Moore Urges GA “Shut Down Immediately”

In an interview earlier today, Atlanta City Council President Felicia Moore says ‘too many people are carrying and spreading Covid19 and do not even know they have it’.  Under self-quarantine because she attended a national conference where three people have tested positive, Moore is urging state and local leaders to “shut everything down immediately”.

Many health professionals and advocates for those most vulnerable, the poor and uninsured are concerned that when patients begin to flood medical facilities, doctors are going to have to make life and death decisions as in Italy.  With that, the poor are not going to get adequate care when Care has to be rationed.

it is critical that our leaders step up to the plate and protect residents.  Reports out of Louisiana are regretful as New Orleans officials admit their high number of covid19 cases has stemmed from the disease being spread during Mardi Gras.  Later, we are likely to see the same thing happen as a result of Florida officials not shutting down the beaches for spring break.

On the other hand, governors in Washington, New York, and California have made the tough and logical decision to order their citizens to shelter in place.  Leaving open grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations and take out/delivery only restaurants with strict social distancing rules.  Protecting residents even when it is not a popular decision is what real leaders do.

As a Mary Kay Consultant for over 20 years, I still have a small business with loyal skin care customers.  Yesterday, I received information from my National Sales Director saying officials at Mary Kay Corporate, based in Dallas, believe Texas will be the next state to be shut down with residents ordered to stay home and shelter in place.  Since orders usually give 48 hour notice, we need to forecast and order product we need so we will have product on hand to mail/ship to our customers.

No one knows how long this pandemic will last. One thing is certain.  If you stay home, you won’t get Covid19.  If you already have it and do not know it, you will not spread it.

A few days ago, London government officials are disappointed that people ignored orders and citizens were out on a sunny day ignoring social distancing.

 

 

 

Celebrating M.L.King Jr. Day at Ebenezer Baptist Church

 

Freedom Archie, Cloretta Scott King Leadership Academy 6th grader rousing speech: Urgency of NOW to advocate & vote for candidates in 2020 who represent MLKingJr legacy and helps all of God’s people. A powerful message coming from a pint-sized messenger. ⁦@waberosescott⁩ ⁦@JoyAnnReid⁩ ⁦@Oprah⁩ ⁦⁦@AlfredEdmondJr⁩

Here are other speakers at today’s MLKing Jr Celebration lead by Rev. Bernice King of the MLKing Center. Rev. Bernice King spoke on the urgency of acting NOW!  A day of service is not enough. We all need to do more to honor the dream and make a difference in our communities.

Congressman Hank Johnson spoke about coming together even when we don’t agree on everything to get major things done.

Atlant City Council President Felicia Moore says, “the Urgency If NOW is real.  N.O.W. stands for Not Off Work.

We are are not off work until the homeless have affordable homes, women get equal pay for equal work…

 

#MLKONFOX5

 

 

 

MLK Medians, A Safety Hazard??

If you drive down MLKing Jr. Drive, you will see medians, that most of the community did not want, are being installed and lanes are being reduced from 4 to 2 with bike lanes.  Emergency vehicles, especially fire trucks may not be able to go around a MARTA bus, garbage truck, GA Power truck (working on power lines), etc. as MLKJr Drive between I-20 and Northside Drive.  This could be a huge public safety disaster. Yet, everyone is passing the buck.

Here are the facts:

MLKing Jr. Drive, a major thoroughfare and state highway, will now have medians that are “cute” yet dysfunctional.  They may actually impede the ability of emergency vehicles (especially fire trucks and ambulances) to navigate and will grossly impede traffic for delivery trucks (including UPS & FedEx), tractor trailers, utility service trucks (including GA Power, as power outages are on the rise), stalled vehicles, accident vehicles, police traffic stops, etc.

After I spoke to ReNew/TSPLOST spokesperson, Joshua Williams (newly appointed ATL Deputy COO) and Public Works Commissioner James Jackson, neither are not sure of the lane measurements.  Neither could assure me or the fire department if the lanes are wide enough….Are you kidding me?

Besides, there was a huge community meeting held at the Adamsville Rec Center to discuss this massive ReNew/TSPLOST expenditure about 2-3 years ago.  It was hosted by “then” City Councilman C.T. Martin.  It was jam packed with residents against the MLKJr Drive medians and reduction of lanes.  Other elected officials attended.  Outcome was: Since residents did not want the MLK medians, between I-20 (at Westview Cemetery) and Fulton Industrial Blvd, Martin said he would keep all four lanes.  Residents asked for sidewalks, street resurfacing, grass cutting & cleaning of highway entrance and exit ramps, etc.

Now it is truly evident this median project has major flaws and is WASTING OUR TAX DOLLARS:

1)  Median UNDER the I-20 overpass at MLK & Bolton Road.  Why is it there??

2) Median in front of Fire Station #5 had to be cut back after being installed because the fire engine could not clear it to turn left out of the station (fire department warned before it was done).

3) Median at shopping center at Lynhurst no longer allows left turn from MLK to this popular shopping center

4) NPU-H and others were against medians for reasons including City not having funds to keep the grass cut in the medians. They were right!  Often the grass gets knee high before the City cuts it.

BEFORE more money is wasted, this project needs a public safety check.  Both ReNew and Public Works say, “It should have been done.”  However, they are not sure if it was done.

Upon speaking in public comments at the City of Atlanta Public Safety meeting on Nov. 13 and the Transportation meeting on Nov. 14, I was told to contact Public Works & ReNew (PW&R). Unfortunately, it is clear that PW&R DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON!  ReNew is blaming their woes on increased construction costs. They:

1) are over budget

2) have pushed project dates on most south and southwest side projects forward by 2-4 years or they have no date at all.

In the meantime Campbellton Road between Dobson Drive and Bent Creek cannot get half a mile of sidewalks so the local kids can walk to the Adams Park Library and Young YMCA without walking in the treacherous street.

Also, Council President Moore, at the Nov. 14 Transportation Committee Meeting asked for a full accounting by District of all ReNew/TSPLOST funds spent, cost of projects currently underway, cost of projects pending on the list.

What are your thoughts??

Atlanta Mayoral Inauguration Events On Jan. 2, 2018

Here are the details for the inauguration of Atlanta’s 60th Mayor. The events are free and open to the public.  Arrive an hour early to park (parking deck is not free) and get one of the 2,500 seats at the M.L.King Jr. Chapel. Or, take MARTA to avoid traffic congestion.

This would be a great opportunity for you to take a student or young adult.  Students can learn:
1) who are these elected officials
2) what they do
3) which one(s) represents their area
4) how to talk about it on social media
4) how policies made by elected officials  affect them now and in years to come
5) to memorialize the occasion by taking pictures at the event with these elected officials at the end of the Inauguration and all during the reception.

Inauguration Day Schedule Of Events
Tuesday January 2, 2018

Interfaith Worship Service – 8am
Impact Church
2323 Sylvan Road, Atlanta, GA 30344

Inaugural Ceremonies – 1pm
MLK Jr. International Chapel
Morehouse College
830 Westview Dr. SW, Atlanta, GA 30314
(doors open 11:30am)

One Atlanta – Citizen’s Reception – 5:30pm – 8:30am
Atlanta City Hall Atrium
55 Trinity Street, Atlanta, GA 30303
(Including Inaugural Community Service Project-
Please bring school supplies for APS students)

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