DeKalb FreePress 5-20-16

FREEPReSS
FRiDaY, MaY 20, 2016 Vol. 19, no. 5 FREE
The
thechampionnewspaper.com
CHAMPION
Serving East Atlanta, Avondale Estates, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Clarkston, Decatur, Doraville, Dunwoody, Lithonia, Pine Lake, Tucker and Stone Mountain.
QUICK FINDER PUBLIC, OFFICIALS

Business ................................. 17A
Classied ..............................20A
Education.........................18-19A
Opinion ...................................... 7A
Sports ................................21-24A
DISCUSS E-SPLOST
BEFORE MAY 24 VOTE
LOCAL, 8A
A PUBLICATION OF ACE III COMMUNICATIONS
FALLEN OFFICERS
REMEMBERED
COMMUNITY LEADERS
EXPRESS SUPPORT FOR
DORAVILLE TAD
LOCAL, 12A
BUSINESS, 17A
Dunwoody is set to relocated its city hall to 4800 Ashford Dunwoody

Road, which currently houses Community & Southern Bank. Photo
provided by the city of Dunwoody
Interim DeKalb County CEO Lee May and Commissioner Larry Johnson plant owers outside the new code
enforcement building.
Done
deal:
Dunwoody moves forward
County launches beautication unit with city hall purchase

by Andrew Cauthen
andrew@dekalbchamp.com
by R. Scott Belzer
sbelzer@dekalbchamp.com
Being smarter about keeping the county clean is the

goal of a new entity in DeKalb
County.
With the May 12 launch of
the Keep DeKalb Beautiful
Beautification Unit, several
existing entities under one
umbrella: Code Enforcement, Marcus Kellum is the head of the new beautification unit.
Foreclosure/Vacant Property
Registry, the mowing and herbicide and the litter abatement
group.
Previously housed in
various buildings around the
county, the beautification unit
will be located at 1807 Candler Road in Decatur in the
old community development
building.
The new unit, which eventually will have approximately
190 staff members, will allow
See Beautification on Page 5A
Dunwoodys police department, city staff, council,

mayor and municipal court will call a new building
home in late 2017 or early 2018.
Following a two-year search for an optimum
location, Dunwoody city council approved the purchase of an office building at 4800 Ashford Dunwoody Road with the intent of establishing a new
city hall.
The new building will cost the city approximately
$8.25 million. Another $20,000 will be used to obtain
a professional evaluation of the building.
Dunwoody has used an office building behind the
Crowne Plaza Ravinia across from Perimeter Mall
as its city hall since 2009. According to city officials,
Dunwoodys city staff and police department currently occupy approximately 33,000 square feet.
The new location, offering 45,000 square feet and
180 parking spaces, is approximately 1 mile north
along Ashford Dunwoody Road near Ashford Gables
Drive and Valley View Road. The facility was built in
1994 and currently houses Community & Southern
Bank.
The countys new code enforcement building is on Candler Road.
CHAMPIONNEWSPAPER
CHAMPIONNEWS
CHAMPIONNEWSPAPER
See Dunwoody on Page 5A
CHAMPIONNEWS
local
The Champion FREE PRESS, Friday, May 20, 2016 Page 2A
DeKalb super: Students make economy of tomorrow
by R. Scott Belzer
DeKalb County School
District (DCSD) Superintendent Stephen Green
weighed in on the controversial tax allocation district
(TAD) conversation in an essay released May 5.
A TAD being proposed in
Doraville would help finance
multi-purpose redevelopment
of the 165-acre former GM
assembly plant. The project
requires participation from
the school district and county
commission, but DCSD has
denied formal presentations
from developers, Doraville
and other project supporters
on the grounds that the majority of the school board does
not support the project.
In addition, Green has
stated the district is in the
business of education, not
funding private projects.
Doraville Mayor Donna
Pittman has released an OPED piece and taken the time
in Doravilles 2016 State of
the City Address to discuss
the topics importance. The
developers have since said
the project may be downgraded from a multi-use complex
to strip malls, residential buildings and auto-dealerships if
the TAD is not established.
On May 5, Greens essay
The little engine that does,
equated DCSD to the childrens story The Little Engine
That Could in supporting its
102,000 student body and regional economy.
Lets be clear; first and
foremost, our school district
offers children a safe, stable
setting for their schoolwork
and social life, Green writes.
And we offer parents and
families the assurance that
every child will be respected
and taught in a healthy, holistic environment.
Green then detailed how
DCSD financially supports the
area through preparing the
next generation for job creation, wage earning, tax paying and responsible citizenry.
We also create the
economy of tomorrow in our
classrooms, Green writes.
The first part of this engine, according to Green, is
the 15,407 employees, including 6,543 teachers.
This makes the district
the second largest employer
in the county right behind
the Emory University complex, Green writes. Most of
the $634 million these good
Stephen Green, right, has been supported and opposed in his opinions regarding the Doraville TAD.
people make annually in competitive salaries goes straight

back into our Atlanta-area
economy, not into the coffers
of corporations in other states
or into the pockets of realty
speculators.
Green writes the school
district has spent more than
$128 million in E-SPLOST
funds in partnership with local
businesses in the Atlanta region. The superintendent said
this amount was between
$210 million to $255 million if
one were include a multiplier
effect for local sub-contractors
and other services.
The fact is that our little
economic engine turns out
not to be so little after all,
Green writes.
Green also mentions how
an improving school district
has been responsible for attracting new residents and
businesses, specifically citing the districts 11 percent
increase in graduation rates,
workshops for un- and underemployed parents, dual-degree programs and advanced
placement (AP) test expansion.
When Daimler Benz
North American recently announced the relocation of its
headquarters to the area, it
partly based the decision on
the quality of local education, Green writes. And
Ray Gilley, president of the
On May 24, Vote

To Keep Judge
Clarence Seeliger
Over 30 years Judicial Experience

Lifetime Commitment to Ending
Domestic Abuse
Dignity in DeKalb Courts
VOTE MAY 24TH

ReelectSeeligerAgain.Com
Facebook: SeeligerForJudge2016
Decide DeKalb Development Authority, recently said

DeKalb County is entering
a period where we will continue seeing growth. One
reason Gilley cited [being] our
very much improving school
district and a large, quality
workforce (thank you, DeKalb
schools).
Green concludes in asking businesses, local and
state governments to support
its local system, instead of
[being] at odds with it.
The sparks thrown off
by the school districts economic engine glow all around
us, Green writes. Some
examples may surprise we
deliver economic value, with-
out pavement or pollution, in

unexpected, non-traditional
ways.
Green has found support
from the county he serves at
public meetings held in April
and May.
On April 18, former DCSD
board of education member
Paul Womack commended
the current board for opposing the TAD. Womack said
the developers knew the cost
before investing in the project
and should take responsibility.
Womack also echoed Greens
sentiments of being an economic developer by way of
educating young minds.
In 2009, we were asked
as a board to support a TAD
on Peachtree Road, Womack said. This board turned it
down because we realized we
had taken an oath to educate
children, not become bankers
for people who invest money.
Your oath is the same as we
took to educate children.
Youre not in the business of
making millions of dollars for
people.
On May 9, the board received similar support from
Ernest Brown, who commended Womacks initiative.
See related story on page
17A.
local
aRoundDEKALB
aVondale eStateS
Community club to host auction
The Avondale Community Club will hold its annual auction May 21 at
the club, 59 Lakeshore Drive. The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. For more
information, visit www.avondaleestates.org.
BRooKHaVen
City to host dog event
Brookhaven second annual Bark in the Park will be held June 4,

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Brookhaven Park. The event will feature music, dog
trick demonstrations, dog-related vendors, pet adoptions, food trucks
and beverages. All dogs will receive a gift to take home. All dogs must
be on a leash. Admission is free. The park is located at 4158 Peachtree
Road. Call (404) 637-0518 for more information.
cHaMBlee
City digitizes court payments

The city of Chamblee is now offering a more convenient way to pay traffic
tickets.
In late April, Chamblee announced it had partnered with nCourt, a
nationally recognized electronic payment provider, to allow online payments
for traffic citations and other similar fines.
The website will allow for payments to be made quickly and safely,
according to city officials. The website will be available at any time, day or
night.
Not all citations require the defendant to appear in court, reads
Chamblees website. Depending upon the charges, many citations may be
paid before the court date in lieu of appearing in traffic court.
MasterCard, VISA, American Express and Discover cards are accepted
as forms of payment in addition to debit cards. Customers may also pay by
phone by calling (855) 619-0150.
For more information, visit Chamblees municipal court website at
www.chambleega.gov/court.
claRKSton
Milam pool celebrates opening

Clarkston will open Milam Park Pool, located at 3867 Norman Road,
on May 27. The event will include free admission, door prize giveaways
and music from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The park will remain open until Labor Day
2016.
Milam Parks pool features a toddler pool, a kids pool as well as a lap
pool. It also features umbrella shaped fountains. The park also features a
dog park, tennis courts, playground, soccer field and baseball field.
Following Milam Park Pools opening, a $2 fee will be required for
admission for children and $3 for adults. Non-residents will pay more and
seasonal passes are also available.
For more information,
visit clarkstonga.gov/parks-recreation/milam-park-pool.html.
decatuR
Community service board to meet

The May 26 board meeting of the DeKalb Community Service Board
is open to the public for those who are interested in services for mental
health, addiction and developmental disabilities.
The meeting will be held at 4 p.m. at 445 Winn Way, Room 421,
Decatur.
The advocacy committee meeting will be held in the same room at 3
p.m. and is also open to the public.
The audit, finance and compliance meeting will be held in the same
room on Tuesday, May 24, at noon, and also is open to the public.
Those with disabilities in need of assistance or accommodations to
participate in the meeting, please notify Community Relations at (404)
508-7875.
Farmers market owner to address DeKalb Chamber

awards luncheon
The DeKalb Chamber of Commerce has announced that Robert

Blazer, founder and owner of Your DeKalb Farmers Market, will be the
keynote speaker for its 2016 APEX Business Awards on Wednesday,
May 25.
The market, which was founded 40 years ago, employs an
ethnically diverse staff representing 50 countries. The farmers market
serves an average of 100,000 customers per week, the news release
states.
The awards luncheon will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
at the Atlanta Marriott Century Center, 2000 Industrial Boulevard NE,
Atlanta.
Tickets to attend are $60 for chamber members and $75 for
nonmembers and guests. For more information and to register, visit
www.bit.ly/2016ApexAwards.
dunWoodY
City to host public input meeting on growth

Residents wishing to voice their opinions on Dunwoodys growth can
do so at Dunwoody City Hall May 24 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Dunwoody will host a public information and input meeting at which
residents have the opportunity to have impact info the citys parks and
recreation master plan. The master plan is used to guide the citys
growth in infrastructure as well as green space.
The meeting will also allow citizens to discuss survey findings
regarding the city with officials.
Dunwoody City Hall is located at 41 Perimeter Center East. For
more information visit www.dunwoodyga.gov
Nature Center to host summer camps

Registration is now open for a series of summer camps at the
Dunwoody Nature Center.
Beginning May 31, the center will host a series of full and halfday summer camps for kids aged 3 to 11 years old (or pre-K to fifth
grade). The four-day camps will feature such themes as Up in the Air,
Natures Hide and Seek, Wilderness Adventure, Reptile Roundup,
Creek Week, Jeepers Creepers, Forest Adventures, and more.
Each camp will allow students to participate in nature discoveries,
trail walks, arts and crafts, science experiments, games, free play and
lunches.
In 2015, the Nature Center served nearly 800 children through [the]
camps at Dunwoody Park and Island Ford.
Were their parents satisfied? asks the events description. You
bet! Among surveyed respondents, 99 percent said that they would
recommend the Nature Centers camps to a friend and 98 percent plan
to return this summer.
Camps will run until August 18. Half day camps for 3 and 4 year-olds
will cost $150 for members and $185 for non-members. Full day camps
will cost $240 for members and $275 for non-members. Camps taking
place at Island Ford Park will cost $265 for members and $290 for nonmembers.
For more information, contact Holly Loveland, summer camp
director, at camp@dunwoodynature.org.
Stone Mountain
City to host music event
The Hannah Thomas Duo will perform May 27 at Stone Mountains

Tunes By The Tracks event in the Municipal Parking Lot, next to the
gazebo. Attendees can bring their lawn chairs. The two-hour concert
begins at 7 p.m. Tunes By The Tracks will be held every Friday until
June 24. For more information, visit www.stonemountaincity.org.
local
Efrain espinosa
For approximately 25 years,

Efrain Espinosa has been visiting
inmates at the DeKalb County Jail.
Espinosa, a member of
Atlantas Holy Cross Catholic
Church, is one of approximately 80
volunteer chaplains.
Im visiting the Hispanic
inmates, Espinosa said about his
volunteer role. I just try to bring
them the good word, the good
news that they are not alone, that
Jesus is with them and that theres
hope for them.
Espinosa said he tries to get
inmates to realize that there can
be a change in them.
We just pray to God that [the
change] would be soon, said

Espinosa, who visits the jail every
Saturday.
To augment his ministry at the
jail, Espinosa has recruited nine
others to ensure that the Hispanic
community has more opportunities
to receive the word of God. They
are in need.
Doing it by myself, Im not able
to fulfill my goalto bring the word
of God at least two or three times
a month, said Espinosa, adding
that he was unable to visit all of the
Hispanic inmates each month.
Inmates on one side of the jail
would not be seen for two or three
months, Espinosa said. I needed
more volunteers so [inmates]

could receive the good news more
often.
Espinosa said his fellow
volunteers like to keep coming
because they feel it from the
bottom of their hearts. This is a
good ministry for them.
In the near future were
planning to bring in some more
volunteers, Espinosa said.
Working with the inmates has
been very rewarding, he said.
I [am] appreciative very
much to God that he gave me the
opportunity to come over here and
also to the sheriff to allow us to do
our ministry, Espinosa said.
Efrain Espinosa
Volunteers honored by Sheriffs Ofce

by Andrew Cauthen
Pastor Ron Brown, a minister
at Spirit and Truth Sanctuary in
Decatur, has been a chaplain
at the DeKalb County Jail for
approximately 20 years.
His motivation for volunteering
at the jail is personal.
Well, I was in jail myself once,
and for that reason I know that
Im not trying to brag on myself
some of the best men in the world
pass through here, Brown said.
DeKalb County Sheriff Jeffrey Mann said
So you never know who youre
volunteers provide an essential service to
going to meet. You just come and
inmates.
try to do what you think God wants
you to do.
Your actions consistently help
Brown was one of
to ease the spiritual burden of our
approximately 80 volunteers
inmate population, thus easing the
who provide services to inmates
burden of our staff, Tolbert told
and their families recognized
volunteers. For that, we are truly
by the DeKalb County Sheriffs
grateful.
Office May 12 during an Annual
Melissa Manroe, director of
Volunteer Appreciation Banquet.
accreditation and inmate service,
The volunteers support
told volunteers that they deserve
DeKalb County Jails multicultural
more than a meal because we
Chaplaincy Service Program,
know, coming to work here every
Sheriffs Office Inmate Educational day, that this is not an easy place
Services and court-mandated drug to come into.
programs.
For those who are here
As a chaplain, Brown said his
unwillingly, its incredibly difficult,
job is to try to come get [inmates], Manroe said. For those who keep
if I can, before things get too
watch over those who are here
serious. My job isif theres
unwillingly, it can be as difficult in
somebody thats maybe has done
many ways. A volunteer such as
some time before but theyre
[you] can make all the difference.
almost outto try to encourage
DeKalb County Sheriff Jeffrey
them to get out and stay out.
Mann told volunteers, We
Thats why I do it, Brown
cannotmanage this environment
said. Jesus says, I was in jail
and this sheriffs office without
and you came to visit me not.
your servant leadership.
Somebodys got to do it.
What you do makes a
Col. Larry Tolbert, DeKalbs
difference in the lives of the more
chief jailer, said the appreciation
than 2,300 individuals we have in
banquet is held because it is
this facility here today who have
essential to tell our volunteers how temporarily lost their freedom of
grateful we are for their committed movement, Mann said. We are
service.
grateful for your help to make their
More than 80 volunteers who provide services for inmates and their families were
honored by the DeKalb County Sheriffs Office. Photos by Andrew Cauthen
lives better during such a difficult

time.
Mann said the volunteers help
him fulfill one of his objectives
which is to make sure...that
people who come into this facility
leave just a little bit better off than
when they first came to the facility.
The entire community of
DeKalb County...owes a great debt
of gratitude to you all for reshaping

the behaviors of those individuals
that we see here, Mann said.
Mann thanked the chaplaincy
program for logging more than
5,100 hours of volunteer service
in 2015 and for bringing hope to
inmates by providing them a link to
their faith-based beliefs while they
are incarcerated here.
The Champion FREE PRESS, Friday, May 20, 2016
local
Page 5A
Dunwoody
Continued From Page 1A
DeKalb County Commissioner Larry

Johnson said the beautification unit
will make a difference in the county.
DeKalb County Commissioner

Kathie Gannon said she will focus
on legislation addressing the litter
problem.
Interim DeKalb County CEO Lee May said

the county needs to be smarter about
beautification. Photos by Andrew Cauthen
Beautification Continued From Page 1A

us to focus on the beautification of the entirety of this county, interim DeKalb County
CEO Lee May said. We want our county
to be beautiful, visually aesthetic. We have
to be smarter in how we deliver those [services].
So with this new beautification unit, we
are now bringing in many different functions
under one business unit, he said.
As part of the new endeavor the county is
deploying a new litter abatement unit.
We are hiring employees to do one thing
and one thing onlygo around the county
and pick up litter...in the public right of way,
May said.
When people wont do the right things
when they take the Coke bottles and
Churchs chicken bags and dump them on
the side of the street, we now have staff that
will work to help pick that up, he said.
I know this is something that has been a
long time coming, said CommissionerKathie Gannon.
We are a beautiful county, Gannon said.
We just need to get this to layer off the
ground so everyone can see that and begin
to take pride in that and begin to take responsibility for it. In the meantime were going to help you along by picking some of that
stuff up ourselves.
Gannon said some of the causes of litter

must be addressed through legislation that
she plans to work on.
There are entirely too many fast food
restaurants without garbage cans, and
people walking around with fast food in their
hands and when theyre done, they throw it,
Gannon said. For those people who dont
know where to put their Coke bottles...and
their trash, we have a lot of education to do.
This is our county, Gannon said. We
need to start pick up after ourselves.
CommissionerLarry Johnson said county beautification is a village effort.
The beautification unit is not the panacea forall the litter being picked up in the
county, because government cannot do this
by itself, Johnson said.
The government is not throwing down
the trash, he said. Its going to take all of
us working together on beautification.
Johnson said he is excited about the
beautification unit because its going to
make a difference in this community.
Marcus Kellum, head of the beautification unit, said the unit is the natural synergy
that we always needed.
The unit will prove to folks that we care
about our county and how it looks, Kellum
said.
We performed extensive assessments and

evaluations of available, existing or vacant
properties within the city to see which might
be the most beneficial solution for our citizens
and city staff, said Dunwoody Mayor Denis
Shortal. As city leaders and staff reviewed
options, the 4800 building rose to the top of
our list as the most fiscally prudent and logistically sound choice.
City Manager Eric Linton formally presented the item before the Dunwoody council for
approval with a slide presentation during its biweekly meeting held May 9. Linton explained
the city has a 90-day period to look over the
property before making a final decision, after
which the city will move into a 30-day closing
period.
The purchase is contingent upon councils
approval on it tonight, Linton said. Its an active building so, at first glance, we dont foresee any major issues with it. We do want to
check the mechanical and roof system to see
what kind of condition they are in.
Other city officials said the purchase seeks
to fulfill multiple goals: allowing for future
growth, obtaining a central identity, obtaining
an identity and building equity.
Shortal said the new building would give
Dunwoody City Hall a visibility thats second
to none.
Councilman John Heneghan said the
building is a good fit for the city. The District 6
representatives only concern involved being
in compliance in terms of sustainability.
Great building, great location, good price,
Heneghan said. Its going to suit our needs
for a long time.
Councilman Terry Nall said the building
could serve either short or long term, as Dunwoody has considered properties closer to the
newly opened Park at Pernoshal Court with
active leases.
Thats still on the horizon; its not forgotten, Nall said.
According to the purchase agreement between Dunwoody, JHJ 4800 Ashford, LLC, and
RCB 4800 Ashford, LLC, current tenants have
until January and May, 2017 to relocate.
The council unanimously passed the resolution to purchase the property at 4800 Ashford Dunwoody Road. The city has already
made a $50,000 refundable deposit on the
property according to its city manager.
opinion
Page 6A
A lesson to learn from the death of Prince

The untimely death of
music phenomenon Prince
has left fans around the world
reeling.
The tributes on radio, TV
and social media continue to
pour in as the enormity of his
body of work and influence
on contemporary culture is
beginning to be fully realized
and appreciated. Many, too,
are learning just how savvy
Prince Rogers Nelson was
in his business dealings. Not
only did his genius result in
such iconic hits as Purple
Rain and Little Red Corvette,
he also masterminded a
plan for independence and
creative freedom in the
business of making music.
After getting out of a contract
with Warner Bros., the singer/
Gale Horton Gay

gale@dekalbchamp.com
Lifestyle Editor
songwriter/musician/producer
also was an innovator,
distributing his own music
and creating his own studio.
His estate is estimated to be
worth $300 million.
However, the life and
death of Prince is also a

cautionary tale for the rest
of usdie without a will and
those we love are likely to
be left with a mess on their
hands. Princes familyone
sister, several half-siblings
and other relatives coming
out of the woodwork to claim
kinship to the late artist
are at the very beginning
of whats likely to be a
long process of interaction
with a court-appointed
administrator, lawyers and
other representatives to see
who gets what.
One doesnt have to be
a superstar or have assets in
the millions to cause turmoil
upon ones demise.
For those who die
intestate, without a will,
theres no guarantee who will

inherit their estatesavings,
investments, real estate
and other property. In cases
where theres no spouse, the
state steps in to determine
how and to whom the assets
should be distributed. In
contested situations, the
process could be long and
tedious and the outcome is
not guaranteed to satisfy the
parties involved.
The term estate sounds
grand but legally it refers to
any possessionseverything
from a few meager items
to extensive holdings and
investments.
According to a survey by
Rocket Lawyer, 51 percent
of Americans age 55 to 64
dont have a will and among
the general population 64

percent of people have
not documented their final
wishes.
Unless one has a wicked
sense of humor or despises
their loved ones, why put
them through the additional
emotional upheaval of
dealing with lawyers and
courts and trying to figure out
what to do with whats left
behind?
Prince will be long
remembered for his brilliance
in music and the music
industry. Maybe the spotlight
on the battle over his assets
will spur some of us to get
our affairs in order so our
loved ones dont face similar
drama when we die.
letter to the Editor
The Newsladys slate of candidates

by Steen Miles
Early voting began May 2
ahead of the May 24 primary.
I would like to offer my
thoughts about candidates
for various DeKalb County
offices in the Democratic
Primary.
Who am I to be so bold as
to suggest who one should
strongly consider voting
for? I am asked so often
privately that it makes sense
to offer my thoughts publicly.
Here are my credentials. I
am a 36-year resident and
observer of DeKalb County
people and politics. My two
daughters attended DeKalb
public schools. I worship in
the county. I reported on the
county as a multiple awardwinning reporter with the
local NBC affiliate. I served
the county in numerous
capacities including PTA,
business, education, social/
civic organizations, the
Chamber of Commerce and
received nearly 300 awards
for community servicenot
the least of which is having
served as senator for the
43rd district.
Im a senior citizen who
speaks only that which I
know. I know where the
bodies are buried and who
buried them!
I will only offer my
opinion on the contested
races. Those on the ballot
Miles
unopposed speaks volumes

as to the need to keep them.
So, fasten your seatbelts!
Here we go!
State Senate District
43Hands down for Dee
Dawkins-Haigler for the
seat I once held. She
has the experience, the
commitment and the moxie
to take her legislative skills
from the House side to the
upper chamber. In addition,
she connects with the
community and has deep
ties to it. Haigler has been
at the forefront of critical
issues facing the state and
has worked tirelessly to
help move us forward in
the right direction whether
it is education, legislation to
combat human trafficking,
domestic violence and insane
gun legislation. To vote for
anyone else guarantees the
temporary Republican now in
the seat will keep it!
DeKalb District
Attorney Sherry Boston,
the current solicitor is the
choice. It saddens me not to
go with the incumbent, but
sometimes the damage in
credibility is just irreparable.
Boston is bright, articulate,
and ethicala young woman
of integrity, free from any hint
of impropriety. She will do
extremely well as our next
district attorney.
Tax Commissioner Here is another instance
where we need to keep who
we have! Irvin Johnson hit
the ground running the in
tax commissioners office
just as Claudia Lawson did
after the late Tom Scott.
Johnson has the know-how,
experience and integrity for
the job of keeping tabs on
the half billion dollars that
come through that office. If
not Irvin, attorney Susannah
Scott, daughter of the late
tax commissioner, would be
a good second choice. There
is nothing more worth saying!
Drop the mike. Walk away
from the podium.
CEO Mike Thurmond
gets an enthusiastic nod
as our next CEO. He is the
quintessential public servant
the little engine that could.
This Athens native has a
good name maintained over
the years from his days selling his daddys vegetables.
The former legislator, state la-
bor commissioner and superintendent of DeKalb County

Schools can right our ship
and steer us to shine again.
Thurmond is a man of principle and integrity. He is fiscally
responsible and an excellent
leader. He is reasonable, approachable and a people person par excellence. This man
knows how to take lemons
and make lemonade!
Connie Stokes is a really nice person with plenty
of moxie and Joe Bembry
is right on the money on so
many issues but is viewed
as comedic relief. DeKalbs
current state of affairs is no
laughing matter.
We need Mike Thurmond.
He is the right man, at the
right time for all the right reasons.
Commissioners District
4 Lance Lawyer Hammonds is the choice here.
For Hammonds, it is people
over politics. He is a man of
impeccable integrity, a community servant who has been
content to work behind the
scenes. There is no ego here
or bravado. Because of Hammonds years of devotion
to community, he is keenly
aware of the critical issues
facing the district and the
county. As an executive level
district sales manager he has
the experience and skill sets
to know what to do. Also, he
possesses the temperament
to know how to interact with

his fellow commissioners and
constituents to get things
done. The effectiveness of
the incumbent is severely
compromised by personal
issues that have spilled over
into questionable public practices.
Commission District 6
Keep Kathie Gannon. While
one doesnt always agree
with her, Gannon is a woman
of great intellect and integrity.
She works hard for her district. She is fair and tries hard
to balance representation of
all her constituents. One of
Gannons greatest assets is
communication. She keeps
her constituents informed,
invites their input and listens
to them. She is a great public
servant and is visible in her
district throughout the year,
not just at election time. We
need more like her.
These are my choices
based on years of observation and interaction with most
of the candidates. Whomever
you choose, just vote. The
vitality of our county depends
on it. Our lives, the lives of
our children and grandchildren depend on it.
Steen The News Lady
Miles, a retired Emmy-award
winning journalist and former
Georgia state senator who
remains active in county affairs.
opinion
Page 7A
ONE MANS OPINION
The folly of voting in anger

Emotionsparticularly
anger and fearbut thankfully also humor, have
tended to trump logic, literally and figuratively, this
election season. It is quite
understandable that Americans of all political stripes
and most every demographic are disenchanted
or simply disgusted by the
lack of action and results
against many of the challenges facing our communities and nation at the local,
state and federal levels.
This polarization, which
chills so much of all dialogue between groups of
any difference in demographics, background
or thought only moves
us all further and further
apart. With literally dozens
of significant and real challenges facing our public
education system, we will
likely sit back and let debates over potty policy
dominate the public arena
all summer. Pardon me, but
that is bull@*^#.
There you goa reaction in anger. Not appropriate for a family newspaper,
and certainly not best for
polite adult commentary.
My mother used to remind me when I resorted
to cussing, that I had very
quickly exhausted all ratio-
Bill Crane
bill.csicrane@gmail.com
Columnist
nal thought and justification. Fighting words are the

language of the ignorant, or
of those nearing the end of
their rope. It should not be
where we start a conversation or the environment in
which we select our leaders.
I realize that the bulk
of my Trump supporter
friends wont bother to read
this, but in the event that
you do, please follow along
with my logic here. You
think that Obamacare, or
the Affordable Care Act, is
an abomination. Pun intended. So, you go and hire
a butcher you know well to
conduct the next surgery
you need, as you know he
is good with a knife.
You believe that the
trade policies of this and
several past administrations

are horrific, so we unilaterally break multi-nation, in
some case cross-continent
treaties, to build tariff and
trade walls back up around
America, and a real wall
down near the southern
border (on land we dont
own, so it will have to be
acquired first). Perhaps
while we are waiting on the
construction and the trade
barriers to move in place,
we can go visit the presidential museum of the last
president who advocated
such trade barriers, high
tariffs and U.S. protectionism and isolation from the
global economy. His name
was Herbert Hoover.
Both Trump and Sanders would have you believe
that they disdain the political elites and consultant
class who built this rigged
system. It would not be
popular to acknowledge
or point out that getting to
this point also required a
whole lot of acquiescence,
compliance and incumbentfriendly voting by the same
Americans now roiling to a
boil.
I do not favor or recommend term limits, as it tips
the balance of power in the
direction of the appointed
and non-elected bureaucra-
cy; but we can, and likely

should, restructure the calendar and primary election
system. California now has
an open primary system, all
candidates from every party
run on one ballot, then the
top two vote-getters proceed to a runoff.
So, in your anger you
have had some great surgery by your local butcher,
resurrected Hoovers
policy recommendations to
strengthen our U.S. economy (Hoover was president
during the great financial
market crash of 1929). So
now lets hand regulation
of the aviation industry
to an exciting stunt pilot,
guaranteed to shake things
up despite a complete lack
of understanding of flight
schedules, jet avionics or
the complexities of flight
lanes and routing.
Congress has spent
most of the past several
years with an approval rating barely in double digits. The House speaker was
run out by his own party
though yes, technically he
stepped down on his own
and few are reviled more
than U.S. Senate Majority
Leader Mitch McConnell
of Kentucky, and yet, as of
this writing, not one single
congressional incumbent in
either major political party

has lost a primary or runoff
election. I suspect more
than a few seats may be
lost in November, but that
may actually come as a
down-ticket result from anger voting.
Georgias General Primary Election is Tuesday,
May 24, runoffs will follow
in less than a month. Early
voting ended on May 20. If
you dont know, and dont
care, dont vote. But if you
do care and do plan to vote,
exercise your brain, talk
with those whose opinion
you trust, do some reading,
a bit of Googling and make
an informed decision. There
is a lot riding on it.
Bill Crane also serves

as a political analyst and
commentator for Channel
2s Action News, WSB-AM
News/Talk 750 and now
95.5 FM, as well as a columnist for The Champion,
Champion Free Press and
Georgia Trend. Crane is a
DeKalb native and business
owner, living in Scottdale.
You can reach him or comment on a column at bill.
csicrane@gmail.com.
SUBSCRIBE to The Champion and get a new, taste-tested

recipe each week in our award-winning Lifestyle section.
Now only $25 for 52 weeks
To subscribe, visit TheChampionNewspaper.com or call 404.373.7779

The
CHAMPION
FREEPReSS
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
verication. 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 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
Chief Financial Ofcer:

Dr. Earl D. Glenn
Photographer:
Travis Hudgons
Managing Editor:
andrew cauthen
Staff Reporters:
carla parker
R. Scott Belzer
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
STATEMENT FROM THE

PUBLISHER
We sincerely appreciate the
discussion surrounding this and any
issue of interest to DeKalb County.
The Champion was founded in 1991
expressly to provide a forum for
discourse for all community residents
on all sides of an issue. We have no
desire to make the news only to
report news and opinions to effect
a more educated citizenry that will
ultimately move our community
forward. We are happy to present
ideas for discussion; however,
we make every effort to avoid
printing information submitted to
us that is known to be false and/or
assumptions penned as fact.
local
Its our
money
Public, officials discuss E-SPLOST before May 24 vote

by R. Scott Belzer
In 2011, E-SPLOST IV
referendum voters made
it possible for us to get a
big auditorium and convert
two large classrooms into
dance rooms, said Isaiah
Stevens, a third-grader at
DeKalb School of the Arts.
These rooms would have
dance floors, wall mirrors
and wall bars. Its our money. [The amenities] were
promised to us!
Isaiah, 8 years old, detailed how he enjoys private
dance lessons and would
like to take his talents to the
stage in a school setting.
He also said that many of
his classmates would like
to do the same, but do not
have access to private lessons, as DeKalb School of
the Arts is a Title I school.
Title I schools serve
high numbers of low-income
families and students and
activities outside the classroom are often set aside.
or six minutes on
May 9, an audience
in DeKalb Countys
J. David Williamson
Board Room sat attentive
and silent while elementary
students Isaiah Stevens
and Elijah Stephens
spoke.
The words echoing
through the auditorium-like
room were precise as they
outlined needs for DeKalb
School of the Arts, including a proper auditorium and
classroom expansion to
honor the schools name.
Speakers mentioned
the education specific special local option sales tax
(E-SPLOST) to be voted
on May 24 and asked the
board of education, Superintendent Stephen Green
and other staff to use the
anticipated funds wisely.
Just think of how many

students could train and be
better prepared at DESA if
we had better facilities and
equipment, Isaiah said.
There are more than 500
students enrolled at our
school and they come from
all across the county.
Elijah Stephens, 7 years
old and in first grade at
DeKalb School of the Arts,
continued the plea.
I am speaking tonight
because I want a big auditorium and two more
big dance rooms for our
school, Elijah said. In
2011, there were many
people who voted for ESPLOST IV. Their votes
made it possible for us to
get $4.3 million. Do you
know how much $4.3 million
is? I knowit would pay for
a big auditorium and pay for
two large dance rooms.
The Stephens concerns
started a trend that would
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.
last more than 40 minutes

and nearly all of the time
allotted for public input at
the DeKalb County School
Districts (DCSD) monthly
board meeting.
An E-SPLOST lasts
five years and the current
E-SPLOST is scheduled to
last until 2017. However,
the school district is taking
the expansion vote, which
would outline projects from
July 2017 to June 2022,
on May 24. It is estimated
to bring an additional $500
million to DCSD.
Approval in May 2016

would ensure that the penny tax continues to be collected, reads a statement
on DCSDs website. With
that knowledge, the DCSD
could more aggressively
plan the next building program to meet our students
needs through June 2022.
The majority of speakers supported the ESPLOST, or the 1 percent
sales tax used specifically
for construction and main-
See E-SPLOST on Page 9A
REPORT OF
STONE MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY
IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
OF PROPOSED
MILLAGE RATE
In compliance with O.C.G.A. 48-5, the Stone Mountain

Community Improvement District (CID) reports that
at its meeting on June 3, 2016, beginning at 9:30 A.M.
at the Pierre Construction Group, 1677 Lewis Way,
Stone Mountain, DeKalb County, Georgia 30083, the
Stone Mountain CID Board of Directors will vote upon a
proposal to levy an ad valorem taxation rate of 5 mills,
and will set its millage rate for the lawful purposes of the
District for the current calendar year. Set forth below are
the assessed taxable values of the properties subject to
taxes for the current year and the immediately preceding
five calendar years, the total dollar amount of ad
valorem taxes proposed to be levied for the current year
and levied in the immediately preceding five calendar
years, as well as the percentage and dollar increases or
decreases with respect to each immediately preceding
calendar year. All property levied upon is real property.
Assessed Value 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
2015
$142,901,125
$714,505
5%
$ 34,477
2016*
$172,551,407
$862,757
21%
$ 148,252
*Proposed
J. Lynn Rainey, PC, 358 Roswell Street, Suite 1130, Marietta, Georgia
30060; (770) 421-6040. Attorney for CID - State Bar No. 592350
local
E-SPLOST Continued From Page 8A
Construction crews began working May 10 to install light poles along the Mountain Industrial
Boulevard bridge. Photo from Stone Mountain CID
Mountain Industrial Boulevard gets new lights

by Carla Parker
carla@dekalbchamp.com
DeKalb School of the Arts elementary student Isaiah Stevens

voiced his own concerns over the use of E-SPLOST V funds on
May 9, calling for a new auditorium and dance rooms. Photo by R.
Scott Belzer
tenance throughout school

districts, but said certain
needs were not being met.
DeKalb School of the
Arts teacher Irenea Seufert
asked the board to allocate funds for her school
and cited the schools national ranking in US News
& World Report (third in
Georgia, 102nd in the US)
and a growing student body
as reasons to invest in the
school.
Our facilities are failing
and not keeping pace with
the incredible achievements
going on inside the walls,
Seufert said. Plumbing,
HVAC systems, safety and
other facility-specific issues
pose a challenge. Space for
the arts the main focus for
our school is reaching a
critical level with insufficient
spaces for practice and performance.
DeKalb parent Allyson Gervertz thanked
the board and Green for
their approach to the new
E-SPLOST. She cited past
leadership as using politics
to create a project list rather
than empirical data and
commended leaderships
efforts.
I acknowledge voting
yes for E-SPLOST boils
down to trust in Dr. Greens
leadership, Gervertz said.

The determination of new
school locations has all happened with community input
along the way. This is totally
unprecedented in Dekalb
County.
Teacher Ernest Brown
also voiced support of ESPLOST and called upon
fellow members of the public to vote yes in its expansion. Brown cited the $2
billion spent on school facilities since the taxs implementation.
This type of investment
is consistent with this leadership team, Brown said.
If we need improvements
to our homes, we address
them as quickly as possible.
That is how we should view
E-SPLOST for schools.
City Schools of Decatur
Superintendent David Dude
said the district would be
distributing fliers and notes
in newsletters before May
24 to garner support. Dude
said if the county did not renew E-SPLOST the effects
would be felt throughout the
region.
It would affect the entire
county, Dude said. It would
affect east Atlanta, part of
the Atlanta Public Schools
system, it would affect the
entire city of Decatur.
The Stone Mountain Community

Improvement District (CID) hopes
Mountain Industrial Boulevard will be safer
after the addition of 10 light posts along
the bridge over Highway 78.
The light poles were installed May
10 and 11 to help increase safety and
visibility, according to the CID. Crews from
R.J. Haynie and Associates and Massana
Construction began modifying the bridge in
January to install the light poles and attach
LED lights and light assemblies.
CID President Emory Morsberger
said in a released statement that leaders
identified the bridge lighting project as a
key traffic safety improvement.
Bridge lighting provides a distinct
gateway into our business community,
welcoming all of those who are part of
the continued success happening here,
Morsberger said. In addition to the
lighting, the CID has completed substantial
landscaping upgrades at the interchange
along with tree plantings and overall

upkeep throughout the district. We want
everyone to see the investments that
our businesses make into this incredible
corridor.
In the last two years, the CID has
done various projects to spruce the
road to attract more businesses to the
district. In 2014, the CID and DeKalb
County partnered to implement landscape
improvements and beautify the exit ramps
at the Highway 78 and Mountain Industrial
Boulevard interchange.
In 2015, the CID partnered with
DeKalb County Board of Commissioners,
Keep DeKalb Beautiful and DeKalb County
Office of Planning and Sustainability to
plant hundreds of trees as along Mountain
Industrial Boulevard and East Ponce de
Leon.
The bridge lighting project was funded
through a grant from the State Road and
Tollway Authoritys Georgia Transportation
Infrastructure Bank, according to the CID.
The CID funded the projects design and
inspection costs.
local
Media clerk reinstated

City Schools of Decatur spends more than $14,000 on investigation
By R. Scott Belzer
hose familiar with City

Schools of Decatur
(CSD) media clerk
Susan Riley characterize
her as welcoming, kind and
even inspirational to those
around her, especially when
it comes to students.
Following a twomonth ordeal involving
uproar, outcries and many
passionate pleas for a
sympathetic ear, City
Schools of Decatur can add
another characterization to
Rileys persona: expensive.
On Feb. 26, Riley was
released from her position
as media clerk for Decatur
High School, prompting
public demonstrations and
advocacy on her behalf.
Riley was cited as
one of the most beloved
employees at Decatur High
School and even a second
mother by some.
did not release an official
reason behind Rileys
termination due to it
being a personnel matter.
Matters dealing with school
employees, including
terminations and hiring, take
place behind closed doors
and have no obligation to be
made public.
According to Decaturish,
Rileys attorney David
Hughes said Riley was
terminated for four reasons:
misappropriating school
equipment, not adhering to
a new job plan, discussing a
human resources complaint
and complaining about a
coworkers mistreatment of
her.
The district never
qualified nor disqualified
these claims.
An emergency executive
session was held by CSDs
board of education two days
later to discuss the matter
due to public outcry.
Riley was placed
on administrative leave
pending a review of the
matter. The public outcry
was enough to give
Superintendent David
Dude pause and have
administration bring in a full
and impartial review of the
case.
Over the last two
days, some significant

accusations have been
raised regarding the validity
of the investigation, and
resulting information, that
led to the termination of
Mrs. Rileys employment,
said Dude in a public
statement. In fairness
to all involved, I have
suspended the termination
and provided Mrs. Riley with
paid leave while I bring a
third party in to conduct a
full and impartial review.
A third-party
investigation began on
March 3 and Riley was
reinstated on April 13.
In the interim, a rally
was held outside Decatur
High School by staff,
teachers and students.
Friends and coworkers such
as Tom Stubbs repeatedly
attended City Schools of
Decatur board meetings to
plead on Rileys behalf.
On May 11, City Schools
of Decatur released an
invoice detailing a $14,757
employee termination
investigation from Strickland
Brockington Lewis, LLP.
The invoice describes an
investigation by Jonathan
Poole in which 16 district
employees, including David
Dude, were interviewed.
Individual employees
outside of Dude, Riley and
Hughes are not named for
confidentiality purposes.
Poole charged the
district $185 per hour to
investigate the matter, a
decrease in price from
the $235 originally quoted
for the investigation. The
invoice begins on March 7
and concludes on April 21.
Hourly rates were
calculated on a decimal
scale, logging such
activities as interview
preparation (0.70 hours
or $129.50), research
into potential issues (0.20
hours or $37) and even
email correspondence with
principal players (0.10 hours
or $18.50).
The invoice lists
0.50 hours of review in
regards to Rileys overall
evaluations. However, it
also details interviews with
employees lasting more
than three hours at a time.
Certain employees were
continually spoken to via
City Schools of Decatur has been the center of controversy due to the firing and rehiring of media
clerk Susan Riley, which eventually cost the district more than $14,000. Photo by Travis Hudgons
email and telephone while

others provided unnamed
documents. Employees
were interviewed until April
12, one day before Rileys
reinstatement.
After interviewing three
CSD employees, Poole
reviewed personnel policies
for the district. The interview
with Riley herself took
place on March 17 after
11 employees had been
interviewed and lasted four
hours.
A total of 79.60 hours
were logged by Poole,
amounting to more than
$14,000. Throughout the
investigation, it appears
Rileys attorney, David
Hughes, was kept in the
loop via email. According to
the document, Hughes also

suggested questions for
interviewees.
An attorney for an
unnamed employee,
referred to as A. Lightcap,
was also contacted
multiple times during the
investigation.
No formal written
report was issued by CSD
following the investigation,
citing personnel reasons,
but Dude did offer a public
apology.
My decision to
terminate Mrs. Rileys
employment with the school
district was not a right
decision as I believed,
Dude wrote. I made a
wrong decision based on
facts I belived were more
clear than they actually

were; for that I have
apologized to Mrs. Riley and
to the [Decatur High School]
staff and hereby apologize
to the greater community for
which I caused unnecessary
strife.
Dude also made several
personnel procedural
changes following Rileys
reinstatement, including
having Human Resources
director David Adams
report directly to the
superintendent over Chief
Operating Officer Noel
Maloof.
Dude also said a task
force would be assembled
to look into employee
grievance, technology use
and promotion processes.
NOTICEOFPUBLICHEARINGSONTHE20162017PROPOSEDBUDGET
FORTHECITYOFDECATUR,GEORGIA
Therewillbepublichearingsontheproposed20162017budgetfortheCityofDecaturat7:30p.m.onJune6,
2016;at6:00p.m.onJune13,2016;and,at7:30p.m.onJune20,2016intheCityCommissionMeetingRoomatCity
Hall,509N.McDonoughStreet,Decatur.Theproposedbudgetissummarizedbelowandisavailableinitsentiretyfor
th
publicinspectionatDecaturCityHallandattheDecaturLibraryonSycamoreStreet.AfterMay18 ,thebudgetwill
beavailableontheCityswebsiteatwww.decaturga.com/budget.Allcitizensareinvitedtoattendthepublic
hearings,toprovidewrittenandoralcomments,andaskquestionsconcerningtheentirebudget.
FY20162017PROPOSEDGENERALFUNDREVENUESANDEXPENDITURES
REVENUES
Taxes
18,846,500
Licenses,Permits&Inspections
1,031,250
Penalties,Fines&Forfeitures
1,110,000
Interest
0
ChargesforCurrentServices
1,854,250
IntergovernmentalRevenues
432,700
MiscellaneousRevenue
122,000
SaleofFixedAssets
25,000
OperatingTransfers
169,000
AppropriationFrom(To)FundBalance
658,140
TOTALREVENUES
$24,248,840
EXPENDITURES
GovernmentalControlDepartment
180,600
GeneralGovernmentDepartment
1,874,440
Community&EconomicDevelopmentDepartment
2,013,620
AdministrativeServicesDepartment
3,674,700
PoliceDepartment
5,739,870
Fire&RescueDepartment
3,630,150
PublicWorksDepartment
3,103,960
Design,Environment&ConstructionDivision
1,936,130
ActiveLivingDivision
2,095,370
TOTALEXPENDITURES
$24,248,840
local
The Lithonia Farmers Market will kick off June 5 at Lithonia Park.
Lithonia farmers market to provide healthy options for community

by Carla Parker
ithonia and the

DeKalb County
Board of Health have
partnered to bring a
farmers market to the city.
The Lithonia Farmers
Market will kick off June
5 at Lithonia Park. Along
with selling fresh fruits
and vegetables, the grand
opening will also include
a Zumba class as well
as a DJ to entertain the
crowd. There also will be
cooking demonstrations,
presentations about
nutrition, and discussions
different types of
entertainment on future
market dates.
Lithonia Mayor Deborah
Jackson said the city has
explored opportunities to
provide fresh locally grown
food to the community since
2010, when residents began
requesting a community
garden program.
In November 2014, the
city sponsored a farmers
market as part of National
Recycling Day with the
community responding very
favorably, Jackson said.
As a result, during 2015, a
local business had a local
farmer available to sell fresh
produce and homemade
goods several weekends
throughout the year.
Additionally, the city signed
up to be one of the locations
for the newly launched
DeKalb Mobile Farmers
Market.
Lithonia Mayor Deborah Jackson

said she hopes this market will
encourage farmers or healthy
food-type business owners to
open businesses in Lithonia.
In October, the DeKalb

Board of Health contacted
the city to partner in
establishing a farmers
market.
We responded with [a]
definite yes because we
recognize the need for more
opportunities to provide
access to fresh fruits and
vegetables, Jackson said.
The city is very excited
about the opportunity to
work with the Board of
Health on this initiative
and looks forward to
contributing to improved
health outcomes in south
DeKalb, Jackson added.
I have established a
Community Advisory
Committee that will be
headed by councilmember
Diane Howard to work with

the non-profit group, Action
Not Words Project, which
is assisting the city with the
management of the farmers
market.
The Board of Health is
funding the market through
the REACH grant from the
Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention.
The grant is part of an
overall initiative to improve
health outcomes in south
DeKalb by supporting
physical activity programs
and farmers markets,
Jackson said.
Jackson said the city
wants to have a variety of
farmers and vendors to
make the market attractive
and interesting for the
community. The application
process is still open for
farmers to apply.
Potential vendors need
to complete the application
and submit it for review
by the market manager,
she said. Inquiries can
be submitted to Farmers.
Market@lithoniacity.org.
Jackson said she hopes
this market will encourage
farmers or healthy food-type
business owners to open
businesses in Lithonia.
We already have the
Green Love Kitchen, which
is specializing in healthy
food options, including
vegan dishes, Jackson
said. I believe the Lithonia
Farmers Market will help
to educate the community
about eating healthy as well
as encourage more people
ELECTION DAY IS MAY 24
to engage in some form of

gardening. We also want to
support gardening projects
at the elementary school
and recreation center to

help our children learn
where food comes from and
how to grow it.
Georgia Piedmont Technical College
2016 Spring Commencement

Announcement
Dr. Jabari Simama, President
and
The Board of Directors of Georgia Piedmont Technical College
with
The Board of Trustees of the
Georgia Piedmont Technical College Foundation
Invite you to attend our
2016 Spring Commencement

Saturday, the Twenty-first Day of May,
Two Thousand Sixteen
at
Ten oclock in the morning

Ms. Suzanne Shank, Keynote Speaker
Founding Partner, Siebert Brandford Shank & Company
at the
Georgia World Congress Center
285 Andrew Young International Boulevard, N.W.

Atlanta, Georgia 30303
GEORGIA PIEDMONT TECHNICAL COLLEGE

495 N. Indian Creek Dr., Clarkston, GA 30021 404-297-9522
Equal Opportunity Institution
local
A bell is rung as the names of fallen officers are read.
DeKalb County Police officers prepare to give a 21-gun salute during a memorial service for fallen officers May
11. Photos by Andrew Cauthen
Officers salute during the memorial.
A new name was added to the Fallen Officer

Memorial.
Charkesha Toatley, widow of DeKalb Officer Kevin

Toatley, receives a hug.
Fallen officers remembered

by Andrew Cauthen
When local law enforcement
officials and families of 42 fallen
officers gathered May 11 for the
annual law enforcement memorial
program, there was a new name on
the memorial.
This year we have added one
additional officer to this memorial
wall: DeKalb County Master Police
Officer Kevin Toatley, said
DeKalb County Police Chief James
Conroy.
Officer Toatley left a great
legacy through the officers he
trained and mentored, through his
teammates and opponents on the
basketball court and through his
wife, Conroy said.
Toatley, a seven-year veteran
of the department, was killed Sept.
19, 2015, while driving home in his
patrol car in south Fulton County.
His patrol vehicle was struck by a
wrong-way driver.
Each year when we gather
here to remember our brother and
sister law enforcement officers who

made the ultimate sacrifice, our
police survivors join us to remember
their sons and daughters, husbands
and wives, fathers and mothers
who gave their lives while serving
as law enforcement officers,
Conroy said.
Among the police
survivors in attendance was
CharkeshaToatley, the widow of
the latest fallen officer.
CharkeshaToatley said she is
trying to figure out what the new
normal is and trying to remember
him and honor him in the best way I
know how.
Wearing the couples
wedding bands on a necklace,
CharkeshaToatley said the police
memorial was truly honorable.
Its great to know that no matter
the day or time that hell never be
forgotten and as long as people
keep him in their hearts and on their
minds...his legacy continues, she
said.
He was a good man,
CharkeshaToatley said.
Interim DeKalb County CEO

Lee May said, Its difficult to
acknowledge the life and the
legacies of those who have stood
before us and have given their
lives.
These are men and women [to
whom] we say Thank you. Thank
you for your lives, thank you for
your commitment to our county,
thank you for what you have meant
to all of us, May said.
To the families of fallen
officers May said, Thank you
from thebottom of my heart for
lending us your loved ones [and]
for supporting them while they were
here.
Your very presence here is
empowering to us who remain to
make sure that we never forget
what the commitment that our men
and women in law enforcement...
really [means] to us, May said.
The 42 fallen law enforcement
officers represented the police
departments of DeKalb County,
Decatur, Doraville, Clarkston, Pine
Lake and MARTA.
The sacrifice made by the 42

officers shall never be forgotten,
Chief Conroy said. We will
continue to remember and honor
them. Each of us owes a great debt
to these fallen law enforcement
officers. Our repayment of that
debt is to continue the mission that
they started. We owe it to them
to continue serving each day with
pride, honor and integrity.
Cedric Alexander, deputy chief
operating officer for public safety,
said, We will never forget. We will
[always] recognize the importance
of supporting the men and women
who are out here doing this job
every day.
To those who have given their
lives and to those who will give
their lives in the future, there is not
enough thank you, butwe will
never, ever, ever stop supporting
our police, and we must never stop
being here every year recognizing
those who have paid and given
their lives.
local
WeeKinPICTURES
Decatur Lantern Parade
The annual Decatur Lantern Parade took place May 13. More that 2,000 participants marched through
Decaturs streets carrying hand-crafted, luminated lanterns accompanied by live music from the Black Sheep
Marching Ensemble. The parade was co-sponsored by the Decatur Education Foundation, Decatur Arts
Alliance, Decatur Downtown Development Authority and Color Wheel Studio. Photos by Travis Hudgons
PHOTOS BROUGHT TO YOU BY DCTV

DeKalb County implements changes to garbage and recycling container requirements and collection
procedures April 18, 2016.
Only county-provided garbage and recycling containers are approved for sanitation collection service.
For more info, call or visit:
(404) 294-2900
www.rollingforwardtoone.com
local
Deirdre Pearce poses with Military Family Support Branch

youth director Mark Richards along with Sergeant Glenn and
Specialist Trent.
Eighth-graders Jakeria Daniels, Tyrees Lindsey

and Deshawn Williams help an educator select
books at Bethune Middle School.
Eugenia Crawford of Jennis Childcare was one of

many to take park in the 20,000 book giveaway on
May 13.
Bethune Middle lives up to namesake

by R. Scott Belzer
Mary McLeod Bethune

may have passed away in
1955, but her spirit was alive
and well in Decatur on May
13 and 14.
For two days, the
gymnasium at Bethune
Middle School, which
owes its name to Bethune,
transformed into a hub for
reading, education and
literacy. Over the course
of 14 hours, more than
20,000 books were carted
into the gymnasium before
being given away to the
community.
The event was
coordinated by the Delta
Sigma Theta (DST)
sororitys Decatur alumnae
chapter, the DeKalb Branch
of the National Council of
Negro Women (NCNW)
and First Book, a non-profit
specializing in providing
books for young people in
need.
The event was open to
educators and registered
groups May 13 and the
general public May 14.
We have 20,000 books
were giving away to young
people aged 0 to 18, said
Deirdre Pearce with DST
and NCNW. Were helping
them increase their literacy
skills, summer reading and
establishing a home library.
While the event lasted
for two days, event officials
say it had been in the
works since the beginning
of the 2015-2016 school
year. First Book begins
collecting unsold books from
bookstores and publishing
houses before distributing
them across the country.
It took us a lot longer
than we thought [to get
20,000 books], said Pearce.
But once we hit 1,000

registrations, we qualified.
Pearce said total
registrations have reached
1,400 and that the various
groups plan to continue
to 2,000 to receive more
books.
Were going to keep
it going until we just get
tired and fall out, Pearce
said. The response from
the community has been
overwhelming and the
quality of books has been
exceptional.
Bethune Middle principal
Myron Broome said the
event captured the essence
of the pioneer it was named
after by bringing reading to
DeKalb County.
As we already know,
reading is fundamental
and this is some of the first
steps we have in developing
childrens educational
standing and foundation,
Broome said. Were named
and founded after one of
the most historic women in
history; the founder of the
[NCNW]; the founder of
colleges and universities; a
political activist; a stalwart
in education. Why not
have a reading campaign
in a building named after
a woman who believed in
education?
Broome said Bethune
Middle was proud to host
the event and would be
ready, willing and able to
host the next 60,000 books
if necessary.
We should be able
to have something at
our school that positively
represents Mary McLoud
Bethune, the middle school,
the community as well as
the school district, Broome
said.
Bethune Middle eighth
graders DiEl Johnson,
Jakeria Daniels, Deshawn

Williams and Tyrees
Lindsey said they had
been hard at work for two
days unloading pallets
stacked with books. Delta
Sigma Thetas Carolyn
Trammell said the event
would have been impossible
without students organizing,
shelving and replenishing
books.
Its a nice thing to
help the community, said
Johnson. I like to help
people in general and I love
to read.
The event gave
educators a chance to
stock up on much needed
resources in the classroom.
Griffin Parrott, a speech
therapist in several DeKalb
County schools, said she
was collecting books for her
day-to-day responsibilities
in helping children and
teenagers.
Since I work with a
wide range of ages, Im here
to get books for all ages,
Parrott said. They help
with decoding, phonemic
awareness, vocabulary
development, narrative
development. When a
student learns parts of the
story, it helps them down
the road with developing
a story with a more robust
vocabulary.
Community leaders
such as Mark Richards,
youth director for the Military
Families Service Branch,
said Bethune Middles
event provided an excellent
opportunity to serve children
in the community. Richards
said the program serves
more than 300 kids in the
metro Atlanta area.
We started a literacy
program and this goes hand
in hand with that, Richards.
When were doing read-
along events, it will be great

to share books with them to
take home.
For more information,
including registration in
obtaining 20,000 more
books, visit www.firstbook.
org/DTECDeKalbCO.
COMBINED NOTICE: NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT

IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC OF
REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS
May 19, 2016
DeKalb County Community Development Department
330 W. Ponce de Leon Avenue, 6th Floor
Decatur, Georgia 30030
Telephone (404) 371-2727
TO ALL INTERESTED AGENCIES, GROUPS AND PERSONS:
The DeKalb County Community Development Department gives notice that it will
submit a request for release of grant funds and an environmental certification pertaining
to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) 15 days following this
publication. The request and certification relate to the following projects.
Project: Columbia Avondale Senior Residences
Location: 590 East Freeman Street, Decatur, GA 30030-4134
(Preliminary Address: property located between Sams Street and Derrydown Way, Decatur,
GA 30030)
Purpose:Columbia Residential will develop a market quality product as part of a mixeduse development in DeKalb County at 590 East Freeman Street off of Sams Street and
adjacent to the Avondale Marta Station in the City of Decatur . The subject is a proposed
92-unit senior Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC)/HOME/market rate project, where
86 units will be restricted to senior households 62 and older earning 50 and 60 percent of
the Area Median Income (AMI) or less and 12 units will operate as unrestricted market rate
units also targeting seniors 62 and older. Of the 86 affordable housing units, there will be
15 units that will operate with additional project-based rental assistance and tenants will
contribute 30 percent of their income towards rent. All units will be incorporated into one 5
story 96,000 SF (gross) / 74,000 SF (net) building served by an elevator.
Funding for the project includes 15 Units of Project Based Vouchers (PBV) along with the
$1,600,000 of HOME funds.
The Senior Housing will be part of the new mixed-use Transit Oriented Development
(TOD) located at the Avondale MARTA station called E.Co. Decatur. This vibrant urban
mixed-use node includes this senior living community as well as market rate
apartments, on-site commercial space and a MARTA station for bus and rail.
Columbia Avondale Senior will include a dining/dance room, business center, movie
theater, state of the art fitness center and more. The structure itself will lower residents
water and power bills by certifying EarthCraft Multifamily and the greater E.Co. Decatur
TOD is pursuing LEED ND certification; ensuring site wide sustainability and walkability
is achieved. This new community will provide high quality, affordable senior housing to
seniors with Avondale MARTA rail and bus transit station and retail just steps away. The 92
Units at Columbia Avondale Senior will consists of the following ratios: 10% of units HOME,
16% as Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA) and 7% market rate. A total of 93% of
units are set-aside for affordable rentals. Units will be 1 and 2 bedrooms in a well-tested
senior configuration typical of Columbia Residential senior communities.
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT (FONSI)
It has been determined that such request for release of funds will not constitute an action
significantly affecting the quality of the human environment and, accordingly, DeKalb
County has decided not to prepare Environmental Impact Statements under the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (P.L. 91-190).
The reasons for such decision not to prepare such Statements are as follows:
An Environmental Assessment has been made for the project which concludes that
all adverse effects will be minor, short-term impacts will be mitigated by either the
requirements of the construction contract documents or by the requirements of applicable
local, state or federal permits and environmental ordinances. The positive effects of
eliminating public health hazards and improving environmental conditions for low and
moderate-income families outweigh any potential negative impacts. This project is
consistent with the goals and objectives of DeKalb County Government and the Community
Development Department.
The Environmental Review Record, respecting the proposed project, has been made by
DeKalb County which documents the environmental review of the project and fully sets
forth the reasons why such Environmental Impact Statements are not required.
The Environmental Review Record is on file at the DeKalb County Human and
Community Development Department, 330 W. Ponce de Leon Avenue, 6th Floor, Decatur,
Georgia 30030 and is available for public examination and copying upon request between
the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
No further environmental reviews of the subject project are proposed to be conducted
prior to the request for release of Federal funds.
Public Comments on FONSI
All interested agencies, groups, and persons disagreeing with this decision are invited to
submit written comments for consideration by DeKalb County Community Development
Director. Written comments will be received at 330 W. Ponce de Leon Avenue, 6th Floor,
Decatur, Georgia on or before June 3, 2016. All comments received will be considered
and DeKalb County will not request the release of Federal funds or take any administrative
action on the proposed projects prior to the date specified in the preceding sentence.
NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS (NOI/RROF)
At least one day after the termination of the public comment period for the FONSI, but
not before comments on the FONSI have been considered and resolved, DeKalb County
will submit a Request for Release of Funds (RROF) and certification to HUD. By so doing
DeKalb County will ask HUD to allow it to commit funds to this project, certifying that (1) it
has performed the environmental reviews prescribed by HUD regulations (Environmental
Review Procedures for Title I Community Development Block Grant Program - 24 CFR
part 58), and (2) the Certifying Officer, Allen Mitchell, Director, DeKalb County Human and
Community Development Department, consents to accept and enforce responsibilities in
relation to the environmental reviews or resulting decision-making and action. The legal
effect of the certification is that by approving it, HUD will have satisfied its responsibilities
under the National Environmental Protection Act, thus allowing DeKalb County to commit
CDBG funds to this project.
Objection to Release of Funds
HUD will accept objections to its approval of the release of funds and the certification only
if it is on one of the following basis: (a) that the certification was not in fact executed by the
Certifying Officer; or (b) that the applicants Environmental Review Record for the project
indicated omission of a required decision, funding, or step applicable to the project in the
environmental review process. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance
to HUD at the Regional Environmental Branch, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development, 40 Marietta Street N.W., 15th floor, Atlanta, Georgia 30303-9812.
Objections to the release of funds on basis other than those stated above will not be
considered by HUD. No objection received after June 18, 2016 will be considered by HUD.
Allen Mitchell, Director
DeKalb County Community Development Department
150 E. Ponce de Leon Avenue Suite 330
Decatur, Georgia 30030
Date of Publication and
Dissemination of Notice
May 19, 2016
local
County CEO among contested positions in May 24 primary

by Andrew Cauthen
pproximately 7,400
residents have
already voted on
nominees for various positions up for grabs
during the 2016 election
cycle.
Contested positions in
DeKalb include the countys
chief executive officer, sheriff, district attorney, solicitor
general, commissioners for
Districts 4 and 6, tax commissioner, two Superior
Court judgeships and a
State Court judgeship.
Additionally, eight state
representative and four senate positions have more
than one candidate.
Party nominees for the
various races will be selected in the May 24 primary.
Chief executive officer
Three Democrats are
seeking to replace Lee
May, who has been interim DeKalb County CEO
since June 2013. They are
former state senator Connie Stokes, former school
superintendent Mike Thurmond and automotive services business owner Joe
Bembry.
Retired businessman
Jack Lovelace is the only
Republican in the race.
Sheriff
The seat is currently
held by Sheriff Jeffrey
Mann, who has been in the
position since March 2014
after former Sheriff Thomas
Brown resigned to seek another office.
Mann is seeking re-election and challenging him
are Geraldine Champion,
a retired Atlanta Police homicide detective; Harold
Dennis, a former DeKalb
County Sheriffs Office employee; Ted Golden, a retired special agent with the
U.S. Department of Justice
Drug Enforcement Administration; Kyle Keith Jones,
who worked in the police
department and sheriffs office; and Michael Williams,
a DeKalb County District Attorneys Office investigator.
District attorney
Sherry Boston, the
current solicitor-general, is
seeking to unseat Robert
James in the race for the
county district attorney position.
Solicitor-general
Two coworkers in the

solicitor-generals office
are seeking to replace their
boss.
Nicole Marchand Golden, the countys chief assistant district attorney, and
Donna Coleman-Stribling,
a deputy chief assistant
district attorney, are running
against each other.
County commission
In county commission
District 4, Commissioner
Sharon Barnes Sutton,
who has been a commissioner for eight years, is
facing two Democratic challengers: business development manager Steve Bradshaw and Lance Lawyer
Hammonds, who works in
chemical sales.
Willie Willis, a Republican tax examiner, will face
the winner of the Democratic primary in November.
Commissioner Kathie
Gannon who has represented Super District 6,
the western half of DeKalb
County, since 2005, is being challenged by Warren
Mosby, a consultant.
Judicial positions
Superior Court Division
Judge Clarence F. Seeliger, who has been on the
bench since 1985, is being
challenged by Stephone
Johnson, who worked in
the solicitors offices for
Fulton County and city of
Atlanta.
In Superior Court Division 4, incumbent DeKalb
County Superior Court
Judge Gail Flake, first elected in 1993, is facing a challenge from Angela Brown,
a lawyer who has served as
an appointed judge in four
courts.
State Court Judge Dax
Lopez is being challenged
by Roderick Bridges, an
attorney and former traffic
court judge.
Tax commissioner
Candidates for the tax
commissioner position include Irvin Johnson, who
was appointed to fill the position after former tax commissioner Claudia Lawson
retired in December 2015.
Susannah Scott,
daughter of former county
Commissioner Jacqueline
Scott, is seeking to fill the
tax commissioner position
held by her father Tom
Scott from 1992 to 2006.
Former DeKalb County
Super District 7 Commissioner Stan Watson resigned his commission seat

to run for the position he
first attempted to fill in 1988.
State House of
Representatives
Eight state representative positions are up for
grabs.
In District 79, Rep. Tom
Taylor is being challenged
by Tom Owens, a military
veteran and self-described
government whistleblower,
in the Republican primary.
Rep. Taylor Bennett,
who represents District 80
has no Democratic challengers. Three people are
seeking the Republican
nomination for that seat:
business Alan Cole, and attorneys Catherine Bernard
and Meagan Hanson.
Seeking the District
81 Republican nomination
are businesswoman Alexa
Mendez Rourk, real estate
broker Jim Duffie, and
businesswoman Lane
Flynn. The winner of that
contest will face Rep. Scott
Holcomb, the incumbent
Democrat.
In District 82, Brian
Westlake, a public school
teacher, is trying to unseat
Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver.
District 84 Rep.
Rahn Mayo is facing
fellow Democrat Renitta
Shannon, a medical sales
representative.
Rep. Michele Henson,

of District 86, is being
challenged by Joscelyn
ONeil, president of
Greater Towers Community
Association.
Earnest Coach Williams, who represents
District 87, faces businesswoman Ivy Green.
There are five candidates for the District 91
seat. The lone Republican
is Carl Anuszczyk, CEO
of Jackpot Software Inc.
He will face the winner
of the Democrat primary:
businessman Charles Hill,
retired educator David
Neville, consultant Rhonda
Taylor, or former DeKalb
County CEO Vernon
Jones.
State Senate
Paul Maner, a financial

advisor, is challenging incumbent Republican Sen.
Fran Millar for their partys
nomination for the District
40 seat. The winner of that
nomination will face Democrat Tamara JohnsonShealey, an advocate for
licensed beauty professionals, in November.
For the District 43 seat,
incumbent Sen. Janice Van
Ness is the only Republican
in the race. She will face the
Democratic nominee: Dee
Dawkins-Haigler, who represented House District 91
from 2008 to 2016; Toney
L. Collins, an engineer;
or former District 92 Rep.
Tonya P. Anderson.
Integrity
Innovation
Accessibility
The next generation of leadership for DeKalb County
Two Elections MAY 24

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
local
Pilot dies in crash during performance at airshow

(AP) A pilot was killed May 14 when his
biplane crashed while performing a stunt at a
metro Atlanta airshow.
The pilot crashed and died while flying in
tandem with another plane during an aerial
acrobatics stunt the afternoon of May 14 at the
Good Neighbor Day Open House Airshow at
DeKalb Peachtree Airport, said DeKalb County
Public Information Officer Sheira Campbell. The
airport is about 11 miles northeast of downtown
Atlanta.
The pilot was the only one aboard the plane
when it crashed at 4:49 p.m., DeKalb County
spokesman Burke Brennan said in an emailed
statement. It was the first accident in 30 years of
the PDK Good Neighbor Day Airshow, Brennan
said.
Campbell said the pilot was identified as 50
year-old Greg Connell. Campbell also said there
were no other injuries on the ground and there
was no other damage other than the aircraft.
She said the National Transportation Safety
Board and Federal Aviation Administration were
both on the scene and investigating.
File photo
Taxi carjacker convicted

A DeKalb County jury convicted
a man who led a 2011 crime spree
robbing taxi drivers at gunpoint,
according to a news release by the
DeKalb County District Attorneys
Office.
Tyre Gay was found guilty of
three counts of armed robbery,
three counts of possession of a
firearm by a felon, and one count
each of aggravated assault and
hijacking a motor vehicle, the news Tyre Gay
release stated.
During a five-day period in July 2011, approximately
10 cab drivers in Fulton, Clayton and DeKalb counties
reported being robbed and pistol-whipped by a trio
of passengers once they arrived at their destination,
according to the news release.
Gays conviction involved for three of those robberies.
Gay, 23, was charged with two other men. Ladarrius
Marquas Robinson pleaded guilty and will serve 12
years in prison followed by three years of probation, the
news release stated.
Jermaine Devonte Cheeks will stand trial at a later
time.
Gay will be sentenced at a later date, but faces up to
four life sentences plus 45 years in prison.
Junior deputy sheriff summer camp to

teach leadership, gang resistance
The DeKalb County Sheriffs Office Reserve Unit will
host a Junior Deputy Summer Camp program at the Army
National Guard Armory in Decatur June 20 to July 1.
The camp is open to boys and girls ages 8 through
16. Applications are available from 8 a.m. to 4:30
p.m. weekdays at the Sheriffs Office Administrative
Lobby, 4425 Memorial Drive, Decatur. The deadline for
applications is noon on Friday, June 10. The program fee
is $65 per week.
Included in the curriculum are field trips and tours of
the jail and county courtrooms. Speakers will address
leadership skill-building, positive attitudes, staying in
school and graduating, preventing bullying, internet and
social media safety, resisting gang involvement, and
abstaining from crime and violence
NOTICEOFPROPERTYTAXHEARING
TheMayorandtheAtlantaCityCouncilwilladoptamillageratewhichwill
requirenotaxincrease.
Allconcernedcitizensareinvitedtothepublichearingstobeheldatthe
AtlantaCityHallComplex,55TrinityAvenue,Atlanta,GeorgiaintheCity
CouncilChamberlocatedontheSecondFlooronWednesday,May25,2016
at11:30a.m.and6:00p.m.

Budget for Fiscal Year 2017
July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017
General Fund
ESTIMATED REVENUES
Local Taxes
Local Other
State General
State Other
Federal
Transfers from Other Funds
General Fund Balance Obligated
Capital Fund Balance Restricted
Total Revenues
ESTIMATED EXPENDITURES
Instruction
Pupil Services
Improvement of Instructional Services
Educational Media Services
Federal Grant Administration
General Administration
School Administration
Support Services - Business
Maintenance and Operation of Plant Services
Student Transportation Service
Support Services - Central
Other Support Services
School Nutrition Program
Community Services Operations
Facilities Acquisition and Construction Services
Transfers to Other Funds
Debt Service
Total Expenditures
Special Funds
30,679,476
2,785,380
24,025,174
Nutrition Fund
Capital Funds
$
$
$
740,000
1,554,266
241,700
3,480,000
1,281,500
37,500
657,147
2,988,913
$
60,478,943
2,535,966
42,785,113
2,551,386
1,616,004
1,397,922
2,203,949
67,427
183,142
1,976,147
1,976,147
45,590,328
$ 49,070,328
59,362
1,003,582
440,975
482,178
5,255,482
1,334,324
1,079,712
107,000
971,437
90,289
5,648
16,438
$ 45,900,000
241,700
1,121,839
60,478,943
2,535,966
1,976,147
The Fiscal Year 2017 Tentative Budget will be considered for final adoption by the Board of Education at
6:30 PM at the regular board meeting scheduled for Tuesday, June 14, 2016. The meeting will be held in the
Board Room of the Central Office at 125 Electric Avenue.
3,170,328
$ 49,070,328
BuSineSS
Community leaders express support for Doraville TAD

by Kathy Mitchell
In a May 12 meeting hosted by
the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce
in the chambers Decatur
headquarters, the city of Doraville
and other interested parties
presented to representatives of the
news media information supporting
a proposed tax allocation district
(TAD) at the former GM Doraville
plant.
TADs, first authorized by the
state in 1985, allow public dollars
to be used in the redevelopment of
underdeveloped or blighted areas.
The chambers goal, according
to Katerina Taylor, president and
CEO of the chamber, is to educate
all parties so that each can make
informed decisions about the future
of the project.
Doraville Mayor Donna Pittman
expressed frustration that the
DeKalb County School Board
has declined to allow the city of
Doraville and investors in the GM
plant site to fully present their case
for a TAD. I have never heard of
a government entity refusing to
listen to a legitimate, responsible
proposal that has the potential to
have a huge impact on the area,
she said. We want to be sure the
school board has all the information
before making a decision on
supporting the TAD. There are
rumors and misinformation out
there. This is too important for the
board to make a decision without
having all the facts.
When General Motors opened
a production plant in Doraville
in 1947, it ushered in an era
of prosperity for the city and
surrounding area, Pittman said.
The plant closed in 2008; now it
is critical that it be replaced with
something that will have an equal
or greater impact on the local
economy, she said.
Bill Floyd, former mayor of
Decatur, a city with its own school
district, said DeKalb School Board
members who are being told that
a Doraville TAD would not be good
for the DeKalb school district are
getting poor advice.
Everything about local schools
impacts the community as a
wholefrom where schools are
located, to what time they open
and close to their overall quality. A
school system cannot isolate itself
from the business community any
more than other major players such
as the airport and MARTA can, he
said.
If the TAD doesnt go through,
Floyd added, the negative impact
on the area will be so great I wont
live long enough to see the area
recover.
Floyd, Pittman and Taylor are
among the 97 signatories to a May
12 petition supporting the TAD
An artists rendering depicts what the completed mixed-use development at the former GM Doraville plant might look like.
An aerial view, below, of the site plan shows proposed locations for shops, roads and other details.
presented to the DeKalb County

School Superintendent Stephen
Green and the DeKalb County
School Board. The petition states:
We listed below believe that
the prosperity and economic health
of DeKalb County as well as metro
Atlanta and the region are closely
linked with the willingness of the
school system to thoughtfully
consider participation in tax
programs that will fund public
infrastructure. A tax allocation
district does not take any existing
tax revenue away from education.
We believe strongly in
education as well as making
smart decisions for economic
growth. A TAD is designed to work
for all parties involved. In most
jurisdictions, it is a no brainer.
We, as a coalition of citizens
representing DeKalb County
and the broader Atlanta area
ask the school board to accept a

presentation to the entire board.
It is right to discuss in a public
forum the benefits of a TAD and
why one is needed to develop
the former GM Assembly site in
Doraville. Good decisions cannot
be made on hear-say. The school
system may not vote to participate
in the growth of the county but
it also shouldnt block economic
progress under the pretense of
focusing on classrooms. In a county
where the tax base is dwindling,
important decisions need to be
made on logic, not just platitudes of
philosophy.
Others endorsing the petition
include former Atlanta mayor and
former U.N. Ambassador Andrew
Young; Chick-fil-A President and
CEO Dan Cathy; DeKalb County
commissioners Larry Johnson
and Jeff Rader; Juanita Baranco,
co-owner of Mercedes-Benz of
Buckhead and a former member of
the DeKalb Education Task Force
and the state school board; former
Southern Company President Bill
Dahlberg; and former DeKalb
County CEO Liane Levetan.
Organizations endorsing the
petition include the Metro Atlanta
Chamber of Commerce, the DeKalb
County Chamber of Commerce,
DeKalb Development Authority and
Leadership DeKalb.
Taylor also joined 77 others
in signing a letter to Green and
the school board supporting the
proposed TAD. In part, the letter
reads, Like you, I am concerned
about the education of our children.
I am also concerned about the
precipitous drop in school taxes.
The success of a school system is
dependent on taxes. We need to
reverse the negative trend.
Each of the signers attached
individual observations. Typical was
the comments of Doraville resident
Heather Dever, who said, As a
Doraville resident and the parent
of two children in DeKalb schools,
I feel it is important for you to allow
the developers to present plans for
the multi-million-dollar mixed use
development. I find it disrespectful
and short-sighted to deny our
city officials and the developers
the opportunity to show you how
invested they are in this project, in
our community, our schools and
the economic success of the whole
county.
See related story on page 2A.
education
City Schools of Decaturs Chief Operating Officer Noel Maloof announced to the board of education that the district is being recognized for sustainability and green
practices. Photo by Travis Hudgons
City Schools of Decatur to be recognized for going green

by R. Scott Belzer
ts a four-step process
that is constantly
happening.
A new building is
planned. The structure goes
from imaginary to a penciled
or painted rendering.
The building is built.
Glass, steel and stone
come together to forge a
haven for enterprise, shelter
or learning.
The building is used and
maintained. People travel
throughout the edifice; they
clean its corridors; they
run water through its steel
veins; they breathe air into
its vents.
The building is updated
or renovated. Segments of
steel, portions of glass and
pieces of stone are replaced
to allow new technology
or aesthetics. In certain
cases, the building is simply
replaced and the process
starts over again.
Like any other lengthy
process, this cycle is often
completed with time as
the first priority. Little to
no attention is paid to the
buildings surrounding
environment. Even less is
paid to the health of people
walking in, out and around
the building every day.
(CSD) has proven to be an
exception.
On April 22, or Earth
Day 2016, the U.S.
Department of Education
(DOE) announced City
Schools of Decatur as a
Green Ribbon School and
a recipient of the U.S. DOE
Green Ribbon Schools
District Sustainability Award.
The award is given to
school systems throughout
the country excelling in
green practices, including
reducing environmental
impact, improving the health
of students and staff as
well as providing effective
environmental education.
The distinction is
awarded each year to 47
independent schools, 15
districts, and 11 higher
education facilities
throughout the country. On
July 20, the district will be
honored in Washington,
D.C., during a national
celebration.
CSD was specifically
recognized for sustainability
practices in its newer
buildings as well as retrofits
in its older buildings.
Its very difficult to have
100-plus-year-old buildings,
brand new buildings and
integrate them all in, said
CSD Chief Operating
Officer Noel Maloof. From
a facility and maintenance
standpoint, we have done a
lot of work over the last five
years to really retrofit.
Maloof also mentioned
the districts energy efficient
bus fleet and integration
of new technologies as
money-saving practices that
allow CSD to stand out.

CSDs partnership
with the city of Decatur in
collecting rainwater in vaults
underneath facilities was
also applauded by the DOE.
We store somewhere
in the neighborhood of
127,000 cubic feet of
rainwater under [Decatur
High Schools] stadium,
Maloof said. It gets filtered.
In the long run, this has
caused the flooding that
used to happen along Trinity
Place to go away.
Maloof said the district
was also recognized
for its Farm to School
program, a grassroots
effort led by parents,

teachers, administrators,
community members and
organizations that focuses
on serving healthy meals
in cafeterias and providing
nutrition education in
classrooms.
[The Farm to School
program] is a huge
cornerstone for us, said
Maloof.
Maloof announced the
award to CSDs board of
education on May 10. The
COO said it has taken CSD
about five years to reach
this point of being green,
and that this was only
the beginning of a larger,
PET OF THE WEEK
Lake ID# 31100057 - If there is one thing Lake loves,

it is a good handshake! This sweet one year old is eager to
please, very treat motivated, and as happy as can be. She
loves to practice tricks and would probably really enjoy
learning more fun things. Lake is friendly, lovable, and the
best hand-shaker around! Please come meet Lake at DeKalb
Animal Services so you can receive a warm, furry handshake.
Lake qualifies for our May Adopt a May Flower
promotion. Adoption is only $20 for dogs over 25 lbs. and
for all cats! Adoption includes spay/neuter, vaccinations,
microchip and more! If you would like more information
about Lake please email adoption@dekalbanimalservices.
com or call (404) 294-2165. All potential adopters will be
screened to ensure Lake goes to a good home.
broader process.
Long term, this is
a springboard for us,
Maloof said. It will really
help us stay focused
on building sustainable
buildings moving into the
21st century. It will help
us build a school system
that is responsible with its
resources and imparting
that to the education of our
students thats what we
did.
Board chairman Annie
Caiola said the award
was a good example of
what goes on behind the
scenes, and aligns with
Decaturs goals as a whole.
education
Land purchased for 900-seat elementary school

by R. Scott Belzer
Approximately $7.5
million is being spent to
alleviate overcrowded
hallways and classrooms in
the Cross Keys cluster.
The DeKalb County
School District (DCSD)
announced the purchase
of 11.2 acres of land in
the Skyland Park area of
Brookhaven, including the
former Skyland Elementary
School site located along
Skyland Trail Northeast.
The site will eventually
house a 900-seat
elementary school that
will relieve overcrowding
in the Cross Keys cluster.
Overcrowding at Dresden,
Montclair and Woodward
elementary schools should
be reduced in fall 2019 when
the school is completed.
The total cost of the
school is projected to be
around $22 million.
This is a major step in
our long-term plan to relieve
the serious overcrowding
in the Cross Keys Cluster,
said Superintendent
Stephen Green. The
situation in the Cross Keys
cluster where we have
more than 110 portable
classrooms is intolerable
and will not be allowed to
continue.
The purchase is part
of an intergovernmental
agreement involving the
city of Brookhaven and
the state of Georgia.
Approximately $2.8 million
will be used to purchase
the 5.3-acre former Skyland
Elementary School, which
now houses the State Vital
Records Office, from the
state. Approximately 4.2
acres will be transferred
to Brookhaven while the
remaining 10.6 acres will be
purchased from the city for
$4.7 million.
The purchase was
approved by the DeKalb
County Board of Education
during executive session on
May 9. The announcement
came the following morning.
The board has already
implemented a short-term
redistricting plan that will
provide some relief, said
Melvin Johnson, chairman.
We are committed to
providing safe, healthy
learning environments for all
our students.
The board transferred
$3.5 million in educational
special purpose local option
sales taxes (E-SPLOST)

during its board meeting on
April 18 for the Skyland land
purchase.
The transfer, presented
by DCSDs chief operations
officer in the Division
of Operations Joshua
Williams, was taken from
renovation projects involving
Terry Mill Elementary and
Warren Technical schools.
The project was discussed
further behind closed doors
during executive session.
E-SPLOST funds
allocated for new facilities
and additions projects
will be used to relieve the
longstanding and critical
overcrowding in the Cross
Keys cluster, Williams
said. As per the recently
approved board redistricting
plan, these facilities are no
longer being considered
as options for relief for the
overcrowding schools in the
Cross Keys cluster.
The temporary
redistricting plan, approved
March 7, will place 1,469
elementary students and
232 high school students in
different schools in the 20162017 school year. Chamblee
Charter High School, Briar
Vista, Fernbank, the former
International Student Center,
Montclair and Dresden will
be the new destinations.
The plan has received
a mixed response from
residents.
Most recently on May
9, during the board of
educations public comment
session, a representative for
Chamblee resident Cindy
Cheatham Pietkiewicz
said the boards move to
redistrict was rushed and
shortsighted.
When the plan was
announced, I was proud
to offer our Chamblee
community and there
were few, if any, calls for
resistance, he said. While
the district has [spoken
about] all the support
students will be receiving, I
see no evidence of that.
Pietkiewiczs
representative said no
teachers have been brought
into Chamblee Charter
High to accommodate
the incoming students
due to DCSD alleging the
school was overstaffed.
The representative went
on to call for Title I funds
transferred from Cross Keys
High to Chamblee Charter
and for the board to use
planning funds appropriately.
Brookhaven released renderings of a potential school on the grounds of Skyland Park and the Vital
Records Office.
Skyland Elementary has since been changed to the Georgia Vital Records Office. It is scheduled to
change back to an educational facility.
Skyland Park is located in Brookhaven along Skyland Trail Northeast. Photos by R. Scott Belzer
claSSiFied
The
CHAMPION
CLASSIFIEDS
The Champion is not responsible for any damages resulting from advertisements. All sales nal.
BidS & PRoPoSalS
caReeR tRaininG
LSBE/MBE/WBE Cole Technology Inc

is seeking interested LSBE/MBE/WBE
to participate in an upcoming bid and
possible contract with Dekalb County. The
bid can be viewed at www.dekalbcountyga.
gov, purchasing and contracting, bid
opportunities, formal solicitations and
current bids. The bid number is 16-100708
titled Pump Repair Services. Interested
parties should contact Cole Technology
Inc. Tim WIlkie@(404) 472-1276 or
tim_w@coleelectricms.com
AVIATION Grads work with JetBlue,

Boeing, NASA and others-start here with
hands on training for FAA certification.
Financial aid if qualified. Call Aviation
Institute of Maintenance (888) 873-4120
www.FixJets.com
FoR Sale
For Sale: $95,000 newly renovated 3
bedroom, one bath on 1.5 private acres.
North Georgia mountains Cleveland
GA 900 sq ft home with 1200 sq ft
warehouse/workshop, rocking chair
porch, oak floors, fireplace. Owner
financing possible. Dr. Donna Sullivan
706-344-2398
dRiVeRS
ATTN: Drivers $2K Sign-On Bonus.
Make Over $60,000 your first year! Cool,
Comfortable Miles. 100% APU Trucks.
CDL-A Req. 877-258-8782 drive4melton.
com
eMPloYMent
Now hiring Plant Manager at Callaway
Farms Manufacturing in Washington, GA.
I deal candidate has proven experience
operating sawmill or other forest
products manufacturing facility. To apply,
send resume, cover letter and salary
expectations to: jerry@callawayfarms.us
dont have to wait for future payments any

longer! Call 1-800-481-0635.
Real eState
5+ acres in Tennessee starting at
$17,900: Wooded, Views, Creeks!
Unrestricted Hunting & Timber Tracts. 50+
acres starting at $89,900. Call 1-877-7406717
Vacation RentalS
ADVERTISE YOUR VACATION
PROPERTY, to more than 1 million
Georgia newspaper readers. Your 25word classified ad will appear in over
100 Georgia newspapers for only
$350. Call Bruce Washington at the
Georgia Newspaper Service at 770454-6776 or online at www.gapress.org/
georgianewspaperservice.html
MiScellaneouS
HelP Wanted
Subcontracting opportunity, LSBE/MBE/
WBE Cole Technology Inc is seeking
interested companies to participate in an
upcoming bid and possible contract with
Dekalb County. The bid can be viewed
at www.dekalbcountyga.gov, purchasing
and contracting, bid opportunities, formal
solicitations and current bids. The bid
number is 16-100708 titled Pump Repair
Services. Interested companies should
contact Cole Technology Inc. Tim Wilkie@
(404) 472-1276 or tim_w@coleelectricms.
com
auctionS
ADVERTISE YOUR AUCTION in over
100 newspapers for only $350. Your 25word classified ad will reach more than1
million readers. Call Bruce Washington
at the Georgia Newspaper Service, 770454-6776.
DIVORCE WITH OR WITHOUT children

$125.00. Includes name change and
property settlement agreement. SAVE
hundreds. Fast and easy. Call 1-888-7337165, 24/7
AT&T U-Verse Internet starting at $15/
month or TV & Internet starting at
$49/month for 12 months with 1 year
agreement. Call 1-800-475-8695 to learn
more.
WIFI HIGH SPEED Internet Anywhere.
Free Install . 0 Upfront Cost. No Credit
Check . Superior Communication
Services of America 800-391-6217 Call
Today, Have Wifi Tomorrow.
CHURCH FURNITURE: Does your
church need pews, pulpit set, baptistery,
steeple, windows? Big Sale on new
cushioned pews and pew chairs. 1-800231-8360. www.pews1.com
SELL your structured settlement or
annuity payments for CASH NOW. You
For Prices, Deadlines and Information Visit www.championclassieds.com

Rates: $30.00 for up to 40 words, each additional word $0.60. All ads are prepaid! All Major credit cards accepted!
Ads Due By Friday - Noon for next publication date.

DISCLAIMER: We do not knowingly accept advertisements that discriminate, or intend to discriminate, on any illegal basis. Nor do we knowingly accept employment advertisements that are not
bona-fide job offers. All real estate advertisements are subject to the fair housing act and we do not accept advertising that is in violation of the law. The law prohibits discrimination based on color,
religion, sex, national origin, handicap or familial status.
SPoRtS
Devin Olsons header clinches state soccer title
by Carla Parker
day that started with making a

difficult decision turned into a
sweet victory for the Decatur
Bulldogs soccer team.
Decatur came from behind
in the second half behind senior
Devin Olsons two goals to win the
Class AAA boys state title May
12 at Mercer University in Macon.
It was the programs first state
championship since 2003 and third
in program history.
Decatur was down 2-1 in the
second half when Olson scored to
tie the game at 2-2 with 17:17 left to
play. Olson scored six minutes later
with a header to give Decatur a 3-2
lead.
Olson credited his teammates
for putting the ball in the right
position for him to score.
They [passed] the ball right [to
me] and I just went up and attacked
it, Olson said. Shout out to Lucas
Ryter and Tuck Rodi for giving
me two perfect balls. I couldnt do
anything but score those.
Decatur played tight defense
throughout the game to seal the
victory.
After a disappointing loss in the
final four last season, Olson said it
felt good to win the championship
his final year at Decatur.
It was really tough [last year]
and I know how the other seniors
felt, he said. We all decided that
Decatur defeated East Hall to win the boys Class AAA state title. Photo by Carla
Parker
we were going to do this together

and we were going to win. Im really
happy; this is a great moment.
Olson and four other seniors,
all starters, had to make a tough
decision before the game. The
seniors passed on taking the
International Baccalaureate (IB) test
to play in the championship game,
which began at 2:30 p.m. The test
began two hours before game time.
Efforts to change the time of the
game failed.
The IB program for high school
students is a two-year program
filled with rigorous courses. If a
student fails an IB exam the year he
or she graduates, the student has

to wait until the following year to
retake it, according to its website.
All five students will still
graduate and attend the colleges
theyve been accepted into,
however they will not receive IB
diplomas.
We decided as a team that we
were going to stick together and we
all made the same decision to come
play in the state championship,
Olson said. Im so glad we did
this. This is awesome to share
this moment with my team. We all
worked so hard for this.
We just made the choice that
we werent going to get the IB

diploma; well just get the regular
one, Olson said. We all made that
choice for the team. We decided it
was the best thing and were glad
because were walking home with a
state championship.
Decatur coach David Harbin
said he was proud of how his team
handled adversity on and off the
field.
First off, East Hall was a great
competitor, Harbin said. It was
a fantastic game; thats what you
expect out of a state championship
game, and [we give] all the credit
to them. [Decatur] played well
and fought. These guys battled
adversity throughout the year.
Theyre incredibly tough and they
have a lot of faith in what theyve
done. They fully bought into what
the program has been teaching
and this how they deserve to be
rewarded.
Harbin said he was not
surprised with the goals Olsen
converted to claim the win.
Hes been phenomenal,
Harbin said. He is a very skilled
player and hes scored some big
goals in some big games for us. He
is one of those special kids that just
has a will to score goals, and the
goals he [isnt] supposed to score
hes going to find a way to get it in
the back of the net and he did that
today.
Decatur finished the season
with a 16-3-2 record.
Paideia takes down FCS in penalty kicks

by Carla Parker
It took four penalty kicks for

the Paideia Pythons to win its third
state title in four years.
Paideia defeated Fellowship
Christian 3-2 (4-3 in penalty kicks)
to win the Class A boys soccer
state title May 12 at Mercer
University in Macon. Paideia coach
Eric Thomas, who said his team is
usually on the losing end of games
that go into penalty kicks, said it
felt great to win by penalty kicks.
Fellowship is an awesome
team and they took us to the end
and I knew they would, Thomas
said. I was kind of hoping the
game wouldnt end in PK because
it sucks for both teamsfor
[Fellowship] especially, for
whoever loses. And Ive done it
many timeslost in penalty kicks.
It feels great. Its really special.
This group of seniors is amazing.
Theyre a special group of seniors.
Fellowship scored first on
a goal from midfielder Jake
Williamson. The score remained
Paideia won its third state title in four seasons. Photo by Carla Parker
1-0 going in to halftime.

Paideias first score came in
the second half on a goal from
Josh Sumo to tie the game.
Paideia took a 2-1 lead later in the
half on goal for Perry Ardell.
Williamson scored his second
goal of the game later in the half
to tie the game at 2-2. Neither
team could score before the end of

regulation, sending the game into
overtime.
Thomas said he was not
worried about his team after giving
up the second goal.
Theyve done this over and
over and over again, Thomas said.
Every state championship weve
won, all three of them have been in

overtime or penalty kicks. Theyre
resilient and theyre awesome.
Were not that great in penalty kicks
in the regular season. We lose a lot
of games when we get in penalty
kicks. But when it counts they seem
to find a way to win.
Two overtime periods went
by with no score before the
game went into penalty kicks.
Williamson was up first to kick
for Fellowship but his kick was
blocked by Paideia goalkeeper
Lehn Ellingson.
Paideia went on to make its
first four penalty kicks before
Fellowships Drew Williamson
attempted to tie the game on
Fellowships last kick attempt.
Williamsons kick went high,
allowing Ellingson to block it and
seal the win for Paideia.
Thomas said Ellingson was
amazing in penalty kicks.
He did a great job, he said.
I had a feeling [he would do well]
and he did great.
Paideia finished the season 153-3.
SPoRtS
St. Pius state champions for a fourth consecutive time

by Carla Parker
Junior midfielder
Caroline Orman had
gone a few games without
scoring a goal, according
to Coach Sara Schmitt.
Weve been waiting
and waiting, Schmitt said.
She hit the crossbar[in
the semifinals] she literally
hit the crossbar four times.
We felt like this was going
to be the game and it
was.
Orman scored two
goals, leading the St. Pius
X Lady Golden Lions to a
2-0 win over rival Marist
in the Class AAAA title
game on May 14 at Mercer
University in Macon.
She was in the right
place at the right time and
she put the ball where it
needed to go, Schmitt
said of Orman.
It was the second
consecutive year St. Pius
defeated Marist in the title
game. The championship
was the fourth consecutive
for St. Pius, the seventh in
eight years and the 10th
overall.
These girls have
really worked hard since
January, Schmitt said.
Everybody thinks about
the game today, but they
forget that [the team] has
been practicing since
January. Its just dedication
and their hard work. If
youd asked me in January
I dont know if we wouldve
been here. But they
slowly stepped up every
game and got better and
better. Playing our best in
the state championship
gamethats what we
needed to do.
Orman scored her first
goal in the first half to give
St. Pius a 1-0 lead. She
scored her second goal
in the second half at the
15:38 mark.
St. Pius defenders and
goalie Emory Wegener
also had a big game.
Wegener made several
saves to keep Marist out of
the net.
Having [Wegener]
in the net you feel more
confident, Schmitt said.
Shes only a sophomore
St. Pius girls soccer
St. Pius boys soccer
and she continues to get

better and better every
year and having that kind
of confidence in the net
helps the defenders feel
that confident and I think it
carries into the rest of the
team.
The Lady Golden
Lions senior class will

graduate in May with four
state titles under their
belts. Schmitt said the
senior class has made
many sacrifices for the
program to succeed.
Theyre a very diverse
group of girls, theyre
all very different and

they all bought in, she
said. Even if they didnt
play all the time they
completely supported the
mission, which was as a
team to win another state
championship. Thats a
lot to say about a group
of girls and you really

respect that and their
sacrifice for the team.
St. Pius finished the
season with a 19-4-2
record. Marist finished
with a 21-2-1 record.
SPoRtS
Cedar Grove, Southwest DeKalb goes back-to-back with track state titles
by Carla Parker
Cedar Grove and Southwest
DeKalb boys track-and-field teams
repeated as state champions for
second consecutive year on May 14
at Memorial Stadium in Jefferson.
The Cedar Grove Saints ran
away with the Class AAA state title
with 74 points, 35 more points than
runner-up Blessed Trinity. It was the
second overall title for the Saints
program after winning their first title
last season.
The Southwest DeKalb
Panthers claimed their second
consecutive Class AAAAA title by
outscoring Cedar Shoals 58-44. Its
the programs 10th overall title.
Cedar Grove collected three
gold medals, three silver medals
and one bronze at the state meet.
Jessie Reverio won gold in the
300-meter hurdle with a time of
38.65. Jadon Haselwood finished
third in the same race, and finished
second in the 110-meter hurdles.
The Saints relay teams also
took home gold medals. The 4x100
team of Andre Burrell, Jacquez
Cooper, Kortney Cox and Israel
Spivey finished first with a time of
41.91.
Burrell, Reverio, Spivey and
Mathew Young won gold in the
4x400 relay with a time of 3:22.57.
Burrell also won a silver medal in
the 400-meter dash with a time of
49.30. Johnny Thomas won silver
in the shot put with a throw of 5300.50.
The Conwell twins, Terry
and Terryon, dominated the track
events to lead Southwest DeKalb
to its second consecutive Class
AAAAA title. Terryon won gold in
the 100-meter (10.61) and the
200-meter dash (21.32), while Terry
won gold in the 400-meter dash
(47.54). Terry also won silver in the
200-meter (21.47).
The Conwells, Jaylan
Muhammad and Justin Tomlin
won gold in the 4x100-meter relay
with a time of 41.06.
Marist finished second in Class
AAAA with 44 points behind winner
Eastsides 71 points. Frank Pittman
led Marist with two gold medal
victories1,600-meter run (4:13.49)
and 3,200-meter run (9:23.87).
Leif Andersen finished third in the
1,600-meter (4:19.90) and second
in the 3,200-meter (9:26.11). Brian
Faust won a bronze medal in the
800-meter run with a time of 1:55.51.
Lakeside tied for third place in
the Class AAAAAA meet with 43
points. Andre Kent won gold in
the 1,600-meter run (4:13.07) and
the 3,200-meter run (9:08.45), and
Brian Herron finished second in the
400-meter with a time of 48.20.
Chance Boyd scored nine
points in wheelchair competitions to
lead Lakeside to a fifth place finish
Cedar Grove
Southwest DeKalb
in the Class 1 Wheelchair State

Championships. Boyd finished fourth
in the 200-meter dash (46.93) and
fifth in the 800-meter run (3:46.23).
Stephensons Denzel Harper

defended his 300-meter hurdle title
(37.57) and his long jump title (2304.00), leading Stephenson to a
sixth-place finish in Class AAAAA

with 30 points.
Decatur had a sixth-place finish
See Track on Page 24A
local
TRACK Continued From Page 23A

in the Class AAA meet with 32 points.
Sam Ellis brought home gold medals
in the 800-meter run (1:54.60) and the
1,600-meter run (4:13.10). The 4x400
relay team of Ellis, Colby Clark, Tray
Tice and Warner Williams III finished
second with a time of 3:26.88.
In Class 1A-Private, Paideias
Max Heaberlin won a bronze medal
in the 1,600-meter run (4:26.92) and
a silver medal in the 3,200-meter run
(10:05.21). Paideia tied for 14th place
with 16 points. W.D. Mohammed
finished 16 with 10 points, led by Zafir
Abdul-salaam who placed third in the
long jump with a jump of 22-02.00.
In Class AAAA, Arabia Mountains
Tyler Jones finished second in the
triple jump with a jump of 45-10.75,
and Michael Willingham finished third
in the discus throw (158-04). Arabia
Mountain finished 17th with 16 points.
Columbias Bobby Tillman won
a bronze medal in the shot put (5204.50). Columbia placed 26th with six
points. Chamblee finished 20th with 10
points and St. Pius tied for 35th with
two points.
In Class AAAAA, Miller Grove tied
for 31th place with six points behind
the 4x400 relay team which placed
third with a time of 3:20.25. Druid Hills
finished tied for 42nd place with three
points and Dunwoody tied for 52nd
place with one point.
Dunwoodys Josh Bronstorph named

Georgias Gatorade player of the year
by Mark Brock
Josh Bronstorph of
Dunwoody became the second
DeKalb County athlete to earn
Georgia Gatorade Player of the
Year in 2016 as he was announced
the boys soccer winner on May 10.
Bronstorph joins Miller Grove
basketball player and Connecticut
signee Alterique Gilbert as
honorees by Gatorade this school
year.
Josh Bronstorph is a very
good player, said Thom Jacquet,
head coach of Greater Atlanta
Christian School. Hes fast and a
very hard worker. We beat them
but he was a handful.
The Dunwoody senior returned
to the high school soccer field for
the Wildcats in 2016 after playing
club soccer through the U.S.
Soccer Development Academy as
a sophomore and junior.
His 45 goals and 13 assists
as a senior helped lead the
Wildcats to their first region (6-5A)
championship in 20 years and a
12-7-1 record. His prep career,
including his freshman season at
Josh Bronstorph scored 45 goals and

had 13 assists as a senior. Photo by
Mark Brock
Dunwoody, puts him at 69 goals

and 23 assists.
Ive coached for more than 20
years in college and high school,
and had All Americans but never a
player who scored in every game
they played in;Josh is talented
but also very ambitious and this is
what sets him apart in high school,
said Dunwoody boys soccer
coach Edgar Flores. I hope he
continues to develop this on and

off the field as an adult.
Winning the Georgia award
makes him a finalist for the
Gatorade National Boys Soccer
Player of the Year which will be
announced later in May.
Bronstorph became the first
Gatorade Georgia Boys Soccer
Player of the Year from Dunwoody,
the third overall from DeKalb
County Schools and first since
1996.
Redans Chris Faklaris was
honored in 1991 and a second
Redan player, Troy Garner, was
selected in 1996.
The 5-8, 160-pound Wildcat
was also named the Region
6-5A MVP this season. He has
maintained a B average in the
classroom and served in the
community as a volunteer at a
local homeless shelter and food
bank in addition to serving as a
youth soccer coach.
Bronstorph has signed a
National Letter of Intent to play
soccer on an athletic scholarship
at Georgia Southern University
beginning this fall.

DeKalb FreePress 5-20-16

Enviado por

Dados do documento

Direitos autorais

Formatos disponíveis

Compartilhar este documento

Compartilhar ou incorporar documento

Opções de compartilhamento

Você considera este documento útil?

Este conteúdo é inapropriado?

Direitos autorais:

Formatos disponíveis

DeKalb FreePress 5-20-16

Enviado por

Direitos autorais:

Formatos disponíveis

FREEPReSS

FRiDaY, MaY 20, 2016 Vol. 19, no. 5 FREE

QUICK FINDER PUBLIC, OFFICIALS

A PUBLICATION OF ACE III COMMUNICATIONS

Dunwoody is set to relocated its city hall to 4800 Ashford Dunwoody

County launches beautication unit with city hall purchase

Being smarter about keeping the county clean is the

See Beautification on Page 5A

Dunwoodys police department, city staff, council,

The countys new code enforcement building is on Candler Road.

See Dunwoody on Page 5A

The Champion FREE PRESS, Friday, May 20, 2016 Page 2A

DeKalb super: Students make economy of tomorrow

people make annually in competitive salaries goes straight

On May 24, Vote

Over 30 years Judicial Experience

VOTE MAY 24TH

Decide DeKalb Development Authority, recently said

out pavement or pollution, in

The Champion FREE PRESS, Friday, May 20, 2016 Page 3A

Brookhaven second annual Bark in the Park will be held June 4,

City digitizes court payments

Milam pool celebrates opening

Community service board to meet

Farmers market owner to address DeKalb Chamber

The DeKalb Chamber of Commerce has announced that Robert

City to host public input meeting on growth

Nature Center to host summer camps

The Hannah Thomas Duo will perform May 27 at Stone Mountains

For approximately 25 years,

change] would be soon, said

The Champion FREE PRESS, Friday, May 20, 2016 Page 4A

more volunteers so [inmates]

Volunteers honored by Sheriffs Ofce

lives better during such a difficult

of gratitude to you all for reshaping

The Champion FREE PRESS, Friday, May 20, 2016

Continued From Page 1A

DeKalb County Commissioner Larry

DeKalb County Commissioner

Interim DeKalb County CEO Lee May said

Beautification Continued From Page 1A

Gannon said some of the causes of litter

We performed extensive assessments and

The Champion FREE PRESS, Friday, May 20, 2016

A lesson to learn from the death of Prince

Gale Horton Gay

death of Prince is also a

theres no guarantee who will

the general population 64

letter to the Editor

The Newsladys slate of candidates

unopposed speaks volumes

bor commissioner and superintendent of DeKalb County

to know how to interact with

The Champion FREE PRESS, Friday, May 20, 2016

ONE MANS OPINION

The folly of voting in anger

nal thought and justification. Fighting words are the

several past administrations

cy; but we can, and likely

either major political party

Bill Crane also serves

SUBSCRIBE to The Champion and get a new, taste-tested

The Champion FREE PRESS, Friday, May 20, 2016

The Champion FREE PRESS, Friday, May 20, 2016