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Paul Renton ABR e-Pro, CPDE

Good News Bad News - Week Report

Unemployment is now at 9.8%...so when you go to the store this weekend, count all the people... nationally that 10th person is unemployed. And it won't improve for a while. We've lost so many jobs that if we added jobs at the rate we did from 2002 until 2007, in 5 years we'd still be at 7-8% unemployment. I count my blessings EVERY day. But, don't let this get you down... the Atlanta market is one of the BEST in the nation for housing....and speaking of housing -- which in my opinion will lead us out of this recession -- we have some good news.....

The Case-Shiller Index came out this week and while house prices nationally show a decline from 2008, the month to month stats show a majority of the cities have home prices maintaining or increasing in value. So house prices are starting to go back up. In other good news for housing, pending home sales came in far above expectations as people take advantage of the First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit. And there is strong sentiment in DC that this program will be extended for six months. Email or call your senator or representative!

This week, because of unemployment and a week economy, rates dropped again into the 4's, ranging between 4.5% and 5.25% depending on credit, points and program.

For Further Questions feel free to contact us.To check Your Local Market Data go to Your Market Snapdshot CheckOut the latest Douglas county happenings and for further information about Metro Atlanta. If you have a Real Estate need in Atlanta trust the Full time Local professionals at Team Renton Keller Williams. For Free Home Search for Douglasville or Metro Atlanta go to http://www.servingdouglasvillehomes.com

Flood Disaster Assistance - Information Update

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Celebrate Douglas County

FLOOD INFORMATION UPDATE - Friday, October 02, 2009

For the latest information on roads and disaster assistance, please visit:
www.DouglasCountyEMA.com.

Douglas County Debris Removal
The Cedar Mountain Landfill will be open 7 days a week from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. through Saturday, October 17th, to accept debris from the flood at no charge to Douglas County residents (proof of address required), residential customers only (commercial disposal not eligible).
The Cedar Mountain Landfill is located on Cedar Mountain Road northwest of Douglasville. Cross the railroad tracks at Rose Avenue/Hudson's BBQ, make an immediate right, then an immediate left on to Chicago Avenue. Continue for 3.8 miles (Chicago Avenue changes its name to Cedar Mountain Road) and the landfill will be on your right.
Remember that we have a recycling center at the Landfill!
If you need assistance in debris removal, call the Cedar Mountain Landfill at 770.920.4937, extension 105.

City of Douglasville Debris Removal
For City residents, the City Sanitation Department will pick up items damaged as a result of the flooding. If you live within the City limits and have water-damaged items, contact the City Sanitation Department at 770.920.3005 or e-mail to sanitation@ci.douglasville.ga.us.

City of Douglasville Road Updates

  • Chapel Hill Road - contract awarded to Butch Thompson Enterprises for work starting immediately; 800' of the northbound lane required to be removed and replace; expected re-opening in mid October
  • Creekwood Drive, Arbor Station - engineering being completed; no re-opening date yet set
  • Prestley Mill Road/Slater Mill Road - engineering being completed; no re-opening date yet set
  • Cindy Drive, Rolling Hills - engineering being completed; no re-opening date yet set
  • Rose Avenue - road expected to re-open by October 7th
  • Parkway Circle, Arbor Station - contract awarded to Carr Contracting for work starting immediately; one lane of traffic open
  • Arbor Parkway, Arbor Station - street is open but will be closed for repair work after Parkway Circle repair work is completed for traffic flow


Road Updates
Please visit www.CelebrateDouglasCounty.com for the latest list of road closures in both Douglas County to www.ci.douglasville.ga.us for updates in the City of Douglasville.
Georgia Highway 166 at Anneewakee Creek will be closed for approximately one year since the bridge is going to have to be completely replaced. This bridge is located approximately 1/2 mile west of the Y where Georgia Highways 92 and 166 converge near Boundary Waters Park.

Opened Today: Mack Road at Deer Lick Park


FEMA Community Relations Staff in Douglas County
FEMA Community Relations staff is visiting homes throughout the County to assess damage and to ensure that citizens are getting the help they need. They will be wearing official FEMA shirts and have official FEMA identification badges.

  • Graham Bingham - driving a dark gray Subaru Forester, tag number GA ARF1907
  • Mike Bridges - driving a red Mazda, tag number GA AWE8507
  • Sally Fenley - driving a grey Toyota Corolla, tag number FL 711LYU

All official FEMA representatives have official FEMA identification and most likely will be wearing FEMA apparel. If someone represents to you that they work for FEMA or have been contracted by FEMA, ask for identification. If they don't have official identification, call 911 and report them. Give 911 their car description, car tag number, and person description.

Latest Disaster Assessment Statistics from the American Red Cross for Douglas County
Homes Destroyed: 153
Homes with Major Damage: 120
Homes with Minor Damage: 34
Homes Affected: 10

If you had storm or flood damage to your home or business, please register for FEMA and other assistance. Call 1-800-621-3362, log on to www.fema.gov, or walk in to one of the Disaster Recovery Centers at the following locations that are open 7 days a week from 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.:

Disaster Recovery Center
Lithia Springs 1st United Methodist Church
3711 Temple Street at North Sweetwater Road
Lithia Springs, GA 30122

Disaster Recovery Center
Heritage Baptist Church
8800 Rose Avenue at Selman Drive
Douglasville, GA 30134.

  • Call 211 or 770.614.1000 for non-government/charitable/Church assistance and for locations where affected residents can receive other assistance such as clothing, food, water, etc.
  • For help with debris clearing, re-building, removing belongings, call the United Methodist Church Disaster Relief Help Desk at 678.533.1443.
  • For help getting the mud out of your house, call Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief at 1-800-460-6881.
  • Beginning Monday, October 5th, affected residents can call 678.623.2859 for local assistance from United Way agencies and volunteer groups registering with United Way. Volunteer organizations can also call 678.623.2859 to donate time, labor, materials and money.


Water
The Boil Water Advisory has been canceled. The water is safe to drink and to use.

Volunteers Needed to Read to Children Next Thursday
To assist with early literacy efforts and to get books into the hands of children, United Way is partnering with Jumpstart to read "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" to over 70 pre-school and elementary school classrooms in Douglas County this Thursday, October 8th. To volunteer to read in a school this Thursday, please call the United Way of Douglas County at 678.623.2861 or e-mail hnutter@unitedwayatlanta.org.

Douglas County Happenings This Weekend


HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND


Thursday, October 1st: "Douglasville Celebrates Photography" and "Images of Shaanxi" Exhibit Opens at the Cultural Arts Center
6 p.m. Opening Reception, Open to the Public, Free Admission ~ On view through October 30th
GALLERY TALK AND TOUR: Sunday, October 4th, 3 p.m., with Ed Krebs and the China Bridge
8652 Campbellton Street, 770.949.2787, www.artsdouglas.org


Friday, October 2nd: "Movies in the Park" at Clinton Nature Preserve
At Dark: "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" ~ Free Admission, Open to the Public ~ Bring your lawn chair or blanket
a program of the Douglas County Board of Commissioners through its Parks and Recreation Department


Saturday, October 3rd: St. Theresa's Catholic Church Fall Festival at Clinton Nature Preserve
10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Open to the Public, Free Admission ~ Food, Entertainment, Fun and Games, Raffle
Lynne Cole, 678.838.9760

Saturday, October 3rd: Midway Methodist Men's BBQ
11 a.m. - 1 p.m., at the Church, 1930 Midway Road ~ $8 per plate, $5 children's plate
James Austin, 404.578.5608

Saturday, October 3rd: New Manchester Elementary School Fall Festival
11 a.m. - 3 p.m., at the School, 2242 Old Lower River Road ~ Moonwalk, Slide, Games, Cake Walk, Silent Auction, Food and Drinks ~ $8 admission
New Manchester Elementary PTA, Lara Deatherage, 678.294.5770


Sunday, October 4th: Blessing of the Animals at St. Julian's Episcopal Church
3 p.m. at the Church, 5400 Stewarts Mill Road ~ Open to the Public, Free Admission ~ Celebrating the life and ministry of St. Francis of Assisi ~ Public is invited to bring their pets for a blessing ~ You do not have to be a member of the Church
Rev. Stewart Tabb, 770.949.9949

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HAPPENING SOON

Tuesday, October 6th: "ABC: Abstract - Baroque - Collages" Exhibit of Citizen Talent Opens in the Courthouse Gallery
4:30 p.m. Opening Reception, third floor, Douglas County Courthouse ~ Open to the Public, Free Admission ~ On view through October 29th
a program of the Douglas County Board of Commissioners through its Department of Communications and Community Relations

Tuesday, October 6th: Upward Basketball and Cheerleading Evaluations
For children 1st - 6th Grades ~ Register at Central Baptist Church or West Metro Church of God ~ Basketball for Boys and Girls, Cheerleading for Girls Only ~ Evaluations at West metro Church of God on October 6th and 9th
770.942.9492, register on line at www.cbc-douglasville.org

Wednesday, October 7th: Monthly Testing of the Weather Sirens/Weather Warning System
12 noon, throughout the County, weather permitting ~ monthly test that sounds the sirens and does not mean that severe weather is approaching

Saturday, October 10th: Scouts to Clean Dog River ~ Come Join Them!
8 a.m., Riverwalk Community Recreation Facility ~ Part of Rivers Alive, a program of the Adopt-a-Stream Program and Keep Georgia Beautiful
James Hembree, 770.843.6215, www.RiversAlive.org

Saturday, October 10th: 2nd Annual Vulcan Materials Toys for Tots Motorcycle Ride
8:30 a.m., Vulcan Materials, 25 Old Rock Quarry Road, Villa Rica, to begin a 50-mile escorted ride ending at Quaker Steak and Lube, Arbor Place Mall ~ $20 single/$30 double
Kathy Key, 770.459.3582

Saturday, October 10th: Rabies Vaccination Clinic to Benefit Douglas County 4-H
9 a.m., Douglas County Courthouse Parking Lots ~ $10 per pet, limited to 170, pre-pay by Thursday, October 8th to guarantee your shot
UGA Cooperative Extension, third floor, Douglas County Courthouse, 770.920.7224

Saturday, October 10th: 1st Annual West Georgia Outdoor Beer Festival to benefit Camp Twin Lakes
12 noon, Taco Mac, 7397 Douglas Boulevard ~ Beer Tasting, Music, Prizes ~ Must be 21 to attend the outdoor event

Saturday, October 10th: "Dancing Under the Stars" Street Dance for the American Diabetes Association
6 p.m., O'Neal Plaza ~ $5 per person, $15 for families ~ Live Bands, Food and Drinks, Games, Info on Diabetes Wellness, Diet and Prevention
Becky Lewis, 404.751.7874

Saturday, October 10th: Courage Concert at Tributary to Benefit the Wounded Warrior Project
7 p.m., Tributary Founder's Park, 9914 Ashford Green Way ~ Good Music, Good Beer, Good Company, Good Cause ~ Tickets at the Gate ~ Tributary Fall Festival All Day ~ Open to the Public
www.woundedwarriorproject.org, Sara Skinner, 678.213.3659

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Government Meetings and Notices


Douglas County Board of Commissioners: www.CelebrateDouglasCounty.com
Douglas County Courthouse, 8700 Hospital Drive, Douglasville ~ 770.949.2000
Work Session: Monday, October 5th, 10 a.m., Commissioners' Conference Room, Third Floor, Courthouse
Commission Meeting: Tuesday, October 6th, 10 a.m., Citizen's Hall, Courthouse
Commission Meeting televised live on dctv23 and simulcast live on www.CelebrateDouglasCounty.com
NO PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD MEETING FOR OCTOBER DUE TO THE LACK OF APPLICATIONS

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City of Douglasville Mayor and Council: www.ci.douglasville.ga.us
City Hall, O'Neal Plaza at Church Street, Historic Downtown Douglasville ~ P. O. Box 219, Douglasville 30133 ~ 770.920.3000


Douglas County School System: www.douglas.k12.ga.us
9030 Georgia Highway 5 at Gurley Road (next to Hunter Park) ~ P. O. Box 1077, Douglasville 30133 ~ 770.651.2000

CHARACTER WORD FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 5TH: RESPECT FOR AUTHORITY
Respecting the authority of others in official positions

Thursday, October 8th: Annette Winn Elementary Parent University Workshop Series
Making the Grade, Grades 3 - 5 - grade-level workshop to help parents understand what their child will be learning and how they can help ~ 6 p.m. at the school for parents
Denine Pope, 770.651.3148

Thursday, October 8th: North Douglas Elementary Workshop Series
How to Help Your Child with Writing Skills - learn quick tips to help your child improve writing skills ~ 8:30 a.m. at the school for parents
Susan McCoy, 770.651.4828

Thursday, October 8th: Stewart Middle School Workshop Series
Internet Safety for Students and Parents ~ learn how to be safety conscious while on the Internet ~ 6:30 p.m. at the school for parents
Denny Bridges, 770.651.5460

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Douglas County Chamber of Commerce: www.douglascountygeorgia.com
6658 Church Street, Douglasville ~ 770.942.5022
Thursday, October 8th, 8 a.m., Coffee and Card Exchange, Jones-Wynn Funeral Home, Midway Road at Fairburn Road
Tuesday, October 20th, 12 noon, Public Safety Appreciation/Heroes Luncheon, Downtown Douglasville Conference Center

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Flood Disaster Assistance - You Must Apply Now

A FEMA/GEMA agent stopped by our house today and gave us this information to give to our neighbors who had flooding. I've copied it for you to share with your clients/friends/neighbors in case they haven't had the opportunity to get in touch with FEMA. There is no guarantee they will get assistance.

FEMA and GEMA

DISASTER ASSISTANCE

IS AVAILABLE NOW

If you sustained losses or damage in one of the counties declared a federal disaster area following the September 18 storms and flooding, you may be eligible for federal and state disaster aid.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, TO APPLY BY PHONE OR TO CHECK ON YOUR CLAIM, CALL:

1-800-621-FEMA (3362)

TTY 1-800-462-7585 (FOR THE SPEECH-OR- HEARING IMPARIED)

APPLY ON-LINE:

www.disasterassistance.gov

Please have the following information available when you call:

· A phone number in case they need to call you back

· Social Security number

· Current mailing address

· Address of the damaged property

· Brief description of damages

· Insurance information (if you have insurance)

YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE, BUT YOU MUST APPLY

Douglas County Road Updates

Road Updates: Wednesday morning, September 30th
Traffic is bad due to the closed roads throughout the County. Please know that the Douglas County Department of Transportation is working 24/7 to re-open as many roads as possible as soon as possible. At the height of the disaster, about 170 roads were closed. That list is now down to 57.

These are estimated repair times, and we hope that repairs can be accomplished earlier; prolonged means more than 2 months. The Douglas County DOT staff is working on roadways and construction contractors are being brought in to work on roads, bridges and culverts. Your patience is greatly appreciated.

  • Anneewakee Road at Anneewakee Creek Bridge: 3 - 6 weeks repair time, approaches undermined
  • Banks Mill Road at Dog River: 1 -3 weeks repair time, bridge inspection scheduled
  • Banks Mill Road at Daniell Mill Road: 1 - 3 weeks repair time, 250' of asphalt missing
  • Banks Mill Road at Pool Road: 1 - 3 weeks repair time, culvert washed out
  • Bearden Road off Maroney Mill Road: prolonged closure, road washed out
  • Berea Road at Mobley Creek: 1 - 3 weeks repair time
  • Blairs Bridge Road at Sweetwater Creek: 1 - 3 weeks repair time, major scour under approach slabs
  • Bomar Road (Creekside Manor): 1 - 3 weeks repair time, pavement undermined 3 - 4 feet
  • Cantrell Road at Five Notch: 1 -3 weeks repair time, 75' of shoulder washed out at headwall
  • Capps Ferry Road at Chattahoochee River: being evaluated, bridge status unknown, inspections scheduled
  • Chapel Hill Road at Fowler Field: City of Douglasville has informed us of a 2 - 3 week repair time, but hopes to have it open earlier
  • Daniell Mill Road Bridge north of Jenkins Road: 3 - 6 weeks repair time, road and shoulder washed out, exposed piles on bridge
  • Dorsett Shoals Road at Culvert: 1 -3 weeks
  • Downs Road between Post Road and Georgia Highway 5: prolonged closure, roadway completely washed out
  • East Union Hill Road: prolonged closure, roadway completely washed out
  • Georgia Highway 166 at Anneewakee Creek: prolonged closure, Georgia DOT in charge
  • Huey Road at Maroney Mill Road: 3 - 6 weeks repair time, one lane of road is washed out
  • John West Road near Bright Star Elementary School: 3 - 6 weeks, 50' of shoulder and edge of road washed out
  • Johnston Road at Creek: 3 - 6 weeks, road washed out, bridge inspection scheduled
  • Kilroy Lane at Yellow Rock Creek: being evaluated
  • Kings Highway at Bear Creek: 1 - 3 weeks, 150 feet of roadway washed out
  • Liberty Road west of Banks Mill Road: 1 -3 weeks repair time
  • Mack Road at Deer Lick Park: 1 - 3 weeks repair time, road is undermined
  • Mason Creek Road at Mobley Creek: prolonged closure, bridge washed out
  • Mt. Vernon Road at Woodrow Wilson Park: being evaluated
  • Mtn. Top Road: being evaluated, 60' of roadway washed out
  • Nalley Road: prolonged closure, culvert washed out
  • North Flat Rock Road near North Walton Store Road: 3 - 6 weeks repair time, culvert washed out
  • North Helton Road at Bluff Creek: being evaluated
  • North Helton Road Bridge at Dog River: 3 - 6 weeks, bridge inspection scheduled
  • Old Alabama Road Bridge over Sweetwater Creek: being evaluated, bridge inspection scheduled
  • Pool Road Bridge at Mobley Creek: 3 - 6 weeks
  • Pool Road North of Milam Road: 3 - 6 weeks, 50' of roadway washed out
  • Pool Road between Banks Mill Road at Pool Crest Court: 3 - 6 weeks, 50' of roadway washed out
  • Pool Road near Georgia Highway 5: 1 - 3 weeks, road undermined
  • Post Road south of Ephesus Church Road: prolonged closure, culvert washed out, roadway washed out
  • Post Road at Dog River: prolonged closure, bridge damage
  • South Baggett Road between I-20 and Mason Creek Road: 3 - 6 weeks repair time, 40' of roadway washed out
  • South Baggett Road between Campground Road and US 78: prolonged closure, culvert washed out
  • South Helton Road at Liberty Road: prolonged closure, 150' of roadway washed out
  • South River Road Bridge over Bear Creek: being evaluated
  • Sherwood Drive: 3 - 6 weeks repair time, roadway washed out
  • Skyview Drive at Sweetwater Creek Bridge: 3 - 6 weeks, bridge being evaluated
  • Smokestone Drive at Dorsett Shoals Plantation: 1 - 3 weeks repair time, 200' of pavement floating - one lane now open
  • Stewart Woods Drive: being evaluated
  • Timmons Circle, Tyson Road, Nalley Road - closed - open to local traffic only
  • Tyree Road between Post Road and Liberty Road: being evaluated
  • Tyson Road north of Railroad: 3 - 6 weeks repair time, shoulder washed out
  • Union Grove Road: 1 - 3 weeks repair time
  • US 78 west of Busbin Court: Ga. DOT estimates re-opening about October 5th
  • Vulcan Drive Bridge at Beaver Ruin Creek: 1 - 3 weeks repair time
  • West Banks Mill Road between Liberty Road and Post Road: being evaluated
  • West Union Hill Road at Dog River Bridge: 1 - 3 weeks repair time, approaches to bridge have to be replaced
  • West Tyson Road Bridge: 1 -3 weeks repair time, bridge inspection scheduled
  • Wood Street at Creek Crossing: 3 - 6 weeks repair time, culvert washed out
  • Yancey Road between Central Church Road and Stewarts Mill Road: 3 - 6 weeks repair time
  • Yeager Road Bridge at Carroll Drive: being evaluated
  • Whitestone Boulevard: prolonged closure, culvert destroyed and road washed out

    ROADS PREVIOUSLY CLOSED THAT ARE BEING OPENED WILL NO LONGER BE SHOWN ON THIS LIST.

    USE CAUTION AND DRIVE SLOWLY AS YOU TRAVEL THE ROADWAYS. MANY ROADWAYS STILL HAVE SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE ADJACENT TO OR NEAR THE TRAVEL WAY.

    City of Douglasville Street Closures
    The Douglasville City Council will hold a special called meeting at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, October 1st, for the purpose of considering construction contracts for repairs of Chapel Hill Road at Fowler Fields and to Parkway South at Anneewakee Creek.

    Here is the latest status for the roadway conditions inside the City of Douglasville as provided by Greg Roberts of the City (Wednesday, September 30th):
    • Chapel Hill Road - hope to have a contractor selected by mid-afternoon Thursday, October 1st; work is expected to start immediately, weather permitting, and have the road open within about 10 days
    • Creekwood Drive, Arbor Station - being evaluated
    • Prestley Mill Road/Slater Mill Road - being evaluated
    • Parkway Circle, Arbor Station - work began today (Wednesday, September 30th) and should be completed by October 9th, weather and conditions permitting
    • All Other Streets - contractors being selected for these repairs tomorrow (Thursday, October 1st) with updates come soon thereafter.