The Decatur Minute

The 14^th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Service Project is taking place this weekend. We would love to have you join us. Did you know the significance of this holiday? “In 1994, Congress designated the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday as a national day of service …, the MLK Day of Service is the only federal holiday observed as a national day of service – a ‘day on, not a day off’.” (http://mlkday.gov/about/serveonkingday.php)

The weather will be turning colder next week, so that makes it more important to help our senior citizens live safely, comfortably and affordably in their homes. The remaining volunteer shifts today are:

Monday, January 18: 9am to 1pm and 1pm to 5pm

Over 570 volunteers came out on Saturday to make greatly needed repairs and do yard work that the elderly homeowners have been unable to afford or are unable to do themselves. There are volunteer opportunities available for skilled, unskilled and everyone in between. Projects that still need to be done include a lot of carpentry work, laying linoleum at three homes, and a number of DIY and “handyperson” jobs. If you can make repairs on your own home, we’d love your help!  There are also opportunities available for people who do not have skills.

Volunteers will meet at the Solarium at the Community Center of South Decatur, 321 W. Hill St. in Oakhurst, at least 30 minutes before the start of their shift. Bring your reusable water bottle, work gloves and your tools, if you have them. We will also have tools available.

To sign up, please email leeann.harvey@decaturga.com or call 770-652-8593. The project is sponsored by the Decatur Preservation Alliance (DPA) in partnership with the City of Decatur. The project is supported through grants and private donations, both financial and in kind, as well as the annual Restaurant’s for Repairs dine out event.

City of Decatur Fire/Rescue regrets to inform you of our family’s loss of Ryan Taylor.  Inspector Taylor, age 40, died suddenly Sunday morning leaving a wife and four children. Ryan began his career with the City of Decatur in 2001.  He served as a firefighter, driver, and inspector. His common sense and leadership skills made him an experienced and natural firefighter. Ryan always had a smile on his face and knew how to bring a family atmosphere to a work environment. Ryan ensured the safety of the Decatur community through many of his building inspections and public safety education. His detailed craftsmanship can be seen in the landscaping at both Decatur fire stations and Fire Station 2’s shed. This is the City of Decatur Fire/Rescue’s first active firefighter death. The City of Decatur Fire/Rescue Department appreciates the community’s support during this tough time. If residents want to bring something to the department, please donate canned goods or winter coats for those in need. Ryan will always be deeply respected and loved by all of us.  Please keep the family and department in your thoughts and prayers.

Decatur’s 14th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Service Project takes place next weekend, Jan. 16-18. This volunteer home repair program enables lower-income senior homeowners to remain in their homes safely, comfortably, and affordably. Over 1,000 people volunteer each year to provide these much needed repairs at no charge. Volunteers weatherize, add handicap-accessible features, replace rotten wood, paint and do yard work during the King holiday weekend. The project committee invites your business, neighborhood association, place of worship or civic organization to join in the effort. There are jobs available for every skill level. If you can make repairs on your own home or do some carpentry, we definitely have a job for you.

You can help one or more of the following shifts:

Saturday, January 16: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 17: 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Monday, January 18: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Volunteers meet at the Solarium, 321 W. Hill Street in Oakhurst. Volunteers must be a minimum of 12-years-old, unless they are volunteering through a supervised organization, such as Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts. Information about the Project is available at www.mlkserviceproject.com. To sign up or for information about volunteering, contact Lee Ann Harvey at 678-553-6548 (office) or 770-652-8593 (cell) or leeann.harvey@decaturga.com.

The Decatur City Commission elected Patti Garrett Mayor and Fred Boykin Mayor Pro Tem at its first meeting of the year on January 4, 2016.  Returning Commissioner Scott Drake and new Commissioners Tony Powers and Brian Smith were all sworn in at the beginning of the meeting.

Pictured L-R: Mayor Pro Tem Fred Boykin and Mayor Patti Garrett; Commissioners Brian Smith, Tony Powers and Scott Drake

Patti Garrett was elected to the City Commission in 2009 and as Mayor Pro Tempore in 2015.  She has been active in the community since moving to Decatur in 2001.  Previously Patti served as chair of the Decatur Tour of Homes committee, house captain on the Martin Luther King Jr. Service Project, a board member of the Oakhurst Community Garden Project, and as secretary of the Oakhurst Neighborhood Association. She currently serves on the Advisory Council of New American Pathways.  She attends Decatur First United Methodist Church and has served on its board of trustees.

Patti is a 2012 graduate of Leadership DeKalb, a member of the 2010 class of the Regional Leadership Institute, and serves on the Environmental and Natural Resources Committee of the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA). A graduate of Texas Christian University and the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Patti has taught nutrition at Georgia State University and worked as a Clinical Dietitian at Emory University Health Services.  She currently provides nutrition services in private practice at a local physician’s office and through the Georgia State Counseling and Testing Center. Patti also received the 2010 Georgia Dietetic Association Distinguished Service to a Community Award.

She and her husband, Gary, live in the Oakhurst neighborhood.

Mayor Garrett presides at the meeting after her election

Fred Boykin was elected to the Decatur City Commission in 2001. Prior to his election, he served on the Decatur Planning Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals, and was active in the Decatur Business Association serving as its president in 1996 and 1997. Fred served on the Board of Trustees of the DeKalb County Library System from 1998 through 2007 and as chair in 2004 and 2005. He is a graduate of Leadership DeKalb and received a Decatur Hometown Hero award in 1997.

Fred is a past member of the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) Board of Directors, the Steering Committee of the Safe Routes to School National Partnership, the Georgia DOT Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee, and the Georgia Planning Commission. He also served on the Board of Directors of Our House, Inc. and Leadership DeKalb. Currently he serves on the Board of Georgia Bikes!, Georgia’s statewide bicycle advocacy organization. He received the 2004 League of American Bicyclists Advocate of the Year Award and the 2005 Bicycle Retailer & Industry News Advocate of the Year (Retail).

A graduate of Emory University, he owned Bicycle South, Inc., a Decatur-area business since 1972, and retired December 31, 2015.

Mayor Pro Tem Boykin

Scott Drake sworn in by Bryan Downs

Tony Powers sworn in by Cinque Axam

Brian Smith sworn in by Ed Palmer