2009 - october - vol 25

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The

CITIZENS REVIEWVol. 25 Newsletter of the Mt. Paran-Northside Citizens Association, Inc. October 2009

What choices will you make Nov. 3?Ten seats in the city and school are up for grabs in Atlanta!

Fire Station #27 Renovation Nears Completion

N o n - p a r t i s a nCity of AtlantaMunicipal GeneralElections will beheld on Tuesday,November 3, 2009.Registered voters

within the City ofAtlanta will voteto fill the Officesof Mayor, City

Council President and Council Members.Area residents vote for Council District8 and At-Large Posts 1, 2 and 3.We also vote for Atlanta Board ofEducation District 4 and At-LargeSeats 7, 8 and 9; and to retain MunicipalCourt Judges. Four-year terms begin inJanuary 2010.

Mt. Paran voters residing within theCity of Sandy Springs will vote to fill

the Offices of Mayor and City CouncilDistrict 6. Four-year terms begin inJanuary 2010.

If no candidate receives at least 50%plus 1 vote, a Municipal General RunoffElection will be held on December

1, 2009 between the two candidatesreceiving the highest number of votes.The polls will be open from 7 AM to 8PM on Election Day(s).

No Excuse VotingThere are a number of opportunities

to exercise your constitutional right tovote. If you wont be here on November3 or cant get to the polls, absenteeballot applications are availableonline: www.myfultoncountyga.us/county/elections or can be obtained atthe Country Store on Mt. Paran Roadat Northside Drive, and at Fire Station27 on Northside Drive at West Conway.The deadline to register is October 5.Regardless of where you vote,remember, you must first be aregistered voter. A form can beobtained at one of the above locations

or online: www.sos.georgia.gov/elections. If your teen will be 18 bythe election, they can register now.Neighborhood residents in Atlantavote at Jackson School, 1325 Mt.Paran Road, Northwest Presbyterian

Church, 4300 Northside Drive andChastain Park Gym. Sandy Springsresidents vote at the Mt. Vernon BaptistChurch, 850 Mt. Vernon Highway. Ifyou have questions, call the FultonCounty Department of Registrationand Elections at 404-730-7020.

You can also vote in person prior tothe election from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PMat the following locations: FultonCounty Government Center, 141Pryor Street, #4064 (404-730-7072),North Service Center, 7741 RoswellRoad, #209 (404-613-7675) on thefollowing dates: Early Voting: October13-23; Advance Voting: October 26-30.

75% of registered voters in the Mt.Paran neighborhood chose NOT tovote in the 2005 city elections! Wecant just stop caring! With so much atstake, who will you choose to lead ourcities and school?We are defined by the choices wemake. Our future is defined by thechoices we make.

See you at the polls!

A new flag flew proudly over #27

this Fourth of July as if saluting therenovation of this City of Atlanta FireStation, which was built in 1953. Theexterior cream painted brick providesa soft background for the new roof,fire engine red garage bay doors and ablack canopy over the front door. Acustom designed sign by Paul Muldawerproudly proclaims: Our Fire Station#27. Flower filled pots donated bySusan Purdy, a new handicapped accessiblesidewalk and fresh sod and mulch donatedby Ed Castro Landscape complete theimproved look of the exterior of the

building.

A remarkable wooden ceiling wasdiscovered by accident throughout theinterior of the building. The ceilingwas exposed, repaired and painted providinga unique architectural element to therooms. The Community Room has anew bathroom, flooring, and a newHVAC system, which is far superiorto the window unit it replaced. TheDormitory offers a sitting room, exerciseroom, four individual bedrooms withnew desks, chairs, lamps and extra long

By MARCI VINCENTTask Force Chair

Photo By Carol Muldawer

From left: Paul Muldawer, Andrew Daly,Marci Vincent and Pat DalyContinued on Page 5

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ThePresidents

Corner

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By YOLANDA ADREANPresident MPNCA

Welcome Randall Mill

and West Paces Park!When our Association organized 25 years ago, it was in

the spirit of uniting neighbors to develop strength and unity

on issues including political issues, land use and other mattersaffecting the quality of our lives. Existing neighborhoodassociations including Whitewater Creek and Mount ParanParkway joined under our umbrella. In that same spirit wewelcome the Randall Mill Civic Association and neighbors inthe West Paces Park Court community who have recentlyofficially joined our association, We all share very commoninterests and are looking forward to working together onissues that matter the most to all of us!

I am bored. Those are the three words I uttered 6 yearsago to a woman I just met at a Mt Paran Northside CitizensAssociation ladies luncheon. The woman? Lynne Moscow.As a relative newcomer to the Mt. Paran scene, I did notknow she was one of the founders of our neighborhoodassociation. For those who know Lynne, she was not goingto let my comment drift into the enormous foyer of the lunch-eons host.

She immediately ushered me to the otherpower house in

our neighborhood: Brenda Smith. In a matter of days I wasinvited to one of their famous lunches and found myselfinvited to become part of the Board of Mt. Paran-NorthsideCitizens Association.

The rest, as they say is history. It has been a pleasure andprivilege to serve on the Board of Mt. Paran Northside CitizensAssociation as your President since 2005. I found the perfectplace to become involved not only in our neighborhood but inissues that affect our City and its quality of life.

According to the yellowing notes from 1984, our Associationwas organized to: Work to retain neighborhoods stability and residential

character Be a positive force in the City by developing land use

plans consistent with residential goals and maintenanceof high standards for quality of life

Integrate into a cohesive body with recognizable politicalstrength

Educate ourselves about the City, its needs and participatemore meaningfully.

We will celebrate our 25th Anniversary at our AnnualMeeting on October 13th and we will celebrate with apurpose! We will do what we set out to do 25 years ago,and that is educate ourselves about the City. We are invitingyou to meet several of the candidates for the three At-LargeCity Council seats and candidates for City Council President,District 8 and for the School Board. These candidates will

share their views through a panel debate and there will betime for you to present your questions as well.I look forward to seeing all of you on Tuesday, October

13th at 7:00 PM at the Northwest Presbyterian Church.There are comfortable seats for 250 of us and lots of easy,free parking. And, of course we will have birthday cake too!

PS If you would like to learn who all the candidates are forthe city of Atlanta, you can go to www.atlantaga.gov andclick the huge logo for Election Update Information.There you will find listings of candidates for each officeand information regarding polling places, absentee ballots,early voting and so forth.

IN AND AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD

Save the Date

SUNDAY, OCOBER 4for the

Tenth Annual Neighborhood Social

of the

Mt. Paran-Northside Citizens Association

See back cover for all the details

Campaign for Atlanta (CFA), an organization of long timeresidents and neighborhood leaders, and thirteen partnershipNeighborhoods, announce the unedited video streaming oftheir July/August Forums. The Partnership Neighborhoodscome from all parts of Atlanta. CFA and the partneringneighborhoods are pleased to provide Atlanta citizenswith an easy way to view in-depth discussions withthe four leading Mayoral Candidates atwww.campaignforatlanta.com The videos were taped at theCFA Mayoral Forum on July 18/19 at the Carter Center.

Lynn Irvin, Regency Road neighbor and Chairman ofCFA, in co-operation with Rick Lockridge, PresidentVee Media Farm, Atlanta, encourage Atlantans to watch theunedited videotaped discussions with the four leadingcandidates in the Atlanta Mayoral Race: City CouncilPresident Lisa Borders; City Councilwoman Mary Norwood;State Senator Kasim Reed; and well known Atlanta AttorneyJesse Spikes. One of CFAs goals is to raise the level ofdiscussion in the Atlanta Mayoral race. We think our FirstForum was a success in doing just that, said Lynn.

The candidates were questioned by a panel of six experts

Mayoral Forum Video Now Online

Continued on Page 11

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The Power of Friendship:Neighbors and Fire Station 27

Fire Station 27 on Northside Drive could have no greaterfriends than the Task Force to renovate Fire Station 27.These friends include Marci Vincent, Task Force Chair,London Andes, Fundraising Chair, Paul Muldawer, Architect,Ann Warsham, Interior Designer, Al Goodgame, LandscapingChair, Yolanda Adrean, Mt. Paran-Northside Citizens AssociationPresident, board member Lynne Moscow, and many othersthat helped along the way.

The civic associations friendship with Fire Station 27began over twenty years ago when they began takingChristmas lunch to the firefighters on duty. When a groupof civic association board members arrived in December2007 with Christmas lunch, Captain George Coleman insistedthat they stay and eat with them. Thats when the groupnoticed the deplorable condition of the stations interior:

peeling paint, rusting windows frames, rotting doors, andcrumbling bathroom tiles.

By May of 2008, Marci Vincent had rallied the supportof our civic association to show the communitys supportfor the heroes who protect our lives and homes. Theyformed a task force to find means to renovate the 55-year-old building which receives a limited amount from the Cityof Atlanta for renovations and repair. The task force set agoal of raising $250,000 to accomplish the direly neededrenovation.

The task force hit the ground running to take on thismassive project. In addition to badly needed brick-and-mortar, the community is grateful to Lynne Moscow forassuring expedient response to 15% of its residents whoreside in Sandy Springs. Lynne facilitated the AutomaticAid agreement between the Sandy Springs and City ofAtlanta jurisdictions that allows for first response andautomatic aid in the event of an emergency. Prior toLynnes initiative, the Mount Paran-Northsidecommunitys homes outside the Atlanta City limits couldnot be served by Fire Station 27. Two recent fires onNorthside Drive were answered by Sandy Springs firerescue distanced by several miles, despite the fact that FireStation 27 was only blocks away. Besides responding tofires, we must remember that our fire fighters are alsotrained in emergency medical needs, which account fornearly ninety percent of their calls.

By MARY LOUISE FLOYDMt. Paran Road

3

This task force established a non-profit for tax-deductibl

donations, the Atlanta Fire Foundation for Fire Station 27Now that the renovations are completed, the task force iconcentrating on furnishings and outdoor areas.

Clich would have it that this inspiring endeavor is beingaccomplished by the Power of a small group, the Fire Station27 Task Force. Those of us privileged to live in the MtParan Northside Community prefer to think that this is thpower of a long friendship between community leaders andFire Station 27. As Aristotle said 3500 years ago, the highesform of friendship is one in which friends share a commonaltruistic goal. This ideal is what bonds the task force andFire Station 27.

If you have questions or would like a tour to see why

this project is so important, please call Marci Vincent a

From left: Marci Vincent, Al Goodgame, Paul Muldawer, Lynne Moscow andthe planting crew from Ed Castro Landscape

Notable NeighborsLongtime Mt. Paran-Northside CitizenAssociation Board Member, PamelaTremayne, has been named one of GeorgiTrend's Legal Elite for 2008. TheDecember issue of Georgia Trendmagazine contains a roster of Georgiattorneys selected by their peers as thmost effective in 10 different practic

areas. Congratulations to Pam for beingvoted one of Georgia's Legal Elite!

Dan Parmer, CEO of Jenny Pruitt &Associates presented Marci Vincent withthe Company's Humanitarian Award, athe annual awards breakfast at the RitzCarlton. The Humanitarian Award iextended to one agent in recognition oselfless and loving service to thecommunity for her work in heading thFire Station 27 Task Force.

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For about twenty years the states of Georgia, Alabama andFlorida have been in dispute about the operation of the federalreservoir known as Lake Lanier, and the Corps of Engineeroperations of the reservoir. The state of Florida is con-cerned that the waters of the Chattahoochee which flowinto the Apalachicola River be sufficient in flow to protectthe several species of mussels and fish which are protectedby the Endangered Species Act. Alabama is concerned thatwater from the Chattahoochee is needed for power plantoperations. In the twenty years there have been severalfailed attempts to negotiate an agreement on water use.

Last month a federal judge, Judge Magnuson of Minnesota,rendered a decision in this disagreement that focused onwhether Congress had originally authorized Lake Lanier in

1946 for water supply when the reservoir was built. Theauthorized uses for the reservoir were navigation, hydropowerand flood control. The judge ruled that the current use ofwater from Lake Lanier for water supply exceeds theCorps legal authority and requires congressional authorization.

Under the judges order, the parties may continue to operateat current water withdrawals for a period of threeyears. If, within three years, Congress does not authorizewater supply withdrawals and releases from Lake Lanier,OR if the three states do not reach an agreement, then theCorps is required to return immediately to its baselineoperations, which means: Off-peak and weekend releases for water supply would

be limited to 600 cfs (an amount less than needed to meetexisting water quality requirements).

The Corps would be prohibited from making releasesover and above the 600cfs minimum flow to supportdownstream and water supply withdrawals.

Only Gainesville and Buford would be permitted towithdraw water directly from Lake Lanier, and thosewithdrawals would be limited to their relocation contractsof 8mgd and 2mgd.

Gwinnett County would not be permitted to withdrawany water from Lake Lanier since its 1956 authorizationhas expired.

Governor Perdue has assembled a team to work throughthis process as the three states begin again to try to come to anegotiated agreement on the use of water from Lake Lanier.Appealing the ruling is another Georgia option. Working to getCongressional authorization for water supply is another option.

This will be a major regional issue to watch and readabout in the coming months. No one knows at this point howmetro Atlanta, the state of Georgia, and indeed, the wholesoutheast region of the U.S. will fare in the coming years.

Ive tried in this submission to write only factually aboutthis very serious issue that has much disagreement on allsides. One opinion piece that I would offer in closing is that

By CLAIR MULLERAtlanta City Council Member, District 8

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TRI-STATE

WATER WARS

Your 2009 Fulton County real estatetax bills have not yet been mailedout by the Fulton County TaxCommissioner. Property tax bills areusually mailed around the beginning ofAugust each year. Commercial property

revaluation in 2008 and the down-turn inthe real estate market led to anextremely high volume of property tax

assessment appeals in 2008 and 2009.The time to work through the large number of appeals

filed in 2008 took longer than expected. A threshold ofsettled appeals must be met to present the county tax digestto the State Commissioner of Revenue for certification.The tax digest must be certified by the state before propertytax bills may be prepared and mailed to taxpayers. In theabsence of a certified tax digest, Fulton County may seek atemporary collection order from Fulton County Superior Court.

A temporary collection order was approved in 2008,

pending final digest certification. This has not occurred, soa second temporary collection order was sought andapproved for the 2009 tax year on August 24th. The FultonCounty Tax Commissioner now has the authority to prepareand send out tax bills. The Tax Commissioners office iscurrently reviewing the tax digest information prepared bythe Appraisal and Assessment Department, which is over-seen by the Fulton County Board of Assessors. Errors andomissions identified are being addressed with the assistanceof the County Managers Office and the Finance Department.

It is expected that the 2009 property tax bills will be

Fulton County 2009 Real Estate

Tax Billing Delays


By LYNNE RILEYFulton County Commissioner - District 3

water conservation is still VERY important. The drought ofthe past two years may have ended, but another will surelycome in the future. Georgians learned a lot about waterconservation in the past two years. I urge everyone to continueto conserve this precious resource. Remember afternoon outdoorwatering is wasteful because much of it evaporates. Also,monitor your outdoor sprinkler system to NOT allow theautomatic sprinkling to happen if it has rained frequentlyand certainly not during the rain. Also research just how

much water your plants really need, and dont just set itand forget it.Looking for new sources of waterreservoirs, other river

basinscould possibly take many years and will meet opposition.Water used for lawn watering, septic tanks, and crop

irrigation is, in my opinion, consumed waterthat iswater that is used, but not returned to the source. Whilethe Metro Chamber of Commerce has talked a lot about theimportance of sewering our communities instead of usingseptic system, some university experts argue that septic systemsoperating properly do return the ground water to its


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beds. In addition, the second renovated bathroom affordsconsideration for our female Fire Fighters, which was notthe case when the building was originally designed. Thefurniture has arrived and the art work is up to complete theinterior of #27.

The Task Force is pleased that we met our goal of raising$250,000 for this project. The generosity of cash contributionsfrom our Mt. Paran-Northside neighborhood, surroundingcommunities, including Sandy Springsall protected by#27has been overwhelming. In-Kind donations (tile,paint, plumbing fixtures, printing, mailbox, vacuumcleaner, interior design, photography, architectural drawings,contracting, dumpster and landscaping) warmed our heartsand allowed us to meet our objective. Over the past twentymonths the Task Force, neighbors and friends havevolunteered hundreds of hours and their talent to makethis project happen. In spite of challenging economic

times, citizens and community came together to solve aproblem, right a wrong or fix something that is broken.That is the lesson of the project. The quality of life forour First Responders at #27 has improved immensely.They are so appreciative and grateful. The best way to saythank you is to stop by and see the progress or call me fora personal tour. We hope to have a grand opening/tour inthe fall. Please watch the Mt. Paran website for a specificdate and time.

Al Goodgame, our Landscaping Chair, continues workingwith Ed Castro Landscape and the Eagle Scouts. Watchfor ongoing improvements along the West Conway side ofthe building.

Lastly, we look forward to acknowledging our generous

donors and volunteers with plaques and pavers. These elementsare currently in the design stage and will be placed insideand outside of Fire Station 27.

Fire Station #27 Renovation Nears Completion A Photo Gallery

Continued from Page 1

Dormitories defined by rows of lockers with beds inbetweenno privacy, no sound proofing in a large openspace; bathrooms with broken tiles and showers so de-peplorable firemen wouldnt use them; rat infested walls,leaking roofs, and many other signs of neglect.

From here ...

To here ...The dormitory features four bedrooms opening from ahallway offering both privacy and quiet. There is a dorm

sitting area with recliners, table, pool table, TV, exerciseroom and a bathroom and shower. The renovated communityroom, where the public comes to have blood pressuretaken, and kids for story time, has a loveseat, chairs, tables,lamps, desk, communications equipment and a new publicbathroom. The Captains office has a large surround desk andsleeping quarters. There is new flooring and art through-out the station.

Captains Office

Sitting Area Dorm Area

Dining/Kitchen Area Community Room

Dorm Exercise Room Dorm BathroomShower

Dormitory Hall Bedroom

Photos below by Al Goodgame

Photos by Paul Muldawer

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In my OpinionCut Through Traffic Problems Grow

With the advent of the new school year,it appears to me that our growing prob-lem with cut-through traffic, largely byCobb County commuters headed to Buck-

head, continues to get worse.I am curious in seeing if there is interest

in supporting an initiative to place a left-turn arrow at the stop light at the intersection

of Northside Drive and Blackland.I have noted that cars heading southbound at the intersection

queue-up to take the left-hand turn from Northside ontoBlackland, but northbound traffic typically precludes allbut a few from being able to make the turn during a greenlight. Hence the queue now often grows all the way backto Broadland.

As a result, many drivers attempt to escape the queue byturning left onto Broadland or left onto King Road, so they

can cut through to Powers Ferry or circumvent the stop-light and get onto Blackland closer to Tuxedo. This pushesunwanted traffic onto the side streets, many of which havealready been equipped with speed humps, but are noproblem for SUVs.

A left-turn arrow at Northside and Blackland wouldgive relief to the queue, and therein, would ensure thatdrivers are not compelled to make shortcuts.

It would also likely make sense to at least put a flashinglight at Northside and Broadland. Drivers who use WestConway as a cut-through from Mt. Paran/Cobb Parkwayemerge at Broadland, and seldom ever stop at the stop signthere when making a right turn onto Northside.

Any thoughts as to how to generate interest/support?Editors note: Please direct all ideas and responses on this subject, andany other, you feel strongly about to: for

future publication.

By TODD CURTIS FRYBURGERNorthside Drive

Longtime Mt. Paran-Northside resident, Debbie Goot, hasserved as association Membership Vice President since2002. She established a database to help keep track ofcurrent residents, new residents, residents who pay membership

dues and residents who pay security patrol dues. Debbiesup-to-date records are used for address labels for allassociation mailings.

Debbie and her husband, Stephen, have also beengracious hosts. Over the years, they have opened theirbeautiful Harris Trail home to Mt. Paran neighbors whenthey hosted annual neighborhood social events, a ladiesluncheon, and numerous board meetings.

We thank Debbie for her commitment and many yearsof service to our association. Debbie and Stephen recentlymoved away from our neighborhood and we wish themmuch happiness and peace in their new home!

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Celebrating a Great Neighbor

Board Member Moves

SAVE THE DATETuesday, October 13, 2009 at 7:00 PM

Mt. Paran-Northside Citizens AssociationTwenty-Fifth Annual Meeting -

Election of Officers & Board

Program: Atlanta City Council Forum

Northwest Presbyterian Church4300 Northside Drive (corner of West Conway)

The Nov. 3 Ballot will be availableLets pick a new team for City Hall!Come meet the candidates for these

Atlanta City Council offices:PresidentDistrict 8

Post 1 At-LargePost 2 At LargePost 3 At Large

Candidates for Atlanta School Board District 4have been invited

Please join us on Oct. 13 to show that our Buckhead

neighborhoods care about taxes, fiscal responsibility,public safety and getting the services we pay for.

Ask questions, seek solutions, andprepare to vote for the best team on Nov. 3.

It will be a memorable and important evening!

Sponsors:Mt. Paran-Northside Citizens Association

Paces Civic AssociationPeachtree Battle Alliance

South Tuxedo ParkTuxedo Park Civic Association

Wildwood Civic Association

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Neighborhood Briefs

Two Events to Benefits Marcus Autism Center

Chastain Park Fundraiser October 29th

The Chastain Park Conservancy will hostthe 2009 Fundraiser Party at theChastain Park Amphitheater, the fifthannual fundraiser on Saturday, October

29, at the Chastain Park Amphitheatre. Ifyou have attended the previous events,you know what an incredible experienceit is to be on the same stage as yourfavorite performers during the back stage

tour. Now see what goes on behind the scenes. The event willinclude live entertainment and feature tastings from some of yourfavorite restaurants plus, a silent and live auction. For moreinformation, or to purchase tickets, call 404-237-2177. Supportthe Chastain Park Conservancy and help make your parkcleaner, greener and safer by participating in this annual event.

Memory Walk 2009 is the AlzheimersAssociations signature annual event toraise money to support families dealingwith this devastating disease. Last yearyou raised more than $1 million for Georgians

touched by AD and this year plans to be even bigger! Themoney you raise will provide much-needed programs andservices for people all over Georgiaservices like respite carefor caregivers, support groups, educational classes and more!

Someone is diagnosed with Alzheimers every 72 seconds andwith the help of people like you, we can fight to lower that number.Go to www.alz.org/georgia if youd like to join the fun and forma team, or join a team.

Walk to End Alzheimers October 17th

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Good Neighbors Good Fun!

Northwest Presbyterian Church, just a smidgesouth of the Northside Drive/Mount Paran inter-section, is hosting a neighborhood Fall Festival,Saturday, October 17, from 11AM to 3 PM.Bring the family and enjoy the pony rides, climbingwall, face paintingall good clean FUN for childrenAND adults. We'll throw hot dogs on the grill,for a wonderful Autumn day. Best of all, it's

FREE for the community!

St. Dunstans Invites Neighbors to Flying Pig Barbecue

St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church invites you to theAnnual Flying Pig Bar-be-que. When: Sunday October18. Where: in the beautiful Beech Grove, behind theChurch at 4393 Garmon Road NW (rain or shine) PitRoasted BBQ, Live Music, and fellowship. Tickets:Can be purchased at the door $12 for adults and $6 forchildren. Contact www.stdunstans.org/ for moreinformation.

A must-see for kids of all ages! Bring yourfamily to a Shannon Tanner concert to

benefit Ians Friends Foundation forPediatric Brain Tumor Research, Octo-

ber 11. Doors open at Noon for the1:30PM concert at the Sandy Springs

Heritage Center on Sandy Springs Circle.Tickets are $15 a person and $50 for VIP tickets (includes frontrow seating). For tickets, visit www.iansfriendsfoundation.com

Concert to Help Fight Pediatric Brain Cancer

The first is "Big Splash V: TheMasque," October 24th at the GeorgiaAquarium. Honorary Chairs are Oz

Nelson and Ann Starr, event chair isNina Cheney. For ticket information

visit www.marcus.org or call404.785.9486. Black tie optional.

The second event is the 4th annual Saks Fifth Avenue FashionShow and Luncheon on Monday, November 2nd, at Saks.Designer Donna Karan will present her Resort and Springlines. Champagne at 11:30am; luncheon at 12 Noon.Event chair is London Andes. Tickets are $125 each and can

be purchased by calling 404.785.9486.

These Cavalier Spaniels are in the Pet Registry!

Memorial to Dorothy (Dot) Cohen

The Citizen's Review and the Mt. Paran-

Northside Citizens Association mournsthe passing of Somerset Drive neighbor,Dot Cohen. Dot was a founding memberof the civic association and a valuedmember of the first Board of Directors.

Editors note: special thanks to all the contributorsin this issue. Email your articles,

ideas, events, tips and photographs for the next issueof The Citizens Review.

And your opinions will always be considered for reprintin In My Opinion our neighbor op-ed columns.

Chastain Park Annual Arts Festival: October 17-18

Atlanta is quickly becoming an artisans Mecca,thanks to visionary neighbors like Patrick Dennisand Randall Fox. Their creative energy andlong hours of planning, have turned our own

Chastain Park into the magnificent site of its first annual art festival!The Chastain Park Arts Festival will feature over100 talented

painters, photographers, sculptors, leather and metal crafters,glass artists, and jewelers. With free admission, beautiful worksof art, lively entertainment and delicious culinary fare, this

incredible event is fun for the whole family. For all the detailsgo to www.chastainparkartsfestival.com

The family of Sundance and Cassidy, these

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, just joinedthe neighborhood association and immediatelyregistered them in the Mt. Paran-Northside Pet Registry along with this

photo and their cell phone number, just likeover 700 other dogs, cats and birds that are part of our familiesand sh your pet(s) are not registered, pleaseemail and get them online and in the bookIts a big help if one day theyre lost. Microchips help too!

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At a young age, Aaron Fink, ourConwayValley Courtneighbor, worked with his cousin Jerry Wachter, a famoussports photographer. In 1986 he purchased his firstunderwater camera and discovered a new photo-

graphic realm. He has worked with Ella Jean Morgan,Franklin Viola, and Donald Tipton and has been honoredwith numerous publications, several photographicawards, and multiple gallery appearances. Vicki, hiswife, shares his passion for the beauty of our underwaterworld and concern for its future. When not behind thecamera, Aaron is a Professor of Surgery at EmoryUniversity School of Medicine. Additional work can

be seen on his website at: www.finksphotos.com

The Underwater World

of Aaron Fink

A Blue Spotted Pufferfish,Arothron caeruleopunctatus, is being cleaned by

Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasse,Labroides dimidiatus. This image was taken in theEastern Fields, about 75 miles south of Papua New Guinea and was published inAsian Diver Magazine.

Photographed in Palau, this is a Gray Reef Shark, Carcharhinusamblyrhynchos.

This is a Green Sea Turtle, Chelonia mydas.

MT. PARAN-NORTHSIDE CITIZENS ASSOCIATION CELEBRATES 25 YEARS!

In October 1984, a small group of dedicated neighbors held thefirst annual meeting of the Mt. Paran Citizens Association at JacksonSchool on Mt. Paran Road. (Northside was added to the name in1986 to recognize our eastern boundary.) Originally, there were 750households within our boundaries and 267 neighbors paid duesto show their support for the formation of a duly incorporatedcivic association. Today, there are over 1000 households withsome 540 dues-paying members.

Although some are still in the neighborhood today, many ofthe original officers and board members have either moved awayor passed away. History tells us that the original goals of those

hard-working pioneers have been successful. However, there isstill work to be done if we are to remain a strong, viable organization.

8

Marvin Arrington, CityCouncil President withMPNCA Pres. Martin Turbidy Former Somerset Dr. resident, Clay

Moore, MPNCA VP, M. Arrington,Tom Weyandt, Atlanta Planning Directorand Lynne Moscow

Beechwood Hills Courtresident, Brenda Daniels,

played a major role inhelping to defeat thehotel and conferencecenter proposed for Mt.Paran and Cave Road.

Paul Bolster, State Representative, C. Moore, Hiram Undercrofler,former Chief Justice GA Supreme Court, M. Turbidy

Bob Miller., M. Turbidy, Robb Pitts, Brenda Smith,Paul Finkel

Remembering the1984 PioneersOfficers:Martin Turbidy, Clay Moore, Casey Jones, Brenda Daniels

Board: Jerry Horowitz, Jack Martin, Bob Miller, Lynne Moscow, SandyTurbidy

Committee Chairs:Dot Cohen, Stanley Daniels, Lance Dobson, Marty Gillin, Liz Roberts

The Citizens ReviewLynne Moscow, Editor

Sid Arnold, Bernadine Cantrell, Barbara Jackson, Letitia

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Financial Condition of the City of Sandy Springs

for Fiscal Year 2010By KAREN McENERNY

Sandy Springs City Council Member, District 6

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IN AND AROUND THE CITY OF SANDY SPRINGS

The City of Sandy Springsended its FY 2009 on June 30,2009 with a modest $1 millionsurplus. That compares to FY2008 at a surplus of $23.4 million.So in relationship to our countryseconomic situation we are doingexceptionally well with the taxdollars entrusted to us. If comparedto some of the municipalities to

the south we are doing very well with our .004731 millagerate which is about 50% less than Atlantasas an example.Our general revenue projections for FY 2010 are up about$2 million from FY 2009 at $96.9 million which is remark-able when you consider our four major revenue sources ofproperty taxes, sales taxes, business license taxes, andpermitting fees are down by a combined 10%. The less wespend of the $96.9 million on service delivery, the more wehave to spend on our capital programs such roadre-surfacing; park improvements and other non-recurringcapital needs. But there is an important balance to be struckto ensure we are delivering the services needed for thequality of life our citizens expect, such public safety, yetoperate efficiently so that needed capital improvements canalso be made.

Despite the lower projections from our traditionalsources of tax revenues described above, you may ask howthe City of Sandy Springs has been able to maintain ourgeneral revenue projection which includes over 25% budgetedfor non recurring capital. It is due to the surplus of $14.4million being carried over from FY 2008 as describedabove. (The $9 million difference being spent on capital inFY 2009.) We are also a city that budgets conservativelyand we have added $7.2 million of the $14.4 million intoour rainy day reserve fund which represent 3 months ofoperations at approximately $23 million. That is outstandingwhen you consider we have saved these funds in less than4 years of operations. Another $1.735 million was set aside ascontingency funds in the event a more serious economicdeterioration occurs in FY 2010 than anticipated. Finally,FY 2010 reflects a $23.7 million Capital Program includingRoads which I will discuss in detail later in this article.This compares to $31 million allocated to capital in FY2009. We budget for large expenditures over several yearsin advance and purchased the city hall site (old Targetbuilding on Johnson Ferry Road) for $8 million cash inDecember 2008.

We can do this in these challenging times because ofour business model of private public partnership withCH2MHill. That partnership allows for flexibility in staffing

and efficiency in the delivery of services to our citizens. Ifthe cost of living index declines, our contract goes down.We can reallocate personnel if demand...say...in the permit-ting departmentdeclines without fear of violation of civilservice or union policies. Our CH2MHill partnership allowsus to be nimble and quick when trends are discerned. Weoperate with fewer employees and have no defined benefitpension obligations as all employees are in 401 ks. As I havementioned before in this newsletter, the majority of cities inGeorgia have between 3 and 7 employees per 1,000residents, excluding public safety employees like police andfire personnel. Our ratio for FY 2010 is 1.4 employees per1,000 residents; more than 50% less than typical cities inGeorgia. Also we have top quality professional staff, and Icant give them enough credit for their commitment toexceed expectations and provide innovative ideasall ofwhich benefit the bottom line for our tax paying citizens.

Accomplishments since incorporation: we have tripledthe number of police officers serving our communityfrom 42 to 125; we have a new $5.6 million 911 EmergencyDispatch Center that opened Sept. 1 in partnership withJohns Creek...all funded with no increase in taxes to reduceenhance dispatch times for emergency calls in our two cities .We have connected all our traffic lights on Roswell Road tofiber optic; installed a $1.5 million Traffic Mgt computer

operated Center which automatically adjusts the timing oftraffic lights which improves movement on our RoswellRoad Corridor while we await the GDOT design to relievethe congestion at the Roswell Road Bridge over I-285.Finally since city inception we have paved over 53 miles ofarterial and collector streets at a cost of $24 million; excludingthe 14.572 miles of neighborhood streets re-paved withGDOT LARP funding. $5.825 million has been added forFY 2010 and for the first time includes 2.81 miles of roadsto be reconstructed due to their extreme deteriorationwhich cost 3 times more than re-paving. FY 2010 includes9.93 miles of repaving with a potential of an additional1.25 miles if the contracts come in under budget.

Roads Planned for Resurfacing/ReconstructionOf interest to our citizens in District 6; Lake Forrest andLong Island Drive will be repaved this year along with4,641 feet of other streets, including Highcourt from Mt.Paran Road to Northside Drive, that will be repaved orreconstructed in 2010. That equates to 6.48 miles of repavingand 9/10 of a mile of road reconstruction.

www.mpnca

your window to the neighborhood.

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By MARY LOUISE FLOYDPublic Relations Chair

Founded in 1955, Mount Paran Woods GardenClub, Inc. is a non-profit, community serviceorganization dedicated to the landscapingand maintenance of our neighborhood'sthree pocket parks. These parks are locatedat Northside Drive and Mt. Paran Road, atWest Conway Drive and Broadland Road,and at Cave Road and Mt. Paran Road.

Every fall and spring, members plant colorful annuals orperennials, fertilize, mulch, and groom the parks. Throughyearly membership dues and fundraising, the club employs aweekly service that cuts grass and maintains the parks.

Members meet monthly from September through May to learnabout ga rden ing and sus t a in ing g reenspace .Governed by its 501(c) (3) by-laws, Mount Paran Woods GardenClub has 40 active members. Anyone who lives within theMount Paran-Northside Community boundaries is eligible formembership.

The Garden Clubs 2009-10 president is Elizabeth Morris. BeverlySelby is vice-president; Mary Dodson and Mary Jane Piazza arerecording secretaries; Betsy Camp is treasurer; Joan Hoffman iscorresponding secretary. Olivia Evans and Mary Stone co-chair thelandscaping of our neighborhoods parks. Contact Carol Moore,membership chairman, to learn more about membership require-ments, including meeting attendance, planting, financialobligations, and sponsorship.

GARDEN CLUB UPDATE

Tri-State Water Wars


Fulton County Tax Bill Delays


source. It just takes longer. The City of Atlanta has a very smallpercentage of septic systems (less than 2%) but the AtlantaRegion as a whole has a much larger percentage.

While metro Atlanta returns all but 1% of its used water to itssource in normal times, during drought times, 3% is lost. Our

conservation of water and the development patterns of our regionshould be uppermost in our minds as we work to find future watersupply solutions.

mailed out in early October. Taxpayers will be allowed the normal60 day period from the date printed on the bill to remit payment.Should billing be further delayed, taxpayers who wish to take anitemized deduction for property taxes paid in 2009 should take

action to remit payment before December 31, 2009.Delay in billing has placed cash flow strains on county and

city governments for 2009. My colleagues and I have directedthe Fulton County Manager to make all efforts to assist the TaxCommissioners Office in the preparation and mailing of 2009

bills as quickly as possible.I will keep you informed further on this situation and what impacts

this might mean in the upcoming months.

Given the current market conditions, sellerwould do well to be grounded in some

sobering facts. Many sellers are stilattempting to price homes at 2005 levelstrying to cash in on unrealistic expectationand profits. This speculative attitude haresulted in an oversupply of homes in theBuckhead and Sandy Springs markets.

Fact: Currently these markets report anaverage of a 33 month supply oavailable homesfar above the norm o

a 10 to 12 month supply. The excess inventory has led to astrong buyers market. What that means to sellers today is thaeffectively pricing against the competition is more importanthan ever.

Problem: For the motivated seller in todays market, it icustomary to price their home against recently sold comparable

properties. This approach, however, may lead to later disappointmentas only the best one out of every thirty-three properties on themarket will sell in any given month. If your property is no

perceived as the best available (price vs. condition) relative tothe competing properties at the time, it will be overlookedthus accruing days on the market. I have always said there areonly three reasons a house sells; marketing, condition and priceMarketing is designed to increase awareness among potential buyerand the realtor community. Once the buyer arrives at your doorit is the combination of price versus the condition of your home

relative to the competing propertiesthat influence a buyingdecision. If buyers do not perceive your home to be a value forthe condition, theyll buy elsewhere. In real estate, time is noyour friend. Properties that arent selling are perceived amarket-worn; begging for low offers. This explains why new

listings receive the most attention by agents and buyers alikeand if the price-to-condition balance is in sync, will sell veryquickly.

Solution: Be honest and objective. How? Ask your realtor tophysically show you the competition you are up against. Keep inmind, having the most amenities doesnt always translate intogetting the highest price. Use those amenities to stand out fromthe competition rather than pricing yourself out of considerationRemember, you must be perceived as exceptional to sell intodays market.

Offer more for less. Be the exceptional property. This is nosimply a function of price, but also condition. Prospective buyerwill heavily discount homes for perceived needed upgrades oimprovements. For example, if carpets are worn, sellers oftenoffer a carpet allowance in lieu of replacing it themselves. Whilthe seller may view this as a benefit, buyers may perceive thehome as a fixer-upper and discount the price in excess of thecost of the carpet. By contrast, homes that are clean, clutter-freeand well-maintained stand out from the crowd. A good realtorknows how to maximize your homes potential through propehome staging. Now more than ever, you dont get a secondchance to make a winning first impression.

Obviously, no seller wants to leave money on the table. Thepoint here is that ironically, testing the market through overpricingcan actually create a loss through increased time on the markeand deeper price cuts to attract attention. Through very carefu

positioning, todays motivated seller can still achieve a timelysale with these strategic solutions in mind.

10

HOWTO SELL YOUR HOME

IN THIS MARKET

By GREG LYLES

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ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP:

ITS ALWAYS TIME TO JOIN!

Although some neighbors pay membershipand security dues before the annual state-ments are mailed, everyone receives anannual statement in January. To date, 540neighbors have joined the association andreceived the 2009 Mt. Paran-NorthsideMembership Directory. We still have afew 2009 directories left so let us hearfrom you if you would like one.Please let us know when new neighbors

move in so they can be welcomed and added to our data-base of over 1000 homes. To join or to share information,

please contact Membership Vice Chair, Barbara White:To join, mail a

membership check for $50 made out to MPNCA, or a check for$250 if joining both membership and our association securitypatrol, to MPNCA, PO Box 724153, Atlanta, GA 31139.

Mayoral Forum Video Now Online

We need your help to keepup with new neighbors so

tell us whenever you sellyour house or see newneighbors moving in. Ourhospitality committee hasdeveloped a welcome packagefor new residents that includeshelpful information and

some surprises. Pleasecontact Ann OConnell with the information and she willpersonally deliver an Associat ion welcome bag:

.

PLEASE TELLUS ABOUT:YOUR NEW NEIGHBORS


and well informed citizens on five topics: Department ofWatershed Management Issues; Creating and Maintaininga Competent City Bureaucracy; Police and Fire Issues. Thequestioners were Mr. Bob Bunker, Civil Engineer; Mr. JimMartin, Ga.Tech Professor and Neighborhood leader; Mr.Sam Brownlee, Former Fulton County Manager for 20years; Former Atlanta Deputy Police Chief Lou Arcangeli;and former Atlanta Fire Chief David Chamberlin.

Kyle Keyser, Founder of the 12,000 member AtlantansTogether Against Crime Organization, had this to sayabout the forums, I am pleased the four leading candidatessat down with us and discussed their ideas about how toprovide our citizens with more security. This is the majorissue in our city, and I hope groups sponsoring futureforums will build on the dialogue we started in our forum.

Campaign for Atlanta in cooperation with their 13 partnershipforums and Vee Media Farm, Atlanta, Productions held

their 2nd Forum at the Carter Center on the weekend ofAugust 15/16. The Forum topic was City Finance andCode Enforcement Issues. There were 6 questioners askingthe same 4 Mayoral Candidates about: Pensions; TADsand Tax Abatements; Millage Rates; City CFO and Creat-ing a Competent Finance Department; Government Effi-ciency (Number of city employees and managing services)AND Code Enforcement. For more details, please go to theCFA website.

If you are not receiving crime alerts, lost pet, and otherMPNCA email blasts, you are probably not on the email list

Send your email today to:Add our address to your computers address book so our

emails are not caught in your SPAM controls


MPNCA Celebrates 25 Years!

1984 Mt. Paran Association meeting at Jackson School

1984 meeting from another angle

Cave Road resident, JohnCasey Jones (d), served

as secretary from 1984 to1999, our longest servingofficer. Casey helped toincorporate the civicassociation to a nonprofit501(c)(4) tax-exemptorganization. He alsohelped wr i te theassociations bylaws.

Sandra Adair, Helen Miller, Sandy Turbidy, Robb Pitts, Brenda Smith,Lynne Moscow at a re-election campaign party for Robb at the Turbibyhome

11

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MT. PARAN-NORTHSIDE CITIZENS ASSOCIATION, INC.P.O. BOX 724153 ATLANTA, GEORGIA 31139

OFFICERSPresident/Yolanda Adrean

Vice President/Communications/Jo Ann RauVice President/Membership/Barbara WhiteSecretary/Marilyn MidyetteTreasurer/Cameron Adair

BOARD OF DIRECTORSSandra Adair, London Andes, Pat Daly, John Feeley, Peter Fleming,Debra Fowler, Al Goodgame, Howard Margol, Paul Muldawer,Jackie Nunneley, Ann OConnell, Carla Sklenka, Pamela Tremayne,Marci Vincent, Barbara White, Richard Wilson

EX-OFFICIO (PAST PRESIDENTS)Brenda Smith, Lynne Moscow, Sheldon Schlegman, RobertHurst (d), Edward Floyd, John R. Martin (d), Robert Miller, H. ClayMoore, Jr., J. Martin Turbidy

Editors: Lynne Moscow and Jo Ann Rau

Design & Typeset: Jo Ann Rau

WEB SITEwww.mpnca.org

First Class Mail

U.S. PostagePAID

Marietta, GAPermit No. 7

Return Service Requested

Association Newsletter and Crime Report Inside

Mt. Paran-Northside Citizens AssociationNeighborhood Celebration 25th Anniversary

Sunday, October 4, 2009 - 5:30 to 7:30 PMat the home of Brenda and Dick Smith

4271 Garmon Road

Buffet & Wine - Catered by Atlanta Ala Carte$25 Association Members - $30 non members

To reserve your place, please send a checkPayable to Mt. Paran-Northside Citizens Association

mail to Marci Vincent1266 W. Paces Ferry Road, Suite 552, Atlanta GA 30327

ITS NOT TOO LATE! ADULTS ONLY

8/2/2019 2009 - October - Vol 25

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OCTOBER 2009

Security Patrol Activity Security Patrol InformationThe Mt. Paran Security Patrol is neighborhood funded patrol staffeby retired and active duty Atlantpolice officers. Officer Doug Coland Officer George Robertso

work full time8 hours a dayand Sgt. Ellis (J.R.) works parttime3 evenings a week and somweekends as necessary. To datthere are 439 patrol members owhich 44 live in the Randall MiCivic Association area.

The patrol monitors the Atlantpolice radio and responds to alarmin the area. The patrol checks doorand windows daily while you are ouof town and picks up newspaperThe fee to join the patrol is $200

year and covers the time periofrom January 1 to December 31The fee for new residents will bpro-rated. Subscribers receive mailbox decal, telephone stickerand access to the security hotline awell as daily surveillance of youhouse and property.

For information on joining, or tmeet the patrol officers, ca(404)310-7361. Be sure to leave message during off-duty hour

and one of the patrol officers wicall you back.

January: Solicitors on Northside and Garmon Rd. Suspect caught instreet and asked to leave. Tree fell across driveway and power lines at ahome on Conway Valley. Security called Georgia Power. People reportedat abandoned house on E. Beechwood. Broken irrigation pipe found inhouse check on Randall Ridge. Security turned off water and called home-owner who was out of town. Burglar in 4100 block of Conway Valley.Witness got tag number and called 911. An arrest was made 3 days later.Someone rang door bell on Buckingham Circle and homeowner found a

bag with dog poop in it.

February: Two pet dogs on Randall Mill and Wickersham killed by largeanimal believed to be a coyote. Mailbox damaged on Beechwood duringnight. Helicopter reported flying low around West Conway. Yard damageon Davis Dr. believed to be caused by black truck seen in Moores Millarea the same night.

March: Solicitorson Garmon Drive. Green Honda Accord on North HarrisRidge with two males pulled in driveway, saw workers and drove awayfast. Homeowner came home and found pry marks on rear door on Mt.Paran Pkwy. No entry made. The alarm was not on but homeowner believes

barking dog scared suspect off. Chrysler with two black males followinglawn trucks on Fairfield Road. Also seen on Paces Ridge.

April: Security found a tree on a house in the 1400 block of Mt. ParanRd. during storms and notified homeowner. Tools taken from workers

truck in the 4400 block of Harris Trail. Witness saw a stocky, black malein a red vehicle leaving the area. Caller on Randall Mill reported a whitemale, bald, average build, walking around her pool at 9:15 AM. Burglaryin the 4100 block of Whitewater Creek. Lady left for a short period oftime and discovered entry to her house from unlocked patio door. Jewelrymissing. Although the alarm was not on, the homeowner believes burglarheard her dogs and left when she came in. Homeowner in the 1000 blockof West Conway woke up at 5:00 AM and saw two people in his house.Several large items missing along with money and other items. Later inmorning homeowner discovered truck was taken.

The Crime Report

Continued on Page C2

Logged 16,399 miles patrolling our neighborhood Made 2683 house checks for traveling subscribers Responded to 92 alarm calls Investigated 69 suspicious persons or autos Investigated 6 incidents of vandalism Investigated 3 break-ins Investigated 3 incidents of larceny

C1

The Mt. Paran-Northside Citizens Association produces this public safety report for the benefit ofour neighborhood. If you see suspicious activity, or are the victim of a crime, call 911 and then report

the details for this newsletter to our Security Patrol (404)310-7361 or Jo Ann Rau

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Continued from Page C1

More Crime News: We Need to Work Together

May: Teenagers having party on Musket Ridge. 911 called andunder age drinking reported. Homeowner in the 900 block Mt.

Paran Rd. reported a large black male came in the drive and rangthe doorbell. Housekeeper told suspect to leave and that she wascalling the police. Subject drove off in a red vehicle. Severallookouts reported on different vehicles in the area. A white FordRanger truck, dirty in appearance. A white male driver has been

breaking into homes south of West Paces. Truck reported stolenand perpetrator was arrested.

June: Burst irrigation pipefound on Randall Ridge again. Securitycalled repairman for the homeowner who was out of town. Whitemale in truck following young female jogger on Harris Trail.Tried to lure her to vehicle by asking directions. Mailbox damagedon Davis Dr. Some mail found opened. Sandy Springs policereport made. Dog got out of fence on Garmon Rd. and was barkingat people on street. Owner was called and Security placed dog

back in the fence.July: Solicitors reported on Harris Trail. Security Officer foundgutter down spout damaged due to bad weather while home-owner was out of town. Vehicle impounded on Sentinel View.The driver was later reported as a prowler coming out of thewoods on Mt. Paran Road wearing hospital scrubs. The

prowlers father picked him up the next day in another vehicle.Officer Robertson received a call from the father about the impoundedvehicle and revealed to the officer that his son was sufferingfrom a mental condition. The son was taken back to Tennessee.Homeowner on Swims Valley reported that a prowler used a boltcutter to take a lawn mower and ten speed bicycle. Homeowneron Sentinel Post reported a prowler used a bolt cutter to remove$2500 worth of lawn equipment from a lawn truck. Security

Officer smelled smoke around Harris Trail and WhitewaterCreek while on patrol. Fire Dept called. Limb had fallen on linesat Harris Trail and Harris Glen. Resident reported teenagers

partying at house under construction on Whitewater Creek andHarris Trail.

August:No incidents reported

Security Patrol Activity

C2

For years, Better Business Bureau(BBB) has educated consumers abounot giving out personal information ovethe telephone or to anyone whoshows up at their front door. Withthe U.S. Census process beginningBBB advises people to be cooperative

but cautious, so as not to become avictim of fraud or identity theft.

The first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census is under way as workershave begun verifying the addresses of households across thecountry. Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census workerswill count every person in the U.S. and will gather informationabout every person living at each address including name, age

gender, race and other relevant data.Most people are rightfully cautious and wont give out persona

information to unsolicited phone callers or visitors, however theCensus is an exception to the rule, said Fred T. Elsberry, Jr.President & CEO of the BBB Serving Metro Atlanta, Athens &

Northeast Georgia. Unfortunately, scammers know that the publicis more willing to share personal data when taking part in theCensus and they have an opportunity to ply their trade by posingas a government employee and soliciting sensitive financiain format ion .

The Census data will be used to allocate more than $300 billionin federal funds every year, as well as determine a States numberof Congressional representatives. Households are actually required

by law to respond to the Census Bureaus request for information.During the U.S. Census, households will be contacted by mail

phone or visited by a U.S. Census worker who will ask about thenumber of people living in the house. Unfortunately, people mayalso be contacted by scammers who are impersonating Censusworkers in order to gain access to sensitive financial informationsuch as Social Security, bank account or credit card numbers. Lawenforcement in many states have issued warnings that scammersare already posing as Census Bureau staff and knocking on doorsasking for donations and Social Security numbers

The big question is - how do you tell the difference between aU.S. Census worker and a con artist? BBB offers this advice

If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, theyll have abadge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, aconfidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and badge

before answering their questions. However, you should neveinvite anyone you dont know into your home

Census workers are only knocking on doors now to verifyaddress information. Do not give your Social Security numbercredit card or banking information to anyone, even if theyclaim they need it for the U.S. Census. While the Census Bureaumight ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, iwill not ask for Social Security, bank account or credit card num-

bers nor will census employees solicit donations Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone

mail or in person at home. However, they will not contact you byemail, so be on the look out for email scams impersonating theCensus. Never click on a link or open any attachments in anemail that are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau

HOMEOWNER ALERT ABOUS CENSUS WORKERS

Be Cooperative...But Cautious!

Please alert all our neighbors so the same thing doesnt happento them as happened to us at St. Dunstans. I made the mistake ofmailing a check from our box at St. Dunstans on Garmon Road.Someone stole it and apparently used the transit and accountnumbers to print other checks, and has been cashing them. Wefound this out when the person to whom we were sending thecheck called to let us know it had not arrived after a week. If youare mailing checks, take the time to take them to the post office.

The Reverand Tricia TempletonSt. Dunstans Episcopal Church

If Youre Mailing Checks.Take Them to the Post Office

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Identity theft and breaking into cars areour major crimes in Sandy Springs. Thegood news is that both are very preventable,

but we need the citizens help to preventthese crimes. Common sense and beingaware of your surroundings are the best

prevention.Phone fraud is a growing problem, but

there are some measures you can take toprotect yourself if you know what to lookfor. Telemarketers must tell you its asales call, the name of the seller and what

theyre selling before they make their pitch. Fast talkers who usehigh pressure tactics could be hiding something. Take yourtime. If its free, why they are asking me to pay? The law allowstelemarketers to call only between 8 am and 9 pm. If you dontwant a business to call you again, so say.

You can limit the number of telemarketing calls you receive byplacing your number on the National Do Not Call Registry;DoNotCall.gov or call 1-800-382-1222 from the number you wantto register. You may still get calls from political organizations,charities, pollsters or companies with whom you do business with.

Report phone fraud. Visit FTC.gov or call 1-800-FTC-HELP.

C3

More Crime News: Stop Crimes of Opportunity

SANDY SPRINGS

CRIME

REPORT

A Personal Account of aPurse Snatching at

Lenox Mall

By LARRY JACOBSCrime Prevention Officer

Sandy Springs Police Department

CALL 911 WHEN YOU SEE SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITYTHEN MT. PARAN SECURITY (404) 310-7361

If you are not receiving regular email crimealerts from the MPNCA uremail address. Send it tocom And, add our address to your on-lineaddress book so our emails wont be caught byyour internet providers spam controls. Werespect your privacy and never share emailaddresses.

EMAIL BLASTS

I'm writing to tell you about what happened to me and makeyou aware about the lack of safety at Lenox Mall. At about2:30 on a Saturday afternoon, I was walking to my car from theMall, when someone came behind me, grabbed my purse andran. My arm was hooked to the purse when he grabbed it, so Iwas dragged to the ground. At that moment I may have thoughI could grab the purse back and fought to keep it. Ultimately Iwas dragged about two car lengths before I either was able tolet go or consciously let go. The attacker ran around two morecars to the main driving aisle and jumped into a waiting car thasped away.

I was parked in the Lenox Deck next to Macys, on theground level, in the first bank of spots closest to the Mall entrance. Itwas well-lit, crowded with cars and people. I thought it was asafe area to park. In retrospect, being so near a parking deck

exit (to Macy's) made it ideal for someone committing a crimeand looking for a fast get-away.

I was not loaded down with any shopping bags. I was notalking on a cell phone. I did not have my children with me(Thank G-d). I was alert, as I always am because I believe beingaware is required to keep safe in today's world. I had reachedmy car and was about to click the key to open the door. I don'tknow what, if anything, I could have done to prevent this. Thiscould happen to anyone and I think anyone of us going to theMall needs to have a heightened sense of awareness andconcern for our personal safety.

Editors note: This neighbors account circulated as an email during thsummer. It has been verified as a true account and a police record ofthis incident has been made. We publish this account, not to scare youbut to remind you to stay alert wherever you are, whatever you are doing.

Wallet Taken at PublixOn the morning of August 8th, a woman shopping at Publix

had her wallet taken from her handbag. By the time she realized thewallet was missing, charges for $2000 at Home Depot had beenmade and another $1500 had been charged to purchase gifcards. Never let your handbag remain in a shopping carunattended.. for even the briefest moment. In fact, dont placeyour handbag in your shopping cart ever...you are bound toturn your head at some point whether it is picking up an itemor placing an item in your car. You cant be looking in two

places at once. The bums are counting on it!

Crime Right In Front of UsI live on a great street, in a wonderful neighborhood with

security and in Buckhead for goodness sake. I was stunned to hearfrom my landscaping company on the day of the crime, that theyhad all their lawn equipment (over $2,500 worth) stolen from the

back of their trailer right in front of my home. In ten minutes flat,the thieves had cut through the trailers locks, unloaded the goods,loaded up the thieves vehicle in broad daylight, midafternoon and

took off.What a bold move since I live on a cul de sac, on a very busy

street, with a lot of activity.Who knows what these low-life criminals have in mind next?

My family? My home?Let's be on our toes! Inform your family, friends and service

personnel to be on theirs. Together we can snuff out crime to keepour families and neighborhoods safe. If you see anything suspicious,call 911, Mt. Paran security AND your neighbors.

Spreading the word,Kim ChesneyTuxedo Place

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Personal Safet y and YouA Common Sense Approach

Personal safety and the fear of crime influencethe behavior and life patterns of everysocioeconomic, ethnic and age group in

America. Fear, whether perceived or

real, controls the daily activity of peopleand is a major factor determining theirinput and contribution to society. Much

of the responsibility for personal safetyis with the individual. There is not asingle idea, phrase, or device that can

provide absolute safety; however, thefollowing common sense personalsafety rules will help individualspromote a crime-free environment,improve confidence, and allow activeinvolvement in society.

PREVENTION IN THE HOME:

Install quality locks or pins on all windows and sliding glassdoors. Install peep holes or viewers through doors. Do not open thedoor to strangers. If they insist they are in trouble, offer to call911 for them. Verify all service or utility personnel. Use adequate exterior lighting. Use only numbers and avoid placing names on mailboxes. Ifnecessary, list initials and last name. Do not give out personal information (name, address, age,credit card or checking account numbers) to strangers, telephonesolicitors, or ''wrong number" callers. If you hear prowlers outside the home, dial 911, give the

police dispatcher all the requested information, and leave thetelephone off the hook. If alone, call out as though someone iswith you (i.e. "John, is that you?"). Turn on interior lights in

several rooms to give the appearance that there is more than oneperson at home. If you hear someone breaking in while inside, dial 911,leave the telephone off the hook, and try to get out safely to callagain from a neighbor's phone. If it is impossible to get out, dial911, leave phone off the hook, and place barriers and lockeddoors between yourself and the intruder. Hide in other locationsin the home if necessary. If you wake and a stranger is standing in the bedroom, avoid

bringing attention to yourselfpretend to sleep. He may be a catburglar and if confronted the situation could become a robberyor sexual attack. If possible obtain a description of the intruder. If you arrive home and find doors or windows forced orunsecured, go to a neighbor's and call 911. Do not enter thehome until police arrive.

Contact your local police department for a complete securityanalysis of your residence.

PREVENTION ON THE STREET:

Walk with confidence, shoulders back and head up. Lookaround, be aware of your surroundings and trust your instincts. Ifsomething does not look or feel right, stop to see what hastriggered your fear. Do not ignore your instincts, they are yourfirst line of defense. Walk in groupsthere is safety In numbers. If approached on the street, make brief, stern eye contactand continue walking. If someone insists on talking, acknowledgetheir presence with a nod or "no thank you" and continue walking.

Do not stop and engage in conversation. Avoid undesirable areas or short cuts. If you make a wrongturn, immediately go back. Do not take chances. If you sense you are being followed, change your directionor pace. If the person following you does likewise, seek a saf

place where there are people and lights and bring attention tyourself. Try to remember an accurate description of thesuspect. If you sense you are being followed by a vehicle, quicklychange your direction and walk in the opposite direction. Keepmore than an arm's distance from vehicles. If you become lost or are in danger, locate a pay telephonand dial 911. It is a free call and the location of the telephone i

provided on the police operator's computer screen. Advise thoperator of the assistance needed and follow their instructions.Never get into a vehicle even if forced at the point of a gun.Your chance for survival on the street is better than in theprivacy of a vehicle or a remote location of the abductor'schoice.

PREVENTION IN THE CAR:

Always keep your doors locked. Keep your vehicle well serviced and fueled. Keep an emergencykit in the trunk (basic tools, flashlight, booster cables).

Consider purchasing a mobile telephone or two-way radio. Park in well-lighted areas or parking lots with attendants. If you sense you are being followed, change directions, fina well-lighted, all-night location and dial 911. Attempt to obtaina tag number and description of vehicle and occupants. Undeno circumstances should you go directly home. Never get into a stranger's vehicle, even if yours breakdown. Generally, remain locked in your vehicle and ask a goodSamaritan to call someone for you. Carry an emergency windshield sign in your car. When approaching red lights, maintain adequate distanc

between vehicles to allow for maneuvering. If attacked or harassedrun through the light and honk the horn. While approaching your parked vehicle, be alert to suspicioustrangers, have door keys ready, and check interior. Once inside

immediately lock the doors and start the engine. Consider an automobile alarm or other security devices.Ignore and avoid obnoxious driversdo not engage in argumentor altercations with other drivers.

AUTOMATED TELLER MACHINE(ATM) SAFETY:

Use only ATM's in well-lighted areas and ATM's equippedwith mirrors so that you can see if anyone approaches from threar. Consider using ATM's located inside businesses. Keep PIN (Personal Identification Number) confidentialDo not mark them or other information on the card. Secure cash, card and receipt before walking away. If suspicious people are around the ATM, do not stop. Fin

another machine in a safer location.Trust your instincts. If it does not look or feel safe, use anotherATM elsewhere.

2009 - october - vol 25

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