The Gulch – Who Do You Believe? Who Really Benefits?

Moderator Karen Greer, Mayor Bottoms, and CIM Advocate Team.

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms held a community forum to hear from residents due to opposition to The Gulch $5 Billion redevelopment plan proposed by California developer CIM.  The Mayor came in, took her seat and left after the Forum.  While she read an opening statement and answered a couple of the audience questions (that were read by the moderator), she was never seen engaging with residents.  No pictures. No handshakes. Nothing.

The plan which the City Council refused to vote on, until they have more time to review the 600 page document recently delivered to their homes, has residents furious.

Discussing 600 page Gulch Proposal with another opponent at Mayor’s forum.

Most residents were not allowed in the forum because City employees and a group of folks in green t-shirts, supporters  of the CIM proposed Gulch deal, took up most of the seats.  How is that really a forum for residents?  The overflow room was filled with residents upset they could not get in.

One of many ATL police officers after forum as GA Stand Up Exec. Dir., Deborah Scott, shares her opposing view with reporter.

In opening rules, outlined by moderator Karen Greer, attendees were told we would be removed by police officers, stationed around the room, if we got out of line (paraphrase).  I have attended many controversial forums/town halls, all across the country. Never have I heard those words.  Despite that, there were a few times when folks yelled in disagreement to what was being said.

Why are residents furious?  Well, after so many other “good deals” and promises that include:

– The original Braves Stadium & Turner Field

– Friendship Baptist Church & Mt. Vernon Baptist Church buyouts

– Falcons Stadium, Mercedes Benz (MB) Stadium & their $23 million bridge across Northside Drive

Karl Barnes (white jacket) ATL native and GA Tech alum among few residents who got into the Mayor’s Gulch Forum.

Each of these deals were also “good deals”  for the community and now we are all on the hook for cost overruns (the original MB bridge cost was $10 million. Several months later, the cost rose to $23 million with $1million in lights.).

Each time, residents are on the hook despite their elected officials assuring them, ‘it is good for Atlanta because it will bring jobs’.  Well, from what most reports and articles reveal, the minimum wage, temporary stadium jobs are what residents can verify.  No one can verify any substantial contractor or management jobs for residents.  However, residents continue to be displaced and given empty promises.

With a severe shortage of affordable housing units in Atlanta, each “good deal” drives out current residents while paving the way for new residents in homes priced out of reach for most.  Being the number one U.S. city for income inequality, there are only two places for most ATL residents to move:

1) further from the city with no or limited access to public transportation

2)  under an I-20 bridge with other homeless people

If a portion of our tax dollars could be used, as many advocates have asked, for:

– programs to repair/update homes of current residents,

– a program to “grandfather” current residents’ from tax increases.

– more affordable housing units than Invest Atlanta and the BeltLine can currently deliver.

That would give thousands of residents access to reasonable and affordable housing units.

Alvin Kendall, local attorney, gives the project overview as the Mayor Bottoms looks on.

Alvin Kendal, City of Atlanta liaison for the CIM Project gives a complicated presentation without a power point.  More on Kendall and his conflict of interest on this project from the AJC at:  https://www.ajc.com/news/local-govt–politics/watchdogs-question-rec-authority-leader-hiring-for-gulch-legal-work/QOvTwH6RnByIyAzlXvfRfL/

Much of the information he gave failed to give the whole story of the 30 year tax consequences to residents, Atlanta Public Schools (APS) and Fulton County Commissioners.  Three entities, ATL City Council, APS and Fulton County have to approve the plan for it to materialize.

Joe Beasley at podium at last week’s four hour long City Council Work Session attended by only half of the Council.

You see, I also attended last week’s City Council Work Session with “CIM Armani suit-wearing lawyers”, as former Senator Vincent Fort describes them.  Above, Internationist human rights activist, Joe Beasley, speaks against The Gulch Project.

If programs and legislation can be passed to benefit big corporations and stadium owners, why not for residents so they will not be driven out of their homes?  Is that too much to ask for while these corporate folks get to use “our” hard earned tax dollars?  Residents can make a change when they VOTE  in EVERY ELECTION.

Why is it that planners and people, including most of our elected officials, usually go into neighborhoods and tell them “what is best for them” and “how” their communities should look?  Even when Town halls are held, case in point, as with planning for MLKing Jr. Blvd, the neighborhood clearly objected to putting in medians.  This both limited left lane turning for cars and fire trucks.  Hmmm.

As WAOK Radio Host Derrick Boazman shared, ‘this Mayor’s Forum was not genuine and she is not standing up for the best interest of residents who elected her’.  Despite having a hand full of questions, Greer only read about 10-12. Most of them were not answered.  Real audience members were frustrated and began to shout out in frustration causing commotion.  Meanwhile the mayor sat with an unchanged expression.  And, to top it all off, most of us were shocked when the forum seemed to abruptly end.  Most of the time was not used to answer questions, but to give Gulch proposal rhetoric about how good this deal is for Atlanta.  If it is that good, tell the truth, answer all questions, and stop rushing.

Registering & educating voters at GA State MARTA Station. Back of t-shirt reads, “Register to Vote”.

So how do Atlanta residents and residents across the nation get control of their neighborhoods and protect them from predatory developers?

Glad you asked.  The short answer is to unite to vote out those who do not favor the residents who elected them.  And, to vet and fund candidates. Do not wait to see who runs.

On Tuesday, November 6, residents can take their power back by not just voting.  Everyone also needs to educate themselves on the 20 plus items on Georgia ballots (use Google, discuss with friends), BEFORE Election Day, so you can vote down the entire ballot with confidence while encouraging friends and family to do the same. Print a sample ballot from:  www.mvp.sos.ga.gov

In the meantime, those who are in office may be able to be recalled when they do not represent their voters. In the words of Sean King, contributor to the Tom Joyner Morning Show and Black America Web, “When we organize, we win!.”

 

Lots of people hanging around after Mayor’s Gulch Forum. Sign reads “Red Light The Gulch”.

So, it is obvious that Atlanta residents did not get their questions answered at the Mayor’s Forum.  So no transparency.

Who do you believe about The Gulch Plan?  The Armani suit-wearing attorneys who represent CIM, a firm with no Blacks on their executive team (according to their website http://www.cim.com)?  Who benefits?  You decide. You can make sure your voice is heard:

1) Organize a protest big or small.

2) Contact Mayor Bottoms at (404) 330-3100 or email from this link:

https://www.atlantaga.gov/government

3) Contact EVERY City Council Member, not just yours. Keep in mind, three are at-large or citywide :  Bond, Dickens, and Westmoreland.  If you do not know the name of your council member, ask when you call (404) 330-6030 or check this link for their individual contact info:

http://citycouncil.atlantaga.gov

 

(1. Also see my earlier blog on The Gulch.

2. Please let me know if you see errors. Another sets of eyes is always good!)

 

 

 

Clayton County Woman Awarded $1Billion for Rape

As more women come forward to tell their horror stories, more juries are believing and sentencing their perpetrators.  The awards are increasing, though no amount can make a tape victim whole.  As society begins to understand that rape is not about how a woman/person looks, what she wears, or whether they are drunk, rape is a violation of a person’s body.  And, rapist should be prosecuted.  It is no longer about shaming the victim.

Please read this article and see the short video from the Cascade Patch and pray that more rape victims will come forward so they can be freed from shame and get the psychological help they need.

https://patch.com/georgia/cascade/s/gfiif/georgia-woman-was-raped-as-a-teen-a-jury-awarded-her-1-billion?utm_source=alert-breakingnews&utm_medium=email&utm_term=weather&utm_campaign=alert

Power Outage at World’s Busiest Airport

 

How could there be a power outage at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport?  This is the world’s busiest airport.  Its’ operation effects air travel nationally and internationally.

It has been almost eight hours and no word from Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed.   Where is the press conference from GEMA?  With technology, statements and so many modes of communication, passengers and people everywhere are concerned about the slow or no communication about the cause and status.

Why has there not been any official statement from anyone in leadership??  Is this acceptable in this day and age?  How would our leaders feel if they were sitting on an airplane on Atlanta’s tarmac? Or, sitting in a dark airport?  Where is the compassion??

The good news is, MARTA was not affected by the blackout. Their trains were running on schedule. The not so good news is, the police were not allowing anyone to enter the airport during this time to prevent more people from being dropped off.  So, if someone were trying to pick up, they were also unable to enter the airport area since there was no way to tell which cars/shuttles/buses were doing doing what.

As reported by NBC TV 11 Alive in Atlanta, several passengers took to social media to complain about the airlines not providing information in a timely manner. And, many passengers were unable to communicate to their friends and family due to their cell batteries dying. Others with cell phone battery life used the light to navigate through dark hallways in an effort to get outside.

Calls to Georgia Power from 11 Alive were not answered.  They had a vague statement on social media saying they were working to restore power at Hartfield-Jackson Airport.  Yet, that simply was insufficient for stranded passengers and people across the U.S. Who simply want the facts.

The Cascade Patch has a full article by Doug Gross on today’s power outage.  They have as many details as were available at 7:50pm EST.  Here is the link:  https://patch.com/georgia/cascade/s/gbb1e/atlanta-airport-power-outage-caused-by-fire-officials?utm_source=alert-breakingnews&utm_medium=email&utm_term=weather&utm_campaign=alert

Also, according to CBS 46 live TV coverage, Mayor Reed and the Atlanta Police Chief are having a press conference this evening (No time given).

Mayor Reed holds press conference with Georgia Power V.P. Bertina Terry as they reveal details of Hartsfield-Jackson airport power outage.  A fire in an underground power station is the culprit.  It also effected two backup stations. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire. Also, the FAA is involved and conducting a review of this matter.

Your thoughts??

 

Emergency Contact Info for Irma

This is a comprehensive list of resources to help you, your family and neighbors stay safe as Hurricane Irma blows through Georgia and the Southeast region. With powerful winds, power outages, and continuous rain, please keep this list and pass it on:

Hurricane Irma’s realtime forecasts can be found at the National Hurricane Center’s website.

Stay up-to-date on Hurricane Irma by visiting the Georgia Emergency Management & Homeland Security Agency’s website.

Follow GEMA on Twitter and Facebook.

Google the following:

GEMA evacuation map

List of shelters in Georgia

Map of shelters in Georgia

GDOT Traffic Map

Stay safe and be prepared by visiting “Ready Georgia”.

Please note that during a “state of emergency, MARTA trains run.  However, MARTA buses are not allowed to run.  It appears that buses are safer than cars since police, fire, hospital, and other emergency workers would be safer on a bus than in their own vehicle. They could run on a Saturday schedule.  This could also help those who need to get to dialysis and other critical medical appointments.  Hmmm.  Your thoughts?

Most flights in and out of Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport have been cancelled as of 1pm today. Check with your airline about waiving change fees when you re-book your flight.

When conditions are safe, you can sign up to volunteer to help those affected by Hurricane Irma through “NVOAD”.

Report price gouging by contacting the Office of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Unit at 1-800-869-1123 toll-free outside of the metro Atlanta calling area, or call 404-651-8600 inside the metro Atlanta area. You can submit a written report using this form.

Stay Safe.

(List courtesy of Georgia Democrats)

GA State Troopers Help Homeless Man

We hear so many horror stories about how law enforcement handles homeless people when they encounter them, I am excited to report that GA State Troopers helped a homeless man.

When this unidentified man appeared to need help when he came to the Georgia State Capitol, they called social services workers.  In the midst of all the negative things going on across our city, state and nation, I spoke to the Troopers afterwards to thank them for their act of kindness. So often I have seen homeless people being arrested and sent to jail when businesses and law enforcement encounter them.

So, thank you GA State Troopers for doing the right thing!! 👏🏽

In the photos above, on the left. The lady in the tan blouse and the man in the short sleeved shirt are the social workers.  To the right, the homeless man is sitting on the window seal.

The Troopers called the Georgia Crisis & Access Line.  See the card below.  Store the number in your phone and share it on your social media.  You can use it to help anyone you know or notice who needs help.  It is a “win-win” for the community and the individual.

National Night Out in Atlanta

All across the country, communities and law enforcement meet to celebrate “National Night Out” (NNO) which was started  in 1984 by Matt Peskin in Philadelphia. The purpose of NNO is to bring together neighbors, neighborhood watch groups, law enforcement, civic groups, and more to promote community and police partnerships to help make communities safer.  According to National Town Watch, now there are thirty eight million neighbors in sixteen thousand communities across the nation who take part in NNO. For the full history, visit:

https://natw.org/history

While all 50 states participate in NNO, each state determines when they celebrate, most choosing dates in August, the original founding month.

Yesterday was a beautiful day and all across Georgia, including the following metro Atlanta communities gathered to celebrate National Night Out at:
-Rosa Burney Park             – Myrtle Street Park
Shamrock Garden Apts     – Anderson Park
Collier Heights Park.          – Peoples Town
Vine City                               – Washington High School

There was food, lots of kids, FUN, political candidates, voter registration stations and more.

National Night Out in Denver:

http://m.onenewspage.com/video/20170801/8602487/National-night-out.htm

National Night Out in the Philadelphia Area:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/articles.pennlive.com/news/2017/08/national_night_out_helps_harri.amp