Loss of The South Fulton Citizen

Good Morning Neighbor:

It greatly disturbs me to report that this Saturday will be the last edition of The South Fulton Citizen.  We will be losing a great voice for our community in so many ways.  Ben Nelms the South Fulton Editor will be writing for Coweta and parts of Fayette.  As you all know this is a great, great loss, Ben has been a champion for our cause as a writer who cares about the impact on the Environment and its Citizens.  He has also been a great advocate for the Transparency of Government and made every effort to be at every South Fulton meeting he could to make sure that our community knew what was transpiring among our elected officials.  This will now open the doors very wide for those that wish to not do the right thing by our community and possibly get away with it.

Several of us went and met with the owners of the Citizen hoping that they would give South Fulton a chance to keep the paper alive but I guess they do not have the financial means to do so.  We found out that very few businesses in South Fulton advertise in the South Fulton Citizen and they have had to rely on Fayette advertisements to carry the South Fulton paper for many years.  I also know that more and more people are getting their news online and that is diminishing the need for the printed paper.  

I hope there is someway to turn this around so at least vital meetings in South Fulton could be covered online.  If you have any ideas or suggestions, please feel free to email me or email the paper directly at the  editor@thecitizen.com 

Your neighbor,

Connie

As Margaret Mead once said:

Never underestimate the power of a few committed people to change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.

The South Fulton Civic Association is Born - Forum | thecommunityvoice.tv

Hi Neighbor:

I know I just wrote you this morning but I could not wait to get the word out on this new Association.  If an Association such as this were in place when the poisoning of our community occurred, we would have had a strong citizen voice already organized and ready to give immediate action.  With the PSC Plant being located in the South Fulton area, it would have been awesome to have this group to turn to.  So I encourage you to make every effort if you live in the South Fulton area to make sure your neighborhood becomes a part of this organization.  Their first official meeting will be next Monday January 28 - 7pm at Christ Our Hope Lutheran Church on Hwy. 138 near the intersection of Old National.

Your neighbor,

Connie

http://www.thecommunityvoice.tv/forums/topic/32862?page_no=1#141976

As Margaret Mead once said:

Never underestimate the power of a few committed people to change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.

Our Very Own Beloved Community

Good Morning Neighbor:

I have often thought that if I had the opportunity to write a book about the tragic event that has taken place in our community, I would also include the absolute beauty of the people whom I am truly blessed to call my neighbors.  Our community exemplifies Martin Luther King, Jr's vision of a beloved community - one that has come together crossing perceived racial, economic and social barriers and we continue down this path to this day.  I personally have been so blessed to continue to meet so many wonderful people - truly kindred spirits who want to make a difference in the lives of others.

I am enclosing an article regarding our community and as you will read some neighbors in our area are dealing with a Corporation who is damaging their homes due to the blasting that takes place at a nearby rock quarry.  Our Task Force will be working with them in the coming weeks to see how we might assist in regaining their quality of life.

Your neighbor,

Connie

http://www.thecommunityvoice.tv/forums/topic-32714-residents-give-legislators-an-agenda-the-citizen

As Margaret Mead once said:

Never underestimate the power of a few committed people to change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.

SFF Task Force Speech to the State Legislative Delegation of Fulton County

Good Morning Neighbor:

Well, I must say the first thing I would like to change once entering public office is the Parking around the Capitol Building.  In all seriousness, I think all of the parking spaces closest to the capitol should read "Reserved for The Citizens of Georgia".  Citizens should find it easy to make their voices heard and parking should never be a deterrent for doing so.  One of our community members let it be known last night that it took him a full 30 minutes to even get in the building due to the fact that he needed disability assistance in parking and entering- thereby making him late in speaking before the legislators.  However, I must say there were many committed souls there last night - the room was packed!!

I am enclosing my speech below - I think it was well received and as usual our Task Force did an outstanding job in providing detailed packets to educate the legislators about the needs of our community.  

http://www.thecommunityvoice.tv/forums/topic-31871-sff-task-force-speech-to-the-state-legislative-delegation-of-fulton-county

Representative Fludd announced that he would be putting forth Environmental Legislation next week.  This is the second time the Task Force has heard this - the first time was at the Senate hearings where he announced that he was putting forth Environmental Legislation with the input of the Task Force and then passed out copies of his proposal to the Senators.  We were all stunned when we heard this because he has never come to us with any legislation proposal and asked for our input.  To this day none of us have ever even seen a draft of the proposed bill.  We hope that this is a bill we can truly stand behind - we have fought long and hard and now for our name to be used but in reality not ever given a chance to be a part of the process is a travesty in itself.  However, once we do see the bill and the Task Force feels it is something we can stand behind - I personally will do so 10,000 percent even though Rep. Fludd is my opponent.  I made an internal decision a long time ago that I am not running against Representative Fludd but I am running for the People - so that being said anything that benefits the people I will totally get behind and I do not care who takes the credit!!!

Your neighbor,

Connie

Constance Thomas Biemiller, Chair

South Fulton and Fayette Community Task Force

conniecampaign@bellsouth.net

Web Site - thecommunityvoice.tv

770-314-6999

As Margaret Mead once said:

Never underestimate the power of a few committed people to change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.

Reminder of Public Meeting at the Capitol Square

Good Morning Neighbor:

Here is a reminder of the Public Meeting before the Fulton County Legislators.  It is so important to have a packed house at a meeting such as this - the mere presence of your face speaks volumes as to the importance of our community and their need not only to listen but to Take Action!!!  We need them to insist that the State Permit of PSC be revoked due to the harm brought upon their citizens.  This action would set a precedence and begin paving a new road regarding the enforcement of environmental issues all across the state.

Oh yeah, and in the polling of young adults across the nation what is one of their top agenda items when looking at candidates - The Environment - I think we are on to something!!!!!!  It is time for our Legislators to wake up!!!

Your neighbor,

Connie

M E E T I N G     N O T I C E     

 

December 28, 2007

 

The Atlanta-Fulton House and Senate Delegations are sponsoring its annual public hearing on Wednesday, January 9, 2008, at 7:00 pm at the following location:

 

                                                 Room 310

                                                 Coverdell Legislative Office Building

                                                 18 Capitol Square, SW

                                                 Atlanta, GA

 

                                                (Directly across from the State Capitol)

 

 

All residents and members of any organization within the city of Atlanta and Fulton County are invited to attend. Groups are requested to designate one (1) spokesperson to represent the group and speakers are asked to provide a written copy of their remarks for the delegation's records.

 

The purpose of the hearing is to enable citizens to give input and feedback to their state legislators on issues they would like the upcoming session of the Georgia General Assembly to address.

 

Remarks are limited to 5 minutes for organizations, and 3 minutes for citizens.

 

For more information, please contact the House Delegation Office at (404) 656-5149, or the Senate Delegation Office at (404) 651-8804.

 

 

 

 

 

A New Year Begins!!

Good Morning Neighbor:

If you are like me, you are waking up this morning saying, "Where did 2007 go?".   I always heard growing up that the older you get the quicker time flies and I found that to be very, very true.   As a community, we can look back on this year and know we have accomplished a great deal  - so much so that the State Legislature is taking action and we are looking to make lasting changes for the protection of all Georgians.   Your Task Force is awaiting a second hearing at the Capitol hopefully sometime this month.  But in the meantime, we have another chance to let our voice be heard at the Capitol next Wednesday, January 9th at 7pm.  I will post the notice below.  This is a Public Forum that is heard by the Fulton County Delegation which is made up of all  State House of Representatives and Senators from the Fulton County area.  The Task Force is not missing this chance to once again educate and ask for their support in making the necessary changes that need to be made for the welfare of all.  I encourage you to attend and let your voice be heard as well.  An individual has three minutes - you could use that time to strongly encourage this delegation to support the Task Force position and take a bold step to mandate that the EPD remove the State Permit of PSC. (Even though, we know that PSC is very likely to go away in the very near future - the State has yet to do the right thing and remove the State Permit - this is their chance to do the right thing and to let all Corporations in the State of Georgia know that they must protect the citizens of this state by running toxic free operations and if they do not  - their permit will be withdrawn.  This has never been done in the State of Georgia -  no wonder Corporations feel free to do as they please - if they poison a community all they will have to do is pay a fine!!!!!!

Thanks for being a part of this email list and thanks for being my neighbor!  I look forward to seeing you next Wednesday at the Capitol.

Your neighbor,

Connie

As Margaret Mead once said:

Never underestimate the power of a few committed people to change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.

 

M E E T I N G     N O T I C E     

 

December 28, 2007

 

The Atlanta-Fulton House and Senate Delegations are sponsoring its annual public hearing on Wednesday, January 9, 2008, at 7:00 pm at the following location:

 

                                                 Room 310

                                                 Coverdell Legislative Office Building

                                                 18 Capitol Square, SW

                                                 Atlanta, GA

 

                                                (Directly across from the State Capitol)

 

 

All residents and members of any organization within the city of Atlanta and Fulton County are invited to attend. Groups are requested to designate one (1) spokesperson to represent the group and speakers are asked to provide a written copy of their remarks for the delegation's records.

 

The purpose of the hearing is to enable citizens to give input and feedback to their state legislators on issues they would like the upcoming session of the Georgia General Assembly to address.

 

Remarks are limited to 5 minutes for organizations, and 3 minutes for citizens.

 

For more information, please contact the House Delegation Office at (404) 656-5149, or the Senate Delegation Office at (404) 651-8804.