Much thanks to the Hidden Hills and metro Atlanta volunteers who helped plant trees on S. Hairston We had a successful tree planting day on S. Hairston Road Oct. 28, and we reached our goal of planting 58 trees.
Much thanks to four high school students who joined the effort. Three live in Hidden Hills: Zamira Johnson (Miller Grove HS) and Heaven Damons and Jaden Jackson (Redan HS). Torreance Dorsey (Redan) lives nearby. Thanks also to Rufus Reed and House District 87 Rep. Viola Davis.
We had an incredible day with volunteers from Truist, Emory University, Green Cell, and various metro residents. What fun to work together for a great cause.
We planted American elm, hickory, and Nuttall oak between Adcox Road and White Oak Trail. The effort to beautify S. Hairston Road and to help restore the tree canopy in metro Atlanta began years ago. We now have close to 200 young trees on the corridor, and we can’t wait to keep planting.
We will be planting more trees Friday, Nov. 10, 1:30 – 4:30 p.m., this time right in the Hidden Hills neighborhood. We’re meeting at Biffle Park. Please bring gloves and water.
Oct. 21, 9 – noon. Join Friends of Hairston Park to spruce up the park. Volunteers will be working on the playground, in the native plant garden, on the new kiosk, and on StoryWalk.
889 S. Hairston, Stone Mountain, GA 30088
The entrance is at the intersection of S. Hairston and Mainstreet Park Dr. The park is on S. Hairston between Elam Road and Redan Road.
We deserve nice places in our community, and it takes all of us to keep them nice!
Tree Planting Day Oct. 28, 9 a.m. – noon.
As part of our multi-year effort to beautify S. Hairston, we are planting trees from Adcox Road to Treehills Parkway. We appreciate the gift of more than 50 tress from Trees Atlanta.
Join the fun. You may park at Allstate Insurance Co, 1289 South Hairston Road, Stone Mountain. (Overflow parking is available on Adcox Road). We are gathering in the lot next to the Allstate parking lot.
Trees Atlanta provides the tools. Please wear gloves and bring water. The link below has more details.
Take the time to learn what the renewal of the penny local option sales tax means for our community. The first SPLOST has expired, and the County is giving voters the option to renew it. The funds will help pay for 200 jmiles of road resurfacing, public safety faciltities, improving parks, building sidewalks and trails, and investing in libraries.
Recently, at the DeKalb New Green Deal Summit sponsored by Commissioner Ted Terry, citizens learned a lot about the efforts to develop a more eco-friendly county. The initiatives include developing clean energy sources, adding alternative transportation options (Sidewalks! Trails! Bike paths!), and offering different sized housing to give consumers more choices.
The County wants your opinions on what a clean energy future should look like. Please take the survey by clicking this link. This survey also has a sign-up to receive additional information about upcoming workshops and community engagement sessions.
A Sigh of Relief
It appears that Rudolf Bradford has finally taken seriously the court order to cease and desist from slaughtering animals on his property at 1636 Rice Road. It took three and one-half years and a two-day stay in DeKalb County Jail before he complied with the court order.
According to the Karen Scott, Assistant DeKalb Solicitor-General, Bradford “has made significant steps in bringing his property into compliance based on the last inspection conducted by the Department of Planning & Sustainability. The slaughtering of animals has ceased and was confirmed by the Georgia Department of Agriculture. All animals for slaughter to include chickens, sheep and goats have been removed from the property.”
We received this news a few days before there was to be a probation revocation hearing. Ms. Scott has been an exemplary advocate for the law, and she has been painstaking in her efforts to keep us fully informed over the past three years. We very much appreciate her work.
For the record, Bradford slaughtered 5,510 cows, pigs, goats, and sheep since the cease-and-desist order was issued March 19, 2019. He slaughtered none in August and September. The total slaughtered since the Georgia Dept. of Agriculture began doing inspections is 7,640 animals.
We always appreciate your support.
Membership is $25 for individuals and $125 for neighborhood associations and businesses each year.
Productive Meeting with Young Road/Covington Hwy Developer
More than 40 people joined the Zoom call to offer suggestions to the developer of the proposed shopping center/convenience store at the corner of Young Road and Covington Hwy. (5646 Covington Hwy.) The community had grave concerns about the increase in traffic and the type of businesses that would be in the center. The developer explained that a DeKalb County traffic study would be conducted and shared with the public. As for types of businesses, the developer said they planned an upscale convenience store, similar to Savi Provisions in Decatur, but no contract has been signed.
The community asked that the development not sell alcohol in the convenience store, and that it consider businesses that we don’t have in the area such as a vegan restaurant, coffee shop/bakery, and ethnic restaurants that are not already in the neighborhood.
The representative said that they would consider conditions on the zoning. The discussion continues. The matter will not come up again in public hearings until December. We’ll keep you posted.
The DeKalb County Charter Review Commission Invites You Sept. 14
The Commission is considering if changes should be made to DeKalb County’s Organization Act. The 17-member citizen body is considering issues such as compensation for the chief executive officer and board of commissioners, the powers and duties of the commission, and county audits. In particular, at this meeting, they would like to hear your thoughts on the following:
DeKalb County has a CEO (Executive branch) and a Board of Commissioners (Legislative branch) form of government. Do you have thoughts on this structure of County Government?
With the growth in population, do we need additional commissioners? Do you like having two commissioners with the Super District and Single District commissioners?
Do you think more funding should be provided to an enhanced or new neighborhood-based citizen participation structure, supported with county resources? Do you believe this would help citizens communicate more directly with County departments and provide a better way to have added input in our county government decisions?
Do you have any thoughts or input on the roles or duties of the CEO or County Commissioners that could be changed in the Charter to make them more effective?
The County budget is approximately $1.7 Billion. Do you have any thoughts or suggestions on the Budget process to ensure public input and to ensure the most important Budget priorities are addressed?
Do you feel that County Government responded adequately to the recent pandemic and issues that arose from that health crisis?
Do you have any input concerning citizen boards which are established by the Commission or in the Charter? How they are appointed, managed, and supported by County government?
Remarks are welcomed from citizens who are residents of DeKalb County. Each speaker will have three minutes to speak and written remarks are also welcomed.
The meeting will be held at the Lou Walker Senior Center located at 2538 Panola Road, Stonecrest, GA 30058. Free parking is available at the site. The hearing will also be livestreamed and can be viewed at this link: https://video.ibm.com/channel/dctvchannel-23
DeKalb County is developing a network of multi-use trails for both pedestrians and bicyclists. Existing trails include the Stone Mountain Trail, Arabia Mountain Trail, South River Trail, and South Fork Peachtree Creek Trail. Give your opinion about where trails are needed at the next DeKalb Trails Master Plan Meeting, Sept. 18, 6 – 8 p.m. Redan Recreation Center, 1839 Phillips Rd, Lithonia, GA 30058
Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson spearheaded the initiative to update the trail master plan. She stated, “Trails and greenspaces are an integral part of DeKalb’s future. They are of the utmost importance for enhancing the quality of life for DeKalb County citizens by improving health, promoting clean air, protecting the environment, providing an alternative transportation system, stimulating economic development and creating a renewed sense of community. It is time we have a firm plan and commitment through dedicated, set-aside funds to complete our trails.”
Free and Safe Disposal of Hazardous Waste
DeKalb citizens may take advantage of the opportunity to get rid of hazardous waste on Oct. 21, 8 a.m. to noon. 3720 Leroy Scott Dr., Decatur, Ga 30032.
“This has gone on long enough,” said Chief Judge Wayne Purdom, DeKalb State Court, Aug. 9, during a hearing about why Rudolph Bradford has not shut down his slaughterhouse. On April 3, 2023, Bradford was found guilty on six counts and told to shut down the slaughterhouse, dispose of the equipment, remove animals that are not allowed on residential property, and allow Code Enforcement officers onto his property for inspections. He had 90 days to meet the conditions.
The slaughtering has continued, with more than 5,500 animals slaughtered since the cease-and-desist order was issued in March 2019. The case was brought once again to Judge Purdom’s courtroom by Assistant Solicitor-General Karen Scott.
The judge ordered that Bradford meet the conditions, and has until Aug. 21 to do so. (The date is 7 days from the day the order is expected to be filed, which the Judge said would be Aug. 14.) The judge set an $8,000 bond.
Bradford’s attorney says that his client plans to move the slaughterhouse to Alabama and that he is trying to arrange financing.
You’re Invited Aug 16, 6 p.m.:
Community Meeting on Proposed Convenience Store
The developer of a proposed retail center and convenience store (with alcohol sales) at the northeast corner of Covington Hwy. and Young Road has been granted a deferral to allow time for community dialog. GHHCDC reached out to the developer and volunteered to host a community event Aug. 16, 6 p.m., via Zoom.
The project is planned for a parcel of vacant land at the intersection of Covington Hwy and Young Road (5646 Covington Hwy). This parcel is in a major corridor of the Greater Hidden Hills Overlay District. This intersection already has a convenience store. It is a crowded intersection, with an apartment community on one side and a new housing development (324 townhomes) on the other.
GHHCDC encourages you to attend via Zoom.
Topic: Public Community Meeting: Covington Hwy/Young Rd
GHHCDC advocates to ensure that DeKalb County follows the special Overlay District zoning approved for this area. We also work to protect, conserve, and enhance greenspace.
Please share this information with your neighbors. We have to work together to build the community we deserve.
Take a Survey on a New Walk & Bike Trail near Indian Creek MARTA
Trails and greenways benefit communities in many ways – they make a positive impact on health and wellness, offer a safe, enjoyable, and equitable mode of transportation, and provide opportunities for economic development. This summer, there have been two public meetings on a proposed trail linking the Indian Creek MARTA station with Memorial Drive. If you missed the opportunity to attend, you can still participate by reviewing the presentation and taking a survey.
Taking the survey will also show DeKalb County that you care about bicycle-pedestrian friendly greenway trails. Raise your voice so that the County knows trails are important to you!
Share Opinion on Indian Creek MARTA Master Plan
What’s in store for the Indian Creek MARTA station? If you have missed the meetings, you can review summaries at this website:
Once you have looked around, take the survey and help shape the future of the station. This survey offers alternative plans and asks for your comments and vote.
We always appreciate your support.
Membership is $25 for individuals and $125 for neighborhood associations and businesses each year.
The developer wants to build a retail center that will include a convenience store with alcohol sales at Covington and Young. This parcel is in a major corridor of the Hidden Hills Overlay District. Such a business must request special permission, and we ask the public to oppose it. This intersection already has a convenience store. It is a crowded intersection, with an apartment community on one side and a new housing development (324 townhomes) on the other.
The District 5 Community Council Meeting voted unanimously to deny the application on June 12. Thank you to those who took the time to speak against the zoning change.
To read this case and others that are up for review, click on this link. Look for July 2023 New Rezone SLUP Applications, N10 and N11.
After the Planning Commission makes its recommendation, the case will go the Board of Commissioners. The IN-PERSON meeting is on July 27, 5:30 p.m., at the Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive.
Electric Owl Studios gave a tour to a small group of county officials, including Comm. Mereda Davis Johnson, and neighborhood leaders July 9. The 18-acre site, across from the Indian Creek MARTA station, is fantastic. The owners hope to have their first production rentals in three weeks, but the schedule will depend on the status of the writer’s strike.
The complex has two 30,000 square -foot studios and five 20,000 square-foot studios. It is huge! There are also buildings for wardrobe, construction and fabrication, and offices and conference rooms. The complex is LEED-certified, with rooftop solar panels that will offset 30% of studio power usage, 48 EV charging stations, a full recycling program, a green catering policy (no disposable plates and utensils – all must be reusable), and “living walls” with plants cascading down the surface.
Dan Rosenfelt and Michael Hahn have many years in film and television studio production. This exciting business will most likely be a catalyst for other high quality businesses in the area.
We welcome Electric Owl to the neighborhood.
Mr. Rosenfelt says that they share the names of local individuals and companies that a production team might need, including caterers and tradespeople. If you would like to be on the list, write to him at: Dan@electricowlstudios.com
Electric Owl also will offer internships. Mr. Rosenfelt is the person to write if interested.
Park Pride selected Friends of Hairston Park President Gwendolyn Stegall to take part in the Park Stewardship Academy, one of only 12 people chosen. The program offers three months training in ways to draw the community together to protect, enhance, and enjoy greenspace. At the end of the program, Hairston Park Friends group will receive $2,500 for park improvements and activities.
Thank you, Gwendolyn Stegall, for your leadership and advocacy. The park is at 889 S. Hairston Road. If you would like to keep up with Hairston Park, please join the mailing list by writing to FriendsofHairstonPark@gmail.com. Also, visit the website, https://friendsofhairstonpark.org/
DeKalb County to Hold Parks Citizen Advisory Board Meeting July 25
Find out what’s going on with our parks, and ask questions at the Parks Citizen Advisory Board Committee meeting on Tuesday, July 25 at 6 p.m. at the Wade Walker Family YMCA, 5605 Rockbridge Rd SW, Stone Mountain, Ga. This meeting is really close to home, so make an effort to be there! Hairston Park friends have been attending and asking for a paved path to connect the new senior/community center to the park’s center. Since the facility is built on park land, we believe that it is the County’s duty to connect the two parts. The opening date of the center has not been announced.
Movies in the Park
DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs Department is hosting Movies in the Park every Wednesday in July in various locations across the county at dusk and with each movie starting at 8:30 p.m.
Participants are encouraged to bring family and friends, blankets, lawn chairs and food for each showing. All featured movies will be PG-13 and rated viewable for all ages to enjoy.
Movie Schedule
July 12 at Lithonia Pool
July 19 at Wade Walker Park Tennis Court
July 26 at Medlock Pool
For more information, contact LaShanda Davis, public relations specialist, at 404-710-6331.
Help Revive the Drive
Take a minute to vote on your favorite brand image for Memorial Drive. It’s all part of the effort to revitalize the corridor.
Take the Memorial Drive Rebranding survey here to let us know what YOU think!
A developer wants to build a retail center that will include a convenience store with alcohol sales at Covington and Young. This parcel is in a major corridor of the Hidden Hills Overlay District. Such a business must request special permission, and we ask the public to oppose it.
This intersection already has a convenience store. It is a crowded intersection, with an apartment community on one side and a new housing development (324 townhomes) on the other.
Speak out at the District 5 Community Council Meeting on Zoom. Ask the Council to recommend DENIAL.
If you have questions, write to friendsofhairstonpark@gmail.com
DeKalb Celebrates Parks
On May 23, Friends of Hairston Park President Gwendolyn Stegall was one of the volunteers recognize for their contributions to DeKalb’s public parks. District 2 Commissioner Michelle Long Spears read the Proclamation for Friends of Parks Day at the Board of Commissioners meeting. (Watch here.)
On May 23, people across the country tuned into a meeting on how predatory retail chains—including Walmart, Kroger, and Dollar General—make it almost impossible for independent grocers to succeed in our communities.
Testimony was provided by Food Fresh, the only grocery store in a rural stretch of southeastern Georgia, and a Black-owned grocery store in north Tulsa, as well as farmers and regulators.
“Big retailers and food processors [have] hiked up prices, paid farmers less, and made record profits,” Angela Huffman of Farm Action explained. The grocers note that they are threatened by the purchasing deals the “big retailers” arrange.
Federal Trade Commissioner Alvaro Bedoya talked about the need to enforce antitrust laws. Note that U.S. Congressman Hank Johnson has signed a letter asking for better antitrust enforcement. You can learn more about the issue by watching Fixing the Food Gap.
Thank you for reading.
The next GHHCDC Meeting will be July 8, 2023, 10 a.m. via Zoom. We’ll send out the link later, and we’ll post it on our website.
A developer wants to build a retail center that will include a convenience store with alcohol sales at Covington and Young (5646 Covington Hwy). This parcel is on a major corridor of the Hidden Hills Overlay District. Such a business must request special permission, and we ask the public to oppose it.
This intersection already has a convenience store. It is a crowded intersection. The parcel next to an apartment community on one side and a new housing development (324 townhomes) on the other.
Speak out at the District 5 Community Council Meeting on Zoom
The Transit Oriented Development (TOD) plan for Indian Creek is being fine-tuned, and your opinions are needed. The master plans “will create a community-driven vision to catalyze the transformation of MARTA’s Indian Creek Station into a walkable, vibrant, mixed-use, transit-centric community.”
TOD often includes a mix of uses including a variety of housing types, office, and retail within a five-to-10-minute walk of a transit station. It is generally denser than the development surrounding it and is supported by high quality neighborhood amenities, such as parks, plazas, and other public spaces.
Community meeting: May 11, 2023, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Indian Creek MARTA Station, 3901 Durham Park Road.
The Institute for Self-Reliance is offering a virtual event on the important topic: How Communities are Fighting Back Against Predatory Retail Chains. From the news release:
“The rise of predatory retail chains—including Walmart, Kroger, and Dollar General—has wreaked havoc on our communities. These giants leverage their power to bully farmers and muscle out independent grocers, which has undermined our food system, left many communities without access to fresh, healthy food, and harmed our local economies. Please join the call Tuesday, May 23rd at 1:00–2:15 pm featuring Federal Trade Commissioner Alvaro Bedoya alongside community leaders, independent grocers, and advocates—to examine the ways these dominant retailers exert their power, how community leaders are fighting back, and what federal leaders must do to cultivate fairness in our food system.”
Keynote Commissioner Alvaro Bedoya Federal Trade Commission Q&AModerated by Stacy Mitchell Co-Executive Director, Institute for Local Self-Reliance Panel DiscussionAngela Huffman Co-Founder and Vice President, Farm Action Aaron Johnson Founder and Owner, Oasis Fresh Market in North Tulsa, Oklahoma Rev. Dr. Donald Perryman Senior Pastor, The Center of Hope Community Baptist Church in Toledo, Ohio Moderated by Rana Foroohar Global Business Columnist and an Associate Editor at the Financial Times
June 3, 1-6 p.m., Pop-Up Market on Memorial Drive
Rock of Ages Lutheran Church in Stone Mountain will host the East Memorial Drive Pop of Market on Saturday, June 3, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
DeKalb County business owner Deanna Cauthen is coordinating the event to support the East Memorial Corridor, which has experienced slow economic growth since the early 1990s.
Vendors can register for The East Memorial Drive Pop-Up Market at www.emdpopup.com, or by emailing Deanna Cauthen at dzstories@yahoo.com.
June 10, 8:00-11 a.m. It’s time for the Fun Run!
Or you can walk or bike. Meet at Biffle Park, 5221 Biffle Road, Stone Mountain, June 10, 8 a.m. and enjoy the 5K event. Official times will be recorded for those who are interested. Please register at this link. Sponsors and donations are welcome. Write to HHCAMail@yahoo.com
Decide DeKalb Working to Attract New Jobs and Bridge Gaps
Decide DeKalb is the economic development arm of DeKalb County. The staff works to increase investment and jobs. It now has an Equitable Economic Development Program which focuses particularly on bringing investment and increasing opportunities in underserved parts of the county. Jan Costello and about 15 other residents of the County are on the Advocate DeKalb advisory group which hopes to bring more attention to central and south DeKalb.
On April 3, Rudolf Bradford was ordered by State Court to shut down his slaughterhouse business at 1676 Rice Road within 30 days. If he does not comply, he will serve time in jail. He must also pay a $5,000 fine.
The Solicitor-General’s office has been conscientious in keeping us updated every step of the way. Prosecutors Karen Scott and Daniel Sanmiguel sent this summary:
After hearing the State’s recommendation, as well as considering evidence that the State presented that the Defendant has continued to operate his business in the same capacity as before, the Judge imposed the following sentence, aggregated from the five counts for which the Mr. Bradford was convicted.
Mr. Bradford was ordered to serve a sentence of 600 days, with 300 days on probation and 300 days in jail. However, the jail time may be suspended (e.g., served outside of custody) if the Defendant complies with the following special conditions:
1) He must stop slaughtering animals/operating the abbatoir portion of his business within 30 days of today’s date.
2) He must cease ALL agricultural business operations at 1676 Rice Road within 90 days of today’s date.
3) He must remove or dispose of all agricultural equipment at 1676 Rice Road within 90 days.
4) He must have no animals other than those allowed by the DeKalb County code for a residential property, zoned as his is, and must be in compliance with this condition within 90 days.
Additionally, the defendant was ordered to pay a fine of $5000, plus any applicable surcharges, and for the duration of the 600-day sentence he must allow code enforcement or probation to enter his property to ensure that he is in compliance.
Rudolf Bradford has received yet another postponement of his sentencing on six guilty charges. He was found guilty of running an illegal slaughterhouse on Dec. 14, 2022. His sentencing has been delayed three times. Assistant Solicitor-General Karen Scott sent the following note:
Over the State’s objection, the court has reset the State v. Rudolph Bradford to Monday, April 3rd, 2023, at 8:50 am at the DeKalb County Courthouse located at 556 N. McDonough Street, Decatur, Georgia 30030, Courtroom B on the 3rd floor.
On Friday, March 17, 2023 the defense attorney reached out to the Court via e-mail to request a continuance based on a personal emergency. The Court did not set a hearing on the matter, but Judge Purdom addressed that he had received the request during an unrelated court session this morning.
The State expressed its objection, including mentioning the planned attendance of members of the public, information that the Defendant continues to operate his business, and that this matter has already been reset twice. Over the State’s objection, the Judge indicated that given the circumstances of the Defendant’s request, he was still going to reset it. As always, I will continue to keep you updated on this matter.
Greater Hidden Hills 