Thursday, March 26, 2015

Top 5 areas in Savannah

This was a Great article on Savannah and the great Part about it is We made number 1 but that was what brought us here Ardsley Park is one of the best areas in the city!





Top 5 Neighborhoods of Savannah Getting National Attention

One of the most popular cities in America is now exploding with growth and world recognition as one of America’s top travel destinations. The majority of people moving to the area are now renting homes, echoing the national trend or decreasing home ownership.
The region around Savannah is divided by many waterways, creating unique and sometimes isolated communities. 5 of these communities have recently been highlighted as the best in the city. Homes in these communities are as varied as Savannah itself, from antebellum beauties to the most modern construction.
Without further delay, here are the top 5 neighborhoods in the Savannah area;

#5 Isle of Hope

isle of hope savannahKicking off the list is by far one of the favorite islands for Savannah locals.
The Isle of Hope is just slightly southeast from the center of Savannah. The riverfront community has been a magnet for young couples who crave a rural waterfront childhood for their kids. The area is not really an island but sits on a peninsula jutting into the Skidaway River, so there’s water on three sides. With no commercial development except the marina, a trip to the nearest supermarket or drugstore is a minimum of three miles. If you can’t afford to buy, renting here still gains access into this unpretentious and close-knit neighborhood. – anywhere from $550,000 to over $7 million!
You can find pretty much any amenity you want on the Isle of Hope, including parks, playgrounds, libraries, and plenty of shopping.

#4 Historic Downtown

downtown savannahThe heart of Savannah has become one of the most legendary downtowns in America. It consists of a 2.5-square-mile district of old homes, parks, and squares.
The housing styles throughout downtown can vary as much as the people living in them, ranging from Federal to Italianate, Traditional to Queen Anne. Prices run high here, because this is the Savannah everyone dreams about. The Mercer House, made famous in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, has listed at $9 million, but most homes in this stately district run from $100,000 to $500,000, depending on whether they have been restored to their original grandeur.

#3 Skidaway Island

Skidaway IslandSkidaway is a high-end area about 12 miles south of downtown Savannah.
It’s most prominent community is called The Landing. A gated community on the 6,500-acre barrier island. Deep water docks, six golf courses and four clubhouses are its perks; a restrictive environment when it comes to house color and yard art may be considered a downside. Here kids drive golf carts to the club pool or to visit friends.
The island also features the smaller, but equally impressive Richmond Hill community with homes at slightly more affordable levels.

#2 Habersham Woods

Habersham WoodsJust south of midtown Savannah is small but vibrant community called Habersham Woods.
This enclave of mid-20th-century ranch houses features long, quiet streets in the heart of the busy city. Less than five minutes from two major hospitals, a YMCA, several private schools and Memorial Stadium, this family-oriented neighborhood of old-growth trees and homes built from the 1950s to the 1970s defines central location in Savannah.
Homes in Habersham Woods have an average price of about $230,000.

#1 Ardsley Park

Ardsley Park savannahArdsley Park is considered by many historians to be Savannah’s first suburb. It’s a historic district filled with plush lawns and four- and five-bedroom mansions and Craftsman bungalows built in the 1920s. The neighborhood’s northern boundary is Victory Drive, which runs east from Bull Street to Waters Avenue.
If it’s the cinematic version of Savannah you’re looking for, Ardsley Park is the place to find it: ancient live oaks drip with Spanish moss over streets lined with stately mansions. Ardsley Park is far enough away from the touristy bustle of downtown to be peaceful and residential. Children can walk or ride bikes to school, and residents have easy access to downtown and the Southside shopping malls.
If you’d like to find out about other neighborhoods around Savannah, or you’re thinking about buying or selling a home in the city, 

Murray Silver for Mayor of Savannah!!

We are looking forward to supporting this guy for Mayor! here is some info on him in his own words!
Please Allow Me to Introduce Myself

Here is a brief introduction:
I was born in Savannah, GA, in 1953. Seven generations of my family have made this city our home. There is no place on Earth that I love more than Savannah.
Professionally, I went into business at age sixteen as a rock concert promoter, bringing many future supergroups to Atlanta for the first time. A few years later when these bands hit it big, I parlayed my contacts into a new career as a tour photographer and music journalist. But by the time I entered college, I planned to follow in my father's footsteps and become a lawyer. To that end I went to law school, but I never practiced law: In my senior year I began writing my first book about Jerry Lee Lewis and sold the movie rights. I decided then and there that I'd much rather write books and make movies than practice law.
Selling the movie rights to a book is like winning the lottery: it doesn't happen very often. There were times when I taught college to augment my income and times when I owned and operated retail businesses. I know what it's like to meet payroll and balance books. I know what it's like to sell a successful business only to close another during an economic downturn. Having published six books of my own, I started up a publishing company in Savannah fifteen years ago and helped dozens of authors make their way into my favorite profession.
So, in my 61 years I've done a lot of interesting things and met a lot of fascinating people. I've made enough money to last me, if I'm a good steward; my house and car are paid for, and I want for nothing. And then five years ago I came to the decision to spend the rest of my life in service to others. My life is not about me anymore; it's about what I can do to help other people find contentment. If you want details, I refer you to my LinkedIn page. Otherwise, you won't know much about the non-profit organizations I serve if only because what we do doesn't make the news. What we do provides real help to those who fall between the gaps in society's safety net. We work as a team, which is why no one ever hears about the individual efforts that go into the process. I am in the process of putting together a team of candidates for Savannah City Council to replace the team we've got. I'm still looking for teammates in Districts 3, 5, 6 and at-large.



We have been paying alot of attention to this man and feel like he is what we need in Savannah for Mayor and we support him fully!






Wednesday, March 25, 2015

No More Mary Ellen Sprague, Time for a Change!!!



Mary Ellen Sprague  announces reelection bid for City Council

           
SAVANNAH, GA Fourth District Alderwoman Mary Ellen Sprague will announce her bid for reelection to the Savannah City Council

“For the past seven years, I have been honored to represent the 4th District as their city alderman and it has been a responsibility that I have taken very seriously,” said Sprague in a release. “If reelected, I will continue to advocate for neighborhood vitality and livability, improving public safety, keeping taxes low, and promoting communication and transparency within our city government. I believe that government needs to be responsible and efficient, along with being constituent and business friendly. I will continue to advocate for the people I represent and carefully consider the issues that affect their families and livelihood, should I be re-elected.”


We do not believe she has anything left to offer our District
our answer to this is..........
We need a fresh face in District 4 that will hear us and work with us and make changes when he can!

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Time for a change in Savannah!

Well let me start by saying I love our city but as you all know we have been bullied by zoning and continue to have it hanging over us!  even if we did improve our property by 110%  when there is so much decayed properties and nothing is being done! made me start looking into the politics of this city! and I have discovered there is more corruption and scamming in this town than we ever saw in south Florida!  and seeing all the other slime here we are going to do everything we can to make changes in the Savannah system with that I am getting politically involved and start working on getting rid of these people by helping who ever is running against them! It is time for a change in this town!  so here are a few tidbits to sink your teeth into for starters







Did anyone see this in the paper?
Estella, Yusuf Shabazz disrespected family
This letter serves as notification of the inappropriate behavior of City Alderman Estella Shabazz and County Commissioner Yusuf Shabazz at the visitation and funeral service of Pastor Gregory A. Tyson, Sr.
On Friday night, Feb. 27, Alderman Shabazz decided to campaign at the visitation service at a time when we were all in shock from the loss of our dearly departed. She was using the visitation as time for recognition of herself and never made mention of the loss of Pastor Gregory Tyson, Sr.
It is with great disappointment that she used the visitation as her last campaign stop because she knew many people would be there. She also added herself to the visitation program, which was both distasteful and unacceptable. This was a time to encourage and uplift the family, not a time to campaign on her behalf.
Death is already a traumatic experience and she didn’t take the time to consider us, the family.
Then, on Saturday, Feb. 28, they arrived to the funeral service late and demanded that they be seated in the front on the platform with the ministers. The church was filled to capacity and they took it upon themselves to change what was already ordered by the family.
After they were advised the space was not available, they bombarded themselves to the front of services which interrupted the flow of service. Mayor Edna Jackson was on program to speak. The mayor explained that she lost her voice, so Alderman Van Johnson would speak on her behalf.
Once this was completed, Alderman Shabazz and Commissioner Shabazz made their way to podium and began to campaign once again after being asked to be seated by the widow, Melanie Tyson; they continued to speak with no regard to her loss and or request.
Afterward, we reached out to the Shabazz family, advising we thought their behavior was inappropriate during our time of loss. They never acknowledged their wrongdoing or apologized for the inappropriate behavior.
AUBREY N. BRYANT
Savannah






Savannah alderman alleges excessive pay for attorney


Tom Bordeaux
Tom Bordeaux

A former assistant city attorney has been getting paid $12,000 a month following his employment with the city without the city manager or Savannah City Council’s knowledge of the pay or what legal services were being provided, according to one aldermen who discussed the compensation following a 3-and-a-half hour closed-door meeting Sunday night.
Alderman Tom Bordeaux said that the attorney, Peter Giusti, had his compensation increased 10 times from $1,200 a month for 20 hours of work a week, which amounted to about $246,000 during an almost 2-year period.
“At some point that $1,200 had become $12,000 a month,” Bordeaux said. “That information had not been brought to the council.”
Emails going back to June 2013 between Giusti, former City Attorney James Blackburn, and the city’s former Chief Financial Officer Dick Evans discuss the pay, although Bordeaux said it was not clear who actually approved the compensation.
Bordeaux said that there was also no documentation provided of the legal services Giusti had been providing.
“I personally favor terminating that agreement,” Bordeaux said.
Blackburn has continued working on some cases that were not resolved following his retirement in 2012 and was in the media room when the council met Sunday.
Bordeaux’s comments came after Mayor Edna Jackson said she could not comment on matters discussed during the meeting because they were related to



Alderman: Consultant to be paid $1,200/month, gets $12,000/month instead

After a three-and-a-half hour closed door Savannah City Council meeting, an emergency session held Sunday night, the city's mayor would not say why the meeting was called.

“Because of attorney (-client) privilege, it cannot be discussed in an open session,” Mayor Edna Jackson said after that meeting, during which the raised voices of the mayor, city council members and former City Attorney James Blackburn could repeatedly be heard through the closed door.

But Alderman At-Large Tom Bordeaux, says Savannah's citizens deserve answers.

At issue, Bordeaux told reporters after the mayor declined comment, is the amount of money a former assistant city attorney was paid for handling a lawsuit against the city over the construction of the Ellis Square parking garage. 

The case was a conflict of interest for current city attorney Brooks Stillwell, who took over for Blackburn in November 2012. Stillwell had previously represented the construction company suing the city. 

According to an April 2013 email between Stillwell and former assistant city attorney Peter Giusti, Stillwell agreed to pay Giusti $1,200 per month to continue working on the case.

But emails between Giusti and Blackburn show that, even though Blackburn had left his job as city attorney months earlier, Giusti separately negotiated with Blackburn to be paid $12,000 a month for 80 hours a month of work on the case.

"At some point, that $1200 a month became $12,000 a month," Bordeaux, who also is an attorney, told reporters. "Council did not know about it. The mayor did not know about it. The city manager did not know about it."

Giusti continues to work for the city at that $12,000 monthly rate. As of the city's most recent figures, from December, he had been paid $246,000.

In a May 2013 email to Blackburn, proposing the rate hike, Giusti said he'd “loosely” keep an account of the time he worked.

“He's not been accounting for a single hour of his time, as to what he's been doing for it, at least as far as I've been able to learn now,” Bordeaux said. "This just makes me crazy, quite frankly, that you could get a 10-fold increase in pay without there being more openness about it, without the city manager's office knowing about it, without this mayor and council knowing about it.” 

Bordeaux said he discovered Giusti's pay increase after council members asked City Manager Stephanie Cutter for a report on consultant pay. Bordeaux said Cutter was unaware of the increase before he pointed it out on that report.

Sunday, March 22, 2015

Happy Spring Brunch! from Savannah

 What a great day we had with all our friends here at the house for our Spring Sunday Brunch!
 All in all the food was great but the friendships are even better! Thanks everyone for a really GREAT DAY!!!!










 


 



 







 

 

 







 



 



 






Happy Spring to one and all!