Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
the DeKalb FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 2017 VOL. 21, NO. 22 FREE
Serving East Atlanta, Avondale Estates, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Clarkston, Decatur, Doraville, Dunwoody, Lithonia, Pine Lake, Stone Mountain, Stonecrest and Tucker A PUBLICATION OF ACE III COMMUNICATIONS
The Junior League of Dekalb County kicked off its 2017 DeKalb Summer Reading Partnership program on June 5, beginning a summer of group readings, community
engagement and efforts championing childhood literacy. Photos submitted.
A
Childrens Museum. The event brought
ccording to education professionals, together families and such community
the summer slide phenomenon resources as DeKalb County School District,
occurs when students take time Reach Out and Read Georgia, DeKalb
off school during the summer and County Public Libraries, the DeKalb Board of
forget things they have learned. Health, Great Start Georgia and more.
Months of reading and language What we do best is bring groups
skills can be lost because of a lack of together, said JLDC president Shara
engagement, practice and interaction, Sanders. We facilitate people who are
experts say. already doing great work to make their jobs
Fortunately for DeKalb County, the Junior easier. Our exact role is being the convener.
League of DeKalb County (JLDC) has been Since the June 5 kickoff event, DSRP
combating the summer slide for the past two events have taken place at the Clarkston,
years by developing community partnerships Chamblee and Gresham DeKalb County
and distributing books for multiple age Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Public Library branches, Rowland and
groups through the DeKalb Summer Students (GEEARS). Peachcrest elementary schools, the DeKalb
Reading Partnership (DSRP) program. Last year, DSRP provided 8,000 books to County Board of Health and Scottdale Early
Started in 2016, DSRPmodeled after families in DeKalb County. This year, DSRP Learning.
Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reeds Mayors distributed approximately 5,000. Sanders said DSRP has provided
Reading Club programdelivers books At each event, parents and early a training program through the Alliance
to the homes of children up to 8 years old education professionals have the opportunity Theatre in Atlanta in which an actor
through public-private partnerships and to engage in and learn research-based explained how to engage children through
reading events. The program is funded by methods of reading to children.
United Way through a sponsorship with JLDC kicked off DSRP on June 5 by See Reading on page 5
AROUNDDEKALB
AVONDALE
Wind Ensemble will perform on July 6 at
8 p.m. at the Georgia State Universitys
Association and Dunwoody Crier
newspaper will host the citys annual
Pereimeter Campus, located at 555 N. Fourth of July parade on July 4 from 9 a.m.
ESTATES Indian Creek Drive in Clarkston.
According to event officials, under the
to noon.
The two-mile parade will feature
direction of Slava Michael Prudchenko, more than 2,500 participants, including
Annual 4th of July parade details the ensemble will perform Variations marching bands, floats, clowns, animals
released on America by Charles Ives; American and local celebrities. According to city
Salute by Morton Gould; Pirates of the officials, the parade draws more than
Avondale Estates will hold its annual Caribbean Suite by Klaus Badelt; and 32,000 spectators each year.
Troiysti Muzyki by Levko Kolodub. The parade will begin at Mount Vernon
4th of July parade. The parade lineup The ensembles flute section, double Road and Jett Ferry Road and proceed
starts July 4 at 9:15 a.m. at Avondale reed quartet, clarinet choir, saxophone west along Mount Vernon Road to
High School, 1192 Clarendon Ave. The section, brass choir and percussion Dunwoody Village, where it will turn right
parade begins at 10 a.m. and ends at ensemble will also perform. (north) onto Dunwoody Village Parkway.
Clarendon Avenue and South Avondale The concert is a celebration of the Parade spectators are encouraged to sit
Road. Beginning at 5 p.m., Boy Scouts ensembles 50th year. It is free and open to along Mount Vernon Road and Dunwoody
Troop 6 will sell hot dogs and drinks by the public. For more information, contact Village Parkway. Traffic will be shut down
Lake Avondale. There will also be music Robert Stevens at Robert@saxpress.com. along Mount Vernon Road between Jett
and fireworks. For more information, visit Ferry Road and Dunwoody Village from
avondaleestates.org. Gala and auction to benefit approximately 8:40 a.m. until 11:40 a.m.
community center
TUCKER
80s heavy metal and pop, 90s hip-hop auction will take place on July 15.
and alternative and current Top 40 hits. The art to be auctioned will be on
The Georgia Shine Band describes itself display at Mason Fine Art and Events
as smokin hot original southern rock, located at 415 Plasters Ave NE Ste. 100
with such influences as Lynyrd Skynyrd, beginning July 1. Library to host book discussion
Blackberry Smoke, the Allman Brothers Heval Kelli, a cardiology fellow at
and Molly Hatchet. Emory University, will speak at the July 14 Nighingale by Kristin Hannah will be
The concert will conclude with a event and will recount his journey from discussed July 3 at Tucker-Reid H. Cofer
fireworks display courtesy of the city of Syrian refugee to Emory doctor. Uhuru Library from 10 a.m. to noon. Copies of
Chamblee. Other activities will include Dancers, a traditional African dance the discussion title are available at the
train rides, bounce houses, a cornhole company, will also perform. front desk on a first-come, first-served
tournament and a dunk tank to benefit For more information, visit https://www. basis. The library is located at 5234 LaVista
local nonprofit, Cop-n-Stuff. facebook.com/events/245223099286465/ Road. For more information, call (770) 270-
Keswick Park is located at 496 Keswick or masonfineartauctions.com. 8234.
Drive in Chamblee. For more information,
visit www.chambleega.com/343/Summer-
Concert-Series.
DUNWOODY
CLARKSTON July 4th parade route and time
Wind ensemble to perform announced
The Perimeter College Community The Dunwoody Homeowners
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS Friday, June 30, 2017 Page 4A
Chamblee
proposes
tax
increase
Millage rate
of 6.40 mills
tentatively adopted
Chamblee residents
can expect a 6.42 percent
Dunwoody Police Department announced the completion of new training required by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council, which requires each
officer complete seven additional annual hours of training. increase in property taxes
following the adoption of a
FREEPRESS
the DeKalb
Publisher: Photographer: STATEMENT FROM THE
John Hewitt Travis Hudgons
PUBLISHER
Chief Financial Officer: Staff Reporters: We sincerely appreciate the
discussion surrounding this and any
Let Us Know What You Think! Dr. Earl D. Glenn Carla Parker issue of interest to DeKalb County.
SEND LETTERS TO EDITOR, R. Scott Belzer The Champion was founded in 1991
THE DEKALB FREE PRESS encourages opinions from Production Manager: Horace Holloman expressly to provide a forum for
The DeKalb Free Press, discourse for all community residents
its readers. Please write to us and express your views. P. O. Box 1347, Decatur, GA 30031-1347; Kemesha Wadley on all sides of an issue. We have no
Letters should be brief, typewritten and contain the Send email to Johnh@dekalbchamp.com desire to make the news only to
FAX To: (404) 370-3903; Phone: (404) 373-7779. The DeKalb Free Press is published each Friday report news and opinions to effect
writers name, address and telephone number for verifi- Deadline for news releases and advertising: by ACE III Communications, Inc., a more educated citizenry that will
cation. All letters will be considered for publication. Thursday, one week prior to publication date. 114 New Street, Suite E, Decatur, GA. 30030 ultimately move our community
forward. We are happy to present
Phone (404) 373-7779. ideas for discussion; however,
EDITORS NOTE: The opinions written by columnists and contributing editors do not necessarily reflect the opinions www.championnewspaper.com we make every effort to avoid
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us that is known to be false and/or
Publisher is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts. DISPLAY ADVERTISING (404) 373-7779 x 110 assumptions penned as fact.
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS Friday, June 30, 2017 Page 8A
The Assembly
developmentlocated
along Motors Industrial
Way and Peachtree
Road in Doravillehas
signed a national mattress
manufacturing and The Assembly development in Doraville plans to bring residential, professional
distributing company as one and retail space close to the Doraville MARTA station in the next few years and
of its first tenants, according transform DeKalb County. Photo submitted.
to city officials.
Leaders at Serta deliver. Trammel+Rubio, interior
Simmons Bedding (SSB), SSB will design, build designers Hendrick &
self-described as the largest and occupy a five-acre Associates as well as Serta Simmons Bedding, one of the nations largest bedding manufacturers and
space with up of 210,000 real estate advisor JLL. distributors, will be one of Assemblys first tenants. Photo courtesy of Serta
bedding manufacturer in Simmons.
North America, announced square feet in work space. Each company will work in
June 19 that the company The facility will feature an partnership with Assemblys
will combine all company
locations into a single
Innovation Center as well
as multiple showrooms. The
headquarters will add to
chief developer, Integral.
Assembly is a mixed-
use development that
NOTICE OF PROPERTY
headquarters at Assembly
as early as 2019.
Co-locating SSBs
Serta Simmons Beddings
32 manufacturing plants
plans to bring residential
development, office space, TAX INCREASE
headquarters and our throughout the United
States, Canada and Puerto
infrastructure improvements
and retail to Doraville and
The DeKalb County Governing Authority
brands on the same
campus is an investment Rico. DeKalb County. According has tentatively adopted a millage rate
in our employees and our We are delighted to development plans, the
company as we continue to welcome SSB to project will cost more than which will require an increase in property
to expand and strengthen Assembly and the Doraville
community, said Mayor
$200 million to complete.
We are thrilled we will
taxes by 10.76% percent.
our market leadership,
said Michael Traub, chief Donna Pittman. We be calling Doraville home, All concerned citizens are invited to the
executive officer. An appreciate their confidence Traub said. SSB is pleased
integrated and unified and investment, and we to contribute to the growth public hearing on this tax increase to be
work environment that will look forward to a long and
fruitful partnership.
and development of the
Doraville community and
held at the Manual J. Maloof Auditorium,
foster better collaboration,
innovation and teamwork, According to city we look forward to further 1300 Commerce Dr, Decatur GA 30030 on
will better support our officials, Holder Properties expanding our business and
growth trajectory. This is will develop the new joining our teams together Tuesday, June 27, 2017, at 10 a.m.
headquarters in partnership
what our new location will
with architects Rule Joy
here.
Times and places of additional public
hearings on this tax increase are to be
held at the Manual J. Maloof Auditorium,
1300 Commerce Dr, Decatur GA 30030
on Tuesday, June 27, 2017, at 6 p.m. and
the Manual J. Maloof Auditorium, 1300
Commerce Dr, Decatur GA 30030 on
Tuesday, July 11, 2017, at 10 a.m.
This tentative increase will result in a
millage rate of 9.983 mills, an increase
of 0.970 mills. Without this tentative
tax increase, the millage rate will be no
more than 9.013 mills. The proposed tax
increase for a home with a fair market
value of $250,000 is approximately
$64.96 and the proposed tax increase
for nonhomestead property with a
fair market value of $1,200,000 is
approximately $231.84
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS Friday, June 30, 2017 Page 10A
Brannon Hills
is falling down
County set to address
blighted property issues
has proven that his
BY HORACE HOLLOMAN perspective on addressing
horace@dekalbchamp.com blight is one of the things
that hes serious about.
Brannon Hills is close A county official said
to falling downnot from DeKalb is in the final
the dilapidated conditions procurement process to
and burned out properties, secure a contractor for
however, but from county the demolition. Demolition DeKalb County plans to demolish the burned buildings at Brannon Hills Condominiums in Clarkston.
bulldozers. could happen soon after
The DeKalb County commissioners vote on a
Community Development mid-year budget proposal
Department issued a public from Thurmond in July. has removed roughly 250 dead in the complex. Jester said. Its frustrating
notice June 15 requesting Thurmond presented his tons of debris. Roughly a year ago, and of course DeKalb isnt
the release of grant funds budget proposal June 12 Code enforcement and Commissioner Nancy the only government that
to demolish burned-out which includes $300,000 for beatification are part of the Jester posted videos struggles with it.
properties at Brannon Hill, a program of boarding and big three of enforcement on YouTube addressing Jester said it seems
which were built in 1973. abating vacant buildings in DeKalb Countyalong conditions at blighted the countys CEO is taking
The DeKalb County that have become eyesores with the fire department and properties across the his campaign promise of
government plans to use in the community; $84,079 police departmentKellum county, including Brannon addressing blight seriously.
approximately $410,000 for three additional code said. Hill. Its something we should
from CDBG funds for the compliance officers; I think our staff should Jester said shes happy have done before I started
demolition of the dilapidated $401,700 for additional be commended for the Brannon Hill could soon waving the flag over here.
buildings located in trucks and equipment to amount of effort that we be demolished but said I think having done that,
Clarkston. assist litter abatement put in, he said. Id like the the process has been we changed the trajectory
You cant move forward crews; $160,290 to [residents] to know that frustrating. of the county, Jester said.
before you realize theres a demolish approximately a were committed and going Theres the removal We have to buckle down
condition that needs to be dozen blighted houses; and forward. of debris and many of and go through these types
addressed, $200,000 towards additional In 2016, a judge the buildings have some of properties. The CEO ran
said Marcus Kellum, tree removal. authorized the demolition significant problems. [The on a platform of addressing
director of Beautification in Kellum said the countys of four buildings at Brannon county] has to go through blight and Im glad hes
DeKalb County. [DeKalb program, nicknamed Hill. In November of last legal hurdles and go back addressing that.
CEO Michael Thurmond] Operation Clean Sweep, year, a man was found shot to superior court judges,
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS Friday, June 30, 2017 Page 11A
PAWS OF SUCCESS
Month-long adoption event ends soon
its goal. Rosenberg said to find homes for them and
BY HORACE HOLLOMAN because of the intake avoid having to transport
horace@dekalbchamp.com numbers for Lifeline, its them to the new facility is
important to get as many a real need, Rosenberg
Lifeline Animal Project adopted as possible. said. Our ultimate goal
the nonprofit organization Our goal of finding is to make our own work
that manages animal homes for 545 dogs before unnecessary by eliminating
shelters in Fulton County, the end of the month is the need for shelters in
DeKalb County and mission critical in light of the Atlanta at all, but, until that
Avondale Estateswill soon sheer numbers we have in happens, well stick with one
move into a new facility near daily intake. In the summer step at a time.
DeKalb Peachtree Airport in months, we can get as Lifelines new facility cost
Chamblee. many as 50 new animals roughly $8.6 million and will
In an effort to arrange per day, so this big push be 33,440 square feet.
adoptions of as many
animals as possible before
the big move, Lifeline
Animal Project hosted a Day Care, Pre-School Elementary School
Clear DeKalb Shelter
adoption event at its DeKalb Middle School High School College/University Students
location June 17 in hopes
of moving into a new space
with a fresh start.
Adoption fees for the Lifeline Animal Project held a Clear the DeKalb Shelter adoption event June 17.
The organization arranged adoptions for 100 animals during the event.
shelter are waived for the
month of June and the
event was a big success, Sarah Rosenberg, we spend time with. We
said Lifeline Animal Project along with her 13-year-old have come to learn such
spokesperson Karen daughter, has worked with an important lesson from
Hirsch. Lifeline Animal Shelter for spending time with shelter
According to Hirsch, roughly a year as part of animals, which is that even
Lifeline arranged adoptions their weekly routine. She a single person with only a
said shes committed to little time to spare can make DeKalb County Board of Health
of more than 100 cats offers Saturday and Evening Back-to-School Hours
and dogs at the event and helping animals at the a huge, positive impact on
completed adoptions of shelter find a home. the wellbeing of an animal
Our experience in the shelter environment, Immunizations Vision, Hearing &
more than 300 animals
since June 1. working with LifeLine has Rosenberg said. Nutrition Screenings Sports Physicals
Lifeline initially set a goal been nothing short of life- Hirsch said the shelter No appointment is necessary.
of completing adoptions of changing, not only for both has more than 100 animals Services are available on a first come, first served basis.
500 animals in June. of us but for the animals to be adopted to reach Regular hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m.
WEEKinPICTURES
Mattie Hudgons recently celebrated her 80th birthday. She is the mother of
Champion photographer Travis Hudgons. Photo by Travis Hudgons
DeKalb County Fire Rescue members engage in diving and water rescue training on June 21. Photos courtesy of DeKalb
County.
Lithonia 48-5-32 does hereby publish the following presentation of the current year's tax digest and levy, along with the history of the tax
digest and levy for the past five years.
The City Schools of Decatur (CSD) also accounts for an increase in teachers
board of education tentatively approved retirement.
maintaining its current millage rate of 18.66 CSD scheduled approximately $37.1
mills on June 13, the same day it approved million in construction projects for the fiscal
a final $66.1 million general fund budget. year, all of which will come from a $41.3
According to district documents, the million capital fund account. Approximately
budget will fund 30.21 new positions as $4.8 million of these funds come from
well as a step increase of 2.5 percent to CSDs special local option sales tax
account for an adjusted cost of living. (SPLOST), which generates an estimated
The budget also takes into consideration $400,000 per month, according to district
an increase of $98.80 per member per officials.
month to the employer portion of state CSD is expected to approve its 18.66
health insurance for classified employees millage rate at its July 18 board meeting.
beginning January 2018. The amount
Residents of Shallowford Gardens in Doraville have spoken against the lack of public process involving the decision to sell their homes to DeKalb County School District for the purpose of a new school.
Photo by R. Scott Belzer
DEKALBCHAMPNEWS DEKALBCHAMPNEWS
July 2017
Upcoming Events
July 13 November 9
General Membership Meeting featuring Roosevelt
DeKalb and Dunwoody Perimeter Chambers 2018
Council, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International
Legislative Preview 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Airport - 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
August 28 December 7
General Membership Meeting featuring Pete Correll,
13th Annual Golf Tournament - 8:00 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Grady Health Foundation 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
August 28 For more information and to register for any of these
4th Annual Womens Golf Clinic 1:00 p.m. to 3:30
events, please visit www.dekalbchamber.org.
p.m.
September 28
General Membership Meeting featuring Chris Carr,
Attorney General 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
BUSINESS DEKALB FREE PRESS Friday, June 30, 2017 Page 21A
Experts:
Workforce should welcome those with autism
BY KATHY MITCHELL
Freelance Reporter
The
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SPORTS DEKALB FREE PRESS Friday, June 30, 2017 Page 23A
DeKalb track and field athletes perform well at New Balance Nationals meet
BY CARLA PARKER
carla@dekalbchamp.com
Some of DeKalb Countys track and field athletes
finished in the top 20 of various events against some of the
nations top athletes at the New Balance Nationals Outdoor
meet in Greensboro, N.C.
Recent Arabia Mountain High School graduate Tyler
Jones won the Emerging Elite boys long jump with a 23-
05.50 jump. St. Pius Xs Matthew Harris finished 18th (21-
09.50) in the event. Jones also finished ninth in the boys
triple jump with a 14.76-meter jump.
Jones high school teammate, Arabia Mountain
graduate Michael Willingham, finished 12th in the discus
throw (176-03), and teammate Jordan Barrow finished
third in the freshman boys long jump (21-02.00) and sixth
in the freshman 100-meter dash (11.30).
Miller Groves Jaden Carter finished sixth in the
freshman boys long jump (20-07.75) and finished 11th (41-
09.00) in the freshman triple jump.
Recent Marist graduate Brian Faust finished eighth in
the 400-meter dash (47.27), Decatur graduate Sam Ellis
finished 11th in the 800-meter run (1:53.65) and Chamblee
graduate Will West finished in the top 20 of each event in
the boys decathlon with his highest placement coming in
the discus throw where he finished third (124-00.00).
Other athletes who placed in the Emerging Elite meet
were Southwest DeKalbs Nicholas Edwards who finished
10th in the discus throw (153-08.00) and St. Pius Jeffrey
Del Bagno who finished 23rd in the hammer throw (149-
09.00).
Arabia Mountain graduate Michael Willingham finished 12th in the
discus throw in the New Balance Nationals Outdoor meet. Photo
from www.ga.milesplit.com
GDOT to install flashing yellow turn signals along Peachtree Road in Brookhaven
The Georgia Department Highway Research various locations. they can turn left once they clear of oncoming motorists,
of Transportation (GDOT) Program, flashing yellow Flashing yellow turn have determined that their bicyclists and pedestrians.
is in the process of turn signals result in a signals alert drivers that intended path of travel is
installing seven flashing more efficient traffic flow
yellow arrow traffic signals and enhanced intersection
along Peachtree Road in safety for both pedestrians
Brookhaven. and drivers. FREE CUSTOMER FREE FAMILY REUNION
According to studies The lights will be installed SERVICE TRAINING PLANNING WORKSHOP
commissioned by throughout the Peachtree
the Federal Highway Road corridor along the 1.7 Wednesday, July 12th Saturday, August 19th
Administration and the miles between Lanier Drive
9:00 a.m. to Noon Workshop - 10 a.m. to Noon
National Cooperative and the Atlanta city limits at Showcase - Noon to 2 p.m.
Discover DeKalb Conference Room Stars and Strikes Entertainment Center
GUILTY Continued From Page 16A 1957 Lakeside Parkway, Suite 510
Tucker, GA 30084
1741 Mountain Industrial Blvd
Stone Mountain, GA 30083
Helping you
is what we
love to do.