Please join us for our last meeting of 2019.

Dec. 14, 10 a.m. 

Mainstreet Community Center, 5001 Mainstreet Park, Stone Mountain, 30088

 

DeKalb County shuts down Twelve73 Tapas Grille– the nightclub at 1273 S. Hairston – for 10 days (Oct. 4 – Oct. 14). The cease-and-desist may go longer because the club tried to operate after the order was issued.  Fox5 reported on the closure Oct. 12, and you can see the report at this link:

https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/dekalb-county-police-shut-down-restaurant-without-license

The noise has been terrible for close to two years – so bad that the neighbors’ walls shake, and they can’t sit outside on their porches.  In addition, the club advertises late-night events that feature scantily clad women in provocative poses.  If you have never seen this business’s advertisements, you should Google Twelve73.  Concerned citizens have been meeting for more than two years with various county officials, trying to get the club to follow the law.

 

Next GHHCDC Meeting Oct. 19

The next Greater Hidden Hills Community Development Corp. meeting is Oct. 19, 10 a.m., at Mainstreet Community Clubhouse, 5001 Mainstreet Park Drive. You are welcome to join us. Let’s make progress together!

 

The Friends of Hairston Park October meeting is scheduled for October 19th at 12:00p. The meeting will take place on the park’s property just on the other side of the lake.  The address is 886 Hardwood Court.  The best way to get there other than the trail is from Ellis Road, turn on Fountainhead Drive, left on Granite Springs Lane, then right on Hardwood Road. The property is on the left immediately after turning right on Hardwood Court.

Please bring your lawn chair!

 

Oct. 29, 6:30 – 8 p.m. –  Your opinion on a new townhome community is being sought. The proposed townhomes would be built near Covington and Young Road.

The meeting will be at the Kerwin B. Lee Family Life Center, next to Berean Christian Church, at 2197 Young Road, Stone Mountain, 30088.

DR Horton will receive community input on its proposed townhome project near the intersection of Covington and Young Road, behind the Citgo gas station on Covington.   The firm met twice with the Greater Hidden Hills Community Development Corporation and made four of the five changes we suggested. The firm is proposing to build 320 – 350 townhomes on about 10 acres at 2650 Young Road and 5758, 5702, and 5810 Covington Hwy.

The improvements made as a result of our meetings are:

• Higher price point, walking connectivity with greenspace preservation, two ingress/egress points, and rental restrictions to be added to the homeowners’ association covenants.  The development will have higher quality facades – a mix of stone, brick, and plank siding. The homes will have 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and sell for an average of $200,000.  They will have a one-car garage.  The price is at the high end of prices for similar homes in our geographic area.  Stonecrest, which is due east, is not included in that area.
• There will be an entrance/exit on Young Road and on Covington.  Both streets will probably include a turning lane; that is to be determined with county and state traffic engineers.
• We asked for a rental restriction, and DR Horton agreed to add one to the covenants, but the specifics have not been determined. We encouraged that no more than 15% of the units be for rent at any one time, and the calculation be made within designated portions of the community (so that all the rentals are not in one area).
• The current amenity is a pool.  We suggested that the community needs a meeting space more than it needs a pool.  The meeting space could have an adjacent splash pad and/or playground.

 

Nov. 5, 9 a.m. – Family Dollar at 1800 Panola Road goes to court to face charges of code enforcement violations.  The business has received many complaints for trash on its property, overflowing trash cans, crowded conditions in the store, and more. The case is #102128. The case will be heard at DeKalb Magistrate Court, 3630 Camp Circle Decatur, GA 30030.

 

Slaughterhouse Owner will be Arraigned Nov. 5
The slaughterhouse case has been moved to state court. This is the case against Rudolph Bradford, the person running an illegal slaughterhouse in a residential neighborhood (1676 Rice Road). He has slaughtered more than 2,357 animals since January 2016, including at least 200 cows, sheep and goats since he was put under a cease-and-desist order. DeKalb County is citing him for operating a business without a license, a business NOT allowed in a residential zone.

The arraignment will be Nov. 5, 9 a.m., before Judge Wayne Purdom, DeKalb County State Court, Courtroom 3-B, 556 N. McDonough Street, 3^rd Floor, Decatur, Georgia  The November 5^th date is a State Court Arraignment date, so Mr. Bradford will be provided a motions or trial date by the State Court on that day if he doesn’t plead guilty.

The Solicitor’s Office made the request, and it was granted last month. Solicitor Thomas Kemp promises to continue to keep us informed.

If you can attend the arraignment, it would be helpful to have community representation.  Please write GHHCDC@gmail.com if you plan to go.   More than likely, Bradford will plead guilty, which means there will be a trial, and then we’ll really need to show up in force.

 

The Palmetto Event Center at 4407 Covington Highway is requesting permission to run a late-night establishment. This business is on Covington between South Indian Creek and The Waffle House near Redwing Circle.  The Special Land Use Permit – if approved – would allow the facility to serve alcohol until 2:30 a.m. on Thursdays-Saturdays, and 2:00 a.m. on Sundays – Wednesdays.  Currently, they must stop serving alcohol at 12:30 a.m.

The District 5 Community Council recommended that the proposal go through a full cycle deferral because the community had not been informed about the proposal.

The Planning Commission hears the case Nov. 7, 6:30 p.m., at the Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive. The public is welcome to attend and to comment.  The Board of Commissioners hears the case Nov. 21, 6:30 p.m., same place.

It’s Community Day at Mainstreet and you are invited!  Join the fun and watch the fireworks Saturday, September 14, 2019 at the Mainstreet Pavilion/Playspace – in the 4800 block of Mainstreet Park Drive, off of S. Hairston Road in Stone Mountain.  You will enjoy music, contests, free adult raffles, important community information, and FIREWORKS AT DUSK to say goodbye to summer! The event is open to all of Mainstreet’s neighboring communities. See You There!

Next GHHCDC Meeting Sept. 21

The next Greater Hidden Hills Community Development Corp. meeting is Sept. 21, 10 a.m., at Mainstreet Community Clubhouse, 5001 Mainstreet Park Drive. You are welcome to join us. Let’s make progress together!

Slaughterhouse Owner will be Arraigned Nov. 5

The slaughterhouse case has been moved to state court. This is the case against Rudolph Bradford, the person running an illegal slaughterhouse in a residential neighborhood (1676 Rice Road). He has slaughtered more than 2,357 animals since January 2016, including at least 200  cows, sheep and goats since he was put under a cease-and-desist order. DeKalb County is citing him for operating a business without a license, a business NOT allowed in a residential zone. 

The arraignment will be Nov. 5, 9 a.m.,  before Judge Wayne Purdom, DeKalb County State Court, Courtroom 3-B, 556 N. McDonough Street, 3^rd Floor, Decatur, Georgia . The November 5^th date is a State Court Arraignment date, so Mr. Bradford will be provided a motions or trial date by the State Court on that day if he doesn’t plead guilty. 

The Solicitor’s Office made the request, and it was granted last month. Solicitor Thomas Kemp promises to continue to keep us informed. 

If you can attend the arraignment, it would be helpful to have community representation.  Please write GHHCDC@gmail.com if you plan to go.   More than likely, Bradford will plead guilty, which means there will be a trial, and then we’ll really need to show up in force.

We finished spreading the mulch around our trees on the median across from Hairston Park. This was Mulch Day 2, on Aug. 17. The community service workers were great. Many thanks to Nadine Rivers-Johnson and her team for getting the tools to the site. Thank you Herbert Love and Jan Costello for helping out.

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Finishing the Job:  Helping Our Trees Thrive, Part II Aug. 17

We will finish spreading mulch on the trees in the median near Hairston Park on Aug. 17, 9:00 a.m.  We need some leaders to help us organize the community service workers. We think we can finish the job in under 90 minutes. Please come and help if you can. Meet us at Mainstreet Parkway and S. Hairston (You can park at the park.)  We’ll have tools, but bring your own gloves and safety vests.

Join Us at Trial Aug. 22, 9 a.m.

We don’t want slaughterhouses in neighborhoods!

As anticipated, Rudolph Bradford refused to accept a negotiated plea deal (probation, court supervision, fines), and he asked for a trial. Bradford is the person running an illegal slaughterhouse in a residential neighborhood (1676 Rice Road). He has slaughtered 2,316 animals since January 2016, including 142 since he was put under a cease-and-desist order.

The County is citing him for operating a business without a license, a business NOT allowed in a residential zone. 

The Superior Court will hear his case at 9 am, Aug. 22, Magistrate Court of DeKalb County, Courtroom E, 3630 Camp Circle, Decatur, Georgia. We ask you to attend.  This is the same building where people pay traffic fines.  You can park in the pay lots across the street or in the Tax Assessors lot across from the jail.

Spreading the Anti-Litter Message among the Young

We took the anti-litter campaign to EL Miller Elementary School and Miller Middle School, greeting the students on the first day of school Aug. 5.  They received colorful pencils and wristbands imprinted with such messages as: Proud People Don’t Litter, and Stop, Stop & Pick It Up!

Thank you Nadine Rivers-Johnson and Gwen Stegall for taking the campaign to EL Miller Elementary. Phyllis Frierson, Fred Plummer, and Jan Costello handled Miller Middle.

The Aug. 3 back-to-school event at Crowe’s Plaza has been cancelled by the organizer. We’ll let you know of any updates.

The Mainstreet community invites neighbors to enjoy the show!  The fireworks originally scheduled for the end of July have been moved to Sept. 7, Mainstreet Field, 7 – 10 p.m.   (Large community field on Mainstreet Park Drive, halfway between S. Hairston and Martin Road. Bring a blanket or chairs to sit on. And send a prayer for clear skies!

As anticipated, Rudolph Bradford refused to accept a negotiated plea deal (probation, court supervision, fines), and he asked for a trial. Bradford is the person running an illegal slaughterhouse in a residential neighborhood (1676 Rice Road). He has slaughtered 2,316 animals since January 2016, including 142 since he was put under a cease-and-desist order.

The County is citing him for operating a business without a license, a business NOT allowed in a residential zone. 

The Superior Court will hear his case at 9 am, Aug. 22, Magistrate Court of DeKalb County, Courtroom E, 3630 Camp Circle, Decatur, Georgia. We ask you to attend. Judge McNeal (same as in Magistrate Court) will preside.  

County Attorney Thomas Kemp asked community members present to stand, and she made note of community involvement.  Erica Weaver, Herbert Love, Catharine Tipton and Jan Costello were there. 

Thirty people helped us spread mulch around the Nellie Stevens Hollies on S. Hairston across from the park July 20. We planted them in early 2018, and they need tender loving care. The mulch, provided by DeKalb County, will help the trees conserve moisture and fight the heat.  We also picked up trash.

Many thanks to Nadine Rivers-Johnson and the Mainstreet Community Association for helping us with all the tools; Gwendolyn Stegall for bringing the snacks and water; Jan Costello for helping organize the event; Herbert Love, Jonathan Stegall, Larry Coles, Phyllis Frierson. Jarvis Walker, and Patrick Medley for your leadership and sweat equity. Thanks to Officer J.D. Brown for using our project as part of the Sheriff’s Department community service detail.

Enjoy the pictures below.

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Spread the Love/Mulch around our S. Hairston Trees

July 20, 8:45 a.m.
911 S. Hairston Road, Stone Mountain (park in Hairston Park)

The Nellie Stevens Hollies we planted in early 2018 need tender loving care. Join us Saturday morning to spread mulch around each tree. This will help the trees conserve moisture and fight the heat.  We will have tools. Please bring work gloves. 

Bear Witness: The Community Does NOT Want a Slaughterhouse in a Neighborhood

Rudolph Bradford continues to slaughter animals at 1676 Rice Road, Lithonia, and he will be in court July 23, 9 a.m.  We ask you to attend (please wear white.) 

If Mr. Bradford wants to enter a guilty plea to his citations on Tuesday, July 23rd, then he should be sentenced that day.  If Mr. Bradford elects to have a trial, then a trial date will be set. 

WHAT: DeKalb County v. Rudolph Bradford, Criminal Calendar Call
WHERE: Magistrate Court of DeKalb County, Courtroom E, 3630 Camp Circle, Decatur, Georgia
WHEN: Tuesday, July 23, 2019 at 9:00 a.m.

The Camp Circle Courthouse is diagonally across from the DeKalb County Jail.  Camp Circle intersects with Memorial Drive near Interstate 285.  There are many parking lots around the Camp Circle Courthouse complex, but the lots require a credit or debit card to use.

Celebrate Summer & Kick Off Great School Year with Fireworks

The Mainstreet community invites neighbors to enjoy the show!  Fireworks on July 27, Mainstreet Field, 7 – 10 p.m.   (Large community field on Mainstreet Park Drive, halfway between S. Hairston and Martin Road. Bring a blanket or chairs to sit on. And send a prayer for clear skies!

Public Safety Town Hall Meeting at Antioch AME Church

Monday, July 29, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
765 S. Hairston Rd. Stone Mountain

This is an opportunity for the community to meet the new Tucker Precinct commander and to discuss public safety issues. You can learn what the public safety professionals are doing to address crime and what we can do to help protect our community.  The Fountainhead neighborhood arranged the meeting and invites all to attend.

Back-to-School Event for Local Students

On Aug. 3, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Crowe’s Plaza (southeast side of S. Hairston/Redan) will stage a back-to-school event for local students. Merchants will give away basic school supplies. The event is coordinated by Coast Dental, and Kroger, T-Mobile, New Link Management and others are contributing to the effort.  Greater Hidden Hills CDC will be there, too, with anti-litter campaign pencils (Stop. Drop, Pick-it-up! ) and a raffle of zoo tickets (a packet of four!)