Current Issues in Fulton County District 5 ..

 

 

 

2-4-10: "A Conversation Between Malcolm X and Barack Obama": A Stage Play written by Jacqueline Clay Chester featuring Neal R. Hazard as Malcolm X and Jamal A. Petrus as President Barack Obama

 

Click here for show times and more information...

 

 

     
     
     
 

1-29-10: "A Statement from Commissioner Emma I. Darnell"

 

Grady's Greatest Need: Accountability

I am encouraged by the continuing public support for quality indigent health care, in Fulton County. For over 10 years, Fulton County taxpayers have contributed more than $50 million dollars annually to the Grady Hospital System.

 

Like many “safety – net” hospitals in the nation, Grady struggles with increased demands, high health costs and inadequate state and federal support. However, Grady’s most serious problem is not funding – it is accountability and transparency. In November 2009 Grady officials said the Outpatient Dialysis Clinic closed due to “lack of funds.” However, “operational expenses” did not exceed “operational revenues” in October 2009 according to documents reviewed by the County’s auditors.

 

Grady needs more financial support from metro Atlanta counties and the State of Georgia. Grady also needs a real commitment of accountability to the taxpayers of Fulton County. 

 

     

 

400 Residents Attend “Tentative Budget” Public Hearing

 

On January 6, the Board of Commissioners received comments from 93 residents regarding the proposed FY 2010 Tentative Budget. County services and programs receiving strong support included senior services, pre-trial and jail diversion programs, neighborhood arts programs, libraries and programs for at-risk children, youth and their families.

 

     

 

12-17-09:  "ADA (Atlanta Development Authority) Monthly Report; Publix at Westside Closes"

 

The Publix Store at the “Historic Westside Village,” 825 Martin Luther King Jr., Drive will be closed permanently on December 24, 2009. Located near the Atlanta University Center, the Westside Village is a key component of the Westside Tax Allocation District (TAD) funded jointly by the City of Atlanta, Fulton County and the Atlanta Public Schools.

     

 

12-17-09:  DeKalb and Fulton Board of Commissioners Call For Tougher Laws on Predatory Lending

 

Upon the recommendation by the Joint Fulton/DeKalb Committee on Housing, the BOC has urged the Georgia General Assembly to amend State law to make certain “Predatory Lending” actions in the sale of residential housing a felony.  Violators of the Georgia Fair Lending Act are only guilty of a misdemeanor or a fine not to exceed $1,000.00.  However, these laws and the Georgia Residential Mortgage Fraud Act do not provide “Sufficient disincentive for practitioners of predatory lending…” 

 

DeKalb County and Fulton County have been among the hardest hit counties in Georgia in the number of residential foreclosures according to staff reports.

 

Click here for a Copy of the Resolution Regarding Predatory Lending

 

     

 

12-1-09: "Resolution Making Predatory Lending Felony in Georgia"

 

Click Here for the ""Resolution Making Predatory Lending Felony in Georgia"

     

 

11-5-09: County Manager to Review “Milton County” Study

 

The County Manger (Zachary Williams) has been authorized to seek proposals for an independent review and evaluation of a report developed by the Georgia Legislature on the “Economic Impact of the Creation of Milton County”.

 

County Officials have expressed concern regarding the accuracy of data contained in the Legislature’s Report.

 

     

11-5-09: Temporary Locations set for Bowen Homes and Bankhead Courts Libraries

Effective January 1, 2010, The Bowen Homes and Bankhead Courts branch libraries will be temporarily re-located to 2685 Donald L. Hollowell Parkway (formally Bankhead Highway).  According to County Officials, construction of the (25,000 sq. ft.) Northwest Regional Library is scheduled to begin in early 2011. 

 

 

10-21-09: Board of Commissioners Denies Contract to CH2MHILL

Today, the Board of Commissioners voted to deny the award of a contract to CH2MHILL/OMI/E.R. Mitchell, (Joint Venture) to operate the (new) Johns Creek Environmental Campus for seven (7) months at a cost of $2,891,765.

The record indicated that approximately $12 million dollars in change orders had been approved since the date of contract award, April 19, 2000. The record also indicated CH2MHILL had disclosed “involvement” in eleven (11) lawsuits adverse to other local governments throughout the nation.

Voting Yes (to deny): Darnell, Eaves, Edwards, Pitts

Voting No: Riley

Click here for a copy of related Agenda Item #09-1025: CH2MHILL/OMI Joint Venture Change Order

     

 

10-20-09: "STIMULUS GRANTS TO BENEFIT COUNTY PROGRAMS"

 

Created by the Obama Administration and the U.S. Congress to reduce the impact of the recession on local governments, stimulus funding is used to strengthen and maintain (quality) services to Fulton County residents.

 

Click here for the “2009 Economic Recovery Act (Stimulus) Grant Report,” October 20, 2009.

 

     
     

 

10-7-09: Daily Status Report on 2009 Tax Billing Report

 

The IT Department has delivered Fulton County Tax Bills to the Tax Commissioner (Author Ferdinand) for mailing not later than Thursday, October 15, 2009.

 

However, issues raised by Dr. Ferdinand regarding his salary and salary increases for top officials have not been resolved.

Click here for the "Daily Status Report on 2009 Tax Billing Report"