Constructive Complaining

No one likes to listen to someone who does nothing but complain. But let's face it, there is a time and a place for CONSTRUCTIVE complaining. When you are unhappy with something going on in your community, you have three choices:

1. Do nothing.
2. Whine about it to everyone you see.
3. Complain about it to someone who can help you fix it.

Unfortunately, most folks choose either option #1 or #2. This changes nothing and leaves you feeling the same frustration you started out with. Let's take a look at option #3, which, while not the easiest option, is definitely the most productive.

First, define the problem. Most neighborhood issues can be handled by a strong community association. Contact your association, summarize the issue and ask for assistance. Be sure to volunteer to assist your leaders in the recommendation they provide.

If your neighborhood association is not able or willing to assist, you must take it to the next level. Again, after defining the problem, find out what government staff or elected official is responsible for the area in question. Most issues fall under the jurisdiction of the Police Department/Code Enforcement. Contact key people in these departments, then also contact your county Commissioner to let him/her know that you have requested assistance and expect follow-up.

The key to achieving your goal is numbers. The more people you can convince to complain, the better. Make it easy for them by providing contact information to key staff. Following is a listing of key personnel and elected officials in DeKalb.

Happy Complaining!

Code Enforcement

The Code Enforcement Unit provides the resources and procedures for consistent, fair, and accurate administration, and enforcement of Property Maintenance Code, Sign and Zoning Ordinance for communities and businesses of DeKalb County.

There are several ways to contact Code Enforcement to report complaints:
Phone: (770) 724-7940
Fax: (770) 724-7963
Mail: 1950 West Exchange Place
Tucker, GA 30084
Email: codeenforce@dekalbcountyga.gov

The following are Police Department Contacts:
NON-EMERGENCY - 678.937.2852 (To file non-emergency Police reports)

ADDRESS

DeKalb County Police Department Headquarters
1960 West Exchange Place
Tucker, Georgia 30084
MAP

DEPARTMENTS

Animal Control/Animal Services 404.294.2996 or 404.294.2970
Communications (non-emergency) 678.406.7929
Criminal Investigation Division
(front desk) 770.724.7841 or 770.724.7842
Homicide/Assaults 770.724.7850
Financial/Fraud Unit 770.724.7700
Homeland Security 770.724.7805
Internal Affairs 770.724.7910
Major Felony 770.724.7850
Narcotics 770.322.2500
NCIC 770.724.7750
Open Records Requests 770.724.7474
Pawn Unit 770.724.7424
Permits & Licenses 404.297.3934
Personnel 770.724.7500
Property Room 404.294.2528 or 404.294.2529
Robbery 770.724.7890
Special Operations 404.294.2119
Special Victims Unit 770.724.7710
Star Team 404.294.2220
Traffic Specialist 404.294.2600

PRECINCT CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DIVISIONS

North 404.294.2625
Tucker 678.937.5340
South 404.286.7990
East 770.482.0309
Center 770.724.7780

TOWING COMPANIES

Brown & Brown Wrecker Service 770.457.2226
S & W Towing Service 770.493.9083
South DeKalb Towing & Transport 404.508.0246
Statewide Wrecker Service 770.322.9688
Top Cat Towing & Recovery 770.982.2699


EXECUTIVE COMMAND STAFF
Acting Police Chief William O'Brien 770.724.7494
Asst. Chief D. Holmes 770.724.7493
Asst. Chief F. Kliesrath 770.724.7592
Deputy Chief L. Gassner 404.294.2107
Deputy Chief K. Harrell 770.724.7560
Deputy Chief W. Jagoe 770.724.7946
Deputy Chief D. Loos 770.724.7488
Deputy Chief A. Lane-Woodard 770.724.7805

PRECINCT COMMANDERS
Major S. Waits, North 404.297.3831
Major L. Higdon, Center 770.724.7600
Major S. Stathis, East 770.482.0319
Major T. Williams, South 404.286.7900
Capt. S. Fore, Tucker (Acting Precinct Commander) 678.937.5301

COMMAND / SUPERVISORY STAFF
Major J. Conroy (Communications) 770.724.7433
Major K. Mooneyham (Animal Serv.) 404.294.2693
Anderson, Janet (Financial Serv.) 770.724.7549
Harris, Marie (Personnel) 770.724.7505
Funny-Lawrence, Nancy (Code Enforcement) 770.724.7947

Board of Commissioners

1300 Commerce Drive
Decatur, GA 30030
Fax: 404-371-7004


Elaine Boyer (District 1) 404-371-2844 ecboyer@dekalbcountyga.gov
Jeff Rader (District 2) 404-371-2863 jrader@dekalbcountyga.gov
Larry Johnson (District 3) 404-371-2425 larryjohnson@dekalbcountyga.gov
Sharon B. Sutton (District 4) 404-371-4907 sbsutton@dekalbcountyga.gov
Lee May (District 5) 404-371-4745 lmay@dekalbcountyga.gov
Kathie Gannon (Sup Dist 6) 404-371-4909 kgannon@dekalbcountyga.gov
Stan Watson (Sup Dist 7) 404-371-3681 stanwatson@dekalbcountyga.gov

Georgia General Assembly

The AJC has a nice write up on the Georgia General Assembly's last day and what legislature is in the works:

http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-politics-elections/house-members-tackling-final-909475.html?cxtype=rss_news_128746

Of special note to DeKalb residents:
HB 110 - Mortgages and liens; vacant property registry; provisions

Final school board candidates announced!

The three candidates for DCSS Superintendent (and their home school district web sites) are:

Dr. Gloria Davis, Superintendent of Decatur (Illinois) Public Schools
http://www.dps61.org/

Arthur R. Culver, Superintendent of Champaign (Illinois) Community Unit School District #4
http://www.champaignschools.org/

Dr. Lillie Cox, Superintendent of Hickory (North Carolina) Public Schools
http://www.hickory.k12.nc.us/

DeKalb County Superintendent Search

From the AJC....
DeKalb to introduce superintendent finalists Thursday
By Jaime Sarrio

Three finalists for DeKalb school superintendent will be introduced 6 p.m. Thursday at a public forum. Each candidate will have 50 minutes to introduce themselves and answer 10 questions pre-submitted from the public. Written questions must be submitted at the event prior to 5:30 p.m. Feedback forms will be given out after the forum and collected for the school board’s consideration. For more information, visit www.dekalbsuperintendentsearch.com.

How Enough is Enough began...

Enough is Enough!

This blog was created to share news, articles, events and commentary with members and followers of the Enough is Enough initiative organized by DeKalb County District 3 Commissioner Larry Johnson. The group was formed in September 2010. It is collaboration of several communities along the Glenwood Corridor of south DeKalb County. Presently, ten (10) homeowners' and/or community associations comprise our organization; and other communities in the area are joining our efforts.

We began by examining closely areas of need that affect the overall quality of life in our neighborhoods. As a result, the following teams were formed by volunteers as we began to identify common goals and objectives.

Public Safety/Code Enforcement
Economic Development
Community Services
Youth Development & Empowerment