The Better Together Advisory Board announces the second annual Welcoming Business Award. The purpose of the award is to:
Reward and publicly recognize leadership actions that create a welcoming and inclusive business environment in the City of Decatur; Encourage businesses to prioritize inclusivity as a “best practice;” and Publicize and share “best practices” among local businesses.
The deadline to submit nominations is October 23. Award criteria and nomination forms can be found at decaturga.com/welcomingbusiness. You can return the form via email to Linda Harris linda.harris@decaturga.com or mail it to her attention at City of Decatur, PO Box 220, Decatur GA 30031.
As of October 13, 2020 well over 99.9% of housing units have been accounted for in the 2020 Census. Self-response and field data collection operations for the 2020 Census will conclude on October 15, 2020.
Specifically:
Internet self-response will be available across the nation through October 15, 2020 until 11:59 pm Hawaii Standard Time (HST), (6:00 am Eastern Daylight Time on October 16, 2020). Visit 2020Census.gov to respond today.
Phone response will be available for its regularly scheduled time on October 15, 2020. Click here for a schedule and a list of numbers.
Paper responses must be postmarked by October 15, 2020.
Nonresponse Follow-up census takers will continue resolving nonresponding addresses through the end of the day on October 15, 2020.
The U.S. Census Bureau is currently updating 2020Census.gov, Census.gov, as well as all external and internal guidance to reflect the schedule update. So if you still need to get counted, you have a couple more days.
Residents of Census Tract 226.02 (area shaded blue) should still stop by the info tent between 5-8 p.m. during Fab Friday in Decatur to claim their prize for being the tract with the greatest percentage increase during the City Commissioner’s Census Tract Challenge back in September. 300 t-shirts are available so it’s first come, first served.
It’s time to pull out your best Halloween decorations, dress up your home or business in the colors and traditions of the season, and enter the Halloween Decorating Contest. Submit a photo of your best decor talents to Jackie Moore at jacqueline.moore@decaturga.com by Friday, October 23 and be sure to include your name and address in the email.
To vote for your favorite entry, visit our website by Sunday, October 25. Winners will be posted on the Decatur Minute blog and the Decorate Decatur Facebook page. Special yard signs will be posted in the yards of winners to display for Halloween.
The winner of the Commissioners Cauldron will be announced at the City Commission meeting on Monday, November 2! #DecorateDecatur
The deadline to complete and return your household’s 2020 Census form has been extended until October 31. By responding to the 2020 Census each resident ensures that Georgians receive their appropriate share of over $675 billion in federal aid that is distributed to state and local governments using census numbers every year. These monies support a host of projects that are instrumental in keeping us safe and improving our quality of life right here at home. Census data is also used for federal, state, and local funding distributions, intergovernmental agreements drawing state and federal legislative districts, school districts, and congressional reapportionment.
If you have not already submitted your information, here are the ways to get counted:
1. Enter your information online at My 2020 Census (You don’t have to know your Census ID number to complete the form and languages other than English are available.)
2. Call the 2020 Census hotline at 844-330-2020 (Languages other than English are available.)
3. Return the paper form you received in the mail back in October 31st.
4. Stop by the City’s information tent on Friday, October 16th from 5pm to 8pm during the FAB Friday event on the Decatur Square to complete the form on a mobile device.
Speaking of FAB Friday, residents of Census Tract 226.02 (area shaded blue) should stop by the info tent to claim their prize for being the tract with the greatest percentage increase during the City Commissioner’s Census Tract Challenge back in September. 300 t-shirts are available so it’s first come, first served.
The National Weather Service has issued Tornado Watch #498 for DeKalb County (and may others) until 9PM tonight.
A tornado watch means that conditions are favorable for tornados to occur. Stay tuned to a weather radio, a local TV/radio station or a weather app for updates.
If you hear the tornado sirens today, seek shelter immediately.
The Decatur Strategic Plan is ramping back up! We’d like to continue hearing from you but you’ll have to let your creativity loose. Just grab some sidewalk chalk and answer this question with drawings or words on your sidewalk or driveway: “How can Decatur ensure a high quality of life for all?” Snap a photo, post to Facebook or Instagram with #decatur2030 so we see what you come up with. Happy Chalking!
The City of Decatur is undergoing a communications audit and your input is needed. Please provide your feedback to consultants here by Oct. 23. Contact Renae Madison, renae.madison@decaturga.com, with any questions.
The October test of the Tornado Outdoor Warning Siren System will happen tomorrow, October 7, at 5:00 p.m. The test should last approximately one minute. Should the weather become inclement, the test will be postponed until Thursday, October 8.
If you have questions or want more information about the siren system, check out the Siren page on the City’s website or contact Police Lt. Barry Woodward at 404-373-6551.
A message from the Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority (The ATL):
The Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority (The ATL) is seeking public input on the 2020 ATL Regional Transit Plan (ARTP) through Monday, October 19. Learn more about the future of transit in metro Atlanta and share your feedback.
Updated annually, the ARTP serves as the foundation for transit planning in the Atlanta region for the next twenty years, ensuring transit projects work together to create a seamless network and customer experience regardless of transit operator. This year the ARTP includes 245 proposed projects that either expand, maintain, or create new transit service opportunities across the 13-county ATL region.
Projects included in the ARTP are anticipated to:
Increase transit trips in metro Atlanta overall by 39 percent, and to regional employment centers by 31 percent
Increase the proportion of low-income households within ½ mile of a high capacity transit station to 33 percent
Save over 99,000 gallons of gasoline used by Metro Atlanta residents, annually
Result in a return of investment of over $140 billion, equaling a five dollar return on every dollar spent on transit, if fully funded.
WAYS TO PARTICIPATE
This year, to prioritize the health and safety of metro residents, the ATL’s series of public outreach efforts called District Downloads offers several new ways to learn and comment on the 2020 ARTP. Participants can:
Request information by phone by dialing 404-893-2100
