RiverdaleMafia: Doing Things By Threats&Intimidation not law

November 12th, 2022

OUR IMPACT: From 2022-2024 Project Real Life assisted Clayton County, GA Government with disbursing over $7.4 million dollars of COVID-Emergency Rental Assistance to county residents. We were able to assist over 2,500 families/individuals and prevent them from being evicted. We also provide job training/job placement, soft skills training, career readiness and more to youth and adults.

SUMMARY:

"The Riverdale Mafia": Doing Things By Threats and Intimidation, Not Law.

The CEO, Dr. Franklin D. Battle, Sr. has been to court over 20 times in a 2 year on-going legal battle with the City’s Court.

In the fall of 2022, The City of Riverdale unfairly ordered that The Upper Room Church cannot worship in the building due to the city’s claim that the building is inhabitable, due to the use of generators to provide temporary power to the building.

In Contrary, Harvest Time Apostolic Ministries were the last occupants of the building for 4 years and were able to have services.

On March 21st, 2023, the city’s 3rd party building inspector (Christopher Honeycutt) approved the rough electrical work that was completed for the property. He stated in his report, “Ok to re-connect power.” Georgia Power established power to the building. Christopher Honeycutt did not submit the final electrical power restoration paperwork to Georgia power to keep the power established at the building so the power was turned off.

Project Real Life applied for permits with the City of Riverdale to get the building up to code, but the permits were revoked on April 12th, 2023 without valid reason. The City of Riverdale’s unjust order has stopped PRL’s progress to complete the renovations of the building for a final inspection.

April 2023 (having worship service outside.)

WORK COMPLETED: From March 11th, 2023 until now

Project Real Life has completed the following projects:

100% connected/complete/repaired-Water, Gas, Roof

100% completed in rough-Electric,

100% covered-Graffiti

-Building is 80% painted, cleaned and clear of debris on the inside

75% complete-Plumbing

-2 security gates have been installed

-City required dumpsters are onsite.

WHERE WE ARE NOW:

At the last court hearing, On August 27, 2024, City of Riverdale Municipal Court Judge Wanda Dallas, issued a cease and desist order to Project Real Life and Upper Room Church denying the organization(s) access to occupy or operate business in the building they lease. Dr. Battle also requested a continuance, but the judge denied his request.

Throughout all the court hearings Judge Dallas has not heard Dr. Battle or allowed him to speak, except once at the last hearing August 27th. Yet she has allowed the court staff and city staff to present their side of the story. The judges actions are a direct violation of Georgia Judicial Code of Conduct guidelines for sitting judges (Rule 2.6 Ensuring the Right to Be Heard).

At the last hearing, the owners of the building were present and requested that we turn our keys in and get all of our possessions out of the building without filing an eviction through the courts.

We have still continued to pay rent at the building, but have not been able to occupy it for almost 2 years while also paying for other venues (hotels, meeting halls) to have services and a separate office location which has cost us tremendously. This has also hindered our ability to serve the community how we desire, due to the City of Riverdale hindering us from inhabiting the building and being able to complete the work.

CURRENT INSPECTION REPORTS:

(ACME AMERICAN, LLC)

(Annual Fire Protection Service, II LLC)

OUR NEXT STEPS:

We are looking to have the case either in magistrate court or superior court. All donations will go towards hiring an attorney as well as to help assist with operating expenses.

For more information about Dr. Battle and the great work He does, please visit:

www.jcmi-inc.org and www.projectreallifeinc.org

See our News Story from 2023: https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/clayton-county-church-say-its-forced-have-service-outside-it-battles-city-over-property/BDR6GWWLQNALVBB7KPF4NAVY34/

UPDATES:

CHANNEL 2 COVERED OUT STORY AGAIN ON SEPTEMBER 12TH, 2024. WATCH IT HERE: https://www.wsbtv.com/video/local-video/pastor-urges-city-let-them-use-building-after-padlocks-found-church-doors/bfa7ce61-6dda-4269-8d4e-7a768a48b492/