Clayton Talk

According to a survey taken a few years ago, Morrow residents wanted a “downtown” created in their area.  The City of Morrow is granting their wish, while managing to tie in some Georgia history as well.

The Olde Towne Morrow concept originally started in 2006.  By using homes built in the 1800s (and one from the 1900s), an old-town atmosphere was created containing modern day businesses. “All of the houses have a unique, neat history behind them,” says Jessica Kilby, Main Street Coordinator for the City of Morrow.  For example, the Gordon House once belonged to former Georgia governor General John B. Gordon and was later bought by George Woodruff of Coca-Cola. “We researched the name and it has some Scottish history behind it, so it was convenient that the Irish pub (Maguire’s) will be housed there, “adds Kilby.

Expected to debut on Nov. 27 (Black Friday) are: Maguire’s, Incredible Southern Poundcakes, Designs by Dolores, Old Town Quilts, specialty Christmas …

Continue reading Olde Towne Morrow makes its debut »

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I spent the weekend getting ready for the holidays – cleaning house, pulling out decorations, etc. Last year the holidays weren’t great, but we’re looking forward to enjoying them in 2009.

Recently, my hubby asked if I’d like to go out, or order dinner in for Thanksgiving. Although my co-worker swears by Piccadilly’s Thanksgiving dinner, I plan on cooking. This is one of the traditions my family still enjoys, and I actually look forward to the work.

Will you cook Thanksgiving dinner this year, or just indulge at someone else’s house? What Thanksgiving traditions can your family not live without? Are you looking forward to the holidays or will you be glad when they come and go?

I also understand that Jonesboro’s Christmas Parade is canceled due to Streetscape construction this year.  I’ll miss this parade, but am …

Continue reading Looking forward to the holidays? »

Victor Hill may have been voted out as sheriff in 2008, but his actions still affect our county, unfortunately.

Recently, Anthony J. McMichael, senior pastor of Jonesboro’s Mt. Nebo Baptist Church was charged with impersonating an officer by flashing a badge allegedly provided to him by Hill, in order to beat a Douglas county speeding ticket. This is the same badge McMichael denied having when the Clayton County Sheriff’s Department asked him to return it earlier this year, according to the present sheriff.

Incredulously, McMichael stated via ajc.com that, “It was the vindictive spirit of Clayton County to go after any association with Victor Hill.” Perhaps McMichael should have been more careful who he associated with given Hill’s track record during his lone term as sheriff.

Current sheriff’s employee badges have been replaced (thanks to Sheriff Kem Kimbrough) so that Clayton residents don’t have to wonder or worry about who they’re dealing with if ever approached …

Continue reading Ghost of sheriff past »

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As if kids don’t deal with enough negativity on their own time, a love letter involving a trio of educators posted on Facebook by Rex Mill Middle School teachers literally thrust personal drama into the classroom.

So-called “professionals” fighting (be it physical or verbal) and using profanity on school property in front of students is unacceptable. Of course, women clashing over men isn’t a new phenomenon, and I am in no way absolving parents of their responsibilities or implying kids don’t use foul language themselves. But with such a horrible example(s) being set by these teachers in front of very young, impressionable students, it’s no wonder kids believe they can get away with anything, anywhere and anytime they see fit because there appear to be no …

Continue reading No winners when teachers fight »

Halloween rarely falls on a Saturday, and there’s plenty of fun stuff going on in Clayton this year. The best part for families is most county events are FREE.

The city of Morrow and its Police Department co-host their traditional Safe Halloween festivities (6-9 PM) at Olde Town Morrow (adjacent to Southlake Mall), providing a safe environment for kids to enjoy the holiday.  Activities include inflatables, games, entertainment and of course, trick or treating.  They have also partnered with a student group from Clayton State University who will host a haunted house inside one of the homes.

Although admission is free for the Safe Halloween events, three new restaurants will be making their Olde Town Morrow debut: Maguires, an Irish pub and restaurant; City Harbor, a seafood restaurant, and for dessert, Incredible Southern Poundcakes.

Clayton County International Park will host its First Annual Fall Festival (FREE admission AND parking; 3-9 PM). There will be music, games, …

Continue reading Halloween fun in Clayton »

C-Tran riders vowed to fight the Board of Commissioners’ decision to end bus service, and they aren’t wasting any time.  A protest will take place on Oct. 24, led by a Marietta-based activist group called the New Order National Human Rights Organization.

I realize this opinion may not be popular, but I believe those four Commissioners did the right thing by ending C-Tran service.  Financially speaking, it needed to happen as the county was hemorrhaging money to fund it.  Unlike many other states, Georgia does not subsidize local public transportation.

Chairman Eldrin Bell was the lone holdout to keep C-Tran, and stated publicly he will use all resources at his disposal to keep the system running.  This includes asking the state to allow an airport sales tax increase that could bring in $3 million annually.  Other options are to ask the legislature and Clayton voters to support another penny tax to fund the system, or unite with MARTA.  But according to various news …

Continue reading C-Tran protest in vain? »

The Clayton County Board of Commissioners recently voted unanimously to ban solicitation of donations on county roads and highways.

According to the Clayton News-Daily, the new ordinance states “no person shall stand in or enter any street, roadway or highway for the purpose of soliciting money or anything of value.”  Exceptions are solicitations made by uniformed public safety officials, such as members of the fire, police and sheriff departments.

I am sure I’ve just been lucky, but I have not encountered solicitors much in my area of Clayton.  Or maybe I tend to tune certain things out given my origins (any New Yorkers out there remember the squeegee guys?).  The one time I gave someone train fare, I watched him immediately turn around and continue soliciting others for money, so that did it for me.  Now if I’m unsure of where the money will end up, I don’t even pay attention to the pitch.

But the BOC was right, this practice wasn’t safe for anyone – the …

Continue reading Clayton’s quality of life improving in small doses »

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Financial miscalculations in the Clayton County budget could force C-Tran out of business come March 2010. According to MARTA CEO Beverly Scott, the budget presented was $1.3 million short at the onset despite a 50-cent fare increase.

C-Tran has been operating in the red for awhile now. As per the AJC, the county spends about $10 million per year to operate C-Tran, but only collects $2.5 million in revenue.

With only five routes running, fare hikes and temporary surcharges are imminent, service will most likely be reduced across the board and there is talk of discontinuing the airport loop (Route 500) bus completely. Many residents depend on C-Tran as their sole means of transportation, as well as elderly riders who utilize para transit services. Sixty-one percent of Clayton’s residents ride the bus to work, and 10 …

Continue reading Is C-Tran dying a slow death? »

School dress codes are a subtle way to prepare our children for the real world where they must dress for success. As I pass by at least six school bus stops every morning, it’s nice to see our kids looking so good out there these days as opposed to when it was sometimes hard to tell the parents from the students.

Initially, many were against school uniforms for various reasons. But there has been little fanfare from parents about the expense, nor from students about the willingness to wear them. Even based on this petition seemingly geared towards high school students who are at least 18 years old, with only 1,758 signatures (from both parents and students), the majority aren’t opposed.

I stopped by a couple of the bus stops in my area, and while a few kids admitted they don’t mind wearing uniforms, none wanted their name attached to that statement in print. But they all begrudgingly acknowledged that the new dress code has made their lives a little easier. And …

Continue reading Loving school uniforms yet? »

While other counties are fighting to preserve what water they do have, this is one natural resource that Clayton residents don’t have to worry about.

Although the Clayton County Water Authority has consistently received various “water smart” awards for many years, they recently collected another from conservation nonprofit American Rivers for its “green” water recycling system.

“The [CCWA] uses an innovative water recycling wetland system to bolster water supply and has undertaken a number of water quality and efficiency initiatives,” says American Rivers. “The use of recycled wastewater provides a consistent drought-resistant supply of water, while the wetlands gradually release water over time, reducing vulnerability to droughts.”

I remember last summer when friends and family from out of state were offering to find ways to get us water after hearing about Georgia’s drought via news reports. It was nice to tell them that my area didn’t have this problem …

Continue reading Clayton quenches its own thirst »