U.S. Mayors Unveil Energy Study at Second Annual Environment Summit
Last week, Mayor Shirley Franklin and the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) hosted developers, retailers, architects and environmental industry experts from across the country for the second annual “Summit on Energy and the Environment: Implementing the 2030 Challenge.”
The summit brought together mayors from across the United States to identify strategies for creating a sustainable, “greener” America through building efficiency. USCM unveiled a new study that showed the impact of energy costs on household budgets, and forecasted the nation’s projected energy expenditures for commercial and residential buildings.
Buildings account for nearly half of the energy used in this nation. During the June 2006 USCM annual meeting, Mayor Franklin joined with fellow mayors of the conference to adopt a resolution that calls for all new buildings in the U.S. to be carbon-neutral by the year 2030. Under this resolution, new buildings will not use harmful, fossil fuel-emitting energy.
Atlanta is recognized as a top national leader in building “green” residential, community and mixed-use projects. To further support her commitment to reducing harmful emissions, Mayor Franklin created a City of Atlanta Environmental Green Team (EGT). The EGT team will work with City departments and stakeholders to develop an Environmental Action Agenda that lays out the City’s short and long-term environmental initiatives.
For more information, visit the City of Atlanta EGT Team, and upcoming “green events”.
The City of Atlanta hosted the second annual U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) “Summit on Energy and the Environment: Implementing the 2030 Challenge.” Pictured from left to right are: Tom Cochran, Executive Director, USCM; Ron Jarvis, vice-president of Environmental Innovations, The Home Depot, Inc.; Mayor Michael A. Guido, mayor of Dearborn, MI., and president of the USCM.; and Mayor Shirley Franklin. |
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Atlanta Fire and Rescue Honors Heroes at Annual Awards Ceremony
Atlanta firefighters, rescue workers, civilian employees and residents were honored during the Atlanta Fire Rescue (AFR) department’s annual Awards and Recognition Ceremony, held last week at the AmericasMart.
The Master and Mistress of Ceremonies were Channel 2 Action News reporters Tom Jones and Rachel Kim. Awards for AFR employees were given for Community Service; Award of Merit; Team Spirit; Award of Distinction; and Civilian Employee of the Year. An Atlanta resident received the Citizen’s Medal of Honor award.
The 2006 Medal of Valor – one of the most prestigious AFR awards – went to Firefighter Clayton Jackson. During an early morning fire in southwest Atlanta, Jackson rescued an elderly resident, removing his air mask and giving it to her to survive. If not for Jackson, the extreme temperatures and zero visibility inside the house would have made it impossible for her to survive.
"This was arguably the best awards ceremony ever,” said AFR Chief Dennis Rubin. “This was a special night to honor all of the heroes within the Atlanta Fire Rescue department, and share that appreciation with their families, friends and loved ones.”
For more information, visit the Atlanta Fire Rescue (AFR) department .
The 2006 recipient of the Medal of Valor, Firefighter Clayton Jackson (right), is pictured with Deputy Chief John McNeil (center rear) and Deputy Wilmond Meadows (left) at the Annual Atlanta Fire Rescue (AFR) department Awards Ceremony. |
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City and Lowes Partner to Improve Atlanta Park
The City of Atlanta recently partnered with Lowe’s Home Improvement to perform major renovations at A.D. Williams Park, which included building a new playground and basketball court.
The project was spearheaded by the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs (DPRCA), Lowes, and Park Pride, a non-profit group that runs the City’s park volunteer projects. Lowes volunteers spent two days installing the playground and basketball court, and improving the landscaping with flowers.
Prior to this project, there was little equipment at the park, located at 1154 James Jackson Parkway. The A.D. Williams Recreation Center, which hosts an after school program for students from A.D. Williams Elementary, was also in need of additional supplies. Lowe’s presented the Police Activities Leagues (PAL), which runs the after school program, with two basketballs and two new computer printer/copiers.
The renovations to A.D. Williams Park are part of a series of citywide renovations to all Atlanta parks. Last year, the Atlanta City Council approved a $105 million Parks, Greenspace and Recreation Opportunity Bond. The bonds will be used to renovate City recreation centers, ball fields, playgrounds, and green space in and around the parks. DPRCA contributed $5,000 from the Opportunity Bonds for the A.D. Williams Park renovation.
"We are very grateful to Lowe's and its volunteers for the effort exuded at A.D. Williams Park," said Dianne Harnell-Cohen, DPRCA Commissioner. "The transformation is remarkable and we know that our youth will thoroughly enjoy the new park."
For more information about City of Atlanta parks and the Opportunity Bond program, click here.
Students from A.D. Williams Elementary School enjoy a new playground at A.D. Williams Park. The playground – along with a new basketball court and landscaping – was the result of a partnership with Lowe’s Home Improvement, the City of Atlanta, and Park Pride.
As part of the A.D. Williams Park renovations, volunteers improved its landscaping with flowers and other plants. |
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Clean Water Atlanta Program Moving Full Steam Ahead
The City’s $3.9 billion Clean Water Atlanta (CWA) program – which encompasses work that is part of two federal consent decrees and one state consent order – is running two years ahead of schedule, despite a recent request to delay the completion date for the West Area CSO tunnel.
Rob Hunter, commissioner of the Department of Watershed Management (DWM), announced recently that the City has written to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, requesting a one-year extension. Hunter gave three reasons for the request: A bearing failure on one of the 27-foot tunnel boring machines that took it out of service for 52 days; a slower-than-expected excavation rate; and the necessity for lining more of the tunnel than anticipated.
“This is a massive undertaking,” Hunter said. “This tunnel represents one-ninth of the CSO program and one-third of the cost of the program. We committed to a tight, aggressive schedule, and we have been overwhelmingly successful in this project’s implementation.”
Most cities laboring under federal consent decrees are facing deadlines of 20 or more years while Atlanta is working with a nine-year deadline, Hunter continued. All other CWA projects in the program are completed or scheduled to be completed on time or ahead of schedule.
The delays will not affect rates. Once it is complete, the West Area CSO tunnel will help to eliminate overflows caused by stormwater. The entire Consent Decree program is scheduled to be complete in 2012. The deadline for the Consent Decree compliance is 2014.
For more information, visit the Clean Water Atlanta program.
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Mayor Shirley Franklin joined the Concerned Black Clergy of Metropolitan Atlanta to honor women at the 18th Annual Salute to Black Mothers Celebration. Click here to go to the Video On Demand (VOD) webpage where you can watch the Mayor's speech.
This is just one of the many videos you can view on the VOD page. Video clips include many of the programs 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!
- The Department of Watershed Management (DWM) recently teamed up with the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper (UCR) and the communities of Mozley Park and Hunter Hills to clean up Proctor Creek. Volunteers focused on the stream segment between MLK Jr. and Burbank Drives – a portion of Proctor Creek that local residents have been concerned about. Representatives of Neighborhood Planning Unit (NPU) K approached DWM seeking help to clean up the stream. DWM partnered with UCR, who agreed to spearhead the event as part of the statewide RiversAlive! stream clean-up program.
Department of Watershed (DWM) employees, the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper and the communities of Mozley Park and Hunter Hills clean-up Proctor Creek. |
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Upcoming Events & Volunteer Opportunities
- In Atlanta, every day is an opening day … “Masterpiece of the Month: Saint Matthew and the Angel” at the High Museum of Art, Thursday, November 2 from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Join art historian and professor, Dorothy Fletcher, for a discussion of Saint Matthew and the Angel by Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn. This 30-minute presentation will feature slides and provide an in-depth look at the treasured work of art from the Louvre. Free with Museum admission and free to members. For more information, visit the High Museum.
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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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