Monday, February 25, 2019

Community Meeting notes (2/25/2019)

Swag for your porch! Thanks to Rebecca Huynh Thongkham
for adapting her winning MANA logo design.
Brief notes from tonight's meeting:

Unveiled, and available for pre-order soon.... the MANA banner!  We still have pillows available... Paypal purchase options coming soon.

Medlock Neighborhood Patrol: membership is on a revolving basis (renewable once/year from the date when you first sign up). Leslie gave us some examples of how having a patrol presence has helped address concerns very quickly. https://medlockpatrol.org/

ICS will hold a lantern parade again this year on Friday March 1, 6-7:30pm. They start at the Medlock Park pavillion, proceed on to Gaylemont, Desmond, Scott and back to the park. They are looking for volunteers. If you can assist, email iptso@icsgeorgia.org

Fernbank PTA representatives gave lots of great information about what to expect following our redistricting to Laurel Ridge. They emphasized visiting the Fernbank PTA (Foundation) website https://www.fernbankelementary.com/ (this is a separate, complementary website to the school district website at http://www.fernbankes.dekalb.k12.ga.us/).
- there will be a new family open house on March 13
- parent tours are available monthly
- clubs
Sample of club offerings at
Fernbank Elementary. Click to enlarge.
- play date for new families on May 4 (3-5pm)
- Fernbank's annual PTA fundraiser is on March 15 (Trolley Bar at Inman Park)
- Summer camps will be available for students newly redistricted to Fernbank (as well as all students in the cluster). They will cover they whole month of June, $125 per child per week, 8am -5pm. Registration deadline is in April.
- They have a music teacher (chorus for 4th graders, band for 5th graders; strings taught in middle school).
- art program for all students
- carpool is very efficient
- Parents with questions should contact the front office.
- pre-K lottery on March 13
Also see our previous post on redistricting here.

School facts, pg. 2.
The Fernbank PTA members also shared these documents:

School facts. Click to enlarge.
Theresa took a moment to celebrate and appreciate Larry Diehl's long commitment to service through his participation in the DeKalb Planning's Community Council. Larry is stepping down after many many years representing our area. The Community Council meets 6 times/year and reviews proposals pertaining to District 2 (special land use and zoning). The Commissioners consider recommendations from their staff and the Community Council as they deliberate proposals brought to the County for consideration. If you might be interested in serving in this committee, please contact medlockassoc@gmail.com for more information.

Theresa gave a zoning update that pretty much followed her report on our latest newsletter (pdf). Please see her article as well as a Q&A with Commissioner Rader that focused on the withdrawal of plans for North DeKalb Mall's redevelopment.

The need for a left-turn signal at the Medlock intersection was brought up.  Given this intersection is controlled by GDOT, we discussed that it may be time to bring our concerns to our state representatives. Also, we should soon see some improvements to signals and crosswalks for the intersection.

Jonah McDonald, the new park naturalist for Medlock Park, Mason Mill Park, Ira B. Melton Park and the South Peachtree Creek PATH, greeted the audience and explained he has been directed to:
1) to coordinate volunteer efforts at these parks
2) develop programs for the public (such as nature and history hikes, he's also a story teller)
3) be a presence in the parks and coordinate maintenance and safety concerns/requests.
Jonah's office is at the Senior Center at Mason Mill Park but he's at the trails regularly.
We had featured Jonah's book (Hiking Atlanta's Hidden Forests) a few years back as it included hikes as it referenced our neighborhood's Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve and the South Peachtree Creek PATH.
Jonah's in the process of setting up a Facebook page and already can be followed on Instagram and Twitter.






Ed Fowler reminded us of "CAKE with a Cop" at City BBQ. They are apparently serving chocolate cake instead of coffee! This is on Wednesday Feb 27.









The last order of business was an uncontested (re)election of MANA president (Lynn Ganim), vice-president (Sharon Johnson), Secretary (Ted Ward, new role, although he remains as our greenspace coordinator too) and Treasurer (Charlie Charoenlap). Thank you for your service, folks!
Thanks to all who attended!