DeKalb County Police officers have not received a raise since 2006 and as a result this once proud police department has lost veteran, talented officers to occupations with better financial opportunities. The experience and training they take away cannot be replaced overnight and handicaps this agency during a time when public sentiment is against us. Several DeKalb Police officers have decided to take a stand and change the direction this department is going in.
The action of state Senator Gloria Butler to attempt to rescind the appointment of Harmel Codi to the DeKalb County Audit Oversight Committee is unfortunate, ill-advised, and sends a negative message which furthers the image of a local government which is “rotten-to-the-core.”
I agree with those who have stated that the effort to try to remove Ms. Codi, “It completely defeats the purpose of this being an independent body if the individuals making the appointments can change their minds at will. It’s not acceptable. If they’re constantly in fear of being replaced, they’re not independent.”
Sen. Butler’s actions undermine the infrastructure and processes the voters approved to provide some measure of oversight for a county government that has been plagued with scandals and malfeasance by elected and appointed officials. Taxpayers want their taxpayer funded public servants to respect them. Any actions that undermine the independence of the Audit Oversight Committee reinforce DeKalb’s image as corrupt and secretive.
It gives credibility to the idea that DeKalb’s government is often used for the benefit of a small number of the well-connected residents and businesses at the expense of the larger public.
For the sake of transparency and honest government, it is imperative that Ms. Codi be recognized as the rightful appointee on the DeKalb County Audit Oversight Committee.
DeKalb County Implements
New Water Meter Program
County improves accuracy of meter reading
at 40,000 locations
Beginning Monday, 11 January, the DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management (DWM) begins installation of new Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) System transmitters on water meters in various locations in DeKalb County.
“This is a major step forward to improve the accuracy of water bills for our DeKalb County water customers,” said Interim CEO Lee May. “This applied technology will improve customer service and support our commitment to improve billing accuracy, because it eliminates meter-reading errors.”
DWM Director Scott A. Towler, P.E., explains that the new technology will help to eliminate manual misread meters and inaccurate estimated bills.
“The AMI system works like any other wireless device, using smart point units to regional collectors that transmit usage data. Simply put, by the end of the year we’ll have 40,000 water meters that will call in their own meter readings,” said Director Towler. “We were able to find natural locations for these regional collectors by placing receivers on existing water tanks and towers.”
The new AMI system will also allow for better leak detection within the water system, as abnormal spikes in water usage can be instantly identified using a software monitoring system.
DWM contractors will begin work installing the new Advanced Metering Technology on Monday, January 11, 2016 and it is expected that this work will continue throughout the year countywide.
DeKalb’s Greenspace and Parks Committee
to Meet 13 January
A joint meeting for DeKalb Parks Bond Advisory Committee and the Initiative for a Green DeKalb Advisory Council will be held on Wednesday, 13 January at 5:30 p.m. at the Manuel J. Maloof Building, 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur, GA 30030.
The meeting will take place on the third floor, in the Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs conference room, and information will be provided on greenspace acquisitions and current parks and recreation projects.
Nancy's blog 