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 > November
November 2008
Students in trouble
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Nine out of 10 Clayton students have had someone approach them about a gang, says Superintendent John Thompson in an article in the AJC .
None of us should like those odds, except perhaps the gangs. Until recently, I admittedly had no idea a symbol spray painted on a street near our house was gang related. One neighbor did and thankfully had the county remove it the same day, although having paint removed was the easy part, I’m sure.
Would you recognize the signs (and/or symbols) that your child may have been asked to join, or may already be involved in, gang activity?
According to the The Citizen, some may carry “gang bibles” that are “Filled with handwritten information that needs to be known about the gang, including what certain symbols mean, where the gang originated and who its founders and leaders are.”
Some other warning signs to look for include: drug/alcohol use; abrupt personality and/or behavioral changes; changes in clothing patterns with a preference towards a particular color, sports or team logo; use of hand signs and/or signals as an alternate way to communicate; tattoos or branding of the body with distinguishing designs, logos or names; withdrawal from family or an unusual desire for privacy; associating with troublemakers and/or secretive peers and frequently staying out late, breaking curfew rules and/or laws. This comes full circle back to parental involvement on every level, which is a problem for many Clayton students.
Also remember that our commissioners passed law in 2005 stating those 17 or younger must be off the streets by 11 p.m. every night. Friday and Saturday they are allowed to be out until midnight, with exceptions made for those who work, attend school events or are under parental supervision. Violators are fined up to $1,000 and parents are fined the same if the child is involved in unsupervised activities.
Contact the Clayton County Police Department’s Gang Intelligence Unit if you suspect gang activity.
Have you any noticed gang related activity in your neighborhood?
Other news:
Advance voting takes place 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on November 24, 25 and 26 ONLY at various locations. The Special Election is Tuesday, December 2. Absentee ballots are available online.
If unable to vote in person, FAX or MAIL your absentee ballot to the Board of Elections. Local elections include school board Districts 1 and 9, and the runoff between incumbent Republican Saxby Chambliss and Democrat Jim Martin.
Wishing you a blessed and safe Thanksgiving Clayton!
Permalink | Comments (69) | Post your comment | Categories: Kimberly Allen
Did Ethics Committee act ethically?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
One positive generated from the accreditation issue was House Bill 1302, created to ensure school board members behave ethically. With only four members in attendance, Clayton’s newly formed ethics committee was recently unable to meet due to lack of a quorum.
As per the Clayton News-Daily, our ethics committee members who were chosen by the Clayton County legislative delegation, are: Mike Barnes, Sam Burston, Robert Flournoy, Deborah Jester, Larry O’Keeffe, Karolen Mazyck-Dowdell, and Stephanie Turnipseed. State law requires five of the seven members be present to constitute a quorum. Although the initial meeting was meant to be organizational, residents were understandably disappointed and frustrated that the committee failed to get started, and appeared to hold a closed meeting.
Just my opinion but I’d rather see them convene properly than go forward in error and make unnecessary mistakes. That kind of decision making is partly what created a need for this ethics commission in the first place. As far as the closed meeting goes, not sure what they could have to hide so early in the game, so I’ll give them the benefit of doubt this time.
A couple of committee members I know have work tirelessly for and obviously care about Clayton County Public Schools. I can only hope other members are like minded. But must agree with bloggers who say we need to raise standards and hold accountable anyone making decisions for our students and school system. I’m looking forward to watching the process unfold and take shape.
Did you attend the last meeting? If so, what are your thoughts? The committee will reconvene at 1058 Fifth Avenue in Jonesboro this Friday, November 21, at 5:30 p.m. Will you attend?
CCPS’ All County High School Band, Chorus, and Orchestra will première TONIGHT at 7:00 p.m. at the Clayton County Performing Arts Center (PAC), home to the district’s Fine Arts Magnet School. The ensembles are comprised of the top 200 musicians from each of the eight Clayton County High Schools, and only the highest achieving musicians were selected.
Arts Clayton 16th Annual “Holiday at Home Parade” takes place November 22, with all day food, fun and recreation, parade at 4:30pm and the Christmas Tree lighting at dusk followed by music and street dance. Advance voting begins this week, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday at the Board of Elections & Registration, 121 South McDonough Street in Jonesboro AND 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on November 24-26 ONLY. The Special Election will take place on Tuesday, December 2. Absentee ballots are available online. If unable=2 0to vote in person, FAX or MAIL your absentee ballot to the Board of Elections. Local elections include school board Districts 1 and 9, and the runoff between incumbent republican Saxby Chambliss and democrat Jim Martin.
Permalink | Comments (50) | Post your comment | Categories: Kimberly Allen
Should the inmate vote count?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
No matter which candidate you supported, most Americans made it their business to cast a ballot in this historic election and apparently, Clayton County inmates were no exception.
Recently, the Clayton County board of elections voted not to accept at least six valid ballots from inmates which were not properly delivered by a legally authorized representative. As per Georgia law, prisoners not on probation or serving a sentence are allowed to vote via absentee ballot.
A total of 12 ballots are in question.
According to the AJC, Commission Chair Eldrin Bell and the Clayton County NAACP asked the Board to reconsider their decision. Although these votes won’t affect the end result, do you believe these inmates have been disenfranchised? Should their votes be counted?
On another note, it looks like there will be a runoff between senatorial candidates Jim Martin and incumbent Saxby Chambliss. According to analysts, democrats don’t usually make the extra effort to return to the polls for runoff elections.
Despite the fact that Clayton county led Georgia in votes for President-elect Barack Obama, 67 percent of residents voted, and many came out because of the presidential election. Republicans are counting on democrats not coming out again so that Chambliss can easily reclaim his senate seat and stop the super majority the democrats covet.
In addition, two local runoffs coming up are for Districts 1 and 9 so that we can finally have a full school board. For what it’s worth I’ll say again it’s disappointing that so many showed up for the general election, but didn’t care enough to vote in past local elections given the problems with Clayton’s board of education.
Is either the senate or school board race important enough for you to return to the polls on December 2?
Permalink | Comments (51) | Post your comment | Categories: Kimberly Allen
How long have you waited to vote?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I have voted in every election since 1985. If I tallied up all of the time spent voting since then, it would be less than the five plus hours I recently spent in line. I tried to vote before work, but the lines were monstrous.
I ended up leaving work early, using the two hours provided by law along with some vacation time, to vote.
Is it worth the wait? Only time will tell. But it does feel good to be a “Georgia Voter”. Although Clayton County Board of Elections employees had to be overwhelmed, they didn’t show it and made the experience as painless as possible given the crowds. So, thanks to the board of elections for a job well done and a here’s a shout out to the poll workers at the Lovejoy Library!
Since moving here, I have heard Clayton’s woes blamed on everything from the 1996 Olympics’ “redistribution” of Atlanta residents into Clayton County, to those voted into office during the 2004 election.
Hopefully we will get it right this time, and our elected officials (old and new) along with the help of residents can begin to turn things around.
It will be interesting to see if things improve for the better given some of the changes made in Clayton government and to the entire Board of Education, or if the status quo will remain only with different faces.
Did you vote early? If so, how long did you wait on line? Or do you prefer to vote on Election Day? What kind of changes are you hoping to see happen in Clayton County via our elected officials?
General Election voting is on Tuesday, November 4 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Permalink | Comments (139) | Post your comment | Categories: Kimberly Allen
