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Classified........................20A
Ten qualify
for District 5
commission race
local, 8A
local, 12A
Seven Columbia
baseball players
ink scholarships
sports, 21A
Students and teachers gather as Principal Roberta Walker poses before cutting the
ribbon for Walker Way. Photos by Ashley Oglesby
Rowland Elementary
principal gets loving
send off
by Ashley Oglesby
ashley@dekalbchamp.com
affection as hundreds of
students, parents and staff
gathered to greet Principal
Roberta Walker, who
was retiring after 18 years
Principal Walker hands off a mock sign for the road that will be renamed in her honor.
Caribbean festival dancers parade along Covington highway jamming to reggae tunes.
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local
At an opening reception for the exhibit, Laura Freeman shows books she illustrated.
Picture this:
Joe Davich, executive director of the Georgia Center for the Book, and
Illustrator Sara Lynn Cramb has collaborated with sevillustrator Prescott Hill are part of the team that put together the exhibit eral authors in creating the Brainfood Doodle Mat series.
now at the Decatur Library.
TheChampion Ad.indd 1
4/30/15 6:47 PM
local
Page 3A
Firefighters observe the scene of a plane crash on I-285 May 8. Photo by Carla Parker
A 38-year-old man
wanted in an alleged rape
on Buford Highway was arrested in Alabama.
Brookhaven Police said
Roberto Gaona-Pia was
arrested May 21 by the
Opelika Police Department
in Alabama. According
to Brookhaven Public Information Officer Carlos
Nino, Opelika police officers responded to a suspicious person call matching
the description of GaonaPia.
Gaona-Pia was still in
the area when police spotted
and arrested him at a nearby
convenience store, according to Nino.
The alleged rape occurred April 24 between 9
and 10 p.m. near Buford
Highway and North Cliff
Valley Way. The victim, a
Hispanic female, received
injuries and was treated at a
local hospital, according to
police.
Police said the victim
was walking along Buford
Highway when Ganon-Pia
Gaona-Pia
championnewspaper
opinion
Page 4A
Lifestyle Editor
opinion
Page 5A
Bill Crane
bill.csicrane@gmail.com
Columnist
strength.From elementary
through high school graduation, she traveled the country with a competition dance
team.It taught her lessons of
discipline, self-confidence,
teamwork, compromise and
competition.
I cant quite overcome
a wistful desire to pause
and roll back the clock.Just
yesterday I could hold her
across my forearm, while
Saturday night, in heels, I
noted on the dance floor, her
eyes now meet mine evenly,
and she may even be slightly
taller as I am on the front
end of the aging shrink ray.
Words and this column
cannot quite express our
rib-cage bursting pride or
happiness for her, and as I
know that for her the best
is yet to come, there is a
bit of sadness as I wonder
where all the years went so
quickly, and more than a bit
of regret as I know that any
time squandered was on my
end.Just returning from a
father/daughter celebration
weekend in Nashville, I was
more than a bit happy to see
that she is still well connected to her inner-child.With
me, as well as her fiance,
who also has a silly side, she
spent hours of self-amusement with a phone app
called Dub Smash in effect
lip synching (quite well actu-
F ree P ress
Let Us Know What You Think!
THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS encourages opinions from its readers. Please
write to us and express your views. Letters
should be brief, typewritten and contain
the writers name, address and telephone
number for verification. All letters will be
considered for publication.
Send Letters To Editor, The Champion Free Press, P.
O. Box 1347, Decatur, GA 30031-1347; Send email
to Andrew@dekalbchamp.com FAX To: (404)
370-3903 Phone: (404) 373-7779 . Deadline for news
releases and advertising: Thursday, one week prior
to publication date.
EDITORS NOTE: The opinions written by columnists and contributing editors do not necessarily
reflect the opinions of the editor or publishers. The
Publisher reserves the right to reject or cancel any
advertisement at any time. The Publisher is not
responsible for unsolicited manuscripts.
Publisher:
John Hewitt
Chief Financial Officer:
Dr. Earl D. Glenn
Managing Editor:
Andrew Cauthen
Production Manager:
Kemesha Hunt
Photographer:
Travis Hudgons
Staff Reporters:
Carla Parker, Ashley Oglesby
The Champion Free Press is published
each Friday by ACE III Communications,
Inc., 114 New Street, Suite E, Decatur,
GA. 30030 Phone (404) 373-7779.
www.championnewspaper.com
DISPLAY ADVERTISING
(404) 373-7779 x 110
local
Deanie Augustine
For Deanie Augustine
taking care of pets is a passion.
Augustine started volunteering with Paws Atlanta nokill shelter in 2009.
She helps clean the kennels, take dogs for walks and
assist the staff with any other
needs.
Augustine said shes
worked with other rescue
groups before but loves
working with Paws Atlanta
because they do everything
right.
Augustine said she also
enjoys working with the diverse Paws Atlanta staff.
She added, Im dedicated to Paws Atlanta because
theyre the oldest no-kill
If you would like to nominate someone to be considered as a future Champion of the Week, please contact Andrew Cauthen
at andrew@dekalbchamp.com or at (404) 373-7779, ext. 117.
Hall
Lee
Foster
Ex-watershed employees
plead guilty to $20,000 theft
by Andrew Cauthen
andrew@dekalbchamp.com
Three former DeKalb
County watershed department employees pleaded
guilty May 20 to bilking the
department of $20,000 in
fraudulent overtime pay.
Cynthia F. Hall, Jarvis
Dion Foster and Anthony
Quinn Lee were accused of
theft by taking for an alleged
overtime scheme.
Although the defendants
were arrested in early 2012
and released on bond, the
case was under investigation
until May 19, when the parties were officially accused.
The three defendants
were sentenced to 15 years
in prison, with two to serve.
They were ordered to pay
$20,000 restitution as a
group. Hall paid $15,000 of
the restitution May 20.
According to Deputy
eyin cash.
Hall received from $700
to $3,000 biweekly from Lee
and Foster, Hodges said.
According to Hodges,
the District Attorneys Office is investigating three or
four other crewmembers
who may have been involved
in the scheme.
District Attorney Robert James said he is disappointed and bothered by
the offense.
I am encouraged that
were bringing this to resolution, and the court has
accepted a negotiated plea,
James said. Our investigation is not over, and there is
more to do. Our investigation into these acts is ongoing.
Were looking into
other activity that took place
around these incidents, and
were going to try to bring a
just resolution to those cases
District Attorney Robert James said his office will bring bad apples in
government to justice. Photo by Andrew Cauthen
local
AroundDeKalb
Clarkston
A public information open house is scheduled for Wednesday, June 3, to discuss the
Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT)
streetscape project for Clarkston. The meeting
will be held at the Clarkston Community Center, 3701 College Ave., Clarkston. The public is
invited to attend any time between 4 and 7 p.m.
No formal presentation will be given.
The purpose of this informal open house
is to provide residents an opportunity to ask
questions and comment on the conceptual design drawings for the streetscape enhancements
along portions of East Ponce de Leon Avenue,
Market Street, Rowland Avenue and Norman
Road. Proposed project improvements include
roadway resurfacing, sidewalks, street lighting
and furnishings, landscape planting, banners,
gateway monuments, railroad crossing improvements and related improvements for the downtown and surrounding areas.
Clarkston residents, business owners and
property owners interested in learning more
are encouraged to attend, view displays, express
thoughts and concerns with Clarkston staff, consultants and Georgia DOT representatives, and
provide written comments.
Interpreters and a court reporter will be
on hand to record comments. After the event,
meeting information will be available online
along with comment forms. To access, visit the
Clarkston Streetscape and Pedestrian Enhancement Web site at www.VisualizeClarkston.com.
The project plans and other documents from
the public information open house also may be
viewed until July 19 at the City of Clarkston Annex, 1055 Rowland St., Clarkston.
Contact:
Keith Barker, City Manager City of Clarkston
(404) 296-6489
kbarker@cityofclarkston.com
Contente Terry, Clarkston streetscape public
Relations manager:
(404) 808-9916
cterry@contenteconsulting.com
Decatur
Keep DeKalb Beautifulrelocates electronics
recycling drop-off site
On Sunday, May 31, at 5 p.m., Cause4 Entertainment and Rev. Dr. Theophilus J. Stanford,
pastor of Glen Haven United Methodist Church
in Decatur, will present Not Your Battle, a CD
release concert and fundraising event for Imagine No Malaria.
Stanford and Word of Life will be introducing their debut CD with the same name,
Not Your Battle, which will become available
through most major online distribution outlets
on that day.
Stanford, who wrote all songs featured on
the CD, has been ministering in song with Word
of Life in the greater Atlanta area, nationally, and
internationally, for more than 20 years.
The concert also will be streamed live over
the Internet.
The concert lineup includes Emil Bridges,
who will lead the time of praise and worship, and the gospel choir from Body of Christ
Church International from Phenix City, Ala. The
emcee for the event will be gospel radio host
Reggie Gay.
Glen Haven UMC is located at 4862 Glenwood Road, Decatur.
Page 7A
Stone Mountain
BOOST Stone Mountain gives small
businesses a lift
Stone Mountain Downtown Development
Authority created a new grant program for local
small businesses called BOOST Stone Mountain. The grants are funded by local investors,
who want to see small businesses thrive in Stone
Mountain Village. The first round of grant applications will be accepted through July 1 and
local
Adams
Edmondson
Codi
Johnson
Mangham
Green
Irons
Turner
Saunders
Rice
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
22,184,019,392
19,310,211,337
17,578,034,324
17,512,942,085
18,945,661,424
21,084,298,895
Motor Vehicles
1,254,986,790
1,225,978,410
1,265,293,750
1,359,311,440
1,135,212,830
781,124,040
Mobile Homes
656,584
510,171
440,056
396,572
355,333
358,733
Timber - 100%
65,347
82,712
77,829
34,308
57,864
2,208
23,439,728,113
20,536,782,630
18,843,845,959
18,872,684,405
20,081,287,451
21,865,783,876
3,039,974,697
2,913,503,127
2,847,239,428
2,826,254,552
2,923,178,437
3,089,898,865
20,399,753,416
17,623,279,503
15,996,606,531
16,046,429,853
17,158,109,014
18,775,885,011
20,399,753,416
17,623,279,503
15,996,606,531
16,046,429,853
17,158,109,014
18,775,885,011
22.98
22.98
23.98
23.98
23.98
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
22.98
22.98
23.98
23.98
23.98
23.98
$468,786,333
$404,982,963
$383,598,625
($18,084,407)
($63,803,371)
($21,384,338)
-3.71%
-13.61%
-5.28%
23.98
$384,793,388
$411,451,454
$450,245,723
$1,194,763
$26,658,066
$38,794,268
0.31%
6.93%
9.43%
NOTES:
1. THE NET LEVY DOES NOT REFLECT ACTUAL REVENUE RECEIVED OR AVAILABLE DUE TO VALUE ADJUSTMENTS RESULTING FROM APPEALS, DELINQUENT TAXES,
COLLECTIONS FROM PRIOR YEARS, AND A FEE OF 1.25% PAID TO THE COUNTY FOR BILLING AND COLLECTIONS.
2. THE 2015 MILLAGE RATE IS THE PROPOSED RATE. THE PROPOSED SCHOOL OPERATIONS MILLAGE IS 23.98 MILLS.
3. 2015 DIGEST FIGURES ARE AN ESTIMATE.
local
Page 9A
Wendover Housing Partners revealed a design of a proposed apartment development May 18. Photo by Carla
Parker
District 5
Continued From Page 8A
Upcoming candidates
forums include May 28, Lou
Walker Senior Center, 2538
Panola Road, Lithonia, 7 to
8:30 p.m.; June 8, Community Achievement Center,
4522 Flat Shaols Parkway,
Decatur, 7 to 8:30 p.m.; June
9, Stonecrest Library, 3123
Klondike Road, Lithonia,
6:30 p.m., sponsored by
the National Coalition of
the 100 Black Women Inc.,
Stone-Mountain-Lithonia
chapter; and June 10, Fairfield Inn Suite-Stonecrest
Mall, 7850 Stonecrest
Square, Lithonia, 8:30 a.m.,
sponsored by Stonecrest
Business Alliance.
DeKalbCountyDepartmentofWatershedManagement
PublicAdvisory
SNAPFINGERWOODSSANITARYSEWERACCESSROADS
May1,2015
June1,2015
AdvisoryIssueDate
AdvisoryCloseDate
Thisadvisoryisissuedtoinformthepublicofareceiptofanapplicationforavariance
submittedpursuanttoaStateEnvironmentalLaw.ThePublicisinvitedtocommentduringa30
dayperiodontheproposedactivity.SincetheGeorgiaEnvironmentalProtectionDivision(EPD)
hasnoauthoritytozonepropertyordeterminelanduse,onlythosecommentsaddressing
environmentalissuesrelatedtoair,waterandlandprotectionwillbeconsideredinthe
applicationreviewprocess.Writtencommentsshouldbesubmittedto:ProgramManager,Non
PointSourceProgram,ErosionandSedimentationControl,4220InternationalParkway,Suite
101,Atlanta,Georgia30354.
TypeofPermitApplication:Variancetoencroachwithinthe25footStateWatersBuffer.
ApplicableLaw:GeorgiaErosionandSedimentationActO.C.G.A.1276ETseq.
ApplicableRules:ErosionandSedimentationControlChapter39137.
Basisunderwhichvarianceshallbeconsidered{39137.05(2)(AJ)}:E
ProjectLocation:ThisprojectislocatedonthesectionofSnapfingerWoodsDrivethatis
boundedbyRayburnRoadtothewestandShellBarkRdtotheeastnearthecityofLithonia,
GA.Specifically,thesiteislocatedinlandlots8&9ofthe16thdistrict&landlots128&129of
the15thdistrict,inDeKalb,Georgia.Thesiteisapproximately800linearfeetnorthof
SnapfingerCreeksintersectionwithSnapfingerWoodsDrive.Theproposedconstructionwill
includetheinstallationof132linearfeetof15inchsanitaryseweracrossSnapfingerCreek.
ProjectDescription:Theproposedsiteconditionswillincludetheinstallationof132
linearfeetof15inchsanitaryseweraerialstreamcrossingtoreplaceandexistinginverted
siphonsanitarysewerunderSnapfingerCreekwhichinaconstantmaintenanceproblem.This
workisarepairtheexistingsystemthatrunsalongSnapfingerCreek.
local
Page 10A The Champion Free Press, Friday, May 29, 2015
American rapper Bone Crusher, V-103 radio DJ Greg Street and DeKalb County employees pose for a group photo after the
competition. Photos by Ashley Oglesby
County selects
hip-hop finalist
by Ashley Oglesby
ashley@dekalbchamp.com
Sanitation division employee Veronica Daniels
won the Rolling Forward
to One hip-hop competition.
In an effort to promote recycling and spread
the word for the countys
implementation of one-daya week collection services
of garbage, recycling and
yard trimmings, the DeKalb
County Sanitation Division
hosted an employee hiphop audition on May 8 in
its administration building.
On May 15 finalists
were again invited to the
department to compete for
the opportunity to record a
track with American rapper
Bone Crusher.
Daniels said her hope
for the initiative is that it
reaches more than intended so that everyone can get
on one accord in making
this effort positive. Its important for renewal of energy, cleaner space, cleaner
air and everything thats going to make it a better living
environment for everyone.
The final track will be
produced by music producer Michael Johnson,
also known as Mixzo, to be
used for the countys Rolling Forward to One public
service announcement.
CBS Radios V-103 Radio DJ Greg Street served
as the master of ceremonies
for the event.
Rapper Bone Crusher waves at the competitors before the competition begins.
$
$
$
$
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
1,157,883,900
20,069,600
11,673,700
46,119,000
$ 1,149,844,600
$
21,146,700
$
18,933,750
$
46,119,000
$ 1,137,427,809
$
22,174,136
$
14,297,200
$
49,311,000
$ 1,168,516,500
$
23,211,680
$
14,639,953
$
52,979,900
$ 1,326,596,200
$
22,248,300
$
15,152,700
$
47,331,600
$ 1,594,612,800
$
22,322,600
$
17,209,600
$
35,521,587
$1,235,746,200
$1,236,044,050
$1,223,210,145
$1,259,348,033
$1,411,328,800
$1,669,666,587
City Operations
General Fund Exemptions
$122,579,000
$1,113,167,200
13.035
$14,510,134
-1.50
($220,310)
125,075,000
$1,110,969,050
13.000
$14,442,598
-0.47
($67,537)
126,914,000
$1,096,296,145
13.000
$14,251,850
-1.32
($190,748)
126,332,000
$1,133,016,033
13.000
125,393,000
$1,285,935,800
130,639,000
$1,539,027,587
13.000
12.000
$14,729,208
$16,717,165
$18,468,331
3.35
$477,359
13.50
$1,987,957
10.48
$1,751,166
The Decatur City Commission announces that the 2015 tentative millage rate was adopted at their meeting on Monday, May 18, 2015.
Hearings on the budget and millage rate will be held on:
Monday, June 1, 2015 at 7:30 p.m.
Monday, June 8, 2015 at 6:00 p.m.
Monday, June 15, 2015 at 7:30 p.m.
The hearings will be held at Decatur City Hall, 509 N. McDonough Street, Decatur, GA. Final adoption of the 2015 millage rate and
fiscal year 2015-2016 budget is scheduled for consideration at the Decatur City Commission meeting on Monday, June 15, 2015. The
above table is presented pursuant to O.C.G.A. 48-5-32 showing the estimated current year's digest and proposed millage rates along
local
Page 11A
Lt. Jennifer Ross of the Decatur Police Department gives tips on how to avoid being a victim of financial fraud while residents listen and watch. Photos by Carla Parker
Taxes Levied
% Change
$ Change
2011
$99,233,165
$496,165
100%
$ 496,165
2012
$95,086,670
$475,433
- 4%
- $ 20,732
2013
$125,777,273
$628,886
32%
$ 153,453
2014
$136,005,547
$680,028
8%
$ 51,142
2015proposed
$142,246,645
$711,233
5%
$ 31,205
J. Lynn Rainey, PC, 358 Roswell Street, Suite 1130, Marietta, Georgia 30060; (770) 4216040. Attorney for CID - State Bar No. 592350
local
Page 12A The Champion Free Press, Friday, May 29, 2015
Venki and Anitha Rao browse the collection of classic vehicles at the car show.
Youngster Skylar stands next to a renovated vehicle in the Doraville car show.
Skylar and his uncle Justin White stand next to their favorite car. Photos by Ashley Oglesby
and
The Board of Directors of Georgia Piedmont Technical College
with
The Board of Trustees of the
Georgia Piedmont Technical College Foundation
Presidential
Sankofa Award Recipients:
Teddy Riley
J. Neil Shorthouse
Patricia A. Pflum
In
WEEK
local
Page 13A
Pictures
More than 1,000 people participated in the Relay For Life of DeKalb County and raised more than
$300,000. The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is the worlds largest fundraising event to end
cancer. Many Relay For Life participants and donors remember loved ones lost to cancer and honored
those battling the disease by dedicating luminaria. Each luminaria is personalized with a name, photo,
message or drawing in memory or honor of a friend or loved one who has been affected by cancer.
Photos by Travis Hudgons
23
A new juice bar is open in Toco Hills. Nashville, Tennessee-based Juice Bar
opened its first location in metro Atlanta, located in a 1,500-square-foot
space within the Publix-anchored Toco Hills Promenade. Cara Weaver is the
franchisee of the concept locally and plans to develop at least five intown
locations. Photos by Travis Hudgons
DCTV Channel 23
@DCtvchannel23
ustream.tv/channel/dctv-channel-23
local
Page 14A The Champion Free Press, Friday, May 29, 2015
Words HURT
Stop the Bullying
NOTICEOF
PROPERYTAXINCREASE
TheDeKalbCountySchoolDistricthastentativelyadoptedamillageratewhichwill
requireanincreaseinpropertytaxesby10.47percent.
Allconcernedcitizensareinvitedtothepublichearingonthistaxincreasetobeheldat
6:15p.m.June1,2015,DeKalbCountySchoolDistrictJ.DavidWilliamsonBoardRoom,
1701MountainIndustrialBlvd.,StoneMountain,Georgia
Timesandplacesofadditionalpublichearingsonthistaxincreaseareat:
11:30a.m.June17,2015,DeKalbCountySchoolDistrictJ.DavidWilliamson
BoardRoom,1701MountainIndustrialBlvd.,StoneMountain,Georgia
6:15p.m.June17,2015,DeKalbCountySchoolDistrictJ.DavidWilliamson
BoardRoom,1701MountainIndustrialBlvd.,StoneMountain,Georgia
Thistentativeincreasewillresultinamillagerateof23.98mills,anincreaseof2.272
mills.Withoutthistentativetaxincrease,themillageratewillbenomorethan21.708
mills.Theproposedtaxincreaseforahomewithafairmarketvalueof$175,000is
approximately$130.64andtheproposedtaxincreasefornonhomesteadpropertywith
afairmarketvalueof$275,000isapproximately$249.92.
local
Principal Roberta Walker poses with her husband, daughter and grandson. Photos by Ashley Oglesby
DeKalb County welcomes Atlanta Carnival bandleaders council parade. Photos by Ashley Oglesby
Page 15A
local
Page 16A The Champion Free Press, Friday, May 29, 2015
Fallen soldiers
honored at Memorial
Day ceremony
by Ashley Oglesby
ashley@dekalbchamp.com
Residents crowd Brook Run Park to attend the citys 11th Memorial Day celebration.
Guest speaker Colonel Rick White encourages people Dunwoody veteran Tom Bryant poses with his family at
to join the Georgia Military Veterans hall of fame.
the Memorial Day ceremony.
Hundreds of people
turned out for Dunwoodys
11th annual Memorial Day
celebration on May 25 in
Brook Run Park.
Dunwoody Mayor Mike
Davis said, This is just a
reminder of how important
it is to the citizens here in
Dunwoody, that we honor
the dead and the people who
serve.
The event featured a
performance of the national
anthem by Dunwoody High
School chorus, presentation
of colors by Boy Scout troop
764, a prayer led by Dr.
Steve Vance of Saint Lukes
Presbyterian Church and an
inspirational message from
guest speaker Colonel Rick
White, US Army retired.
After graduating from
high school, White enlisted
in the United States Army as
a private and volunteered for
the airborne infantry.
At the age of 19, he was
commissioned as a second
lieutenant through Infantry
Officer Candidate School
and served 24 months in
combat in Vietnam.
Immediately following
his second Vietnam tour
Boy Scout Troop 764 presents Dunwoody High School chorus sings the national anthem. Photos by Ashley
the colors.
Oglesby
DEKALB COUNTY
BOARD OF EDUCATION
1st PUBLIC
MILLAGE RATE HEARING
Monday, June 1, 2015
TIME
Brigadier General Denis Shortal welcomes a guest to the ceremony.
6:15 p.m.
LOCATION
business
Page 17A
DeKalb County
Graduates
FY 2015-2016
PROPOSED GENERAL FUND REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES
REVENUES
Taxes
19,171,750
Licenses, Permits & Inspections
1,207,310
Penalties, Fines & Forfeitures
1,318,500
Interest
500
Charges for Current Services
1,535,350
Intergovernmental Revenues
490,120
Miscellaneous Revenue
137,820
Sale of Fixed Assets
10,000
Operating Transfers
(382,310)
Appropriation From (To) Fund Balance
(271,800)
TOTAL REVENUES
$23,217,240
EXPENDITURES
Governmental Control Department
187,100
General Government Department
1,808,540
Community & Economic Development Department
1,913,610
Administrative Services Department
3,356,330
Police Department
5,541,350
Fire & Rescue Department
3,567,570
Public Works Department
2,964,840
Design, Environment & Construction Division
2,028,990
Active Living Division
1,848,910
TOTAL EXPENDITURES
$23,217,240
Collaboration
DeKalb Chamber of Commerce Two Decatur Town Center, 125 Clairemont Ave., Suite, Decatur, GA 30030 404.378.8000 www.dekalbchamber.org
Education
Page 18A
Clarkston High School welcomes professionals in various industries to motivate students to apply for internships during the summer and explore new job avenues. Photos by Ashley Oglesby
5:45 p.m.
LOCATION
tant.
Everybody needs a
little push to help them and
some people may not have
someone in their household
to push them harder. When
you hear other peoples stories about how they had to
push themselves harder to
get where they are and accomplish their goals, thats
motivation, Carter said.
Cox Enterprises vice
president of financial planning Neil Campbell and
CIS executive director
Frank Brown attended the
exposition to show support
for CIS caseload students, as
well as provide support for
Obumbas effort.
NOTICE OF
PROPERTY TAX INCREASE
The Decatur City Commission has tentatively adopted a combined millage
rate of 12.00 mills which will require an increase in property taxes of 5.08%
for fiscal year 2015-2016. This is a reduction from the millage rate of 13
mills adopted for the current fiscal year 2014-2015 which generates revenue
necessary to fund the City of Decaturs general operations, bonded
indebtedness, downtown development authority and capital improvements.
All concerned citizens are invited to the public hearing on this tax increase
to be held at the City Commission Meeting Room, Decatur City Hall, 509 N.
McDonough Street, Decatur, on Monday, June 1, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. Time
and place of additional public hearings on this tax increase is at Decatur City
Hall on Monday, June 8, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. and Monday, June 15, 2015 at
7:30 p.m. This tentative increase will result in a millage rate of 12.00 mills,
an increase of 0.58 mills over the rollback millage rate. Without this
tentative tax increase, the millage rate will be no more than 11.42 mills. The
proposed tax increase for a home with a fair market value of $400,000 is
approximately $104.40 and the proposed tax increase for a nonhomestead
property with a fair market value of $425,000 is approximately $111.65.
Education
Page 19A
Soon-to-be DeKalb County school superintendent Stephen Green announcing his goals for the district. Photo
by Ashley Oglesby
The City of Doraville has tentatively adopted a millage rate of 8.5 which will require an increase in property
taxes by 24.89 percent. The proposed millage rate is .25 mills less than the prior year millage of 8.75 mills.
All concerned citizens are invited to the public hearing on this tax increase to be held at the Doraville City
Hall located at 3725 Park Avenue, Doraville, GA 30340 on June 8, 2015 at 6:30pm.
Times and places of additional public hearings on this tax increase are at the Doraville City Hall on June 15,
2015 at 6:30pm and on June 16, 2015 at 6:30pm.
This tentative increase will result in a millage rate of 8.50 mills, an increase of 24.89 percent over the
rollback rate. Without this tentative tax increase, the millage rate will be no more than 6.806 mills. The
proposed tax increase for a home with a fair market value of $51,000 is approximately $85 and the tax
increase for a non-homestead property with a fair market value of $228,000 is approximately $436. The
calculated rollback rate is artificially low due to the addition of annexed properties, resulting in artificially high
estimates for the tax increase.
State of Georgia statutes do not specifically address the setting of the initial millage rate for a newly annexed
area by a municipality but the City of Doraville is advertising a Notice of Property Tax Increase, with
associated public hearing notification, in order to ensure full disclosure of its intent to levy property taxes in
the area annexed December 31, 2014. The millage rate of 8.5 proposed for the annexed area is the same
as that proposed for the rest of the City and would not constitute a tax increase for the rest of the City.
CITY OF DORAVILLE
NOTICE OF FIVE YEAR HISTORY
Pursuant to the requirements of O.C.G.A. Section 48-5-32 does hereby publish the following presentation of
the current years tax digest and levy, along with the history of the tax digest and levy for the past five years.
All citizens of Doraville are invited to attend.
collaborative efforts to
make sure that students
have what they need to
succeed, Green said.
In Kansas Green said he
held a series of meetings
four to five times a year
called On the Scene with
Dr. Green, in which he
made himself available
to the community to field
questions and address
concerns.
Green said he plans to
establish a similar series for
DeKalb.
Those are the kinds
of things that I see to be
important; to be out and
about in the community
visible and available so
that we can have open
dialogue, said Green.
Thurmond is scheduled
to step down in June but
will be a consultant for the
new superintendent to assist
in a smooth transition.
Mobile Homes
Timber 100%
Heavy Duty
Equipment
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
379,732,939
361,679,814
395,990,311
416,515,498
582,014,025
200
15,898,760
2,494
15,848,630
4,530
15,906,220
4,530
14,025,040
9,332,050
395,634,393
377,532,974
411,901,061
430,540,538
591,346,075
326,022,641
342,054,266
376,422,353
392,988,950
527,064,545
2,934,204
3,078,488
3,387,801
3,438,653
4,480,049
293,894
144,285
309,313
50,852
1,041,395
11.13%
4.92%
10.05%
1.50%
30.28%
Exemptions
Net Millage
69,611,752
9.00
35,478,708
9.00
35,478,708
9.00
37,551,588
8.75
64,281,530
8.50
All concerned citizens are invited to the public hearing on this tax increase to be held at the Doraville City
Hall located at 3725 Park Avenue, Doraville, GA 30340 on June 8, 2015 at 6:30pm. Times and places of
additional public hearings on this tax increase are at the Doraville City Hall on June 15, 2015 at 6:30pm and
on June 16, 2015 at 6:30pm.
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Sports
Page 21A
Columbia baseball team had seven players sign athletic scholarships May 14. Photos by Carla Parker
This is the first time in years Columbia has had this many players sign early.
lege level.
After this point in [players] careers, some people stop playing, he
said. Im fortunate to continue to
be playing.
Nash said he always wanted to
go to a school in Florida, which is
why he chose Bethune-Cookman.
I thought it would be a nice environment for me, he said.
Future Savannah State Tigers
Atterbury and Washington also
had good seasons on the mound.
Washington led the team with a 1.25
ERA, with a 5-1 record in the regular season. Atterbury finished the
regular season with a 3.33 ERA and
a 4-1 record.
Atterbury has been one of the
top pitchers in the county since his
sophomore year. Last season, he
finished second in the county with a
1.24 ERA and an 8-2 record. However, Savannah State recruited him
as a utility player.
[Ill be] fielding, batting and
just being the player Ive been during my high school career, Atterbury said.
Sports
Page 22A
Southwest DeKalb track and field coach Napoleon Cobb motivates the track team during practice a week before the Class AAAAA state championship. Photos by Carla Parker
Napoleon
Cobb:
A legend ends his career on top
by Carla Parker
carla@dekalbchamp.com
There are not many coaches who
can say they finished their careers
on top.
However, Napoleon Cobb can.
Cobb ended his 50th year of coaching with a state championship after
the Southwest DeKalb High School
boys track won the Class AAAAA
state title May 15. It was the 11th
state title for Cobbnine at Southwest DeKalb and three with Gordon
High School.
Due to health reasons, Cobb
deemed the 2015 track season as his
last.
Cobb is retiring after 50 years of coaching and will be inducted into the Georgia Athletic
Cobb was diagnosed with bone Coaches Association Hall of Fame May 30.
cancer in April 2014, and three
fulfilling [state title] because I know coach William Buck Godfrey was
months later he broke his hip after
in my heart that I was physically un- inducted.
a fall.
Thats when I knew it was time able to do what Ive done in my caI think the biggest excitement
reer, Cobb said. I spent more time to me is the [irony] that Napoleon
to close it down, Cobb said. But
coaching the coaches. I was able to
this year Ive had a great coaching
Cobb followed Coach Godfrey,
inspire the kidsI did more talking Cobb said. Thats the most thrillstaff and the kids have been really
to them.
wonderful. I know my family is
ing to me. That is truly an honor. Of
This is one of my proudest
glad that weve decided to make this
course the achievement award is a
farewell tour. Its been amazing how teams, Cobb added. We feel very
tremendous honor, but its just ironblessed. I feel like this was divine
much it has helped me because iniic that our careers have paralleled
intervention.
tially I didnt have the strength and
so much. We began at Gordon, then
Two weeks after winning the
will to do it.
we spent all these years at Southwest
state title, Cobb will be inducted
His farewell season included
together. It just seems like our stars
the 2015 DeKalb County track title, into the Georgia Athletic Coaches
always crossed back and forth no
but winning the state championship Association Hall of Fame May 30.
matter what.
was a special way to close out his ca- Cobb is going into the Hall of Fame
Cobb is a graduate of Henry Mca year after his close friend and
reer, he said.
Neal Turner High School in Atlanta
former Southwest DeKalb football
This was probably the most
and Tennessee State University. Af-
Sports
Rasul Chester (far left) who led Miller Grove to back-to-back DeKalb County Junior Varsity championship wins,
was named head coach of Stephenson boys basketball team. Photo by Carla Parker
Page 23A
local
Page 24A The Champion Free Press, Friday, May 29, 2015
From left, Laura Keenan of Bank of America, veteran Ken Burch and John OCallaghan pose for photos shortly before Burch received the keys to his new condo. Photos by Andrew Cauthen
by Andrew Cauthen
andrew@dekalbchamp.com
comfortable.
This puts me in a position to
maybe do other things, said Burch,
who works at the VA Hospital in Decatur. It puts me in a position to give
back to AMVETS or different organizations and not have to worry a lot
about things like bills.
Im honored, said Burch, accompanied by his sister, Lisa Burch,
and fiance, Susan Marshall. Im
grateful. Im thankful. Im honored to
have served my country.
After a special ceremony at Somerset Heights Condominiums, Burch
received the keys to his new residence.
Since returning from his military service, Mr. Burch has been
on a long path to homeownership,
and we are thrilled to partner with