HomeNotes on NeighborhoodEACA Monthly Meeting Minutes

EACA Monthly Meeting Minutes

Opening
– Meeting opened at 7:06 PM
–Welcome, new members, officer “hello”
– Reminder about post-meeting social event tonight at The Argosy
– Tony can help new members sign up for membership
– January minutes approved (February meeting was cancelled)
– 2014 budget approved

  • . Ralph explained budget process, expenditures vs. obligated funds

Neighbors Helping Neighbors, Trey and Houston
– Southeast Atlanta Faith Collaborative started 3 years ago, comprises 10 congregations in Grant           Park, SAND, East Atlanta
– Collaboration between churches and community-based organizations

  • . Including neighborhood associations in NPU W; already presented to SAND and Grant Park Neighborhood Association

–Birthed out of “asset-based community development” (ABCD).we already have a lot of the    resources we need to address challenges within the community
– As a group, sharing what activities are already underway (and siloed), and identifying new opportunities
– Two areas of focus:

  • . Creating a paper directory of resources for community care, including children/education, adult job training, mental health, etc.

. Paper directories will be available at local churches, coffee shops, etc.
. Directory will also be available online at faithcollaborative.org

  • -Volunteer-staffed hotline to take calls from the community and guide community members towards resources

-How to help

  • . Help SAFC know what resources are available
  • . Help spread the word

Green Space Advocacy, Scott Peterson
– DeKalb County has enormous green spaces that are untapped
– Mt. Arabia Heritage Association has grown to 2500 acres

  • . The association is receiving grants for paths and other public / green space offerings

.           In East Atlanta, this could include the South River Trail, Entrenchment Creek, and Sugarloaf Creek

  • Why look at creeks and rivers?

.           –In DeKalb County, you can’t develop adjacent to creeks and rivers, so trail space might be    available
– What can we do?

  • . Let our elected officials know we want to develop these resources

.           –Kathy Gannon, running for re-election
–Lee May

  • We have to “invest in green space”
  • . Go on a hike with Scott (or Joe Peery)

.                       – 404.368.6700
.                       -Plan to wear boots, the hikes are moderately rugged
.                      -Scott will be giving a talk at Mt. Arabia on May 3rd around avoiding Lyme disease
– Prison Farm (300 acres) is endangered by dumping, crime

  • . Need City of Atlanta attention to make best use of the area—urban gardening, sports fields, paths, etc.
  • . Chastain Park used to be Fulton County prison farm

– Moreland Avenue has some of the highest concentration of closed landfills in the US; Georgia State Assembly took action to bar further landfills
– Q&A

  • . Jeanne asked if Scott could send out a Change.org petition
  • . Scott said he’d prefer that folks call their representatives, spread the word
  • . New resident asked about a cheat sheet for calling elected officials

.                       votesmart.org
–Public Safety Update,
– Lieutenant Floyd (APD)

  • . Residential burglary issues from end of 2013 have been a priority in 2014; burglaries are down so far this year

.                       –Gang Unit has been involved, as some of the burglaries are associated with gang activity
–Increased traffic patrols on Flat Shoals and Glenwood; mass checkpoints at target areas
— Captain Meers (DeKalb)

  • . Captured 3 perpetrators involved in string of burglaries; South and East precincts and APD all levied charges
  • . Rolling out ~200 take-home cars to officers, more visibility in the neighborhood

– East Atlanta / DeKalb 360 Security Patrol, Myron Polster

  • . Increasing patrol activity in the evenings, looking for more members to help defray these costs
  • . Even if you’re not a member, call EASP (404.954.1568) when calling in an issue to the police (after calling the police)
  • . Q&A

.                       –Are there things to look out for / trends?
– Most events between 7-10 PM (shift change)
— How much does it cost to join EASP?
– $50/quarter
–Areas close to I-20 have 80% of the burglaries (Braeburn Circle, Clifton)
– Safety tips, Ed Gilgor

  • . Use strike plates to make it harder to kick in a door
  • . DeKalb County Court Watch
  • . Community can act to keep priority criminals behind bars

. Q&A

  • . Jack asked if someone is arrested in COA – DeKalb, does he get prosecuted in DeKalb or Fulton?

– Depends on the charge
– Movement to get more full-time prosecution help in DeKalb (one part-time prosecutor for all of DeKalb)

  • Scott mentioned that lots of mental health hospitals have been shut down, and local Sheriff’s offices are bogged down with mental health patients

— Elena Parent, Democratic candidate for State Senate District 42
– Started political career in 2010, one of 15 Democratic candidates to unseat sitting Republican legislator
– Redistricting resulted in merged district with another Democratic politician, Scott Holcomb;Elena gave up her seat to avoid contentious primary
– Executive Director, Georgia Watch

  • . Consumer advocacy organization focused on issues like healthcare, civil justice, fair lending, fair utility rates, clean energy options

– Current State Senator Jason Carter has decided to run for governor, opened up a seat
– Issues

  • . Transportation, education, and healthcare

.                       –75% of students aren’t in school for a full calendar year (180 days)
–Georgia has the 5th highest uninsured population (650,000)
– Primary election is May 20th
– elenaparent.com
EABA Reform
– EACA and EABA have been discussing joining forces with EABA becoming a “Development” committee
under EACA
– Send any questions or thoughts to president@eaca.net
East Atlanta Village Farmers Market, Lolly Beck-Pancer
– The market reopens on April 10th
– My Market program for new participants continues this year
– Expanding community outreach—chef’s demos, puppet shows
– Building ongoing partnerships, hosting monthly events with various organizations
– Double food stamps, as well as accepting cash, credit, and debit
– outreach@communityfarmersmarkets.org
Lauren Clayton, City of Atlanta Assistant Solicitor
– Prosecute misdemeanors (e.g., traffic tickets, disorderly conduct) as well as code enforcement
– Quality of Life officers
– Send any questions or complaints to Lauren
Committee Updates
– Parks, Susie Aquino

  • . Hosted 1st annual Mardi Gras potluck
  • . Volunteer park cleanup workday coming up 3/16, 12-3 PM in the south end of Brownwood Park

o   . New monthly “Stewardship Sunday”, 1st Sunday after EACA meeting each month

  • . Fringe Festival coming up on April 12th, art scavenger hunt in Brownwood Park
  • . parks@eaca.net

– Education, Lewis Cartee

  • . Lots of activity of late in the Jackson Cluster aimed at improving middle school education in East Atlanta

– Neighbor in Need, Jeff Whitehouse

  • . Annual poker tournament coming up on March 29th at 10 AM
  • . $50 entry, $500 grand prize, other prizes from local businesses

– Membership, Paige Heurtin

  • . Ongoing membership drive, targeting 150 new members (10 so far)
  • . Sign up tonight or online

o   . $10 per household
o   . Accept cash or credit
o   . P.O. Box 18366

  • Logo / branding process

o   Planning to present the updated logo / branding at April meeting
o   . Yard signs to follow

  • Membership social event last Friday at the Argosy to celebrate book release

o   . Bound to Be Read book signing on 3/22
o   . Author talk at 3:30 PM on 3/29 at East Atlanta Library
– Events, Jeanne Fore

  • . 1st Bar Out at the Argosy after the meeting
    • . Goal of the Bar Outs will be to raise funds in collaboration with local businesses
  • 1st 2014 Brownwood Frolic will be Saturday, April 12th

— Announcements
– Georgia Rides to the Capital is a cycling advocacy event on 3/18; rides start from Roswell and Decatur

  • . Jack is organizing a group ride from East Atlanta to Decatur, meeting at 10 AM at the planter at the corner of Flat Shoals and Glenwood

– Joe Peery will be putting together a regular bike ride to explore local paths, trails, and green spaces

  • . Email Joe at transportation@eaca.net with ideas or to join

–. Closing
– Meeting adjourned at 8:47 PM
 

Recent

AdvertisementAd: ScreenFixing, We're here because you broke something. Phone: 404-969-6FIX, 1267 Glenwood Ave SE, Atlanta Ga 30316, http://screenfixing.com
AdvertisementAd: Nan Orrock, State Senator. Now more than ever, we need to be informed and involved in our democracy. Join me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. I'll keep you posted on legislation, and I want to hear from you on policies and ideas important to your family and our community. It is an honor and privilege to serve. Phone:(404) 524-5999, email: nan.orrock@senate.ga.gov, Facebook: SenatorNanOrrock,, Twitter: @SenNanOrrock, Instagram: SenatorNanOrrock

More from Author

Calendar March-April 2023

CALENDAR Community Meetings GPNA (Grant Park Neighborhood Association). 3rd Tuesday of every month, 7:30pm-9:00pm....

Southeastern Trust for Parks and Land Acquires Conservation Easement

By Amanda Leesburg Southeastern Trust for Parks and Land (SE Trust), a...

Spring Blooms at Oakland with Family-Friendly Events!

Visitors enjoying last year's Illumine event Photo courtesy of Historic Oakland Foundation By...

EAV Farmer’s Market Springing Back

By Katie Kriner East Atlanta Village (EAV) Farmers Market is a-springin' back...

Read Now

Calendar March-April 2023

CALENDAR Community Meetings GPNA (Grant Park Neighborhood Association). 3rd Tuesday of every month, 7:30pm-9:00pm. Check www.grantpark.org for details. SAND (South Atlantans for Neighborhood Development). 2nd Thursday of every month, 7:30pm, Ormewood Church Fellowship Hall, corner of Woodland & Delaware Avenues. EACA (East Atlanta Community Association). 2nd Tuesday of the month, 7:00pm. See www.eaca.net for details. EABA (East Atlanta Business Association)...

Southeastern Trust for Parks and Land Acquires Conservation Easement

By Amanda Leesburg Southeastern Trust for Parks and Land (SE Trust), a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation, acquires, conserves, and utilizes natural land for its mission of Conservation, Recreation and Community. SE Trust is proud to announce the creation and filing of a perpetual Conservation Easement for Tapestry Greenspace in...

Spring Blooms at Oakland with Family-Friendly Events!

Visitors enjoying last year's Illumine event Photo courtesy of Historic Oakland Foundation By Angie Wynne March and April are filled with fun, family-friendly opportunities to experience spring at Oakland Cemetery. Phoenix Flies, Atlanta Preservation Center’s annual celebration of historic sites, comes to Oakland on March 17 for an exciting “Geology in...

EAV Farmer’s Market Springing Back

By Katie Kriner East Atlanta Village (EAV) Farmers Market is a-springin' back up on Thursday, March 30, from 4:00pm-8:00pm. It will continue every Thursday 'til mid-November.  All your favorite farmers and vendors are back, as well some new faces,  live music, market chef with free samples, good vibes, all the...

Phoenix Flies Launches March 4

By Atlanta Preservation Staff Phoenix Flies 2023 celebrates 20 years that the Atlanta Preservation Center has brought together organizations and individuals from the community to demonstrate the value of Atlanta’s historic built environment. From museums to adaptive reuse projects, to neighborhood tours to public libraries, this year’s 90...

EACA Monthly Meeting Minutes – Thursday, February 14, 2023

Call to Order / Start Meeting Recording 7:00pm. January 10, 2023, Meeting Minutes approved. January 2023 Treasurer Report approved. Key January Events Recap – Chase Miller: About 30 people came to the MLK day of service to work at Branan Towers and two Neighbor in Need homes. We...

SAND Update – February 2023

By Kate Champion, SAND president SAND’s February 9 meeting was held in person with special guests, Council Members Liliana Bakhtiari and Jason Winston. You can find the questions asked and answered in the article below.  Several items of business were presented. The Ormewood Park Makers Festival will be held Saturday,...

GPNA Monthly Meeting Minutes – Tuesday, January 17, 2023

Call to Order–7:30pm. President’s Introduction. 2023 GPNA Goals: Website refresh - GPNA will finalize and implement the rebranded GPNA website. Sign toppers - GPNA will finalize neighborhood sign toppers project and implementation. Legacy neighbors outreach & support - GPNA will continue building on success from 2022. Community engagement -...

Madison Theater Participates in the GA Trust Historic Theater Tour 

Photo by Elena Kaplan Friends of the Madison Theater (left to right) include Stephanie Cherry-Farmer, Bill Gould, Jennifer Murray. Photo by Jenny Murry Stephanie Cherry-Farmer in front of the Madison Theater By Jenny Murray On February 11, the Madison Theater in East Atlanta was included in an “Historic Theaters Expedition”...

EACA Re-Launches the Friends of Brownwood Park Group

Photo by Patrick Cousins Park Pride, EACA and community leaders gather at Brownwood Park for a walk-through in January 2023. Left to Right: Michael Halicki, Executive Director of Park Pride; Ellen Bruenderman, Director of Community Services at Park Pride; Chase Miller, EACA President; Justin Cutler, City of Atlanta...

Council Member Liliana Bakhtiari Directs One Million Discretionary Dollars to Park Pride

By Nicholas Cappon Today, the Atlanta City Council adopted 23-O-1074, authorizing a contribution of $2.8 million in district-specific funds to Park Pride, with $1 million directly to park improvements and upgrades in Council District 5. “The health and vitality of a community can be measured by the growth and...

Legacy Neighbor Spotlight: James and Lillian Rowland

By Dee Dee Abbott Imagine buying a house in Grant Park for $450 down with a monthly payment of $57. This real estate reverie was a real estate reality for James Rowland. When James and his wife Lillian moved to Grant Park in 1965, there were only three other...