SUMMARY: A property owner is suing the Atlanta Department of Watershed Management over an $81,000 water bill for a vacant building without running water. The owner, Gil Map, inherited the property, which has been uninhabitable for 15 years and tied to unexplained high usage charges. Despite repeated plumbing checks revealing no leaks, enormous bills piled up after a meter replacement in late 2022. The city contends the meter is accurate, yet no substantial evidence supports their claims. Previous similar cases have led to court hearings without resolutions, reflecting ongoing frustrations with the city’s appeals process. The judge’s decision is pending.

Posted November 1, 2024 9:34am EDT

By Dana Fowle

The Atlanta property owner says the boarded-up building had no running water but somehow accrued a water bill of nearly $81,000. She appealed the tab, and was denied, so she took the Department of Watershed Management to court.

FULL STORY: https://www.fox5atlanta.com/video/1541170

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SUMMARY: The Georgia Supreme Court ruled that a tax on strip clubs, intended to fund assistance for child sexual exploitation victims, is constitutional. Approved by voters, the tax is collected by the Safe Harbor Commission for trafficking awareness and victim support. The Georgia Association of Club Executives contested the tax, claiming it violated the First Amendment as a “content-based tax.” However, Justice Nels S.D. Peterson stated that the tax is less burdensome than others upheld by courts and does not prohibit nude dancing. Dissenting Justice Sarah Hawkins Warren argued the tax is not a lawful exercise of authority despite recognizing child exploitation as a societal issue.

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SUMMARY: The speaker expresses their initial support for continuing a fight, aligning with others, but ultimately prioritizes their son’s decision. They emphasize that they’ve always sought to empower their son to make informed choices without interference. While they are pleased that their son is going home, they also wanted to keep fighting. The speaker reflects on their involvement in their son’s life and expresses pride in the man he has become, showcasing a balance between support and respect for their son’s autonomy.

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