Today's Poll

Downtown East Point is the place to be

With games, vendors selling crafts, and bragging rights in the chili cook off as a prize, the Destination Downtown celebration Saturday will be lively.

Four bands - playing everything from Latin rhythms to jazz - will give the party a spark.

Streets will be closed to give folks an opporunity to stroll the heart of the community, support the new stores and restaurants and visit with neigbhors. Last year, an estimated 5,000 people came out.

Weather on Saturday is supposed to be sunny and in the 70s.

The fall tradition is sponsored by a variety of local establishments, who come together as the East Point Main Street Association, a group focused on enhancing the central business district of downtown East Point.

The festival opens at noon. The schedule of events: 

• Noon - 1:00 pm - Water Seed (Rhythm & Blues)
• 1 pm - Free Face Painting (til around 4:00 pm)
• 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. - Guru Fish (Light Rock Band
• 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. - Alicia Y. Rumba Brava (Latin Band)
• 5 p.m. - 6 p.m. - Dog/Puppy Show begins in grassy area of the "Commons"
• 5 p.m.  - 7 p.m. - Ron James and the Truth (Jazz Band)
• 7:30 pm - Kid's Zone & Silent Auction Closes
• 8 pm - Closing remarks and announcement of contest winners 

View East Point's historic downtown in a larger map

Real Estate Report in Jefferson Park

Photo: Zillow.com

Property Transfer Report - 2547 JEFFERSON TER.

Sold May 29, 2009

$126,000

View Larger Map

Help out in the communtiy

October is a busy month here in Jefferson Park.

This fall's big event is on Columbus Day weekend, October 10 & 11, which is the 7th Annual JP Tour of Homes when homes and gardens are showcased.

And in time for the neighborhood's big Tour of Homes, volunteers are needed to spruce up the entry ways to the neighborhood and around the place.

A work crew on Saturday, Oct. 3, will be cleaning up and planting flowers around the Jefferson Park's brick markers. The work will be easier with a few people who can lend a hand for a few hours next Saturday morning.  The work begins at 8 a.m.  

Contact jpnapresident@gmail.com if you're interested in bringing some tools and getting dirty. 

The following weekend is the  JP Tour of Homes. Volunteers are needed for ticket sales, home duties, and other tasks.

Don't be shy. Contact jpnavolunteer@gmail.com to lend a hand.

Here's what is needed on Saturday, Oct. 10, and Sunday, Oct. 11:

• people to work three-hour shifts, from 11am - 2 pm & 2 pm - 5:15 pm  
• Volunteer for one or both days at a shift that works best! If you can only work the entire shift, this is ok.   

For your troubles, you get a ticket to the after party to mix it up with all the JP Tour members, homeowners and other volunteers.

Contact  vanessabryan@bellsouth.net  with

• Your Name
• Your Contact #
• Your Preferred Day(s) & Shift Time(s)

Where is it? UPDATE

One wise guy called it 'Yosemite Sam's hat.'  It is not.  Neither is it a magnolia leaf.

It is a dogwood flower etched on the stone markers welcoming people to the neighborhood, as a loyal reader correctly pointed out. 

But his location guess was off. It is the marker at the intersection of Jefferson Avenue and Winburn Drive. 

Three weeks running and no one has claimed the grand prize. 

And a map to guide you to the Where is it? contest locations:

View Jefferson Park neighborhood in a larger map

Tri-Cities football defeated

It was not  pretty.

The neighborhood's high school football time fell to 1-3 in the 2009 season.

Saturday night, the Bulldogs were outplayed on the gridiron by Banneker High School.

The final score was 37-0.

Friday, the Bulldogs are back at the Dog Pound when they face the Mays Raiders.  Kick off is at 7:30 p.m.

Week in Review

The JP Hub this week covered:

• A sobering look at East Point
• How the great flood of 2009 knocked out the city's water intake pipe 
• Yard sales around the neigbhorhood.
• A gardening class for folks who want to grow their food
• Where is it? contest mapped out.
  

Today, you still have time to enjoy the yard sale, which runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Or the gardening class is today also. Call Rashid Nuri at 404.520.8331 for details. 

Enjoy your weekend.

Photo Friday

Another entry in the Where is it? contest.

Name the location of the photo and get you name in written in the history books as the first winner of the Jefferson Park Hub Where is it? contest

More than 20 homes participate in Saturday's yard sale

More than 20 homes are putting out treasure or trash, depends on your point of view, for Saturday's neighborhood-wide yard sale. 

Bleary-eyed shoppers can begin checking out the goods at 8 a.m., while late risers have until 3 p.m. to check out the sales. 

Jefferson Park Neighborhood Association put up this great map:



View Jefferson Park Yard Sale, September 26, 2009 in a larger map

Flood forces city to close water supply system

The flooded Chatahoochee River forced the East Point to shut it's water pipes, leaving the community with a 15-day water reserve. 

According to a news release from Mayor Joe Macon, the city is following it's emergency contingency plan and continues to supply drinking water to residents and businesses.

"These measures have anticipated the worse case scenario based on my observations at the facility and potential damage due to record breaking flood levels of the Chatahoochee river," Macon said in a release.

Drinking Water is partially drawn from the river. However, the flood drowned the facility in Douglas County that draws the water into the city's water system and forced it's closure.

Now city leaders are focused on getting parts, like water pumps and essentials, ready for when the waters recedes and repairs can begin, according to the Wednesday release. 

East Point uses about 7 million gallons a day to quench its thirst, water the lawns and provide for business needs.

Federal disaster aid has been requested. The city may be reimbursed to fix the problem.

Press release:

East Point Intake Facility Underwater!

Please be advised that the Intake Facility (Raw Water Pump House) located in Douglas County adjacent to the Chatahoochee River has been shutdown due to the current flood stage of the river.

As a result, we have initiated our Emergency contingency plan that will entail the emergency procurement of parts and services to assure the power supply and pumps and motors can be reactivated as soon as possibe from the time the river flood levels crest and recede to levels that will permit inspection, maintenance and reactivation of the pumps that provide raw water to our plant.

The current raw water supply is 15 days based on the available storage capacity and average usage(7 mgd). I am requesting Fire and Police to take the appropriate action to notify those establishments that may be impacted if the worst case scenario presents itself.

These measures have anticipated the worse case scenario based on my observations at the facility and potential damage due to record breaking flood levels of the Chatahoochee river.

As stated by the Fire Chief, the Governor has declared a local State of Emergency for 17 counties and has also asked President Obama to declare a National Disaster. If this occurs we will be eligible for reimbursement of cost associated with this emergency.

We are keeping records of all the operation and maintenance expenses incurred as a result of the flooding for potential Federal reimbursement.

Drying out and looking ahead

 

Rainfall, picture from National Weather Service, via AJC

The good people at Truly Living Well Natural Urban Farms, on Washington Road, are trying to get in a Saturday class for would-be gardeners as Mother Nature's deluge of rain. 

Meanwhile, if you have some time this afternoon, Lovin' It Live, a  live food establishment in downtown East Point, will be at the farm at 3353 Washington Rd., East Point. Cooks will show people how to prepare dishes from the seasonal crops. 

This Saturday, the class on natural and organic urban agricultural methods will try again. Rain canceled the last two attempts . This focuses on fall planting and covers everything from soil preparation and composting to crop management to insect control.

It is a get-your-hands-dirty type of experience conducted at the East Point farm. 

Folks leave not only with new knowledge, but some fall seeds to plant.

The cost is $35 per person. Class size is limited. To reserve a seat, mail a check to:

         Truly Living Well
         P.O. Box 90841
         East Point GA 30364

For further information contact: K. Rashid Nuri at 404.520.8331

View Larger Map

 

Where is it? contest revealed

The Where Is It? contest continues. No reader figured out where the gnome reclined.
The map shows the location for the garden ornament. 



View Jefferson Park neighborhood in a larger map

Yard Sale-apooluza --UPDATE

--

Today is the last day to reserve a spot for Saturday's neighborhood-wide yard sale.

Contact Randy Nash at randytnash@bellsouth.net or 404-202-2411 to get in on this event. 

 

Jefferson Park neighborhood Association:

The Jefferson Park Community Yard Sale will take place rain or shine on September 26th from 8a.m to 3p.m. Residents will have until September 21st to turn in their Yard Sale application and fee of $10.00 in order to be included in this year's sale. If this is the 2nd sale you have had this year, then your fee will be $15.00 as the city charges more for the second permit.   As with last year's sale, JPNA will provide each homeowner with a yard sale sign and contribute with advertising for the event. It's encouraged that each participant post their own ad's on free sites such as Craigslist and AJC in order to draw a larger crowd.  A map with each of the homes participating in this year's event will be available in the coming weeks at www.jeffersonpark.org. If anyone needs a map, permit, or any other information prior to the sale please contact Randy Nash at randytnash@bellsouth.net or phone 404-202-2411. This is a great time to grab a friend and go find a treasure or two!

A slice of East Point life

From pollution to the number of homeowners, an award-winning Web site grabbed tidbits of information about East Point in a friendly format.

Take a look.

What gives you pause?

Source: This We Know

http://www.thisweknow.org/l/GA/East_Point

Submit questions to ask candidates

The JP Hub plans on inviting the candidates for the Ward B at-large seat and the mayor's seat to let us know why we should vote for them.

Readers of The Hub are invited to submit questions that you'd like to pose to the candidates.  The final decision about what questions to ask are up to The JP Hub.  The questions can be either submitted by email, the comments section or by twitter at @JPHub.  

Submit questions by 6 p.m. Monday.

To learn which Ward B candidates want your vote, go here.

Web sites:

Mayoral candidates:

• Threet Brown
  
• Mayor Joe Macon
  
• Earnestine Pittman 
• Delana Morrissette: unavailable.
  

Ward B At-Large candidates:

• K. Eric Morrow
  
• Councilwoman Pat Langford

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hjl/ / CC BY 2.0

Weather commands indoor projects

Rain is predicted every day through the middle of the week. The good news is the chance of rain drops to 40 and 30 percent after Monday.

Mayor Macon faces hearing today over oath---UPDATED

UPDATE - from the the AJC:

East Point mayor cleared

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A hearing officer Friday rejected an allegation that East Point Mayor Joe Macon lied on a form he signed under oath when he qualified to run for re-election.

Macon's name will remain on the Nov. 3 ballot along with three challengers.

----

The mayor faces possible removal from the November ballot at a hearing today. 
He faces allegations by former supporters that he violated a oath to seek a second term.    

For the complete story go here, but the top of the article is below:

East Point’s city clerk, who also oversees elections there, will hear arguments Friday that the mayor violated the oath he took when qualifying to run for re-election.

City clerk Brenda James, the hearing officer for this case, is expected to decide by the end of the day Friday if Mayor Joe Macon’s name will remain on the Nov. 3 municipal election ballot along with names of three hoping to unseat him – City Council member Earnestine Pittman, Threet Brown and Delana Morrissette.

Photo Friday: Where is it?

Can you ID where this impish gnome reclines in the neighborhood?

MARTA changes

Rides will soon cost $2 as the public transit system deals with its
red ink.

Neighborhood gathering to mark summer's passing

Folks from Jefferson Park are meeting Saturday for a final summer mixer.

The celebration begins at 4 p.m., at Manchester Arms, 1705 Virginia Ave., College Park.

It's an opportunity to meet neighbors, tell lies about kickball greatness and relax. 

See you there. 




View Larger Map

Bulldogs take a knee this week

The Tri-Cities Bulldogs are resting this week, after the team's defense dug in and refused to yield.
The team earned their first win of the season at the home opener, 24-23.  They are now 1-2.

The Bulldogs return to the field against the Banneker Trojans on Sept. 25.
The next home game is Oct. 2, 7:30 p.m.

Here's how the AJC reported last week's game:

Tri-Cities 24, Starr’s Mill 23:

Tri-Cities’ defense came up big in the game’s waning moments as Zachary Hodges sacked Starr’s Mill quarterback Adam Holley on a two-point conversion attempt with 17 seconds remaining to preserve the Bulldogs' first victory of the season.

Quarterback Jontae Davis’s 37-yard touchdown pass to Josh Hines with 6:48 remaining in the game proved to be the winning score as Davis capped a stellar night with 280 yards of total offense and three touchdowns.

East Point real estate picture

With deep price cuts to close deals and slow house sales, it is a buyer's market here, according to Zillow.

New information from the online real estate company shows the number of homes selling in the city has hit a 5-year low.

The value of homes in the city has also tumbled. Nearly nine out of 10 homes sold are valued less then they were in 2008. Figures for the Jefferson Park neighborhood were not available.

And home prices are dropping about 15 percent every 30 days, according to Zillow's statistics.

The percentage of homes selling in East Point hovers around 6 percent, the lowest level since 2003. Sales of homes peaked in early 2007 when 9 percent were sold. In Metro Atlanta and Georgia, the figure is 3 and 4 percent, respectively.

The latest numbers shows close to 70 percent of homes sold in East Point are being bought for less than the previous owner paid. (That figure excludes foreclosures.) The same category for Georgia shows 27 percent.

Desperate for some good news? Try this, the bleeding may have stopped or at least slowed. Home values appear to have hit bottom. The figures form Zillow show values are inching up, ever so slightly. 

Zillow Home Value Index

More East Point Home Values

Zillow is a an free online real estate company. Its figures used listings on its Web site and are based on its July' market reports.

East Point crime numbers bump up

Crime in East Point increased about 13 percent in 2008 led by more car thefts, burglary and property crime, according to new federal crime statistics.

The crime rate in the city increased 11 percent with 82 crimes per 1,000 residents.

  Or if you like bigger numbers: 8,240 crimes per 100,000 residents

Meanwhile, violent crime in the city fell about 6 percent, led by a drop in aggravated assault and forcible rape.

The crime rate in 2007 was 74 crimes per 1,000 residents.
    Or if you like bigger numbers: 7,415 crimes per 100,000 residents

The numbers are from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting program.  Here is the link. Or here to go right to Georgia crime numbers.

More information later:


Breaking down the numbers to specific types of crime:

Reported violent crime per 100,000 people:   

• 2008: 971 
• 2007: 1,047

 Reported property crime per 100,000 people:

• 2008: 7,269   
• 2007: 6,368

According to the AJC, East Point has the fourth highest crime rate per 100,000 persons in Metro Atlanta.

Neighborhood comes together to raise money

More than 30 Jefferson Park neighbors came out of a fun-filled afternoon for field day competition.

The four teams gave dueled one another With contests in kickball, ladder golf, relay race and corn hole at Sumner Park, Saturday, Sept. 12.

Top prize was taken by the House of Possum team. Other teams playing were Bloody Mary, Green Team (students from Grady HS, Atlanta), and Orange Crush.

Prizes were food gift certificates from Oz Pizza, Simon’s in addition to support from Giovanna’s, and Malone’s .

The money raised by the $5 entry fee is to pay for additional small Jefferson Park signs that sit on top of street signs.






To see a slideshow, click here.

Photo Friday

Mayoral forum--UPDATE

Future development in the city, crime and setting priorities for the community were a few of the key issues at Thursday's mayoral forum.

The four candidates told the crowded hall at East Point Christian Church their goals if elected for the next four years. The candidates are: Mayor Joe Macon, Earnestine Pitttman, Delana Morrissette and Threet Brown.

Erik Friedly, president of the Frog Hollow Neighborhood Association, moderated the 90 minute discussion. 

---

 Following the forum, the candidates stood together for photos. From left, Mayor Joe Macon, Earnestine Pitttman, Delana Morrissette, Threet Brown.

 ---

Macon said he wants another term in office to complete vital projects, especially the development of the downtown and the city common. After many years of financial uncertainty, the city is on track, he said. "It takes boldness. You can't be timid" leading the city, which requires decisions that not everyone likes, he said.

Pittman, who recently stepped down from her city council seat to run for mayor, said the community needs to start a vigorous program to lure commercial development here, especially to downtown and Sylvan Road area. City leadership needs to make long-term plans and set budgets to meet those goals, she said.  Pittman cautioned about the city taking on more debt.

Brown said he wants to bring a business mindset to city government, being proactive and responsive to community residents. "You have to get your financial house in order to move forward," he said. 

Morrissette said she sees a lot of promise in East Point and wants to make it the best place it can be.  She said a business-friendly community and a nice downtown would help its image.

 
A more complete report will be posted soon. But for now, view the 15 minutes of opening remarks by the candidates. (Technical difficulties interfered with recording Macon's opening. Sorry about that.)


East Point, Ga., mayoral forum from Andrew Nelson on Vimeo.

Mayoral Forum tonight

• Mayoral candidates' forum
• Thursday, Sept. 10th, 7 p.m. 
• At the Fellowship Hall of East Point Christian Church,  1706 Washington Rd.

The atmosphere at tonight's forum could be charged after the AJC looked at certain spending by the incumbent mayor, Joe Macon. 

Here is the lede: 

Former supporters scrutinize East Point mayor

 


By Rhonda Cook
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The friends who supported part-time East Point Mayor Joe Macon when he ran four years ago are now working against him. They say he has betrayed the very promise that got him elected — fix City Hall. 

For the complete story: http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/former-supporters-scrutinize-east-134914.html

Residents ID area of concerns

From improving shabby Cleveland Avenue to making downtown "more artsy," residents in Ward B identified areas of concerns in a recent e-mail survey.

Ward B Councilman Lance Rhodes turned to constituents for advice on city priorities. He asked them:

• If you could spend $100K to $200K on any East Point City service improvement or any type of project that would benefit the citizens in East Point, what would it be? 
• If you could spend $100K to $200K on anything that would be a benefit to the citizens of East Point, what would it be?

Councilman Rhodes reported he received some 50 e-mails with ideas.

Cleaning up the city and improving the look of East Point, which calls itself the 'crown jewel' of Metro Atlanta appeared in several emails. 

The tips suggested the most were: 

• Program to improve and clean up Cleveland Ave.
• Improve the appearance of downtown- lamp post-benches- street lines painted-cross walks-trees-plants-etc. 
• Hire a professional public relations firm to promote East Point.
• Make downtown more “artsy” 
  

Councilman Rhodes asked residents to trim the laundry list of ideas to the five most important. To email Councilman Rhodes with ideas: rhodes@eastpointcity.org

The list of suggestions as distributed by Councilman Rhodes:

1.                  Movies on the green – Movies for the public at city parks.

2.                  Decrease utility bill and property tax. 2

3.                  Purchase property on Main Street to help development in down town.

4.                  Purchase the old Wachovia Building.

5.                  Invest in a way to encourage Publix to move in down town. 2

6.                  Hire a professional public relations firm to promote East Point. 3

7.                  Invest in legal position to stop the odor from Meredith.

8.                  Restore Charles A Green Recreation Center.

9.                  Establish bike paths.

10.              More pedestrian friendly walk ways. 2

11.              Sidewalk repair 3

12.              Road repairs-sink holes

13.              More frequent trash pick ups

14.              Increase Code Enforcement Officers

15.              Fund a way to track down absentee property owners to force maintaining of property

16.              Business incentive for Cleveland Ave.

17.              More green space for our city entrances.

18.              Program to improve and clean up Cleveland Ave. 3

19.              Renovate the East Point Auditorium.

20.              Create a dog park. (at the Historical Society site) 1

21.              Create a dog park 2

22.              Plant trees and flowers in public places 2

23.              Increase home ownership

24.              Program to encourage renters to maintain their property.

25.              Decrease the cost of trash pick up.

26.              Speed bumps on East Forrest

27.              Painting of lines on the streets

28.              Repaving of Washington Ave. 2

29.              Improve education

30.              Programs to attract more business

31.              City swimming pool

32.              Add solar panels to roofs of city buildings

33.              Make downtown more “artsy” 3

34.              Bury utility/power lines

35.              Replace old utility poles with more modern metal poles

36.              Create a down town area that is “event” friendly. Like a BBQ cook off or a go-cart event like they had in Atlanta. 2

37.              Create an investor friendly permitting process. A fast track for those who have developed property in the city before.

38.              Litter control program. Our city is dirty

39.              Vacuum leaf pick up. 2

40.              Improve our parks 2

41.              Reopen fire station #1

42.              Street sweeping program

43.              Replace street signs that are old. Add new ones 2

44.              Brighter street lights

45.              Improve the appearance of downtown- lamp post-benches- street lines painted-cross walks-trees-plants-ect 4

46.              Make East Point wireless-free WIFI

47.              Add some more green space or parks

48.              Establish Local Improvement Districts

49.              Improve recycle program

50.              Stronger “green” energy program