Aaron WatsonAtlanta City Council Post 2, At-Large |
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Councilmember Aaron Watson, atop a holiday-red convertible, lines up for the 21st Annual Christmas Parade sponsored by the Southwest Cascade/Martin Luther King Drive Merchants in early December. The event, which celebrates family and community, kicks off the holiday season for area residents. Mr. Watson greeted citizens along the route, reinforcing his Living Smarter Initiative for a more active, healthy, literate adn eco-friendly Atlanta. He joined Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, and Councilmembers C.T. Martin, Keisha Lance Bottoms, and H.Lamar Willis for the festive parade. Watson Issues 2012 Challenge to Atlantans: Make Recycling a PriorityThe year 2011 shaped up to be an overall good year for the City of Atlanta. We can look back at the groundbreaking employee pension reform that saved the city millions in taxpayer dollars and enhanced the viability of retirement program for employees; the new police beat redesign aimed at improving public safety; and the opening of new parks along the Atlanta Beltline that capture Atlanta’s natural beauty. These and other major developments strongly suggest that 2011 was productive for Atlanta and its citizens. For 2012, I would like to see us garner that same level of attention and energy to promote recycling in Atlanta. One of my priorities --as your Post 2 At-Large City Councilmember -- is to help usher in a recycling program that all citizens will embrace. I want to see greater participation in the city’s curbside recycling program; and this can happen, if we better inform our citizens about this program and provide a viable program. Currently, only 25% of our citizens practice recycling – that is about 24,000 of the approximately 95,000 households from which the city collects solid waste (household garbage, yard and recyclable waste). For more details about the city's recycling activities, go to www.atlantaga.gov/government/publicworks/dpwrecyclingprogram By recycling, we are taking valuable used materials such as aluminum, plastics and paper, and reusing them for textiles, plastic, lumber, or newsprint and other uses. We would be protecting our environment by diverting this valuable waste from landfills. At the same time, we would experience improved revenue streams by selling these materials, create new jobs in recycling industries, and potentially reduced solid waste disposal fees and services (which could be savings passed on to our ratepayers). One of the most important factors about recycling, I’ve learned, is its potential to create private sectors jobs. Recycling can generally create an estimated 10 jobs for ever one job we use just sending waste to the landfill. The job creation will come in waste separation and other operations at recycling centers. This year, the City of Atlanta will explore its options to implement a full-fledge recycling program that would dramatically increase resident participation in the next two years. However, before this goal can be achieved, we all have to be educated on the benefits of recycling and how important it is for everyone to participate. This recycling effort can involve all Atlantans —from our children to our seniors. As such, let's educate ourselves and family members about the benefits of recycling. Also, communicate the importance of recycling to all your elected officials and leaders responsible for collecting our waste. We all need to actively join the recycling movement. I’m listening and already learning. I like what I hear so far—that recycling means jobs, a healthier environment, reduced costs to ratepayers, a revenue generator for the city; but there is much more to be learned. Speaking of learning -- Our kids are learning about recycling and other ecco-friendly measures in which we all can participate to create healthier communities. Our children and teens can lead us in the behavioral changes and education that need to occur in order for recycling to be successful in our city. Let’s allow these young people to lead and let’s be ready to join them in this movement. Let’s get the conversation started today. I invite you to contact me with your thoughts on recycling. Contact me via email: aaronwatson@atlantaga.gov, phone: 404-330-6302 or on Facebook. All the best for 2012, Aaron Watson Facilitates Session to Address GE Towers Residents' ConcernsResponding to GE Towers residents' concerns about property management and public safety issues, Councilman Aaron Watson convened a meeting between a representative group from the Towers and leaders of the Atlanta Development Authority (ADA). The early October meeting also was attended by Post 1 At-Large Councilmember Michael Bond and a representative from Councilmember Cleta Winslow’s Office.GE Towers, a loft apartment complex just southwest of city hall, is partially owned by ADA. As a result of the meeting, the ADA has agreed to work with the Tower residents on improving management-tenant communications and property security and maintenance.
Silver Comet Trail Ride to Alabama Line Wraps Up First Living Smarter Bike Ride Series Watson, School Board's Yolanda Johnson Partner with Scholarship Academy to Guide Students Seeking Aid
For the second consecutive year, more than 500 area high school students came to Atlanta's City Hall for a unique opportunity – a scholarship fair aimed at helping them find and secure private financing for college. Called the "I am College Material Scholarship Fair," the event aids that average high school student who wants to attend college but may not be a top candidate for the usual scholarship awards. "There are scholarships available for students from all academic, cultural, economic backgrounds and interests; however, the challenge often is in identifying those opportunities and fulfilling the application requirements," said Councilmember Watson. "Atlanta School Board Member Yolanda Johnson and I have partnered with The Scholarship Academy (TSA) to offer Atlanta students and their parents some additional resources for financing college studies." Scholarship Academy Founder/Director Jessica Johnson explains that the Scholarship Fair assists two core student populations: (1) low-wealth students with average GPAs (2.5-3.3); and (2) middle-income students seeking merit-based aid to cover the gaps in financial aid packages. Participating organizations included: Posse Foundation Scholars, The Lead Foundation, Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions, and the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). The Scholarship Fair was supported by the Atlanta Public Schools, City of Atlanta, CH2M Hill, and Sodexo Jackmount Hospitality and others. The Scholarship Academy provides ongoing counseling for securing scholarships. Visit www.scholarshipacademy.org.
"Living Smarter with Aaron Watson” TV Show Spotlights Solar EnergyCouncilmember Watson’s TV series wrapped up its first season on ATL 26 with a focus on the growing use of solar energy in Georgia. Watson got a chance to see this first-hand when he toured the Atlanta Community Food Bank, which uses solar power for operations. The visit to the Atlanta Community Food Bank was part of the fall tour of solar-powered sites sponsored by the Georgia Solar Energy Association. In December, Watson toured Perkins+Will's midtown office which is powered by solar energy. These solar energy operations reflect the City of Atlanta's intent to have Atlanta become one of the top 10 most sustainable cities in the nation. The city of Atlanta is also working to make its buildings more energy efficient. See how the Food Bank is a leading example of this effort at http://www.vimeo/30853081 In addition to the Solar Energy program, check out the three earlier segments of Mr. Watson’s program on city channel ATL 26; the shows will be broadcast during the next several months. Also view all the segments on line via the following links –
Stay tuned for a series of new segments on Living Smarter in spring 2012. Watson Recognizes the Solar Energy Association
Watson's "Volunteer A-Team" Reads to Atlanta's Youngest Citizens at Hughes Spalding HospitalIn a move to foster literacy – especially reading among young children, Councilmember Watson partnered with the Reach Out and Read Program (ROAR) at Children’s Healthcare at Hughes Spalding this year. Mr. Watson recruited a small team of volunteers to join him in reading out loud to the young patients at the children’s hospital in downtown Atlanta. From August through November, twenty volunteers from city government and the private sector participated in one-day, three-hour reading sessions with children (ages 6-months to 4-years) waiting for doctor’s appointments. “We are thrilled that Councilmember Watson volunteered to help with this important program,” said Julia Jones, vice president of operations at Children’s at Hughes Spalding. “He is leading by example, showing parents the benefit of reading to their children and showing children how much fun reading can be."
Councilmember Watson believes strongly that early language skills begin with reading to a child as early as birth. “I want Atlanta to be the most literate city in America,” Watson said. “In order for us to begin on this path, our youngest children must learn to read. The act of reading to our children can better prepare them to succeed in the classroom and in life.” Watson will call for more volunteers to join him in reading next summer. The ROAR program is an ongoing effort. To become a volunteer reader contact, Program Coordinator Marilynn Ward @ Marilynn.J.Ward@emory.edu. Mr. Watson Helps Make Reading Fun at Benteen Elementary SchoolCouncilmember Watson took more time out to boost reading by young Atlantans -- he served as the VIP reader at Benteen Elementary when it hosted the "Be A Reader Tour" sponsored by the Reading is Fundamental (RIF) program at the school in October.
Helping Atlanta Live Smarter! |
In This Issue: "I Am College Material" Scholarship Fair Aids Students, Parents GE Towers Residents Address Maintenance, Safety Concerns Watch "Living Smarter with Aaron Watson"on ATL 26TV "A-Team of Volunteers" Reads to Hughes Spalding Patients Post 2 Helps Atlanta's Civic, Neighborhood Groups Live Smarter |
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POST 2 AT-LARGE TEAM Jill Strickland Luse Nicholas M. Juliano Gwendolyn R. Davis Natasha Daniels |
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Atlanta City Council Post 2 At Large office: (404) 330-6302 | fax: (404) 658-6156 | www.AtlantaPost2.com
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