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Posted inLatest News

Mayor Reed turns down Friendship Baptist Church’s offer for a mediator

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By Maria Saporta

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed has nixed the idea of meeting with all the parties interested in acquiring Friendship Baptist Church to make way for a new Atlanta Falcons stadium.

The mayor also does not want to have a mediator try to find a middle ground between what the City of Atlanta has offered to buy the church and the property and what Friendship believes it needs to relocate and rebuild in the Vine City community.

“We got a response back from the mayor, and the mayor has said he doesn’t want to have a mediation,” said Lloyd Hawk, chairman of Friendship’s board of trustees, on Monday afternoon. “He’s not will to sit down at the table with everyone.”

Posted inMichelle Hiskey, Michelle Hiskey & Ben Smith

In Decatur, a peek into the mind of Temple Grandin

by Michelle Hiskey

Autistic author and professor of animal science Temple Grandin, the hero of the eponymous Emmy award-winning HBO movie, wowed a recent crowd of more than 800 who packed into the pews, the balcony, the choir seats behind the pulpit and even snuck in guarded doors at First Baptist Church of Decatur.

They flocked to this famous face of high-functioning autism, drawn to her gift of describing and communicating her inner life and her willingness to advocate for those with learning disabilities. Appearing in customary western wear—a turquoise cowgirl shirt with floral yoke and cuffs and neck scarf tied bandanna style—Grandin spoke for more than 75 minutes, and resourcefulness was a big part of her message.

Posted inTom Baxter

Moral Mondays become a focal point for region’s political tensions

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With protesters in the streets across the globe from Istanbul to Sao Paulo, what has been going on every Monday in Raleigh for the past couple of months hasn’t received nearly as much attention, outside North Carolina, as the 2011 demonstrations at Wisconsin’s capitol in Madison. But North Carolina’s Moral Mondays, as they’re called, bear watching.

Politics in North Carolina never was as smooth-edged as it might have appeared during the Mayberry era, and in recent years it has cycled into a particularly bitter period. After voting for Barack Obama and elected a Democratic woman, Bev Perdue, governor in 2008, the state swung dramatically to the right in 2010, putting Republicans in control of the legislature and the redistricting process. The GOP tightened its lock in 2012, electing Pat McCrory, the former mayor of Charlotte, governor and strengthening its hold on the legislature.

Just as meaningful as the change from Democrats to Republicans has been the shift within the Republican Party to a more confrontational brand of conservatism.

Posted inDavid Pendered

Atlanta BeltLine: City to condemn property to develop park, trail

by David Pendered

Atlanta is preparing to condemn private property to further the development of the Atlanta BeltLine.

Although just a few acres are involved, this marks the first time Atlanta has exercised its power of eminent domain to develop a park or trail related to the BeltLine.

Condemned land will be used to expand Enota Place Park, in southwest Atlanta, which was one of the original 13 jewels in the “emerald necklace” vision of the BeltLine that was used to promote the concept in its formative days. The Southwest BeltLine Connector Trail will be built atop some condemned properties.

Posted inMoments, Moments Season 2

Alwyn Fredericks’ Moment was one not many experience – he discovered he had ‘the widow maker’

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Alwyn Fredericks had his Moment a few months ago on a night that at first seemed much like any other. Then it got a bit more serious. After drifting off to sleep for a few hours, Alwyn woke up abruptly at 4 a.m. feeling tightness in his chest. His wife and children were all in a deep sleep.

Following the protocol he followed for a decade as a successful personal injury law partner, Alwyn resumed his familiar role of investigating pain and injury – though this time, he was researching on his own behalf. He walked over to the computer and Googled the symptoms he was experiencing.

“It said if you’re on the computer researching chest achiness and tightness, you need to get up and go to the hospital,” he recalled in our accompanying HD Moments video.

Posted inLatest News

Byers Brothers: Atlanta positioned well for higher ed and innovation

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By Maria Saporta

The Byers Brothers could take their act on the road.

The three brothers — Ken, Brook and Tom — who have all excelled as technology entrepreneurs from different vantage points, were the featured speakers at Monday’s Rotary Club of Atlanta where they spoke about the future of innovation and entrepreneurship.

The oldest brother, Ken Byers, started his business in 1971 and is the founder of the Atlanta-based Byers Engineering Co. Like his brothers, he went to Georgia Tech. But unlike his two younger siblings, he never left.

Brook Byers is a founding partner of the Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers venture capital firm based in Silicon Valley. As one of the largest venture capital firms in the country, it has invested in a multitude of companies including Amazon.com, Google, Netscape, Sun Microsystems and Intuit.

Posted inSaba Long

College students paying the price for political gridlock in Washington, D.C.

by Saba Long

It is no wonder people – particularly younger folks — are increasingly disillusioned by politics. Every day, it seems, gridlock in Washington is affecting our way of life.

We have lost high school buddies, cousins and college classmates to the War on Terror, all while witnessing a long-overdue national debate on the health and wellness of military soldiers – namely “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” the realities of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and sexual abuse.

Captivated by the possibilities of a President Barack Obama, youth across the country have been given a cold dose of reality that change doesn’t come in one term, and even then it may be more subdued than we expected.

Posted inMaria's Metro

GeorgiaForward seeks to unify state while waiting on key leaders to join in

Avatar photo by Maria Saporta

A most valiant effort to unite the state of Georgia continues to prosper despite a lack of visible support from its top leaders.

GeorgiaForward, which will hold its fourth annual forum in Atlanta on July 11 and 12 at the Georgia Tech Conference Center, has built a grassroots following of civic, business and political officials from all over the state who seek to bridge the various forces that divide our state.

Those include Atlanta versus the rest of the state or perhaps more importantly — urban versus rural versus suburban; income divides, racial and ethnic divides, generational divides and political divides.

The goal has been to build consensus on a shared vision for where and how we want our state to evolve.

Posted inATL Business Chronicle, Maria's Metro

U.S. charitable donations rebounding, but slowly

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By Maria Saporta
Published in the Atlanta Business Chronicle on Friday, June 21, 2013

As the economy continues to improve, charitable giving in the United States has increased. But at the current rate of growth, it will take another five years to reach the level of giving that the nation enjoyed at its height.

Americans donated $316.23 billion to charitable causes in 2012, according to the Giving USA Foundation and its research partner, the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.

“That is the largest number since 2008,” said David King, president of Atlanta-based fundraising firm Alexander Haas, who also is chair of the Giving Institute, which founded the Giving USA Foundation in 1985.

Posted inGuest Column

Serving locally-grown nutritious foods is not only healthier, also saves money

by Teresa Johnston

By Guest Columnist CHRISTIAN HARDIGREE, director and professor of the Institute for Culinary Sustainability and Hospitality at Kennesaw State University

The future of the food service and hospitality sector belongs to smart operators who hire talented, bright managers. That’s why Kennesaw State University created a bachelor’s program to train and inspire the next generation of managers in sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Consider the magnitude of the U.S. restaurant industry. It generates approximately $660 billion in sales (4 percent of the Gross Domestic Product), while employing 8.6 percent of the total workforce. In 2013, Georgia’s restaurants are projected to register $16 billion in sales, while employing 10 percent of the workforce, with estimates for 14 percent job growth over the next 10 years.

Posted inDavid Pendered

Atlanta’s airport to install touch screen directories to help passengers find their way around concourses

by David Pendered

Airline passengers should find it easier to navigate their way around Atlanta’s airport once a new wayfinding system is installed in time for this winter’s busy travel season.

The $2.1 million project calls for interactive touch-screen signs to replace the existing static signs throughout the airport. The work is to be paid for by the city’s aviation fund and overseen by the consortium of airlines that manage the common areas of the airport.

The decision to replace the static signs stemmed partly from the success of the interactive signs in the Maynard Holbrook Jackson Jr. International Terminal, airport General Manager Louis Miller told the Atlanta City Council’s Transportation Committee in March.

Posted inLatest News

Friendship Baptist Church caught by surprise by Mayor Kasim Reed talking publicly about stadium negotiations

Avatar photo by Maria Saporta

By Maria Saporta

Members of Friendship Baptist Church were caught by surprise when Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed told WXIA-TV Thursday about the offers and counter-offers on the possible sale of the church to make way for the new Atlanta Falcons stadium.

“We were surprised that he came out and publicly stated that in the middle of negotiations,” said Lloyd Hawk, chairman of Friendship’s board of trustees, on Friday morning. “The congregation is very confused at this point. It has certainly made the situation at the church a little more complicated.”

Reed told WXIA that the city initially offered $13.5 million for the Friendship and its surrounding property, but Friendship had asked for $24.54 million. “We can’t afford that, so we sent back an offer of $15.5 million,” Reed told WXIA.

Posted inDavid Pendered

Planning for water in metro Atlanta and its effect on rivers that nurture oysters in Apalachicola

by David Pendered

Editor’s Note: This is the third of three stories this week that look at water issues that affect metro Atlanta. Click to read the first story and the second story.

The debate over how to meet the water needs of metro Atlanta comes down to two different principles – whether the region should use less water, or provide greater supply through additional reservoirs.

Even that reduction doesn’t go far enough. For one, there’s not a consensus on how much water the region will need in the future. In addition, there’s little agreement on the data and science used in the debate.

If this sounds familiar, it is – transportation and the proposed 1 percent sales tax that was on the ballot in 2012 to pay for roads and transit. One difference with the water debate is that the public probably won’t be asked to decide for or against whatever solution is reached by water planners over the next two years.

Posted inLatest News

Tax credit program for working class to shift from Food Bank to United Way

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By Maria Saporta

A successful program that has put money in the pockets of Atlantans who need it most will now be managed by the United Way of Greater Atlanta instead of the Atlanta Community Food Bank.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program has been operated in metro Atlanta since 2007. It has offered free tax preparation services to low- and moderate-income families — helping them avoid costly income tax preparation fees and make sure that people receive all the available tax credits and deductions.

Those include the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Child Tax Credit and other available tax credits. VITA has been able to offer its services at more than 40 sites in 12 metro counties. The Atlanta Community Food Bank has been partnering with numerous organizations, including United Way.

Posted inEleanor Ringel Cater

‘Man of Steel’ – worst Superman movie until the last three minutes

Avatar photo by Eleanor Ringel Cater

“Man of Steel” may not be the worst summer blockbuster I’ve ever seen.

But I’m pretty sure it’s the worst “Superman” movie I’ve ever seen.

Worse than the pathetic “Superman Returns,” starring Brandon Routh, the George Lazenby of Supermans. And worse than the pretentious “Superman IV: The Quest for Peace,” Christopher Reeve’s rather sad (albeit well-intentioned) attempt to bankroll his superhero celebrity into a plea for the eco-future of the planet.

I will give it this, though: “Man of Steel’s” last three minutes are among the best I’ve seen in many a movie, summer blockbuster or not.

Posted inDavid Pendered

Prayers for rain, Senate takes on Supreme Court ruling – all part of Georgia’s water policy issues

by David Pendered

Editor’s Note: This is the second of three stories this week that will look at water issues that affect metro Atlanta.

Metro Atlanta probably celebrated too swiftly after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled last year the region may continue to draw drinking water from Lake Lanier.

Though the ruling was rightly portrayed, by Georgians, as a major victory, the battle is far from over. The U.S. Senate toyed with the court’s ruling last month before it adopted omnibus water legislation. Water proposals abound in Georgia – where lakes are full six years after a governor led prayers for rain.

All of this results in water supply remaining one of the region’s major policy questions. Not to be overlooked are neighboring communities, and creatures, who rely on the same sources of water.

Posted inATL Business Chronicle, Maria's Metro

Column: Woodruff Arts Center campaign raises record amount

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By Maria Saporta
Published in the Atlanta Business Chronicle on Friday, June 14, 2013

If the Woodruff Arts Center had failed to make its $9.2 million goal this year, it would have been totally understandable.

The Atlanta economy is still in a recovery mode. It has been Virginia Hepner’s first campaign as CEO of the Woodruff Arts Center. It has been the first campaign in 35 years without the leadership of Beauchamp Carr organizing the effort.

And as if that weren’t enough, shortly after the campaign was launched, the Woodruff Arts Center disclosed that a former employee had stolen more than $1 million by issuing fraudulent invoices.

Posted inLatest News

GWCCA approves teams to build and design new Falcons stadium

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By Maria Saporta and Amy Wenk

Two more Atlanta contractors — H.J. Russell & Co. and C.D. Moody — have joined the general construction team that will be building the new Atlanta Falcons stadium, it was announced on Tuesday.

Russell and Moody, both minority-owned construction firms, will join the previously announced lead contractors of Holder and Hunt. Holder is an Atlanta-based construction firm that was founded in 1960 by Robert Holder and is now run by his son, Tommy Holder. Hunt, led by Bob Hunt, has built numerous football stadiums including six with retractable roofs.

“We are very happy to announce that we rounded out our partnership,” said Tommy Holder, when making the announcement about Russell and Moody.

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