Community voice

REDISTRICTING

We owe a hearfelt "thank you" to our Councilmember Cathy Woolard for her gallant efforts to keep Midtown in District 6. First we are indebted to her for her timely alert on April 19, 2001 making us aware of Councilmember Sherry Dorsey's last-minute, sneaky attempt to re-align Midtown into her District 5. This was totally inappropriate and a complete misalignment. The very next morning, the undersigned dispatched thirteen e-mails to thirteen Councilmembers, opposing strongly to the new map and urging every Councilmember to vote against the realignment of Midtown into District 5.

The battle continued in the ensuing days when Cathy Woolard introduced a map known as Alternative #7 which affected Lake Claire, Candler Park and Druid Hills, but kept Midtown in District 6 and brought in Ansley Park from District 7 into District 6. On April 26, 2001 Councilmember Dorsey introduced new maps in an attempt to overcome Alternative #7. This political maneuvering continued until April 30, 2001 when Councilmember Dorsey introduced a new map, known as Alternative #11 which seemed to have the support of the majority of the City Council, in spite of Cathy Woolard's opposition.

Finally, on May 7, 2001 Alternative #11 was approved by the Council, in spite of a last minute motion by Cathy Woolard to have map #7 replace map #11. Her motion was defeated by a vote of 9 to 6. The last three weeks have been a roller coaster of ups and downs but what truly counts is Cathy's successful combat to keep Midtown in District 6. She has earned our admiration and a well-deserved "thank you".

Editor's Corner

MNA'S PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING
The regular monthly Public Safety Committee meeting was held last Tuesday evening at Mary Mac's Tea Room. There were close to forty residents who attended the meeting. MNA Vice President Jannie Gerds and declared candidate for the Atlanta City Council District 6, opened the meeting with some short comments relating to the recent crime in Midtown and turned the meeting over to Sgt. Bell who engaged himself in a lively question/answer session which lasted more than an hour. Sgt. Bell handled himself well against a barrage of questions, comments and suggestions all relating to crime.

Sgt. Bell was accompanied by his collegue Sgt. Clifton L. Johnson who was introduced to the audience by Jannie Gerds. Among the several suggestions made, the most meaningful ones were made by Sgt. Bell and Josh Lieberman of 338 7th Street. Sgt. Bell indicated that he and his collegues can make all the arrests of criminals but the end result rests with the judge presiding over the case. The punishment can range from 6 days to 180 days of imprisonement. It depends on the judge. He suggested that we should invite a judge as a guest speaker in one of our future meetings and ask him how he disposes of a criminal case. What critiria he uses in imposing punitive measurements. The suggestion was well received by the audience.

Josh, a victim himself of burglary a few months ago, to the tune of \\$12,000.00 of stolen property, recommended that we should employ off duty officers, thus having a greater presence of police officers in our neighborhoods. He stated that he had checked with other communities, like North Druid Hills, who employ off duty officers and that the residents were very satisfied. Crime in North Druid Hills is down. He promised to do a more thorough research and present his figures in the next meeting. Josh made a reference to the $26,000 net profit the Association derived from the Home Showing Show. He suggested part or all of it can be appropriated to hiring off duty police officers. Carolyn Stapleton responded by stating that the Home Showing Show was a special project and there can be no guarantee of continuity either in form or in income. Therefore, the funding of off duty officers should not be tied to special projects. Sgt. Bell reiterated that the addition of off duty officers will definitely have an impact on crime in Midtown.

The second half of the meeting was devoted to the guest speaker William Costa who is running for the Atlanta City Council At-Large post, to be vacated by Councilmember Julia Emmons who has declared her candidacy for the Presidency of the Atlanta City Council which will be vacated when the current occupant Robb Pitts makes his formal announcement to run as Mayor of Atlanta.

In citing his biographical background, Will stated that he has been a resident of Georgia for the past 27 years and what prompted him to run for government, in addition to the financial renumeration, has been the Water Department. More specifically, the infrastructure which has been neglected and poorly planned to meet the growth of Atlanta. His slogan has been "Creative Solutions for Complex Problems.". Indeed, the new councilmembers, including the new Mayor, when elected to office this November, they will be faced with a variety of complex problems which will require drastic and financially expensive solutions. According to Will, you do not treat the symptom, you treat the problem.

We wish Will the best of success in his campaign during the forthcoming months.

James C. Stathis
Associate Editor