The Mayor
2020 continues to be a challenging year for all. Normally, we would be celebrating the 4th of July with our annual parade and fireworks display and focusing on spending time with family and friends. Out of caution, we decided to cancel our July celebrations and will plan to celebrate on Labor Day.
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ROCHELLE ROBINSON vices facilities and Parks and Recreation
tragedy. The resulting responses across
facilities. Finally, our website has the ca-
the country varied, but I am so very
pability to be accessible to those with
thankful to our community for protesting
visual and hearing impairments. This en-
this disgusting display of violence in a
sures that everyone, regardless of their
peaceful way. The peaceful demonstra-
abilities, can have access to the vital in-
tions showed our region, our state, and
formation that the City makes public on
our country how strong, resilient and
a regular basis.
peaceful the Douglasville community is.
Speaking of Parks and Recreation,
It also displayed how high the level of
there are a bevy of programs and activ-
commitment is to community leadership
ities that either comply or operate with
and activism in Douglasville.
the Americans with Disabilities Act in
Under Chief Sparks’ leadership, our
mind. First, they offer American Sign Lan-
Douglasville Police Department has
guage (ASL) classes for individuals with hearing impairments, their families, and allies who wish to better communicate with their hearing-impaired peers. Another wonderful program is the League of Stars, which is operated at Hunter Park. It provides an opportunity for children with mental and/or physical chal-
Since I can’t focus on July events, I
lenges to play baseball on a specially de-
wanted to shine some light on various
signed rubber turf field. If you have not
accessibility and inclusion efforts that
heard of the League of Stars, make sure
the City of Douglasville is committed
to visit the Parks and Recreation section
to, as 2020 marks the 30th anniversary
of our website to learn more. It is some-
of the Americans with Disabilities Act
thing that children with disabilities look
(ADA). The Act, passed in 1990, prohib-
forward to each year and is a great way
its discrimination based on disabilities.
for volunteers to help a meaningful pro-
The City has made every effort to go
gram.
worked tirelessly to remove any division between the department and residents. Their “Street-to-Street” visits to neighborhoods, their community days, the Youth Against Violence program, the Hollis Street House, and Chats with the Chief have all helped in breaking down barriers. I am proud that we have a Police Department that is truly “One with the Community!” As we move forward, the Council and I will continue to ensure that we preserve and enforce equality, freedom, and justice for all. There is no room for racism, bigotry, and hate here in Douglasville. I would like to leave you with a poi-
above and beyond simply complying
The City of Douglasville will continue
gnant quote from Dr. Martin Luther King,
with the ADA provisions. Back in 2017,
to strive to provide a safe and accessible
Jr. that serves as a great reminder in
we renovated O’Neal Plaza to make it
community for all, which brings me to my
times like these: “Darkness cannot drive
more accessible to those with physical
next point.
out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do
disabilities. More recently, City Hall has
I am sure that everyone has been
undergone an extensive renovation to
following the most recent events that
ensure our public spaces and restrooms
occurred last month. I am, of course,
I encourage each of you to love one
are ADA compliant and safe. All the other
speaking about the egregious incident
another and remember that we are all
renovations and new City buildings will
of police brutality that occurred in Min-
members of the same community. May
be state-of-the-art and ADA Compliant
neapolis, Minnesota. I, along with many
God bless you, your families, and the
as well. This includes the new Public Ser-
others, am still heartbroken over this
great City of Douglasville.
Chapel Hill News & Views COMMUNITY | MAYOR
that.”
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