- Created on 11 January 2013
Apartment Buildings in East Point Condemned By City, Tenants Forced to Relocate Immediately
A dozen East Point families will have to move from their homes immediately beginning on Friday afternoon. Earlier this week, residents were notified by the City of East Point that their homes were "unfit for human habitation," and that further use or occupancy of the premises would be illegal.
On Wednesday, residents of the Washington Arms apartments on Washington Road were given 48 hours to vacate the premises. The residents were ordered to leave before the power and water were shut off.
With this year's chilly winter weather, residents complained that the apartments did not have heat. They also went through periods where the water was cut off or the hot water didn't work. Many of the residents living in these apartments have young children.
These conditions caused many residents to look for alternative ways to keep their families warm.
"The heat's been out since we've been here," Gabriella Gonzales, a three-year resident who said she used electric space heaters to keep her family warm, told AJC.
The abrupt notice for residents to relocate from the apartments came as the property changed hands in order to maintain its certificate of occupancy. In order to do so, the property had to undergo a city inspection.
An Atlanta-based management company, Meridian Management Group, acquired the apartment complex early last month through receivership, which is the process of appointment by a court of a receiver to take custody of a property until a final decision is made on the disbursement of a lawsuit.
The management group plans to transfer at least eight families to another apartment property in southeast Atlanta. Meridian will also reimburse ten other families their rent Friday morning and they will move to other apartments or homes.
Meridian regional manager Caleb Barber said that he will continue to negotiate more time for those families who aren't able to move right away.
"We just can't do it within the strict timeline that they gave us," he said. "It's kind of hard to pack up and move everything in 48 hours."
- Created on 11 January 2013
Delta Kicks Off 70th Anniversary Year
By PR Newswire & Staff Writers
Delta Air Lines celebrated 70 years Friday, Jan. 21, in Atlanta with a lot of dignitaries, officials, former and current employees, and business and community leaders from across Georgia. The occasion, held at the massive Delta Technical Operations Center adjacent to Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, marked the airline's 70th anniversary as Atlanta's hometown airline.
The airline has come a long way since longtime employee Lynda Lloyd boarded her first Delta flight in Atlanta as a flight attendant in 1964, shortly after the airline became the first commercial carrier to fly across the country in less than three hours. Delta also had just launched the industry's most sophisticated electronic reservations system, under the watchful eye of founder and then chief executive C.E. Woolman.
Lloyd, Delta's most senior employee, joined hundreds of her fellow Atlanta-based employees at the celebration that attracted many well-wishers. She, top volunteer Cheryll Davis and Delta Sky Miles frequent flier Ed Robinette, who has accumulated 7 million miles over the last 30 years, all received Delta model jets for their long time support.
In addition to key videos of Atlanta officials and community leaders, a Delta Boeing 777-200LR aircraft used to connect Atlanta nonstop to cities such as Tokyo, Dubai, Johannesburg and Tel Aviv, was christened as the "Spirit of Atlanta" during a celebration held in the shadow of the $1.4 billion Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal currently under construction.
Today among the largest airlines in the world, Delta started out as a small carrier focused on the Southeast when it moved its headquarters from Monroe, La., to Atlanta in 1941. In the decades that followed, Delta built the world's largest connecting hub in Atlanta, and for more than two decades has remained Georgia's largest private employer and a major economic force in the region.
With 25,000 employees based in Atlanta, Delta is estimated to pump more than $25 billion into the local economy, and is a major contributor to key community organizations, including the Grady Health Foundation, the Woodruff Arts Center, AID Atlanta, Hands On Atlanta, Habitat for Humanity, CARE, the Carter Center and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.
"Delta Air Lines and Atlanta have a unique partnership that has been inextricably linked to the success and prosperity of our city and our airport for nearly three quarters of a century," said Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. "The strong relationships among companies such as Delta, state and local elected officials and civic organizations are what make Atlanta not only a global, dynamic city, but a great place to live and do business. Congratulations to Delta Air Lines, Chief Executive Officer Richard Anderson and all employees on the company's 70th anniversary as Atlanta's hometown airline."
"Delta is truly an economic force for Georgia," said Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal. "It is our biggest employer and its presence here plays a key role in helping us attract new investment and jobs. I look forward to partnering with Delta as it sets out on the next 70 years."
"The success of Delta and the city of Atlanta have been intertwined for seven decades, and it's hard to argue with the results," said Anderson. "Atlanta has grown into a major international city while Delta built the world's largest hub at the city's airport. Central to this success has been the historic partnership between Delta, the city of Atlanta, the state of Georgia and our thousands of Atlanta-based employees and customers."
Recognizing one of Atlanta's longest and most successful business partnerships, the "Spirit of Atlanta" was christened at the celebration with a bottle of Coke. Muhtar Kent, chairman and chief executive of The Coca-Cola Company, was honored and make remarks at the celebration. Video speakers included former Mayor Andrew Young, University of Georgia Bulldogs Coach Mark Richt, Symphony Director Robert Spano, and Home Run King Hank Aaron.
"It gives me great pleasure to congratulate Delta on its 70th anniversary as Atlanta's hometown airline," said U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga. "Delta Air Lines has come a long way since its beginnings in Monroe, La., to the international commercial airline it is today. For seven decades, Delta has thrived, employing thousands of Georgians and becoming an integral part of our communities. Delta has established itself as an economic engine not only for Georgia, but for the entire Southeast. I am grateful that such a company calls Atlanta its home."
"As Georgians, we are all proud to be recognizing Delta's 70th anniversary as our hometown airline," said U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson. "Over the past seven decades, Delta has become an integral part of the community, bringing jobs, businesses and great opportunities to the state of Georgia by connecting us to cities across the country and the world."
Delta Air Lines serves more than 160 million customers each year and employs over 75,000. Delta is investing more than $2 billion through 2013 in airport facilities and global products, services and technology to enhance the customer experience in the air and on the ground. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes, check bags and review flight status at delta.com. A breakfast spread gave the VIP visitors a warm reception following the celebration.
- Created on 11 January 2013
Fulton County Youth Commissioners to Host Anti-Bullying Rally
Fulton County Youth Commission members will begin 2013 with an Anti-Bullying and Violence Prevention Rally on the 84th anniversary of the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The Rally will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 15, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Martin Luther King Center Auditorium at 449 Auburn Avenue in Atlanta. The event is being produced in partnership with the Metro Atlanta Violence Prevention Project (MAVPP), HOT 107.9 and the Music Education Group to continue to raise awareness of the damaging effects of bullying on schools and communities.
According to the CDC's National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, a nationwide survey reported the following facts:
• In a 2011 nationwide survey, 20 percent of high school students reported being bullied on school property in the 12 months preceding the survey.
• An estimated 16 percent of high school students reported in 2011 that they were bullied electronically in the 12 months before the survey.
• During the 2009-2012 school years, 23 percent of public schools reported that bullying occurred among students on a daily or weekly basis; a higher percentage of middle school students reported bullying than high school students.
The Anti-Bullying and Violence Prevention Rally is part of a continuing effort on the part of the Youth Commissioners to educate their peers on bullying and violence prevention. They carried their anti-violence message to 4,920 Fulton County students in 2012. Youth Commissioners began the campaign in September 2010 just prior to the beating death of Bobby Tillman in November 2010.
The rally is free with registration. For more information, citizens may contact Reginald Crossley, Youth Commissioner Coordinator, at 404-612-7386 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Each year, approximately 25 Fulton County students in grades 8-11 are invited to join the Fulton County Youth Commission after a rigorous selection process of essay submissions and interviews. Youth Commissioners communicate with other youth and local government leaders to increase awareness of serious issues facing Fulton County's children, youth and schools.
- Created on 11 January 2013
Mayor Reed Announces Street Homeless Registry Initiative
In partnership with the United Way of Greater Atlanta, Hands-On Atlanta and The Atlanta Downtown Improvement District, Mayor Kasim Reed announced today the launch of the Atlanta Homeless Registry initiative and specifically called on volunteers to ensure its success.
"It concerns me deeply that every night thousands of homeless individuals are sleeping on Atlanta's streets with nowhere to go and no hope for the future," said Mayor Reed. "My administration is committed to identifying the specific needs of our homeless population and matching them with available resources. The Street Homeless Registry is the first step to make that a reality, but we need hundreds of volunteers for this effort to be successful. I urge residents to consider volunteering for this vital initiative."
The goals of the Atlanta Street Homeless Registry extend beyond those of a traditional survey or census. Data gathered through the survey will not only be used to better understand the needs of Atlanta's homeless, but it will also provide an essential tool for community action, and mobilize and coordinate resources to serve some of the most vulnerable in the city. This is the first initiative of its kind ever launched in the City of Atlanta.
Volunteers for the Registry are needed for two shifts:
• Thursday, Jan. 17, 6pm-12am: Conduct surveys in emergency night shelters
• Friday, Jan. 18, 12am-6am: Conduct surveys in outdoor locations
Both volunteer shifts will begin with a training and briefing session to prepare volunteers. The Atlanta Police Department's HOPE (Homeless Outreach Prevention Emergency) team will be on hand across Atlanta to provide support as needed, and all volunteers will be deployed on teams led by professional outreach workers.
For more information and to sign up for a volunteer shift, visit: http://www.unshelterednomore.com/registry/
"Tackling homelessness in Atlanta takes a community effort, and United Way is proud to partner with Mayor Reed and others for this important initiative," said Milton J. Little, Jr., president of United Way of Greater Atlanta. "Identifying the most vulnerable in the homeless population is a key step in getting them the help they need, not only in terms of housing but also in case management, health care, treatment and other supports."
On the evening of Thursday, Jan. 17 and morning of Friday, Jan. 18, hundreds of volunteers supported by professional outreach workers will conduct surveys with people sleeping in outdoor locations and emergency shelters in Atlanta. Data from the surveys will be used to create the first ever by-name registry of homeless people in Atlanta, with information about who they are, health challenges that put them at risk, and barriers to securing and maintaining permanent housing.
"The Atlanta Downtown Improvement District is committed to supporting Mayor Reed and the United Way in their efforts to identify and implement long term solutions that will significantly impact chronic homelessness in our community, said A.J. Robinson, President, Atlanta Downtown Improvement District. "We will continue to provide resources that help to counter the negative effects on the quality of life of all concerned, and are determined to do our part to ensure the success of the Unsheltered No More initiative."
As of the last point-in-time homeless count, there were nearly 5,000 people sleeping in emergency night shelters and outdoor locations in Atlanta.
The Registry survey includes a Vulnerability Index (VI) designed to measure health vulnerability. This data – along with other factors, such as age and length of time homeless – will be used to prioritize permanent supportive housing resources for chronically homeless individuals and families with the highest risk of dying on the streets.
- Created on 11 January 2013
Junior Achievement and Chick-fil-A Break Ground on Atlanta Discovery Center
Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and Chick-fil-A President and CEO Dan Cathy were joined by local business leaders and educators Wednesday for the groundbreaking ceremony of Junior Achievement's Chick-fil-A Discovery Center.
Junior Achievement of Georgia and the Chick-fil-A Foundation teamed up to announce the financial literacy and readiness career center at the Georgia World Congress Center that will be used to serve the major Metro Atlanta school systems: Atlanta Public Schools, DeKalb County Schools and Fulton County Schools.
"My personal goal is to make dreams and work accessible for people in Council District 3, which is led by Ivory Young," Reed said. "It is important for young people to have a concrete path to success that they can see such as this; the earlier it happens in a young person's life, the more likely they are for it to take forward."
Key Atlanta based companies including SunTrust, Delta, UPS and Wells Fargo are also rallying around Junior Achievement to sponsor the state-of-the-art facility.
The event took place in Building C of the World Congress Center, where in seven months the entire mezzanine level will consist of two virtual cities, JA BizTown for sixth graders and JA Financial Park for seventh and eighth graders.
More than 30,000 students are expected to visit the Chick-fil-A Foundation Discovery Center to learn important life skills and real-life budgeting situations essential to succeed in today's growing global economy.
During a simulated fly-thru of the center's layout, Junior Achievement of Georgia President Jack Harris explained the experience of inspiring students to succeed in school and beyond.
"It's really long term," Harris said of the newly created center. "It's about creating a completely financially literate generation."
The center's experiential learning program will include a 160-seat auditorium and a "mini-city" of corporate partners of the center with store representations in Finance Park, which will be a virtual outlay of Atlanta.
Academically, the discovery center will be beyond an average field trip for students. Each student will be presented with 18 different scenarios on situations that occur outside the general classroom dealing with the realities of life such as how to manage a budget, learning how to create and deposit checks, and more.
Known as JA BizTowns and Financial Parks, the centers exist in more than 20 cities around the US.
The Junior Achievement Fellows programs are delivered by metropolitan corporate and community volunteers to provide hands-on experiences to students from kindergarten to high school.
One product of Junior Achievement who was on hand to speak at the ceremony was seventh grader Nicolas Delporte.
"It's a great opportunity," Delporte said. "I look forward to going to the Discovery Center when it opens. Junior Achievement has helped me a lot and I know it will help a lot of my friends and other middle schoolers."
The Discovery Center plans to open its doors on September 3.
