AARP Online Community: AARPGA

AARPGA

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Location:
Atlanta, Georgia
United States

My Websites:
http://www.aarp.org/ga

Quote:
"What we do, we do for all." -- AARP Founder Ethel Percy Andrus

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About Me

AARP Georgia has been working on the behalf of Georgians since 1995 when the AARP Georgia office opened in Atlanta. AARP Georgia currently serves over 1 million members on issues such as financial security, health and livable communities. AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates.

Interests:

Economic Security, Health & Supportive Services, Livable Communities

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My Photos (137)

State Director Announces Awards

WellStar Health System Receives Award

State Agency Receives Award

State Director, Commissioner B.J. Walker

Workers over 50 award winner

IMG_0140[1].jpg

Congressman David Scott

Bishop Dale C. Bronner, Word of Faith

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My Videos (8)

Cas Robinson, state president

Length: 1:48

Charlie Mendoza, executive council member

Length: 2:16

Mary Long, executive council member

Length: 2:24

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My Journals (37)

Update on Creating Livable Communities

Officials of the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) gave an update on key lifelong housing initiatives to about 40 members of The Atlanta 50 + Housing Council on Feb. 4. AARP sponsored the meeting.

The talks first outlined the issue: The over-50 population is continuing to grow rapidly. While current over-50 residents in the Atlanta metro area numbered about 1 in 10 in 2000, that ratio is expected to change to 1 in 5 by 2030.

As the population ages, housing needs are expected to change, too. More seniors will want to downsize, while some will need to upgrade their current residence to meet their reduced physical abilities. Ancillary issues include the need to provide adequate transportation for aging drivers and easy access to stores, medical facilities and religious organizations.

Last year, ARC hosted a charrette, a planning session that considered how to make redevelopments more suitable for an aging population. Redesign plans for six sites was drafted, and they can be reviewed at www.atlantaregional.com/lifelong. The sites all make use of livable communities principles, known for walkable neighborhoods, ready access to stores and services, and a variety of housing options.

On Feb. 4, ARC officials gave an update on one of the projects, in Mableton in Cobb County, which is on a fast track to completion. Laura Keyes, ARC’s manager in charge of their Lifelong Communities Program, also outlined efforts being made in DeKalb County to incorporate lifelong communities principles into the planning and zoning process.

To assess the walkability of neighborhoods, Keyes suggested that walkscore.com will provide basic data on the availability of goods and services for any address.

For more information on the housing council, contact Betsy L. Sheppard at www.bsheppardconsulting.com.

Added: February 4, 2010
Views: 16 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0

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Comments (9)

efficiencypro says:

I am in a bad place. I don't trust the Republicans or the Democrats anymore, & I want to vote them all out & put in some smart people who know how to live on a budget, have more ethics than a badger, & can think their way out of a problem.
Maybe some good college professors?
I'm frustrated that the media allows Washington to keep propagandizing a 10% unemployment rate. The real number is around 18% according to the BLS & other gov't. accounting offices. The 10% refers to those still receiving benefits.
To say that there is one available job for every six jobseekers is ridiculous. Do they think we are stupid?
Did you know that the stimulus spending bill(Am. Recovery & Reinvestment Act) allows the gov't. to count as creating a job or a portion of a job, ANYONE WHO GOT A PAY RAISE!
STOP THE PRESSES!!!! THEY ARE USING OUR TAX DOLLARS TO GRANT PAY RAISES!!! & COUNTING THAT AS WHOLE or PARTIAL JOBS CREATED!!!
...State officials also note that the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act legislation does not make a distinction in what type of jobs should be created by the spending. It simply says one of its purposes is to "preserve & create jobs & promote economic recovery."
Meanwhile, it's impossible to tally the total number of jobs created or retained with stimulus dollars to date because the White House recently ordered changes in the way those jobs are counted.
The government previously told recipients of stimulus dollars to count only jobs that were created & filled as a result of the spending or existing jobs "that would not have been continued" if not for the spending. The government, however, released new guidelines in December that require recipients to count all jobs funded with federal stimulus dollars, whether those jobs were in jeopardy or not. For example, raises paid with federal stimulus dollars are now counted as fractions of jobs.
http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-20-007-jobs-284885.html
Extending COBRA & the discounts would have helped

Posted: January 30, 2010 3:08PM EST