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 > December
December 2007
Make Clayton Great In 2008
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It seems we all agree that things need to change in Clayton county. Below are some ways you can stay informed on county issues and places to voice your concerns to our elected officials:
Board of commissioner meetings occur every first, second (general work session) and third Tuesday of each month at 7pm, and hear public comments immediately thereafter. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 2 due to the holiday.
Board of education meetings normally take place on the first Monday of each month at 7pm, with up to 30 minutes allotted for public comments. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 7.
New strip mall in your neighborhood? Let your Commissioner and the Zoning Advisory Group know what you do and do not want to see in your community (or anywhere else in Clayton for that matter).
Although the Board of commissioners make the final decision, your opinion could make a difference. Meetings are held on the second Monday of every month at 7pm.
According to Clayton’s official website under Constituent Services: “We work with our citizens and visitors to resolve concerns involving county government, explain county programs, expedite government action and serve as liaison between our departments and the public.” Email ClaytonsListening@co.clayton.ga.us; call (770) 477-3208; fax: (770) 477-3217 or write: Clayton County Board of Commissioners, 112 Smith Street, Jonesboro, 30236 with your concerns.
Of course, the best way to voice your opinion is with your vote. In order to vote as early as February 5 on the upcoming SPLOST, you must register to vote by midnight on January 7.
Any suggestions on how residents can help make Clayton better in 2008?
WISHING ALL CLAYTON COUNTY RESIDENTS A SAFE, BLESSED AND PROSPEROUS 2008!
Permalink | Comments (55) | Categories: Kimberly Allen
To recall or not to recall?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
District nine met recently to organize and discuss their options regarding its school board representative, Sandra Scott.
Before, during and after some venting by 100+ residents, the majority seemed eager to start the recall process. Even I arrived ready to sign.
However, two people provided food for thought that the school board is not the sole issue we need to address here.
Clayton County public schools substitute teacher Joyce Hawthorne spoke frankly about the problems, which include too many temporary teachers inside of classrooms, and occasionally a lack of professionalism in dealing with teachers, parents and students.
“In order to have effective schools you must have a marriage between administrators, principals, teachers, parents and the community,” she says. “Clayton could have exemplary schools given the right leadership. But teachers and administrators need more professional development and more extensive training.”
So if the system needs fixing at its core, will we solve anything with a school board recall? Or as stated at the meeting, will we just be back in two years trying to fix the same problems?
“Loss of accreditation, recall and impeachment are not the answers to the present school board members’ debacle,” says Synamon Baldwin, co-founder of the Clayton County Wide Homeowner’s Association (“CCWHOA”). “These type of actions are reactionary and unfairly punish our students.”
“The long-term solution is to identify, support and hold accountable those we elect to serve. There should never be an empty seat at the school board or county commission meetings,” adds Baldwin. “These two boards are supposed to provide leadership. They have not been held accountable over the years, and for that we must blame ourselves.”
District nine is hoping other districts will conduct their own town hall meetings, organize and work with them to resolve issues within our schools.
Would you support a recall in your district? Why or why not?
Have a safe and MERRY CHRISTMAS CLAYTON!!
Permalink | Comments (84) | Categories: Kimberly Allen
Clayton County: Reality vs. perception
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
No one disputes the fact that Clayton County has some problems, just like other metro Atlanta counties.
Although many (including some Clayton residents, unfortunately) thrive on the idea that we are a lost cause and our problems are unsolvable.
I read a recent ajc.com blog where someone repeatedly referred to Clayton as a “cesspool.” I have also met folks who speak negatively about Clayton and in the next breath admit they have never been here before because they were told to steer clear.
I don’t know about you, but these impressions bother me, and we have not lived here nearly as long as some.
Despite this, there are still many people who love living here (myself included) and do not want to move. Many are homeowners who have lived here for years and some are newcomers.
Recently, numerous Clayton residents met with Realtors and county officials via the Clayton County Wide Homeowners Association to discuss ways to improve our image.
Opinions ranged from getting more residents involved in community affairs, such as attending board of education and county commission meetings, where policy is set, to calling code enforcement on your neighbor if need be. (To report code violations, call 678-610-4755, 7:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m., Monday-Saturday.)
The number one response was getting residents educated on potential candidates running for elected office.
As residents, what else can we do to help improve Clayton’s image and silence the naysayers?
(P.S. - If you managed to get out of dodge, congratulations to you. But we do not need any more negativity here. If you have nothing constructive to add to this conversation (especially if you no longer live here) please don’t waste everyone’s time. Thank you!)
Permalink | Comments (60) | Categories: Kimberly Allen
Christmas gone wild!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
While driving, have you ever seen a dull light glowing up ahead and think to yourself, “Oh no, not another strip mall!”
Then as you get closer you realize it is not a strip mall at all (whew!), but someone’s home adorned in every Christmas light and/or decoration ever created! (Think Chevy Chase’s house from the movie, “Christmas Vacation.”)
I absolutely love Christmas and all of the stuff that goes along with the holiday. I particularly like the music from Handel’s Messiah, to traditional Christmas carols, to some modernized versions of old and new favorites.
But I especially love decorating. I collect angels and strategically place them all over the house, along with many other festive indoor decorations.
Don’t get me wrong, I would love to put lights and reindeer and all that kind of stuff outside of our home (in tasteful moderation, of course) but my husband is paranoid that a fire will break out.
I believe he worries that over time our home will slowly become the “Christmas Vacation” house. His theory is if you can see a house lit up like Wal-Mart more than a half mile away, it’s overkill.
My theory? Christmas only comes once a year, so why not go all out?
In the interest of compromise, I only put lights in the windows, around the fireplace mantel and on our Christmas tree. Many of my angels light up as well.
This year I’ve extended my window lighting spree to the lower level of the house, much to his dismay.
Do your neighbors (or anyone else you know) go overboard with Christmas decorating? Or do you just enjoy the season’s decorations no matter what?
(By the way, does anyone know where there will be a sing-along Messiah in the metro Atlanta area? I’d appreciate if you shared that info!)
Permalink | Comments (13) | Categories: Kimberly Allen
S.O.S. = Save our schools?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
And some thought former superintendent Barbara Pulliam was the problem.
For the second time in less than five years, Clayton County public schools may lose its accreditation.
If this happens again, certain board of education members should be recalled because they obviously are not doing the job for which they were elected.
Another loss of accreditation will definitely hurt our kids’ future and further affect already declining property values.
According to news reports, students who graduate from districts that are not accredited will be ineligible for many college scholarships, including HOPE. This can also affect a student’s chance of being accepted into some colleges at all, further limiting their possibilities.
A loss will also affect teacher salaries, making it virtually impossible to retain and keep quality educators (which allegedly is already an issue, why make it worse?)
Do the children of Clayton who want to get an education need any more obstacles in their path?
Like it or not though, Clayton’s BOE is not solely to blame.
More parents need to be proactive about their children’s schooling, and stay on educators and the board members they elected to do the right things.
I recently attended a PTA meeting. Including moderators, there were 23 people in attendance. Eleven of them were kids.
Parental apathy tells your child’s educators and elected officials that they can get away with whatever they like because nobody is paying attention or cares, and there will be no consequences for their actions.
But this situation is primarily about political infighting, personal agendas and some board members’ inability (refusal?) to work together to improve CCPS.
Is it time to clean house at the board of education and elect people who are actually committed to education?
Permalink | Comments (62) | Categories: Kimberly Allen
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