The Decatur Minute

Although there was no snow in the city, there was freezing rain that has formed into ice on tree limbs.  Because of this, we are experiencing downed trees and associated power outages- GA Power crews are in the area.

Roads are generally passable, but we are encouraging people to not drive unless it is necessary.  If it is necessary, please do so with caution.

Incidents involving Trees Down/Powerlines Down

• 1 large tree down at the intersection of Oakland St & Ponce Place.
• 1 large tree down at 327 Adams Street.  Power lines are down.
• 1 large tree down across the roadway of Greenwood Ave & Evans Dr.  Powerlines are down.

Roadways hazards/Concerns

• Bridge between Paden Circle & Chief Mathews Frozen over
• Sam’s Crossing Bridge iced over

Check back periodically for updates.

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∙ The City will concentrate on providing a usable travel lane in each direction on major streets and clearing sidewalks near MARTA stations.
∙ The City will work with City Schools of Decatur to make sure entrances, exits and driveways at the schools are clear.
∙ Residents should expect to clear their driveways and sidewalks. It is unlikely that the City will be able to clear interior neighborhood residential streets.
∙ If you, or a neighbor, are a senior, someone with a medical need or someone with special needs, consider creating a safety profile at smart911.com. You can also contact Lifelong Community Coordinator Lee Ann Harvey at 770-652-8593 to be placed on the home checklist maintained by the Police Department.

Stay tuned to thedecaturminute.com blog, City of Decatur GA- Government on Facebook and the city’s website for updates

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There is a winter weather warning for metro Atlanta from 4 p.m. Friday to 1 p.m. Saturday. It is expected to start raining and sleeting and then turn to snow. The precipitation is expected to stick and Decatur could see up to 4” of snow by Saturday morning.

All city buildings are scheduled to open as normal Friday and will close by 5 p.m., including City Hall and the Decatur Recreation Center. All activities and classes at the Decatur Recreation Center are CANCELLED for Saturday and Sunday.

City Schools of Decatur will dismiss an hour early and have cancelled all after school, extracurricular and athletic activities for Friday, January 6, Saturday, January 7, and Sunday, January 8. .

Important phone numbers

• If you see hazardous or unsafe conditions in Decatur, or require assistance from police or fire, please call the police non-emergency number: 404-373-6551.
• Report icy conditions on interstates and state routes to GDOT: 511.
• Power outages or trees on power lines should be reported directly to Georgia Power: 1-888-891-0938.

Prevent burst pipes
As the temperatures drop, pipes in your home or business are likely to freeze unless you take necessary precautions. The easiest way to prevent burst pipes is to leave your sink running with a small stream of water (a drip is not enough) before you go to bed.

Reminders

• Be neighborly and take a few minutes to check on the seniors in your neighborhood. See if you can bring in their mail or wood or something else they may need, and make sure they have plenty of heat, food and water. Sometimes simply being checked on is greatly appreciated when staying indoors gets to be lonely. If you have a neighbor who needs help please call the police non-emergency number at 404-373-6551.
• Bring all pets inside.
• Register for Smart911 now at Smart911.com. You can opt-in for severe weather and other notifications as well as create or update your Smart911 profile with any special medical concerns (such as a household member who uses medical equipment that requires electricity).
• Charge all cell phones and put fresh batteries in emergency radios. When contacting loved ones, a text message is more likely to get through than a phone call.
• Download the FEMA smartphone app for additional tips and emergency information.

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City of Decatur began its annual “Bring One for the Chipper” Christmas tree recycling event on Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2016.  Residents can drop off live Christmas trees to the Agnes Scott College parking lot between 184 and 206 S. Candler St. through Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017.  Please do not leave Christmas trees anywhere else on the Agnes Scott campus.

For more information, call 404-377-5571, Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 4 pm.

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The City of Decatur has been selected, by members of the Barkley Forum of Emory University, as the 2016 Georgia Speaker of the Year for its “innovative and ethical leadership in implementing the Better Together Action Plan”.

Since 1967, the Barkley Forum has recognized individuals or groups that exemplify outstanding and effective communication that aligns with the organization’s values: creating space for deliberative dialogue in pursuit of the public good.

The Georgia Speaker of the Year Award is presented at an annual banquet.  Past recipients who have been honored include Ralph McGill, Andrew Young, President Jimmy Carter, Benjamin Mays, Senator Zell Miller, Ted Turner, Johnnetta Cole, former first lady Rosalynn Carter, and Mayor Shirley Franklin. Decatur will be the first city to receive the award.

Better Together is a citizen-led, government supported effort to build deeper connection, understanding, and mutual respect among the Decatur community.  The process facilitated a substantive community conversation around the myriad differences — in culture, race, age, abilities, politics, economic resources, and more — that make us who we are.

The community conversation culminated in the creation of a tangible Community Action Plan that focuses on cultivating a more just, welcoming, inclusive, equitable and compassionate experience for all who visit, live or work in the City of Decatur. This action plan is a policy and implementation guide for the  community, consisting of facts about Decatur’s populations, background on the Better Together process and the people behind it, key findings and recommendations that emerge from the process, the community’s suggested actions moving forward, and the individuals or organizations responsible for implementation.

For more information about the Community Action Plan and Better Together Advisory Board, visit http://www.decaturga.com/city-government/resident-boards-commissions/better-together-advisory-board.

For more information on the Barkley Forum’s Georgia Speaker of the Year Awards, visit
http://www.emory.edu/BF/about/Georgia%20Speaker%20of%20the%20Year/index.html.

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Christmas Holiday, Friday, Dec. 23 and Monday, Dec. 26, 2016

 
Regular services for Thurs., Dec. 22 will be on Wed., Dec. 21;
Regular services for Fri., Dec. 23 will be on Thurs., Dec. 22.
Regular services for Monday Dec. 26 will be on Tues., Dec 27;
Regular services for Tues. Dec. 27 will be on Wed. Dec. 28.

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This is a weekly blog post that lists all of the events and sales going on around town. It will be updated daily. If you would like to add an event, email renae.madison@decaturga.com.

Sunday, Dec. 18

• Sunday Beer Barbecue, 5:00 PM
• Christmas on Clairemont, 7:00 PM
• Downtown Decatur Food Tour, 11- 2 p.m.

Monday, Dec.  19

• Breakfast with Santa in Oakhurst at the Solarium, 9:30 a.m. -11:30 a.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 20

• Single Origin Franceschi Chocolate tasting at The Cooks Warehouse, 1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 21

• Decatur Farmers Market, 4-7 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 22 

• Holiday Ice Cream Social at Taj, 5:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m.

 Saturday, Dec. 24

• Decatur Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

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