Atlanta Fire Rescue 125th Anniversary: Honor Atlanta’s Bravest at the Braves Game this Friday
On Tuesday, July 10, the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department (AFRD) and the City of Atlanta lost one of its bravest, Fire Apparatus Operator (F.A.O.) Thomas E. Hinkle, 47, who passed away unexpectedly.
Hinkle was a 19 year AFRD veteran who loyally served southwest Atlanta residents from Fire Station 25-B. This Friday July 13, residents and visitors can express their appreciation and condolences at Firefighter’s Appreciation Day with the Atlanta Braves. AFRD will join other fire departments to man pre-game displays of fire apparatus’, engines and other equipment. Following the game, the stadium will present a fireworks display.
AFRD continuously provides residents and visitors with best-in-class service and 2007 has been no exception. During the July 4 Peachtree Road Race, the AFRD Paramedic Bike Team resuscitated a 65-year-old runner who went into full cardiac arrest. AFRD was standing a few feet away when the man collapsed and, within minutes, he was revived and taken to the hospital where he was later pronounced in stable condition.
In March, AFRD were the first-responders at the scene of the tragic bus accident that claimed the lives of several Bluffton University baseball players traveling through Atlanta. In April, James Harder, president of Bluffton University, presented Mayor Shirley Franklin and AFRD with a plaque of recognition.
AFRD is comprised of 36 fire stations and more than 1,100 firefighters. “This is certainly an occasion to celebrate,” said Mayor Shirley Franklin. “On behalf of the City of Atlanta, I extend my sincere congratulations to the men and women of the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department who have made the commitment to protect and serve our community and improve the quality of life for all of our residents.”
For more information about Firefighter’s Appreciation Night, visit here.
Fire Apparatus Operator (F.A.O.) Thomas E. Hinkle passed away today unexpectedly. |
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Mayor’s Senior Ball 2007 is a Tremendous Success
Mayor Shirley Franklin and the City of Atlanta hosted another successful celebration of Atlanta’s senior citizen residents at the annual Mayor’s Senior Ball, held on July 5 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.
Hosted by the Office of Constituent Services, the Mayor’s Senior Ball is the culminating event of Older Atlantans Month, typically recognized in May. This year, more than 4,000 seniors were in attendance including residents from 42 senior high rises who were transported by event partner, MARTA.
Mayor Franklin joined several Atlanta City Councilmembers and representatives from the Ms. Senior America, Inc., for a night of dancing and merriment. Over 60 door prizes were gifted – from roundtrip air tickets to alligator purses – thanks to donations from event partners. Atlanta radio personalities Ryan Cameron and Si-Man Baby helped to emcee the event.
Other 2007 Older Atlantans Month events – held in May – included a luncheon at the Adamsville Recreation Center, followed by the Mayor’s Walk. Senior Awards Day honored residents who have worked on behalf of senior residents. A highlight event is the Senior Follies talent show, where seniors let their hair down with music and comic performances.
Mayor Shirley Franklin celebrates Older Atlantans Month with a senior citizen at the annual Mayor’s Senior Ball.
More than 4,000 senior citizens attend the 2007 Mayor’s Senior Ball. |
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Mayor’s Youth Program Feature: Summer Food Program Serves Career Opportunities to Atlanta Teens
By Chris Polk
Mayor’s Youth Program Communications Intern
The Summer Food Services Program, a component of the City of Atlanta Office of Human Services, has provided food for economically disadvantaged youth as well as career opportunities for Atlanta teens for over 20 years.
The City of Atlanta Summer Foods Services is the oldest and largest free food sponsor for school-age youth in Georgia. Each year, the City applies for federal reimbursement funding to support the $1 million-plus operation which runs from June 4-July 27. In 2007, the program hopes to provide over 600,000 USDA-approved breakfasts and lunches at over 100 Atlanta locations. Program sites include Camp Best Friends, YMCAs, Boys and Girls Clubs’ as well as summer youth programs in Dekalb and Gwinnett counties.
One of the things that make the program so unique is the work that goes on behind the scenes. All meals are prepared by youth employees, giving Atlanta teens a unique opportunity to get paid while gaining valuable career skills. The work is tough; workers are asked to be at work at 7:30 a.m. where they package, store, wrap and distribute food.
I had an opportunity to interview Robin Way (a six-year-veteran employee) and Kortland Withrow (a first-year rookie). Robin - a Georgia State University (GSU) biology major with a 3.8 GPA – has risen in rank from food service worker to table manager. Robin says that working in the package area has helped her with her communication skills. Kortland, a Mays High School junior, learned about the program through his sports coach, Darrell Hayes, Summer Food Services operations manager. Kortland, currently a food service worker, hopes to be promoted to truck duty next year.
Chris Polk is interning for the summer in the Office of Communications and will begin Georgia Perimeter College in the fall where he plans to major in music producing/audio engineering.
Kortland Withrow (left) and Robin Way (right) work as food service worker and table manager, respectively. |
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Take the Plunge! Learn to Swim with the City of Atlanta
Through a $60,000 grant from the Governor’s Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, the City of Atlanta has implemented a Learn-to-Swim program for young residents at the Adamsville Natatorium.
Atlanta’s Learn-to-Swim program is modeled after the American Red Cross swimming curriculum. The program aims to reach youth in the Atlanta Housing Authority (AHA) communities of Bowen Homes, Bankhead Courts and Hollywood Court. In addition to training, funds will be used to purchase swim goggles, caps, kick-boards, computer software and gas/bus rental fees associated with transportation to and from the natatorium.
Courses include Parent and Tot; Preschool Classes I, II and II; Level I: Water Exploration; Level II: Primary Skills; Level III: Stroke Readiness; and Level IV: Stroke Development. For a list of age requirements and other information, visit here.
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Hundreds of Atlanta Public Schools graduates are interning at businesses throughout Atlanta this summer thanks to the Mayor's Youth Program. Otto Graham, a college intern in the Mayor’s Office of Communications, produced the following video to highlight how the program continues to change lives. Click here to go to Video On Demand (VOD) webpage where you can watch this special student video.
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Rave Reviews!
- Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin joins four (4) distinguished national government officials who will be nominated to chair the 2008 National Democratic Convention. Governor Howard Dean, current Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, announced his intention to nominate Mayor Franklin, along with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius and State Senator Leticia Van de Putte, for the positions of Permanent Chair and Co-Chairs of the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver. Mayor Franklin currently serves as president of the National Conference of Democratic Mayors (NCDM). The recommendations by Governor Dean will be presented to the Convention Rules Committee next summer and then voted on by the delegates to the 2008 Convention at the opening session. “I am honored by the nomination and look forward to serving with these distinguished women who represent the best in leadership in government and in our country,” said Mayor Franklin. For more information, visit www.atlantaga.gov.
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Upcoming Events & Volunteer Opportunities
- Traffic Advisory: Manor Ridge Drive N.W. will be closed between 453 and 505 Alton Road beginning Monday, July 9 through Monday, August 6. The street closing is due to replacement of a sewer line on the street. Arrangements have been made to ensure access to residences and businesses. Please use alternate routes when possible.
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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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