FALL 2010 the Paces News Paces Civic Association

Welcome New Neighbors

Kathy & John Brady 2895 Nancy Creek Road

Julie & David Kelly 1855 Garraux Road

Alison & Bill Kimble 3171 Ridgewood Road

Victoria & Michael Carroll ! FALL IS IN THE AIR " 4472 Paces Battle

After one of the hottest summers on record, the hint of Anna & Chris Conley cooler weather is finally in the air. Along with the 2881 Ridgewood Road cooler weather and the beautiful fall colors comes the season of area festivals. Each weekend there is Gergana & Kevin Coyne something for everyone. 08 Old Paces Place

Head over to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens for Heather & KC Estenson Scarecrows in the Garden. This annual tradition 1814 Nancy Creek Bluff features wild and wacky creation from individuals, Rebecca & Sanjay Gupta businesses, organizations and designers throughout 1897 W. Wesley Road Atlanta.

Lisa & Tom Fitzgerald Taste of Atlanta at Tech Square brings together the 3218 Nancy Creek Road incredible energy and diversity of the city's food scene. Enjoy tastes from more than 80 of the city's favorite Lisa & Dan Kennedy restaurants, chef cooking demonstrations on 3 stages, 3200 Ridgewood Road kid's activities, Farm to Festival Village, live music and the VIP Wine & Beer Experience. Marti & John Scott 3780 Paces Ferry Road You can also head up to Helen for the longest running Oktoberfest in the US. Enjoy the beer, brats and bands and of course the beautiful fall colors!

Halloween falls on Sunday this year so keep an eye out for all the little ghosts and goblins!

PACES CIVIC ASSOCIATION FALL 2010

Happenings… Doug Ellis Honored In April, neighbor Doug Ellis received the 11 Alive 2010 Community Service Award for his continued volunteer work as a pilot for Angel Flight. Mr. Ellis has been a volunteer pilot for Angel Flight since 1996, flying at least one mission a week, transporting burn patients to and from Augusta and cancer patients who are undergoing clinical trials with new chemo drugs. The Mission of Angel Flight is to provide free air transportation for needy patients to distant medical facilities, delivering supplies to disaster areas.

Artwork Featured in Upcoming Book Lisa Gleim-Jonas’ artwork has been selected for inclusion in Strokes of Genius 3: Fresh Perspectives, the third edition of the highly acclaimed Best of Drawing series created by Rachel Wolf for Northlight Books. Lisa’s charcoal portrait “Manka” has been chosen along with works from 100 other artists around the country to represent what the publishers say are “the finest drawing being done today”. This book will be released in 2011. To view her work visit her website www.LisaGleim.com

Chatta-Ridge Garden Club Chatta-Ridge Garden Club is gearing up for a new year with a new board and a roster of outstanding speakers and programs. The new board is Susan Perkins - President; Vicki Morris- Program Chair; Anne McClathey- Secretary; and Roberta Setzer - Treasurer. To join the garden club contact Susan Perkins at 678-239-4484.

Chastain Park Arts Festival The 2010 Arts Festival will be held on November 6th and 7th. More than 100 artists will be featured at the free outdoor festival located inside Chastain Park.

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PACES CIVIC ASSOCIATION FALL 2010

Dear Neighbors,

I am so very excited about being the new Paces Civic Association President. I want to introduce myself for those of you that don’t know me. Andy and I moved our family into the neighborhood almost 16 years ago. We were thrilled to be in a neighborhood with big lots and plenty of open spaces for our 4 children to explore. At the time we had a 4 year old and three 3 year olds. The triplets (Marshall, Harper and Elena, now 19) just graduated from high school and have joined their big brother (Anderson, now 20) as college students. So I now have an “empty nest” and little extra time on my hands that I can devote to the neighborhood.

A lot has changed since we moved into the neighborhood. When we moved here, there were far more 1 story houses than 2 story homes. The architecture of the neighborhood is not the only thing that has changed; there were very few young children in the neighborhood when we arrived. This has certainly changed and if you were at the last picnic at the summer camp, you saw the entire field covered with young children having a wonderful time.

I think these changes have been very positive for the neighborhood and know that the entire Paces board wants to continue to be responsive to the needs of the neighborhood. I am lucky to be supported by a knowledgeable and dedicated group of board and committee members that have volunteered countless hours to addressing the needs and interests of the neighborhood.

Together, we want to continue to improve communication within the neighborhood. We have a great web site, which neighbors can use to address issues. Recently we have increased the administrative postings and e-mails in an effort to communicate important community issues. If you have not signed up to use the website, please take a minute to do so because you will find it a valuable tool for staying informed about what is happening not only in the neighborhood, but throughout the community as well as important City issues that affect our community. I am committed to making our neighborhood website a great resource for these types of issues.

Your Paces Civic Association Directory is another great resource for community information. If you cannot find the answer you need, you can always pick up the telephone and call me. The members of this board are committed to helping neighbors with addressing your issues. I only ask that you do not expect us to work miracles. I cannot get your yard waste picked up on a regular basis, but I can get you the number that you can call when they miss you.

Our security patrol appears to be having the effect that we all wanted. Crime in the area is up significantly, but within our neighborhood, we have not seen the same increase. The presence of our security patrol is apparently an effective deterrent to crime. So, I want to thank those that continue to support the security patrol and encourage any neighbors that have not made that commitment, to consider doing so the more neighbors that participate, the greater the number of hours of patrolling that can be scheduled in the neighborhood.

Once again, thank you for the opportunity to serve the neighborhood that has been such a special place to raise my children.

With fond regards, DebraWathen

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PACES CIVIC ASSOCIATION FALL 2010

A special thanks goes The 2010 PCA directories have been mailed. out to the 391 Please check your listing now and let Kim subscribers to the Noonan know if something is incorrect. If Paces Security Patrol. you are a PCA member and did not receive Your support has your directory, please email Kim at made it possible for [email protected] or the entire Paces call 404-351-9141. Neighborhood to enjoy the benefit of having officers Would you like to save some trees and help patrolling our reduce neighborhood litter? neighborhood 8 hours each and every day If you do not want the Atlanta Journal providing protection and deterring criminal Constitution advertising supplement called Evening activity. With nearly 700 residents in the Edge, currently delivered in our neighborhood every Paces neighborhood, this equates to a 56% Thursday, please contact [email protected] participation rate and room for improvement. or call 404-522-4141 to request stopping delivery. If you do not currently subscribe, please consider doing so for 2011. Improved If you do not want the Buckhead Reporter, participation would allow for additional hours delivered in our neighborhood every other week to be budgeted for the Patrol, enhanced please contact the publisher, Steve Levene at services and an even greater sense of security for our residents. Please consider joining [email protected] or call today for the 2011 year. Contact our Security him at 404-917-2200, ext. 11. Representative John Montgomery at 404-216-

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PACES CIVIC ASSOCIATION FALL 2010 Election Day 2010

Voters will head out to the poles on November 2nd and elect new officials for the State of . For more information go to http://qual.sos.ga.gov/qualifyingindex.asp

Governor: State School Superintendent: Commissioner Of Agriculture: (R) John D. Barge (R) Gary Black (D) Roy E. Barnes (D) Joe Martin (D) J. B. Powell (R) John H. Monds (L) Kira Griffiths Willis (L) Kevin Cherry (L)

Lieutenant Governor: Commissioner Of Labor: Commissioner Of Insurance: Casey Cagle (Incumbent) (R) Mark Butler (D) Ralph T. Hudgens (R) Carol Porter (D) Darryl Hicks (R) Mary Squires (D) Dan Barber (L) Will Costa (L) Shane Bruce (L)

United States Senator U.S. Representative, District 5 Johnny Isakson (Incumbent) (R) Fenn Little (R) Michael "Mike" Thurmond (D) John Lewis (Incumbent) (D) Chuck Donovan (L) GA State Senator, District 38 Secretary Of State: Beth Beskin (R) Brian Kemp (Incumbent) (R) Horacena Tate (Incumbent) (D) Georganna Sinkfield (D) David Chastain (L) GA State Representative, District 53 Attorney General: Elly Dobbs (Incumbent) (D) Sam Olens(R) Ken Hodges (D) Don Smart (L)

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PACES CIVIC ASSOCIATION FALL 2010 SECURITY UPDATE

In reviewing activity in the neighborhood this against unwanted intruders. This free year, there have been 24 incidents that have assessment can be scheduled by contacting John been reported to the Atlanta Police Department Montgomery, PCA Security Chairperson, at within our Zone. 404-216-3965 or [email protected]. • 3 Auto Thefts • 6 Home Burglaries Another added benefit is being able to call upon our officers to keep an eye on your house when • 8 Larcenies from Automobiles you are out of town for vacation. Sergeant 5 Other Larcenies • Barry Miller reports an average of 750 house • 2 Robberies (Starbucks and The Exxon checks per month where residents are away. Station) Those who have used this service would agree that this feature alone is worth the annual dues Comparatively, the Paces neighborhood has and gives them peace of mind that their fared better than many of the neighborhoods property is well protected while they are away. surrounding it, primarily due to the diligence of -John Montgomery our residents removing valuables from cars and locking them, utilizing alarm systems in their Security Patrol Spotlight homes, reporting suspicious people or activity We will introduce a member of the Security Patrol and generally keeping an eye out for anything that doesn’t look right. Criminals have become in each quarterly newsletter so that you will know quite brazen in their methods as recently seen who is patrolling our streets while providing protection and safety for our residents. with individuals posing as contractors and entering homes where work is being. Take special care to insure that you don’t place yourself or your property at risk by letting your guard down.

Stay up to date on security related matters by signing up and utilizing the Paces Civic Association website, www.PacesCivic.org. To view up to date Security issues sign in and go to “Discussions” and then the sub category “Security Discussion”. Feel free to post anything that you feel is relevant or reply to current postings.

One great benefit of being a Security Patrol member, Officer Steve Sewell of the PCA Security Patrol has offered to conduct a free Home Security Assessment for those members who are interested in taking advantage of his knowledge and experience of dealing with potential intruders. He will walk you through a checklist of items to consider and point out where you can strengthen your homes defenses

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PACES CIVIC ASSOCIATION FALL 2010

In the Spotlight…

Officer Steve Seawell

O fficer Seawell is a familiar face to many of you. Not only is he a regular in our neighborhood, he can also be found directing traffic at the Paces Ferry entrance to The Lovett School.

Steve was born in London, England. His mother is from England and his father from North Carolina. He has lived in England, Germany, Ohio, North Carolina, California and currently resides in Hernando, Florida with his wife of 20 years and an Atlanta native, Robyn, along with his two daughters, Hayley (14) and Molly (6). Steve “commutes” from Florida each week making the drive each Sunday and Friday. That’s what I call

Officer Seawell and daughter Molly commitment!

Steve has been a police officer since 1973. He spent 2 years with the Cobb County police department and 30 with the APD. He began his service in Atlanta as a beat cop in southeast Atlanta and performed those duties for 9 years. He then spent a year and a half in crime prevention, helping residents and businesses by assisting them in keeping their guard up and making it tough for criminals. It is this valuable experience that he will place at your disposal if you elect to engage him to assess your home. Steve then spent the next 4 years on the joint DUI task force with the Georgia State Patrol helping keep our highways safe from drunk drivers. The next 9 years were spent on the motorcycle squad where he finished out his tour of duty mainly on dignitary protection. He has had the unique pleasure of escorting Presidents, Vice-Presidents, visiting heads of state, celebrities and other dignitaries around Atlanta. These experiences are a source of many stories that Steve shares with enthusiasm and excitement.

Steve is passionate about what he’s doing, loves our neighborhood and deserves all the accolades we can provide not only for what he does for the Paces Civic Association Security Patrol but for the many years of service he has provided the City of Atlanta. Please take a minute when you see Steve in the neighborhood to say hello and let him know how much he’s appreciated! –John Montgomery

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PACES CIVIC ASSOCIATION FALL 2010

Prosecutor Appointed for Zone 2 New Cell Phone Law

Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard Governor Perdue has signed two new distracted announced in June that Hannah Chung, an driving bills into law, Senate Bill 360 and House assistant district attorney would be community Bill23. prosecutor for Atlanta Police Zone 2, which includes Buckhead. Senate Bill 360 is the Caleb Sorohan Act and prohibits individuals from using wireless Community prosecutors work directly with telecommunications devices for writing, community residents, business owners, churches sending or receiving text messages while and the police in designated areas bringing the operating a motor vehicle. District Attorney’s office a lot closer to the community. Specifically the new law states:

Ms. Chung has been with the district attorney’s "No person shall operate a motor vehicle on any office since October 2006. The former New York public road or highway of this state while using a trademark attorney holds a bachelor’s degree wireless telecommunications device to write, send, from Wellesley College and law degree from or read any text based communication, including Brooklyn Law School. She is a resident of but not limited to a text message, instant message, Buckhead. electronic mail, or Internet data."

The fine for offenders will be $150 and one Water Meter Issues point on their driver license; the new law went

into effect on July 1st, 2010. Since 2004, the city has tripled water rates the most recent being in July of this year at 12%. Buckhead residents met with Rob Hunter, former commissioner of Atlanta’s Department of Watershed Management in August regarding drastic elevations in water bills. Hunter said one of the problems has been that the city has had 150,000 old water meters in use and because of their age the readings have been much lower than they should have been. New meters have replaced the older meters and they are reportedly giving true readings of resident’s water usage.

The City of Atlanta suggests that if you feel your water bills are too high, you should “dispute the bill” and his department will come out and check the meter operation. If the homeowner is not happy with the findings of the field representatives, he or she can appeal the dispute resolution. However, it is recommended you not ignore paying the bill entirely, because Watershed Management will turn off the water if the bills are unpaid.

If you have questions or concerns contact Atlanta Watershed Management at 404-658-6500

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PACES CIVIC ASSOCIATION FALL 2010

Buckhead Road Repaving Hits Dead End Due to Empty Coffers

Atlanta Public Works is painfully aware of the But on the bright side, “We bought a pothole Buckhead roads which need repaving, says the truck this year … it was a big deal that we had city construction manager in charge of the north money to buy some of this equipment.” side. “I get a lot of emails from everyone in my But city councilwoman Yolanda Adrean district about potholes,” said State cautions that this year’s budget won’t cover Representative Elly Dobbs (D-Buckhead). much more than potholes. “People want to know about repair time.”

“I’m going to personally look into this,” said Dobbs’ constituents should see repair time Femi Fayemi, at a Neighborhood Planning Unit drop. The new vehicle doubles Atlanta’s A meeting Sept. 1 in Buckhead. Fayemi said he pothole fleet to two trucks. arrived at the NPU-A meeting via Northside Drive southbound between Mt. Paran and West Potholes can be reported on the city’s website Paces Ferry. or via hotline at 404-POTHOLE. For something more complicated than pothole “I didn’t realize it was in that poor condition,” repair, smaller roads are usually in for the he added. longest wait.

“Would you go home by Valley Road?” joked Pavement conditions, of course, matter and NPU member Phillip Jones, about the long, generally arterial roads get first priority, bumpy neighborhood street. And more Fayemi explained. Then come so-called seriously, he suggested the corner of Putnam “connectors” between local streets, and finally Drive and Blackland Road is in a critical state of the local or neighborhood roads used mostly . by residents. Roads that feed schools – like Mount Paran — get a priority bump. It was Fayemi’s first visit to the NPU. He came to ask residents what they needed from his But Buckhead must also wait for the Georgia department, which covers roads, sidewalks, Department of Transportation to repave some rights-of-way and traffic. He got a quick answer: thoroughfares. For example, the spot where road repaving. Northside Drive joins Northside Parkway marks the end of the city’s responsibility. Mount Paran Road should be repaved this year, South of that, it’s a state road. but not another high priority, Northside Drive. (Taken from the article by Maggie Lee of The Said Councilwoman Adrean: “Even though the Buckhead Reporter) roads are prioritized, the truth is there’s no money.”

“The regular property tax that we are collecting doesn’t even begin to put a dent in what we need in our infrastructure,” she elaborated.

And Atlanta is “not in a position to go into the bond market right now,” Adrean concluded.

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PACES CIVIC ASSOCIATION FALL 2010

group that promotes water conservation in When Will Construction Work landscape design. Resume at The Streets of Buckhead? The LEED green building certification October is the time frame developer Ben Carter program encourages adoption of sustainable e-mailed to the Buckhead Reporter on Sept. 1. green building and development practices There have been announcements of earlier dates through a rating system that recognizes that have not materialized — most recently, projects that implement strategies for better Carter said construction would restart environmental and health performances. immediately after new $200 million financing was completed in mid-July.

The text of Carter’s e-mail, in response to five Atlanta Receives $50,000 for questions from the Reporter, was: “Best Tennis Towns” “Please know that my team is working in the worst economic conditions, with no sign of clear Mayor was at the 2010 U.S. improvement. We remain hopeful that our Open in New York City on Labor Day to efforts will overcome all obstacles and start accept Atlanta’s $50,000 second-place award construction back up in October. With for community tennis, city parks and construction commencing in October, we would recreation programs in the Best Tennis Town open in March 2012 with a roster of retailers as in the competition. Charleston, previously announced and who for the most part S.C., was the winner of the $100,000 first- have stuck with their commitment to open in place award. Atlanta within our project.” In its second year, Best Tennis Town is the Buckhead Coalition President , who U.S. Tennis Association’s (USTA) nationwide was copied by Carter on his e-mail, had said in initiative to find the community that best August that he “remains hopeful” that exemplifies the passion, excitement, spirit and everything will work out and construction will impact that tennis has on the communities. restart soon. “I know that it is extremely complicated and time-consuming to complete a “It is an honor to be recognized as a finalist major financial deal” like the one that Carter for the distinction of Best Tennis Town in was expecting to complete by mid-July. America,” Reed said. “The $50,000 second- place prize will have a positive impact on our “I am still looking at The Streets of Buckhead communities and help ensure that future project as a glass half-full, rather than half- generations have great tennis facilities and are empty,” Massell said. aware of this wonderful sport.”

(Taken from the article by John Schaffner of The As part of the entry requirements, the Atlanta Buckhead Reporter) submitted a video showing the diverse range of populations affected by tennis in Atlanta including wheelchair, special populations, Lovett School Earns Gold-Level inner city, juniors, adults and professional tennis. Certification

The Lovett School earned gold-level Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification and won an award from a national

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PACES CIVIC ASSOCIATION FALL 2010 Yard Trimmings & Recycling Updates Yard Trimmings demand and cost of operations. The new $88 annual rate is minimal in comparison to that of Collection of yard trimmings is changing to private haulers, whose average is at least $10 every other week to accommodate the current monthly. The City of Atlanta is pleased to have staffing resources available. minimized its service fees for at least the past 15 Effective September 13, 2010 yard trimmings years. The city’s solid waste bills are distributed collection will occur every other week based based on the city’s fiscal calendar, however fees upon the day of your household garbage are applicable January – December of the collection. If your collection day falls on current year. Monday or Tuesday, yard trimmings collection Items eligible for curbside recycling collection changes begin the week of September 13, 2010. include: Customers whose household garbage collection • Newspaper • Aluminum cans • Glass bottles day is Wednesday or Thursday will receive yard and jars (remove the lids)• Steel (tin) cans trimmings collection every other week • Plastic: all food containers and plastic bottles beginning the week of September 20, 2010. (please rinse out) -NO PLASTIC BAGS, HOSES, Yard trimmings may be picked up any day PIPES, or FURNITURE during the week. • Mixed paper • Office paper• Junk Mail• Yard Trimmings includes plant material such Telephone directories • Boxboard (cereal boxes, as leaves, grass clippings, branches not to tissue boxes) • Shredded paper tied in a clear exceed 4 ft in length and 6 inches in diameter, plastic bag • Magazines • Catalogues Christmas trees, flowers, roots, wood waste and • Cardboard: broken down or cut to fit in the bin other material commonly thrown away in the (KEEP IT DRY!) course of maintaining yards and gardens. Plastic bags containing yard trimmings will not be collected. Yard trimmings may only be set out in paper yard trimming collection bags (also known as kraft bags) not exceeding 25 lbs., or a container clearly labeled “yard trimmings”.

Recycling

The Department of Public Works is committed to working to ensure that the City reaches its full potential to improve current recycling programs and policies. In accordance with the City of Atlanta FY11 budget, we will continue to offer weekly pick up of recyclables as well as a larger cart upon request. You may use your own covered container as long as it is clearly labeled “RECYCLING” and made of sturdy plastic type material. To request stickers or a larger recycling cart, please call the Department of Public Works Customer Service Center at (404) 330-6333, or submit an email request to: [email protected] There is a new service fee as part of the 2010 annual solid waste bill to equate/accommodate market

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Paces Civic Association Presorted 1266 W. Paces Ferry Road Standard Box 168 US Postage Atlanta, GA 30327-2306 PAID Oakland, CA Permit #2319