StopAJCReach.org spoke with Sonji Dade in Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed’s office about the AJC Reach littering issue. Here’s what the mayor’s office had to say, in our one-on-one interview.
StopAJCReach.org: What is Mayor Kasim Reed’s position on the AJC Reach littering issue?
Sonji Dade: Obviously, it’s an issue that we’re aware of and that the mayor is aware of. The position of the administration is that we are very concerned. We’re very concerned about the fact that the ads are blowing. Many residents have brought that to our attention.
In fact, in East Atlanta, where I live, I saw the Reach ads and they were all over my neighborhood as well.
I can understand why people would feel frustrated and I’m such a big fan of and appreciate what you are doing. I think citizen journalism and people who act as watchdogs are wonderful and great assets to the city.
Any time citizens have a concern and bring it to our attention, it’s something we’re going to work to address.
The mayor’s position has been to direct the administration to try to find some way to resolve this issue without it becoming contentious. We’ve had discussions with the Publisher and his designated appointee. The newspaper could give you more detail, but I’ll do my best. The newspaper directed its vendor to do a couple of tests in targeted neighborhoods to see if there is a better way to weigh down the papers and I think that has been in progress.
StopAJCReach.org: I’m understanding from you that the AJC is doing select testing to get in compliance with City of Atlanta littering ordinances. Could you give us some visibility into why that is not happening already city-wide? The City of Atlanta ordinance doesn’t require testing in “select neighborhoods”. It is a requirement across the entire city.
Sonji Dade: My understanding from the AJC is that the testing is being done to ensure that before they roll out something city-wide that it is effective.
StopAJCReach.org: When did the testing begin?
Sonji Dade: I know that it was in mid-to-end of May. I can follow up with you or have someone from Public Works follow up with the AJC to see if we can get a more definitive answer for you on that. I think it is worthy of a follow up and will do so.
StopAJCReach.org: Do you know when the test is scheduled to end?
Sonji Dade: I don’t know. I’ll have to get the details on the testing for you.
StopAJCReach.org: The AJC has not been responsive to questions. For example, our calls to Senior Vice President Bob Eickhoff have not been returned.
Sonji Dade: That’s unfortunate.
StopAJCReach.org: Would you like me to direct people to contact you with complaints about AJC Reach?
Sonji Dade: If people want to go ahead and shoot an e-mail (sjdade@atlantaga.gov) or let me know it’s still a problem (office: 404.330.6558; cell: 404.276.6866), they can. I think it’s most productive for them to call the AJC, since it is their hotline.
StopAJCReach.org: It should be most productive to call the AJC. However, people who are doing that, are finding that the results are mixed.
Sonji Dade: I can understand why people would feel frustrated, certainly.
##
Follow Up With the AJC About “Testing”
We have not observed any testing of new delivery methods to anchor or weigh down the ad circulars, nor have we heard from anyone in other neighborhoods about any testing. Therefore, we believe it is possible that the AJC has not done any testing.
So we asked the AJC these questions:
1) What date did this testing begin?
2) What neighborhoods has this testing occurred in?
3) What methods were used to weigh down and secure the AJC Reach ad circulars in these tests?
4) When did (or when will) the tests conclude?
5) What is the AJC’s assessment of the outcome of the tests?
6) What are the next steps after the tests and on what timetable will these next steps happen?
AJC Spokesperson Jennifer Morrow would not answer these questions.
##
Reader Allen Cohen writes to us today:
“I’ve called them every week for 5 consecutive times and each time they promised to stop it. They lie like a rug.”
##
What do YOU think? Post your comments below.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
This problem isn’t solved until it is solved city wide. That means no littering whether weighted down or not.
The Mayor is full of crap. Nothing is being done to enforce the law against littering our neighborhoods. Every week the AJC is allowed to continue their pollution of our neighborhoods is more money they make at our expense. I thought this mayor would have cajones. NOT.
You have to remember, Mayor Reed illegally placed his campaign signs in the public right of way.
Just look at our current and recent campaign cycles. Kasim Reed started littering the public right of ways in February 2009 with his campaign signs, before the 2008campaign signs were down. Many candidates followed his lead. His signs stayed up past February 2010, by then the current lot of campaign signs started popping up. I’m talking signs on public properties, not yard signs in residential yards. There are specific sign ordinances against campaign signs in the public right of way (sidewalks, curbs, medians, on/off ramps, parks, and other greenspaces).
I also sent letters to campaigns that litter our public spaces and ask them to consider that they are breaking laws and show a great disrespect for the public and they want to serve. Lisa Baker, of Mr. Reed’s campaign (and city employee) replied that the “Mechanics” of campaigning seem to require that once one campaign starts littering streets, all campaigns must follow, even if it is against ordinances. She also acknowledged that she had read the ordinances, but indicated that candidates don’t have to follow them. It seems our good politicians think their message is just as credible as Work From Home, Affordable Insurance, Lose Weight Fast, $99 Carpet Cleaning, and the various mortgage scams that litter our streets on prefab graffiti. Our cities and counties could make a bit if money if they actually enforced the ordinances and collected fines.
Mayor Reed, like all politicians, break the sign ordinance laws and get away with it. I don;’t think you are going to get any help from them because they want to keep littering the streets every campaign cycle.
One sure way to stop this: Have someone collect a whole dump truck full of their littering ad papers and dump it on the AJC’s front lawn.