Monthly Archives: January 2017

Queen of Cream in Old Fourth Ward now open at 7 a.m.

Dan Whisenhunt 01/31/2017

Queen of Cream, an artisan ice cream and coffee shop in Old Fourth Ward, is now open at 7 a.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. on the weekends.

The company made the announcement on its Facebook page.

The business had been opening at 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The company said, “Queen of Cream is now open at 7 am so you can get your coffee fix before work and after work!”

Queen of Cream will serve espresso, coffee, pastries and breakfast sandwiches and bagels. The company also included this menu in its post:

Queen of Cream is located at 701 Highland Ave NE, Atlanta, GA.

Beltline/ Crime and Public Safety

Georgia State Trooper fired after DUI arrest

Dan Whisenhunt 01/31/2017

Deionte McAllister. Photo provided by the Georgia Department of Public Safety

The Department of Public Safety has fired a state trooper accused of driving under the influence.

The incident happened Saturday, Jan. 28, at 2:55 a.m. on Peachtree Road at East Shadowlawn Avenue. According to the incident report, he was stopped by another state trooper out on patrol.

The trooper saw a maroon Crown Victoria stopped in the right lane at the intersection of Peachtree and Shadowlawn. The car had its front brakes locked and lurched forward twice, the back tires spinning. The trooper turned around and pulled into the middle lane of Peachtree Road northbound. The trooper said the Crown Victoria was in the right-hand left-turn lane for Piedmont Road.

He saw a Mustang between himself and the Crown Victoria that was revving its engine. The Crown Victoria was revving its engine. The front seat passenger was hanging out of the front window without his seat belt on, yelling at the Mustang. The right rear passenger opened his door as the Crown Victoria was lurching forward and appeared to be attempting to talk with the driver of the Mustang.

“I went through the intersection and made a U-turn at the next intersection,” the trooper’s report says. “I fell in behind the Crown Victoria as it turned north on Piedmont Road. I observed the Crown Victoria following too closely to another vehicle. The Crown Victoria had to tap its brakes to stay off the rear of the vehicle in front of it. I initiated a traffic stop.”

The trooper approached the driver of the Crown Victoria, Deionte McAllister, and asked for a driver’s license as well as the front-seat passenger’s driver’s license. The passenger was given a citation for not wearing a seat belt. The report alleges McAllister turned over his license as well as his Georgia State Patrol Badge. The trooper confirmed McAllister was also a state trooper.

“I had Mr. McAllister step out of his vehicle. I explained the reasons for the stop,” the report says. “Mr. McAllister stated that everyone had their seatbelt on. Mr. McAllister asked how he was reckless. I explained it in detail. While speaking with Mr. McAllister, I could smell the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his breath. Mr. McAllister’s eyes were bloodshot and watery. Mr. McAllister’s speech was slow. When asked, Mr. McAllister stated that he had three Guiness beers. Mr. McAllister stated that he went to Dive Bar and then Hangovers.”

The trooper arrested McAllister on charges of DUI.

McAllister was terminated on Jan. 30, the Department of Public Safety said in a press release.

Beltline/ Crime and Public Safety

Atlanta Coyote Project tracks wildlife encounters in the metro area

Atlanta Loop 01/31/2017

A male coyote spotted in Piedmont Park in December 2016. Photo by Larry Wilson.

By Mary Margaret Stewart, Assistant Editor

Dr. Chris Mowry and Dr. Larry Wilson, professors of biology and Emory grad school buddies, decided to start the Atlanta Coyote Project in 2015.

As part of the project, a group of biologists are studying urban coyote populations, and according to its website, they “strive to be a relevant and credible source of information and to provide strategies for avoiding human-coyote conflict.”

“I’ve been giving talks for the past five years, but I’ve been studying coyotes for the past 15 years,” Mowry said. “I was asked to speak at various public forums and then was contacted by the media, which was the impetus for starting the project.”

Mowry is an Associate Professor of Biology at Berry College. Wilson is an instructor in the Department of Environmental Studies at Emory University.

The project’s goal is to prioritize learning about why coyotes live in urban Atlanta. They pose basic biological questions like, “What are they eating?” and “What are their transportation routes?”

In addition to serving as a teaching resource, the project’s website gives options for people to record sightings and incidents of coyotes in the area.

Mowry wants to raise awareness about coyotes.

“There’s just not a lot known about how the ecosystem is working in particularly southeastern urban areas. The coyote is a predator, and it’s really the top predator in the southeast – humans wiped out wolves and coyotes filled that niche,” Mowry said. “People tend to get very concerned about coyotes, but they need to be treated with care because they can actually keep the ecosystem in balance.”

Since the start of the project, the scientists have learned about coyote’s diet, variance in coat color, and seasonal behavior, which Mowry said “might provide some insight into evolutionary history.”

Still, biologists are not sure why Atlanta is a suitable habitat for coyotes, “other than the sort of obvious things.”

“Coyotes have adapted to sort of harsh climates – but Atlanta has mild climates and a potential to an abundance of food,” Mowry said. “We have this city of trees – we have lots of green space. The things that make it attractive to humans also make it attractive to coyotes.”

For Atlanta citizens, Mowry provided these safety tips:

– Limit access to food (secure trash cans and compost piles, keep outdoor chickens in an enclosed space).

– Pets should not be left unattended (coyotes and dogs should not interact).

– Keep pets on short leashes, and pick up small dogs if there’s a coyote.

– Avoid interaction with coyotes, but do not run away.

– Attacks on humans are rare, but make a lot of noise if a coyote is spotted.

“If the family group has lived around humans, they can become comfortable to humans. They surprisingly can live very close to humans, without people really even knowing,” Mowry said, “but there’s most definitely right and wrong ways to behave around coyotes.”

For more information, check out the project’s Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/atlantacoyoteproject/. Donations for research can be made through the website: www.atlantacoyoteproject.org.

Beltline/ Crime and Public Safety/ Politics

Media organizations threatening city of Atlanta with legal action over records

Dan Whisenhunt 01/30/2017

Atlanta City Hall. Photo by Bbenrath, obtained via Wikimedia Commons

Two prominent media organizations are threatening the city of Atlanta with legal action for refusing to release records related to a public corruption probe.

On Jan. 18, the U.S. Attorney’s Office revealed that a construction contractor had been charged with paying $1 million in bribes to unnamed city of Atlanta officials. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, Elvin R. Mitchell Jr., was arraigned on conspiratorial bribery and money laundering charges. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said that Mitchell, 63, is the owner of E.R. Mitchell Company, Cascade Building System, LLC, E.R. Mitchell Group, Inc. and EC & WT Construction Company Inc.

Atlanta Loop and other media organizations requested records related to the case from the city of Atlanta, but the city refused, citing two exemptions in the open records law that exempt records pertaining to investigations. Atlanta Loop filed a complaint with the state Attorney General’s Office, which runs the state’s Open Government Mediation Program. The Atlanta Journal Constitution and WSB-TV are threatening a lawsuit.

According to the AJC, a letter sent to the city requests the production of the records by Feb. 3.

Mitchell pleaded guilty on Jan. 25 and agreed to help the prosecution in its investigation. Here’s a copy of the guilty plea which outlines the terms of his agreement with the prosecution: Guilty Plea

The AJC also reported that during the investigation, Mitchell was threatened with dead rats and had a brick thrown through is window. Police arrested Shandarrick L. Barnes and charged him with throwing the brick through Mitchell’s window. The AJC reports that Barnes worked for Mitzi Bickers, who previously worked for Mayor Kasim Reed.

To read the full story, click here.

Beltline/ Food

Poké Perfect moving into Atlanta, building on the Beltline

Dan Whisenhunt 01/30/2017

Photo obtained via https://www.facebook.com/pokeperfectusa/

Poké Perfect, an Amsterdam-based chain serving the Hawaiian meat and rice dish, is opening three locations in Atlanta, including one along the Atlanta Beltline.

The restaurant will open its first store in Decatur this spring. The owner, Hunter Satterwhite, told Atlanta Loop that the Beltline store will be in Inman Park and will be new construction. He said he expects the store to be open by the end of the year. He’s also opening in an unspecified West Midtown location over the summer.

“We will indeed to our knowledge be the first international Poké company,” Satterwhite said.

And what is Poké? According to the company’s website, “Poké is a Hawaiian dish, originally consisting of sushi rice, raw fish and several different toppings served in a bowl. You could basically describe it as sushi in a bowl. If you are not a fan of raw fish – don’t worry. We also serve smoked chicken or tofu.”

Beltline/ Politics

President Trump, Week 1: Thousands gather at the Airport, video of man harassing Muslim goes viral

Dan Whisenhunt 01/29/2017

Photo by Trey Benton with the Brookhaven Post.

Week one of Donald Trump’s presidency started and ended with protests.

The day after his inauguration saw one of the largest, most peaceful protests in human history as people in many cities, including Atlanta, marched to show their opposition to the new president. Friday’s executive order from the president sent them back out again, this time to Atlanta’s airport.

Today thousands of people swarmed Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport to protest an executive order that has left many people – including green card holders – stranded. Trump’s order blocks people from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen from entering the U.S. for 90 days, according to CNN. It also has also been interpreted to bar green card holders, people who have permanent United States residency who happened to be traveling overseas when the order was implemented. Reuters is reporting that while some judges have ruled against the executive order, some enforcement officials are ignoring the rulings.

Trump has defended the orders via his official Twitter account, saying, “Our country needs strong borders and extreme vetting, NOW. Look what is happening all over Europe and, indeed, the world – a horrible mess!”

The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that many Georgia Republicans are staying silent about the plan, while some are issuing statements of support. U.S. Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., issued a joint statement calling the order “not properly vetted.”

Locally, anti-Muslim sentiment found its way into a local coffee shop where a man was filmed accosting a Muslim woman, a video that quickly went viral.

According to Creative Loafing, Asma Elhuni was at Joe’s Coffee Shop in East Atlanta Village when she noticed a man pointing a camera at her. So she pointed hers back at him. In the video, posted on Creative Loafing’s website, the man calls himself Rob, asks if Elhuni has a green card and calls her a “bitch.” Elhuni is an American citizen, a Georgia State University political science graduate student and an intern for State Rep. Brenda Lopez, Creative Loafing reports. To read the full story on Creative Loafing, click here.

Trey Benton with the Brookhaven Post, went to the airport today and took these photos of the protests:

Beltline/ Crime and Public Safety/ Politics

Former Atlanta employee accused of being intoxicated, causing scene at Hard Rock

Dan Whisenhunt 01/27/2017

An Atlanta Police vehicle. Source: Wikimedia Commons

A former city of Atlanta employee is accused of getting drunk and rowdy at a Hard Rock cafe in downtown, leading to her arrest.

The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that Bettina Anjanete Gardner is no longer serving as the city’s Deputy Director of International Affairs, but couldn’t determine if her departure was related to the Jan. 19 incident.

The Police Report says that officers were summoned to the Hard Rock Cafe on Peachtree Street. The report alleges she was kicked out of Hard Rock for being “very intoxicated” and “causing a disturbance.” The nearby Hooters restaurant refused to let her inside after she left Hard Rock, the police report says.

“As we exited our vehicle, Ms. Gardner was standing in the middle of the city sidewalk cursing very loudly with her words slurred,” the police report alleges. “Her boisterous manner, gained the attention of everyone in the area and also the Hooters patrons, who were inside the establishment.”

The report alleges Gardner didn’t like being handcuffed and claims she called them “slave shackles.” While she waited in the back of a police car, the manager of the Hard Rock relayed the story about why Gardner was asked to leave. The manager alleged that Gardner was sitting at the bar “past her stay” and was cursing loudly. The manager asked her to leave, and said that two members of the Hard Rock staff had also spoken with her before the manager got involved. Gardner allegedly asked to go and get a water before departing and “got sassy” with the manager over being asked to leave.

According to the report, the manager alleges Gardner “started loudly proclaiming her issue was racially motivated.” Another manager got involved at this point, the report says.

“She refused to leave, disturbing our business, so she had to be escorted off property,” the manager is quoted as saying in the report.

The story doesn’t end there. The report says Gardner was escorted to the Zone 5 Police Precinct, where allegedly she continued to curse and began behaving in a “reckless manner.”

“She was handcuffed to city issued holding benches, and she started banging her hands on the bench and back wall,” the report alleges. “She also tried to flip herself upside down. Her words were so slurred, at this moment, it was assumed she was speaking a foreign language.”

Gardner allegedly told the officer she worked with a member of Mayor Kasim Reed’s security detail who was going to “come and get” the arresting officers.

She also allegedly said, “I have people in Washington.”

An officer located her city business card in her purse, confirming her claims that she worked for the city, the report says. A police supervisor was called in to speak with Gardner, the report says. Gardner was admitted into the city jail.

The report alleges that when Gardner was escorted back to a patrol car, she threw herself down in a puddle of water and screamed, “Police brutality.”

Beltline

Atlanta Beltline is semifinalist for Innovations in American Government Award

Dan Whisenhunt 01/26/2017

The Historic Fourth Ward Skatepark along the Beltline. Photo by Dena Mellick

The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, through its Ash Center for Democratic Governance, has named the Atlanta Beltline project as one of 100 semifinalists for a prestigious award.

The Innovations in American Government Awards recognizes “novel and effective” work that can be replicated around the nation and the world. There were 500 applicants from 50 states. The Beltline will now have a chance to compete for the $100,000 grand prize.

The 22-mile mixed-use trail project is reshaping the city of Atlanta, spurring development and sending real estate prices soaring. When it’s completed it will tie 45 neighborhoods together. The Beltline follows old railroad lines. The idea sprang out of a master’s thesis produced by Ryan Gravel when he was a student at Georgia Tech.

“We are very honored and humbled to have been recognized as one of the 100 programs named as Semifinalists in this year’s Innovations in American Government Awards competition,” ABI CEO Paul Morris said in a press release. “This would not have been possible without the leadership and steadfast support of Mayor Reed, the City of Atlanta, Fulton County, the Atlanta Public School System and the citizens of Atlanta whose collective advocacy for innovation and sustainable growth transformed the Atlanta BeltLine from a graduate thesis and grassroots movement to a model of urban revitalization and connectivity.”

Here is the full press release from ABI:

ATLANTA – The Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, recognized today the Atlanta BeltLine as part of the 100 programs named as Semifinalists in this year’s Innovations in American Government Awards competition. The Atlanta BeltLine will compete to be named a Finalist in the competition and have the chance to be awarded the $100,000 grand prize in Cambridge this spring.

The Atlanta BeltLine advanced from a pool of more than 500 applications from all 50 states, and was selected by the Innovations Award evaluators as examples of novel and effective action whose work has had significant impact, and who they believe can be replicated across the country and the world.

The Atlanta BeltLine is a sustainable redevelopment project that is transforming the city of Atlanta. It will ultimately connect 45 intown neighborhoods via a 22-mile loop of multi-use trails, modern streetcar, and parks – all based on railroad corridors that formerly encircled the city. When completed, it will provide first and last mile connectivity for regional transportation initiatives and put Atlanta on a path to 21st century economic growth and sustainability. In order to support and fully realize the vision of 22 miles of a more connected Atlanta, the Atlanta BeltLine also supports affordable workforce housing, economic development, job creation, public health, streetscapes, public art, environmental clean-up, and historic preservation – all with an eye towards sustainability.

“These programs demonstrate that there are no prerequisites for doing the good work of governing” said Stephen Goldsmith, director of the Innovations in American Government Program at the Ash Center, “small towns and massive cities, huge federal agencies and local school districts, large budgets or no budgets at all — what makes government work best is the drive to do better, and this group proves that drive can be found anywhere.”

“We are very honored and humbled to have been recognized as one of the 100 programs named as Semifinalists in this year’s Innovations in American Government Awards competition,” stated Paul Morris, President and CEO of the Atlanta BeltLine. “This would not have been possible without the leadership and steadfast support of Mayor Reed, the City of Atlanta, Fulton County, the Atlanta Public School System and the citizens of Atlanta whose collective advocacy for innovation and sustainable growth transformed the Atlanta BeltLine from a graduate thesis and grassroots movement to a model of urban revitalization and connectivity.”

The Semifinalist programs represent a cross-section of jurisdictions and policy areas, and embody one of the most diverse and sophisticated groups that have advanced to this stage in the competition’s 30-year history. They were invited to complete a supplementary application last fall, answering in-depth questions about their work, the process of creating and sustaining their programs, and how they believe they can teach others to do what they do. The Ash Center expects to announce 10 programs that will be named Finalists and be invited to Cambridge to present to the Innovation Awards Program’s National Selection Committee in March, with the grand prize winners to be named in June.

Please visit the Government Innovators Network at http://innovations.harvard.edu for the full list of Semifinalists, and for more information regarding the Innovations in American Government Awards.

Beltline/ Politics

Buckhead forum offers brief preview of mayoral race

Dan Whisenhunt 01/26/2017

Eight candidates vying to be Atlanta’s next mayor attended a forum hosted by the Buckhead Coalition on Jan. 25. Photo by Dan Whisenhunt

Eight candidates vying to become Atlanta’s next mayor attended a forum held by the Buckhead Coalition on Wednesday.

The event was brief, giving each candidate a few minutes to make their appeal. Sam Massell, a former Atlanta mayor and president of the Buckhead Coalition, was a stern moderator, pushing back against candidates who ignored questions to hit on other, less relevant points.

At one point, Massell asked the candidates to convince the audience where they would find 40,000 votes needed to win the election.

Peter Aman, Atlanta’s former chief operating officer, answered the question by discussing his work for the city. He also lobbed a criticisms at Ceasar Mitchell and Mary Norwood, the city council president and city council member who are also running for mayor.

“None of this is on subject,” Massell said, interrupting Aman. “Sorry that you couldn’t tell us what votes you were going to muster.”

“I come from a world of proprietary strategy,” Aman replied.

“I know exactly what you’re doing,” Massell said.

It was Massell’s forum and the candidates were going to play by his rules.

Each candidate explained why they felt they were the best fit for Atlanta’s next mayor.

“I have more experience in running large organizations, in listening to people and in working inside and outside city government in running the city of Atlanta than anybody else on this stage,” Aman said.

Keisha Lance Bottoms, an Atlanta City Council member, talked about watching her father being arrested when she was eight years old and watching her mother struggle to make ends meet.

“My life really epitomizes the opportunities and challenges in our city,” she said.

Vincent Fort, a state senator who is positioning himself as an anti-establishment candidate, said he would, “tell the people of Atlanta the truth.”

“I’ve been saying that Atlanta has lost its way, Atlanta city hall has lost its way, not the people, and there are people there more interested in serving their own interests than the people’s interests,” Fort said. “That assertion was confirmed last week by Barack Obama’s outgoing U.S. attorney. There are people at city hall more concerned with enriching themselves.”

Fort is referring to the charges that contractor Elvin R. Mitchell Jr. bribed unnamed city officials to obtain construction contracts.

Kwanza Hall, another Atlanta City Council member, said, “I’m the only one with a proven track record of bringing neighborhoods forward, neighborhoods that have been left behind. This will be a new era for our city.”

Mitchell, the city council president, said, “As mayor I’m going to unlock the exponential power of the position.”

“I’m not going to lead alone and I’m going to bring an entrepreneurial spirit,” he said.

Norwood, who is also an Atlanta city council member, promised to run an administration that is accountable to the city’s residents.

“I will bring total transparency to our city government,” she said. “It is time for us to be completely open and accountable to our citizens.” She promised an overhaul of the bidding process, and posting all expenses online, including checks written by the city.

Michael Sterling, former Executive Director of the Atlanta Workforce Agency, touted his experience as a federal prosecutor.

“I’m going to be better at public safety, candidly,” he said. “I’m the only candidate who investigated and prosecuted crime.”

Cathy Woolard, a former Atlanta City Council member and president, said, “I will bring people together to get things done. It’s not the job of the mayor to have all of the ideas. It’s the job of the mayor to bring people together.”

The entire forum was posted to the GPB News website. To listen, click here.

The Atlanta mayoral elections will be held on Nov. 7.