No Voter Suppression!

Thanks to many non-profits, churches and community groups, there are efforts to educate and get people to the polls. They include Georgia Stand Up, NAACP, ROSE Pack, and The Peoples Agenda.

Early voting ends in Georgia on Friday, November 2nd.  So, the most important thing you can do is to to vote early so you can help get others to the polls on Tuesday, November 6.

Whether you vote early or on Election Day, print your sample ballot, discuss it with your friends and family and take it with you to the polls. No need to memorize how you want to vote.  It’s two pages of items for which to vote.  Vote the entire ballot.  Do not leave anything blank!!

This Georgia Ballot is pretty simple to vote on because after you do your research, you may come to the same conclusions as I did before I voted last Wednesday:  I voted for all candidates of my party preference and, “NO” on all the ballot initiatives.  While change is needed in some of theses areas, the changes proposed here will have a negative impact on the average resident and may devastate Blacks, Browns, those on fixed incomes, and the poor.

Here are good rules for yes/no questions:

A yes vote supports the proposed change.  A no vote opposed the proposed change.  If you are not sure “how” to vote on yes/no ballot initiatives, vote “no”.  No means no change.  Why would you vote yes or leave blank something you do not fully understand??  Why would you vote yes for something and you do not know “who” (legislator or group) is proposing  the change and funding the ads for the change??  Voting “no” is the safe alternative.  Leaving it blank is not an option!  Leaving it blank is can be detrimental if the change is really bad and you do not understand it.  A “no” vote is safe because it helps to insure the change is not made until you better understand it.

The only way to change how things are being proposed and which things are funded (to get more things funded in your community) is to vote down the entire ballot for ALL the offices and initiatives.  Just as a sports team needs all its’ players on the field, the Governor (like a quarterback) also needs the whole team.  So, PLEASE vote down the entire ballot and select the entire team!!

For more information on voting and to review and print your sample ballot, visit:  www.yourpowerconnection.wordpress.com

For websites to research the 2018 Ballot items, visit:  www.ballotpedia.com

http://www.lwvaf.org

REMEMBER:

1) You can take your sample ballot or any paper notes to the poll with you. However, you cannot share it with anyone inside the polling location.

2) You have to turn off your cell phone inside the polling location.

3) You can vote at any early voting site within your county.

4) Your early voting site may be different than your Election Day voting site or precinct.  Check with your county election office or http://www.mvp.sos.ga.gov for your polling location BEFORE you go to vote. Sometimes polling places get changed and consolidated and you may not be aware.  This is especially true now because several Atlanta-Fulton County Libraries (former polling places) are closed for renovation.

FREE rides to vote are also available on Election Day, call any of the organizations listed above and on the flyer above. While Election Day requests may be honored, calling as far in advance as soon possible allows the organizations to better accommodate your ride request.

Happy voting!!

 

 

 

Vote!…Say Something!

From Fulton County Commissioner Emma Darnell. Thanks for this comprehensive early voting list. For early voting sites in other Georgia counties, visit:  www.mvp.sos.ga.gov   CLICK TO DOWNLOAD/PRINT LOCATIONS SCHEDULE     Alpharetta Branch Library, 10 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, 30009 Adams Park Library, 2231 Campbellton Rd., SW, Atlanta, 30311 Johns Creek Environmental Campus 8100 Holcomb Bridge Rd., Alpharetta, 30022 Fulton County Government Center 130 Peachtree St., SW, Atlanta, 30303 Buckhead Library, 269 Buckhead Ave., NE, Atlanta, 30305 C.T. Martin Natatorium/Recreation Center 3201 M.L. King Jr. Dr., SW, Atlanta, 30311 Southeast Atlanta Library, 1463 Pryor Rd., SW, Atlanta, 30315 Northwest Branch at Scotts Crossing Library 2489 Perry Blvd., NW, Atlanta, 30318 Northside Library, 3295 Northside Parkway, NW, Atlanta, 30327 Southwest Arts Center, 915 New Hope Rd., SW, Atlanta, 30331 Wolf Creek Library, 3100 Enon Rd., SW, Atlanta, 30331 Chastain Park Recreation Center 140 W. Wieuca Rd., NW, Atlanta, 30342 College Park Library, 3647 Main Street, College Park, 30337 South Fulton Service Center 5600 Stonewall Tell Rd., College Park, 30349 Welcome All Recreation Center 4255 Will Lee Rd., College Park, 30349 Ponce De Leon Library 980 Ponce De Leon Ave., NE, Atlanta, 30306 Dr. Robert E. Fulton Library at Ocee  5090 Abbotts Bridge Rd., Johns Creek, 30005 Milton Library, 855 Mayfield Rd., Milton, 30009 East Roswell Branch Library 2301 Holcomb Bridge Rd., Roswell, 30076 North Fulton Service Center 7741 Roswell Rd., Sandy Springs, 30350 EARLY VOTING OUTREACH LOCATIONS 2 specific days only at each facility: Weekdays and Saturdays: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays: Noon to 5 p.m.   Senior and Neighborhood Centers Thursday, Oct. 25 and Friday, Oct. 26 H. J. C. Bowden Senior Multipurpose Facility 2885 Church St., East Point, 30344 Saturday, Oct. 20 and Sunday, Oct. 21 Dorothy C. Benson Senior Multipurpose Facility 6500 Vernon Woods Dr., NE, Sandy Springs, 30328 Saturday, Oct. 27 and Sunday, Oct. 28 Helene S. Mills Senior Multipurpose Facility 515 John Wesley Dobbs, Ave., NE, Atlanta, 30312 Saturday, Oct. 20 and Sunday, Oct. 21 Quality Living Services Senior Center 4001 Danforth Rd., SW, Atlanta, 30331 Thursday, Oct. 25 and Friday, Oct. 26 Park Place at Newtown School 3125 Old Alabama Rd., Johns Creek, 30022 Saturday, Oct. 20 and Sunday, Oct. 21 Roswell Neighborhood Senior Center 1250 Warsaw Rd., Roswell, 30076 Thursday, Nov. 1 and Friday, Nov. 2 New Horizons Neighborhood Senior Center 745 Orr Street, NW, Atlanta, 30314 Tuesday, Oct., 16 and Wednesday, Oct. 17 Harriett G. Darnell Senior Multipurpose Facility 677 Fairburn Rd., NW, Atlanta, 30331 State University Campuses  Thursday, Oct. 18 and Friday, Oct. 19 Georgia Institute of Technology Ferst Center 349 Ferst Drive, NW, Atlanta, 30332 Tuesday, Oct. 23 and Wednesday, Oct. 24 Georgia State University Veterans Memorial Hall in Dahlberg Hall 30 Courtland Street, NE, Atlanta, 30303 Thursday, Oct. 25 and Friday, Oct. 26 Atlanta Metropolitan State College Edwin A. Thompson, Sr. Student Activity Center Building 800, Conference Room A 1630 Metropolitan Parkway, SW, Atlanta, 30310   For more information visit www.fultonelections.com Contact Commissioner Emma I. Darnell (404) 612-8222 emma.darnell@fultoncountyga.gov Fulton County Government Center 141 Pryor Street, SW, Suite 10023 Atlanta, GA 30303 DISTRICT OFFICE South Fulton Service Center 5600 Stonewall Tell Rd. College Park, GA 30349 DISTRICT OFFICE Harriett G. Darnell Senior Multipurpose Facility (By Appointment) 677 Fairburn Road, NW Atlanta, GA 30331

Office of Commissioner Emma I. DarnellFulton County District 6141 Pryor Street, Suite 10023 Atlanta GA 30303 SafeUnsubscribe™ sherryb92@gmail.com Forward this email Update ProfileAbout our service provider Sent by contactus@emmadarnell.com in collaboration with Try it free today

Take Your Love One to the Doctor

For those of us who know people who need to get serious about their health, today is the day that you do not worry about being polite.

Here is a clip from the “Take Your Love One to the Doctor” segment from the Tom Joyner Morning Show.  Wife of Chris Paul says it all as she explains how signs of stroke can be different…so stop being polite, tell people what they really need to know to save their life:

https://blackamericaweb.com/2018/10/23/comedian-chris-paul-suffered-a-stroke-his-wife-urges-you-to-take-your-health-seriously/

Health is wealth.   Whether you, or someone you know, need to:

1) lose 50+ pounds

2) learn healthy food choices/eating habits

3) get moving (exercise can help you get off those pills for high blood pressure, diabetes, etc. with doctor supervision).

Make the necessary sacrifices to improve your qualility of life… TODAY!  No more waiting until Monday to start fresh.  Start TODAY!!

 

Ebenezer Baptist Has Serious GOTV Events

To inspire all to vote, especially the youth, Clark Atlanta’s marching band performed on “College Sunday”, Oct. 14 at Ebenezer Baptist Church.

As Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, the church of Martin Luther King, Sr. and Martin Luther King. Jr., it is expected that they stay entrenched in the foundational issues that  are key to achieving social justice.

Here are ways to get involved in the 2018 Election: Don’t just sit there. Stand Up, get involved, get valuable info to share with your circle of friends and family.  IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.   Come be a part of our ELECTION SEASON EVENTS. The Midterm election is upon us and it is very critical that everybody gets out and vote. At Ebenezer. The Social Justice Ministry and the New Georgia Project are encouraging everyone to early vote or by absentee ballot. The Clark-Atlanta choir filled with angelic voices, sang beautifully on College Sunday at Ebenezer Baptist Church. Please click on your county link to see your early voting location. EACH ONE REACH MORE. Fulton County: http://www.fultoncountyga.gov/registration-elections-cd/7448-early-voting DeKalb County: https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/voter-registration-elections/current-election-information Cobb County: https://www.cobbelections.org/AdvanceVoting.php Once you have voted early, we need you to volunteer to help us encourage more people to vote. The Social Justice Ministry has a series of events leading up to elections day and we need your help. Here are two opportunities for you to help us in this effort. For other counties, go to your county elections website or visit: http://www.mvp.sos.ga.gov Event: EBC Cares: Walk the Ward Canvassing Goal is to knock on everybody’s door that resides in Old 4th Ward to encourage them to vote. Date: Saturday, October 27th Time: 11:00am-6:00pm Location: Cyber Cafe in MLK Sr. Resource Center Event: Get out to Vote Rally Date: Monday, November 5th Time: 5:00pm-9:00pm Location: The Heritage Sanctuary Our voice begins at the ballet box but it does not stop there. We must continue the fight to create we want to see in the world. Here are the opportunities to continue justice seeking. Event: The Connect: Chat, Chow & Chill (College Students Only) Date: Various Dates Time: 1:30pm-2:30pm Location: Banquet Hall, MLK Sr. Resource Center Contact Minister Darin Waite at darienw@ebenezeratl.org for more information. Event: Young Adult Ministry Bible Study: The Social Gospel Special Guest: Rev Bill Honor Date: Thursday, October 18th Time: 7:00pm-8:30pm Location: Cyber Cafe Contact Minister Bronson Woods at bronsonw@ebenezeratl.org

 

Dark Money, The Movie

 

Tonight’s screening of the movie, Dark Money, was extremely informative as it made connections of money from big corporations to political campaigns.

“Through this gripping story, DARK MONEY uncovers the shocking and vital truth of how American elections are bought and sold. This Sundance award-winning documentary is directed/produced by Kimberly Reed (PRODIGAL SONS) and produced by Katy Chevigny (E-TEAM).”

And the discussion and audience Q&A d deeper into key points and what to do to change campaign finance laws.

Before the movie, Montana Governor Steve Bullock, gave us an overview and told how he got involved in bi-partisan campaign finance reform.  Following the screening, GPB’s Rickey Bevington lead andiscuasion with Director/Producer Kimberly Reed.

Seen at Sundance Film Festival, this movie also explains how campaign finance of elections effects our every day life.  Being shown across the country, you can see it on GPB on Monday, October 15 at 10pm EST.  You can get information on how to host a Dark Money Movie Party

DARK MONEY is available to stream free online through Oct. 31.

 

Homeless in the ATL

Homeless woman on one of Atlanta’s most known streets, Peachtree Street in downtown Atlanta.

Homeless in Atlanta.  The Jewel of the South.  Black Mecca.  Home of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Civil Rights. How can this be? 

Atlanta is also #1 in the nation for income inequality. Lots of people with money. Lots of people without money.  Almost no one in the middle.  Affordable housing needs unmet with tens of thousands of units needed in Atlanta.  Other cities have similar needs.  But, many believe Atlanta should be doing better than other cities and should be the model . How is it that those with so much not see, care or help solve this rapidly growing social issue?

According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, housing is one of humanity’s most basic needs.  So again I ask, how can this be??

It is bad to see homeless men.  It is even worse to see homeless women. Ir is even worse to know some of our homeless are veterans who have proudly served our country.  As we saw recently with a former Cosby cast member working in Trader Joe’s, almost anyone can fall on hard times.  Where is our compassion and humanity?

Across metro Atlanta, we find funds for a $23 million bridge and replace the sidewalks around it.  Meanwhile, other parts of the city have been asking for sidewalks for decades.  How can we solve this huge homeless problem??  Why not have a contest and ask for solutions from our citizens and have them present to a “Shark Tank” like panel that will get matching funds from Atlanta Housing Authority, Invest Atlanta and some local private funders??

I pray that sooner rather than later, Atlanta and cities across  our nation will find the solution to our rapidly growing homeless problem.  I pray the woman in this photo is able to get off the streets soon.

 

Council Lack Votes for Indep Auditor

The vote was taken today and the motion for an independent auditor to review the $5 Billion proposal to develop The Gulch.  Eight “yes”votes were needed and they only had six.  Unfortunately the motion failed.  As you can see, three Council members were absent:  Young (who has been having medical treatments), Dickens and Shook.  Bond was in the Chamber earlier, but was not there during this crucial vote.

This 40 acre downtown property, with three owners, is prime real estate.   It is a 600 page detailed proposal.  Originally, the Council was asked to vote without reviewing the detailed proposal. Hmmm.

Councilwomen Shepherd, Overstreet, and Boone (just out of the camera view) talk with Rashad Taylor, from the Mayor’s Office, before the vote.

 

If The Gulch deal is as good as the Mayor and Council members who voted  “no” say it is, would not an independent auditor come the same conclusions??

In the words of Councilwoman Ide, ‘I am an attorney and I need this audit to better understand this.  It is like going to the doctor to get a second opinion…”  Why not get a second opinion?  What’s the problem?  What’s the rush?

Taking another two to four weeks to vet a 30 year deal that has been several decades in the making is problematic for whom??

The Mayor?

Council members?

CIM Developers (who have no African Americans among its’ 26 member executive team on their website)?

The independent audit is what 95% of public speakers at today’s City Council members Support.  Does the will of the residents/voters matter?

The Atlanta City Council has shown everyone to whom they owe their allegiance.  And, voters are more informed now than ever.

What is your opinion on this??