Mayor Reed and the Mayor’s Office of Constituent Services revive beloved city tradition; more than 4,000 seniors enjoyed an evening of entertainment and dancing in honor of “Senior Citizens Day”
Mayor Kasim Reed saluted more than 4,000 Atlanta seniors at the 2010 Senior Citizens Ball on Monday evening at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Atlanta. Designating October 4, 2010 as “Senior Citizens Day” in the City of Atlanta, Mayor Reed thanked the city’s elders for being shining examples of integrity, leadership and enduring love.
“Tonight, I am honored to recognize the extraordinary individuals who built the foundation that my generation stands upon today,” Mayor Reed said. “This ball is a special time for their contributions to be recognized by the City’s leadership.”
“Atlanta is a caring city because of the people who live and work here and the way in which we respect each other, especially our elders,” Mayor Reed added. “As Mayor, I believe it is essential to continue important community traditions such as the Senior Citizens Ball.”
For many years, the Senior Citizens Ball was one of the city’s most anticipated social events. However, due to budget constraints, the City of Atlanta hosted the last ball in 2007.
Mayor Reed, in response to requests from dozens of seniors, promised to restore the ball shortly after his inauguration in January. Reflecting the spirit of Atlanta, more than two dozen business and community leaders contributed private funds for the ball. The City is especially appreciative of the AARP and Kaiser Permanente for their support.
Mrs. Sylvia Reed, Mayor Reed’s mother, co-chaired and co-hosted the ball, the theme of which was “Forever Young.” At the gala, the seniors were welcomed with a red carpet arrival and enjoyed food, music, a fashion show, prizes, and plenty of dancing throughout the evening. Radio personalities Frank Ski and Ryan Cameron of V-103 emceed the ball.
“I am delighted to reintroduce one of our City’s most beloved traditions,” Mayor Reed said. “I am especially appreciative of everyone who supported this event, especially my partners on the Atlanta City Council and the Mayor’s Office of Constituent Services.”
Showing posts with label georgia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label georgia. Show all posts
Monday, October 4, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Update Underway To Improve Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan for Fulton County, Georgia
/PRNewswire/ -Georgia's most populated county, home to just over a million residents and the state's largest city, is updating its FEMA-required hazard mitigation plan for local review and adoption in mid-December of this year and subsequent approval by FEMA. An approved hazard mitigation plan will allow cities to leverage federal hazard mitigation grant funds.
The Hazard Mitigation Plan update project is being managed by Calvin, Giordano &Associates (CGA), a consultant to the Atlanta Fulton County Emergency Management Agency, whose authority covers 14 cities as well as unincorporated Fulton County.
Nearing the halfway point, CGA planners are currently evaluating vulnerable structures and populations in Fulton County that are at risk from a variety of natural hazards known to threaten the area. Participating municipalities include Atlanta, Milton, Roswell, Mountain Park, Sandy Springs, East Point, College Park, Union City, Fairburn, Palmetto, Chattahoochee Hills and Hapeville.
CGA, according to the lead planner Beth McElroy, is conducting up to four joint planning meetings with the municipalities and the county in order to reevaluate the hazard vulnerability analysis, identify shortfalls, obtain critical information from new cities, assess any new areas that might need to be addressed in the planning process, refine/enhance the annual update committee review process and revise goals and objectives.
McElroy said as a result of growth and other recent changes since the plan was initially implemented in 2004, an assessment and reevaluation of the county's risks and vulnerabilities is necessary. This ensures that steps are taken to protect the community from the dangers posed by natural hazards and ensure that new growth takes steps to incorporate mitigative actions into future growth and infrastructure planning.
"Also since the last plan was completed, four cities have incorporated within Fulton County," McElroy added. "The task is to integrate the information from the more recent assessments with data from the planning sessions and to refine and enhance the current plan for final FEMA approval."
All documents and reports created for the county must comply with state and federal mitigation rules and requirements, federal planning requirements and project management capabilities.
CGA's Emergency Management Services Division provides local governments with multi-hazard disaster planning, response, recovery and mitigation services. The division enhances the preparedness level of clients in order to protect human lives, restore services and better manage response resources.
-----
Community News You Can Use
Click to read MORE news:
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
Twitter: @gafrontpage & @TheGATable @HookedonHistory
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
Twitter: @artsacrossga, @softnblue, @RimbomboAAG
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
Twitter: @FayetteFP
The Hazard Mitigation Plan update project is being managed by Calvin, Giordano &Associates (CGA), a consultant to the Atlanta Fulton County Emergency Management Agency, whose authority covers 14 cities as well as unincorporated Fulton County.
Nearing the halfway point, CGA planners are currently evaluating vulnerable structures and populations in Fulton County that are at risk from a variety of natural hazards known to threaten the area. Participating municipalities include Atlanta, Milton, Roswell, Mountain Park, Sandy Springs, East Point, College Park, Union City, Fairburn, Palmetto, Chattahoochee Hills and Hapeville.
CGA, according to the lead planner Beth McElroy, is conducting up to four joint planning meetings with the municipalities and the county in order to reevaluate the hazard vulnerability analysis, identify shortfalls, obtain critical information from new cities, assess any new areas that might need to be addressed in the planning process, refine/enhance the annual update committee review process and revise goals and objectives.
McElroy said as a result of growth and other recent changes since the plan was initially implemented in 2004, an assessment and reevaluation of the county's risks and vulnerabilities is necessary. This ensures that steps are taken to protect the community from the dangers posed by natural hazards and ensure that new growth takes steps to incorporate mitigative actions into future growth and infrastructure planning.
"Also since the last plan was completed, four cities have incorporated within Fulton County," McElroy added. "The task is to integrate the information from the more recent assessments with data from the planning sessions and to refine and enhance the current plan for final FEMA approval."
All documents and reports created for the county must comply with state and federal mitigation rules and requirements, federal planning requirements and project management capabilities.
CGA's Emergency Management Services Division provides local governments with multi-hazard disaster planning, response, recovery and mitigation services. The division enhances the preparedness level of clients in order to protect human lives, restore services and better manage response resources.
-----
Community News You Can Use
Click to read MORE news:
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
Twitter: @gafrontpage & @TheGATable @HookedonHistory
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
Twitter: @artsacrossga, @softnblue, @RimbomboAAG
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
Twitter: @FayetteFP
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
City of Atlanta Receives Municipal Forestry Accreditation from the Society of Municipal Arborists
Atlanta is first municipality in Georgia; fifth in the nation
The City of Atlanta is the latest community to join a prestigious group of municipalities to be accredited by the Society of Municipal Arborists (SMA.) SMA Accreditation is the highest honor for municipal urban forestry programs, obtained by following a professional approach to tree management.
SMA Accredited programs have a certified municipal specialist on staff, have an approved Local Forest Master Plan, are Tree City USA growth award recipients, show private contract preference for accredited tree care companies, adhere to industry standards for safety and performance, and adhere to SMA’s Code of Ethics.
“The SMA accreditation is yet another example of the City of Atlanta’s commitment to excellence,” said Mayor Kasim Reed. “I commend the members of the city’s Arborist Division and the Office of Parks for their dedication and willingness to sharpen their skills and achieve the highest professional standards for the benefit of the citizens of Atlanta.”
The City of Atlanta is the first municipality to be accredited in the state of Georgia, and fifth nationwide, joining the cities of Aspen, Colorado; Glencoe, Illinois; Arlington, Texas; and Downers Grove, Illinois. The SMA accreditation is renewable every five years.
To obtain SMA accreditation, the Department of Planning and Community Development met the following requirements:
Program must have at least one ISA Certified Arborist (ISA certification requires a 4-hour comprehensive examination) on staff, with an ISA Certified Municipal Specialist preferred (a specialist is a higher level designation that requires passing an additional two-hour exam focused exclusively on municipal arboriculture).
Program must have a Forest Master Plan approved by appropriate local body.
Program must be a current Tree City USA (this criterion must be maintained annually to maintain accreditation).
Program must have a National Arbor Day Foundation Growth Award, in at least one of the past five years.
Program must show preference to Tree Care Industry Association Accredited tree care companies when private arborists are contracted.
Program must incorporate American National Safety Institute (ANSI) Z133.1 safety standards.
Program must incorporate ANSI A300 tree care performance standards.
Program must pledge adherence to the SMA Code of Ethics and to promote SMA objectives.
With a growing appreciation for the value of green infrastructure, communities across the nation are taking steps to maintain their trees, which unlike other parts of a city’s infrastructure, actually increase in value. A healthy urban forest provides many benefits for cities, including beautification, reduction of the urban heat island effect, reduction of stormwater runoff, reduction of air pollution, reduction of energy costs through increased shade over buildings, improved wildlife habitat, and mitigation of overall urban environmental impact. In addition, research has shown that city trees can improve real estate values, attract shoppers, improve worker productivity, reduce crime, reduce hospital stay, and improve children’s school performance.
“This accreditation recognizes the dedication that Mayor Kasim Reed and the city’s arborists have given to the City of Atlanta and the care of its urban forest,” said SMA President Gene Hyde. “By adhering to accreditation standards and following best management practices, your urban forest will continue to grow in value and benefit the citizens of Atlanta for generations to come.”
About the City of Atlanta’s Arboricultural Programs
The City of Atlanta Arborist Division is housed within the Department of Planning and Community Development, led by Commissioner James Shelby. The Arborist Division is responsible for trees located on private property. There are three field arborists (two permanent), conducting 3,500 – 4,000 site inspections annually. Six members of staff are International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborists. Of those, there is one ISA Municipal Specialist. He is one of five in the state of GA. One staff member is a Certified Tree Risk Assessor. The Office of Parks is housed within the Department of Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs and has two ISA Certified Arborists on staff. The Office of Parks is responsible for trees located in city parks and other public space.
About SMA
The Society of Municipal Arborists (www.urban-forestry.com) is a not-for-profit international organization of municipal arborists, urban and community foresters, members of tree boards, tree wardens, consultants, municipal officials, and students who are involved in the professional management of trees where over 114 million people live, work, and play. SMA leads the world in building the confidence, competence, and camaraderie of the family of professionals who create and sustain community forests.
---
Community News You Can Use
Click to read MORE news:
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
Twitter: @gafrontpage & @TheGATable @HookedonHistory
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
Twitter: @artsacrossga, @softnblue, @RimbomboAAG
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
Twitter: @FayetteFP
---
The City of Atlanta is the latest community to join a prestigious group of municipalities to be accredited by the Society of Municipal Arborists (SMA.) SMA Accreditation is the highest honor for municipal urban forestry programs, obtained by following a professional approach to tree management.
SMA Accredited programs have a certified municipal specialist on staff, have an approved Local Forest Master Plan, are Tree City USA growth award recipients, show private contract preference for accredited tree care companies, adhere to industry standards for safety and performance, and adhere to SMA’s Code of Ethics.
“The SMA accreditation is yet another example of the City of Atlanta’s commitment to excellence,” said Mayor Kasim Reed. “I commend the members of the city’s Arborist Division and the Office of Parks for their dedication and willingness to sharpen their skills and achieve the highest professional standards for the benefit of the citizens of Atlanta.”
The City of Atlanta is the first municipality to be accredited in the state of Georgia, and fifth nationwide, joining the cities of Aspen, Colorado; Glencoe, Illinois; Arlington, Texas; and Downers Grove, Illinois. The SMA accreditation is renewable every five years.
To obtain SMA accreditation, the Department of Planning and Community Development met the following requirements:
Program must have at least one ISA Certified Arborist (ISA certification requires a 4-hour comprehensive examination) on staff, with an ISA Certified Municipal Specialist preferred (a specialist is a higher level designation that requires passing an additional two-hour exam focused exclusively on municipal arboriculture).
Program must have a Forest Master Plan approved by appropriate local body.
Program must be a current Tree City USA (this criterion must be maintained annually to maintain accreditation).
Program must have a National Arbor Day Foundation Growth Award, in at least one of the past five years.
Program must show preference to Tree Care Industry Association Accredited tree care companies when private arborists are contracted.
Program must incorporate American National Safety Institute (ANSI) Z133.1 safety standards.
Program must incorporate ANSI A300 tree care performance standards.
Program must pledge adherence to the SMA Code of Ethics and to promote SMA objectives.
With a growing appreciation for the value of green infrastructure, communities across the nation are taking steps to maintain their trees, which unlike other parts of a city’s infrastructure, actually increase in value. A healthy urban forest provides many benefits for cities, including beautification, reduction of the urban heat island effect, reduction of stormwater runoff, reduction of air pollution, reduction of energy costs through increased shade over buildings, improved wildlife habitat, and mitigation of overall urban environmental impact. In addition, research has shown that city trees can improve real estate values, attract shoppers, improve worker productivity, reduce crime, reduce hospital stay, and improve children’s school performance.
“This accreditation recognizes the dedication that Mayor Kasim Reed and the city’s arborists have given to the City of Atlanta and the care of its urban forest,” said SMA President Gene Hyde. “By adhering to accreditation standards and following best management practices, your urban forest will continue to grow in value and benefit the citizens of Atlanta for generations to come.”
About the City of Atlanta’s Arboricultural Programs
The City of Atlanta Arborist Division is housed within the Department of Planning and Community Development, led by Commissioner James Shelby. The Arborist Division is responsible for trees located on private property. There are three field arborists (two permanent), conducting 3,500 – 4,000 site inspections annually. Six members of staff are International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborists. Of those, there is one ISA Municipal Specialist. He is one of five in the state of GA. One staff member is a Certified Tree Risk Assessor. The Office of Parks is housed within the Department of Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs and has two ISA Certified Arborists on staff. The Office of Parks is responsible for trees located in city parks and other public space.
About SMA
The Society of Municipal Arborists (www.urban-forestry.com) is a not-for-profit international organization of municipal arborists, urban and community foresters, members of tree boards, tree wardens, consultants, municipal officials, and students who are involved in the professional management of trees where over 114 million people live, work, and play. SMA leads the world in building the confidence, competence, and camaraderie of the family of professionals who create and sustain community forests.
---
Community News You Can Use
Click to read MORE news:
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
Twitter: @gafrontpage & @TheGATable @HookedonHistory
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
Twitter: @artsacrossga, @softnblue, @RimbomboAAG
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
Twitter: @FayetteFP
---
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed Announces that Peter Aman Will Remain Chief Operating Officer until December 2011
Key accomplishments to date include addressing the City’s pension crisis, reducing emergency response times, eliminating fire-station brown-outs, improving critical service delivery and building multi-million reserves for the City
Mayor Kasim Reed formally announced today that Peter Aman, Chief Operating Officer for the City of Atlanta, will serve in that position for an additional year. Scheduled to leave at the end of this calendar year, Aman has decided to continue until December 31, 2011.
“Peter is a transformational leader who has helped me to significantly improve the quality of City services while also streamlining inefficiencies in municipal government,” said Mayor Kasim Reed.
“His knowledge and expertise in addressing the City’s most difficult challenges have been invaluable. I consider myself and the City of Atlanta extremely fortunate to have Peter Aman serve the City for an additional year.”
Aman was confirmed as COO by the Atlanta City Council in January. Since then, he has led the executive management of the municipal operating departments: Corrections, Procurement, Information Technology, Office of Enterprise Assets Management, Aviation, Fire, Police, Human Resources, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, Planning and Community Development, Public Works, Watershed Management, Office of Contract Compliance, Emergency Management Services and the external operating agencies.
“I enjoy working with Mayor Reed and the entire Cabinet; it’s been a great experience,” Aman said. “We have a unique opportunity to remake city government, and Mayor Reed’s trust and confidence in me allow me to implement changes that will benefit the City and its residents for years to come. I believe this Administration is in the middle of making positive changes and I am delighted to continue contributing.”
In collaboration with Mayor Reed and key City leaders, Aman’s accomplishments include:
· Dramatically improving fire response times in meeting the nationally recognized standard from 42 percent in January to 70 percent in May 2010;
· Increasing the number of garbage pickups completed on the scheduled day from 85.8% in January to 98.8% in July 2010;
· Implementing $7.4 million of projected savings in the first phase of reforms to the City’s pension plan. The City’s pension liability had risen 13 percent every year over the past ten years;
· Eliminating brown-outs at fire stations within first 100 days of the Reed administration;
· Working closely with Interim CFO Roosevelt Council to control hiring and spending, thereby reducing FY10 expenses by a total of $16M at year end;
· Leading Mayor’s staff that successfully worked with City Council to pass a budget which is both fiscally conservative (about $12 million in operating reductions, pension cost reductions, efficiency gains) and moved the city forward (included $3.7 million to re-open closed recreation centers and funding for 100 new police officer positions);
· Opening seven additional outdoor pools for the summer season and refurbishing all of the 15 City recreation centers that had been closed. The first six opened in August and the remainder will open before year end;
· Improving Code Compliance through a turnaround that included restructuring of code enforcement teams, additional staffing, compliance process redesign as well as city code changes to make response times and processes more efficient;
· Driving immediate management changes in multiple departments and at multiple levels and assisting the Mayor in the recruitment and selection of Commissioners and senior management talent; and
· Reaching out and directly engaging employees at multiple levels of the City, with a special focus on the critical work performed by the front-line employees (e.g., visits to crime scenes, fires, SWAT standoffs, rope rescue, fire stations, police zone offices, pothole repairs, HR, among others).
As a partner at Bain & Company, a global business consulting firm, Aman has helped to transform and turnaround dozens of large and complex multinational media and industrial companies. He also has held several leadership roles in Bain’s Atlanta office, including those in the areas of recruiting, staff allocation and professional development, facilities and information technology operation, risk management and professional standards.
Aman’s deep involvement in the City of Atlanta began in 2002 when he led a pro bono transformation effort by Bain & Company that lasted three years, providing $7 million of donated consulting services. The work by Aman and the Bain team revealed what was then a substantial gap in the city’s operating budget and designed a series of corrective actions, including the development of a comprehensive turnaround plan, a benchmarking of city costs and employment levels versus other comparable cities, the creation of an economic development plan, and a deeper understanding of tax and fee affordability of the city.
Aman has served on the boards of The Atlanta Committee for Progress, The Atlanta Police Foundation, The Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, and The Galloway School, among others.
Aman is a graduate of Duke University, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy, with honors. He earned an MBA, with distinction, from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.
Mayor Kasim Reed formally announced today that Peter Aman, Chief Operating Officer for the City of Atlanta, will serve in that position for an additional year. Scheduled to leave at the end of this calendar year, Aman has decided to continue until December 31, 2011.
“Peter is a transformational leader who has helped me to significantly improve the quality of City services while also streamlining inefficiencies in municipal government,” said Mayor Kasim Reed.
“His knowledge and expertise in addressing the City’s most difficult challenges have been invaluable. I consider myself and the City of Atlanta extremely fortunate to have Peter Aman serve the City for an additional year.”
Aman was confirmed as COO by the Atlanta City Council in January. Since then, he has led the executive management of the municipal operating departments: Corrections, Procurement, Information Technology, Office of Enterprise Assets Management, Aviation, Fire, Police, Human Resources, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, Planning and Community Development, Public Works, Watershed Management, Office of Contract Compliance, Emergency Management Services and the external operating agencies.
“I enjoy working with Mayor Reed and the entire Cabinet; it’s been a great experience,” Aman said. “We have a unique opportunity to remake city government, and Mayor Reed’s trust and confidence in me allow me to implement changes that will benefit the City and its residents for years to come. I believe this Administration is in the middle of making positive changes and I am delighted to continue contributing.”
In collaboration with Mayor Reed and key City leaders, Aman’s accomplishments include:
· Dramatically improving fire response times in meeting the nationally recognized standard from 42 percent in January to 70 percent in May 2010;
· Increasing the number of garbage pickups completed on the scheduled day from 85.8% in January to 98.8% in July 2010;
· Implementing $7.4 million of projected savings in the first phase of reforms to the City’s pension plan. The City’s pension liability had risen 13 percent every year over the past ten years;
· Eliminating brown-outs at fire stations within first 100 days of the Reed administration;
· Working closely with Interim CFO Roosevelt Council to control hiring and spending, thereby reducing FY10 expenses by a total of $16M at year end;
· Leading Mayor’s staff that successfully worked with City Council to pass a budget which is both fiscally conservative (about $12 million in operating reductions, pension cost reductions, efficiency gains) and moved the city forward (included $3.7 million to re-open closed recreation centers and funding for 100 new police officer positions);
· Opening seven additional outdoor pools for the summer season and refurbishing all of the 15 City recreation centers that had been closed. The first six opened in August and the remainder will open before year end;
· Improving Code Compliance through a turnaround that included restructuring of code enforcement teams, additional staffing, compliance process redesign as well as city code changes to make response times and processes more efficient;
· Driving immediate management changes in multiple departments and at multiple levels and assisting the Mayor in the recruitment and selection of Commissioners and senior management talent; and
· Reaching out and directly engaging employees at multiple levels of the City, with a special focus on the critical work performed by the front-line employees (e.g., visits to crime scenes, fires, SWAT standoffs, rope rescue, fire stations, police zone offices, pothole repairs, HR, among others).
As a partner at Bain & Company, a global business consulting firm, Aman has helped to transform and turnaround dozens of large and complex multinational media and industrial companies. He also has held several leadership roles in Bain’s Atlanta office, including those in the areas of recruiting, staff allocation and professional development, facilities and information technology operation, risk management and professional standards.
Aman’s deep involvement in the City of Atlanta began in 2002 when he led a pro bono transformation effort by Bain & Company that lasted three years, providing $7 million of donated consulting services. The work by Aman and the Bain team revealed what was then a substantial gap in the city’s operating budget and designed a series of corrective actions, including the development of a comprehensive turnaround plan, a benchmarking of city costs and employment levels versus other comparable cities, the creation of an economic development plan, and a deeper understanding of tax and fee affordability of the city.
Aman has served on the boards of The Atlanta Committee for Progress, The Atlanta Police Foundation, The Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, and The Galloway School, among others.
Aman is a graduate of Duke University, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy, with honors. He earned an MBA, with distinction, from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.
Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed Elected Chair of the Metro Atlanta Urban Area Security Initiative
Program develops and provides regional strategies to improve homeland security efforts in metro Atlanta
Mayor Kasim Reed recently was unanimously elected chair of the Metro Atlanta Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) Senior Policy Group.
UASI was developed in 2003 as a result of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2002. The program was established to provide grants to assist high-risk urban areas in preventing, protecting, responding and recovering from acts of terrorism.
Since 2003, the Metro Atlanta UASI has been actively engaged in strategic planning efforts with local, state and federal partners to ensure effective communications within the region in the event of an incident. In 2006, the program also began to concentrate on more regional collaborative efforts in the areas of fire, police, medical and citizen preparedness.
“I am honored to have been appointed chair of the Metro Atlanta UASI Senior Policy Group,” Mayor Reed said. “I believe elected leaders have no greater responsibility than to ensure the safety of their constituents. I look forward to working with the Metro Atlanta UASI to make the City of Atlanta and the region as safe and secure as possible.”
As chair of the Senior Policy Group, Mayor Reed will work in collaboration with the Board of Commission Chairs of Cobb, Clayton, DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett counties to develop regional strategies designed to improve homeland security efforts in and around the metro Atlanta area.
“The Program Administration Office would like to congratulate and welcome Mayor Kasim Reed as the Chair of the Metro Atlanta UASI Senior Policy Group/Urban Area Working Group (UAWG),” said Julia Janka, Program Director for the Metro Atlanta UASI. “The Program Administration Office looks forward to assisting Mayor Reed in growing the program through his leadership and guidance. We stand ready to provide program and operational support for the Metro Atlanta UASI region.”
The Metro Atlanta UASI is required to focus regionally on the following programs and objectives:
Regional Collaboration
National Incident Management System (NIMS) Compliance
National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP)
Interoperable Communications
Information Sharing and response among law enforcement agencies
Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear and High Explosives (CBRNE) capabilities
Evacuation Planning
Citizen Corps/Citizen Participation/Volunteerism
Regional Transportation and Transit Security
UASI is administered through the Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP). The grant provides funding to high-risk areas based on risk and effectiveness to address planning, operations, equipment, training and exercise on a multi-disciplinary level.
Former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin served as the first chair of the group and is succeeded by Mayor Kasim Reed. Chairman Charles Bannister of Gwinnett County served as Interim Chair for six months until elections were held in July.
---
Community News You Can Use
Click to read MORE news:
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
Twitter: @gafrontpage
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
Twitter: @artsacrossga
---
Also check out :
www.Hummingbird-Hollow.com
Twitter: @hhpotterystudio
www.HorizonsLTD.com
www.SoftCoolers.com
www.ClothesLessTraveled.org
---
Mayor Kasim Reed recently was unanimously elected chair of the Metro Atlanta Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) Senior Policy Group.
UASI was developed in 2003 as a result of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2002. The program was established to provide grants to assist high-risk urban areas in preventing, protecting, responding and recovering from acts of terrorism.
Since 2003, the Metro Atlanta UASI has been actively engaged in strategic planning efforts with local, state and federal partners to ensure effective communications within the region in the event of an incident. In 2006, the program also began to concentrate on more regional collaborative efforts in the areas of fire, police, medical and citizen preparedness.
“I am honored to have been appointed chair of the Metro Atlanta UASI Senior Policy Group,” Mayor Reed said. “I believe elected leaders have no greater responsibility than to ensure the safety of their constituents. I look forward to working with the Metro Atlanta UASI to make the City of Atlanta and the region as safe and secure as possible.”
As chair of the Senior Policy Group, Mayor Reed will work in collaboration with the Board of Commission Chairs of Cobb, Clayton, DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett counties to develop regional strategies designed to improve homeland security efforts in and around the metro Atlanta area.
“The Program Administration Office would like to congratulate and welcome Mayor Kasim Reed as the Chair of the Metro Atlanta UASI Senior Policy Group/Urban Area Working Group (UAWG),” said Julia Janka, Program Director for the Metro Atlanta UASI. “The Program Administration Office looks forward to assisting Mayor Reed in growing the program through his leadership and guidance. We stand ready to provide program and operational support for the Metro Atlanta UASI region.”
The Metro Atlanta UASI is required to focus regionally on the following programs and objectives:
Regional Collaboration
National Incident Management System (NIMS) Compliance
National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP)
Interoperable Communications
Information Sharing and response among law enforcement agencies
Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear and High Explosives (CBRNE) capabilities
Evacuation Planning
Citizen Corps/Citizen Participation/Volunteerism
Regional Transportation and Transit Security
UASI is administered through the Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP). The grant provides funding to high-risk areas based on risk and effectiveness to address planning, operations, equipment, training and exercise on a multi-disciplinary level.
Former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin served as the first chair of the group and is succeeded by Mayor Kasim Reed. Chairman Charles Bannister of Gwinnett County served as Interim Chair for six months until elections were held in July.
---
Community News You Can Use
Click to read MORE news:
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
Twitter: @gafrontpage
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
Twitter: @artsacrossga
---
Also check out :
www.Hummingbird-Hollow.com
Twitter: @hhpotterystudio
www.HorizonsLTD.com
www.SoftCoolers.com
www.ClothesLessTraveled.org
---
Friday, October 30, 2009
City of Atlanta Launches Pilot Incentive Based Recycling Program
/PRNewswire/ -- The City of Atlanta announced that a select group of Atlanta residents will soon be rewarded for their curbside recycling efforts. In an effort to encourage proper recycling habits, boost recycling participation, reduce the amount of recyclables being sent to area landfills and save taxpayer money, City officials introduced the pilot rewards program as an opportune way to move towards a greener, cleaner Atlanta.
In order to complement Atlanta's existing sustainability initiatives, the City of Atlanta has partnered with Rehrig Pacific, a container company and service provider, to bring a unique incentive based pilot recycling program to its residents. As part of this pilot program, Rehrig Pacific has collaborated with key sponsor Coca-Cola Recycling, LLC and rewards partner RecycleBank® to offer Atlanta residents a premiere rewards and loyalty program that incentivizes household recycling. City officials are confident they will see a rise in recycling volumes and a decrease in waste tonnages. In addition to the benefit to the environment, the rewards program will give residents and local businesses a needed economic boost.
The City of Atlanta selected 10,000 households for the incentive based pilot recycling program. The participating households represent a cross section of recyclers throughout the City. The RecycleBank® rewards program will encourage better participation in the curbside recycling program. It will also allow the City to evaluate changes in the amounts of recyclables collected from residents participating in the pilot program.
"Incentive based recycling will help us to meet our recycling and sustainability goals while giving something back to our residents. During today's recession and economic climate, saving money on groceries, on clothing, or at the pharmacy translates to great value. We have found a way to provide real financial rewards and help the environment at the same time," said Mayor Shirley Franklin.
Each home in the pilot area will receive a brand new 96-gallon blue cart, retrofitted with an ID tag with the resident's household address and RecycleBank account number. City trucks have been retrofitted with technology to read the cart ID tag. Upon activating their account with RecycleBank, either online or by phone, the household will begin to earn RecycleBank Points with every pick-up.
Points can be redeemed for rewards, gift cards, groceries, and products at hundreds of local and national RecycleBank Reward Partners. Partners include giant national brands and retailers such as Coca-Cola, Kraft Foods, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Publix, and CVS/pharmacy, as well as local partners like Zoo Atlanta, Radial Café, Rita's Water Ice, MetroFresh, Edgewood Avenue Pizza, and Six Feet Under.
Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE), housed in Atlanta, is a significant player in making the pilot program a reality for their local neighbors. Through sponsorship dollars, they have enabled the purchase of the 10,000 Rehrig Pacific blue recycling carts needed for the pilot program.
-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
www.artsacrossgeorgia.com
Arts Across Georgia
In order to complement Atlanta's existing sustainability initiatives, the City of Atlanta has partnered with Rehrig Pacific, a container company and service provider, to bring a unique incentive based pilot recycling program to its residents. As part of this pilot program, Rehrig Pacific has collaborated with key sponsor Coca-Cola Recycling, LLC and rewards partner RecycleBank® to offer Atlanta residents a premiere rewards and loyalty program that incentivizes household recycling. City officials are confident they will see a rise in recycling volumes and a decrease in waste tonnages. In addition to the benefit to the environment, the rewards program will give residents and local businesses a needed economic boost.
The City of Atlanta selected 10,000 households for the incentive based pilot recycling program. The participating households represent a cross section of recyclers throughout the City. The RecycleBank® rewards program will encourage better participation in the curbside recycling program. It will also allow the City to evaluate changes in the amounts of recyclables collected from residents participating in the pilot program.
"Incentive based recycling will help us to meet our recycling and sustainability goals while giving something back to our residents. During today's recession and economic climate, saving money on groceries, on clothing, or at the pharmacy translates to great value. We have found a way to provide real financial rewards and help the environment at the same time," said Mayor Shirley Franklin.
Each home in the pilot area will receive a brand new 96-gallon blue cart, retrofitted with an ID tag with the resident's household address and RecycleBank account number. City trucks have been retrofitted with technology to read the cart ID tag. Upon activating their account with RecycleBank, either online or by phone, the household will begin to earn RecycleBank Points with every pick-up.
Points can be redeemed for rewards, gift cards, groceries, and products at hundreds of local and national RecycleBank Reward Partners. Partners include giant national brands and retailers such as Coca-Cola, Kraft Foods, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Publix, and CVS/pharmacy, as well as local partners like Zoo Atlanta, Radial Café, Rita's Water Ice, MetroFresh, Edgewood Avenue Pizza, and Six Feet Under.
Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE), housed in Atlanta, is a significant player in making the pilot program a reality for their local neighbors. Through sponsorship dollars, they have enabled the purchase of the 10,000 Rehrig Pacific blue recycling carts needed for the pilot program.
-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
www.artsacrossgeorgia.com
Arts Across Georgia
Friday, October 9, 2009
SBA Opens Business Recovery Center in Fulton County
(BUSINESS WIRE)--The U.S. Small Business Administration announces today that a Business Recovery Center in Fulton County is open to help businesses impacted by the severe storms and flooding in Georgia that began on September 18, 2009. The Center opened today at the Government Services Center, 2741 Roswell Road, Atlanta, GA 30350. The hours of operation are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday until further notice.
The disaster declaration covers the counties of: Bartow, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fulton, Gwinnett, Heard, Newton, Paulding, Rockdale, Stephens and Walker in the State of Georgia, which are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA.
Small businesses and most private non-profit organizations in the following adjacent counties are eligible to apply only for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans: Banks, Barrow, Butts, Clayton, Dade, Dawson, Fayette, Floyd, Forsyth, Franklin, Gordon, Habersham, Hall, Haralson, Henry, Jackson, Jasper, Meriwether, Morgan, Pickens, Polk, Spalding, Troup, Walton and Whitfield in Georgia; Cherokee, Cleburne, DeKalb and Randolph in Alabama; Oconee in South Carolina; and Hamilton County in Tennessee.
Businesses and non-profit organizations of any size may borrow up to $2 million for physical losses. For small businesses, and most private non-profit organizations of all sizes, the SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage.
Interest rates are as low as 4 percent for businesses, with terms up to 30 years. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.
SBA’s representatives will be on hand at the Business Recovery Centers to issue loan applications, answer questions about the disaster loan program, explain the application process and help individuals complete their applications. The Business Recovery Centers are located in the following communities and will open as indicated below:
FULTON COUNTY
Government Services Center
7741 Roswell Road
Atlanta, GA 30350
Hours:
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday – Friday,
until further notice
Disaster loan information and application forms may be obtained by calling the SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the hearing impaired), Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. EDT, (including the holiday, Monday October 12) or send an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Business loan applications can also be downloaded from the SBA Web site at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. Completed applications should be returned to the Centers or mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155. Businesses may apply for disaster loans from SBA’s secure Web site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.
The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is November 23, 2009. The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 24, 2010.
-----
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
The disaster declaration covers the counties of: Bartow, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fulton, Gwinnett, Heard, Newton, Paulding, Rockdale, Stephens and Walker in the State of Georgia, which are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA.
Small businesses and most private non-profit organizations in the following adjacent counties are eligible to apply only for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans: Banks, Barrow, Butts, Clayton, Dade, Dawson, Fayette, Floyd, Forsyth, Franklin, Gordon, Habersham, Hall, Haralson, Henry, Jackson, Jasper, Meriwether, Morgan, Pickens, Polk, Spalding, Troup, Walton and Whitfield in Georgia; Cherokee, Cleburne, DeKalb and Randolph in Alabama; Oconee in South Carolina; and Hamilton County in Tennessee.
Businesses and non-profit organizations of any size may borrow up to $2 million for physical losses. For small businesses, and most private non-profit organizations of all sizes, the SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage.
Interest rates are as low as 4 percent for businesses, with terms up to 30 years. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.
SBA’s representatives will be on hand at the Business Recovery Centers to issue loan applications, answer questions about the disaster loan program, explain the application process and help individuals complete their applications. The Business Recovery Centers are located in the following communities and will open as indicated below:
FULTON COUNTY
Government Services Center
7741 Roswell Road
Atlanta, GA 30350
Hours:
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday – Friday,
until further notice
Disaster loan information and application forms may be obtained by calling the SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the hearing impaired), Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. EDT, (including the holiday, Monday October 12) or send an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Business loan applications can also be downloaded from the SBA Web site at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. Completed applications should be returned to the Centers or mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155. Businesses may apply for disaster loans from SBA’s secure Web site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.
The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is November 23, 2009. The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 24, 2010.
-----
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Emory to Host Atlanta Mayoral Candidates' Forum
Emory University will host an Atlanta mayoral candidates forum and debate at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, at Emory's Glenn Memorial Auditorium (1652 North Decatur Road, Atlanta, 30307). The forum is sponsored Emory’s Office of Government Affairs, Emory’s Center for Ethics, the League of Women Voters of Atlanta-Fulton County, WAGA FOX-5 and the Clifton Community Partnership.
“Part of the role of the Center for Ethics is to be a safe space for public discussion of controversial issues, so it is appropriate for the center to help host a discussion with the next mayor and the concerns that confront Atlanta – issues of poverty and homelessness, education and ethics, sustainability and the workforce environment,” says Paul Root Wolpe, director of Emory's ethics center. “We are thrilled work with our internal partner, the Office of Governmental and Community Affairs, as well as the League of Women Voters to sponsor this important conversation.”
As the contest for the next mayor of the City of Atlanta enters the final weeks prior to the election on Tuesday, Nov. 3, all the qualified candidates have been invited to the Emory campus to discuss these topics and other issues of interest not only to the university, but to the entire Atlanta region.
Confirmed attendees include:
• Lisa Borders, city council president
• Peter Brownlowe, former Atlanta police officer
• Kyle Keyser, founder of Atlantans Together Against Crime
• Mary Norwood, city councilwoman
• Kasim Reed, state senator
• Jesse Spikes, attorney
The forum is free and open to the public.
-----
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
www.artsacrossgeorgia.com
Arts Across Georgia
“Part of the role of the Center for Ethics is to be a safe space for public discussion of controversial issues, so it is appropriate for the center to help host a discussion with the next mayor and the concerns that confront Atlanta – issues of poverty and homelessness, education and ethics, sustainability and the workforce environment,” says Paul Root Wolpe, director of Emory's ethics center. “We are thrilled work with our internal partner, the Office of Governmental and Community Affairs, as well as the League of Women Voters to sponsor this important conversation.”
As the contest for the next mayor of the City of Atlanta enters the final weeks prior to the election on Tuesday, Nov. 3, all the qualified candidates have been invited to the Emory campus to discuss these topics and other issues of interest not only to the university, but to the entire Atlanta region.
Confirmed attendees include:
• Lisa Borders, city council president
• Peter Brownlowe, former Atlanta police officer
• Kyle Keyser, founder of Atlantans Together Against Crime
• Mary Norwood, city councilwoman
• Kasim Reed, state senator
• Jesse Spikes, attorney
The forum is free and open to the public.
-----
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
www.artsacrossgeorgia.com
Arts Across Georgia
Monday, September 28, 2009
City of Atlanta Seeking Pension Payment Refund
The City of Atlanta was notified by the IRS on September 14th of unpaid taxes, penalties and interest which totaled $2.5 million related to the City’s pension funds. The penalties and interest were imposed because the City was a few days late on some of its monthly pension payments.
The City intends to seek a full refund. As a first step of that effort, the City sent a letter on September 21th requesting a refund of $894,000 that was paid to the Police Pension fund instead of the General Fund pension account.
Based on legal advice about the pension payment, the City paid the full $2.5 million IRS levy bill on September 23rd even though it is pending an appeal
---
Community News You Can Use
Follow us on Twitter: @gafrontpage
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
www.PoliticalPotluck.com
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
---
The City intends to seek a full refund. As a first step of that effort, the City sent a letter on September 21th requesting a refund of $894,000 that was paid to the Police Pension fund instead of the General Fund pension account.
Based on legal advice about the pension payment, the City paid the full $2.5 million IRS levy bill on September 23rd even though it is pending an appeal
---
Community News You Can Use
Follow us on Twitter: @gafrontpage
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
www.PoliticalPotluck.com
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
---
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Atlanta City Concilwoman Plea for Assistance for Flood Ravaged District 9
As you may know by news reports, many of our citizens in District 9 have been affected by the flood of the Chattahoochee River, RM Clayton Wastewater Treatment Plant, Peachtree, Proctor and Sandy Creeks. I have been trying to get around to every community to assess the damage and needs.
I am appealing to you and your neighborhood organizations to help me, help those in need! Please call my office at 404-330-6044 if you can assist.
My office is working hard to coordinate services for those affected. The Salvation Army is in route to provide a Canteen with lunch, water, etc. for residents in the Buckhead, Riverside, and Lincoln/Bolton Hill Communities. If I’ve missed any areas, please alert me.
Also, we are coordinating with our Public Works department to set a pick-up day for bulk items. If you have flood insurance, you may be reimbursed for private dumpsters. Those who do not have insurance and need assistance for pick-up can call my office for coordination.
I’m preparing and electronic and printed information which I will distribute tomorrow with contact numbers for assistance and helpful hints.
This email is a call out to individuals and neighborhood associations who were not affected by the flooding to help your district and neighboring communities.
Here’s how you can help:
Volunteers to help remove items in homes damaged by the flood – I have seniors who need help!
Donation of cleaning supplies
Pumps and vacuums to remove water from homes
Dumpster donations, etc.
If you can help please call me ASAP.
Thank you,
Felicia A. Moore
fmoore@AtlantaGa.Gov
Councilmember, District 9
Atlanta City Council
55 Trinity Avenue, Suite 2900
Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 330-6044 Phone
(404) 658-7966 Fax
-----
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
I am appealing to you and your neighborhood organizations to help me, help those in need! Please call my office at 404-330-6044 if you can assist.
My office is working hard to coordinate services for those affected. The Salvation Army is in route to provide a Canteen with lunch, water, etc. for residents in the Buckhead, Riverside, and Lincoln/Bolton Hill Communities. If I’ve missed any areas, please alert me.
Also, we are coordinating with our Public Works department to set a pick-up day for bulk items. If you have flood insurance, you may be reimbursed for private dumpsters. Those who do not have insurance and need assistance for pick-up can call my office for coordination.
I’m preparing and electronic and printed information which I will distribute tomorrow with contact numbers for assistance and helpful hints.
This email is a call out to individuals and neighborhood associations who were not affected by the flooding to help your district and neighboring communities.
Here’s how you can help:
Volunteers to help remove items in homes damaged by the flood – I have seniors who need help!
Donation of cleaning supplies
Pumps and vacuums to remove water from homes
Dumpster donations, etc.
If you can help please call me ASAP.
Thank you,
Felicia A. Moore
fmoore@AtlantaGa.Gov
Councilmember, District 9
Atlanta City Council
55 Trinity Avenue, Suite 2900
Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 330-6044 Phone
(404) 658-7966 Fax
-----
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
AED School Program at Its Best: Atlanta Public Schools' Partnership With Cardiac Science
/PRNewswire/ -- Cardiac Science Corporation (NASDAQ:CSCX) , a global leader in automated external defibrillator (AED) and diagnostic cardiac monitoring devices, announced the expansion of the largest AED deployment of any school system in Georgia with 195 Powerheart AED G3 devices from Cardiac Science.
The Atlanta Public School AED program started with 100 Cardiac Science AEDs in 2007 and has grown; now protecting 102 locations with more than 1,100 trained responders. "In Atlanta Public Schools, we not only want to ensure every student learns at high levels; we want to ensure every student is safe," said Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Beverly L. Hall.
"The district-wide deployment of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and trained on-staff first responders is a meaningful component of our emergency preparedness," Hall added. "Parents can take comfort in this security measure, driven by our own on-the-ground team of security professionals with help from leading health care experts in the community."
Often a school AED program is led by school nurses or the athletic department. In this case, the Fulton County Public Schools' Police Department and its Deputy Chief Marquenta A. Sands worked with distributor School Health Corporation and Cardiac Science Corporation to drive AED adoption.
Dave Marver, Cardiac Science president and chief executive officer, said, "We've become very good at helping major school systems with their AED programs. In addition to Atlanta, we help protect young people at large school systems in Houston, Miami, Tampa, San Diego, and throughout Ohio, New York, and Texas, which have state mandates requiring AED placement in schools. We're pleased to have partnered with School Health, Children's Healthcare, and the AHA to make this happen."
Chief Sands explained, "We need to protect our young people - and sudden cardiac arrest is a real threat to their safety. According to the American Heart Association, approximately 7,000 young people will die a sudden cardiac death this year alone. With our AED school program, we're hoping to lower that tragic toll."
Marver added, "Relatively few metropolitan public school systems in the US have formal AED programs, despite the growing number of legal mandates that protect schoolchildren against sudden cardiac arrest. We've chosen to focus on the school AED market with the intent that children everywhere would have the level of safety now provided in Atlanta."
"My deep thanks to Cardiac Science, Children's Healthcare, School Health, and the AHA for their support. We far exceeded the acceptance, visibility, and scope of our initial goals," said Chief Sands. "Ten percent of the staff is trained at each school and several schools voluntarily committed to having 100 percent of the staff trained."
Atlanta Public Schools also created a dedicated training facility available to people in the Atlanta community to learn CPR and AED use at no charge. And the school AED program is compliant with civil immunity requirements afforded by Georgia's Good Samaritan law for AED use.
-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
www.artsacrossgeorgia.com
Arts Across Georgia
The Atlanta Public School AED program started with 100 Cardiac Science AEDs in 2007 and has grown; now protecting 102 locations with more than 1,100 trained responders. "In Atlanta Public Schools, we not only want to ensure every student learns at high levels; we want to ensure every student is safe," said Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Beverly L. Hall.
"The district-wide deployment of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and trained on-staff first responders is a meaningful component of our emergency preparedness," Hall added. "Parents can take comfort in this security measure, driven by our own on-the-ground team of security professionals with help from leading health care experts in the community."
Often a school AED program is led by school nurses or the athletic department. In this case, the Fulton County Public Schools' Police Department and its Deputy Chief Marquenta A. Sands worked with distributor School Health Corporation and Cardiac Science Corporation to drive AED adoption.
Dave Marver, Cardiac Science president and chief executive officer, said, "We've become very good at helping major school systems with their AED programs. In addition to Atlanta, we help protect young people at large school systems in Houston, Miami, Tampa, San Diego, and throughout Ohio, New York, and Texas, which have state mandates requiring AED placement in schools. We're pleased to have partnered with School Health, Children's Healthcare, and the AHA to make this happen."
Chief Sands explained, "We need to protect our young people - and sudden cardiac arrest is a real threat to their safety. According to the American Heart Association, approximately 7,000 young people will die a sudden cardiac death this year alone. With our AED school program, we're hoping to lower that tragic toll."
Marver added, "Relatively few metropolitan public school systems in the US have formal AED programs, despite the growing number of legal mandates that protect schoolchildren against sudden cardiac arrest. We've chosen to focus on the school AED market with the intent that children everywhere would have the level of safety now provided in Atlanta."
"My deep thanks to Cardiac Science, Children's Healthcare, School Health, and the AHA for their support. We far exceeded the acceptance, visibility, and scope of our initial goals," said Chief Sands. "Ten percent of the staff is trained at each school and several schools voluntarily committed to having 100 percent of the staff trained."
Atlanta Public Schools also created a dedicated training facility available to people in the Atlanta community to learn CPR and AED use at no charge. And the school AED program is compliant with civil immunity requirements afforded by Georgia's Good Samaritan law for AED use.
-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
www.artsacrossgeorgia.com
Arts Across Georgia
Monday, August 3, 2009
City of Atlanta Wins Playful City USA for the Third Consecutive Year
For the third consecutive year, KaBOOM!, a national non-profit dedicated to bringing play back into children’s lives, has named the City of Atlanta a Playful City USA community.
The City of Atlanta is one of 93 communities across the nation that has taken innovative approaches to make play a priority and ensure that children have the time and space they need to play. Despite the down economy, the City of Atlanta supports its communities in building and maintaining play spaces and developing programming to meet the needs of the community.
“This is an honor for the City of Atlanta to be recognized three years in row for our dedication to play, “says the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Commissioner Dianne Harnell Cohen. “We are proud to provide the residents and visitors play spaces to enjoy throughout the City of Atlanta.”
The Atlanta Taskforce on Play (ATOP) was instrumental in working with City of Atlanta in demonstrating creative commitments to the cause of play. “The freedom to play in a beautiful, safe, fun, clean, creative environment is one of the greatest gifts we can give our children,” says ATOP Founder Cynthia Gentry.
The City of Atlanta and ATOP will host the City of Atlanta’s second annual Great Atlanta PLAY DAY on September 26, 2009; a day where people will turn off their TVs, shut down their computers and go outside to play.
---
Community News You Can Use
Follow us on Twitter: @gafrontpage
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
www.PoliticalPotluck.com
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
---
The City of Atlanta is one of 93 communities across the nation that has taken innovative approaches to make play a priority and ensure that children have the time and space they need to play. Despite the down economy, the City of Atlanta supports its communities in building and maintaining play spaces and developing programming to meet the needs of the community.
“This is an honor for the City of Atlanta to be recognized three years in row for our dedication to play, “says the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Commissioner Dianne Harnell Cohen. “We are proud to provide the residents and visitors play spaces to enjoy throughout the City of Atlanta.”
The Atlanta Taskforce on Play (ATOP) was instrumental in working with City of Atlanta in demonstrating creative commitments to the cause of play. “The freedom to play in a beautiful, safe, fun, clean, creative environment is one of the greatest gifts we can give our children,” says ATOP Founder Cynthia Gentry.
The City of Atlanta and ATOP will host the City of Atlanta’s second annual Great Atlanta PLAY DAY on September 26, 2009; a day where people will turn off their TVs, shut down their computers and go outside to play.
---
Community News You Can Use
Follow us on Twitter: @gafrontpage
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
www.PoliticalPotluck.com
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
---
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
US Department of Justice COPS Hiring Recovery Program (CHRP) Grant Award
The Department of Justice has approved a COPS Hiring Recovery Program (CHRP) grant award for 50 police officer positions in Atlanta. The estimated amount of federal funds to be awarded over the three-year grant period is $11,209,300.00.
The official notification has been provided and as soon as the City receives their award letter this fall, Atlanta Police Department will begin the process of adding police officers to the force.
The department will receive a COPS Hiring Recovery Program (CHRP) grant award for 50 officer positions. The estimated amount of federal funds to be awarded to your jurisdiction over the three-year grant period is $11,209,300.00. When the grant funding ends, there must be a plan to sustain the additional officers as the City seeks to increase the police force to reach a minimum goal of 2,000 police officers.
Atlanta Deputy Chief George Turner said that the goal is to have a recruit class this fall with the 50 new recruits. Once the officers are trained they will be dispatched into the community. The police department is proud and happy to add 50 new officers to the force, said Chief Turner. All the positions awarded under the grant must be used to initiate or enhance community policing in the City of Atlanta.
Currently, the City of Atlanta authorized positions (budgeted for) is 1,701 sworn police.
Mayor Shirley Franklin believes that the COPS (Community Oriented Policing Services) program is vital in the crime-fighting efforts of American cities. Franklin said, “ I join other mayors and local officials in acknowledging the Department of Justice and Attorney General Eric Holder for their efforts to advocate on behalf of cities. Atlanta competed nationally for this grant along with hundreds of other communities, and this award represents an important public safety investment in our community.”
The Recovery Act grants, which will be administered by the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) through the federal agency’s COPS Hiring Recovery Program, provide much needed financial support to state, local and tribal governments, and will help the nation’s law enforcement agencies add and retain the manpower needed to fight crime more effectively through community policing. The Department of Justice received over 7,200 applications for more than 39,000 officer positions, representing a total of $8.3 billion in requested funding.
The Recovery Act includes $4 billion in Department of Justice grant funding to enhance state, local, and tribal law enforcement efforts, including the hiring of new police officers, to combat violence against women, and to fight internet crimes against children. In addition to today’s COPS awards, to date the Department of Justice has awarded $1.7 billion through formula state and local Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants, $95 million through the Victims of Crime Act Formula Grant Program, $41.5 million for Internet Crimes Against Children initiatives, $127 million in Office on Violence Against Women Recovery Act funds and $8.6 million for assistance for law enforcement along the Southern Border and in high intensity drug trafficking areas.
---
Community News You Can Use
Follow us on Twitter: @gafrontpage
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
www.PoliticalPotluck.com
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
---
The official notification has been provided and as soon as the City receives their award letter this fall, Atlanta Police Department will begin the process of adding police officers to the force.
The department will receive a COPS Hiring Recovery Program (CHRP) grant award for 50 officer positions. The estimated amount of federal funds to be awarded to your jurisdiction over the three-year grant period is $11,209,300.00. When the grant funding ends, there must be a plan to sustain the additional officers as the City seeks to increase the police force to reach a minimum goal of 2,000 police officers.
Atlanta Deputy Chief George Turner said that the goal is to have a recruit class this fall with the 50 new recruits. Once the officers are trained they will be dispatched into the community. The police department is proud and happy to add 50 new officers to the force, said Chief Turner. All the positions awarded under the grant must be used to initiate or enhance community policing in the City of Atlanta.
Currently, the City of Atlanta authorized positions (budgeted for) is 1,701 sworn police.
Mayor Shirley Franklin believes that the COPS (Community Oriented Policing Services) program is vital in the crime-fighting efforts of American cities. Franklin said, “ I join other mayors and local officials in acknowledging the Department of Justice and Attorney General Eric Holder for their efforts to advocate on behalf of cities. Atlanta competed nationally for this grant along with hundreds of other communities, and this award represents an important public safety investment in our community.”
The Recovery Act grants, which will be administered by the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) through the federal agency’s COPS Hiring Recovery Program, provide much needed financial support to state, local and tribal governments, and will help the nation’s law enforcement agencies add and retain the manpower needed to fight crime more effectively through community policing. The Department of Justice received over 7,200 applications for more than 39,000 officer positions, representing a total of $8.3 billion in requested funding.
The Recovery Act includes $4 billion in Department of Justice grant funding to enhance state, local, and tribal law enforcement efforts, including the hiring of new police officers, to combat violence against women, and to fight internet crimes against children. In addition to today’s COPS awards, to date the Department of Justice has awarded $1.7 billion through formula state and local Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants, $95 million through the Victims of Crime Act Formula Grant Program, $41.5 million for Internet Crimes Against Children initiatives, $127 million in Office on Violence Against Women Recovery Act funds and $8.6 million for assistance for law enforcement along the Southern Border and in high intensity drug trafficking areas.
---
Community News You Can Use
Follow us on Twitter: @gafrontpage
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
www.PoliticalPotluck.com
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
---
Thursday, July 16, 2009
City of Atlanta Parking Management Statement
The City of Atlanta is planning to adopt new legislation for comprehensive parking management services including meter installation and maintenance, collection of meter revenue, parking enforcement, electronic processing of ticketing and payments, and delinquent collections.
The parking enforcement component will include ticketing, booting, and towing of vehicles with at least 3 outstanding parking citations.
The new system is planned for implementation in Fall 2009. Prior to implementation, a public education campaign will be used to advise the public about the new program and obtain information about outstanding parking citations. It will include public service announcements via television, print, and electronic media.
---
Community News You Can Use
Follow us on Twitter: @gafrontpage
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
www.PoliticalPotluck.com
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
---
The parking enforcement component will include ticketing, booting, and towing of vehicles with at least 3 outstanding parking citations.
The new system is planned for implementation in Fall 2009. Prior to implementation, a public education campaign will be used to advise the public about the new program and obtain information about outstanding parking citations. It will include public service announcements via television, print, and electronic media.
---
Community News You Can Use
Follow us on Twitter: @gafrontpage
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
www.PoliticalPotluck.com
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
---
Monday, June 15, 2009
City of Atlanta Statement in Regard to the Georgia Supreme Court’s Decision in Columbus vs. Expedia, Inc.
The City of Atlanta believes today’s Supreme Court decision in Columbus vs. Expedia, Inc. is a very positive development. In that decision upholding a permanent injunction against Expedia, Inc, the majority recognized that Expedia Inc. in fact collects taxes from its customers. The Court also recognized that, under both state and local law, occupancy taxes are to be collected on the amount the customer pays for the room. Finally, the Court held that, so long as Expedia collects taxes from customers, it must collect taxes on the amount its customers pay as a room rate and remit those taxes to the appropriate municipality. The City of Atlanta believes that this decision validates the positions that the City has taken in its lawsuit, currently pending in Fulton County Superior Court.
Atlanta brought its suit to collect recovery of occupancy taxes as collected by the online travel companies. Even though those companies would charge the same retail room rate as would a local hotel, Atlanta would receive less money in those transactions where the online travel companies rather than the hotel collected the taxes. Again, Atlanta is pleased with the Supreme Court’s decision and looks forward to recovering past due occupancy taxes in its pending case, as well as securing compliance with state and local tax laws going forward.
---
Community News You Can Use
Follow us on Twitter: @gafrontpage
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
www.PoliticalPotluck.com
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
---
Atlanta brought its suit to collect recovery of occupancy taxes as collected by the online travel companies. Even though those companies would charge the same retail room rate as would a local hotel, Atlanta would receive less money in those transactions where the online travel companies rather than the hotel collected the taxes. Again, Atlanta is pleased with the Supreme Court’s decision and looks forward to recovering past due occupancy taxes in its pending case, as well as securing compliance with state and local tax laws going forward.
---
Community News You Can Use
Follow us on Twitter: @gafrontpage
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
www.PoliticalPotluck.com
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
---
Friday, May 1, 2009
Atlanta's CFO Responds to Internal Audit
City of Atlanta Chief Financial Officer James Glass today released the following statement regarding the Performance Review of the Department of Watershed Management conducted by the City’s internal auditor and KPMG at the request of the City Council:
“I am grateful for the hard work and dedicated effort that is evident in the Performance Review of the Department of Watershed Management. The Performance Review offers many sound recommendations, a significant feat given the demands of creating this important review in a relatively short time period.
However, I believe the final analysis as it relates to rate setting and budgeting to be flawed because of a lack of understanding about what is happening in the credit and financial markets and the environment in which the City of Atlanta is currently operating. Additionally, the auditors have not anticipated some serious risk factors and what they mean in relation to the Department’s debt coverage.
These risk factors could pose a significant threat to interest rates, the amount of debt the Department is carrying and termination costs and would require the Department to make drastic cuts to its capital program, potentially falling out of compliance with Federal Consent Decree mandates.
Many variables impact the Department’s financial picture. It is my belief that the Performance Review seriously understates the impact of the international credit crisis on the City’s borrowing ability and has made assumptions about budgeting that cannot be supported in this current economic climate.
Therefore, I would recommend that, with the exception of implementing some of the operational recommendations set forth in the Performance Review, the City defer taking action on any financial recommendations for six months.
This would give the Department sufficient time to determine the direction the international financial markets are taking and make judgments that will allow it to continue to meet federal requirements as it provides the exceptional water and wastewater services that are, after all, the reason the Department exists.”
---
Community News You Can Use
Follow us on Twitter: @gafrontpage
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
---
“I am grateful for the hard work and dedicated effort that is evident in the Performance Review of the Department of Watershed Management. The Performance Review offers many sound recommendations, a significant feat given the demands of creating this important review in a relatively short time period.
However, I believe the final analysis as it relates to rate setting and budgeting to be flawed because of a lack of understanding about what is happening in the credit and financial markets and the environment in which the City of Atlanta is currently operating. Additionally, the auditors have not anticipated some serious risk factors and what they mean in relation to the Department’s debt coverage.
These risk factors could pose a significant threat to interest rates, the amount of debt the Department is carrying and termination costs and would require the Department to make drastic cuts to its capital program, potentially falling out of compliance with Federal Consent Decree mandates.
Many variables impact the Department’s financial picture. It is my belief that the Performance Review seriously understates the impact of the international credit crisis on the City’s borrowing ability and has made assumptions about budgeting that cannot be supported in this current economic climate.
Therefore, I would recommend that, with the exception of implementing some of the operational recommendations set forth in the Performance Review, the City defer taking action on any financial recommendations for six months.
This would give the Department sufficient time to determine the direction the international financial markets are taking and make judgments that will allow it to continue to meet federal requirements as it provides the exceptional water and wastewater services that are, after all, the reason the Department exists.”
---
Community News You Can Use
Follow us on Twitter: @gafrontpage
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
---
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Mayor Franklin Delivers $541 Million Proposed Budget for FY2010
Mayor Shirley Franklin delivered her proposed FY2010 budget for the City of Atlanta to the City Council today. Highlights of the proposed budget include:
· The elimination of the furlough that was introduced during FY2009 as a cost savings measure. All City employees – including public safety personnel – will return to a 40 hour work week
· Savings initiatives of nearly $60 million
· The authorized General Fund workforce will be less than 4,000, a reduction from approximately 5,600 in 2001.
· A three mill increase in the property tax millage rate. For the average City of Atlanta (in Fulton County) homeowner this represents a 7% increase in the total property tax bill or a $20 per month increase in property taxes.
“Despite the fact that the City has seen an $88 million reduction in revenues as a result of this historic recession, we have a responsibility to ensure that basic municipal services are delivered”, said the Mayor. “We have reduced spending through the furloughs, layoffs, and other measures. However, we must increase our revenues if we are to return our public safety and other core services to full-time operation.”
With this budget, the City will reduce its general fund workforce from 5,617 in 2001 to 3,934, a 30% reduction. This is during a period in which the City has grown by 25%. According to recent Bain & Company analysis, the City has moved from second-worst performing city among major cities in the country in terms of efficiency to the second best.
The 3 mill rate increase is consistent with millage rate increases that have occurred during previous recessions. During both the 1991 recession (+2 mills) and the 2001 recession (+3 mills), millage rates were increased in response to declining revenues.
Budget FAQs are attached and the full budget document is available on line at www.atlantaga.gov.
---
Community News You Can Use
Follow us on Twitter: @gafrontpage
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
---
· The elimination of the furlough that was introduced during FY2009 as a cost savings measure. All City employees – including public safety personnel – will return to a 40 hour work week
· Savings initiatives of nearly $60 million
· The authorized General Fund workforce will be less than 4,000, a reduction from approximately 5,600 in 2001.
· A three mill increase in the property tax millage rate. For the average City of Atlanta (in Fulton County) homeowner this represents a 7% increase in the total property tax bill or a $20 per month increase in property taxes.
“Despite the fact that the City has seen an $88 million reduction in revenues as a result of this historic recession, we have a responsibility to ensure that basic municipal services are delivered”, said the Mayor. “We have reduced spending through the furloughs, layoffs, and other measures. However, we must increase our revenues if we are to return our public safety and other core services to full-time operation.”
With this budget, the City will reduce its general fund workforce from 5,617 in 2001 to 3,934, a 30% reduction. This is during a period in which the City has grown by 25%. According to recent Bain & Company analysis, the City has moved from second-worst performing city among major cities in the country in terms of efficiency to the second best.
The 3 mill rate increase is consistent with millage rate increases that have occurred during previous recessions. During both the 1991 recession (+2 mills) and the 2001 recession (+3 mills), millage rates were increased in response to declining revenues.
Budget FAQs are attached and the full budget document is available on line at www.atlantaga.gov.
---
Community News You Can Use
Follow us on Twitter: @gafrontpage
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
---
Monday, April 13, 2009
City of Atlanta Severe Weather Update
City of Atlanta personnel are working hard in the clean-up and recovery effort following today’s severe weather.
Latest Updates as of 2:35 pm
Atlanta Fire-Rescue Department
· Received 272 unique calls.
· 218 calls pending.
Atlanta Police Department
· Attended to vehicle struck by tree.
· Tree down across Ponce de Leon at Durant Street blocking all six lanes of Ponce de Leon. Current list of all street closures will be emailed when available.
Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs
· Members of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs (DPRCA) are working with other city departments to get an assessment on the damages, clearing trees and cleaning up debris.
Department of Public Works
· Members of the Department of Public Works are providing assistance with heavy equipment as needed to DPRCA for tree removal.
· Sporadic traffic signal malfunctions are being addressed as they are reported.
There is a possibility of thunderstorms Monday evening and Tuesday morning in the Atlanta area. The City of Atlanta encourages all residents and businesses that have experienced damage to secure their tarps and debris to prevent further damage to their property. More information about tomorrow’s weather forecast can be found at www.weather.gov.
---
Community News You Can Use
Follow us on Twitter: @gafrontpage
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
---
Latest Updates as of 2:35 pm
Atlanta Fire-Rescue Department
· Received 272 unique calls.
· 218 calls pending.
Atlanta Police Department
· Attended to vehicle struck by tree.
· Tree down across Ponce de Leon at Durant Street blocking all six lanes of Ponce de Leon. Current list of all street closures will be emailed when available.
Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs
· Members of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs (DPRCA) are working with other city departments to get an assessment on the damages, clearing trees and cleaning up debris.
Department of Public Works
· Members of the Department of Public Works are providing assistance with heavy equipment as needed to DPRCA for tree removal.
· Sporadic traffic signal malfunctions are being addressed as they are reported.
There is a possibility of thunderstorms Monday evening and Tuesday morning in the Atlanta area. The City of Atlanta encourages all residents and businesses that have experienced damage to secure their tarps and debris to prevent further damage to their property. More information about tomorrow’s weather forecast can be found at www.weather.gov.
---
Community News You Can Use
Follow us on Twitter: @gafrontpage
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
---
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Mayor Shirley Franklin Among Mayors to Discuss Priorities in Public Education
U.S. Mayors from across the country will convene with U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and members of Congress for the Mayors’ National Forum on Education on Tuesday March 31, at the Capital Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C.
Mayors will hear presentations from the following during the Forum: U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (CO), U.S. Senator Patty Murray (WA), U.S. Congressman & Urban Caucus Chair Chaka Fattah (PA), and School Superintendents from the District of Columbia, New Haven, CT and Trenton, NJ public school systems.
Made possible by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Forum will provide an opportunity for mayors to dialogue with Department of Education officials about mayoral priorities in education. The Forum will also cover topics such as early childhood education, high school dropout prevention and afterschool programming.
www.usmayors.org.
MEETING ATTENDEES:
Mayor Sam Adams, Portland, OR
Mayor Tom Barrett, Milwaukee, WI
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, New York, NY
Mayor Kevin Burns, North Miami, FL
Mayor Christopher Cabaldon, West Sacramento, CA
Mayor David N. Cicilline, Providence, RI
Mayor Ron Dellums, Oakland, CA
Mayor John DeStefano, Jr., New Haven, CT
Mayor Virginia Dupuy, Waco, TX
Mayor William D. Euille, Alexandria, VA
Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, Washington, DC
Mayor Shirley Franklin, Atlanta, GA
Mayor Willie W. Herenton, Memphis, TN
Mayor Kevin Johnson, Sacramento, CA
Mayor Dwight C. Jones, Richmond, VA
Mayor Dannel P. Malloy, Stamford, CT
Mayor Thomas Masters, Riviera Beach, FL
Mayor Doug Palmer, Trenton, NJ
Mayor Ed Pawlowski, Allentown, PA
Mayor Brian U. Stratton, Schenectady, NY
Superintendent Andres Alonso, Baltimore, MD
Superintendent Karen Angello, Allentown, PA
Superintendent Sheldon Berman, Louisville, KY
Superintendent Tom Brady, Providence, RI
Superintendent Allen Johnson, Asheville, NC
Tom Cochran, USCM CEO & Executive Director
Mayors will hear presentations from the following during the Forum: U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (CO), U.S. Senator Patty Murray (WA), U.S. Congressman & Urban Caucus Chair Chaka Fattah (PA), and School Superintendents from the District of Columbia, New Haven, CT and Trenton, NJ public school systems.
Made possible by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Forum will provide an opportunity for mayors to dialogue with Department of Education officials about mayoral priorities in education. The Forum will also cover topics such as early childhood education, high school dropout prevention and afterschool programming.
www.usmayors.org.
MEETING ATTENDEES:
Mayor Sam Adams, Portland, OR
Mayor Tom Barrett, Milwaukee, WI
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, New York, NY
Mayor Kevin Burns, North Miami, FL
Mayor Christopher Cabaldon, West Sacramento, CA
Mayor David N. Cicilline, Providence, RI
Mayor Ron Dellums, Oakland, CA
Mayor John DeStefano, Jr., New Haven, CT
Mayor Virginia Dupuy, Waco, TX
Mayor William D. Euille, Alexandria, VA
Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, Washington, DC
Mayor Shirley Franklin, Atlanta, GA
Mayor Willie W. Herenton, Memphis, TN
Mayor Kevin Johnson, Sacramento, CA
Mayor Dwight C. Jones, Richmond, VA
Mayor Dannel P. Malloy, Stamford, CT
Mayor Thomas Masters, Riviera Beach, FL
Mayor Doug Palmer, Trenton, NJ
Mayor Ed Pawlowski, Allentown, PA
Mayor Brian U. Stratton, Schenectady, NY
Superintendent Andres Alonso, Baltimore, MD
Superintendent Karen Angello, Allentown, PA
Superintendent Sheldon Berman, Louisville, KY
Superintendent Tom Brady, Providence, RI
Superintendent Allen Johnson, Asheville, NC
Tom Cochran, USCM CEO & Executive Director
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
The City of Atlanta’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Awarded Accreditation by the National Recreation and Parks Association
The City of Atlanta Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs (DPRCA) was awarded accreditation status through the National Parks and Recreation Association’s Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) accreditation program. CAPRA reviews best practices of parks and recreation departments’ operations, management and service to the community. The announcement was made at the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) 2009 Spring Conference in Washington, D.C. on Friday, March 20, 2009.
“The process of accreditation is an extensive undertaking that requires park and recreation agencies to respond to 155 standards representing elements of effective and efficient agency operations,” says the City of Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin. "The Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs under the leadership of Commissioner Dianne Harnell Cohen worked diligently to complete the accreditation program with successful and lasting results for the City and the community.”
“This national recognition by the National Recreation and Parks Association is the highest honor that can be bestowed on a parks, recreation and cultural affairs agency and sets us apart from thousands of other agencies and systems throughout the nation.” says Dianne Harnell Cohen, Commissioner of City of Atlanta Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs who accepted the National Accreditation Award. “Achieving accreditation validates our commitment to overall excellence in providing programs and services to the City of Atlanta.”
One of the City’s strategic partners on parks and green space, Park Pride, was instrumental in the rigorous accreditation process. Park Pride works with communities all over Atlanta to improve parks and provides assistance.
“Just seven years ago parks advocates were calling the department dysfunctional and to come so far in such a short period of time is a great accomplishment,” Park Pride Executive Director George Dusenbury said, reflecting on DPRCA’s recent accreditation.
For more information on the City of Atlanta Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, please call 404-817-6788 or visit us online at www.atlantga.gov.
---
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
Fayette Front Page
Community News You Can Use
Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
---
“The process of accreditation is an extensive undertaking that requires park and recreation agencies to respond to 155 standards representing elements of effective and efficient agency operations,” says the City of Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin. "The Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs under the leadership of Commissioner Dianne Harnell Cohen worked diligently to complete the accreditation program with successful and lasting results for the City and the community.”
“This national recognition by the National Recreation and Parks Association is the highest honor that can be bestowed on a parks, recreation and cultural affairs agency and sets us apart from thousands of other agencies and systems throughout the nation.” says Dianne Harnell Cohen, Commissioner of City of Atlanta Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs who accepted the National Accreditation Award. “Achieving accreditation validates our commitment to overall excellence in providing programs and services to the City of Atlanta.”
One of the City’s strategic partners on parks and green space, Park Pride, was instrumental in the rigorous accreditation process. Park Pride works with communities all over Atlanta to improve parks and provides assistance.
“Just seven years ago parks advocates were calling the department dysfunctional and to come so far in such a short period of time is a great accomplishment,” Park Pride Executive Director George Dusenbury said, reflecting on DPRCA’s recent accreditation.
For more information on the City of Atlanta Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, please call 404-817-6788 or visit us online at www.atlantga.gov.
---
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
Fayette Front Page
Community News You Can Use
Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
---
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
