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 > December
December 2008
Keeping the faith in 2009
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This time last year, I wrote that we should “Make Clayton Great in 2008”. There is still work to do but if we keep the faith and most importantly come together as a community, we can and will turn things around. Despite what naysayers claim, all hope is not lost.
Recently, blogger Oh Please stated “Clayton County is not that bad. Politically speaking it is a mess, but it’s a mess that we can recover from if people are willing to try. Clayton is not the first county or the only county in this state to go over-budget. The accreditation issue sucks, but some school year in the future, we will get it back … Unfortunately, there are so many people in this world that thrive on the misfortunes of others, and they like having an entire county to poke fun at, so they are always looking for something wrong.
Well, I don’t think that Clayton County is any worse than any other in Georgia.” I totally agree with this blogger, do you?
Although we experienced a lot of bad this year, we did get some things right by voting in a new district attorney, solicitor general and sheriff who I believe (in conjunction=2 0with the Clayton County Police Department and especially with the assistance of Clayton residents) will begin to lower crime here. Clayton Commissioners hired a new Chief of Staff. District 2 gets a new commissioner who will hopefully bring contemporary views and a spirit of cohesiveness to the Board. Despite the odds (and those who refused to resign) we replaced the entire school board, who will hopefully restore accreditation soon and help reclaim our schools. Although election turnout was disappointingly low given the circumstances, determined Clayton voters provided a fresh start instead of the status quo.
Blogger Mercy440 recently requested that I write a blog asking “What have you done for Clayton County to make it better?” What I’d like to know is, how will YOU contribute to making Clayton better in 2009?
Happy New Year Clayton! Keep the Faith and our county in prayer.
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Save Southern Regional Hospital
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Since moving to Clayton we thankfully had little need to patronize any hospital. But when an elderly relative lived with us for a while this year, we saw firsthand how convenient and wonderful the hospital and several Southern Regional affiliated doctors we dealt with, are.
Our relative had health insurance, but the majority of their patients do not. Recently, our board of commissioners voted against bailing out the hospital, which has been a part of Clayton’s landscape since 1971. Although SRH has $48 million in reserves, they currently owe $40 million to creditors. It costs $20 million per month to run SRH. The hospital says it only needs use of the county’s bond rating, not cash, to help them get back on track. However, if they miss a payment guess who picks up that tab? And as we all know the county is currently trying to decipher its own financial problems.
From a business perspective this situation appears similar to the “Big 3” deal in that even if SRH gets what they need, there is no guarantee they will survive. Albeit surprising, Ed Bonn’s resignation was a good move if for no other reason than to reorganize and show that the hospital is serious about making any and all changes necessary to save itself.
But this also seems like a risk the county has to take so as not to lose one of Clayton’s largest employers, as well as all of the parallel businesses in that surrounding area. According to an AJC article, SRH received an extension to pay their debt and the BOC may vote on this again come January 6, 2009. Should Clayton’s taxpayers bail out Southern Regional? What is your experience(s) with the hospital?
Enjoy a blessed, safe and Merry Christmas, Clayton!
Permalink | Comments (30) | Post your comment | Categories: Kimberly Allen
Bail out a kid this Christmas
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Although gift giving is not the real reason for this season, helping your fellow man always is.
For the past three years, Clayton’s Kinship Care Resource Center has done just that, making sure less fortunate families aren’t forgotten not only on Christmas Day, but year round.
The majority served are grandparent led homes who took in grandchildren to avoid foster care. “They love their families and do whatever it takes and because of that we do our best to help relieve some of their worry and stress around the holidays,” says Coordinator Angie Burda. For over 80% of recipients, this will be the only gift received. The most expensive item asked for is a bicycle - not computers, X-Boxes, Nintendo Wii’s and the like.
“Our folks aren’t asking for big expensive things, and that’s a testament to them,” says Burda, adding that participants have cancelled requests after getting support from their church, family or elsewhere so that others in need could be helped.
Other requests are: learning games, soft dolls (Baby Alive), Care Bears, My Little Pony, Easy Bake Oven, roller skates, cars/trucks, Handy20Manny tool set, SpongeBob, basketballs and especially clothing such as winter hats, clothes, shoes, coat or jacket, sweaters, blue jeans and T-shirts.
So far, there are over 500 children in the program. Of those, 204 have been adopted by someone in the community. The Juvenile Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Program and the Community Bible Church adopted over 100 children. One person alone was able to help 20 kids, another took on 11, and county employees also contribute.
To adopt a child or family, call 770-477-3417 to get a list (you are NOT required to buy everything on any list!) OR bring a new unwrapped toy to Kinship (849 Battlecreek Road, next to the Headquarters Library) OR donate a gift card if you don’t know what a child wants (especially older children) OR a even grocery store gift card is great for a struggling family.
Kinship asks that gifts be delivered by 4 p.m. on Friday to allow time to get gifts to families before Christmas Day. After the holidays, look out for a special token of appreciation from “Santa.”
Do you know anyone who has benifitted from this program? Has the economy forced your family to change your Christmas habits, be it gift gifting, celebrations, spending, etc.?
Back to our regularly-scheduled drama next week!
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Should the BOC be investigated?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Sometimes, attending a board of commissioners meeting is like watching paint dry; other times they play out like some TV drama.
But either way, public comments are always interesting and, in the case of a recent meeting, enlightening.
While the bulk of comments were spent on the relocation of Union Bethel AME Church’s cemetery from developer John D. Stephens’ property, interesting comments came from Georgia NAACP president Ed DuBose, who is calling for an investigation of our BOC. Although I wasn’t surprised that the BOC unanimously approved the permit (District 3 commissioner Wole Ralph was not in attendance), I was surprised to hear this developer had contributed money to all of their campaigns in the past.
According to the AJC, DuBose would like “…to see if [commissioners] were too connected to the financial contributions that were given by the company.” Former BOC chairman Crandall Bray represented the landfill company.
Sprinkled amid pleas by numerous Bethel descendants for commissioners to reconsider their decision (among other comments) also came resident appeals for a forensic audit into the mismanagement of county funds, as well as Bell being accused of using a Clayton County police officer (allegedly drawing OT) as his personal driver when more officers are needed to patrol our streets and neighborhoods (more on these issues next blog).
Do you consider this situation a conflict of interest? Should some of the BOC members have recused themselves from this vote? Are you in favor of an investigation of our BOC by the state attorney general and the state ethics committee? Why or why not?
When was the last time you attended a BOC meeting?.
Clayton’s [Sixth Annual Festival of Trees and Lights)[http://www.co.clayton.ga.us/] takes place at Clayton County International Park (2300 Hwy 138 SE, Stockbridge), Tuesday-Sunday from 6:00pm-9:30pm, through December 21.
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Will Clayton Get Back on Track?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It seems as if various factions of our government are hemorrhaging money from Clayton’s coffers, and in some cases the damage appears avoidable.
Recently, the state froze hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of grants that could affect roadwork, juvenile court programs, housing assistance and other county services. According to the AJC, Clayton County Chairman Eldrin Bell accused County Finance Director Angela Jackson of not providing regular reports on the county’s financial status (although he didn’t say how or why this was allowed to happen) and wants to hire an independent auditor to figure things out.
In addition, Clayton County Public Schools could lose $27 million due to student flight thanks to the accreditation loss. This means losing teachers, staff and programs for the remaining students.
Throw in the loss of good people and families leaving Clayton due to these and other issues as well as the economy in general and foreclosures, and it makes one wonder about the future of this county and if taxes will have to be raised to make up the difference. Believe it or not, there are residents who want taxes to be raised here and have for a long time, hoping that will bring about changes in Clayton across the board.
Throw in the loss of good people and families leaving Clayton due to these and other issues as well as the economy in general and foreclosures, and it makes one wonder about the future of this county and if taxes will have to be raised to make up the difference. Believe it or not, there are residents who want taxes to be raised here and have for a long time, hoping that will bring about changes in Clayton across the board.
Do you trust that our elected officials and representatives will be able to get the county and school system back on track?
Tuesday, December 2 feature runoff elections in two local school districts. District 1 candidates are Pam Adamson versus Cleopatra Ballantyne and District 9 candidates are Charlton Bivins versus Irene Lewis as well as the senate runoff between incumbent Republican=2 0Saxby Chambliss and Democrat Jim Martin.
At 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 4 at Mundy’s Mill High School (9652 Fayetteville Road, Jonesboro), CCPS will kick off a series of Community Gang Awareness Forums. If you have any questions, contact Dr. Anthony Smith or John Walker at 770 473-2760.
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