Saturday, June 9, 2018

REBORN

I'm back. What fresh hell hath MPCA wrought, committing suicide in the process. Must I kick them when they're down? They seem to be having problems convincing newcomers of their usefulness. 


Friday, November 18, 2011

"You Can't Make an Omelette Without Breaking Eggs"

Master Planner Bob Hughes, explaining the plan to "restore" flood-prone Peachtree Creek by stripping its banks of natural vegetation and altering the channel. (This metaphor was originated by Maxmillian Robespierre in defense of the Reign of Terror during the French Revolution.)

Monday, November 7, 2011

We Were Wrong.


It is not being sold to us. It's not even being railroaded through. That would require the appearance of a process. An "exciting, transformational, multi-neighborhood focused restoration initiative for Atlanta Memorial Park" has been decreed. If you want a trip back to the previous decade, attend the meeting tomorrow night.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

DO-OVER!!!!!

Having created much confusion with the non-announcement of the MPCA's relationship with the Bobby Jones Golf Course and Park Conservancy, we will have what is termed a "Final Neighborhood Meeting to Introduce Preliminary Master Plan for Bobby Jones Conservancy."

7 p.m. on Tuesday November 8th
Bobby Jones Clubhouse
384 Woodward Way

 Maybe the MPCA's position will be clarified.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Channel 11 Mentions Memorial Park


Duffie Dixon
City of ATL is pulling porta porgies from Memorial Park where Occupy Atlanta is set up 
Memorial Park was occupied that night -- by squirrels, birds, foxes and other wildlife. The demonstrations were in Woodruff Park at the center of downtown Atlanta. I doubt if Peachtree Creek is home to porgies either.

Friday, October 28, 2011

Friday, October 21, 2011

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Directions for Squirrels?

What's the meaning of this spray-painted green arrow?

Friday, June 24, 2011

Colors in the Park

Here are the new paint jobs in and around Memorial Park. 
These were originally natural green colors. 





This last one is the bridge railing on Northside Drive across from the Bobby Jones Golf Course.

(I think they were trying for a Giverny effect.)

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Playground Closed

Yellow police caution tape has been put up around Atlanta Memorial Park playground once again. Keep kids away. There are other playgrounds nearby. The semi-permeable shredded tire surface, subject to polluted creek overflow, serves as a growth medium for all kinds of bacteria.

Friday, April 23, 2010

The MPCA is on a Path to Trouble

 As Dave Barry often says, "I am not making this up." 


With four days until the bi-annual meeting, the membership hasn't been sent a notice. It follows that we haven't been given the agenda or the slate for the upcoming election. This is a violation of both the letter and the spirit of our by-laws.

There are two invited guests, Paul Melvin, incoming President of NPU-C, and our new City Council representative, Yolanda Adrean. It would be useful for the neighbors to hear what they have to say, and even have an opportunity to ask questions and voice concerns. It would also be courteous to them if people showed up.

It is reprehensible that notice of this meeting, which has been planned for months, has not been announced -- on purpose, as we shall see.

 A "nominating committee" was hastily appointed three weeks ago to fill upcoming vacancies on the board, only after the Gadfly came out of a long hibernation, looked around and didn't see his shadow. The committee did nothing to solicit names publicly, or even announce its existence. For all intents and purposes, the committee has acted in secret and bent to the will of Mr. Cartledge. The by-laws of the association were flagrantly ignored.

A member of the nominating committee, without disclosing his/her involvement, contacted me to scoff at my suggestion that anything of importance might occur at next Tuesday's meeting. This was a deliberate, but baffling attempt at deception, which only serves to highlight the covert mindset of the board. (I guess a guilty conscience needs to confess.)


"We are considering sending the nominations out to the membership a few days prior with the agenda so that folks will have time to digest prior to the meeting.  So my request would be to try to have the slate together and to the Board by April 20th." 
                    - Glenn Cartledge, outgoing President, April 1, 2010,  to the just-appointed nominating committee

Emphasis mine. Does that seem a bit condescending, "folks?" It's a list of names, not an Act of Congress. And this:

"I would appreciate one of you presenting the nominations at the meeting.  This would give you good recognition of your contribution as well as formalize the separation of Board and Nominating Committee."
                                               -ibid, April 21
 
They seem to have considered and rejected the sop of sending out any information in a timely fashion. I will tell you the names of your new board, although I'm sure you will finally receive this information today, as have many insiders already.

                Pres.- Loulie Reece (sic)
VP - Hardman Knox (NPU/Variance) 
Treas. - Lynda Houser (Dues/Disbursements)
Sec. -  Michael Gragnani (Membership/Communication)
At-Large - John White (Parks)
At-Large - Rick Pilch (Security)
At-Large - Claire Stratton (Social) 
                                        -Bill Warren, nominating committee

Mrs. Reese has strenuously and repeatedly denied any aspirations to the Presidency. She was propelled from obscurity and imposed on the existing board after David Inglis resigned in 2008.  I must say she has worked very hard and productively on behalf of the neighborhood. Obviously, her objections were overcome and she has agreed to helm the organization in spite of her reservations. Hopefully, she has a clearer understanding of the role of president than her two immediate predecessors. I know she has the intelligence a to comprehend Robert's Rules of Order, if the MPCA has a copy.

Mr. Gragnani served on the ill-fated paving committee as a proponent of the project, as did Mr. Pilch's wife -- who was highly vocal in favor of paving around the park. Mrs. Reese's husband was on the committee. Both of them favored further development of the park. Whether the massive, destructive floods last year along with the sewer spills have given any of them doubts remains to be seen.

Meanwhile, pass me the popcorn. I can't wait to watch what happens next.
 





Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Peachtree Creek Cleanup April 24

The Atlanta Chapter of the Surf Rider Foundation is sponsoring a volunteer effort this Saturday morning  to remove trash left by the flooding last year in Atlanta Memorial Park. They will clean up in and around the creek.

For reasons of its own, the MPCA has sent several notices of a concurrent "cleanup" without any acknowledgement of the Surf Rider event, although the MPCA's earlier notice mentioned the Peachtree-Battle Alliance creek cleanup and the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper speaker, Sally Bethea, early that morning. PBA will be cleaning up their part of the creek. Collier Hills Civic Association held a cleanup last week. MPCA doesn't mention the creek.

The MPCA is always interested in removing biodegradable material instead of trash. Our notices mention how "severely overgrown" the area is. The worst effects of last years floods were not plant growth in the stream bank -- which is legally protected for a reason -- but plastic bags, bottles, cans, tires and other hazardous, long-lasting trash.

On another front, the meeting signs were placed at various intersections the morning after my last post, but there has yet to be a real notification. Those signs are very small. Some are on the left side of the road and some on the right. In any event, an email should be send to everyone who has provided an email address and a paper flyer sent to others.

 There is less than a week and we have no agenda and no slate. There was more notice for the Halloween party.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Secret Meeting?

We have received six email communications from MPCA management since the spring meeting date was set for April 27, but there has been no mention of this important event. I am shocked -- shocked -- once again to see that our leadership is behaving either arrogantly or furtively. I really thought that era was over.

Our by-laws require that the MPCA meet in April, holding an election to fill expiring terms. The rules also require a three person nominating committee (appointed from the general neighborhood, not made up of sitting directors) to have been appointed in January. This democratic procedure was often ignored by previous presidents. Last year a nominating committee was  appointed just a hair's breadth before the election. The committee did an excellent job and resisted pressure from Mr. Cartledge to control the outcome.

We haven't been told who has been annointed by Mr. Cartledge as his replacement, nor any hint of the agenda. The board is required to give a minimum of five days notice. They are not required to give notice only five days in advance. 

We have received three crime summaries; an announcement of a church event that has nothing to do with the MPCA; a half-hearted attempt at a park clean-up in conjunction with a volunteer effort organized by a nearby neighborhood and an environmental organization; and an "invitation" to attend the dedication of the PATH installation at Tanyard Creek Park. (That will be the subject of another post.)

Saturday, April 3, 2010

MPCA Meeting Announcement



Bi-annual neighborhood meeting!

Tuesday, April 27, 2010
7:00 p.m.

Northside United Methodist Church (small chapel)
2799 Northside Drive NW



Atlanta, GA 

Everyone is encouraged to attend and participate. If you are interested in serving on the board of directors, please contact Glenn Cartledge (listed in your printed directory) and have your name put on the slate.  

Friday, March 19, 2010

MPCA Does (or Doesn't) Again

The MPCA Board under the leadership (control) of President Glenn Cartledge again neglected its duty to appoint a nominating committee to create a slate for our election in April. Mr. Cartledge finally appointed a committee last year (two months late and after much prodding). According to the by-laws, the committee must be appointed in January, which allows time to find interested, qualified volunteers. It appears Mr. Cartledge plans to hand-pick his successor and will personally fill any vacancies on the Board.

Equally detrimental to the vitality of the MPCA, April's bi-annual meeting date has not been announced. The MPCA has a long history of delaying public notification of meetings in which action could be taken. This has the effect of minimizing turnout mostly to insiders.

Board meetings, theoretically open to the entire membership, are rarely announced in advance. There are seldom if ever, reports to the membership on Board actions.

The MPCA must encourage wider interest and participation through communication. Why not have a real website with regularly updated useful information that also permits discussion and feedback?  Peachtree Battle Alliance is a good example. There's enough money in the MPCA account to pay for some web space and features.

As someone once said, "Sunlight is the best disinfectant."

Sunday, July 26, 2009

TIME TO PARTY!

Our neighborhood seems to be in its own little financial bubble. Here, it is 2005, or maybe 1985. Memorial Park Civic Association President Glenn Cartledge noted in his last newsletter that while unfortunate events were "swirling around us," life is good here and everyone is doing fine.

I'll leave it to each of us to define his own personal situation as to job security, income, asset performance, property values, debt-to-income ratio and general outlook on the future. I can say with certainty that municipal services have been cut back while taxes and fees are up. Several homes have sold recently at prices that might be considered somewhat disappointing compared to prices of a few years ago.

The MPCA, however, seems to be the recipient of TARP funding, or at least our Board is in a Wall Street state of mind.

I'm referring to the MPCA financial report for the year ending 5/31/09. More than 50% of dues income was spent on parties.

Summary: $4,715 was collected in voluntary membership dues, plus $650 in (non tax-deductible) extra donations from some very generous neighbors for a total of $5,678.00.

Partying expenses totaled a net of about $3000 for four events -- three of which were designed for the entertainment of young children. Although more than half of Memorial Park members list children in their households, only a third have kids in the age group that would be caught dead at a kiddie party. The rest are hanging out with their friends, playing video games or are off at college.

I humbly suggest that these funds could more appropriately be used in ways that would enhance the safety, cleanliness, appearance and quality of life of the Memorial Park neighborhood for a larger number of residents. Instead, most of the budget is squandered on junk food and junk distractions with little or no remaining value besides adding to the waste stream and arguably contributing to animal abuse.

The MPCA Social Committee, which seems to have carte blanche, chose to have the annual picnic catered by the Varsity rather than doing a covered dish event, with an artificial ticket price cap of $10 per family. That single event had a staggering deficit of more than $1,100 -- 20% of annual dues revenue! Surely, there is a better use for our common funds.

The Halloween party came in at a little under $400, complete with unnecessary hired security. It was followed by an evening of trick-or-treating, which itself is a children's Halloween party. The party was a $400 redundancy, and the expenditure even more ridiculous because everyone in the neighborhood purchased a ton of candy for that specific evening to give to those same children. If we are going to spend $400 on candy and a party for the kids, then why not do it on Valentine's Day or Easter! Spread the potential tooth decay out a little more year-round. (The Christmas "sleigh ride" is only about 6 weeks after Halloween. The tab for that was $800.)

Maybe throwing parties is the MPCA's stimulus policy, sort of a WPA for the 21st century. I guess it gives the party planners a job.

It might be a good idea for the Board to open each meeting by reading the purpose of the MPCA as it is written into the by-laws, just to keep the association on track.

Someone will have to be to bring a copy to the meetings, if anyone has one.



Saturday, February 28, 2009

Neighborhood Meeting Set for 4/28

The Bi-annual meeting of the Memorial Park Civic Association has been scheduled for Tuesday April 28, at the Northside United Methodist Church, 2799 Northside Drive.

We have been promised a special board meeting in March to create an agenda. Keep watching for the date, time and location.

Four vacancies are up for election to the seven-member MPCA board of directors at the April meeting. The board should have appointed a nominating committee in January, composed of three people from the general community. The by-laws specifically require the creation of this committee in the month of January.

The reason for a nominating committee is to insert some outside influence into the process and keep the board from being insular and self-perpetuating. As it is, when there is a vacancy during the term, the board can appoint someone to fill it, but even that small power has been overridden repeatedly by President Glenn Cartledge, due to the rest of the board's extreme acquiescence to his bidding.

There has been no announcement of a nominating committee and no announcement of a slate, just like last year, when democracy and inclusiveness were discarded in favor of a hand-picked board.

I keep my ear close to the ground, and have not heard of anyone being asked to serve on a committee, nor have I heard of any slate. The board certainly has not communicated on this or any subject. There has been no call for volunteers to serve. There has been no report from their meeting Thursday night or any other meeting since the October meeting, which wasn't actually reported either for those who didn't attend. In fact, there has been no newsletter in many months. One has been promised soon, though.

I am guessing that all the current board whose terms are expiring, Loulie Reese, Lesley Wainwright, Lynda Houser and Bill Warren, will be reaffirmed for another term and the current situation of absolute unity will be perpetuated. (If I'm wrong, I'll be more than happy to say so.)

I'm not saying that anything is wrong with those four, or that they ought not have another term. They have all done stellar work for the community. It's just that, as former association treasurer Bill Hope famously said, "the process ought to be followed."

Also, it wouldn't hurt for every single board member to open their mouths once in a while and have something come out that didn't originate from Mr. Cartledge's brain.

Saturday, January 31, 2009

New Face in the Neighborhood

As a result of some recent rearranging of routes by the USPS, we have a new mail carrier for Memorial Park. She's already noticed the sorting issues around the similarities between Wesley Drive and Wellesley Drive, having so many of the same numbers.

Welcome to the neighborhood, Regina, and thanks for your service to our community. I hope you will enjoy your time in Memorial Park.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Solid Waste Pickup

The cutback of solid waste pickup has gone into effect. If your regular pickup day for your regular household trash pickup (Herbie the Curbie) has been Monday through Thursday, it will remain the same, and that is still going to be weekly -- at present. Those who had a Friday pickup are supposed to have been notified of their new scheduled day by the City of Atlanta Public Works Department. (The City doesn't work on Fridays any more.) Good luck.

Recycling pickup has been cut back to every other week, as has yard-waste pickup.

Please be advised: recycling pickup for Memorial Park will be THIS WEEK, and every other week hereafter. If your trash pickup is tomorrow (Wednesday) your recycling will be picked up tomorrow. If your trash pickup is Thursday, recycling will be picked up Thursday.

Yard waste pickup will be NEXT WEEK, and every other week thereafter.


Disclaimer: I am passing along the information that has been received from those who seem to be in a position to know. They may also be misinformed. We try our best.

Friday, January 16, 2009

Update on the MPCA

It seems our Esteemed Board changed a bit from the planned budget that was sent out with the plea for our membership renewals last summer. At that time they projected $2000 for those children's parties I wrote about at the time and in my last post. I assumed that since the budget had officially passed and nothing was said about any change at the October 14th, 2008 meeting (did I miss it?) the parties had gone on as planned.

We have recently received a report showing actual and much more modest expenditure for the Halloween Party, and a somewhat less extravagant Christmas party (About $800). The original budgeted amount for the Halloween parties (2) was indeed $1000 and not $500 as now stated, but according to the report, only $370 was spent!

I don't know whether the expense of obtaining legal Police permits for street closings --when the parties were confined to private yards during daylight--- and the hiring of off-duty Atlanta Police officers for several hours to close only Wellesley and Woodley, while I suppose the charmingly costumed children traipsing down Riada and Wesley were vulnerable to terrible risk is included in the total, or is tucked away in some other area, such as "neighborhood care," or "security."

I applaud the Board for spending more wisely. These are different times. Now I suggest that the Board continue to communicate with the neighborhood. (I would also like to thank Mrs. Loulie Reese for her informative e-mails. Hopefully, everyone is getting them, and not just the people who have signed up for the Security Patrol. In any event, this is a very important service that has been neglected and should be increased.)


The next announcement from the MPCA hopefully will be the time, place and proposed agenda of the next board meeting. One never knows if someone might care enough to volunteer their time and services. People may want to have input when there is an issue that affects their home. Someone might even have a good idea or two.

But at the very minimum after the Board has met, the membership deserves a report on action that has been taken. That is not too much to ask.