Friday, May 31, 2013

WHAT'S THE BUZZ ABOUT BEES? CONGRESS REQUIRED TO ACT NOW!

WHAT'S THE BUZZ ABOUT BEES?  CONGRESS REQUIRED TO ACT NOW!

Follow the link:  http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/1881/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=11068 and read the article "Support the Pollinator Protection Amendment to the Senate Farm Bill"  published by the Center for Food Safety.  After you have formulated your views, the you must act immediately, especially if BUZZING BEES are important to you.

Monday, May 27, 2013



Is Memorial Day a day to celebrate the advent of Summer with Parades, Festivals an Cookouts?  ?  What is the Service; where is the Sacrifice Why do we celebrate? What are your views about Memorial Day?

Friday, May 24, 2013

5/24 Luckovich cartoon: There’s an app for that

5/24 Luckovich cartoon: There’s an app for that
Should the purchasing power of the Middle Class and the Below Middle Class be disproportionately be taken away by income taxes, sales taxes and other taxes called fines and fees?  What is your view?

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Some Spelman parents barred from graduation

Some Spelman parents barred from graduation

Spelman graduates and others, were the gatekeepers of graduation ceremonies just doing their job in maintaining the decorum and historical dignity of their school's most significant events of the year? Express you views and tell  us why.

Friday, May 17, 2013

Proctor Creek Watershed Clean Up Invigorates Redevelopment of Ailing Westside Neighborhoods: REAL OR SURREAL?


REAL OR SURREAL?
REAL!!!  Atlanta's Mayor Kasim Reed, Atlanta City Council members Ivory Young and Felicia Moore joined powerful federal officials and clean water advocates to announce funding and support for cleaning up Proctor Creek
SURREAL OR REAL??? Neglected Westside neighborhoods impacted by Procter Creek with the help of the impending funding for the massive cleanup of the Procter Creek watershed, in the near future,  will impacted neighborhoods be invigorated and thrive in the years to come????.
Express your views! 

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Federal Funding for Atlanta Westside's Proctor Creek: Real Vs. Surreal?

http://www.urbanwaters.gov/pdf/May10PressRelease.pdf

     
 The Historic Westin Heights / Bankhead Neighborhood Association, Inc., created to help restore neighborhood pride in a locale that for many years has been without an active neighborhood association.  Funding and attention to the Westin Heights / Bankhead Neighborhood (Proctor Creek included) will help reestablish a positive neighborhood identity.  Establishment of correctly placed signs delineating the boundaries of The Historic Westin Heights / Bankhead Neighborhood is important in creating a positive neighborhood identity.  Proper signage will proudly beckon residents and visitors to the · Historic Westin Heights / Bankhead Neighborhood ·The new Association will host neighborhood meetings for residents, stakeholders and friends to provide a neighborhood based voice in the destiny the Historic Westin Heights. Bankhead Neighborhood. 
     Over the years, the neighborhood's positive identity has eroded.  This neighborhood, currently known as a neighborhood corrupted by drug peddling, drug use and is currently notoriously for the death of a 92-year old female resident at the hands of her protectors, Atlanta Policemen  
   
  The Historic Westin Heights / Bankhead Neighborhood is long overdue for a physical clean up, the revitalization of Maddox park, the reopening of the closed A.F. Herndon Elementary school and the restoration of beautiful bungalow homes that have become derelict by place holding investors.  
     It is Drew's View that the physical cleanup of Maddox Park, the cleanup of Proctor Creek, the reopening Herndon Elementary School and the restoration of homes in Historic Westin Heights / Bankhead Neighborhood will facilitate the cultural renaissance of the area.  
     Is the proposed federal funding for Proctor Creek and for Maddox Park,,,,, REAL OR SURREAL?  What is you view?
  
Drewnell Thomas is a resident of the Historic Westin Heights / Bankhead Neighborhood and founder of the Historic Westin Heights / Bankhead Neighborhood Associatio, Inc. and the creator of  the Blog,  "Drew's Views and News Exchange"

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Atlanta's Intown Westside Neighborhoods:Poor Planing vs. Development Running Amuck


Much has been said about a new stadium for Atlanta and people are still talking.  The recent article in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, " Poor Planning for Poor Neighborhoods" written by Larry Keating, suggests that Atlanta's Westside inner-city neighborhoods are poorly planned, Drew's view of this news story half-heartedly supports Larry Keating's premise of poor planning.of Atlanta's inner-city's poor neighborhoods.

First, in many instances plans for these communities fail to include or give proper consideration to the elements of the natural topography of the land and how the land will be used .   It is Drew's opinion that a more egregious error in planning is the inadequate consideration of the historical needs and culture of the neighborhood with methods and suggested resources required to blend culture and use aspects with plans for the future of the neighborhoods Additionally, many plans for inner-city neighborhood redevelopment are completed without a clear, concise,yet comprehensive vision of THE BIG PICTURE essential to the survival of the neighborhoods and the Quality of Life issues required to sustain them as viable and livable neighborhoods.    

Second, oftentimes adequate plans are made,but then they are placed on a shelf without any subsequent  efforts made  to insure that the plans are properly implemented in poor neighborhoods. In other words, developers, too often are allowed to run amuck without adequate  oversight and monitoring.

Drewnell Thomas is a resident of the Historic Westin Heights / Bankhead Neighborhood and founder of the Historic Westin Heights / Bankhead Neighborhood Association and creator of  the Blog,  "Drew's Views and News Exchange"