Kennesaw Patch has a feature article about Kennesaw resident William Harris, who has battled the AJC to stop “Evening Edge”, an advertising flyer similar to “AJC Reach”.

“I am simply one individual who is trying to get a large, faceless corporation to do the ‘right thing’,” Harris told Kennesaw Patch.

From the article:

“Litter like this is unacceptable no matter what the source,” stated Harris. “Keep in mind that we are talking about 1.7 million such flyers weekly in metro Atlanta. It isn’t just a few thousand here and there; it is a major source of litter in the whole of Atlanta [and] these statistics come from the AJC and the firm they hired to toss this stuff.”

Although Harris is concerned about the environmental effects of the flyers, he said that his primary concern about the deliveries is the safety of homeowners.

“I am concerned with litter and the environment, but also I am really [upset] that they are putting a bull’s eye on my property for any nogoodnik that is looking for some stuff to take the pawn shop. This means that such toss away papers will pile up and serve as an invitation to any burglars that no one is in residence. I don’t want to come home to find my home has been cleaned out because some criminals have noticed the pile up of these ‘Evening Edge’ papers.”

Read the full article: Kennesaw Retiree Battles Unsolicited Mail (Kennesaw Patch)

Related article: How to Stop AJC Reach for Your Entire Neighborhood

Here’s how to stop AJC Reach across your entire neighborhood. This is an easy way to stop AJC Reach delivery across a wide area.

If enough neighborhoods do this, then unwanted litter across Atlanta will be greatly reduced or eliminated.

The AJC has stated in writing (documented at the bottom of this post, after the jump) that if you are a “designated representative of your HOA or community association”, you can contact Willie Leonard (e-mail: wleonard@ajc.com) of the AJC to direct the AJC to stop delivery of AJC Reach to your entire community.

What we did in our neighborhood: We raised the issue with the Virginia-Highland Civic Association and asked if the civic association would write such a letter to Mr. Leonard. After deliberation and vote, the president of the civic association sent the e-mail to Mr. Leonard; she received an e-mail back from Mr. Leonard, so he did in fact receive the e-mail. Since then, we have not seen any deliveries of AJC Reach in Virginia-Highland. (Thank you to VHCA board for sending the letter.)

What you can do: Ask your HOA or community association to send a similar letter to Mr. Leonard of the AJC.

Here’s a draft that you could use as a template for your neighborhood:

“Responding to the AJC’s information from Dawn Forman of AJC customer service, the Virginia-Highland Civic Association directs the AJC to permanently cease dumping any future deliveries of “AJC Reach” or other ad circulars in the Virginia-Highland neighborhood that would otherwise be delivered in the streets, sidewalks, gutters, driveways/yards, etc in the neighborhood, unless specifically requested by individual residents. Should the AJC decide to resume deliveries of AJC Reach in Virginia-Highland, the neighborhood association directs the AJC to do so via USPS; or only to those residents who specifically opt-in to receive deliveries. Neighborhood Boundaries for Virginia-Highland: “The area bounded on the north by Amsterdam Avenue and its extension to Briarcliff Road, on the south by Ponce de Leon Avenue, on the east by Briarcliff Road, and on the west by the Southern Railroad Line which is within the city limits of Atlanta constitute the Virginia-Highland neighborhood.”

If your HOA or neighborhood association sends such a letter to the AJC, please contact us so we can track this and report on it here.

Published in its entirety for your reference and for documentation, here is the original letter from the AJC that establishes that the AJC will stop delivery for an entire community with documentation from an HOA or community association:

from Forman, Dawn (CNI – AJC)

Dear Neighbor,

Please accept my sincere apologies that you have again received delivery of the unwanted REACH publication. I have contacted the manager of delivery operations for your address with documentation of repeat issues at your address and have requested that your address be entered into our automated bypass alert system. This should permanently stop delivery of the paper to your address.

If you are a designated representative of your HOA or community association, please contact the individual listed below to request stopping the entire neighborhood. We will need some documentation from your HOA in order to stop an entire community.

Please contact :
Mr. Willie Leonard
404-526-2672
wleonard@ajc.com

Dawn Forman
Customer Service Manager
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
4o4-526-7105
dforman@ajc.com

Like a bad zombie movie, the AJC is back at it again.

CBS Atlanta Reports:

“It’s the same thing we saw all last spring and summer, plastic bags filled with ads thrown onto driveways, many ending up in the street.”

Video: “Is The AJC Breaking The City’s Litter Law?“ (CBS Atlanta)

And more in this summary from a blogger who’s mad as heck and not going to take it. “See, I told you the AJC Sucked!” (by the creatively named “The Atlanta Journal Constitution Sucks”

We’ll have more on this issue tomorrow, with an article about how to stop AJC Reach in your entire neighborhood.

The AJC Reach littering issue is on the agenda for the Virginia-Highland Civic Association annual meeting this Monday evening, with a 5 minute update scheduled.

Here is a post with an update, on the Virginia-Highland yahoo group, seeking feedback from the community in advance of the presentation.

Please post any ideas and suggestions for this 5 minute update, either here or on the VHList Yahoo Group.

Stay tuned for reports here, after the annual meeting.

AJC Reach advertising circular in gutter in Virginia Highland

StopAJCReach.org received this reader mail from William Harris, who publishes several blogs, including http://www.atlantajournal-constitution.blogspot.com.

Mr. Harris sent this letter to Sanford H. Schwartz, President of Cox Media Group, parent company of the AJC, seeking comment about AJC Reach litter in Atlanta.

9/4/2010

Mr. Sanford H Schwartz
President, Cox Media Group
6205 Peachtree Dunwoody Road
Atlanta, GA 30328-4524

RE: Atlanta Journal Constitution

Dear Mr. Schwartz:

I have seen your site “Cox Conserves Heroes“ and while I am impressed by it I have to comment that it seems rather odd that Cox can on one hand support conservation efforts and on the other have their major Cox newspaper (Atlanta Journal Constitution) throw 1,500,000 advertising flyers each week onto lawns, driveways, sidewalks and sometimes even in the gutters in the Atlanta metro area.

You could do far more for the environment by making the AJC go back to mail delivery of their advertising supplements than you are doing with your entire Hero’s organization.

The firm that the AJC chose to distribute their toss down advertising circular has had a very poor history and lasted 7 months in the Dallas area, doing exactly what they are now doing in Atlanta.

It seems that the AJC Executive Selection Committee knew about the poor reputation of American Circulation Innovators (ACI) even before they chose that firm to be their distributor but went ahead with the contract simply on a low bid basis. Clearly this is putting money before responsible management decisions and it entirely opposite of the values your group has set forth in your ‘Heroes’ awards.

I have several blog sites and I am now asking you for a formal reply to the above concerns so that I can post it on my blogs.

Sincerely,

William Harris

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.

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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.

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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.”

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What do YOU think? Post your comments below.

StopAJCReach.org reader Ben Langstaff writes to us:

From: Ben Langstaff
To: StopAJCReach.org
Subject: How to Stop REACH Deliveries

Here is how to opt-out of the AJC’s R.E.A.C.H. distribution list.

Step 1: Call (404) 526-9473 or email reachee@ajc.com and provide them your name, telephone number and street address and ask that you permanently be removed from its roadside distribution of R.E.A.C.H. material. Document your interaction with the AJC representative. [name of person spoke with; date/time contacted]

Step 2: If after two weeks you continue to receive such materials, contact Bob Eickhoff , Senior Vice President for Circulation / Production / Technology at the AJC, who can be reached at (404) 526-5011 or beickhoff@ajc.com. Amy Glennon, Vice President, Circulation at the AJC, who can be reached at 404-526-7237 or aglennon@ajc.com. Provide her the same information as given the AJC in Step No. 1. Document your interaction with the AJC representative. (Note: it appears that Bob Eickhoff is no longer with the AJC, based on information displayed in his LinkedIn profile.)

Step 3: Should you discover after following both steps that you still continue to receive such material, please contact your local code enforcement office and submit a formal littering complaint against the AJC.

Good luck!

Ever Dry Waterproofing has stopped advertising in AJC Reach, the company’s owner John Fahmy tells StopAJCReach.org.

“We are no longer advertising with AJC Reach,” Fahmy said.

Fahmy described AJC’s street, sidewalk and driveway drop distribution of the ad circular as a lose-lose approach.

“Advertising with AJC Reach was a lose-lose situation, Fahmy said. “The advertisers lose due to the delivery approach. The customer loses because they end up removing litter from their yard.”

What does Faymy think about AJC Reach as an advertising vehicle for his company’s ads?

“Thanks, but no thanks,” Faymy said. “We will gladly spend our advertising money elsewhere.”

The AJC did not respond to an invitation to comment for this article.

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Is the AJC violating litter laws with its distribution of AJC Reach via street, sidewalk and driveway drops?

CBS Atlanta has previously reported that the AJC is violating City of Atlanta littering ordinances. (We’ve reported on the details of those laws here.)

Thanks to StopAJCReach.org reader Mark, who sent us information about Georgia state law, we’re adding Georgia’s litter law (O.C.G.A. § 16-7-58) to the list of laws related to the issue.

What Georgia State Law Says

Georgia law O.C.G.A. § 16-7-58 prohibits placement of advertisements on public or private property unless the owner of the property has given permission.

Any person who violates this Code section shall be punished the same as for littering under Code Section 16-7-43 (guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished… by a fine of not less than $200.00 nor more than $1,200.00).

O.C.G.A. § 16-7-58 states that each advertisement placed in violation of the Code constitutes a separate offense.

Our Assessment

AJC Reach is an advertising circular that consists entirely of advertisements. The AJC (via a contracted distribution company) has been placing these advertisements without permission by property owners. Therefore we believe that the AJC is distributing AJC Reach advertisements in violation of this law.

With over one million AJC Reach advertisements distributed per week – and with each advertisement placed in violation of the Code constituting a separate offense – could the AJC be fined $200 million – $1.2 billion per week if it is convicted of violating O.C.G.A. § 16-7-58? And what does the AJC have to say about this law?

A Non-Answer From the AJC

We asked the AJC to comment for this article about AJC Reach distribution relative to Georgia state law O.C.G.A. § 16-7-58.

In an e-mailed response, AJC spokesperson Jennifer Morrow did not answer our question.

“We do not have any changes to our previous statements regarding delivery to private residences,” Morrow said.

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What do YOU think about AJC Reach distribution in streets, sidewalks and drive ways? What do you think about the AJC’s response for this article?

Post your comments in the comment section of this article, below.

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How YOU can help in your neighborhood:

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Photo credit: smlp.co.uk

O.C.G.A. § 16-7-58

GEORGIA CODE

TITLE 16. CRIMES AND OFFENSES
CHAPTER 7. DAMAGE TO AND INTRUSION UPON PROPERTY
ARTICLE 2. CRIMINAL TRESPASS AND DAMAGE TO PROPERTY
PART 3A. PLACEMENT OF POSTERS, SIGNS, AND ADVERTISEMENTS

O.C.G.A. § 16-7-58 (2009)

§ 16-7-58. Prohibited placements of posters, signs, and advertisements

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to place posters, signs, or advertisements:

(1) On any public property or building, unless the owner thereof or the occupier as authorized by such owner has given permission to place such posters, signs, or advertisements on such property; provided, however, that signs within the rights of way of public roads shall be governed by Code Section 32-6-51;

(2) On any private property unless the owner thereof or the occupier as authorized by such owner has given permission to place such posters, signs, or advertisements on such property; and, provided, further that no municipal, county, or consolidated government may restrict by regulation or other means the length of time a political campaign sign may be displayed or the number of signs which may be displayed on private property for which permission has been granted; or

(3) On any property zoned for commercial or industrial uses if the placement of such posters, signs, or advertisements conflicts with any zoning laws or ordinances.

(b) Any poster, sign, or advertisement placed in violation of paragraph (1) of subsection (a) of this Code section is declared to be a public nuisance, and the officials having jurisdiction of the public property or building, including without limitation law enforcement officers, may remove or direct the removal of the same.

(c) Each poster, sign, or advertisement placed in violation of this Code section shall constitute a separate offense.

(d) Any person who violates this Code section shall be punished the same as for littering under Code Section 16-7-43.

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16-7-43

Any person who violates… this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished… By a fine of not less than $200.00 nor more than $1,200.00.

Six weeks ago city officials told AJC staff to weigh down the circular bags, but it’s still not being done.

CBS Atlanta’s Lesley Tanner reports.

Video (CBS Atlanta News reports):
http://www.cbsatlanta.com/video/24073217/index.html

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Coming tomorrow: part 1 of our interview with the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office.