Atlanta Fulton County residents (including Riverside) will probably experience a significant increase in Water & Sewer rates over the next three years, according to a report recently published by the Department of Watershed Management.  Quoting the June 2008 article in their monthly flyer:

"The Department of Watershed Management is asking for a four-year package of rate increases that would fund Clean Water Atlanta projects and pay for debt already incurred under the program.  The increase for the 2008-2009 fiscal year is higher than expected - 27.5 percent - because of significant revenue losses that resulted from conservation efforts during the drought.

The Department realizes the irony - customers are being asked to conserve, but the resulting drop in revenues challenges the City's ability to continue with the federally mandated Clean Water Atlanta program."

 The article states that rates will increase another 15% per year after the 2008-09 increase, and it is likely that rates would increase further if conservation improves.

There is one peice of good news from this situation - Governor Purdue has signed legislation into effect which eases water restrictions in the Atlanta area, effective May 15.  Hand watering for 25 minutes per day, new landscaping watering for 10 weeks with proper registration, and watering of personal gardens is permitted.  Lawn watering between 12:01am - 10:00am is permitted for odd-numbered houses on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, and even-numbered on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.

This seems like a no-win situation (use less, get charged more; use more, we run out of water), so contact your local city representatives to voice your concerns.

We have hired four Atlanta Police Officers to patrol our neighborhood in addition to the presence provided by our local beat officer.   We invite you to help support the patrol.  If we do not receive enough financial support the service may not be viable in the long term.

• Officers are patroling in personal vehicles (security signs for vehicle are planned)
• Officers are in uniform during patrol

The geographic boundaries of the Patrol are James Jackson Parkway to the West; Peyton Road and the railroad tracks to the South, Georgia Power transmission lines to the East; and Chattahoochee River to the North. The Patrol will also include Collins Drive and may be extended if more homes are interested in joining outside of this perimeter.

Benefits of joining-

• Upon joining participants are provided the cell phone number for the officers (call 911 then the officers number). 
• Participants will be issued yard signs indicating participation in the program. 
• Participants can notify officers to watch their house while they are on vacation or when one spouse is home alone.

Cost-

• $30 a month for single family residences
•  $100 a month for businesses
• $30 a house for realtors with listings

Payments are quarterly.  The first paymet will be $100 ($10 for sign cost)

Please share this email with friends, family, neighbors or anyone you may know who may be interested in becoming a Member of the Private Security Patrol and supporting the reduction of criminal activity in Riverside. The Patrol is affiliated with the Riverside Neighborhood Association, and funds are used only for the security patrol. 

If you have any questions, please email  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Include your name, address and phone number and indicate that you would like to join, and then mail the check.  

Here's the link for GDOT concerning the new James Jackson Pkwy. Bridge over the Chattahoochee River.

http://acp.dot.state.ga.us/cfusion/cwp/views/details.cfm?project_id=752850-&fed=BRM00-9000-00(031)%2001&county=COBB

More information can be found on our forum(message board) under the "Ask Riverside" section.