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 > 2008 > July
July 2008
Help for Clayton homeowners facing foreclosure
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Housing Authority of Clayton County is formulating a plan to bail out homeowners in arrears.
According to the Clayton News-Daily, we lead the metro Atlanta area in delinquent mortgages and foreclosures.
“Many people found themselves duped by predatory loans after the fact, and was then told they couldn’t do anything about it but pay up or lose their home,” says James Searcy, Chairperson of HACC’s Foreclosure Prevention Committee. “What the [HACC] plan would do is help restore home ownership for those working with our program.”
Clayton residents are already inquiring, and being advised to call back in about 30 days.
HACC’s self-funded plan is not to be confused with the recently approved American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act. H.R. 3221 will provide $4 billion in grants and loans to state and local governments to purchase, rehabilitate and resell, or rent out foreclosed homes, and offer tax credits to first time homebuyers. Another $180 million is earmarked for housing counseling and additional licensing for mortgage originators.
Although we resisted the temptation to buy above our means and take on a risky loan, under different circumstances we could need this help, and would welcome it. Plus there are other legitimate reasons people are getting foreclosed on, such as illness and jobs lost in this unstable economy.
“As we progress, the goal is to help rebuild pride in adversely affected neighborhoods which in turn would benefit the economy and reputation of our county,” added Searcy, who suggests contacting your lender and attempt to work out a payment plan, or consult a Realtor or credit counseling service for guidance until their plan is in place.
Were you or someone you know a victim of predatory lending? If your home was up for foreclosure, wouldn’t you take advantage of these opportunities? Should Clayton get involved with those who for whatever reason are unable to pay their mortgage?
Permalink | Comments (135) | Post your comment | Categories: Kimberly Allen
If you don’t vote, don’t complain
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Paging the 88 percent of Clayton residents who did not show up at the polls last Tuesday: What happened? You were missed!
How embarrassing that so very few residents voted, particularly for school board candidates given the accreditation mess. SACS required more community involvement in CCPS in order to save accreditation, and I’ll bet the low voter turnout wasn’t very impressive to them, either.
I wonder if this is why the remaining school board members refuse to resign. If we don’t show up to vote school board members in/out given the circumstances, they probably suspect we come out to sign a recall petition.
For those who cannot take off work to vote in primaries and for many other situations, you may vote via Absentee Ballot which will require a little time and effort on your part, but should not interfere with your job. Absentee ballot applications must be received at the Board of Elections by Friday, August 1 at 7 p.m. Applying ASAP is best since the ballot itself must be received at the BOE by 7 p.m. on Election Day, which is August 5 and now less than two weeks away.
If a resident is disabled, in the military or 75 years of age or older AND checked off the appropriate box on their July 5 absentee ballot application, he/she will automatically receive a runoff ballot i n the mail.
Advance Voting will take place Monday, July 28 through Friday, August 1 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Six advance voting sites are listed on Clayton’s official website.
If you are already a registered voter, you may vote in the August 5 runoff election even if you did not vote in the primary.
Only those who voted democrat will be eligible to vote on August 5. In addition to electing school board members, there are several important positions up for grabs, and every single vote will matter.
Did you vote in the primary? If not, will you vote on August 5? If you don’t vote, you have no right to complain.
Permalink | Comments (159) | Post your comment | Categories: Kimberly Allen
Election notes: Sheriff and consolidation
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“Specific duties of the Office of Sheriff today include: providing law enforcement and traffic safety services, operating the county jail, serving as an officer of the court and serving criminal warrants, subpoenas and civil papers,” according to the Georgia Sheriff’s Association.
Literally from day one, incumbent Victor Hill drew the ire of some and the adoration of others by firing 27 sheriff’s deputies, costing taxpayers millions in legal fees and settlements. Hill also closed massage parlors and formed several public safety programs.
“Each community would lie within a zone or district that would be served by a permanently-assigned Deputy,” explains Kem Kimbrough who plans to implement a “community-oriented policing” system“By serving warrants and other process consistently within that district, the Deputy would become familiar with areas where wanted persons are found and where other problems, such as vacant properties are located. Deputies would be required to share this information with homeowners and their local police so that the community has two separate, but overlapping, layers of service.”
Sherman Lemon’s six-step plan will: “Restore professionalism and confidence to the Sheriff’s Office; effectively administer its primary functions, responsibilities and duties; bridge the gap between law enforcement by maintaining strong relationships with all local, state and federal authorities; streamline and maximize the budget by being fiscally responsible; restore morale by treating all empl oyees with the utmost respect; and ensure all personnel are completely trained and equipped to carry out their duties and responsibilities.” “
It’s time to make a change,” says Jack Rainwater, who intends to “…get all county law enforcement agencies to work together in their efforts to fight crime, as well as making a dent in the 20,000 warrant backlog. We need a sheriff that cares about the county as well as the citizens, and does not feel taxpayers have deep pockets. [Hill’s] ego and management style has made it unbearable for the good employees of the sheriff’s department as evidenced by his unreasonable transfers and firings.”
Ernest Strozier’s priorities are: “To provide a secure jail, the safety of our communities, the efficient serving of criminal and civil warrants and cooperation with other public safety agencies and county commissioners. I will realign the jail administrative system, reduce costs and create workable programs to reduce repeat offenders. I will realign manpower to ensure that the backlog of criminal and civil warrants are served, which will improve community safety and put real criminals in jail.”
As per his website, Garland Watkins wants to “…mend the ties with other agencies and entities that the current Sheriff has severed or broken to make this county safer and more efficiently run for everyone.”
Consolidation is another hot topic on tomorrow’s ballot.
Hill pushed for consolidation via failed bills 1090 and 1589 during his term as house representative, and prior to being elected sheriff. Hill is the only candidate supporting this concept, and recently expressed his desire to consolidate ALL county municipal police departments into the sheriff’s office.
Permalink | Comments (211) | Post your comment | Categories: Kimberly Allen
Yay or Nay to School Uniforms?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Many students will be required to wear uniforms at several Clayton County elementary and middle schools beginning in August, thanks to a survey filled out by parents of children in those respective schools.
Dress codes are a subtle way to prepare our children for the real world where they must dress for success, a mindset that seems lost on some these days.
“According to studies across the nation, uniform dress codes lessen emphasis on fashion, reduce the financial burden on families, and promote learning, school pride, and peer acceptance,” says Clayton County Public Schools spokesman Charles White via press release.
Every school I ever attended enforced a dress code, the most stringent being my catholic high school. Although there were days I despised that uniform, some days what to wear was one less worry. Further, the unified dress leveled the playing field between the alleged haves and have nots as far as clothing went.
Some deem uniforms unaffordable. But are they any more or less expensive than the designer duds most kids wear to school nowadays? As far as freedom of expression, I can only reiterate the old adage that the clothes do not make the man (or woman).
Hopefully this policy will eventually be implemented in our high schools, where it is probably needed most. If some high school students I’ve seen are any indication, the dress code adopted under former superintendent Barbara Pulliam is not being enforced. However, parents who buy the clothes and allow their child to leave home wearing certain attire are most responsible.
What are your thoughts on school uniforms? Should all students be forced to wear uniforms, or should CCPS just enforce the dress code already in place?
Permalink | Comments (148) | Post your comment | Categories: Kimberly Allen
Services »
