Friday Night under the Amber Lights with AT&T on Linkwood Road

by C. Henry Adams


[ DRAFT ]

BIE MG Blogs (URL):  http://chenryadams.blogspot.com/

Digital Photo AlbumsBelow are links (URL) to digital photo albums:

Telecommunication Crisis on Linkwood Road

Update: Saturday Oct. 6th 2012 Telecom Crisis on Linkwood Rd

Day 4 : Telecom Crisis on Linkwood Road

Day 5: Telecom Crisis on Linkwood Road

Day 6: Telecom Crisis on Linkwood Road

Day 7: Telecom Crisis on Linkwood Road

Night 8 of Day 8: Telecom Crisis on Linkwood Road


Since I did not have a date with a Lady tonight, I decided to set at home and watch the TV Show “Fringe” on the Fox Network.

But, before I could find my seat in front of the television, the phone ranged.

On the other side of this wireless connection was a Neighbor and Community Leader.

He said, “C., AT and T is out here on Linkwood Road again tonight with a number of trucks and technicians.”

I immediately replied back without putting another thought to the matter saying, “Alright, I'll grab my digital camera and be there shortly.”

In my mind I'm thinking, “...and the saga continues.” But, I wasn't aware of what to expect when I arrived on the scene. Therefore, I said a little prayer of protection before venturing out into the night.

It was Night 8 of Day 8 and I had not the opportunity to check my email today due to business obligations that took a seat behind this outage.

Nevertheless, I've heard from the Atlanta Journal & Constitution Newspaper this morning and proceeded with other business while from time to time confirming with Elderly Neighbors or their kids (Grown Children I grew-up with..) that their phone service had been restored.

Anyway, back on the tangent; when I arrived on Linkwood Road, it was confirmed that AT and T Technicians were on the site alone with Armed Guards ( Licensed Peace Officers).

As I walked up to one of at least three repair locations with multiple Technicians on duty, I was asked by a Law Enforcement Officer to identify myself.

So, without any mental reservation or hesitation whatsoever, I respectfully gave my name and mention that I came from a nearby neighborhood.

After the meet and greet, the conversation lead to the discovery of an AT and T Executive Officer (Person unknown at this time.) recent visit to the site.

Furthermore, it was mentioned that the Executive Officer asked the Technicians if did they needed anything to get the job done.

It was discovered that in past days when AT and T Technicians left at 3:00 pm EST - it was because they weren't authorized to work overtime.

Well, the unknown AT and T Executive Officer obviously gave the clearance to work into the night.

Recently, someone asked, "What are you doing to help resolve this issue in the community?"

Here's my answer:

A) Working with Community Leaders and Neighbors to help get needed assistance in the restoration of telephone services.

B) Contacting Media Sources to get the word out.

C) Suggesting alternative plans for communications like giving Elderly Parents older cellular phones (No Older than 2003) to dial 911 in case of an emergency until phone service is restored.

D) Keeping Colleagues, Friends and Neighbors updated on turn of events through text messages, emails, phone calls, social media and digital photos just to name a few. (Unified Communications)

E) Being more vigilant in the community alone with other neighbors.

F) Staying in contact with the City Councilman and informing him or his staff of turn of events.

G) As a new member of the National Preparedness Coalition under FEMA or the Federal Emergency Management Agency which connects to the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, as well as, first responders – I'm hoping to seek training for my community, colleagues, as well as, myself.

H) Preparing to recommend the development of a Business Continuity Plan and Disaster Recovery Plan that has emphasis on crime prevention in the community.

That being said, respectfully – we would like to make some suggestions to help AT and T resolve the issue of wire theft below:

1) Perhaps Neighbors, Citizens and Individuals need to be given a common sense written criteria of what to lookout for when suspecting wire theft.

2) If AT and T Technicians typically work during the hours of 7:00 am to 3:00 pm., perhaps any unusual activity observed outside normal business hours (I.e. 4:00 am in the morning) should be reported by customers.

3) Perhaps AT and T needs to setup a direct human to human 24 hour hotline just for these types of theft.

4) Perhaps AT and T needs to accept text messages alerting them of possible theft.

5) Perhaps AT and T needs to accept tweets alerting them to possible theft.

6) If AT and T is concern with prank or false calls, perhaps some sort of notice should be given to advise the caller of the seriousness of this matter. If false calls are considered a violation of laws, this disclosure should be made known.

7) If the area is a common place for wire theft, perhaps AT and T needs to study patterns, implement countermeasures and apply sting tactics with law enforcement.

8) Perhaps satellite surveillance if applicable should be considered for digital photograph analysis regarding movements of thieves.

9) Perhaps AT and T should ask their customers and anybody serious about stopping the wire thefts to take picture of suspected wire thieves with their smartphones, then upload the image immediately to a specific site for review. This information should be shared with the Law Enforcement in the area and surrounding areas.

10) Perhaps AT and T should take full advantage of Social Media sites like Facebook, Twitter, Blog sites, Radio Ads, TV Ads, as well as, Online Video sites to get the word out.

11) Perhaps to stop or deter this particular crime, a collective effort must ensue by AT and T , Small Businesses, Towns, Communities, Non-Profits Organizations, Governments (Federal, State, County and City), Groups and Individual Customers.

12) Perhaps a market campaign, a crime prevention campaign and private interest effort will help AT and T protect its infrastructure.

13) There is technology that can detect brakes in fiber, perhaps there is technology that could help AT and T quickly identify multiple telephone lines going offline at once that needs to be installed.

14) Perhaps AT and T should now increase the $3,000 USD bounty to at least $100,000 USD  to draw interest.  By doing so, give Private Industry and Non-profit Organizations an incentive in helping to capture criminals who commit this crime.

Recently, I contacted Major Quiller of Zone 1 for the Atlanta Police Department (“APD”).

During the conversation with Major Quiller, we discovered the following things that Atlanta Police Department (Zone 1) is actively doing to rectify the situation in the Linkwood Road Area:

a) Morning Watch ( Shifts starting from 7am thru 7pm) is on alert for Wire Theft.

b) Crime Suppression Unit activated.

c) Constant Surveillance of the Area (Linkwood Road Area).

d) Collaboration with AT&T Security Services, as well as, other Law  Enforcement Organizations.

e) In contact with Recycle Centers.

d) Canvasing neighborhoods to investigate and gather leads to this crime.


Update:  Saturday, October 13th 2012 -

An unknown number of Neighbors now have phone service, BUT in essence if you call Mrs. B's number, Mrs. C may receive the call.

Hopefully, AT and T will resolve that connectivity issue soon.

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Update: Day 7 Telecom Crisis on Linkwood Road

By C. Henry Adams

[ DRAFT ]

Preview Link (URL):  http://tinyurl.com/9efujyt

Digital Photo Albums
Below are links (URL) to digital photo albums:

Telecommunication Crisis on Linkwood Road

Update: Saturday Oct. 6th 2012 Telecom Crisis on Linkwood Rd

Day 4 : Telecom Crisis on Linkwood Road

Day 5: Telecom Crisis on Linkwood Road

Day 6: Telecom Crisis on Linkwood Road

Day 7: Telecom Crisis on Linkwood Road


Its Day 7 of the Telecommunications Crisis on Linkwood Road in Atlanta, Georgia and the status has not officially changed, "NO PHONE SERVICE".  

The number of restored customers is unknown at this time. 
But, it is obvious that a number of neighbors without service in the communities surrounding this incident are not happy.

Here is what we know today:

1)  Friday Morning roughly around 4:00 am EST and 9:00 am EST, thieves cut down and removed at least two sections of telephone trunk line which consist of many customers phone connections.

2) Late Friday, Atlanta City Councilman C. T. Martin jumps into action to contact AT&T Officials.

3) Armed Security Guards protected AT&T Technicians.

4) AT&T dispatched at least two AT&T Technicians to replace and hang the missing telephone trunk line Friday, October 5th 2012, but this line was not cross connected to re-establish service.

5) AT&T Technicians on the scene Friday estimated that 2000 customers possibly lost service.

6) Saturday, October 6th and Sunday, October 7th 2012 no AT&T Technicians were observed working on the incident site.

7) Monday, October 8th 2012 (Columbus Day), AT&T dispatched Technicians to work on the incident. It appears that this outage is a typical work day for AT&T employees.

8) On Monday, Deidra Dukes (Anchor/ Reporter) of Fox 5 News (Channel 5) contacted us and came out to interview customers without telephone service.

9) Ms. Dukes mentioned that AT&T estimated the outage to be upwards of 3000 customers without service or more.

10)  Customers without service possibly lost the following:

a) Analog Phone Service
b) Alarm System & Monitoring Service
c) Personal Emergency Alert Service
d) Dial-up Internet Modem Service
e) DSL Internet Service
f) The ability to send and receive fax messages
g) Hearing Impaired Phone Service
h) Video Service
i) Ability to contact 911
j) Tele-medicine Service

11) Monday October 8th 2012, sporadic service was restored to some AT&T Customers while others reported signs of cross telephone line signals.  The number of restored customers is unknown.

12) Tuesday, October 9th 2012, AT&T Technicians resume working on outage after stopping the previous day.

13)  Tuesday, the Atlanta Police Department receive a theft report.

14)  Tuesday night, a theft of telephone trunk line wires occurred once again, according to AT&T.

15) Wednesday evening October 10th, 2012,  Channel 2 (WSBTV - Cox Communications) sent Eric Phillips (Reporter) to get the story.  Also, Channel 11 (WXIA - Gannett) sent their Crime Investigative Reporter to get the story as well.

16)  Customers reviewed AT&T Spokesperson on local broadcast, but did not hear from from said Executive Officers of AT&T living in Atlanta area regarding this matter.

17) Residents would like all customers affected by the outage to receive an apology, full credit for services interrupted.

18) Poor communications by AT&T to inform customers of an outage utilizing other broadcast sources was observed.

Did I forget anything?

19) The outage affected Elderly Homeowners, who may or may not own cellular phones to communicate.

20) The outage affected the Handicap.

21) The outage affected Home-based Businesses.

22) The outage affected students who utilized the Internet to study and research.  The range is from Elementary School to Graduate School.

23) The outage affected those individuals who are bedridden and require medical assistant on a daily basis while living in their homes.

24) A Business Continuity Plan and Disaster Recovery Plan should be created by the communities to better defend against future occurrences where incidents of large magnitudes occur.

25) The community also needs to increase vigilance and receive training in disaster relief to help the authorities make their neighborhoods a safer place to live.

Alright, I will stop here.  Oh!  My sincerest apology to the local media.  We are grateful and thankful for the show of support regarding this story.

Please feel free to comment, thanks.








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Telecommunications Crisis on Linkwood Road

Photo Album: Telecommunication Crisis on Linkwood Road

by C. Henry Adams

[ DRAFT ]   Link: http://tinyurl.com/8tqzocg



Do you remember when you were a kid growing up in the Neighborhood? Not really, huh? I can hear someone saying right about now, “Wait a minute, yes I do recall being a kid growing up in the neighborhood.”

Well, whether your past experiences were good or bad in that particular community, at least a number of us can call it our childhood home.

Speaking of childhood homes, not too far from the home where I grew up from a little boy to a grown ole man, an incident occurred recently that could endanger many people lives.

This crisis was just a series of events witness in that particular community in just one years time.

Yes, I'm going to get to the point and tell this story, but before I do, I would like to define some things for clarification and hopefully historical significance one day.

Number 1, growing up in Atlanta, Georgia where this community is located, it was ALWAYS known to be apart of the NORTHWEST region of the City. Why do I say this? Correct me Scholars if I'm wrong, but when we describe our street location, “NW” is on the tail end of street sign or our US Snail Mailing address.

Number 2, my childhood neighborhood was and is apart of the Historical Collier Heights Community only separated by the development of Interstate 20 first in the late 1950's and early 1960's; then enclosed by Interstate 285 in the 1970's & 80's.

But, who cares huh? Well, many descendants of that area and myself care.

Now straight to the point; Linkwood Road connects Collier Drive to Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. It is a heavily walked pedestrian street with no sidewalk which is badly needed and a heavily daytime driven route from Collier Drive to Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.

The neighborhoods surrounding this area consist mostly of African American People who were Upper Middle-Class, Middle-Class and Lower Income living people.

Since the 1960's thru the 2000's the demographics, average income of the people, racial background and even the crime rate has changed. Nevertheless, a number of Citizens remain in the area who help preserve a unique way of life to which the pursuit of the American Dream has not faded away.

On Friday Morning around 4:00 am EST, according to neighbors; individuals were seen near the corner of Linkwood Road and Burton Road on the telephone poles removing wire.

This telephone wire or in more technical terms - “Trunk Line”, according to AT&T Technicians working later on those lines; contain about 2000 customers from residents to businesses – phone service. So, when neighbors in the area of Linkwood, Hedgewood, Tribble Lane, Hermer Circle and Kevin Court tried to call out or were looking to receive calls inward, they heard nothing. Not even the crackling hum of a disconnected phone, because of the failure to pay a bill.

When they called “AT&T”, they were told that a Service Technician will come out that afternoon. When the Service Technician did not show up, they were told by AT&T that it would either be Monday or Tuesday before their phone service would be restored.

Wait-A-Minute Now! Monday or Tuesday of NEXT WEEK and its FRIDAY. Are you kidding US!? No, AT&T wasn't kidding and later return my call, whereas, stating there was a major outage.

Furthermore, the Representative of AT&T that I spoke with could not give us a location of the outage when asked.

Nevertheless, after responding to the fact that no phone service was available to my family in case of an emergency, I tried to spring to action.

In the community of my childhood memories, I established a communications plan or small communication systems with other kids of my youth who now were adults living out of the city and in some cases out of the State of Georgia.

Furthermore, Twitter and Facebook has played a major roll in effectively getting the word out to not only them (Former Kids of my Youth), but Family, Colleagues, Classmates, Government Officials, as well as, companies who “Really” appreciate our business; not to mention Small Business Owners in the area like myself.

But, you know- its kinda sad when you call television station's newsrooms all excited to ask if they could confirm the outage with AT&T and get no response on the scene.

Possibly Two Thousand People without phone, possibly a number of elderly people in their homes who don't own a cell phone or have one of those personal emergency devices to alert authorities that now does not work, WOW!

I might catch some flack from the previous statement I made, but after all if the news
crews do show up, I can update this blog with no problem.



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My Take On The First Presidential Debate Wednesday October 3rd 2012

by C. Henry Adams


[ DRAFT ]

Warning: This link may or may not work once article is posted: http://tinyurl.com/8jxoadr


After reviewing the debate half asleep or half awake, I'm still not sure what to think.

It is true President Obama and his Administration inherited a major country (USA) in great debt flying like a single engine airplane caught in a spiraling tail spin just about to crash and burn.

It is also true that his (Obama's ) Administration likely could not turn the downward US Economy around in just 4 years.

Furthermore, it is also true that at less one year of his term in office there (Washington D.C. ) would be a transitioning phase from a Republican lead party Administration to a Democratic lead party Administration.

Furthermore, it is true – a lot of the decisions Good or Bad made by President Obama and his Administration likely were influenced by Conservatives, Liberals and Moderates whether any of them were Democrats, Republicans or Independents.

Moreover, regarding Governor Romney and President Barack Obama, it is true that both of them come from families that were well off or wealthy, rich, etc. In fact, President Obama referring to his late Grandmother mentioned that she worked her way up to being the Vice-President of a Bank. Note: This is the American Way or an American Dream that can and will become a reality if you make the effort and don't give up, give in or give out.

Also, it is not a coincident that both the Incumbent President Barack Obama and Governor Romney – Former Governor of Massachusetts are Graduates of Harvard Law School.

Should I continue? Yes. OK, in slang terminology and with great respect, both of these “Kats” have or will possess more money, as well as, financial resources than likely at least 200 Million Americans of the 300 Million plus Citizens in this great country; this includes their families, friends and colleagues to a certain degree as well.

So, the question likely we all should be asking ourselves is... “ have we really identified the real REASONS why we went into a Depression, sorry, I mean recession?”

If so, considering that Lower Income and Middle-Class Americans create wealth for the Elite (Super Rich), Major Corporations (250+M to 1000+M) and Countries (USA, UK, China and WTO's); why have we not at least started to see a “significant “ turn-around in the Job Market, Housing Industry or Small Business Industry period?

What is the guarantee or indicator that if Governor Romney becomes President things will change for the better?

What is the guarantee or indicator that if President Barack Obama is re-elected to the Office of the President of these United States that things will improve?

The only real guarantee or indicator we all can seem to agree on is generating jobs which employ people or creating contracts for Small Business to employ people to generate some sort of income.

However, in reality - neither Candidate for the 2013-2017 US Presidential Period in Office CAN NOT guarantee prosperity.

So who can guarantee prosperity?

My Answer: In my professional opinion, the American People.

Definitions:
______________________________

250+M = 250 Million Dollar a Year Business. ( Not a Small Business.)

1000+M = 1000 Million Dollar a Year Business. ( Not a Small Business.)

WTO's = World Trade Organization Members.

"Kat" =  Respectful Name given by a Male to describe another Male with character.

Elite(Super Rich) = Individuals or Families worth at least 1000 Million Dollars.

1000 Million Dollars = 1 Billion Dollars.



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My Apology To Our Readers For Grammatically Incorrect Drafts

Dear Colleagues,

On behalf of Broadcasting Interest Enterprise, Inc. (“BIE”) , I would like to extend an apology and a work-around solution as a result of a recent DRAFT Blog written by me.

If you recently notice an email regarding a discussion on Cloud Computing, please DO NOT ignore it. But, please note that it was the “Original Draft Article” written by yours truly.

It is not my intent to send you drafts of my writings, but often times this has happen.

Nevertheless, because we don't have full control of how the Blogger System publish blogs to emails, all articles will now proceed with the words “DRAFT” and a URL to the updated version of the article.

Furthermore, currently I'm enrolled in Graduate School ( University of Fairfax ) and taking a class called, “Legal and Ethical Practices in Information Security”.

To improve my writing skills, I will likely write more commentaries. I encourage you to visit BIE MG Blogs to make comments about discussions.

Please note that all comments are moderated, thus we must review and release the comment to be seen on the blog site.

Sincerely,
C. Henry Adams
President / CEO
Broadcasting Interest Enterprise, Inc.


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How do you think Cloud Computing will impact Physical Security?

By C. Henry Adams

(NOTE: I'm currently editing, please REFRESH.)

Recently, I reveal in a blog that I was in Graduate School.

Well, one of my classmates (Sorry, can't mention the person's name.) asked me the following question related to a discussion in our course:

THE QUESTION:

Something else to think about - how do you think Cloud computing will impact physical security?

I started to say one thing, but came up with a futuristic scenario that could very well become a reality. I based my "theory" described in a skit below off the fact that some kids and adults have never seen a typewriter!

C. Henry Adams' Theory: Cloud Computing if properly implemented will make physical security tools utilized today to secure a facility obsolete.

MY REPLY:

Currently, Cloud Computing has been utilized for over 20 years with the use of email companies like Yahoo or AOL. One would 1st need to study how many times these companies have been compromised. Oh, don't forget Amazon which offer Cloud Services outside its online store as well.

Second, if you depend on Cloud Computing to access your house, car and other physical things, it could become a very serious concern regarding physical security.

Future Scenario: A female college student lost her tablet on the flight home (USA) from school(Europe). So, when she finally arrived home, paid her taxi fare via her smartphone; she started to freak out when she discovered that her parents were not at home.

In a panic, she press a button on the smartphone and called her mother. The phone projected a hologram image of her Mother who answered the phone saying, "What's wrong Sweetie?"

Female College Student: Mom, quick - what do I do!? I'm locked out of the house and I can't get in! It looks like its going to rain!

Mother: Calm down Baby, you will be OK.

Female College Student: Mommm! I don't want to get my hair wet!

Mother: Sweetie, do you remember those little metal things called "keys" we gave you years ago when you were little?

Female College Student: Yes, but how is that going to help me now!?

Mother: See that flower pot over to the left side of the door? Lift up the fake flower, get the key and put it in the lock and turn it to the right clockwise like your father taught you. You will hear the door unlock and just push the door open.

Female College Student: Oh! Right, that's cool.

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Understanding Other People's Cultures, Religions and Life Styles Is Good Business

By C. Henry Adams September, 2012

I'm actually in Graduate School now working on receiving a Graduate Certificate, so besides operating a small business for about 12 to 15 hours a day, I'm writing papers or studying online.

Nevertheless, that might be irrelevant to the People who have took the time to read this Blog's entitled, “Understanding Other People's Cultures, Religions and Life Styles Is Good Business.”

So, let me get to the point. But first, let me give you the definition of certain terms I will utilize in my writings to the best of my ability.

Why? Well, to put it bluntly in American English Slang, “ I don't want you to get it twisted. “

Furthermore, I don't want to say anything, write anything, print anything, produce any video or audio that will get anybody killed, period.

This is no laughing matter, unfortunately it is a reality.

Alright, that being said, when I say “Other People”, I mean a group of individuals who may not live in my particular city, county, state or province, as well as, country.

When I say “Culture”, I mean the aforementioned people's tastes, thoughts and developments.

When I say “Religions” I mean the aforementioned people's belief system and practices based on Spiritual Guidance.

When I say “Life Styles”, by the way, this is a hard one to understand or accept at times, but it need to be said. I mean certain people who choose to live a certain way. No, I will not define 'certain'.

Now that I've define Other People, Cultures, Religions and Life Styles.

THE POINT:
Good Business in my professional opinion encompass treating all People with respect, kindness, while not offending them period.

That means if you understand that certain things should NOT be said, printed, written, produced in a video or audio to be displayed in other people's culture, about other people's religion or other people's life style; perhaps your company will be a success while in compliance with the Wide World of many groups of “Other People “.

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Atlanta Small Business Owners Invitation Paid Research Panel Oct 4th

Dear Business Owner,

This session pays $300. Please feel free to refer a Small Business Owner to this invitation and I thank you for your time in advance.

We are an independent market research company looking for several small business owners to participate in a panel discussion group on behalf of the Enterprise Council on Small Business.

The session will last for 2 hours take place in Atlanta, GA on Thursday October 4th from 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM.

Those people who are chosen to participate will be paid $300 at the end of the panel for their time and input.

There will be a one hour conference call on Wednesday September 19th from 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST, to go over the topic of discussion and gather feedback for the panel discussion.

Your participation is completely anonymous and your information confidential. These studies are strictly for market research and no sales attempt will ever be made as a result of your participation.

If you are interested in participating, please take a moment to fill out the following brief questionnaire:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/AtlantaSmallBusinesOwnersPanel

Please note that answering this questionnaire is not a guarantee of being selected to participate or receipt of payment.

Cortney Erskine
Research Coordinator
AlphaBuzz, Inc.
www.AlphaBuzzGroup.com

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E. Alexander Gothard City Councilman of East Point, GA Recent Email To Resident

Good Morning Residents,

Monday night at the council meeting, I was stunned to see that the fiscal year ‘13 budget did not pass. I have personally held extensive conversations with our (Interim) City Manager and with our Finance Director in helping me determine if this budget was right for our city and to understand the budget from several different views.

At one point, I was even under the impression that this budget called for the elimination of 18 unfilled police positions. I inquired, and this is the response I received from our Finance Director:

Hello Councilperson Gothard,

The math may point to 18 positions unfunded however, the facts show that the Police Department is free to fill all positions and funds will be available. FY12 actual personnel cost for the Police Department is projected to be 9.5million. The FY13 budget allots $11.1 million for Police personnel cost. That is an additional $1.6 million over their FY12 actual cost, which will more than cover 18 positions. Attached, is an analysis of the Police Department Personnel Budget.

Thanks,
Derrick


This was a huge concern for many residents as it was a concern of mine. There will be no cuts to our police department, filled or unfilled positions. Please do not pay attention to the rhetoric. See the link to a video below of Monday’s council meeting:

http://www.cbsatlanta.com/story/18820051/contested-east-point-budget-fails-to-get-votes

Also of concern to our residents was the property tax situation. We have heard everything that the council is apparently planning to do, including raising the millage rate to 20 or even 30 mils. The truth is, our city has seen a tremendous decline in property values. Personally, my property has seen a more than 50 percent decrease in value over the course of only one year. Of course I am happy to receive a large check back from overpaying my escrow account, but what is the real cost?

Currently, we pay a millage rate of 13.75. The council has recommended we raise the millage rate to 15, which will generate about another $1 million for the city’s general fund. What does this mean to you? More than likely nothing. Yes, the millage rate may go up but property values have unfortunately fallen so far that we still will pay less in taxes than typically paid over the past few years. East Point has been hit hard in this economic downturn, but we are not unique in this challenge. Below reflects the total amount collected in tax revenues over the years:

Year| Tax Receipts| Millage Rate|

2005| $10.4 million| 12.369 mils|

2006| $10.7| 12.163|

2007| $15.3| 14.75|

2008| $16.8| 14.75|

2009| $15.8| 14.75|

2010| $12.7| 14.75|

2011| $9.8| 13.75|

2012 (projected)| $9.2| 15.00|

As you may notice, it was not a good move for the previous council to drop the millage rate in 2011 at time we were in the middle of declining home values. Evening in raising the millage rate to 15, East Point will still not realize the same amount in tax values we saw in 2011.

Some other highlights of this budget include:

*Additional $1.2 million contribution for unfunded pension. Being proactive and ensuring city retirees will have the state required retirement amount available when due.

*No water base rate increase and less transferred from the Enterprise/Utilities Fund to the General Fund. Over the past few years, an average of more than $5 million has been moved from the Enterprise Fund to the General Fund. With this budget, there will be no question of the transfer amount of $1.28 million to help cover utility generated expenses.

*$776,889 for street repaving

In regards to recycling, I do not believe anyone on council wants to see the elimination of this program as has been put out there. At this point, our city staff is working to renegotiate the contract with Republic so that the city gets a fair deal. I am convinced that Republic can do a lot better in terms of what they offer us. In the first quarter of 2012, residents have redeemed their reyclebank points for a total amount of $1,134.40 worth of prizes and gifts. Also during the first quarter of 2012, the city has paid Republic a total of $71,882.10. In other words, for every $1 a resident receives in redemption points, the city pays out $63.37. We can do better and hopefully Republic will agree to better terms.

Also, I will be pushing for changes to the capital projects list, as several projects currently earmarked are not worthy of tax payer dollars at this time.

These are only a few of the highlights. This is, however, a balanced and very compromising budget. I am very excited about the possibilities of this coming year as we have some very exciting things on the table for our city. Please be sure to call your elected officials and tell them to show up for work, especially when voting on our fiscal budget as one Council Member intentionally chose to stall the city by refusing to show up for the vote. This is important once a year business...I do not think that is too much to ask. After all, as elected officials we are fully aware of this annual task and it is our responsibility to pass a budget in a timely manner. Thank you and have a wonderful day.

Cordially,

E. Alexander Gothard



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An Interview with E. Alexander Gothard (City Councilman) of East Point, Georgia

On Saturday Morning, June 9th 2012, we were invited to a meeting held on Norman Berry Drive in the heart of East Point, Georgia at the East Point Historical Society.

The meeting was called to session by East Point City Councilman E. Alexander Gothard of Ward A. It regarded the (5) five versions of the 2013 Fiscal Year Budget under evaluation and or consideration. The City Councilman decided to share the information with Citizens while gathering their input before voting on the appropriate budget.

Following the meeting we asked him for an interview and he agreed.

C. Henry Adams: City Councilman E. Alexander Gothard of East Point Ward A, we would like to thank you for the opportunity to allow us to interview you. We understand that as a local business owner , as well as, City Councilman you are passionately involved in the positive growth of East Point, Georgia.

Considering that you are perhaps a very busy person, we would like to ask three (3) questions. Our questions regard the meeting and its discussions on Saturday Morning, June 9th 2012 and the incident that preceded it Friday Night, June 8th 2012.

City Councilman Gothard, on Saturday June 9th 2012 you shared five (5) versions of the East Point City Council 2013 Fiscal Budget under evaluation to staff, constituents and friends to gather insights. Did you obtain constructive criticism and or recommendations from individuals at this meeting?

City Councilman E. Alexander Gothard: I did receive constructive criticism from those who attended. It was my intent to address rumors that were extremely untrue. I will be supporting budget version number five and this version will lock in a millage rate of 15, no utility increases, and will include an operations management review in which a professional firm will help the council decide which positions with the city are necessary and which are unnecessary. Residents were very appreciative of the meeting.

C. Henry Adams: What other efforts are being done to assure the Citizens of East Point that its City Council is working in their best interest?

City Councilman E. Alexander Gothard: To be 100 percent candid, it is entirely up to residents to decide if their council person is working in their best interest. One of the reasons I held my recent meeting with some of my Ward A community leaders was to ensure them that I am working in their best interest and to personally address any concerns they have.

C. Henry Adams: Recently, it was announced in the Metro Atlanta News that you were in some sort of altercation. It is understood that a Locksmith refused to leave the premises of your home after being address to do so, is this true?

City Councilman E. Alexander Gothard:As for the incident that took place on June 8, 2012, below is a statement from my attorney:

The firm of Johnson & Freeman, LLC has been retained to defend Councilman Gothard regarding the recent charge of Simple Battery. This matter involves a dispute with a vendor at his residence. Since this matter is presently under investigation, it would be premature and irresponsible to comment on the details of this alleged incident. Councilman Gothard is looking forward to his day in Court so that he can be vindicated in this matter. As with any allegation, there are two sides to every story and Councilman Gothard anticipates that everyone will hear both sides before rendering judgment. In the interim, Councilman Gothard will continue to provide quality representation to the citizens of East Point.

C. Henry Adams: Thank you Sir for your time.

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