by Robin Kemp

UPDATE 3:10 p.m.: ADDS new pedestrian fatality on Tara Blvd. Dec. 3

Clayton County Field Training Officer will be laid to rest this Tuesday, following Monday’s viewing and Tuesday’s procession from Southlake Mall to First Baptist Church of Jonesboro. CCPD is asking people to line up along the route and the family is asking people who attend the viewing and/or service to wear shades of blue.

Here’s what’s happening this week in Clayton County:

Monday, Dec. 6

4 p.m. – 8 p.m.: Public viewing for FTO Henry Laxson, killed in the line of duty Nov. 3 while responding to a domestic disturbance call. The public may pay respects at First Baptist Church of Jonesboro. The family asks that mourners wear shades of blue.

6 p.m.: The Forest Park City Council holds its work session, followed by the regular meeting at 7 p.m. Tonight’s agenda contains two items: approval of a fire code tracking system and a recommendation by City Manager Dr. Marc-Antonie Cooper to cancel the December 20 work session and regular meeting. According to the agenday, “The holiday season is upon us, and we want to give everyone the opportunity to enjoy with family.
The City Manager would like to recommend canceling the December 20, 2021, Council Work Session and
Regular Council Meeting. Per city code “The City Council shall hold regular public meetings at a stated
time and place as provided by ordinance but not less often than twice a month.” The City of Forest Park
Council currently meets four (4) times a month.” The Council meets two days per month, with the work session and regular meetings held back-to-back. It is possible for other items to be added to the agenda.

6 p.m.: The Jonesboro City Council holds its work session. Tonight’s agenda includes a discussion of helping Clayton County with a 20% match for a TIP grant for Tara Boulevard safety improvements. The City of Lovejoy also has been asked to kick in for the match. In the past five years, staff notes, 123 pedestrians–including 28 who died and 83 who were injured–have been hit by vehicles on Tara Boulevard, which is Metro Atlanta’s busiest road south of I-20. [Ed. Note: On Dec. 3, Jerome Ewing, who Clayton County Police say appeared to be homeless, was struck and killed while pushing a shopping basket across a dark area near Camelot Parkway, making him the 29th pedestrian fatality on Tara Boulevard in the past 5 years.] The city would contribute $57,276 to the effort, which stretches 11 miles from the Henry County line to Upper Riverdale Road, and which would add sidewalks, ADA-compliant ramps, and pedestrian and street lighting. The council also will discuss updating the nuisance abatement ordinance (think burning leaves, dumping pollutants, dangerous animals, loud noises, and junk in the carport), changing city medical coverage to Cigna for 2022, several zoning variances to allow a fuel center to the Kroger at 795 North Avenue and to annex that 1.41-acre parcel into the City of Jonesboro, the proposed FY 2022 budget (it’s not clear from the agenda who compiled and signed off on the proposed budget in the wake of Ken Thompson’s retirement), and a request from Public Works to spend $4204.64 on engine assemblies for two of the city’s mowers.

6 p.m.: The Clayton County Board of Education meets. On the agenda:

Watch live online at https://www.youtube.com/c/ccpsnews/videos.

Tuesday, Dec. 7

8:45 a.m.: Police funeral procession for FTO Henry Laxson, killed in the line of duty Nov, 3 while responding to a domestic disturbance call. The public is invited to line the parade route to show their respect for Laxson. The procession will depart the old Sears Parking lot at Southlake Mall via Market Place, turn right on Mount Zion Road, then left on Tara Boulevard, left on Hwy. 138, right on Jonesboro Road, and right on College Street, ending at First Baptist Church of Jonesboro. The estimated trip time is 12 minutes.

9 a.m.: The Development Authority of Clayton County (Invest Clayton), Redvelopment Authority of Clayton County, and Urban Redevelopment Authority of Clayton County will hold a special called meeting at 1588 Westwood Way, Morrow, to consider approval of a $75 million taxable economic development bond issue for the Gilbert Road Joint Venture Project. The boards also will hold an executive session for personnel, real estate, or potential litigation matters and consider any items discussed afterwards.

10 a.m-12 noon: Public viewing for FTO Henry Laxson, killed in the line of duty Nov. 3 while responding to a domestic disturbance call. The public may pay respects at First Baptist Church of Jonesboro. The family asks that mourners wear shades of blue.

12 noon: Funeral services for FTO Henry Laxson, killed in the line of duty Nov. 3 while responding to a domestic disturbance call. Services at First Baptist Church of Jonesboro. The family asks that mourners wear shades of blue.

6:30 p.m.: The Clayton County Board of Commissioners holds its regular meeting. Agenda highlights (full packet here) include:

  • signing off on the deal between Gilbert Road Joint Venture (which will develop and lease the 88-acre, 700,000-square-foot industrial property) and the Development Authority of Clayton County (Invest Clayton). Part of the deal includes widening the road. The developer will convey title to the right of way to DACC, and DACC will hold title to the development, finance it through bonds, and lease it back to Gilbert Road Joint Venture. GRJV would improve the road, then transfer those improvements back to the county. The agreement states that 100 new full-time jobs will come in the first year, with an additional 1,400 jobs in the first five years.
  • appointing a new member of the Housing Authority of Clayton County Board to replace Michael Bryant, who the BOC removed after questions about his handling of permits and repairs to HACC’s building. District 4 Commissioner DeMont Davis has the appointment.
  • a resolution authorizing an internal audit of “the circumstances surrounding the Housing Authority of Clayton County’s rehabilitation of 732 Main Street, Forest Park, GA between May 2020 and March 2021.”
  • an ordinance to regulate “eligibility of removed board and authority members to be reappointed or do business with the county, boards and authorities”
  • a location agreement for Minim Productions, Inc. to use Clayton County International Park for parking and catering
  • several easements for the Clayton County Water Authority near Nottingham Road, Jesters Creek Greenway, and Battle Creek Road

Wednesday, Dec. 8

TBA

Thursday, Dec. 9

12 noon: MARTA’s Board of Directors holds its work session, followed by the board meeting at 1:30 p.m. Watch the YouTube livestream at https://bit.ly/MARTAPublicMeeting or attend in person (masks required) at MARTA Headquarters, 2424 Piedmont Rd. NE, Atlanta, in the 6th floor board room. Of particular interest on the meeting agenda: a resolution approving a “Clayton/Southlake Bus Rapid Transit Project Locally
Preferred Alternative.”

6 p.m.-9 p.m.: Chairman Turner’s Annual Holiday Toy Fundraiser takes place at Legends Sports Bar,  7240 N. Davidson Parkway, Stockbridge. Drop off new, unwrapped toys at the bin outside. To enter, you must wear a mask. Monetary donations are also accepted.

Friday, Dec. 10

5 p.m.-9 p.m.: Forest Park Ward 3 Councilman Héctor Gutierrez hosts a Town Hall and Christmas celebration at the Public Safety Building, 850 Main Street, featuring a screening of “The Grinch who Stole Christmas.”

Did we miss something? Kindly text us at (404) 547-1171 and we’ll fix it!

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