Our Supporters Speak Out
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Mike Jacobs is our State Representative for District 80.
From the very beginning, Mike has championed our cause. He has, on several occasions, publicly declared that the site Georgia Power has selected for their proposed substation is inappropriate … and that they should find another location in which to build.
You can read more about Representative Jacobs at his web site: www.MeetMikeJacobs.com and you can e-mail your remarks to him at mailto:Mike@MeetMikeJacobs.com
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11/29/05 Statement of Mike JacobsGeorgia
House of Representatives, District 80 http://www.meetmikejacobs.com/
“I call on Georgia Power to find another site for their proposed substation, currently slated to be built on Ashford Dunwoody Road between Dunwoody Lane and Perimeter Summit Parkway.
I attended the November 21 meeting of my constituents at which Georgia Power made their presentation for the Ashford Dunwoody substation. I was appalled at Georgia Power’s unclear answers and by the lack of respect shown for nearby residents, our neighborhoods, and the broader community. Georgia Power’s plan is to build their substation on a one-acre parcel of residentially zoned property directly behind and adjacent to existing homes on Dunwoody Lane. The proposed site is also yards away from Montgomery Elementary School.
Georgia Power’s plan needs to be judged by this simple standard: Would you want a power substation literally in your backyard? I know the people of these neighborhoods would all agree with me that the answer to this question is a resounding NO. That is why I stand with the affected residents and neighborhoods in opposing this substation.
Georgia Power gave citizens a lot of cause for concern at the November 21 meeting, but one line of discussion was particularly alarming. Georgia Power has never built a substation on one acre of property. Substations usually are built on at least two to three acres. Georgia Power promised to be “innovative” in shoehorning this particular substation into one acre. Residents are right to prefer this “innovation” be built elsewhere. Moreover, given that Georgia Power may exercise the power of eminent domain under state law, residents are equally justified in their concern that this substation will spill outside the single acre Georgia Power intends to purchase at this time.
Again, I urge Georgia Power to choose a new site - one that does not disrupt our neighborhoods - for their proposed substation. Other options are available.”Rep. Mike Jacobs(D-Dekalb)
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David Adelman is the State Senator for District 42.
Senator Adelman has expressed his concern for this issue and has vowed a legislative action if Georgia Power does not act more responsibly.
Learn more about David at http://www.davidadelman.com or you may write to him at the following e-mail address: dadelman@legis.state.ga.us
Statement of Senator David Adelman dated November 30, 2005.
Georgia Power's insensitivity towards the community near Montgomery Elementary School is unacceptable. I am confident the company will find an alternative site for the proposed substation which does not impose on the peaceful residential character of one of Atlanta's great neighborhoods or directly abut school property. If Georgia Power does not become more sensitive to our neighborhoods I will introduce and promote legislation similar to that in effect in other states giving the Public Service Commission the power to review and reject proposed substation and transmission line sites."
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The following is a letter from Chamblee Mayor Eric Clarkson opposing Georgia Power's proposed Ashford Dunwoody substation site. A version of this letter was published in the Dunwoody Crier on December 13, 2005:
December 5, 2005
It has recently been brought to my attention that Georgia Power plans to build a substation just inside I-285 off of Ashford-Dunwoody Road. This is primarily a single family neighborhood adjacent to a very successful Elementary School. While this location is not within the City Limits of Chamblee, as the newly elected Mayor of Chamblee, I recognize the negative impact such a proposed substation would have on our entire community.
I think most people recognize that all of our neighborhoods are ever changing. Bringing with these changes are challenges and opportunities to make our community better. Few areas in Metro Atlanta are experiencing the level of changes faced by those of us living inside the I-285 Perimeter. I am sure that there is a need for more power that comes with the growth we all see around us. But I challenge Georgia Power to find a better and more suitable site for their substation in order to meet these new needs.
Everywhere in Chamblee we are strengthening our building codes and looking for ways to work as partners with the development community to make sure that as these changes occur, they leave the city better than it was prior to the redevelopment. Georgia Power needs to take this same approach in looking for new and innovative ways to meet the ever changing needs of their business. A substation on the proposed site does neither look to partner with the surrounding community, nor look at innovative ways to design a station to leave the property better than what is currently there.
Thank you for taking the time to listen to these concerns. If I can ever be of assistance to you in working through these concerns, please contact me at your convenience.
Mayor Eric Clarkson, City of Chamblee |
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Dr. Crawford Lewis is the Superintendent of the DeKalb County School System.
Dr. Lewis is an avid protector of the children of DeKalb County, and understands the inherent dangers presented by the construction and operation of an electrical substation in such close proximity to Montgomery Elementary School and the surrounding neighborhoods.
See http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/ for additional information about the School System. The Superintendent’s phone number is (678) 676-0010.
The following is a letter from Dr. Crawford Lewis to Mr. Michael Garrett, CEO of Georgia Power
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March 9, 2006
Mr. Michael D. Garrett
CEO, Georgia Power Company
241 Ralph McGill Blvd., Suite B-10240
Atlanta, GA 30308
Re: Ashford Dunwoody Road/Perimeter Summit Parkway Power Substation
Dear Mr. Garrett,
I am writing this letter to communicate my concerns over the proposed power substation at the intersection of Ashford Dunwoody Road and Perimeter Summit Parkway which is less than one mile from Montgomery Elementary School.
The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) for Montgomery Elementary School has voiced serious concerns to the DeKalb Board of Education relating to the lack of tangible data that supports the safety and security of locating a power substation at such a busy intersection and within one mile of their school. In a letter to Georgia Power, dated December 3, 2005, the PTA cited the Georgia Department of Education guideline prohibiting the building of a new school within one mile of a power substation. This guideline is the focal point of our concern. It seems clear that the Georgia Department of Education believes that it is unsafe to have a power substation within one mile of a school.
It is my hope that an alternate site will be selected for the proposed power substation that can provide for additional services and growth in the Dunwoody community while maintaining the safety of our local schools.
Sincerely,
Crawford Lewis, Ph.D.
Superintendent Dekalb County School System |
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MONTGOMERY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PTA
The Montgomery PTA has expressed concern about the proposed substation from the earliest days of Georgia Power’s proposal. The school is located only a couple of blocks from the site.
To read more about Montgomery, go to http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/montgomery/index.html or you may write to the Co-chairs of the PTA at Montgomery_PTA@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us
The following is a letter from the president of the Montgomery Elementary School PTA to Dr. Crawford Lewis.
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Montgomery Elementary School PTA
3995 Ashford Dunwoody Road
Atlanta, GA 30319
January 6, 2006
Dr. Crawford Lewis
Superintendent of DeKalb School System
3770 N. Decatur Road
Decatur, GA 30022-1005
Re: Ashford Dunwoody Road/Perimeter Summit Parkway power substation
Dear Dr. Lewis:
On December 3, 2005, the Montgomery Elementary School PTA wrote Georgia Power Company to protest the proposed substation site at the intersection of Ashford Dunwoody Road and Perimeter Summit Parkway, less than one mile from our school. We advised Georgia Power that the Montgomery Elementary PTA Executive Committee voted unanimously to oppose the building of a power substation on the above-referenced site. You and the School Board were copied on that letter. We now ask that the DeKalb School Board pass a resolution opposing the construction of a power substation within three miles of any DeKalb County school, which would include Montgomery Elementary School, Nancy Creek Elementary School and the new Chamblee Middle School, based on the Georgia Department of Education Guide to School Site Selection (December 8, 2003).
Sincerely,
Laura E. Stevenson
Thais Diaz
President
Montgomery Elementary School PTA |
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