Neglecting our environment is a disservice to our communities and across the metro Atlanta area illegally dumped tires not only create blight but also contribute to harmful vector-borne illnesses like West Nile, Zika and dengue fever. Tires can also become an ignition source for environmentally harmful fires resulting in added air pollution. Illegally dumped tires are Atlanta’s “broken windows” and the businesses that fund community improvements are over it.

HR#164, or the “Trust Fund Honesty Amendment,” is a statewide constitutional amendment being proposed that would allow the Georgia General Assembly to dedicate funds collected by consumers, for example, for proper tire disposal when purchasing new tires to be used to resolve environmental issues.

While these trust funds were created in the mid-90s, state government has redirected more than $200 million from the environmental trust fund to pay for other budget expenditures. The Trust Fund Honesty Amendment would put a stop to that. If the Trust Fund Honesty Amnesty were to pass, it would help to pay for illegally dumped tires and hazardous waste sites while also pursuing legal action against the perpetrators.

I manage TSCID, where commercial property owners pay added taxes to improve the district where their properties are located. Members have shelled out thousands of dollars from their budget to have thousands of illegal tires removed from their properties or from nearby wooded areas. Those funds would be best spent on curb and radii improvements, landscaping and maintenance upgrades, wayfinding projects, mobility studies, enhanced street lighting, increased security and interchange modifications. This amendment will be a step in the right direction to not only help our environment but also attract new businesses, create job opportunities and improve economic development. When New York City fixed the broken windows in Times Square the area began to thrive — and look at it now, it’s one of the most popular spots in all of Manhattan. It’s the same principle here in Atlanta.

The amendment will be on the November 3 ballot, and TSCID, along with District 83 Georgia House Representative Becky Evans, Fairburn Councilwoman Hattie Portis Jones and the Coalition of South Metro Elected Officials (CoSMEO) are in full support.

According to Rep. Evans, “A yes vote supports the Georgia Legislature to dedicate tax or fee revenue to the public purpose for which the taxes or fees were imposed. This means that the money paid when we buy new tires will actually go to cleaning up tire dumps!”

I would encourage voters to read up on the HR#164 Trust Fund Honesty Amendment and be sure to vote on November 3 or by early voting or absentee ballot. We only have one incredible Earth to live on, and it is up to us to take care of it.

The COVID-19 pandemic has hit ThermoPac in an unexpected way by creating more business for the food solutions and packaging company. Customers who supply schools and the United States military have increased demand for school lunches and ready-to-eat meals. Coupled with an annual spike in demand created by hurricane season, ThermoPac needed to increase its workforce by 25%.

The company held a job fair in early September to fill more than 50 positions including op techs, packers, sanitation techs, shipping and receiving and more. Out of the 200 applicants who arrived in person to the job fair, 40 workers were hired to begin full-time work while 25 were brought on for a temp-to-perm trial period. Applications are still being accepted and resumes can be emailed to Kayte Edelen for consideration.

Due to the stringent FDA policies food processing plants must adhere to, ThermoPac already had high sanitation standards with hand sanitizer and washing stations available throughout the facility. When the pandemic hit, the Tucker location installed infrared camera systems to check employee body temperatures, in addition to daily temperature checks before each workday, mask requirements and a mandatory distance of six feet between workers.

We are so happy to see an incredible company like ThermoPac thriving in our district!

The Pulitzer Prize Winning novel, The Underground Railroad, by Colson Whitehead is coming to Amazon Video starring Chase Dillon, Joel Edgerton, Amber Gray, Thuso Mbedu, Aaron Pierre and more. Filming has been taking place at the Eagle Rock Studios located in Tucker. The production was near completion before the pandemic forced the filming to stop with only three filming days left. The series has slowly resumed production with completion slated for the end of September.

The series, set to premiere on Amazon Video some time in 2021, takes place in an alternate timeline where the historical network of hidden routes and safehouses used to help runaway slaves escape to freedom in the 1800’s is an actual railroad complete with engineers, conductors, tracks and tunnels as a subterranean train to freedom.

Georgia Furniture Mart owner Mike Hall and DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond led a virtual, open conversation about best practices and diversity for business on Wednesday, August 26. Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson gave the opening remarks and Thurmond shared his personal anecdotes of perseverance which led him in his pursuit to better DeKalb County.

The roundtable is available for viewing on YouTube here.

The next event, Georgia Furniture Mart presents Blind Spots: Exploring Unconscious Bias, will be held on Tuesday, October 6. Register here.

The Wall Street Journal produces a bi-weekly Logistics Report which may be beneficial for many of our members to review. The September 4 issue reveals that freight demand is on the rise due to the rush to replenish inventory and supplies after the pandemic shutdowns. Freight rates are increasing due to the limited capacity as retailers attempt to restock in anticipation of holiday sales.

Learn more in this Wall Street Journal Logistics Report.

Who has cabin fever and feels the need to get outside and get moving? Studies show that with proper social distancing and personal protective equipment, outdoor activities are the safest in regards to coronavirus transmission.

Tucker Summit CID is considering hosting a virtual run/walk to not only help you get outside and highlight the Mountain Industrial Boulevard corridor, but also to raise funds for FODAC. WE NEED YOUR INPUT!

Please fill out this survey and let us know your preferences for participating in this cause!

Tucker Brewing Company’s third annual Tucktoberfest will look a little different this year, but the memories – and the event – will last much longer. Kicking off on Saturday, September 19, the Tucktoberfest celebration will continue through Saturday, October 3. View the full schedule of festivities on the Tucker Brewing website.

The long-awaited Oakmont Rock Mountain development at 1500 East Ponce de Leon was completed on Tuesday, September 15.

Contact JLL Commercial Real Estate for leasing information.

The demolition process is continuing at the old Sears property at Mountain Industrial Boulevard and Hugh Howell Road. At the current construction schedule, the development will be ready for the new Publix’s grand opening in November 2021. Additional tenants will be announced at later date.

Contact Robert Krumholz at Branch Properties for leasing information.

We are excited to be part of a collaborative study along the Jimmy Carter Boulevard and Mountain Industrial Boulevard corridor! The community is invited to visit www.planningatpond.com/jcbmib to learn more about the project and to provide input on the corridor from Peachtree Industrial Boulevard to E Ponce de Leon Avenue.