Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Chamblee Spring Camp Announced

(forwarded from City of Chamblee)

Spring Break is just three weeks away; do you have plans for your children?


We have two fun camps to offer this year. First is our Camp Chamblee Day Camp which is an all day camp for children ages 6-12 offering sports, games, arts & crafts, and a field trip to Atlanta 300 Bowling! Camp Chamblee costs just $60 for City of Chamblee residents and $90 for non-residents. This is for the whole week April 4-8!! Camp Chamblee runs from 8:30am-3:30pm with drop off starting at 7:30am and pickup running until 6:00pm. Camp is held in the Community Building at Keswick Park (3496 Keswick Dr.)

Our other option is CFC East Soccer Camp. This camp will be run on our Keswick Park Soccer Field from 9am-12pm during Spring Break. This camp is open to children ages 5-14 and is run by certified soccer coaches! It is a great opportunity for kids to improve their skills or learn some new ones! CFC Soccer Camp is $100 for the week and the registration form is attached.

YOU CAN DO BOTH! If your child wishes to attend the soccer camp but a half day camp is difficult for your schedule, we can arrange for one of our Camp Chamblee counselors to pick them up after soccer camp and join the day camp for the remainder of the day. If you choose this option, we will charge you just half price for Camp Chamblee (in addition to the $100 soccer camp fee.)

I do need to make sure I have enough staff on hand for Camp Chamblee, so if you are planning on signing up for our Spring Break Camp, please do so soon to enable me to hire my counselors in time!

Please feel free to call or e-mail with any questions!

Jennifer Rackley, Recreation Coordinator
jrackley@chambleega.com
770-986-5016

Friday, March 4, 2011

Annexation Discussion Not Over for Brookhaven

From the Dunwoody Crier
(By Rebecca Chase Williams)

State representatives Mike Jacobs (R-North DeKalb) and Tom Taylor (R-Dunwoody) introduced legislation Tuesday to “create a path to annexation” for parts of North DeKalb to become part of the city of Dunwoody. House Bill 428 allows cities formed after 2008 (Dunwoody) to be able to annex nearby areas by simply drawing up a plan, holding public hearings, and passing a referendum on the proposal.

“There is enough interest in a possible annexation to open discussions,” Jacobs told The Crier. “It is time for someone to lead this discussion forward. I certainly intend to play a role in helping that to happen.”

Jacobs said the interest stems from increasing discontent with DeKalb county government: rising tax bills, fewer services, inefficient government and a lack of confidence that things are going to get better at the county.

A committee hearing on the proposed bill is expected to be held in the coming week, but Jacobs is optimistic that while there might be some opposition from members of the DeKalb delegation, he has the support of the Georgia Municipal Association and the Association of City and County Governments, mainly because the bill is limited to the city of Dunwoody. Jacobs said he is considering amending his bill to give North DeKalb residents the option of annexation to Chamblee as well since some neighborhoods abut that city and are interested in being part of that municipality.

“The main point that needs to get across is that there would be three options: a new city of Brookhaven, annexation to Dunwoody or Chamblee, or a combination of all three, “ said Jacobs. The state representative who lives near Harts Mill Road said his goal is to start the discussion, that his bill only creates “a path to annexation.”.

“You have to put the mechanism in place before you travel down that road. My plan is to have a core group in the next few months to start the conversation about where we are going to be city wise, “ explained Jacobs, who added that there is a big gap between interest in annexation and a fully vetted plan.

Options that have been discussed include expanding the city of Dunwoody, south of the current border at I-285, to include Perimeter Summit or the rest of the PCID, going as far south as Wieuca Road or even Peachtree Road. That would include neighborhoods like Murphey Candler (including the park), West Nancy Creek, Byrnwyck, and the neighborhoods around Silver Lake including Hampton Hall, Cambridge Park, Brittany.

Dunwoody officials say any plan would have to be thoroughly researched. Mayor Ken Wright said the council has not discussed this possibility,

“I do know that Representative Jacobs says he has been getting a stronger and stronger message from residents that they want more local control of their community. If there is a desire of these areas to join the city of Dunwoody, it would be something that needs to be studied and looked at by myself, council and our community.”

Jacobs is scheduled to speak to the Murphey Candler Homeowners’ this month about the potential annexation, and plans to schedule larger community meetings once the bill is voted on this session. If the bill is passed, if there is enough interest and a specific plan can be drawn up, residents could vote within the year to move from unincorporated DeKalb County to a municipality.

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Thursday, March 3, 2011

Chamblee Police Update 3/3/11

From Captain Beller, Chamblee Police Department


Homicide- March 21 7:45 pm 2175 Savoy Drive - I am sure most of you heard about the fatal shooting in the parking lot of the 300 Atlanta Bowling Alley. To update you on the investigation, the shooter has been released without charges because he was being robbed and shot in self defense. Antwan Milton, who planned the robbery along with John Williams (the decedent) has been charged with Armed Robbery and Murder. Milton was apprehended Tuesday night by members of the Dekalb Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Squad.
http://www.ajc.com/news/dekalb/botched-robbery-led-to-847966.html

Fatal Accident- A pedestrian who stepped onto Savoy drive was struck and killed by a vehicle.
http://www.ajc.com/news/dekalb/pedestrian-killed-in-chamblee-855126.html?cxtype=rss_news_82007

Burglary- 3700 block of Chamblee Dunwoody Rd. A resident returned to his house to find the back door had been forced open and several valuable items had been taken. --As far as I know, this is the only burglary to a house we have had in over a month, which is a significant decline from previous numbers. Keep calling about suspicious activity and looking out for your neighbors.

Local Club Shut Down-The Mist Lounge on Savoy Drive was investigated by agents of the Ga Dept of Revenue-Alcohol Division along with Chamblee Detectives. The establishment was selling alcohol without a state license and was also unlawfully selling tobacco products without a license. The owner was arrested and all alcohol products were confiscated. This location is not allowed to sell alcohol or tobacco products at this time.

Crime Prevention Tip:

Flim-Flams-The term flim-flam basically describes some sort of con or ruse that is used to trick people out of their money. Often these people target the elderly or the naive. There are so many different cons out there that it is impossible to describe them all, but it is helpful to be aware of a few. Most of these cons work either because of the victim’s greed or the victim’s charity. Often the victims are too embarrassed to report these incidents to the police.

1. The “found money” scam is often used in a bank parking lot. The perpetrator will pretend to find a lot of money often wrapped in a bag or bandanna in the presence of the victim. Then these two are approached by a second perpetrator who pretends not to know the first. Together they “decide” to check with the bank if anyone lost the money and if not to split it three ways. The victim will then give them cash so they know they can trust him while he holds the money bag. They then leave with the victim’s cash and he discovers the money bag has been switched for newspapers.

2. Another scam involves someone who claims to have a fortune they need your help to import or clear customs or transport. Of course they need a small amount of your cash so they know they can trust you.

3. If you ever travel internationally, you may be approached by someone who claims to be on your flight but who has too much luggage. They will pay you to claim one of their overweight bags. If you take the bait you have now become a “drug mule” and if caught might spend years in an overseas prison.

4. Last year someone successfully used a “you’ve won the lottery” scam in Chamblee. The victim was told that her mega millions lotto ticket was the winning numbers. The perpetrator agreed to help her collect the winnings for a fee. She gave him about $8,000 in cash and jewelry and he disappeared.

5. An elderly person receives a call at home from someone who claims to be “their favorite grandson.” The voice doesn’t match but the young man claims to be in jail and desperately needs bond money to get out. He says some friends will come over to pick up the money and bond him out. Of course, you know the rest.

6. The last one is similar in nature but is not exactly a crime. The victim is approached by a fast talking young man who claims to work for a high end stereo company. He is usually driving a white van and claims to have received excess inventory of the latest top of the line stereo speakers in error. He can’t take these back to the dealer because they aren’t on the manifest. These are claimed to be worth several thousands of dollars and the brand names are similar to a recognized brand name. The salesman is very excited about the product and will say something like ---“these have molybdenum tweeters and nymdium drivers!!! The victim can’t pass up a “steal” on these top of the line speakers and pays for speakers he later discovers are worth about a quarter of what he paid for them. If you see these guys in Chamblee, call the police. We can’t arrest them for selling cheap products but in the past I have written them tickets for conducting business without a license.

To avoid these scams a good amount of suspicion towards strangers is a good thing. Always be suspicious of someone who claims to be clergy, even if he has a clerical collar or documents to “prove it.” Often two people who pretend to be strangers actually are in the scam together. Be charitable through recognized official charities like the Salvation Army or the United Way or your local church. Being charitable to people that approach you on the street is either a con or at a minimum means you are encouraging them to beg other strangers for money. Here is a web site that has more information on this kind of thing ... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_confidence_tricks

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Chamblee Business Association To Present 2011Program/Event Showcase

For Immediate Release


The Chamblee Business Association will use its March General Meeting to give attendees a chance to get involved and get answers. Come and meet the Board of Directors, learn about the various committees, and hear how businesses and residents can get involved.

The program is scheduled to include presentations that highlight the CBA’s education initiatives, membership promotions, upcoming events, and how membership dues are put to great use.

For the past several years, the Chamblee Business Association, formerly known as the Chamblee Area Business and Professional Coalition, has given a scholarship to graduating seniors from Chamblee High School and Cross Keys High School. The scholarships are given to students that exemplify citizenship both inside the classroom through proven dedication to their studies, as well as outside the classroom through community service activities.

Complementing the State of the City Address by the Mayor of Chamblee, the CBA is very proud to sponsor a schedule of special events, including the 2011 Award of the Harris Scholarships, The 2011 Taste of Chamblee Fall Festival, and our annual can food drive, which netted almost 5,000 cans in December of 2010.

Over the past 3 years, the Chamblee Business Association has become an important source for news that may impact local businesses. From educational presentations and community events to notifications about government affairs, the CBA has proven to be a reliable source of good and relevant information.

The Chamblee Business Association is supported through memberships. Meetings are open to the public, and all are encouraged to attend. The meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at the Chamblee Civic Center, located at 3540 Broad St. Chamblee, GA 30341. Doors open at 7:30am, and the program begins at 8:00am. There is no charge for first-time guests, returning guest are $10, and members are $5. A centennial breakfast is served.

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Chamblee City Manager Finalists Announced

(From City of Chamblee)

On February 28, 2011, the Chamblee City Council selected two finalists in their search for a new city manager.  Those finalists are Gary Adams, Village Administrator of Oswego, Illinois; and Niles Ford, Ph.D., Fire Chief of Lincoln, Nebraska.

The City retained the services of Colin Baenziger & Associates to conduct a national search to fill the position vacated by former city manager Jim Gleason last November. The firm received 107 applications and recommended nine to the City for further consideration. The City Council narrowed the list to five and invited them to interviews on February 26th and 28th.

The City Council anticipates selecting the next city manager at their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday evening, March 15, 2011. That meeting will be held at 7:30 pm in the Chamblee Civic Center located at 3540 Broad Street.

The resumes of the two candidates are available on the City of Chamblee’s web site at http://www.chambleega.com/.

As required by state law, a copy of all documents in the possession of the City of Chamblee regarding the two finalists is available at City Hall for public inspection during normal business hours.

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