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Serving East Atlanta, Avondale Estates, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Clarkston, Decatur, Doraville, Dunwoody, Lithonia, Pine Lake, Tucker and Stone Mountain.
DOWN ON SMOKE
DEKALB SCHOOLS
IMPROVE IN RECENT
COLLEGE PREP SCORES
LOCAL, 2A
LOCAL, 9A
EDUCATION, 18A
Volunteers join hands with Brannon Hill residents after hours of cleaning up the condominium complex located near Clarkston.
Photo by Travis Hudgons
Community helps
Brannon Hill clean-up
by Carla Parker
carla@dekalbchamp.com
CHAMPIONNEWSPAPER
by Andrew Cauthen
andrew@dekalbchamp.com
Two boys were among more than 150 people
who helped clean up Brannon Hill. Photo by
Andrew Cauthen
CHAMPIONNEWS
CHAMPIONNEWSPAPER
CHAMPIONNEWS
local
About two dozen people were present at Clarkstons May 3 city council meeting to discuss the
citys proposed indoor smoking ban. Photo provided
by R. Scott Belzer
sbelzer@dekalbchamp.com
At a normal city
council meeting, its
common to hear terms
such as agenda,
minutes, quorum,
budget, and ordinance.
During a Clarkston City
Council meeting held May
3, it was more common to
hear vaping, flavors,
e-cigs and nicotine.
More than 50
people were present at
Clarkstons monthly city
council meeting to protest
an indoor smoking ban
ordinance making its way
into city law. Attendees
concerns primarily lay with
e-cigarette use, also known
as vapor or vaping.
Protesters from as far
away as Albany, roughly
200 miles away, voiced
their concerns directly
to Mayor Ted Terry and
council members Dean
Moore, Beverly Burks,
Awet Eyasu, and Ahmed
Hassan. City manager
Keith Barker also was
present.
On April 5, Clarkston
officials submitted a
resolution to the citys
community safety and legal
committee calling for less
second-hand smoke within
city limits. The resolution
would ban indoor smoking,
hookah use, as well as
indoor e-cigarette use.
The ordinance states
there is indisputable
evidence that implementing
100 percent smoke-free
environments is the only
effective way to protect
the population from the
harmful effects of exposure
to secondhand smoke,
and cites 32 separate
references.
Clarkston Mayor Ted Terry recently engaged the public via Twitter regarding the dangers of e-cigarettes, also known as vaping.
The ordinance
specifically cites the
U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA)
in naming e-cigarettes
as a source of known
carcinogens and toxic
chemicals, and defines it
as a form of smoking. The
ban would include all public
places, including bars, as
well as semi-private places
such as hotel rooms,
nursing homes and outdoor
places of employment.
Violators of the
ordinance face fines
beginning at $100 and
growing to $500 within one
year. Business owners
face having their license
suspended or revoked.
The item was
scheduled to be discussed
during Clarkstons May
3 council work session
but was skipped because
councilmen Mario Williams
and Robert Hogan were
absent. Those who had a
vested interest in the topic
were encouraged to speak
during the public meetings
commentary section.
Their voices did not go
unheard.
Jason Wells with
the Georgia Smoke Free
Association (GSFA) said
Clarkstons ordinance
would muddy the waters,
by including electronic
cigarettes. Wells said
the ordinance set bad
local
arounddeKalB
aVondale estates
City to celebrate national police week
brooKhaVen
Parents Night Out scheduled
Brookhaven will host Parents Night Out on May 20, from 6:30 to 9
p.m. at Lynwood Community Center. The event allows parents to drop
off their children on a Friday and get some time to themselves. The
event will include dinner, games, activities and options to keep children
entertained. Pre-registration is required and pick-up is promptly at 9 p.m.
Cost is $15 per child; ages: 5-12. For more information call
(404) 637-0512.
chaMblee
clarKston
adults and children annually, will hold its first Workshop Open House,
according to Cindy Bowden, the new executive director of the nonprofit
organization.
Scheduled for Sunday May 15 from 3 to 5 p.m., the free event
will include light refreshments and will feature performances and
demonstrations including computer skills, dance, photography, music,
drumming, cake-decorating and more.
Guests will be able to try some of the activities, talk to the leaders
and learn when the actual workshops will take place. Whether you want
to improve an existing skill or try something new, we hope you will take
advantage of what we have to offer, Bowden said.
The activities will take place in the centers newly renovated special
event space, Angora Hall, 3701 College Ave., Clarkston.
For a list of worships to be showcased, visit
www.clarkstoncommunitycenter.org.
decatur
lithonia
stone Mountian
Church to hold candidates forum
The Victory for the World Church, 1170 North Hairston Road, Stone
Mountain, will host its 2016 candidates forum on May 17, from 7 to 8:30
p.m.
The forum will feature candidates running for CEO, sheriff and tax
commissioner offices.
tucKer
local
Zerita buchanan
Zerita Buchanan
by R. Scott Belzer
sbelzer@dekalbchamp.com
oraville unveiled a
new city website on
May 2, intending
to demonstrate
user-friendliness,
functionality and connectivity for
residents.
We have come a very
long way, said Mayor Donna
Pittman. [Weve gone from]
where we have nothing to
putting some things together
and growing.
The website was presented
local
Page 5A
DeKalb County Commissioner Nancy Jester picks up trash in the neighborhood she has concerns about. Photo by
Andrew Cauthen
opinion
Page 6A
New restroom
ordinance in effect
As anyone knows who has been in the
home of a sharecropper in Toomsboro, Ga,
or worked in the state Capitol: laws are
like sausages; you should never see them
made.
A restroom ordinance, which received a
unanimous vote by the DeKalb County Commission Nov. 10, 2015, added an element
of toilet taboo to the famous saying, yet this
particular ordinance really helps all citizens
of DeKalb.
The ordinance declares that facilities
that include public restrooms are regulated in
order to prevent the nuisance of public restroom facilities in bad repair.
In short, throughout unincorporated
DeKalb, though not its 11 cities, DeKalb
County buildings, such as the Manual Maloof
building, county parks such as Redan, and
places such as QT, CVS and corner convenience locations, which are businesses,
stores or offices where goods and services
are sold, may not indefinitely leave a toilet,
urinal or sink with a black garbage bag over
the fixture.
Patrons are encouraged to discuss with
management plans to repair restroom fixtures. If no improvements are made DeKalb
residents should report the violation of Section 16-211 through 16-215 to the Office of
Code Enforcement, now located at 1897 S.
Candler Road, (404) 687-3700 or send a
message to codeenforce@dekalbcounty.gov.
The facility owners in violation of Section
16-214(d) may be subject to a minimum penalty $250.
Definitions of important terms are found
in Section 16-212 and no facility may allow
a state of bad repair during regular business
hours.
Furthermore, a provision requiring the
Board of Health to inspect the two school
restrooms closest to the cafeteria has also
been implemented.
Consider that the restaurant for students
is the school cafeteria, and that the patrons
of that eating establishment the students
need restrooms for washing their hands
before eating and for bodily functions after
lunch.
Board of Health inspections of handwashing (2D), functional plumbing (16A), and adequate supplies in a clean setting (17A) are
now being implemented and scored for the
first time. These health inspections apply to
the two most important restrooms in all public elementary, middle and high schools.
With new buildings being built by the
county and district, with constant renovations, and with a growing demographic, this
restroom ordinance reminds DeKalb residents that cleanliness is next to godliness,
and that sanitation is part of citizenship.
Dr. Tom Keating, educator, is founder of
The Center of Sanitation and Citizenship
and coordinator of Project CLEAN (Citizens,
Learners, and Educators Against Neglect).
opinion
Page 7A
Bill Crane
bill.csicrane@gmail.com
Columnist
dark clouds.
I have had the pleasure of moderating
many a candidate forum,
and have already early
voted. Balloting began
on Monday, May 2, and
continues up through the
week of May 16.
From the office of CEO
and most every county
commission district, to
sheriff, district attorney,
solicitor, state House
and Senate and the long
list of judicial elections,
DeKalb County actually
has a wealth of highly
qualified, talented and
worthy candidates seeking to lead.
Several candidates are
incumbents, many are
noted challengers with
relevant experience, most
at least bring with them
pure intent and a desire
to serve, versus self-service and lining their own
pockets.
Especially in top of
CHAMPION
FREEPreSS
EDiToRS noTE: The opinions written by columnists and contributing editors do not necessarily reect 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
Production Manager:
Kemesha Hunt
Photographer:
Travis Hudgons
Managing Editor:
andrew cauthen
Staff Reporters:
carla parker
R. Scott Belzer
local
Interim DeKalb County CEO Lee May signs the executive order creating the DeKalb Charter Review
Commission. Photo provided
by Andrew Cauthen
andrew@dekalbchamp.com
Association, Association of
County Commissioners of
Georgia, and two additional
memberswho will serve
as co-chairsappointed by
May.
County officials asked
the state legislature to pass
a measure establishing the
charter review commission,
but that legislation unfortunately fell through, May
said.
My preference would
have been the legislature
to do it, but we been down
this road before, May said.
We have asked them to put
forward various legislative
opportunities that would help
us in DeKalb County. When
they have failed to do that,
weve taken action into our
own hands.
May said he expects it
to take at least a year for the
commission to bring forward
their litany of recommendations to the CEO and Board
of Commissioners, who will
in turn give those recommendations to the state
legislators that represent
DeKalb County.
The commission will
have a budget of $150,000
for technical assistance.
Per the executive order,
the commission must hold
its first meeting no later than
June 30 and submit its final
recommendations no later
than June 30, 2017, to the
Board of Commissioners
and CEO and to each member of the General Assembly
from DeKalb County, the
governor, the lieutenant gov-
DeKalbCountyDepartmentofWatershedManagementPublicAdvisory
Interstate85&OakcliffIndustrialCourtSanitarySewerRehabilitation
May6,2016
AdvisoryIssueDate
June6,2016
AdvisoryCloseDate
Thisadvisoryisissuedtoinformthepublicofareceiptofanapplicationforavariancesubmitted
pursuanttoaStateEnvironmentalLaw.ThePublicisinvitedtocommentduringa30dayperiodonthe
proposedactivity.SincetheGeorgiaEnvironmentalProtectionDivision(EPD)hasnoauthoritytozone
propertyordeterminelanduse,onlythosecommentsaddressingenvironmentalissuesrelatedtoair,
waterandlandprotectionwillbeconsideredintheapplicationreviewprocess.Writtencommentsshould
besubmittedto:ProgramManager,NonPointSourceProgram,ErosionandSedimentationControl,4220
InternationalParkway,Suite101,Atlanta,Georgia30354.
TypeofPermitApplication:Variancetoencroachwithinthe25footSateWatersBuffer.
ApplicableLaw:GeorgiaErosionandSedimentationActO.C.G.A.1271ETseq.
ApplicableRules:ErosionandSedimentationControlChapter39137.
Basisunderwhichvarianceshallbeconsidered{39137.05(2)(AK)}:A
ProjectDescription&ReasonforInitiating:
I85andOakcliffIndustrialCt.SanitarySewerRehabilitationProjectisarehabilitationprojectofan
existingsanitarysewerlocatedbetweentheNorthForkofPeachtreeCreekandjustnorthwestofOakcliff
IndustrialCt.intheCityofDoraville,GA.Specifically,thesiteislocatedinlandlot314&318ofthe18th
districtinDeKalbCounty,GA.Theproposedconstructionwillincludetherehabilitationofapproximately
2,275linearfeetof10",12",and15"sewerpipe.Theprojectisneededduetothenumeroussewerspills
alongtheexistingseweroutfall.
ProjectLocation:
Thisprojectislocatedinlandlot314and318ofthe18thdistrictofDeKalbCounty.Beginningatterminus
ofOakCliffIndustrialCourtandrunningsouthtoInterstate85andcontinuingsouthtotheconfluenceof
theNorthForkofPeachtreeCreekforatotaldistanceofapproximatelyonemile.
ThePubliccanreviewsiteplansat1580RoadhavenDriveStoneMountain,Georgia30083.Phone:770
7241450.
local
Joe Bembry
Connie Stokes
Mike Thurmond
Bachelors business
administration (BBA)
Integrity
Innovation
Accessibility
Mon, May 16
Mon, May 16
Fulton County
Govt. Center
Conference Room
6-7 p.m.
HEARING: 7 p.m.
HEARING: 7 p.m.
Thurs, May 19
Maloof
Auditorium
6-7 p.m.
HEARING: 7 p.m.
Copies of the proposed Budget and Bus Service Modifications will also be available for public viewing at MARTAs Headquarters Office of External Affairs, 2424 Piedmont Road, N.E. Atlanta, Georgia 30324 during regular business hours, Mon-Fri
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For formats (FREE of charge) in accordance with the ADA and Limited English Proficiency regulations contact, (404)
848-4037. For those patrons requiring further accommodations, information can be obtained by calling the Telephone
Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 404 848-5665.
In addition, a sign language interpreter will be available at all hearings. If you cannot attend the hearings and want to
provide comments you may: (1) leave a message at (404) 848-5299; (2) write to MARTAs Office of External Affairs, 2424
Piedmont Road, N.E. Atlanta, GA 30324-3330; (3) complete an online Comment Card at www.itsmarta.com; (4) or fax
your comments no later than May 26, 2016 to (404) 848-4179.
All Voters: Special Election to fulfill unexpired term of Claudia Lawson (retired)
Democratic Primary: Tax Commissioner 4-year term to begin January 2017
ScottForDeKalb.com
All citizens of the City of Atlanta and the counties of Fulton, DeKalb, Clayton and Gwinnett whose interests are affected
by the subjects to be considered at these hearings are hereby notified and invited to appear at said times and places and
present such evidence, comment or objection as their interests require.
local
The Champion FREE PRESS, Friday, May 13, 2016 Page 10A
South City proposed to build a mixed-use development named Sams Crossing, which features apartments with a parking deck
and retail shops. The plans also include a small park.
up with a recommendation
to the [board of mayor and
commissioners], Brown said.
The board discussed changes
they would like to see made to the
design. Brown said all of the plans
are subject to change and South
City is working on minor changes to
the design.
We wont know [about South
City changes] until we get those
plans back, Brown said. They
might have to go back in front of
the ARB, but that really wont have
anything to do with zoning unless
in Government. National
president of the Womens
Council.
What is your campaign
website address?
www.conniestokes.com
Name: Mike Thurmond
Education: Paine College
with a bachelors degree
in philosophy and religion,
Juris doctorate from
the University of South
Carolinas School of Law
Occupation: Attorney
What political ofces have
you held in the past?
Served as superintendent
of the DeKalb County
School District, the third
largest district in the state
of Georgia, 2013-2015.
Georgia Labor
Commissioner, 1998-2010
Served in the Georgia
Legislature, 1987-1992
NOTICEOFPROPERTYTAXHEARING
TheMayorandtheAtlantaCityCouncilwilladoptamillageratewhichwill
requirenotaxincrease.
AllconcernedcitizensareinvitedtothepublichearingtobeheldattheAtlanta
CityHallComplex,55TrinityAvenue,Atlanta,GeorgiaintheCityCouncil
ChamberslocatedontheSecondFlooronTuesday,May17,2016at6:00p.m.
local
The Champion FREE PRESS, Friday, May 13, 2016 Page 11A
LITHONIA
PRIMARY CARE
5910 HILLANDALE DRIVE
SUITE 301
LITHONIA, GA 30058
770.400.9274
www.lithoniaprimarycare.com
INGER
SNAPF
278
DEKALB
MEDICAL
PARKWAY
IWantToBeRecycled.org
A worker posts a facility closed sign as Browns Mill Aquatic Center in July 2015. The center was
closed for a few days after stafng problems. Photo by Andrew Cauthen
PANOLA RD
WESLEY CHAPEL RD
by Andrew Cauthen
andrew@dekalbchamp.com
S DR
WOOD
HILLANDALE DR
20
www.dmpg.org
404.501.MYDR
local
The Champion FREE PRESS, Friday, May 13, 2016 Page 12A
Roderick Bridges
Dax E. Lopez
my experience as a traffic/
state court judge, I am
experienced in criminal/
civil litigation. I encompass
integrity and a commitment
to justice that enable me to
make sound legal decision
based on the law and facts.
Occupation: Former
attorney, incumbent State
Court judge of DeKalb
County, Division 6.
What political ofces have
you held in the past? I am
entering my sixth year as a
State Court judge here in
DeKalb County.
Why are you seeking
this ofce? I am
seeking re-election to my
position to ensure that
our communities receive
fairness and justice. As your
judge, I preside over several
thousand criminal and
civil cases annually. My
rulings have consistently
been affirmed by the higher
local
The Champion FREE PRESS, Friday, May 13, 2016 Page 13A
weeKinPICTURES
Fire rescue personnel line a road at First Baptist Church in Atlanta as a re engine drives by
carrying the body of DeKalb reghter Jason Blalock.
A DeKalb reman stands guard by the casket of reman Jason Blalock. Photos by Andrew Cauthen
(404) 294-2900
www.rollingforwardtoone.com
local
The Champion FREE PRESS, Friday, May 13, 2016 Page 14A
by Kathy Mitchell
kathy@dekalbchamp.com
Kroger and county ofcials cut the ribbon, ofcially opening the kiosk at the North Decatur Road
Kroger.
$25
Money
Talks
local
The Champion FREE PRESS, Friday, May 13, 2016 Page 15A
Welcoming signs
local
The Champion FREE PRESS, Friday, May 13, 2016 Page 16A
business
The Champion FREE PRESS, Friday, May 13, 2016 Page 17A
Young said.
During the grand opening,
customers were offered free
samples of the stores signature
offeringfruit smoothies. These
are all made from natural, straight
from the Earth ingredients and
need no added sweeteners to
taste delicious, Young said. Many
of our customers choose our
products because theyre healthful,
but some just like the taste.
The menu also includes the
wide variety of fresh juices that
the brand originated with. While
waiting for their orders, customers
can watch a see-through machine
slice and squeeze fresh fruit.
Boosts, upping the caffeine,
vitamins, minerals or protein
content, can be added to drinks
and smoothies. These are
all natural, created with such
education
The Champion FREE PRESS, Friday, May 13, 2016 Page 18A
he DeKalb County
School District
(DCSD) has shown
improvement in
college preparedness in
a scoresheet released by
the Georgia Department of
Education (DOE).
On May 3, the DOE
released College and
Career Ready Performance
Index (CCRPI) scores for
the 2014-2015 school year.
The CCRPI score is made
up of progress points,
achievement points and
achievement gap points.
The three types of points
add up to 100.
DCSDs elementary,
middle and high schools
all showed at least 34
progress points, or
percentage of students
earning typical or high
growth in performance on
statewide assessments
relative to students with
similar past achievement,
according to the DOE.
In Georgia, schools
can earn a maximum of 40
progress points.
Achievement points
record student performance
on state assessments,
high school graduation
rates, and [engagement]
in opportunities to prepare
them for college and
careers, according to DOE.
DCSD high schools earned
28 of 50 achievement
points.
Achievement gap
points, which are defined
by the progress the
lowest-achieving quarter
of students are making
when compared to the
state average, can also be
earned by schools. Out of a
possible 10, DCSD earned
6.7 at both the middle and
high school level and 5.8 at
the elementary level.
Schools can also earn
up to 10 challenge points
gauging the performance of
economically challenged,
disabled or English learning
students. Challenge
points can also be earned
by implementing other
practices to prepare
students for college and
careers, according to DOE.
Our students
demonstrated significant
academic growth, said
Superintendent Stephen
Green. Learning comes
from mastering content and
education
The Champion FREE PRESS, Friday, May 13, 2016 Page 19A
John Evans
education changing.
Teaching has become
more and more challenging,
McWethy said. More is
expected of teachers and
theyre not getting as much
support as they need.
That change led McWethy
to the library. Here, she says,
she is able to teach all students
without specificity. Surrounded
by books, she can aid the entire
school in access to information
and finding the perfect story.
We focus on two
extremely important skills:
reading and research,
McWethy said. Reading is
pleasure as much as learning;
you need to enjoy learning,
and reading is a way to do that.
It gives context for learning.
Research is something we do
all the time, every day, when
we ask questions.
In addition to being a
librarian, McWethy runs Druid
Hills Middle Schools website
Classified
The
The Champion FREE PRESS, Friday, May 13, 2016 Page 20A
Champion
Classifieds
The Champion is not responsible for any damages resulting from advertisements. All sales final.
For Sale
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Owner financing possible. Dr. Donna
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AUCTIONS
DRIVERS
MISCELLANEOUS
sports
The Champion FREE PRESS, Friday, May 13, 2016 Page 21A
Marists Josie Wirtz won gold in the 1,600-meter run and the 3,200-meter run.
sports
The Champion FREE PRESS, Friday, May 13, 2016 Page 22A
by Carla Parker
carla@dekalbchamp.com
The St. Pius Golden Lions
were the lone team from
DeKalb County to play in
the quarterfinals of the state
baseball playoffs on May 10.
St. Pius hosted Eastside
May 10 in the Class AAAA
playoffs for a best of three
series. Scores were not
available by press time.
The Golden Lions advanced
to the quarterfinals after
sweeping West Laurens 6-5 and
8-4 in the second round.
Marist fell to Veterans at
home in three games in the
second round. Marist lost the
first game 11-6, came back and
won the second game 8-0, but
fell in the clinching game 2-1.
Lakeside was swept by
Lambert in the second round of
the Class AAAAA playoffs and
was held scoreless. Lambert
won the first game 2-0 and the
second game 10-0.
Decatur also lost in the
second round, falling to
Cedartown in the Class AAA
playoffs. Decatur lost 5-2 in the
first game and fell 13-8 in the
second game.
Lakeside pitcher Cole Chisholm throws out a pitch. Photo by Mark Brock
Rickey Gross, who spent more than 30 years assisting at multiple high school athletic programs, moved to North Carolina. File photo
sports
The Champion FREE PRESS, Friday, May 13, 2016 Page 23A
Carlas Corner:
A self-recorded video of Laremy Tunsil smoking an unknown substance through a bong gas mask was posted through his Twitter account minutes before the 2016 NFL
draft. The once-projected top-5 pick dropped to No. 13 to the Miami Dolphins.
FL Draft night is
supposed to be a special
night for NFL draft
prospects.
The players dress
up in their finest suits, walk the red
carpet with family members and
get to experience the fame of an
NFL player as they patiently wait
to get a call from an NFL team
informing them that they have
been drafted.
The night did not go that
smoothly for offensive lineman
Laremy Tunsil.
Tunsil, a former Ole Miss
player, was sitting in the green
room with his family, friends and
other players at the Auditorium
Theatre of Roosevelt University in
Chicago on April 28 when a selfrecorded video of him smoking
an unknown substance through
a bong gas mask was posted
through his Twitter account
minutes before the 2016 NFL draft.
People began retweeting the
video, NFL media began reporting
on it and Tunsil had no idea
because his Instagram and Twitter
accounts had been hacked.
Carla Parker
carla@dekalbchamp.com
Sports Editor
@CarlaChampNews
local
The Champion FREE PRESS, Friday, May 13, 2016 Page 24A