Recent Posts

1

Other EAV Businesses / Re: We're getting a Publix!

« Last post by enduser on Today at 12:34 am »

So when it opens, do we refer to the Publix on Glenwood as "Ghetto Publix"?

I think it's still East Lake Publix (though Publi* don't always get an identifier the way Krogers do).  Ghetto is kinda the lowest common denominator since it can usually apply to any number of locations whereas something a bit more location-specific is preferred.

* My preferred pluralization of Publix, as Publixes is a bit awkward

It's publices. (not to be confused with pubic lice.)

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Other EAV Businesses / Re: We're getting a Publix!

« Last post by Kevy Duty on Yesterday at 11:27 pm »

I will go on record on the side of thinking there's no way we need another big grocery. 

As long as you're cool with being wrong, knock yourself out. 

I'm ok with being wrong.  Do you have any points to make or did you just come in here to mouth off?  (Rhetorical, obviously)

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Other EAV Businesses / Re: We're getting a Publix!

« Last post by angryuser on Yesterday at 11:17 pm »

I will go on record on the side of thinking there's no way we need another big grocery. 

As long as you're cool with being wrong, knock yourself out. 

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Other EAV Businesses / Re: We're getting a Publix!

« Last post by Flower Lady on Yesterday at 10:29 pm »

Food deserts are based on census tracts, where at least 500 persons and/or at least 33 percent of the population lives more than 1 mile from a supermarket or large grocery store (in an urban area).  So, it is entirely possible that people living toward the edge of a tract actually live within 1 mile of a grocery store.  The fact remains that many people within the census tract don't.  I've never tried to go to a grocery store 3 miles away on a Marta bus, but having tried to get across this city by bus, I can imagine that in many cases it would be an ordeal.

Right. It's a stupid definition. Has to be a "low-income" tract (you know, like Grant Park) and has to have that number of people living more than 1 mile from a supermarket. A mile! Oh the horror of being a mile and a half from a grocery store when you have to take a bus!

It's a problem when some desperate situation like living in a "food desert" is so stupidly defined. I imagine there are areas in Atlanta that do, in fact, have large communities of poor people who don't have good access to a supermarket. Grant Park ain't one of them. So when the government labels it as such, it makes me think the whole "food desert" thing is bogus.

There are many food deserts in ATL including a large part of the West End with no grocery store for miles. Some people don't have the money to take a bus there and back with groceries, a task which is not pleasant on MARTA (often long wait times) or work, and taking public transit to a grocery store and back takes most of a weekend day (my friend who is a very long term resident of East Atlanta does this. Most of her Saturday is grocery shopping).

I would catagorize Grant Park and neighboring Hill Street area as a food desert: except that it now has a farmers market. No data takes that into consideration, I"m sure.

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Other EAV Businesses / Re: We're getting a Publix!

« Last post by Mudd on Yesterday at 09:56 pm »

We'll take it.

No consideration for who might suffer, with that same option just down the road?

Not sure what you mean...?

When unique and independent markets that become part of a neighborhood's identity are overshadowed by big box stores placed every few square miles those markets are going to face an even greater struggle, despite their varied offerings.  Those markets will eventually disappear and the neighborhood will loses it's identity.

Ah, got it... I understand what you mean. But in this case, who is Publix potentially impeding? For me, it'll be a case of shopping at one (newer) Publix instead of another. I see it as much about job creation as anything. This area is more populated than it was 10 years ago (as someone mentioned, ENSO), so I think they're fulfilling a need. I have no problem with them cutting into Kroger business

Also, grocery stores have been around for as long as I can remember - buying from smaller businesses is more expensive. I should add that I shop at Savi in Inman Park a lot, and I don't see that changing - I won't stop supporting the small business there.

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Other EAV Businesses / Re: We're getting a Publix!

« Last post by Dave2PVD on Yesterday at 09:53 pm »

We'll take it.

No consideration for who might suffer, with that same option just down the road?

I don't understand your point. Suffer? There's a shortage of grocery stores, IMO.

I'd like a neighborhood grocery store. ERD is not my neighborhood store. Neither is the Moreland Kroger. I live in one of those 'desert' tracts off to the West.

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Other EAV Businesses / Re: We're getting a Publix!

« Last post by Kevy Duty on Yesterday at 09:50 pm »

We'll take it.

No consideration for who might suffer, with that same option just down the road?

Not sure what you mean...?

When unique and independent markets that become part of a neighborhood's identity are overshadowed by big box stores placed every few square miles those markets are going to face an even greater struggle, despite their varied offerings.  Those markets will eventually disappear and the neighborhood will loses it's identity.

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Other EAV Businesses / Re: We're getting a Publix!

« Last post by Mudd on Yesterday at 09:37 pm »

We'll take it.

No consideration for who might suffer, with that same option just down the road?

Not sure what you mean...?

9

Other EAV Businesses / Re: We're getting a Publix!

« Last post by Cap'n Ken on Yesterday at 09:35 pm »

Food deserts are based on census tracts, where at least 500 persons and/or at least 33 percent of the population lives more than 1 mile from a supermarket or large grocery store (in an urban area).  So, it is entirely possible that people living toward the edge of a tract actually live within 1 mile of a grocery store.  The fact remains that many people within the census tract don't.  I've never tried to go to a grocery store 3 miles away on a Marta bus, but having tried to get across this city by bus, I can imagine that in many cases it would be an ordeal.

Right. It's a stupid definition. Has to be a "low-income" tract (you know, like Grant Park) and has to have that number of people living more than 1 mile from a supermarket. A mile! Oh the horror of being a mile and a half from a grocery store when you have to take a bus!

It's a problem when some desperate situation like living in a "food desert" is so stupidly defined. I imagine there are areas in Atlanta that do, in fact, have large communities of poor people who don't have good access to a supermarket. Grant Park ain't one of them. So when the government labels it as such, it makes me think the whole "food desert" thing is bogus.

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Parenting / Re: Superintendent wants to stop Drew Charter High School

« Last post by chinpokemon on Yesterday at 09:29 pm »

Perhaps I don't fully understand charter schools, chinopokemon. If you or anyone else can provide me with the answers to these questions, I would appreciate it.

1. How much money does Drew get from the Cousins' Foundation? What percentage of their operating budget does this amount represent?  This is of course on top of the money they are receiving from the state (albeit at a lesser percentage than the public schools that do not have an outside funding source like this to tap).

2.  What percentage or amount of money does Drew spend on educating students with special needs? Does Drew even educate children with special needs? By law, public schools have to educate these students if they live in their borders and it's not cheap.

3. What percentage or amount of money does Drew spend on free transporation for its students? Does Drew provide transportation for it's students?

@ Cap n Ken,

 The great public (or even a very good) high school for East Atlanta kids is exactly the same goal I am espousing.  You cannot do that if you divide up all the already scarce resources (money, parental support, middle-class families, etc..) into multiple avenues.  In a perfect system, yes you could. In the harsh reality of the GA legislature, you cannot.  Education funding has been decimated over the past 10 years through austerity cuts. This started well before the recession. We have to pool our resources at this point, not further dilute them.
   I do believe that a rising tide lifts all boats. That is the only way APS will get it's high schools turned around.  Grady HS will be fine. The new Buckhead HS will be fine. Jackson HS COULD be as well.   Davis is realizing that the only chance APS has is to consolidate and build together with everyone on board.   The demographics inside the city already paint the picture. APS schools in 10 years could be very different that what we have now. We just have to keep the momentum rolling.

Shamamama posted lots of info on charters, so I hope that answers some questions for you.  As for the specific questions you asked about Drew, I have sent out requests to others to get you the best, most accurate info I can. I will give some answers, but just as I remember them.

(1) The current APS cost estimate per year to educate a child is $12,500.  Drew only receives about $9,500 per year per child from APS, as there is no allowance for transportation or facilities.  Drew, like any other charter school must pay for facility upkeep and capital costs on their own.  Same for transportation. 
As I understand it, the State pays APS/Drew/any other charter the same amount per child per year.  I am waiting to get details on the Cousins details you asked.
(2) Drew does have special needs students, and per the Principal's presentation last week the demographics are fairly well aligned with APS averages (again, this is from my memory:  94% African American, 74% Free/reduced lunch, 7% Special Needs).  If I can get the exact figures, I will post here. 
(3) As mentioned, charters must cover their own transportation.  Drew, like most charters, does not provide transportation to/from home.


FYI, there are links to the proposed Senior Academy here on the Drew home page:
http://www.drewcharterschool.org/