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Deal apologizes, DeKalb County reopens

D'ish Metro ATL

Deal apologizes, DeKalb County reopens

Gov. Nathan Deal. Source: Georgia.gov
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Gov. Nathan Deal. Source: Georgia.gov

Gov. Nathan Deal. Source: Georgia.gov

Gov. Nathan Deal apologized Thursday for his administration’s handling of the Jan. 28 snow storm.

According to Atlanta INtown, Deal accepted full responsibility for the lack of planning that created a legendary traffic jam that our grandchildren will be hearing about in 50 years.  People in Atlanta took refuge where they could, sleeping at Home Depot stores, in offices and in school buildings.

“I’m not going to look for scapegoats,” Deal said. “I’m the governor, the buck stops with me.”

To read the full INtown article, click here.

Deal also extended Georgia’s state of emergency through Sunday, according to a press release from the governor’s office.

“The State Patrol will begin at 9 tonight to tow vehicles left in areas where they are posing a public safety hazard; this applies only to the interstates,” the press release said. “The state will cover the cost of towing – but ONLY in cases where the towing was directed by the state. Abandoned cars deemed to not pose a safety risk will remain for owner pickup through Sunday night.”

State offices will reopen Friday, and so will other government offices, including DeKalb County. 

“We still have a few icy patches on the roads, especially in subdivisions with tree canopies,” Interim CEO May said in a press release. “I am urging everyone to exercise extreme care as they commute in these conditions.”

DeKalb also sent along this revised trash collection schedule:

– Wednesday recycling and yard waste routes and Thursday garbage routes will be collected on Friday, Jan. 31.

– Thursday recycling and yard waste routes and Friday garbage routes will be collected on Saturday, Feb. 1.

– All missed items will be collected on Sunday, Feb. 2.

Local governments were also releasing their summaries of all the emergencies they responded to over the last couple of days.

DeKalb County reports that between Tuesday at 11 am until 12 pm Jan. 30, DeKalb County Police answered 2,588 calls, and DeKalb Fire Rescue answered 883 calls. The DeKalb Emergency 911 took 7,781 emergency calls and 2,793 non-emergency calls.

The city of Decatur reports that Public works, Decatur police officers and Decatur firefighters helped unstick cars six MARTA buses during the storm.