State Drought is Serious, Georgians Must Immediately Reconsider Water Usage
Mayor Shirley Franklin is continuing to urge city – and state – water customers to reconsider how they consume water in the face of what the State Environmental Protection Division (EPD) is calling a “historic drought” for Georgia.
Georgia is facing a dry winter. This could be disastrous to the state’s water supply - particularly in North Georgia. Georgia depends on winter rain to replenish its streams, rivers and reservoirs. Atlanta’s 2007 rainfall is approximately 17 inches below average. Lake Lanier, a primary source for City water, is 13 feet below full and continuing to drop to record lows.
As the state capital and economic engine, Atlanta’s response to the water crisis is critical to Georgia’s recovery. The City is cooperating in every way - not watering parks - and looking at other ways to conserve water. Atlanta’s watering ban is the most stringent in state history. The Department of Watershed Management (DWM) is policing illegal water use from its customers, and violators will be fined. To report a violation, call 404.982.1414. For a list of water restrictions, visit www.atlantawatershed.org.
In the spirit of an open and honest government, last week Mayor Franklin released her water bills from April through her most current bill in September. Her usage shows Mayor Franklin’s commitment to do her part – not just as mayor of Atlanta – but as a neighbor and resident.
“I am pleading with my fellow Atlantans and with everyone in the metropolitan Atlanta area: Please don’t use water unnecessarily. We are already at the point where your lush lawn does not inspire envy; it inspires disdain,” said Mayor Franklin. “This drought could last for the foreseeable future. We need to understand that having water to drink and to fight fires with is more important than whether your fescue dies.”
For Frequently Asked Questions on the Georgia Drought, visit here.
(top)
APD Shares Best Practices with International Police Force
Last week, the Atlanta Police Department (APD) hosted the Stockholm, Sweden police department to share best practices in a visit arranged by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Training staff.
Atlanta was chosen for its consistent decline in Part I crimes, use of best-in-class technology to track crime trends, and public-private partnerships that address the city’s chronically homeless residents. Swedish law enforcement also received briefings on APD’s recruiting and hiring process, Crime Stoppers program, Community Policing and Crisis Intervention, and the Gangs and Guns Unit.
Over the past five years, APD has drastically reduced part I crimes to record lows. APD Chief Richard Pennington and Assistant Chief Alan Dreher discussed the department’s weekly COBRA (Command Operational Briefings to Revitalize Atlanta) meetings, highlighting how the department uses these statistics to redistribute resources and address crime trends.
The Stockholm Chief of Police and Chief of Staff were especially impressed with the City’s Project HOPE (Homeless Outreach Proactive Enforcement) Team. HOPE Team members work with other non-profit, government and hospital agencies to address the issue of chronic homelessness and redirect persons with mental challenges to support organizations.
For more information on APD Crime Statistics, Project HOPE and More, visit here.
(top)
Four Years Later: Mayor's Youth Program Still Successfully Connecting Graduates with Career Options
The Mayor’s Youth Program kicked its fourth year off in high gear with Mayor Shirley Franklin making the rounds to Atlanta Public Schools (APS) high schools and introducing the Class of 2008 to this one-of-a-kind opportunity to make a great career start.
Last week, seniors at the New Schools at Carver listened as Mayor Franklin explained the qualifications for the program. MYP helps students develop individualized plans for their future – it is whether college or the workforce. In its first three years, over 2,000 seniors received mentoring, summer internships, training and financial assistance for unmet college tuition.
“This program is for all of you - for the valedictorian as well as the person holding seat number 125 in the class,” said Mayor Franklin. “If you are an APS senior, then you are eligible to receive assistance from this program.”
Mark Conselyea, a 2007 Carver graduate, is an example that the MYP delivers on its promise. Mark received several scholarships – but came up short on his housing costs. Because he stayed in touch with MYP staff, Mark received a check for his unmet need that left him with a zero tuition balance. This year, he began his freshman studies at Florida A&M University.
“The Mayor's Youth Program found out about my situation, and had it resolved within 48 hours,” said Mark. “Without the MYP, all my hard work and preparation for college may have been for naught. The MYP helps support students no matter what the need may be.”
Mayor Franklin has invited the APS senior class to meet with her one-on-one during scheduled "Saturdays with the Mayor." For “Saturdays with the Mayor” dates, visit www.mayorsyouthprogram.org.
|
2006-07 Mayor’s Youth Program Participant Mark Conselyea.
Mayor Franklin visits the New Schools at Carver to introduce its senior class to the Mayor’s Youth Program. The Mayor’s Youth Program is launching its fourth year of providing Atlanta Public Schools (APS) students with resources for their next phase in life.
|
(top)
AWDA: Providing Job Resources That Last a Lifetime
The Atlanta Workforce Development Agency (AWDA) has successfully connected thousands of residents with meaningful work thanks to its weekly job fairs and daily job training programs.
AWDA is the City agency responsible for providing job resources and developing Atlanta’s future workforce. The agency was created through the 1998 Workforce Development ACT. Utilizing successful public-private partnerships, AWDA develops and cultivates a dynamic, well-trained pool of qualified employees for Atlanta’s vibrant, multi-national business market.
Weekly job fairs are held every Tuesday from 9 am- noon at AWDA headquarters, 818 Pollard Street, Atlanta, 30305. Staff also provide resume-writing workshops, SAT preparation for youth customers, business etiquette and computer skills training Monday - Friday.
“AWDA has succeeded in connecting thousands of employers with local, motivated, well-trained employees that are ready to work,” said Deborah Lum, AWDA executive director.
Click Here for AWDA Success Stories.
Mayor Franklin meets with DeFarra Dean Gaymon (center),President, Atlanta City Employees Credit Union (ACEU). ACEU is among the many AWDA partners that help provide meaningful employment for AWDA customers. Pictured l-r: Padmasri Manumari, AWDA customer; Mayor Shirley Franklin; Gaymon; Paulette Hebrard, AWDA customer; and Jeannique Branch, AWDA customer. |
(top)
There's plenty we can all do to conserve water. And even when we think we're doing all we can, we can all do more. This Department of Watershed Management (DWM) video provides useful tips on conserving water. Click here to go to Video On Demand (VOD) webpage to watch the program.
(top)
Rave Reviews!
- Congratulations to the Adamsville Recreation Center for its first-place win at the City’s Annual Lights On After-School Quiz Bowl! The Atlanta Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs (DPRCA) celebrated Lights on Afterschool – a national program that calls attention to the importance of afterschool programming with community events- with a Quiz Bowl Competition at the Ben Hill Recreation Center. Youth from the Adams, Adamsville, Ben Hill, Bessie Branham, Grant Park, Morningside, Peachtree Hills, Rosel Fann and Thomasville recreation centers participated in the 300-question Quiz Bowl competition. Questions focused on government, sports, entertainment, Atlanta history and Atlanta schools. Adamsville took first place, with Adams and Ben Hill winning second and third place prizes, respectively. In America, 1 in 4 youth - 14.3 million children – are alone and unsupervised after school. Atlanta’s Recreation Afterschool Programs (RAP) provides opportunities for young people to develop into successful adults with afterschool programming that keeps them safe and engaged in cultural, recreational and educational activities. For more information on RAP, call 404.817.6766.
(top)
Upcoming Events & Volunteer Opportunities
- Today through October 26, the Gateway Center 24/7 Homeless Services Center - the centerpiece of the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta's Regional Commission on Homelessness - will be accepting clothing donations at City Hall, 55 Trinity Ave, Atlanta, 30303. The following GENTLY USED items are being accepted: Men’s, Women’s and Children’s Clothing. Donation receptacles are located inside City Hall. For more information on the Gateway Center, visit here.
- Join APD Chief Richard Pennington and Mayor Shirley Franklin for the annual ‘Crime is Toast’ Breakfast on Tuesday October 30 from 8 – 9:30 am at the Georgia World Congress Center. Chief Pennington and Mayor Franklin will give the State of Public Safety address – an annual report on crime in Atlanta. Learn more about the programs that make an immediate impact to the safety and security of our city. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 404.586.0180 or visit here.
(top)
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.
(top)
Weekly Features
Email us at citynewsbytes@atlantaga.gov to provide your feedback about this newsletter or to nominate someone you know for Stakeholder Spotlight.