by Robin Kemp

Here’s your Monday morning roundup of stories we’re watching this week:

  • Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death adds more weight to both U.S. Senate races in Georgia. The jurist who did more than any other to advance women’s equality, especially in the workplace, died of pancreatic cancer Sept. 18 and was lauded by her colleagues on the nation’s highest court. She was 87. Flags are at half-staff in her honor.
  • Voters have eight days left to cast ballots for the person who will finish the late Rep. John Lewis’ term in the U.S. House of Representatives. We have a candidate roundup to help you do you own research for the Sept. 29 election.
  • Also on Sept. 29, the Clayton County NAACP is holding its own election for its nominating committee at 8 p.m. On Oct 29, the Nominations Committee will give its report at 8 p.m. The branch will elect its officers on Nov. 29 at Truth Renewal Church from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Activists are gearing up last-minute efforts to get out the vote. The Clayton County NAACP held two voter registration drives over the weekend. Leaders of the non-partisan organization, which does not endorse candidates, severely reprimanded one volunteer who told customers in line at a Riverdale McDonalds not to vote for Sheriff Victor Hill. The volunteer issued a written apology. Also last weekend, a worker with the Unity Campaign, a part of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (The People’s Agenda, Georgia BWR, Black Youth Vote, HBCU Green Fund, and Georgia Stand Up) was spotted putting “Know Your Candidates” door hangers on mailboxes. USPS forbids any non-postal attachments to mailboxes.
  • The Forest Park City Council meets tonight to consider the city’s first-ever performance audit by department. City staff have recommended Mauldin and Jenkins do the audit, which is meant to “establish a baseline of the City’s existing operations and to identify areas for improvement and/or corrective action. The firm will review every department’s operations. At the end of the audit, the firm will provide a comprehensive blueprint for each department to undertake recommended reforms.” The agenda does not make public the proposed cost for the project, instead noting that “The estimated cost and timeline are set forth in the letter agreement.” The council will also consider several annual contracts for renting out city recreation facilities. These include Southwest Cardinals, Stump Town Football, 300 Spartans Youth Association, and ORDAZ Soccer Academy. Old business will include a discussion by Councilwoman Kimberly James, building renovations, furniture, “budget line item.” and budget hearing minutes. The council recently discussed having to move quickly to spend about a million dollars in grant money. Citizens can now watch the meetings livestreamed on its new YouTube page. Comments must be submitted BEFORE 12 noon Monday, however, via Slido:
  • Clayton County residents can give MARTA feedback on several upcoming transit projects at two online meetings this week. On Wednesday, Sept. 23 at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 26 at 12 noon, you also can tell MARTA what you think about those projects. The meetings are scheduled for 6:30 p.m on Wednesday and noon Saturday. The one-hour meetings will include information about capital projects, system-wide enhancements and future planning activity in the south metro Atlanta county. You can take part via http://tiny.cc/ClaytonWednesday or http://tiny.cc/ClaytonSaturday or just listen in by calling (855) 797-9485. Enter the access code 131 420 8353 for the Wednesday meeting or 131 260 1980 for the Saturday meeting. You also can watch the livestream at itsmarta.com.
  • The Clayton Crescent is working hard behind the scenes to redevelop our calendar of events. This curated calendar focuses on major meetings of elected and appointed county and municipal boards. We can’t be everywhere–but we can make you aware of which meetings you might want to attend. (Democracy is not a spectator sport.) We also are working on executive matters (our 501(c)(3), board, etc.) and will have more for you in the coming weeks. We can say that the news is all good. Have a great week, and please tell all your friends to visit us at claytoncrescent.org !