AJC - Take to Task No Streetlight for 3 years

[rjluna2]

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Monday, September 20, 2010
Metro Section, page B2

Take to Task What's not working
No streetlight for 3 years

Atlanta
   Jim Todd e-mailed Take to Task hoping we could help shed some light on a problem he's been dealing with for several years.
   Todd loves on 15th Street in Midtown, which runs from Piedmont Avenue to the area behind Colony Square.  One of the only streetlights near where he lives hasn't worked for close to three years, and he wants to see it fixed.
   "It appears the 'insides' have been removed - probably by copper thieves!" Todd wrote.
   Todd's problem streetlight is on the south side of 15th between Ansley Terrace and Colony House condominiums.  He says the lack of light causes safety concerns.
   "Particularly in the winter months, it's very dark along this section of 15th Street," Todd wrote.   
   Todd points out that 15th Street is a popular place for nearby residents to walk their dogs early in the morning or late at night.  The street is also a popular parking spot for people who visit Colony Square of the nearby Woodruff Arts Center.
   "We've had numerous car break-ins along this section of 15th Street which, at least, might be deterred if we had proper lighting," Todd wrote.
   Todd says he reported the problem initially to Georgia Power, who he says responded quickly but had to refer him to the city of Atlanta which, they told him, owns the light and is responsible for its maintenance.
   Todd says he's asked the city to repair the light but gotten no response.
   We sent Todd's complaint over to our contact at Atlanta's Department of Public Works, who said the department would look into the matter.  We'll let you know when it's safer to take a nighttime stroll along that section of 15th Street.

[rjluna2]

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Metro Section, page B2

Atlanta Update: Fixed!
Streetlight back on Midtown

   Atlanta's Department of Public Works moved quickly to repair a Midtown streetlight that Take to Task reported on Monday.
   Jim Todd lives on 15th Street, and on of the only streetlights near him - on the south side of 15th between the Ansley Terrance and Colony House condominiums - hadn't worked for close to three years.
   "Particularly in the winter months, it's very dark along this section of 15th Street," Todd wrote.
   Todd says he'd asked the city to repair the light but had gotten no response.
   We sent Todd's complaint to Atlanta's Department of Public Works Friday and got good news from Todd on Monday.
   Todd e-mailed saying a Georgia Power Co. crew had visited over the weekend to ensure power was getting to the pole.  A city crew showed up shortly thereafter and ensured him the light would be fixed soon.  Todd e-mailed that evening saying the light was working.
   "After three years [of waiting]," Todd wrote, "you've managed to get our streetlight fixed in a few days.  We can't thank you enough, Take to Task."