December Council Eupdate

Holiday Greetings

Dear Citizen:

During the last five years serving as your At-Large representative for Atlanta City Council we have gone through extraordinary transitions together. When we began this journey our city affairs were in disarray. We lived in a city that was mired in millions of dollars of debt, penalized by the federal government due to our aging water and sewer system, endured escalating crime rates, and worried over our ever receding tree canopy.

Together we have come far from where we were - In the past five years, we have restored financial accountability and begun to repair our water system through the implementation of fair rate increases to citizens. Mirroring legislation I introduced in 2003 we have made our neighborhoods safer places to live with the institution of the Tourist Triangle in Downtown Atlanta. For the last four years we have added more than 900 mature trees to our canopy in nearly 40 communities throughout the City. This; “Plant a Tree - Build a Community” initiative was accomplished through our partnership with Lowe’s Home Improvement. I have continued to invest in our most valuable resource, our children, through the H. Lamar Willis Foundation which has awarded over $150,000 to high school seniors and hosted “Swing Into Spring”, an annual golf and tennis camp for Atlanta's boys and girls during their spring break.

But our job together is far from done. In an effort to put an end to chronic homelessness Council passed legislation I introduced in 2005 to install donation meters to raise funds to combat this plague. I have already requested assistance from various resources: the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta, my fellow Council members, the local hotel and business community and now you. Your voice in support of this drive will be instrumental in moving this agenda forward as quickly as possible to help those we can as soon as we can. To read more about this issue visit this link. In the new year my agenda will focus on the delivery of basic city services and all other quality of life issues; in short, cleaning up the city of Atlanta. To find out how you can help contact my office at 404-330-6041.

Thank you, for supporting me and taking time to read this message. May you and your family have a safe and happy holiday and a prosperous New Year.

Yours for a Better Atlanta,

H. Lamar Willis

Centennial Elementary Students Hold Mock Council Meeting Centennial Fifth Graders

Recently fifth grade students from Centennial Place Elementary School came to City Hall to learn first hand how local government works.

The students were given a tour of City Council offices by our own Council Aide Adrian Smith. After the tour students were given a brief Civics lesson by Councilman H. Lamar Willis, who taught them how the legislative process works in the City of Atlanta.

Willis informed the students that papers must first be debated in a committee before they are voted on by the City Council. After explaining the City of Atlanta’s legislative process, Willis coached the students through a mock council meeting allowing them to take on the roles of Atlanta city council members and the council president.

While some students filled the seats of council members, others played the part of protesters and concerned citizens during public comment. The issue of the day was a student “curfew” that understandably received much opposition from the Centennial class.

The proposed “legislation” even met resistance from the student playing the role of an Atlanta police officer who provided compelling testimony arguing that there are more important things for police to do than enforce a curfew.

A fifth grade class from Centennial Place Elementary visits City Hall each year as part of the Atlanta Justice Project. The program teaches students about government and the justice system through mock trials and legislative sessions.

Councilman Willis and Lowe's Partner to Support Greenspace and Neighborhood Organizations

On Saturday October 21st, the fourth annual “Plant a Tree, Build a Community” program, presented by Councilman H. Lamar Willis and Lowe’s Home Improvement, celebrated another successful year.

Over the last three years, Councilman Willis and Lowe’s have partnered to provide mature trees to Atlanta’s communities. This year, over 200 red maple trees were given to over 20 neighborhoods in Atlanta. The neighborhoods that received trees included Adamsville, Kirkwood and Edgewood.
Lowes and Lamar

Councilman Willis addressed neighborhood representatives before distributing the trees at the Lowe’s Edgewood store. When asked why he started the program, Councilman Willis replied, “I have always supported .Atlanta’s greenspace and this program gives me the opportunity to help our residents improve the greenspace in their communities.” He went on to say, “When residents plant trees, they also help maintain Atlanta’s tree canopy.”

This is the third year that Lowe’s has sponsored the event. Councilman Willis and Lowe’s Regional Manager, John Powers, expressed optimism about the future of the program and their partnership. Since coming to Atlanta, Lowe’s has maintained a reputation for giving back to the community. Most recently, Lowe’s made a significant contribution to A.D. Williams Park. The company donated materials and Lowe’s employees volunteered their time to build a playground and basketball court in the park.

To participate in the 2007 “Plant a Tree, Build a Community” program, contact the office of Councilman H. Lamar Willis at 404-330-6041.

The Atlanta City Council is considering the creation of four new Tax Allocation Districts (TADs) to facilitate the economic revitalization of several blighted city neighborhoods.
Atlanta City Council Considers New Tax Allocation Districts

The four proposed ordnances would create Tax Allocation Districts along: Campbellton Road; Donald Lee Hollowell/M.L. King Jr. Drive; Metropolitan Parkway; and within the neighborhoods surrounding Turner Field. (Legislative Reference numbers, 06-O-2292; 06-O-2287; 06-O-2290 and 06-O-2291). Councilman Willis and nine other members of Council co-sponsored the legislation.

Property taxes collected on developments built after a tax allocation district is created, can be used to pay for projects such as park improvements and sidewalks or other projects that enhance the economic vitality of the area. Bonds are sold to jump-start construction and are repaid with the proceeds of new development in the special tax district.

TADs do not create tax increases or new taxes. TADs allocate only the new revenue that results from increased property values of the improved and redeveloped properties within that TAD. Research Atlanta’s complete TAD report is available online at Research Atlanta TAD Report Study.

On October 23, the Coca-Cola Company Chairman and CEO, Neville Isdell said the company will contribute 2.5 acres to the City of Atlanta to build a national civil rights museum. A number of civil rights leaders, elected officials and business leaders attended the Atlanta Rotary Club meeting where Isdell made the announcement. Isdell cited his belief that the museum belongs in Atlanta as motivation for the company’s decision. “Atlanta’s reputation as the cradle of the civil rights movement makes it an ideal location for a civil rights museum.”

The new museum will be located near Centennial Olympic Park Drive and Baker Street. Both the museum and the new World of Coke will be built in Pemberton Place near the Georgia Aquarium.

Pemberton Place was built in honor of pharmacist John S. Pemberton who invented Coca-Cola in 1886. Through these initiatives the Coca-Cola Company is helping raise Atlanta’s profile as a tourist destination. The company donated the land where the Georgia Aquarium now sits and played a key role in the acquisition of Dr. King’s personal papers from Sotheby’s in Morehouse College.

This term the Atlanta City Council unanimously approved a resolution by Councilmember H. Lamar Willis urging the General Assembly to impose a ban on assault weapons. By default, the resolution was approved by Mayor Shirley Franklin but without her signature.

The resolution supports implementing a ban on the manufacture, transfer and possession of 19 different semi-automatic assault weapons and magazines holding more than 10 rounds. Some of the weapons included in a potential ban are Action Arms Israeli Military Industries UZI, Colt AR-15, INTRATEC TEC-9 as well as revolving cylinder shotguns like the Street Sweeper.

The intent of the resolution was to shed light on the federal assault weapons ban which expired in 2004 due to a “sunset” provision in the legislation. A majority of the public, including gun owners, supported the ban. The Washington Times reported on April 26, 2004, a study conducted by the University of Pennsylvania that confirmed 64 percent of gun owners supported the extension of the federal ban. Other surveys including a 2003 NBC/Wall Street Journal poll concluded that 78 percent of Americans want the ban renewed.

Despite overwhelming support by Americans, law enforcement and President George W. Bush, Congress has failed to renew the ban.

Councilmember Willis was prompted to revive the issue after the non-fatal shooting of his mother, Gloria Willis, in June of this year. “This issue hits home with me,” Councilmember Willis said, “but it also hits home with many other families who have lost loved ones to gun violence.”