November2013 - January 2014 The Official Newsletter of the North Briarcliff Civic Association NBCA Board 2014 Art Hansen, President .............................................................404-315-8727 [email protected]Ben Shackleford, Vice-President .................................... [email protected]Donald Vick, Treasurer........................................ [email protected]Cynthia Baur, Secretary ...................................... [email protected]Wanda Walton, Newsletter Editor ...........................................404-451-4317 [email protected]Ralph Carl............................................................. [email protected]Larry Foster............................................................... [email protected]Michael Gross ....................................................... [email protected]Mike Leidner Tom Burrell Val Bruce Deborah Donovan David Lane Aliki Pappas Weakland OFF Board 2013 June Buechner, Gardens ........................................ [email protected]Kyle Johnson, Webmaster................................ [email protected]Beth Nathan .................................................. [email protected]Billie Sherrod, I-85 Interchange Garden ........... [email protected]Sherry Treco-Jones, Gayle Yeager ......................... [email protected]Neighborhood Watch Coordinators Laura Bulbin, Member At Large NBCA PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE by Art Hansen It is highly likely that all registered voters in our neighborhood will have the opportunity next year to vote in a public referendum on whether they want to be incorporated into a new city. If you want your voice to be heard, you must be registered to vote. If you are registered but have not voted for a few years, the redistricting that has occurred may have changed your precinct and polling place. You may register to vote or check your status and current precinct by going to the Georgia Department of State website (http://www.sos.ga.gov) and clicking “My Voter Page.” More information about precincts and polling places may be found at the DeKalb County Voter Registration & Elections (https://www. dekalbvotes.com) website. Your civic association is keeping track of the progress of the various cityhood proposals. We presented and discussed possible cityhood at the annual meeting on October 29th, and we continue to publish news about the proposed cities in this newsletter and on our website (www.northbriarcliff.org). After the Legislature has acted, more specific information will be available about the proposed city, and the date of the referendum will be scheduled. At that time, we will sponsor another well-advertised public meeting to provide you the opportunity to meet and discuss the issue with your neighbors and to answer your questions. In the meantime, if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions about cityhood (or any other civic issue), please contact me via email ([email protected]) or regular mail: North Briarcliff Civic Association 2566 Shallowford Road, suite 104 PMB 132 Atlanta GA 30345-1200
Transcript
November2013 - January 2014The Official Newsletter of theNorth Briarcliff Civic Association
NBCA Board 2014Art Hansen, President .............................................................404-315-8727 [email protected]
Ben Shackleford, Vice-President .................................... [email protected]
Donald Vick, Treasurer ........................................ [email protected]
by Art HansenIt is highly likely that all registered voters in our neighborhood
will have the opportunity next year to vote in a public referendum on whether they want to be incorporated into a new city. If you want your voice to be heard, you must be registered to vote. If you are registered but have not voted for a few years, the redistricting that has occurred may have changed your precinct and polling place. You may register to vote or check your status and current precinct by going to the Georgia Department of State website (http://www.sos.ga.gov) and clicking “My Voter Page.” More information about precincts and polling places may be found at the DeKalb County Voter Registration & Elections (https://www.dekalbvotes.com) website.
Your civic association is keeping track of the progress of the various cityhood proposals. We presented and discussed possible cityhood at the annual meeting on October 29th, and we continue to publish news about the proposed cities in this newsletter and on our website (www.northbriarcliff.org). After the Legislature has acted, more specific information will be available about the proposed city, and the date of the referendum will be scheduled. At that time, we will sponsor another well-advertised public meeting to provide you the opportunity to meet and discuss the issue with your neighbors and to answer your questions.
In the meantime, if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions about cityhood (or any other civic issue), please contact me via email ([email protected]) or regular mail:
North Briarcliff Civic Association2566 Shallowford Road, suite 104PMB 132Atlanta GA 30345-1200
Your Premier Handyman Service CompanyExperienced Quality Craftsmen
The North Briarcliff Newsletter is a publication of KDA Communications. Subject matter published is the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher of this newsletter. Professional advice should be obtained before making any decision in which a professional is readily available. Advertisers assume responsibility for the content of the ads placed in this publication. Material published may not be reproduced without the written permission of KDA Communications.
The information and advertisements contained in this Newsletter are provided for the members of the North Briarcliff Community as a courtesy only. No representations are made as to information presented, the quality of the goods or services advertised, or the veracity of the statements relating to the goods and services. The printing of opinions, information or advertisements does not constitute an endorsement by the Neighborhood of such opinions, information, goods or services.
Contact us today for more information!678.905.4842 • [email protected]
Inside This Issue...
NBCA Contact Information ......... Front Cover
President's Message .................. Front Cover
Current Events ................................Page 4
InstitutionsSchools & Parks .............................Page 7County Government ........................Page 9
We welcome your neighborhood photos and news items for the newsletter; please send to: [email protected]
NORTH BRIARCLIFF CIVIC ASSOCIATION (NBCA)
Communication and Information Report
The NBCA community communicates with its members and the public through:
• Website – http://www/northbriarcliff.org People may click to subscribe to the:
• Neighborhood Watch (local safety-related incidents and safety advice) or
• General Announcements (local happenings of general interest) mailing lists.
• Quarterly newsletter, which is distributed free of charge to all residents (not only the dues-paying members) in the NBCA neighborhood.
• Facebook — North Briarcliff Civic Association
• Twitter — @NorthBriarcliff
• Monthly Board meetings: The Board meets the first Wednesday of every month 7:30-9:00 p.m. in Room 108 (Education Bldg.), 4105 Shallowford Road, Briarcliff United Methodist Church. Members are welcome to attend.
The NBCA officers: Each officer has a specific email address – [email protected]
• Lakeside High School – PTSA -- http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/~lakeside/pages/PTSA/pindex.html
• Mary Scott Nature Park (MSNP): There are links to the park and its support group. From the NBCA website — [email protected]. Friends of MSNP website — www.MaryScottNP.org.
Administrative
4 www.northbriarcliff.org November 2013-January 2014
North Briarcliff Current Events
NBCA HOSTS POLICE APPRECIATION LuNCHEONOn Wednesday, December 4th,
NBCA hosted our Annual Public Safety Appreciation Luncheon to thank our North Central police for their service. North Central Precinct was combined from North and Center precincts in mid-summer, and now serves all of NBCA territory with an expanded number of officers. We celebrated to a full house, with a sumptuous buffet of baked chicken and sides from the Northlake Kroger (Montreal Rd), salad and fruit trays from Chick-Fil-A (Northlake Festival), and wonderful snacks, desserts, and other sides made by very talented NBCA neighbors!
Hosting the event from NBCA were:
Sherry Treco-Jones, Gayle Yeager, Annabeth Balance, Arnold Kurth, Joan Kurth, Robert Keaton, Michal Gross, Bryan Golson, and Carolyn Bruce. In addition to the officers and precinct staff, other guests in attendance were: Public Ed. Specialist, Al Fowler; Asst. Chief Dale Holmes; Major Kevin Ellison; and Captain Voss.
During the luncheon, we also held drawings for gift cards donated by neighbors. This has become a very popular part of our Appreciation Luncheon and officers were excited to win cards for Starbucks Coffee, IHOP meals, ITunes, groceries at Kroger and Publix, lunch at Chick-Fil-A, etc.
This is a highlight that brings smiles to faces and good-humored fun as the anticipation of who will be selected grows!
The Appreciation Luncheon is our way to say thank you to the men and women who keep our neighborhood safe. It takes teamwork between the Police and neighbors to make that happen. We have developed a strong relationship with the DeKalb Police Department. We hope that when you see an officer, you will also take a moment to thank them for their service to our community and county.
Submitted by the NBCA Neighborhood Watch Team
Let Us Hear From You With Your Comments And Questions!
November 2013-January 2014 North Briarcliff 5
North BriarcliffCurrent Events
Chik-FIl-A, Northlake Festival - Sherry Treco-Jones, Brad Spratte,
Owner CFA, Gayle Yeager
Thanks Brad Spratte and Chik-FIL-A Northlake Festival for their
contributions to today's police appreciation luncheon!
Fire Station #22 (Montreal Road) - Carlos Lindsay, Sherry Treco-Jones, Fred McCray
for all thatyou do
FIRE DEPARTMENT APPRECIATIONOn Wednesday afternoon,
December 4th, NBCA neighbors stopped by for a visit at our main Fire Station #22 on Montreal Road. We wanted to say thanks to the team who responds to our neighborhood in the event of a fire or medical emergency. Neighbors shared lots of tasty home baked goodies and gift cards with the team. There were also care packages of snacks to load on the trucks in the event that they aren’t able to get back to the station for a long time.
On a cold, windy, and snowy Christmas Eve several years ago, these brave men and women kept watch through the night over properties on Cravey Trail and Cravey Drive to ensure that a devastating house fire did not spread to adjacent properties. We appreciate what they do for us, and enjoyed talking with Carlos Lindsay and Fred McCray while dropping off goodies.
Submitted by the NBCA Neighborhood Watch Team
6 www.northbriarcliff.org November 2013-January 2014
North Briarcliff Current Events
NEW uGA STuDY FINDS PROPOSED CITY OF LAKESIDE FINANCIALLY SOuNDFeasibility Study Shows No
Property Tax Increase Needed for City Services
ATLANTA (Nov. 21, 2013) – The Lakeside City Alliance today released a newly-completed study by the University of Georgia that shows a proposed city of Lakeside would be financially sound and that revenues would exceed the cost of city services – all without a property tax increase.
The study, conducted by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government (CVI), concludes that the proposed city of 63,000 residents in north-central DeKalb County would generate approximately $35.8 million in yearly revenue. Meanwhile, providing city services, including police, parks, public works, zoning and code enforcement, among other basic services, would cost about $29.9 million annually.
The CVI study compared a new city of Lakeside with Smyrna and Dunwoody, cities of somewhat similar size and population. Highlights of the study include:
• A new city of Lakeside could employ
up to 81 police officers, significantly more than in Dunwoody (46) and almost as many in Smyrna (91). The average number of officers per resident of the new city would be 785 compared to 1,006 residents per officer in Dunwoody and 563 residents per officer in Smyrna.
• A city of Lakeside would have 190 acres of existing parkland with 121 acres at Henderson Park, 29 acres at WD Thompson Park, 24 acres at Pleasantdale Park, 11 acres at the Mary Scott Nature Park, and 6 acres at Frazier-Rowe.
• Under public works, a city of Lakeside could provide road and bridge repair and maintenance and would have an estimated $1.3 million to spend annually. It would have 213 lane miles in its city compared to 273 lane miles in Dunwoody and 450 lane miles in Smyrna.
• The new city would have neither a jail nor courthouse facilities, as it would continue to rely on DeKalb County for those services and others, including water and sewer,
and sanitation and trash pickup.
• Assessed property value in the proposed city boundaries totals approximately $2.5 billion.
The Georgia Legislature will consider the CVI study when it commences in January, 2014. It will review the study as part of legislation introduced by state Sen. Fran Millar (R-Dunwoody) to allow the Lakeside community to vote on incorporation. If the House and Senate agree to a referendum and the governor signs it, then the voters in the proposed Lakeside boundary will vote on incorporation on May 20, the same day as the statewide primary.
LCA has proposed city boundaries of approximately 20 square miles, based upon community input. The boundaries include North Druid Hills Road to the west and southwest, Interstate 85 through DeKalb County to the border with Gwinnett County to the north and I-285 to the Embry Hills community to the northeast. It would include Mercer University, Northlake Mall, Embry Hills and Toco Hills shopping centers among other landmarks.
Ace Hardware of Toco HillsEstablished in 1973.
Quality Goods and Knowledgeable StaffYour Grill Headquarters
2983 North Druid Hills Rd NE, Atlanta (404) 325-8000
November 2013-January 2014 North Briarcliff 7
North BriarcliffInstitutions - Schools & Parks
CITY OF BRIARCLIFF INITIATIVE RELEASES CITY FEASIBILITY STuDYAt a press conference held December
17, 2013, the City of Briarcliff Initiative (COBI) announced the release of their cityhood feasibility study which was prepared by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government (CVIOG). The CVIOG study states that, “We (CVIOG) are confident, however, that looking at currently available revenues and analyzing comparable municipal government expenditures that our study reflects a realistic assessment of likely fiscal feasibility. Based on our analysis, we find that likely available revenues exceed likely expenditures for the services identified to be provided, and therefore conclude that a city comprised of the Briarcliff study area is fiscally feasible.”
To see the full CVIOG study for COBI, please refer to: http://briarcliffga.org/wp-content/uploads/Briarcliff_Report_-_Final5.pdf
Both the Lakeside City Alliance proposal and the City of Briarcliff Initiative proposal include our North Briarcliff community and its neighborhoods. The Lakeside proposal has a population of 63,000 and is approximately 20 square miles. The Briarcliff proposal has a population of 93,000 and is approximately 30 square miles. In the coming weeks, more information should become available about both proposals.
During the 2014 General Assembly session, both proposals will be studied by committees in the Georgia House and the Georgia Senate. After public hearings, and IF a proposal emerges from committee review, both houses of the legislature will then vote whether to approve or disapprove such a proposal for a vote. While no one can predict what the legislature may do, it is not
considered likely that BOTH proposals will make it out of committee review for a floor vote. Only after this legislative process and vote occurs (by the end of March 2014, if not sooner), will we know IF a cityhood proposal will actually appear on the May 20, 2014 General Primary election ballot. IF cityhood is approved by a local vote, then that vote will occur May 20, 2014. IF cityhood is then approved by a simple majority of the voters in its proposed area, two things will then occur.
First, the Governor’s Commission will be sent to work with local leaders as they jointly begin the process of making the numerous arrangements to create an operating city. Second, citizens within the footprint of the new proposed city will likely vote on July 22, 2014 for mayoral and city council candidates. The new mayor and council will then need to quickly move to hire a City Manager and a Police Chief, and begin the process of hiring personnel and identifying city service providers. The new city would then become operational on January 1, 2015.
The services which the new city’s government will retain from DeKalb County (such as sanitation and water-related services) will continue uninterrupted through the use of Intergovernmental Agreements. The services which the new city’s government will begin providing will then become operational January 1, 2015, UNLESS an interim agreement is made with the county to provide some of these services while the new city gets its arrangements in place. Ultimately, the goal and expectation is to seamlessly transition the community into a city with service continuity, IF a new city is created in our area,
Please continue to check the Lakeside City Alliance website (http://lakesidecityalliance.org/), the City of Briarcliff Initiative website (http://briarcliffga.org/), and the North Briarcliff Civic Association website (http://www.northbriarcliff.org/) for updates, announcements, and more information in the coming weeks.
8 www.northbriarcliff.org November 2013-January 2014
Mary-‐Scott Nature Park 4150 Briarcliff Rd. A quiet escape from everyday life for you and your family
Loop trail thru 10 acres of woods ** Kids play area ** Picnic tables
A DeKalb County Park ….supported by Friends of MSNP AND YOU ! FRIENDS of Mary-Scott Nature Park:
Website ............... www.MaryScottNP.org e-Discussion Group ................................. [email protected]
face-to-face meetings 3rd Mondays 7pm, next mtg Jan 2014 2013: Two major projects were funded by a Park Pride matching funds grant supported by matching funds generated by a yard sale, sales of engraved bricks, a donation by NBCA, donations of time by professionals & volunteers. The engraved bricks fundraiser is ongoing; see the website for more info. The first bricks are planned for order & installation in 2014. Thanks to ALL SUPPORTERS!
By the time this newsletter is delivered, the entryway landscaping project's final fencing installation is expected to be complete, as well as repair of the vandalized kiosks. A Trail Map was created in 2013 and will be posted in the repaired kiosks. Professional control of exotic invasive plants will continue during the winter of 2014. THANKS especially to those who were the Friends group worker-‐bee nucleus in 2013: Lou Whiteman, Jenn Sedlack, Shane Griffin, James Penland, Nancy Love, Deborah Donovan, Beth & Bob Nathan.
MORE HELP/PARTICIPATION IS MUCH NEEDED: Outreach/Publicity coordinator Workday leaders (training available) Leaders for projects on the current WishList and other projects you see as important Fundraising event coordinators More people participating via the e-‐Discussion YahooGroup and at face-‐to-‐face public meetings.
2014 – WHAT NEXT? WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP? What would you like to see done next? Choose from the web-‐published WishList or come up with another idea.
Scout, church & club projects welcome! WISHLIST ITEM Location Approx $$ Funded Scheduled Landscape an attractive entry area Main entry $10,000 grant 2013 Professional Invasive Plant Control (bamboo, kudzu, etc) throughout $6,000 grant 2013-‐14 Volunteer Invasive Plant Control (English ivy, privet, etc) throughout minimal ONGOING Replace vandalized plastic in kiosks 3 entrances $550 Friends 2013 Add steps on terraced trail Front east path minimal BlueBird house installation (2 being stored) Needs positioning expertise minimal Maintain Fern trail Overlook W minimal Dig privet stumps at Overlook west walking entrance Overlook W minimal Trace back & core kudzu throughout minimal Develop "Little Library" at MSNP Out front <$150 Boardwalk entrances with switchbacks Overlook E&W <$1,000 New play area (slightly older kids) with simple equipment Front woods <$2,000 Add benches Trail-‐side; gathering spots >$150 ea Add picnic tables Path to Briarcliff >$200 ea Interpretive Signs, phenolic on posts Along trails $1000 ea Deck, approx NxN reflecting the footprint of the old home, with streamside railing and/or built-‐in seating.
Homesite <$5,000
Water fountain w hose bibb, dog fountain Front play/picnic area >$10,000 Install arbor at round concrete per Master Plan Gathering: front >$10,000 Stream bank stabilization & trail Stream >$10,000
Watch www.EmbraceOurGreenspaceRace.org for info about annual fundraiser (3/29/14) benefiting local parks.
November 2013-January 2014 North Briarcliff 9
North Briarcliff
CREATING A LITTLE FREE LIBRARY FOR MARY SCOTT NATuRE PARKby Deborah Donovan
What is a Little Free Library? It’s a “take a book, return a book” gathering place where neighbors share their favorite literature and stories. In its most basic form, a Little Free Library is a box full of books where anyone may stop by and pick up a book and bring back another book to share.
Have you heard about Little Free Libraries? They are showing up in
all kinds of place across the US and worldwide. There are between 5,000 and 6,000 Little Free Libraries throughout the world. Your NBCA would like to put one at Mary Scott Nature Park.
Would you be interested in helping make a little free library for Mary Scott Nature Park? Contact Deborah Donovan at [email protected] or Beth Nathan at [email protected]
And for more information on Little Free Libraries, checkout the website: www.littlefreelibary.org
Institutions - Schools & Parks / Institutions - County Government
DEKALB COuNTY IMPLEMENTS THE “CRYWOLF” ORDINANCE WITH A PRIVATE CONTRACTOR
DeKalb County Interim CEO Lee May announced that on December 1st, a new ordinance was implemented to reduce the number of false alarm activations for the Police and Fire Rescue Departments in the county. Public Safety Corporation, a private contractor located in Maryland, will take over alarm registrations, false alarm notifications, billing, and collections for the county using its proprietary CryWolf software. The agreement between DeKalb County and Public Safety Corporation was approved in April 2013.
Burke Brennan, Press Secretary for DeKalb County, provided the following information.
Alarm system customers and alarm system owners shall pay a punitive assessment for false alarms within any 12 month period according to the following schedule:
Homeowners should keep in mind that for 3 false alarms in a 12-month period, that would be $50 plus $100, for a total of $150. If you have 4 false alarms, it would be a total of $350. The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners approved the alarm ordinance that outlines the fee structure for false alarms.
Here’s the link to frequently asked questions about the new ordinance: http://www.crywolf.us/oss/dekalbcoga/GeneralDocs.aspx?rpt=2
10 www.northbriarcliff.org November 2013-January 2014
North Briarcliff
CITYHOOD REPORTWhy Is This Issue Important To Me?
In 2014, we MIGHT have a chance to vote in the General Primary (scheduled for May 20, 2014) for the creation of a new city which would include our neighborhood. If the voters approve the creation of a new city in this area, some governmental services WILL be provided by the new city as of January 1, 2015, while others will still be provided by the county.
What Has Already Happened?
In 2013, various groups of citizens in north central DeKalb formed to learn about and promote cityhood. State legislators then introduced bills in the 2013 General Assembly session. Two of the proposed cities include the NBCA area (City of Lakeside and City of Briarcliff.) Each group raised $30,000 to pay for a feasibility study conducted by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia. At the time we went to press, the City of Lakeside had received their results from this independent third party which found their proposal financially feasible. The City of Briarcliff expects to get their results shortly. To learn more, check the groups’ websites or go to one of their meetings.
The Lakeside City Alliance http://lakesidecityalliance.orgP.O. Box 451106, Atlanta, GA 31145
City of Briarcliff Initiativehttp://briarcliffga.orgP.O. Box 98276, Atlanta, GA 30359
What Will Happen Next?
In the 2014 legislative session, the General Assembly will
• A. Decide whether or not to approve any cityhood proposal;
And
• B. Determine the boundaries of any legislatively approved cityhood proposal.
Thus, the potential city’s proposed boundaries might not conform to the original boundaries proposed by the Lakeside or Briarcliff proponents. Finally, if the Legislature approves a city proposal that includes the NBCA area, we will be able to vote for or against it in the May 20, 2014 referendum.
What Should I Do Now?
Educate yourself about the issues raised by cityhood. Start by going to the NBCA website (http://www.northbriarcliff.org), and click on the “Municipal Options” link. If you prefer a particular group, volunteer to help and contribute. Contact your legislators to let them know what you think, pro or con.
What Are City Feasibility Studies?
State law requires that any cityhood proposal be evaluated by an approved independent third party for its financial feasibility before legislators consider it. Using conservative methodology, a city proposal is evaluated for its economic resources and expenses. Costs of services are established, anticipated revenues are identified, the tax millage rate is analyzed and the staffing needed to provide proposed services is studied. This “financial blueprint” is then evaluated and compared to other currently operating cities.
How Does A New City Pay For Its Services?
In a revenue-neutral shift of monies, a bit less than 5 cents of each tax dollar
paid to DeKalb County by residential property owners and businesses is transferred back to the new city to pay for the services it will provide. These services can include police and law enforcement, zoning and land use planning, code enforcement, development, business licenses, public works, parks and recreation and general governmental operations. Most DeKalb County cities contract with the county to provide fire and rescue services, sanitation, water and some other services.
What Are Some Advantages Of Cityhood?
More efficient use of taxes to provide better and more responsive services; more transparency and local control over allocating resources; many cities cap their millage rates at levels below the county’s; local representation and greater focus on an area’s issues.
What Are Some Disadvantages Of Cityhood?
Adding another layer of government and officials; concerns about potential tax increases.
What Is The NBCA’s Position On Cityhood?
At this time, the NBCA is neutral about our possible inclusion in a new city. Our priority is to educate all neighbors about the issues. Before any referendum, the NBCA will sponsor a public forum to discuss any specific cityhood proposal, its feasibility and its potential pro’s and con’s. Based on this more specific information, the NBCA might decide to take a position. Ultimately, however, each resident is free to decide what is best for them.
Institutions - County Government
November 2013-January 2014 North Briarcliff 11
North BriarcliffInstitutions - County Government
SuMMARY OF SOME OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THE PROPOSED NEW DEKALB COuNTY ZONING ORDINANCE by Bruce Macgregor
Bruce MacGregor is a certified planner (American Institute of Certified Planners - AICP) and a member of the Zoning Ordinance Advisory Task Force. He is a past president of the Druid Hills Civic Association (DHCA), continues to be a member of the DHCA’s executive committee and land use committee, and used to be the planning director of the Georgia Building Authority. This summary was approved by the DHCA and then presented to the Civic Association Network (CAN) in August 2013.
Why Is This Issue Important?
DeKalb County Commissioners are in the process of reviewing and adopting a new zoning ordinance that will replace the existing zoning code. The new ordinance is hundreds of pages long, and tonight’s talk presents only an overall summary of some of the major problems that are foreseen with the new ordinance.
The new proposed zoning ordinance weakens the Community Councils, compromises pre-application neighborhood meetings that applicants are required to hold, and provides very limited criteria for those who have standing (sufficient connection to a situation to challenge it). Civic associations will not have the standing to challenge zoning decisions.
Some of the most important specific problems are that the proposed new zoning code:
• Severely limits the ability of homeowners and public officials to appeal land use decisions. If only developers and builders have the standing to appeal decisions, then code requirements become irrelevant in protecting neighborhoods.
• Reduces the size of transition buffers between zoning classifications from 50 ft to 30 ft. This is a major problem; most land use conflicts occur around edges and buffers.
• Eliminates the 35 ft height limit on buildings in zones classified for office buildings that abut residential zones, thereby permitting five-story buildings adjacent to single family homes.
• Allows the construction of cell phone towers anywhere without adequate recourse for homeowners and businesses. The extensive section on cell phones in the new proposed zoning code was written by the cell phone industry.
• Provides overly generous density bonuses in many county-wide zones. This eliminates the ability to steer density to those area best suited for higher density.
• Three situations caused problems that were remedied in the current code, but again will become problems with the new proposed code. The new code:
• Exempts previous pavement from lot coverage limits, which enables builders and homeowners to pave all or large portions of their properties.
• Allows administrative reductions of required setbacks and minimum lot sizes.
• Allows for rezonings with embedded variances (“concurrent variance”).
12 www.northbriarcliff.org November 2013-January 2014
North Briarcliff Institutions - County Government
H.E.A.T.—HELP ELIMINATE AuTO THEFTWith the cold winter months and
the holiday’s upon us, the number of stolen vehicles may increase.
Sometimes the owner of the vehicle assists the criminal in accomplishing their crime, by leaving an idling vehicle unattended. Although you may only be 10 feet away, a running vehicle, with the keys inside is very tempting to a passing criminal.
DIAL 911 immediately if you witness an Auto Theft in progress. Provide information on the direction of travel and any description of the vehicle’s occupants. If you have information pertaining to any auto thefts in your area, contact DeKalb Auto Theft Detectives at 770-724-7650.
You can also make your vehicle less enticing to criminals by:
• Always locking your vehicle and moving valuables out of sight;
• Parking in well lighted areas for overnight parking;
• Signing up for the DeKalb Police Department (DKPD) “Watch Your Car” program and host a V.I.N. etching event in your community;
• Using your garage to house your vehicle overnight (if available); and
• Installing a vehicle GPS tracking system.
Ways to possibly avoid becoming a victim of Auto Theft:
• Be prepared to sit in vehicle while it is warming up;
• Never leave an idling vehicle unattended at home or at the gas station;
• Do not leave an extra set of keys inside the vehicle;
• Utilize the security mechanisms installed on the vehicle (alarm, safety locks); and
• Call 911 if you see any suspicious persons or vehicles wondering in your community.
“Remember, if you don’t inform the Police, the Police don’t know what’s happening in your neighborhood.” Al Fowler, Public Education Specialist, DKPD North Central
Contact Information for DeKalb County OfficialsDeKalb County Interim CEO: Lee May 404-371-6271 ........................................................... [email protected]
Superdistrict 7: Stan Watson404-371-3681 ................................................. [email protected]
November 2013-January 2014 North Briarcliff 13
Please remember that YOU are the North Briarcliff Civic Association. Your Board and Off-Board members are volunteer leaders with the same demands on
their time as any other resident. Board and Off-Board members may develop areas of expertise as they cover issues considered important to OUR community. The
Board can take no action on an issue about which it has no information, insufficient volunteer strength or inadequate funding. The Board may respond to requests
with the goal of increasing the involvement of the individuals concerned. If there is an area which you believe needs more attention, you may know more about
that issue than the Board does. We invite you to follow these issues as they progress and encourage you to become active in the NBCA, as a Board or Off-Board
member, a Committee Chair or member, or a as a volunteer. The Board may offer assistance to residents needing information. Nonetheless, it is incumbent upon
every resident to take responsibility for their own acts, make their own decisions and follow up appropriately.
2014 NORTH BRIARCLIFF CIVIC ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP FORM
Your North Briarcliff Civic Association needs your membership. Send check and form to:
North Briarcliff Civic Association – 2566 Shallowford Road, Suite 104, PMB 132 – Atlanta, GA 30345__
Membership in the North Briarcliff Civic Association, Inc. is voluntary and is open to all residents and/or owners of residential property within the Hawthorne Elementary School district as well as such other residents
on bordering streets as may request inclusion. Dues and donations are NOT tax deductible. To join with a credit card or via PayPal, go to www.northbriarcliff.org/membership
Get connected and receive NBCA e-mails about general news and/or Neighborhood Watch alerts. Go to www.norhbriarcliff.org, click on “starburst” & fill in the requested information. Unsubscribe the same way. For address changes, notify [email protected]. Delivery to “Current Resident” ensures delivery to EVERY house and condominium in the NBCA area, member or not, as a service to our residents. Signed articles or letters in our newsletter do NOT necessarily reflect the views of the North Briarcliff Civic Association’s members or its Board, which is non-political.
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alSo avaIlaBlE: oNlINE duES paYmENt & doNatIoNS at www.NorthBrIarclIff.org/mEmBErShIp
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Newsletter or Website Layout/Design Member Recruitment / Benefits Neighborhood Watch Board Service
My Special Interest: Contact me at (phone or email):
Membership in the North Briarcliff Civic Association, Inc. may include all residents and owners of property within the Hawthorne Elementary School district and such other
residents on bordering streets as may request inclusion. Neither dues nor donations are tax deductible.
14 www.northbriarcliff.org November 2013-January 2014
North Briarcliff Institutions - County Government
DEKALB COuNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT by Director William Miller
Winter storms in the southern states can range from drizzling, windy days to moderate snow to blizzard conditions. These weather systems can pass through in a few hours or last for several days. The best time to prepare is now, before the rain, snow, or sleet begin to fall.
Begin By Learning Weather Warning Terminology:
Winter Storm Warning - Issued by the National Weather Service when a winter storm is producing or is forecast to produce heavy snow or significant ice accumulations. The criteria for this warning can vary from place to place.
Winter Storm Watch - Issued by the National Weather Service when there is a potential for heavy snow or significant ice accumulations, usually at least 24 to 36 hours in advance. The criteria for this watch can vary from place to place.
Winter Weather Advisory - Issued by the National Weather
Service when a low pressure system produces a combination of winter weather (snow, freezing rain, sleet, etc.) that present a hazard, but does not meet warning criteria.
Other Things You Can Do:
NOAA Weather Radio - Every home and business should have a NOAA Weather Radio which broadcasts National Weather Service watches, warnings, and forecasts and other hazard information 24 hours a day.
Insulate - Adding insulation to your home can keep heat in and cold out.
Prepare Your Vehicle - Have maintenance service on your vehicle as often as manufacturer recommends. Replace worn tires and check air pressure in your tires.
Prepare a Survival Kit - Keep a Survival Kit in your car. Include the following items: blankets, booster cables, container of water, crackers,
flashlight with extra batteries, a basic first aid kit, tool kit, extra jackets, hats and gloves, a mobile phone with chargers for car and home, a bag of sand or cat litter (to pour on ice or snow for traction), road maps, and brightly colored clothing.
Be Cautious About Travel - Listen for radio or TV reports of travel advisories issued by the National Weather Service.
Do Not Travel In Low Visibility Conditions.
• If you must travel, let someone know your route, destination, and estimated time of arrival.
• If you must report to work, be prepared to stay for 3 to 5 days. Include food, water, bedding, phone chargers, etc., to make your stay more comfortable.
For more information, see ReadyGA.gov.
November 2013-January 2014 North Briarcliff 15
North Briarcliff
NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH (NW) REPORT by Sherry Treco-Jones
NBCA NW Coordinating Team: Michael Gross (NBCA board member), Sherry Treco-Jones, and Gayle Yeager (off-board members) NBCA NW Network: 32 Block Captains and 3 Volunteers in Patrol (VIP)/Ambassadors
Contact Information: First, call 911 to report incidents or suspicious people, then report incidents on www.northbriarcliff.org and to your block captain
• For code compliance questions or issues: contact [email protected]
• To become a VIP/Ambassador, call the North Central Precinct
• For up-to-date information on incidents:
• Sign up for a NW Alert on www.northbriarcliff.org
• Go to North Briarcliff Civic Association Facebook page and ‘like’ us
• Check www.crimemapping.com - find incidents by address, by
crime for our area
Purpose of NW: This is (1) a neighborhood communications network among neighbors, (2) a collaborative effort between community and the police, (3) an important tool that neighbors may use to reduce their crime concerns, and (4) a source of information for neighbors on how to detect suspicious activity and what actions they may take to deter certain crimes from possibly occurring.
North Central Police Precinct: 1960 West Exchange Place, Tucker 30084 (770-724-7600) Commander: Major
Community - Security & Safety
NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR – PLEASE DRIVE SAFELY!Our family has been part of the
North Briarcliff community since 1999 – first living on Talisman Court for a number of years and then returning last year (after a 5-year absence), to our present home on Cosmos Drive. We love this neighborhood and are so happy to raise our children in such an appealing neighborhood, inside the perimeter.
There are many wonderful things about our neighborhood – the people, the beautiful well maintained yards, the trees, and, of course, the walkability. My family and I enjoy being able to get out every day for walks and bike rides, and to explore the many different routes throughout the neighborhood. One of the things that makes it a little less enjoyable is when we encounter vehicles moving too fast and drivers who are preoccupied on cell phones. And, unfortunately, we encounter these on a far too frequent basis.
In the year that we have lived on Cosmos, there have been two traffic incidents in front of our property. The first was this summer when our yard caretaker was parked with his truck and trailer on the road. He and I were talking in the front yard, and a car came careening (yes, careening!) over the hill and hit his trailer. We were standing not 15 feet away. Unfortunately, the driver did not stop. The second incident was one month ago when our friends were pulling into our driveway and were rear-ended just before turning in. Fortunately, the gentlemen did stop and all was sorted out.
Most importantly, when we walk with our children, especially on Cosmos Drive which seems to be quite the pass through into the neighborhood, we are frequently nervous and scared for their safety. I ask that, neighbor to neighbor, we all make a real, conscious,
and daily effort to keep our vehicle speed to 25mph or less. I know we all want to get wherever we are going, but I sincerely believe that the 1 to 3 minutes more it may take us to get out of the neighborhood, or arrive at our homes, by sticking to 25mph is more than worth it.
While it would be ideal if the entire neighborhood had a stream of connecting sidewalks to make walking safer, that is not our reality. If we can all pledge to drive 25mph or less, then there will be no need for traffic surveys and unnecessary costs to assess and install speed bumps.
So, neighbor to neighbor, let’s take extra care every day to continue to make this a safe and enjoyable place to live.
With thanks,
Aliki Pappas Weakland
16 www.northbriarcliff.org November 2013-January 2014
North Briarcliff Community - Security & Safety
Voss and 120 officers The DeKalb Police Department (DKPD) recently merged two precincts. Now the entire NBCA neighborhood is under the North Central Precinct, and the precinct headquarters are nearby. The benefits of the merger for the NBCA include having more officers (20-25 officer increase) in our area, continuity in command and officers, and full-fledged specialty police teams in addition to DKPD’s task forces and other specialty teams. The precinct’s two specialty teams are:
• NET (Neighborhood Enforcement Team): 7-10 officers who focus on and saturate neighborhoods with particular crime issues
• Burglary Suppression Team: focus specifically on burglaries, often with officers in plainclothes
The most prevalent crime in NBCA is entering autos. The general response time is 5-10 minutes, even quicker in higher priorities, such as a crime in
progress, homicide, etc. A lower number of incidents have been reported in 2013.
Community Safety Education and Information: The DKPD offers public safety events throughout the year, including IN THE KNOW educational sessions quarterly with practical tips, insights and information on varied crime issues. Check DKPD website for the calendar.
GETTING A STREET LIGHT REPLACED OR INSTALLED— ONE NEIGHBOR’S ExPERIENCEby Leo Weakland
Our house is located near the intersection of Cosmos Drive and Flair Knoll. Recently, we began to notice an odd assortment of discarded objects at the end of our driveway: a lighter, cigarette butts, and an empty bottle or two. We assumed these items were from careless drivers tossing them from their cars as they roar up and down Cosmos Drive. Then one evening, I stepped outside and walked down to the end of the driveway and noticed how dark it was. Dark because the only streetlights burning were around the corner on Flair Knoll (at least 300 yards away) and on the top of the hill on Cosmos Drive – about 500 yards from the stop sign at Flair Knoll. It was then I realized that our driveway- and the light wooded area between our driveway and the stop sign at Flair Knoll - had either become an after dark gathering spot or the sight where someone stopped to keep an eye on our house. Both of these possibilities were of concern for both me and my wife.
The next morning, I noticed a streetlight was actually placed on a telephone pole in front of our adjacent
neighbor’s house going up the hill, but it had not been working the previous night. I happened to have the day off, so I wondered what I could do to increase the security lighting in front of our house. I figured replacing a burned out streetlight was an easy fix. It was with one phone call that I found out how to get a streetlight repaired and how to get a new one installed.
By calling Georgia Power’s Residential Customer Service line at 1-888-660-5890, I learned it was their responsibility to repair any non-working streetlights. As such, you can report this sort of outage by either calling them or by filling out an online request form by accessing this web link: https://customerservice.southerncompany.com/ContactUs.aspx?mnuOpco=gpc&mnuType=res&nav=top_cus_cu
If you would like to have an additional streetlight installed on your street, you need to call Mr. Mark Waites, who works for DeKalb County, at 770-492-5296. Mr. Waites will assess whether your security concern and that of the county’s align. If so, Mr. Waites will work with
Georgia Power to ensure an additional streetlight is installed.
So far, my experience with these two issues has been a mixed bag. Georgia Power replaced the burned out streetlight bulb in less than 5 days after the outage was reported. As for the installation of the new light, Mr. Waites provided a prompt assessment and found a new streetlight was warranted and submitted an immediate order to Georgia Power for the installation in mid-October. I admit to not being sure of the standard response time for the installation of a streetlight, but assumed it would be in 10 days or less. However, in the absence of the installation, I called Mr. Waites who then called Georgia Power and was given an install date of November 25th. A call to Georgia Power made it known that we need to continue to work through Mr. Waites to ensure the install is done. The good news is that by continuing to follow-up with DeKalb County and Georgia Power, the new streetlight was finally installed on December 2nd.
November 2013-January 2014 North Briarcliff 17
North Briarcliff
SHEEP ARRIVE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD!by Wanda Walton
We recently purchased an inaccessible lot behind our house that had been overgrown with English ivy and other invasive plants over the years. There were also many dead trees in the lot, some still standing. And the ivy was growing up all of the trunks of the trees in this area making for an unhealthy situation for the remaining live trees.
We had read that goats and sheep have a reputation for eating vegetation that most other grazing animals would not touch such as privet, kudzu, honeysuckle, and English ivy. This trait has made them popular for landowners who need to clear brush or invasive plants from overgrown parcels. Using sheep and goats to clear out unwanted brush, called targeted grazing, also protects the environment from harsh chemicals often used to kill weeds and other invasive plants.
We talked with Jennif Chandler, owner of Shady Brook Farm in Colbert, Georgia. She had done some work with the University of Georgia using sheep to clear out areas over-run with invasive plants that are not native to this area. It sounded good to us, so 10 sheep from Shady Brook Farm arrived on Hawthorne Drive on December 5th and immediately started eating the ivy. Before they arrived, we informed our neighbors of the upcoming event and invited them to come over and watch the sheep from our back yard…or their own
back yard if it adjoined the property!
It generally takes 10 days for 10 sheep to clear a 1 acre lot. The lot behind our house is 1 ½ acres, so it should take about 10 days to 2 weeks for the sheep to do the job. This will also allow us to remove the vines from the trees in this area to promote healthy growth. Because the property is so overgrown with ivy, we will probably need to have the sheep return in another year to get anything they missed.
We did have some responsibilities with the sheep, such as keeping their water bucket filled, giving them hay as a supplement to the steady diet of ivy, and providing them with treats of dried corn so that we could gather them up and count them at least once a day. (Yes, we heard all the jokes about counting sheep!)
If you want to try an eco-friendly way of getting rid of invasive plants, check out having some sheep visit you. Just remember, they will eat every plant they see….including your prize day lilies if they get close to them!
If you are interested in finding out if sheep may be helpful in clearing invasive plants in your yard, you can reach Jennif Chandler at 706-248-3745 or by e-mail at [email protected].
Community - Gardens
18 www.northbriarcliff.org November 2013-January 2014
North Briarcliff
NBCA 2014 ENTRY BEAuTIFICATION LANDSCAPING GRANTSby Michael Gross
Your NBCA is excited to continue to sponsor a fantastic program for 2014 to keep our neighborhoods blooming! It’s an ongoing beautification project, and it’s open to established garden clubs or well-organized ad hoc groups. Congratulations to Briarmoor Manor who most recently was awarded the grant.
Here’s the deal: Apply for one of three matching grants of up to $500 each. These will combine with funds raised by your organization to help pay
for ‘entry-area’ landscaping at three sites in our neighborhoods. There are approximately 16 locations that qualify as entry-area (intersecting streets leading into neighborhoods, allowing access into and out of our community. Qualifying side streets feed into Briarcliff or Shallowford Roads. Grab some neighbors and get organized!
Details and the application are posted on the NBCA website:
h t t p : / / n o r t h b r i a r c l i f f . o r g /news/99-landscaping-grant
Deadline for submission for 2014 is March 31st.
Applicants are expected to contribute at least the maximum matching funds of each grant ($500), and must submit a design and plan for review. Get more information by calling Michael Gross at 404-636-7887 or [email protected]
When Neighbors get together and take leadership roles things, start to happen that benefit all of us.
SuPPORTING YOuR NORTH BRIARCLIFF CIVIC ASSOCIATION The NBCA is YOUR community
association. This is a lively and diverse neighborhood, and we try to present all sides of an issue in our programs. We believe that this even-handed approach works best most of the time for most of our neighbors.
Your Association helps fund some important amenities in our neighborhood, including projects at Mary Scott Nature Park, our entry-
area beautification program, and the fingerprint kits that are provided by our Neighborhood Watch (NW) for many area parents to use. Each of the 1,400 homeowners in this neighborhood receives every newsletter and every postcard mailing for free, whether or not that family pays membership dues, and the NBCA maintains a free and open website.
We hope that more and more of you will support your association by paying your $25.00 annual dues.
We also ask you to consider supporting the companies that advertise in our newsletter. That advertising reduces the cost of the newsletter, and the funds we save on the newsletter are put back into the community in a variety of ways.
Community - Gardens
November 2013-January 2014 North Briarcliff 19
North BriarcliffCommunity - Calendar
January 2014
Wed. 1/08 NBCA Board Meeting 7:30-9 pm BriarcliffUMCSun. 1/12 Mindfulness - Stress Reduction Orientation 5-6 pm ShallowfordTues. 1/14 Mindfulness - Stress Reduction Orientation 7-8 pm Pres. ChurchThu. 1/16 2d and 3d grade musical performance Hawthorne ESThu. 1/16 Preschool Prospective Parent Open House 10-11 am SPChurchMon. 1/20 Martin Luther King Day Holiday Dekalb Schools & St. Pius X closedMon. 1/21-3/11 Mindfulness - Stress Reduction sessions, Tuesday 7-9 pm SPChurch
February 2013
Mon. 2/3 Preschool Open Registration begins 9 am SPChurch AtriumWed. 2/5 NBCA Board Meeting 7:30-9 pm Briarcliff UMCFri. 2/7 "Pete the Cat" - Musical & Book Signing 6-8:30 pm SPChurchMon. 2/17 Presidents' Day Holiday DeKalb schools & St. Pius X closedThu. 2/20 PTSA Meeting 6:30 pm Henderson MS.Fri. 2/21 Movie Night Hawthorne ES
March 2013
Mon. 3/3 Dr. Seuss Day Hawthorne ESMon. 3/3 Summer Fun Camp Open Registration 9 am SPChurch AtriumWed. 3/5 NBCA Board Meeting 7:30-9 pm BriarcliffUMCW-Sat. 5/8 Spring Musical 7 pm St. Pius XFri. 3/7 4th and 5th grade choir performs @ Lakeside HS 9 am Lakeside HSFri. 3/7 School Council Meeting 8 am Henderson MSSun. 3/9 Spring Musical 2 pm St. Pius XSun. 3/9 DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME BEGINSM-F 3/10-14 Preschool Book Fair Wed. 3/12 Food Trucks in parking lot 5:30-8:30 pm SPChurchFri. 3/14 Bingo Night with meal & prizes Hawthorne ESM-F 3/17-21 Book Fair Henderson MS
April 2013
Wed. 4/2 Career Day Hawthorne ESThu. 4/3 Kindergarten and 1st Grade Music Program Hawthorne ESM-F 4/7-11 Spring Break Dekalb schools & St. Pius X closed
NORTH BRIARCLIFF COMMuNITY CALENDAR JANuARY 15 THROuGH APRIL 15, 2014
Because schedules change, please contact the organizations sponsoring events which interest you to verify dates and times. Several community churches host a variety of events open to the public.
At Briarcliff United Methodist Church (BUMC) – Offerings include Boy Scout and Cub Scout
troop meetings; adult and family general interest events; various support groups; Kiwanis “Golden ‘K’” Club meetings; adult dance and yoga classes; and other events. Call Paula Daniel at 404-321-3854.
At Shallowford Presbyterian Church (SPC) – Offerings include adult and family general interest
events; musical programs; and events for children. Call the church office at 404-321-1844.
To include your organization’s scheduled events for the April 15 to June 30, 2014 Community Calendar, please e-mail them to Laura Bulbin at [email protected] no later than December 1, 2013.
20 www.northbriarcliff.org November 2013-January 2014
North Briarcliff Community - Announcements
RuNNING/JOGGING BuDDIES WANTED
by Art Hansen
This is an attempt to establish communication and a dialogue among some of the runners/joggers in the NBCA neighborhood. I want to continue training and running, but hate to run alone. Hopefully there are other runners nearby who also would like to identify running/jogging buddies. With even a small loosely organized group, we would be able to work out ways and times to run in pairs or small groups.
Please contact me (Art Hansen) by email ([email protected]) or phone (404-315-8727) if you are interested in exploring this idea of identifying running buddies.
COMMuNITY VOLuNTEERS NEEDED
Zoning / Code Enforcement Team
We need neighbors to help us monitor developments within our community by looking for DeKalb County signs indicating that property may be subject to zoning changes. We also need neighbors to attend County Commission meetings, Board of Zoning Appeals hearings, and related matters. Those who would like to learn a bit more about our land and its uses are encouraged to contact NBCA President, Art Hansen at [email protected]. If you’d like to attend daytime meetings or evening meetings, you are needed!
We also have a need for neighbors who can help keep an eye open for potential violations of the DeKalb County Zoning and Land Use Code. Again, materials and training are available, and we can work with your schedule. These are interesting and important matters that can materially affect our quality of life. You are needed, and we’d like to add some new members to the team!
Community Council Service
We need neighbors to attend the monthly Community Council meetings, usually held at an area public library. This is a forum where attendees learn about potential new projects in the area and have an opportunity to give feedback to the county’s Development Department. Each area has its own Community Council, which functions similarly to a Neighborhood Planning Unit. This is another way we can effectively track what is going on in our neighborhood and in the areas adjacent to us.
Please be aware that there are many new projects in the proverbial pipeline that may or may not be good for our area or our community at large. The volume of these projects is about to increase, and we need to monitor things carefully. The NBCA recognizes that we need far greater coverage in these areas, and urges neighbors to volunteer and make a contribution of 2-4 hours per month to our community. Thanks for your help!
Database Manager
The NBCA needs someone to manage our simple membership database on a monthly basis. The actual time should be no more than 2-4 hours each month. If interested, there is also the opportunity to help in membership development. You can work from your home at a schedule that makes sense for you.
We have been cable subscribers since we got our own apartment back in the early 2000’s. It was always just a piece of the household budget, and never got a second thought. We switched from Comcast to AT&T U-Verse a few years ago, and were actually quite pleased with both services. We never really had a major problem with either.
But after having a child and going down to one income, we knew we needed to examine our budget much more closely. As anyone with a baby knows, free time is fleeting when it exists at all. We decided we were tired of paying $150/month for Internet and TV service we barely watched.
So we took stock of our viewing habits and realized that 90% of the TV shows we were watching were from one of the alphabet broadcasters (ABC, FOX, CBS, NBC, PBS, etc.) that are broadcasting over-the-air (OTA).
Research:
We started running through the scenario of not having cable TV. How could we get the programming we wanted without paying the high cost of the programming we didn’t want? It seemed that 2 online services would give us everything we wanted: Hulu Plus and Aereo.
For $8/month, Hulu Plus has almost every recent episode for every show on ABC, FOX, and NBC (you just have to wait a day or two after the original air date). For another $8/month, Aereo will give you online access to all OTA broadcasts in your area. It includes a 20 hour DVR and access to live TV and the DVR for up to 5 devices. Then we also got a $20 HD Antenna for each TV to watch the OTA broadcasts.
It seems like we are ready to go. But wait! We don’t want to be limited to watching TV on the computer, and we don’t want to hook up a computer to every TV. Enter the Roku3. The Roku3 is a $99 device that will plug directly into your TV via HDMI cable and connects to the internet over your WiFi (or Ethernet). There are no monthly fees associated with the Roku. And it has both a Hulu Plus and Aereo app (and hundreds more)!
Results:
We canceled our $150/month Internet/TV service and signed up for just Internet (at double our current speed) with Comcast for the introductory rate of $30/month (will increase to $57), bought 2 Roku
3’s, and signed up for Hulu Plus and Aereo. The math adds up to a savings of $858 the first year and $954 the 2nd! We have been very pleased, and can’t believe we wasted all that money on Cable TV all these years.
Issues:
The only trouble I really had with our setup was sports. The Braves are only on cable now and of course ESPN doesn’t broadcast OTA. The Braves are blacked out in Atlanta on MLB.TV. If you are a fan of another baseball team (or are familiar with using the Tor Browser), then MLB.TV remains a good option for you (and has a Roku app). And if you have a cable subscription somewhere else (or legal access to a subscriber username and password), there is a WatchESPN app for Roku that works beautifully! The NFL on FOX, CBS, and NBC is still easily seen (and DVR’ed) through Aereo or with an antenna.
Disclaimer:
Aereo is currently being sued in Federal court. We will have to see if the service sticks around. If not, I can always go back to my $20 HD Antenna I bought from Big Lots.
Community - Announcements
22 www.northbriarcliff.org November 2013-January 2014
North Briarcliff
Do You Enjoy Reading Your KDA Neighborhood Newsletter?
Would you like to earn extra income every month,
while at the same time, help support your neighborhood?KDA Communications is looking for part-time sales reps in your area. Working from home, you control your schedule and your income. Typical part-time KDA sales reps average $1000 to $2500 per month in commission income, and full-time reps earn even more.
Previous print advertising sales experience a plus but not required.
Please contact Andy at 678-905-4842 or email resumes to
COLD AND COuGH MEDICINES: INFORMATION FOR PARENTS From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
It's winter, and parents may be tempted to reach for over-the-counter medicines to ease their child's sniffling and coughs. But safety concerns have prompted drug manufacturers to change their labels stating that cough and cold medicines should NOT be given to children younger than age 4. Parents can take steps to help keep their children safe.
Each year, thousands of children under age 12 go to emergency rooms after taking over-the-counter cough and cold medicines. Most of these children were unsupervised when they took the medicine.
In response to safety concerns, the leading manufacturers of children's cough and cold medicines voluntarily changed the labels on these products to state that they should not be used in children younger than 4 years of age.
Previously, the labels stated that these medicines should not be given to children under age 2. Products with the old labels will not be removed immediately from store shelves but are expected to gradually be replaced with products bearing the new labels. Doctors and nurses should be aware of the new labels and alert parents and caregivers about this important change. Parents can help protect their children by doing the following:
Do• Throw away old cold and cough medicines labeled for
children less than age 4.• Read the label carefully to see what ingredients are in any
medicine you give your child.
Don't• Don't leave any medicines where your child might be able
to reach them.• Don't tell children that medicine is candy.• Don't take adult medicines in front of your child.• Don't give children younger than age 4 any medicines
intended for older children.• Don't give your child two medicines that contain the same
ingredients.
For tips on safely managing coughs and colds, talk to your child's doctor or your pharmacist.
CDC.GOV/PARENTS
ADOPT YOUR NEXT DOG FROM Green Pets America Humane Society
No kill shelter and adoption centerVolunteer & Foster Homes Needed!
1432 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock GA 30189VickiGPA@ gmail.com - www.GreenPetsAmerica.com
Community - Announcements
A/C & Heating ServicesR & D Mechanical Services - 770-917-1795
Early Learning/Child DevelopmentPrimrose School of Five Forks - 770-985-0028
Hospital/Health SystemsNortheast Georgia Medical Center www.nghs.com
