[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6299464,"mediaKeyId","2497008-389c343e80455e9eef26bfb8bf614e63","parentId",2497008,"title","Atlanta council marks careers of Felker Ward Jr. and Judge Calvin S. Graves with proclamations","audioSeconds",1843,"startMs",558000,"endMs",2401000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2497008-389c343e80455e9eef26bfb8bf614e63&start=558&end=2401","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2497008-389c343e80455e9eef26bfb8bf614e63/thumbnail_558000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6299464/Atlanta/Fulton-County/Georgia/Atlanta-council-marks-careers-of-Felker-Ward-Jr-and-Judge-Calvin-S-Graves-with-proclamations","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6299464-35223880eecd6bb59fde86a1ef58a506/orig.mp4?Expires=1775638422&Signature=msT9OHeEhdQ85IHl3d8OSosZIKroVMiA4YPek3r~r3daP9tV2ccJWtdKukB2~-D~0TdLuL0n-7750xGnKmgwp0Lva2hEREeQKSudEAHEZEdN19yTUr-nU7XbhHXBK7NHlLimKESWnzKluqv3MEfwwiys34SlEIYQ9Mr1R1jggo82yH67aUVvnVHREL3mQILLBq9~iep7H~4yC4-herOFbo-otFgNutpO3uT7I~MuCnFeJWKomh0ejNpKkZ-yoNKoIKnUEN0lokpJg4UEHNs92R4eptsdmQBDrvbnaqjvI2PfhiIxb5oDaWgIV~9FKYPNzA0BC98K8O9piakdOPP4OA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-03-03T23:04:52Z","article","The Atlanta City Council used part of its March 3 meeting to honor two longtime civic leaders.

Councilmembers read proclamations recognizing Felker William Ward Jr. for decades of business and civic leadership. Councilmember Michael Julian Bond and others praised Ward’s military service, legal career, and roles in airport concessions and redevelopment efforts that members said helped shape Atlanta’s modern institutions. The council proclaimed the day in Ward’s honor and accepted federal and county proclamations that acknowledged his role in redevelopment and minority business entrepreneurship.

Later the council presented a proclamation and a crystal gavel to Judge Calvin S. Graves, who the municipal court described as a mentor and restorative-justice advocate. Speakers at the recognition included Judge Graves’ family members, mayors, former judges, and colleagues who emphasized his court leadership, mentorship, and work integrating municipal and city courts. Graves, who thanked his colleagues and the city, said he intends to continue serving in a senior status while pursuing further education.

These presentations were ceremonial and carried no legislative action. They were part of the council’s proclamations and commendations segment and were followed by a reception.

Why it matters: Proclamations highlight public recognition of long-serving civic leaders and provide a public record of the city’s official acknowledgment of their service.

What’s next: No formal action or policy was attached to the proclamations; the council moved on to public comment and legislative business.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","#Atlanta City Council Full Council meeting: March 3, 2025 #atlpol","oneSentenceSummary","The City Council on March 3 presented proclamations honoring businessman and civic leader Felker William Ward Jr. and retired Judge Calvin S. Graves for long public service and community leadership.","taxTitle","Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia","taxId",2959,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6299468,"Seniors say Atlanta’s Clean Energy Fund money, water bill relief still hasn’t reached them",499,4727000,5226000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2497008-389c343e80455e9eef26bfb8bf614e63&start=4727&end=5226","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2497008-389c343e80455e9eef26bfb8bf614e63/thumbnail_4727000.jpg","/articles/6299468/Atlanta/Fulton-County/Georgia/Seniors-say-Atlantas-Clean-Energy-Fund-money-water-bill-relief-still-hasnt-reached-them","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6299468-a792370c30a5f51f0c82468f094eeaa3/orig.mp4?Expires=1775638422&Signature=Oy4d45DW7UCuRJTVI~0nNIDgoCfiVfQ7Lyq-OMXGbrMM~3RPp1fNR-8tKpSIPnKUZ~wNhw9DABqOCh28a5ULm3tPVMUTJbuApgCCMs1iU2QjkfrV7YAnmWrTJMZx5NMTc7IyB-avrqZZvGvIV2Cs4m5bpiBkpA9a35g3h80txnGdz8zfzci81gFGwtygnk9IN6Gv62hB8YLTZpoe~fFIzkAfvlzSCg5iUUZitscOduApHdndDFJ2d7A~rey6HovScfVbQIUkQnI2Pq~n4gsXDEC5j1~VJlXPToWdUdPRexfSg7k3ojG3~Vy5qBONEAAQdm5Uj8-I~Rx2Kh0WySlA7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple senior residents told the Atlanta City Council on March 3 that money and services promised through the city’s Clean Energy Fund and other programs have yet to reach people on fixed incomes.

Anne Clark, Fran White and Betty Brown—each introducing themselves during the public-comment period—said the Clean Energy Fund was created to help older residents with rising utility bills but, a year after the program’s approval, they had not seen promised assistance. \"A little help can go a long way to make sure seniors can continue to live with stability and dignity,\" Anne Clark said.

Penny Steele, who identified herself as a resident of Mercy Housing’s Reynoldstown senior residence, asked the council to consider a policy fix for low-income senior apartment buildings. Steele said residents cannot receive Atlanta Watershed’s 30% discount because the water bill is paid by the property manager and not sent directly to residents—one Watershed rule requires a customer to receive their own billing to qualify. \"Because our water bills are included in our rent payments, we cannot get the 30% discount,\" she said, and asked the council for a blanket discount for qualifying low-income senior residents or an ordinance requiring a remedy.

Steele requested three specific items: (1) a blanket discount for residents in low-income senior properties where the property manager pays the water bill; (2) that the $25,000 maximum-income cut-off for certain benefits be adjusted for inflation; and (3) if the first request is not feasible, a new ordinance to require time-limited relief or a procedural fix so eligible seniors receive the Watershed discount.

Council members thanked the speakers and directed staff to coordinate with relevant departments. Councilmember Michael Julian Bond and other members acknowledged the concern and said staff could follow up through the Department of Watershed Management and the mayor’s office. No binding ordinance was passed at the meeting.

Why it matters: Seniors living on fixed incomes are particularly vulnerable to rising utility costs. City officials have said the Clean Energy Fund is aimed at reducing the burden, but community members say implementation delays and technical billing rules have prevented intended beneficiaries from receiving relief.

What’s next: Council members asked staff to follow up with Watershed and relevant program offices to report options, including whether a city-level mechanism can extend the discount to covered residents when the property manager receives billing.","Several senior residents urged the City Council to ensure the Clean Energy Fund and other promised assistance reach low-income seniors; Mercy Housing residents asked for a fix to a Watershed billing rule that blocks an apartment-wide discount.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6299473,"Atlanta council members spar over inspector general office after abrupt resignation; calls for board appointments",656,8781000,9437000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2497008-389c343e80455e9eef26bfb8bf614e63&start=8781&end=9437","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2497008-389c343e80455e9eef26bfb8bf614e63/thumbnail_8781000.jpg","/articles/6299473/Atlanta/Fulton-County/Georgia/Atlanta-council-members-spar-over-inspector-general-office-after-abrupt-resignation-calls-for-board-appointments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6299473-2e7990411d44edfd69bc18961ecbc01c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775638422&Signature=EQa~knajok~68vQaGekVM2VxBcx4LrrwaPdp28YzbJlNv96X9vZ3s5fb~vWLnh63dpWvtgSfzyNL1YRYjtagexTzH01wXaxGnJsaPviUpdQ0PjpPq2DpGuRgdHLBobtSkeUE9wrasI~YU~TfGFRXc2Hfnh-pTco63eeW7NutEmrDdAilc2yR49J102j44lA2A1BvfiGk7QipyjqwFtqPj5Tl5lupfAwyo6DifgJuQcbxAOJw3tE~Yr3bRmqYsdk3~cYP4vrSMOsOBvbKmLhKJHEZKh-ARnJeXQkcZHYStRmyEkixbljIAQpHb-n5pEsrURzIlCi--WC7GSWLVAptXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several Atlanta City Council members and public commenters pressed the mayor’s office on March 3 after the city’s inspector general (IG) resigned and city officials moved quickly to restrict the former IG’s access to the office.

The resigning IG’s treatment and whether the mayor can appoint an interim IG dominated public comment and council discussion. Former council president and current council members repeatedly asked for clarity and immediate steps to protect ongoing investigations and the confidentiality of complainants.

The issue surfaced during a lengthy public-comment block and again during council discussion. Former Atlanta mayoral candidate and Councilmember Felicia Moore, who authored the initial legislation creating the IG office, addressed the chamber and said the mayor lacked legal authority to appoint an interim IG and that executive-branch involvement risked compromising active investigations. \"The mayor has no authority to appoint an interim IG,\" Moore said, urging the council to draft a resolution directing the executive branch not to onboard any interim or access investigative files.

Councilmember Michael Julian Bond defended the council’s work on the office while criticizing how the former IG’s team handled investigations. Bond said the IG's office had \"trampled on the rights\" of individuals by exceeding authority and that some investigative steps disregarded Georgia law. He also said the city should move to appoint a permanent IG and that the office should have the confidence of those it investigates. \"The individuals who were in place abused their authority,\" Bond said.

Several speakers and council members warned that visits to the OIG office and changes to locks, along with executive-branch contact with confidential files, had already chilled reporting. Moore said the remaining OIG staff and complainants were vulnerable and that public confidence would fall if the executive branch assumed control of investigative files.

Council discussion centered on two paths: (1) quick appointments to the board that confirms an IG, and (2) drafting council measures to prevent executive access to confidential investigative materials while the appointment process proceeds. Council members asked staff to prepare draft resolutions and ordinances to create \"guardrails\" that protect both the IG’s independence and the rights of those named in investigations.

Council President Doug Shipman and committee chairs said they would request drafting support and urged appointing authorities to move quickly. Several council members argued it would be better to maintain a functioning investigative office, even temporarily, than to leave it vacant. Bond said the person named as interim had declined a permanent appointment, and cautioned the council to balance continuity with legal compliance.

The council did not adopt a final, binding ordinance on the floor that day but directed staff to prepare potential resolutions and noted the appointing agencies must fill vacant board seats to restore the office's independent oversight.

Why it matters: The inspector general’s office was created after earlier public-trust reviews to provide independent investigations of city operations. Council members said prompt, lawful steps are needed to protect confidential complainants and ongoing probes while restoring public confidence in the investigatory process.

What’s next: Council members asked staff to draft nonbinding council resolutions and proposed ordinances to define interim access rules and to accelerate appointments to the independent board that confirms IG candidates. At the meeting, some members signaled they would introduce follow-up measures at future meetings.","Council members and public speakers pressed city leaders about the office of the inspector general after the inspector general's resignation and subsequent access and staffing questions. Council members debated whether the mayor may appoint an interim IG and urged quick appointment of the oversight board to restore independence.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Atlanta council marks careers of Felker Ward Jr. and Judge Calvin S. Graves with proclamations

Seniors say Atlanta’s Clean Energy Fund money, water bill relief still hasn’t reached them

Atlanta council members spar over inspector general office after abrupt resignation; calls for board appointments