Mayor Weighs In on State Water Crisis at Forum
On Monday, Mayor Shirley Franklin attended the GE Georgia Water Solutions Forum at the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce where she delivered an update on Atlanta’s response to the state’s current water crisis.
Attendees included a diverse group of business and community leaders, stakeholders and residents. Environmental experts and elected officials also weighed in with multi-disciplinary approaches to handling the drought.
Atlanta has responded to the drought with a consistent message of conservation. Mayor Franklin reminded attendees that Atlanta has promoted conservation as a “way of life” since 2002, when we also attacked the problem of the City’s aging sewer and water infrastructure.
In 2004, the Department of Watershed Management (DWM) allotted $1 billion from the City’s $3.9 billion Clean Water Atlanta program to fix leaking sewer mains and pipes. DWM is currently replacing 800 old and leaking mains per month as opposed to 800 per year. This massive financial and manual undertaking was not mandated – it was enacted voluntarily to preserve the City’s resources for future generations.
“Atlanta is rising to the water challenge,” said Mayor Franklin. Last month, Atlanta water customers reduced consumption by 10 percent over usage numbers for the same period in 2006. Customers are currently using 7 percent less water than for the baseline months of December 2006 – March 2007. City parks, event venues and operations have also enacted conservation measures.
“As with the sewers, I am not willing to leave this crisis for the next person who occupies this office. I say that knowing that I cannot solve the issue of the drought, but I can point the City in the right direction, and that is what I intend to do. Conservation is the right direction,” said Mayor Franklin.
How Low Can We Go? Click here To View the City of Atlanta’s Daily Usage Numbers and for Conservation Tips.
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Cast Your Vote to Help the City of Atlanta and the Ron Clark Academy GROW GREEN
Home and Garden Television (HGTV) has selected the City of Atlanta and the Ron Clark Academy to participate in a nationwide environmental sustainability contest, and your vote can help make the difference.
Cities from all over the nation submitted a community project they would like to see happen in their city for HGTV’s “Change the World. Start at Home” environmental initiative. Atlanta was chosen for its revitalization project around the Ron Clark Academy in southeast Atlanta.
Atlanta will compete against 10 other cities. If Atlanta is chosen, HGTV will help the Ron Clark Academy build a greenhouse on their campus so students can learn about growing organic produce. In addition, one southeast Atlanta resident will receive assistance to renovate their home.
You can help support the City of Atlanta and the Ron Clark Academy by casting your vote. You can vote up to one time per day by clicking the VOTE NOW link on the top right corner of the Ron Clark Academy website at www.ronclarkacademy.com or by visiting www.hgtv.com/changetheworld. Voting ends on Friday December 21. Winners will be announced during the annual Rose Bowl on January 1, 2008.
In 2007, Mayor Shirley Franklin joined educator Ron Clark (3rd from right) and City representatives for the groundbreaking of the new Ron Clark Academy in southeast Atlanta. The Academy is part of a City of Atlanta revitalization project. |
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AeroClinic at Hartsfield-Jackson Offers Flu Shots to Travelers
The AeroClinic at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (HJAIA) is accommodating busy, health-conscious flyers by offering Influenza vaccinations from its kiosk location near the midpoint of Concourse C.
HJAIA is the world’s busiest airport, with more than 85 million passengers passing through each year. With this type of volume the potential to pass on airborne viruses is high. Passengers often board planes without realizing they’re sick, putting both fellow travelers and airport personnel at risk.
The AeroClinic makes it convenient for passengers to get vaccinations while waiting for their flights as well as for airport employees. Since October 2007, more than 2,800 passengers and employees have taken advantage of this best-in-class service. The clinic is staffed daily from 7:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. There is a $35 fee for passenger vaccinations; $25 for airport employees. Medicare and Medicaid is accepted for low income and elderly passengers.
HJAIA plans to place additional AeroClinic kiosks throughout the airport for passenger convenience. These will focus on preventative health services including blood pressure and cholesterol screening.
For more information on Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, visit www.atlanta-airport.com
Stephanie Parks, an AeroClinic medical assistant, administers a flu shot to Hartsfield-Jackson traveler, Danny Manzon. Manzon was traveling through the airport on business from Jacksonville, FL. when he received his flu shot at the AeroClinic. |
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“Shop for the Cops” APF Holiday Auction
The Atlanta Police Foundation (APF) will host the first “Shop for the Cops” Holiday Auction on Friday, December 14 from 9am - 3pm in the Candler Building Reception Room as well as online, beginning Monday December 10.
The auction is a great opportunity for stakeholders to take care of holiday needs while financing programs that support the Atlanta Police Department (APD). Auction items include: a Round-Trip vacation for two to L.A.; Spa Packages; Jewelry; Restaurant Gift Certificates; and Autographed Sports and Music Memorabilia.
Every year, APF presents fundraisers that support the APD in reducing crime in Atlanta. APF programs include recruitment, training, in-town affordable housing options and scholarships.
To get an early start on bidding, you can view items online.
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Parking just got a lot more convenient on Government Walk in downtown Atlanta, thanks to a new 800-plus parking deck which opened yesterday. The new deck is within walking distance of City Hall, the Municipal Court of Atlanta, the State Capitol and the Fulton County Government Complex. Click here to go to Video On Demand (VOD) webpage to watch the news conference.
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Rave Reviews!
- The WNBA need help determining a name and color scheme for Atlanta’s newest sports franchise. The public is being asked to get in the spirit and vote from among the names and color schemes being considered. The final name and color scheme will be selected based on several factors, including fan polling. You can also register for a chance to win a VIP Opening Night package. The winner will be selected randomly based on registrants. The name of team, color scheme and VIP Package winner will all be announced in January 2008. For more information, visit here.
In 2007, Mayor Shirley Franklin joined Atlanta WNBA Team Owner Ron Terwilliger to announce Atlanta’s newest sports franchise. |
- The City of Atlanta is in the running for “Most Playful City USA” and a $25,000 grant that will be used to create more dedicated play spaces for Atlanta youth. Atlanta was one of only 21 communities in the nation invited to submit a video grant application to KaBOOM! – a national organization that supports the creation of playgrounds within walking distance of youth. Visit www.playfulcityusa.org to view the three-minute video, then submit your vote. Voting ends on Friday December 21, 2007.
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Upcoming Events & Volunteer Opportunities
- In the tradition of outdoor marketplaces, throughout December, Atlantic Station will present “Holiday Shops” for the adventurous holiday shopper. Unique items for sale will include gourmet jellies, Ecuadorian alpaca, outdoor sports gear, artwork, jewelry, and more.
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Job Announcements
With the City of Atlanta’s online application system, you are able to create an account and select a Username and Password and then log in to your account.
After your account has been established, you can create an application by clicking on the “Build Job Application” link. Once your application is completed, it will be stored in the system and can be used to apply for future job openings. To get started by viewing current open positions, click here.
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Weekly Features
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