Volunteers Prepare for the 2017 Point In Time Count

Zion Hill Community Development Corporation volunteers in South Fulton receive their instructions from Fulton County before leaving to count those in need that are living on the streets.  Another North Fulton Community Charities volunteer reviews a map of the areas to be covered in North Fulton before taking to the streets.  They were among dozens in North Fulton and South Fulton who donated their time on Thursday, January, 26, 2017 to ensure an accurate count of the unsheltered homeless in Fulton County.  Volunteers worked closely with county leaders, police and community organizations to gather accurate information about the number of homeless people residing within the many cities that make up Fulton County, including Alpharetta, Roswell, Union City, College Park, East Point, Palmetto and Fairburn, GA.

The 2017 Point In Time (PIT) Count focused on veterans, single women with children, youth, and other unsheltered homeless who sleep in outdoor locations such as sidewalks, parks, encampments and under bridges. The Count also included all of the sheltered homeless, who are staying in emergency shelters and transitional housing programs.   The final results of the annual PIT will be used to determine the amount of Federal funding to support the development of programs.  These services provide aid to the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless throughout Fulton County.

For more information about the annual January Count, call 404-613-0416

Metro Atlanta HIV Planning Council Holds 18th Annual Health Fair

Each year the Metropolitan Atlanta HIV Health Services Planning Council—also known as the Ryan White Part A Planning Council—hosts a free educational forum to advance its mission of linking persons living with HIV to care. Constituted under the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Modernization Act of 2009, the Planning Council coordinates the comprehensive delivery of HIV/AIDS services and allocation of resources for the 20-county Atlanta Eligible Metropolitan Area.

 This year’s Atlanta Area Outreach Initiative (AAOI) will be held at the Loudermilk Center in downtown Atlanta, February 4th, from 9:00am to 5:00pm.  Former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Joycelyn Elders, known for her outspoken and frank discussions of health matters, is the keynote speaker.  The Chief Elected Official of Fulton County, Chairman John Eaves, is convening the event.  He’s encouraging all groups or individuals interested in helping end the HIV/AIDS epidemic to support this effort. “We have been addressing HIV/AIDS in aggressive ways and I truly believe we are making great strides, but much more needs to be done,”  Eaves says. “You have my commitment to continue working with all of those dedicated to end the crisis, so that one day we will proudly say HIV/AIDS has been eliminated in Fulton County.”

Call 404-613-2264, email AAOI@fultoncountyga.gov or click on this link for additional information.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/18th-annual-atlanta-area-outreach-initiative-aaoi-tickets-26444427996.

Fulton County is an equal opportunity employer that encourages diversity.  If you need reasonable modifications due to a disability, including communications in an alternate format, please contact 404-613-1204.  For TDD/TYY or Georgia Relay Service Access dial 711.

Voter Registration Deadline for March Special Elections is Tuesday, February 21, 2017 in Fulton County

City of South Fulton and Roswell residents encouraged to check their registration status; on-line voter registration available

The deadline to register to vote in the March 21st Special Elections is Tuesday, February 21, 2017.   Online voter registration is available, which allows applicants with a valid Georgia Driver’s License or a Georgia Identification Card to complete the entire process online.

In Fulton County, residents can register to vote:


•       online at www.FultonElections.com at their city hall
•       at a Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) office
•       at any Atlanta Fulton County Library Branch
•       by mail

Residents can also obtain a voter registration form at one of three county offices:

1) Fulton County Government Center - 130 Peachtree Street, SW, Suite 2186 Atlanta, GA 30303
2) Fulton County North Service Center - 7741 Roswell Road, Room 251, Sandy Springs, GA 30350
3) Fulton County South Service Center - 5600 Stonewall Tell Road, Room 105, College Park, GA 30349

Registered voters are urged to verify that their address information on file with the department is up-to-date, especially if they have recently had an address or name change.

The Department of Registration and Elections regularly partners with groups and organizations to conduct voter registration drives. Groups interested in scheduling a drive can contact the Department of Registration and Elections by phone 404-612-3816, by fax 404-730-8839 or via email at ElectionsVoterRegistration@fultoncountyga.gov. 

For more information on voter registration and the upcoming March 21st Special Elections, log on to www.fultonelections.com or call 404-730-7072.

MARTA Seeks Community Input for Proposed Expansion Projects

MARTA will host Listening Sessions on Wed., Jan. 18 and Thurs., Jan. 19 to solicit customer and resident input on proposed expansion projects. The plans will be funded by the half-penny sales tax referendum that was passed in November with a 72 percent margin by City of Atlanta voters. The sales tax is expected to generate $2.5 billion (in 2016 dollars) over the next 40 years or about $60 million annually.

WHAT: MARTA Listening Sessions
WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017
TIMES: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.- 8:30 p.m.                   
WHERE: MARTA Headquarters
2424 Piedmont Road, Lobby           
From the Lindbergh Station, MARTA HQ is directly across the street.

WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017
TIMES: 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.- 8:30 p.m.

WHERE: City of Atlanta-City Hall
68 Mitchell Street, Old Council Chambers
Riding MARTA: Take Bus Routes 32, 49, 55, and 74 from Five Points Station.

For more information, please visit www.itsmarta.com

Six Fulton County Fire Stations Open as Warming Stations

Six Fulton County fire stations are open on Saturday, January 7, 2017 as warming stations until 7 p.m. for individuals who are in need. Anyone is welcome.

Station 2
4121 Cascade Rd

Station 5
3175 Bethsaida Rd

Station 7
5965 Buffingtion Rd

Station 11
4760 Fulton Industrial Blvd

Station 13
Plummer Rd

Station 17
8675 Ridge Rd

Anyone needing shelter is urged to go to one of the county's six emergency warming stations. For more information, please visit www.fultoncountyga.gov. Follow Fulton County Government on Facebook and on Twitter. 

Fulton County Provides Winter Weather Checklists to Assist Residents with Preparations for Inclement Weather

Fulton County believes every resident should be prepared for winter weather. To assist in making preparations for a warm and safe winter, the Fulton County Fire Rescue Department advises all residents to be prepared with emergency supplies for communication, food, safety, heating, and vehicles. The best way to keep you and your family safe is to plan ahead.

Make sure you have the basics to sustain your household until the inclement weather passes. The following list is provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help with preparations. A more in-depth preparation check-list can be found at 1.usa.gov/1ehDeXC.

Communication Checklist

Make sure you have at least one of the following methods of communication in case there is a power failure:

• Cell phone, portable charger, and extra batteries.
• Battery-powered radio, with extra batteries, for listening to local emergency instructions
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radio receiver for listening to National Weather Service broadcasts

Heating Checklist

Turning on the stove for heat is not safe; have at least one of the following heat sources in case the power goes out:

• Extra blankets, sleeping bags, and warm winter coats
• Fireplace with plenty of dry firewood or a gas log fireplace
• Portable space heaters or kerosene heaters

Cooking and Lighting Checklist

• Use battery-powered flashlights or lanterns
• Never use charcoal grills or portable gas camp stoves indoors - the fumes are deadly
• Avoid using candles as these can lead to house fires
• If you do use candles, never leave lit candles unattended

Food and Safety Checklist

Have three days or a week’s worth of food and safety supplies. Make sure you have the following supplies:

• Drinking water
• Canned/no-cook food (bread, crackers, dried fruits)
• Non-electric can opener
• Baby food and formula (if baby in the household)
• Prescription drugs and other medicine
• First-aid kit
• Rock-salt to melt ice on walkways
• Supply of cat litter or bag of sand to add traction on walkways
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Battery-powered lamps or lantern
• Avoid using candles to prevent the risk of fire

Water Checklist

Keep a water supply. Extreme cold can cause water pipes in your home to freeze and sometimes break.

• Leave all water taps slightly open so they drip continuously
• Keep the indoor temperature warm
• Allow more heated air near pipes. Open kitchen cabinet doors under the kitchen sink
• If your pipes do freeze, do not thaw them with a torch - thaw the pipes slowly with warm air from an electric hair dryer

Car and Emergency Checklist
Minimize travel, but if travel is necessary, keep the following in your vehicle:

• Cell phone, portable charger, and extra batteries
• Shovel
• Windshield scraper
• Battery-powered radio with extra batteries
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Water
• Snack food
• Extra hats, coats, and mittens
• Blankets

Winter Weather Tips for Animals

When the weather gets wet and wild, you want to take extra precautions to ensure pets and livestock remain healthy by following simple guidelines:

• Make sure your fences and gates are secure - winter winds and weather can topple your fence and provide an opportunity for your pet to get out
• Make sure your pets are wearing their ID - if your pet does get out during winter weather, if they are wearing ID, people can contact you if they find your pet, and if you pet is picked up by Animal Control, they will know how to contact you
• Keep pets indoors when the temperature drops and the storm picks up - bring your pets indoors when the weather gets cold; most dogs and all cats, are safer indoors, except when taken out for exercise; short-coated dogs may feel more comfortable wearing a sweater during walks
• When left outdoors, protect them from wind chill and wet weather - if your pet is an outdoor pet, they must be protected by a dry, draft-free shelter that is large enough to allow comfortable sitting but small enough to hold in body heat

Follow emergency broadcast advisories to stay safe. Prepare for a winter storm before it hits.