma mater, will acquire the papers.
During a business trip to New York City later this week to promote Atlanta’s successful public-private partnerships, Mayor Franklin will visit Sotheby’s to view the collection for the first time. At the request of the King family, Sotheby’s has kept the collection on public view until June 29 – the day before the collection was set to be auctioned.
The collection – considered by archivists to be one of the most important of the 20th century – contains more than 10,000 of Dr. King’s manuscripts and books and includes more than 7,000 items in Dr. King’s handwriting. Documents in the collection include a 1946 college examination on the Bible, Dr. King’s 1964 Nobel Peace Prize lecture and papers Dr. King was working on just prior to his assassination in 1968.
Both Dr. King and his wife Coretta Scott King are buried in Atlanta at the King Center, a monument Ms. King created after her husband’s death to honor his legacy of non-violent social change. Until her death this January, Ms. King remained a stalwart figure in the civil rights movement and for 40 years she lived in the modest Atlanta home that she shared with Dr. King at the time of his death.
Mayor Franklin said, “There was broad consensus that acquiring the papers was a good idea and it would be a risky endeavor. But there wasn’t time to waste – we had willing partners who provided expert counsel and experience and they were determined, flexible and committed to take the risk. We are proud that the Atlanta community was responsible for bringing part of this historic and great legacy back home.”
An expansive collection of the personal papers and books of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will return to Atlanta. Dr. King’s alma mater, Atlanta’s Morehouse College, will acquire the papers. |
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Atlanta Officers Honored for Work Assisting Victims
At the third annual Atlanta Victims Assistance (AVA) ‘Violence is Preventable’ Luncheon, the Atlanta Police Department (APD) was honored for its work in helping residents transition from victim to survivor.
APD officer Marc House (Zone 4) and William Fauntleroy, a sworn employee in the APD Management Services Unit, jointly received the AVA “Helping Hand” Award. Officer House was awarded for his integral role in uncovering a child prostitution ring and rescuing an underage Atlanta girl. Fauntleroy, a 28-year-veteran, serves as a liaison between APD and AVA and authored the APD’s operating manual on victim’s rights. Also honored for their work assisting victims was AVA employee, Claire Donald, and Curley Dossman, president of the Georgia-Pacific Foundation and a founding member of AVA.
AVA began in 1984 and is among the most respected victims’ advocacy programs in the nation. Often violent crimes do not lead to arrests, but they can significantly impact victims and witnesses. To address the needs of these individuals, AVA advocates work directly with the APD. Advocates provide intervention assistance and assess the needs of the victims of open cases, among other things.
For the past two years, APD has continued to decrease violent crime in Atlanta. In the most recent FBI violent crime statistics report, overall violent crime in Atlanta decreased by 9 percent. In addition to the APD, AVA also partners with the Municipal Court of Atlanta, the Solicitor’s Office and the Atlanta Fire Rescue (AFR) Department.
APD Officer Marc House (right) receives the 2006 Paula Bevington “Helping Hand” Award from Molly Perry, director of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (left) at the AVA Violence is Preventable’ annual luncheon.
APD sworn employee William Fauntleroy (left) receives the 2006 Paula Bevington “Helping Hand” award from Molly Perry at the AVA ‘Violence is Preventable’ annual luncheon. |
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Mayor Franklin Elected President of Georgia Municipal Association
Today, Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin was elected president of the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) during its annual meeting in Savannah, Ga.
GMA is a voluntary, non-profit organization based in Atlanta that provides legislative, advocacy, educational, employee benefit and consulting services to more than 500 member-cities. Mayor Franklin is the first Atlanta mayor to serve as GMA president since Mayor William B. Hartsfield in 1944. Mayor Franklin’s duties as GMA president will include presiding over GMA meetings and representing the association on various committees and task forces.
Mayor Franklin has also been active in the Metro Atlanta Mayors Association (MAMA), served on GMA’s sales tax negotiations task force and most recently served as chairman of the GMA Legislative Policy Council. She has also served as an at-large member of GMA’s Board of Directors.
“Mayor Franklin has been a wonderful advocate for cities of all sizes in Georgia and her involvement in GMA has been a welcome addition,” said GMA Executive Director Jim Higdon. “She understands the needs of cities, and she’s highly respected by her peers for her ability and commitment to making local government more effective, innovative and responsive. She will make an excellent president for GMA.”
Mayor Shirley Franklin (right) accepts the presidency gavel from Tom Ratcliffe (left), the outgoing president of GMA and Mayor of Hinesville, Ga. |
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Disability Advisory Group Reviews Accessibility of Recreation Centers
The City of Atlanta recently formed a Disability Advisory Council, which will be a component of the Office of Recreation Therapeutics and Seniors Division.
The Disability Advisory Council has two primary goals. It will review the accessibility of City recreation facilities. Based on these reviews, the Council will make recommendations to the Office of Park Design. The Council will also make recommendations to include programming in City recreation centers specifically designed for disabled residents.
The Council is comprised of residents from local businesses, organizations and communities. Council-member organizations include BlazeSports (a national program that delivers quality sports opportunities for persons with physical disabilities); John Wieland Homes and Communities; the Center for the Visually Impaired; the Atlanta Public Schools (APS); and Georgia State University.
At a recent meeting, the Council developed a list of immediate priorities. Among them were suggestions for the boundless playground project at Coan Park. (Click here for City Newsbytes’ Boundless Playground Article.) Another high priority item was the renovation of the Coan Park recreation center.
“We are committed to ensuring that each of our facilities is fully accessible - inside and out - to all program participants regardless of their abilities,” said Office of Recreation Director Charlene Braud. “We eagerly welcome the input and insight of this committee.”
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Next Step “YES” Program Guides At-Risk Youth toward Promising Future
By Kaylah Walker, Communications Intern
The Next Step Youth Empowerment Services (YES) program is a hands-on life enrichment program that provides at-risk youth with the skills to positively redirect their lives.
The YES Program is a collaboration between the Municipal Court of Atlanta, the City Solicitor’s Office and the Atlanta Workforce Development Agency (AWDA). YES participants are youth and juvenile offenders between the ages of 12 - 24 who live in the City’s Weed and Seed communities. Participants are mandated by the City courts to participate in the program to avoid further criminal behavior and/or permanent expulsion from school.
YES launched on June 5 with 158 participants. The program has no ending date – instead it gives participants time to identify and achieve their own personal goals. Participants are assigned a mentor and must complete 40 hours of community service. They also receive GED training, job readiness skills and counseling services.
To date, YES has raised $20,000 to award to five participants who have been accepted into Lincoln University in Missouri. “A lot of these young men and women had lost hope of finding a job or getting an education,” said Terry Martin, YES program director. “The YES program helps to build their esteem and gives them the tools necessary to set and make personal goals for themselves.”
Next Step YES program participants Timothy Nickson (left) and Brandon Lockett (right) will attend Lincoln University in Missouri this fall. Three other YES participants will also attend the college in the fall: Phillip Patterson, Shatavia Thomas and Michael Davis. |
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The Atlanta Fire Rescue (AFR) Department joins the Mayor's Office of Constituent Services and SCANA Energy to keep Atlanta's elderly cool this summer. The City’s 5th annual summer fan giveaway provided 1,000 free fans delivered by Atlanta firefighters. Watch the program on our Video On Demand (VOD) webpage.
This is just one of the many videos that you can view on our VOD page. Video clips include most programming you see on City Channel 26, like news conferences, groundbreakings and other events, as well as special programs that profile City departments and services.
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Rave Reviews!
- More than 40 participants in the City’s Camp Best Friends (CBF) summer program had an opportunity to see the inner workings of government during a recent tour of Atlanta City Hall. CBF youth visited the Mayor’s Office and City Council Chambers. This year CBF celebrates its 25th anniversary; the anniversary theme is "All About Atlanta." Participants will learn about Atlanta's rich history and diverse culture with trips, discussions and other activities. Camp Best Friends runs through July 28.
- At its most recent auction, held last Saturday, the City sold more than 300 pieces of motorized equipment, which will yield approximately $685,000 once all payments are received. Twice per year, the Department of Public Works (DPW) and the Department of Procurement (DOP) hosts the auction. Items for sale include cars, trucks, SUVs, backhoes, mowers, weed eaters and other items. Auctioned items are equipment that are no longer usable by the City but still have value. The next City auction will take place between September and November 2006.
Over 300 pieces of motorized equipment (above) was sold at the City’s auction, held twice per year. |
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Upcoming Events & Volunteer Opportunities
- In Atlanta, every day is an opening day … National Black Arts Festival (NBAF) from Friday, July 14- Sunday, July 23. NBAF returns to Atlanta with music, theatre, dance, visual arts, literature, family events, conversations and workshops. For more information and a schedule of events, visit www.nbaf.org.
Forces of Nature – a dance troupe – will perform during the National Black Arts Festival, July 14-23. |
- There are still spaces available in the City’s summer program, Camp Best Friends (CBF) at 32 facilities throughout Atlanta. CBF will run through July 28 and is open to youth ages 6-16. For more information, contact Vivian Davis at 404.817.6766 or visit their webpage.
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Job Announcements
Each week, we will feature details of a position from the current City of Atlanta job vacancy list.
Featured Position: Water Contract Supervisor
Applicants for this position must have an Associate’s degree in Building Construction, Engineering or a closely related field and four years of construction management experience. Equivalent combinations of training and experience will be determined under prescribed guidelines.
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Weekly Features
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