Can Clayton lure new businesses?
A few new businesses are trickling into Clayton County. At a time when much of the attention is focusing on problems in the school system, it’s refreshing to learn new jobs are being created. Read my latest blog entry on Wordpress
Home > Clayton.Talk > Archives > 2007 > March
March 2007
What would you say to the new police chief?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Last week the Clayton County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted in Jeff Turner as Police Chief. The county’s first African-American to hold the position graciously accepted amid a rousing standing ovation.
Many hail this appointment as the best decision our Commissioners have made for Clayton in a long time. With 20-plus years experience working for the CCPD, Turner was chosen from a pool of seven candidates with varied criminal justice experience. He officially inherits the CCPD at a time when the county’s reputation for crime is at its worst. Undeterred, Turner is working on the department’s 2007-2008 budget, preparing to ask the Commission for money to hire more officers.
Our new Chief also comes in with a plan, and he needs our help. Turner’s strategy is to develop closer relationships between the CCPD and residents by rezoning officer beats, so each community gets to personally know the officers patrolling it’s streets. Teaching residents what to look for when crimes are being committed and providing good descriptions to police is key. He would also like to see neighborhood watches implemented throughout the county, and has many other positive ideas to help make Clayton a safer place to live, work and play.
Did you agree with the Commissioners’ decision to hire Turner? Can he help turn things around, and will you help if need be? What do you think of his plans for joint police and community involvement to help solve crime? If you had an opportunity to speak with Chief Turner directly, what would you suggest the CCPD do to eliminate crime in Clayton?
Permalink | Comments (23) | Post your comment | Categories: Kimberly Allen
Should Tara Boulevard be renamed?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Since moving to Clayton, I’ve heard Tara Boulevard called several names — 19/41 and “Terror” Boulevard are among the most popular. The rumors that the thoroughfare may be renamed have been gaining momentum.
Tara Boulevard is named after Tara, Scarlett O’Hara’s fictitious plantation in the novel “Gone With the Wind.” Jonesboro is the historical foundation for the story.
But the face of this county has changed dramatically over the years. Clayton is now predominantly African-American, and many of those residents want their cultural history represented. Some would like to see the boulevard renamed in honor of Rosa Parks, the civil rights pioneer who died in 2005.
However, many Clayton natives already feel they are losing their way of life to “transplants” who move here from other areas. They do not want to see Tara Boulevard renamed because it represents a part of their history, which they already feel has been all but wiped out due to economic expansion and overdevelopment.
Another reason against renaming is the tourist dollars Clayton stands to lose. According to Russell Caldwell, manager of visitor services at The Margaret Mitchell House and Museum in Midtown Atlanta, “Tourists come in all the time asking where Tara is.” Those tourists are then directed to the Clayton County Convention and Visitors Bureau, where they can visit The Road To Tara Museum and inevitably hear history behind the boulevard’s name and Clayton county’s role in it.
Given its historical aspects, should renaming Tara Boulevard even be considered? If so, what name would you suggest? Should any new name be based solely on culture, or the individual’s contribution to Clayton county?
Permalink | Comments (149) | Categories: Kimberly Allen
Should sheriff get a pay raise?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Clayton County Sheriff Victor Hill’s current salary is $101,493 — and now he wants a pay raise of almost $21,000.
Thousands of tax dollars have already been frivolously spent by Hill, including the choir/overtime debacle, questionable paid leave for his suspended chief deputy, the Valentine’s Day telephone messages and more internal investigations than all the “CSI” shows combined.
We can only speculate how much the fired 27 officers’ lawsuits will cost us, all while Clayton residents complain that warrants take longer than necessary to be processed and served.
Serving warrants is just one of the primary tasks of almost every sheriff’s department in a Georgia county where a county police department exists.
Hill counters his salary is not comparable with other Georgia sheriffs’, the sole reason to grant him a $21,000 increase. If Clayton doesn’t compete salary wise, we will never attract desirable candidates for any elected office.
But has his service (or indirectly, his department) been equal to that of his counterparts? What justification is there for Hill to receive this pay increase?
Permalink | Comments (40) | Categories: Kimberly Allen
Kimberly Allen bio
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Kimberly Allen is a native New Yorker who relocated to Clayton county in 2004 with her husband, Stan. A Fordham alumni, her hobbies include reading, writing, listening to music and watching basketball.
Permalink | | Categories: Kimberly Allen
Rules on nightclubs too tough?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s hard to enjoy the nightlife in Clayton County.
That’s because there are no nightclubs in the unincorporated area. James Redding wanted to open a nightclub in the old Southside Peach building, but residents of the Rex community banded together to fight the idea, saying a nightclub would bring crime and traffic to the neighborhood.
The county commission officially shot down Redding’s plan about two weeks ago.
Now folks will have to drive to downtown Atlanta for some drinks and dancing.
Is this fair? Should Clayton relax the permitting rules, which currently require the board’s approval, on nightclubs in the county? Or should Clayton County remain a nightclub-free zone?
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