the DeKalb FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2017 VOL. 22, NO.

44 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

M.D. Naser, Doravilles first
person of color and Muslim on
city council, said he seeks to
represent Doravilles diverse
communities. Photo submitted.
Joseph Geierman, an openly
gay man, was elected to
Doraville City Council on Nov.
7, demonstrating the citys ten-
dency toward diversity. Photo
submitted
Stephe Koontz, a transgender
woman, said her skill set and
familiarity with residents made
the difference in her election
victory on Nov. 7. Photo submit-
ted

D is for Diversity in Doraville

Residents elect first transgender woman
alongside openly gay man, Muslim

by R. Scott Belzer
sbelzer@dekalbchamp.com
On Nov. 7, residents in
Holiday fare
lot of great things for the community and establish
city, but also had some views rapport.
about gay people that may People want to see
have precluded them from quality development,

Doraville elected their first
transgender woman, Stephe
Koontz, as well as an openly
gay man, Joseph Geierman,
to the city council.
voting for someone like me. I
never really had a clue I would
feel like I had a chance to run
for office. A lot has changed in
16 years.
aplenty at local
especially at the former GM
site, Koontz said. People are
concerned about equality
in code enforcement and
the high percentage of

Geierman and Koontz
join Muslim and Bangladesh-
born councilman M.D. Naser
in making up Doravilles
majority-women and
inclusive city government
affirming to the public that
Doraville stands behind its
slogan of Diversity. Vitality.
Community.
This is unique for a city
in Georgia, said Koontz, a
Doraville resident since 1985.
Theres only one White
man on the council. It has
changed a lot since Ive lived
here. When I moved here it
was mostly White and blue
collar; the makeup of the
neighborhood has changed
since thenits a lot more
diverse and [has] made the
city a better place to live in.
Geierman said Doraville
has come a long way since he
moved there in 2001.
When I moved here,
I didnt feel like there
was anyone like me in
government, Geierman said.
There were a lot of original
residents who had been here
since the 1950s. They did a
Naser said he moved to
Doraville from Chittagong,
Bangladesh, nearly 20 years
ago to seek a better life.
Today, he works for the
DeKalb County Sheriffs Office
and has been on Doraville
City Council since 2015the
first person of color to do
so since 1871. He is also the
first Muslim to serve on the
council.
I came straight to
Doraville from Bangladesh.
Ive never lived anywhere
else, Naser said. Its a
beautiful city. The diversity
has made it more beautiful.
When I moved here there
wasnt much diversity but
it has dramatically changed
over the years, which is a
great thing. I love it.
Koontz said she ran for
office to help develop a
downtown core and follow
through on Doravilles
citizen-made comprehensive
plan. She said she knocked
on more than 1,000 doors
to develop a one-on-
one relationship with the
rental property in the city.
And of course, potholes and
sidewalks.
Geierman said he was
prompted to run to oust bad
landlords and stir economic
development in the city.
I want to see a Doraville
I can continue to grow into,
Geierman said. I want to see
quality development. I want
to see a walkable Buford
Highway.
Naser said he works
to better transparency in
Doraville and make it a
more welcoming place for
immigrant families. He said
immigrant communities in
all cities need representation
and help navigating United
States legal systems, which
inspired him to run in 2015.
There were some
issues I needed to [stand
up for], Naser said. Certain
immigrant communities
were being targeted. A lot of
the community needs help.
People break laws because
they dont know the laws and
the rules. I try to educate our
See Diversity on page 11
theaters
Late November and December are great times for lovers
of theaters. Musicals, comedies and maybe a drama or two
are staged during the holiday season telling fantasy tales,
relationship stories and sometimes putting new twists on
traditional holiday fare. Some are perfect for children and
families, others are definitely adult themed.
Several DeKalb County theaters are staging new and returning
productions of holiday shows. Here are a few to consider for
your holiday entertainment schedule:
Onstage Atlanta
2969E. Ponce de Leon Ave.
Decatur
(404) 897-1802
www.onstageatlanta.com
A Christmas StoryNov. 24-Dec. 17
For Ralphie Parker, there is no greater Christmas gift than a
genuine Red Ryder 200 Shot Carbine Action Air Rifle, States
Onstages website. Unfortunately, his mom, teacher and even
the Santa Claus toiling away at Higbees Department Store
share the same reaction to his Christmas wish: Youll shoot
your eye out! All the elements from the classic motion picture
See Holiday on page 11

Visit www.championnewspaper.com for local, real DeKalb County news.

local DEKALB FREE PRESS Friday, DECEMBER 1, 2017 Page 2

Chamblee

From long drives to penalty kicks

Chamblee closes on golf property, outlines soccer facility
by R. Scott Belzer
sbelzer@dekalbchamp.com
Officials in Chamblee on Nov. 20
announced the purchase of 16 acres
along Buford Highway bringing the
citys total park space to more than
100 acres.
The purchase of the former
Jim Hearn Golf Centerlocated
at 4445 Buford Highwaywas
finalized through a low-interest
lease agreement worth $4.5 million
in partnership with the Georgia
Municipal Association, according to
city officials.
The purchase of the property,
combined with the existing Dresden
Park, creates a 40-acre contiguous
park amenity in the area, said
Chamblee Mayor Eric Clarkson.
This is an investment in the Buford
Highway corridor that could spark
further private development.
Chamblee originally announced
its intent to purchase the former Jim
Hearn Golf Centerwhich accounts
for approximately 16.5 acresin June
2017. Undeveloped greenspace along
North Shallowford Road amounting to
8.9 acres was also included.
According to Chamblee public
relations manager Tisa Moore, the
property will be transformed into
several soccer and multi-use fields.
The space also will include walking
trails that connect to nearby Dresden
Park.
The investment by the city is
designed to create premier field
space and expand the athletic
offerings available to residents,
Moore said. The secondary goal
of the project is to spur additional
private development along the Buford
Highway corridor.
New park and recreation space
has been identified as a priority since
the development of Chamblees 2015
comprehensive plan and the 2016
parks master plan.
According to Moore, the 2016
comprehensive plan found soccer
to be the second-most desired
sport for residents; the second-most
participated in behind baseball for
children; and the fifth most common
sport adults participate in.
Development costs have yet
to be determined, as the city has
only recently issued a request for
proposal (RFP). RFPs for developing,
maintaining, operation and finance
of the property will be accepted
until Dec. 15 and interviews will be
conducted by city park management
staff in January 2018.
According to the RFP, the
objectives of the new soccer
complex are to provide programs
to all ages, cultures and abilities;
provide athletic opportunities to
area residents; enhance public and
private partnerships in the city; and
to provide fields that can be used by
soccer organizations at affordable
rates.
With its location inside the
perimeter and close proximity to
I-285 and I-85, it is destined to draw
soccer enthusiasts from all over for
tournament play and events, states
the document.
The RFP also requires companies
to submit 30-year budgets for the
project that include scholarship
programs for Chamblee residents as
well as lease rent payments to the city.
Jim Hearn Golf Center closed
approximately three years ago,
according to the RFP. The propertya
driving range and golf equipment
storestill has its original building,
t-boxes and equipment and is located
on a 100-year floodplain.
For more information, visit
www.chambleega.com or contact
Chamblee City Hall at (770) 986-5010.

You are Invited...

DeKalb County Tax Commissioner
Irvin J. Johnson
In conjunction
with

New Tag Renewal Kiosk

Ribbon Cutting
Ceremony
Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017 at 10:00 A.M.
Lithonia Kroger #445
6678 Covington Highway
Lithonia, GA 30058
For additional kiosk locations, hours, and information visit:
dor.georgia.gov/mvd-self-service-tag-kiosk
local
AroundDekalb
Atlanta
Onion Man to feature A little
Drew Charter School hosting gift Room At the Inn
drive
Drew Charter Schoollocated at
301 E. Lake Blvd. SEis hosting its
annual PTA Eagle Giving Tree gift
drive event.
The event features students,
parents and other community
stakeholders purchasing and
donating gifts for children at Drew
Charter School to make sure each
child has a memorable holiday
season.
Interested participants can
donate in person or online.
An online list can be found at
http://www.signupgenius.com/
go/10c0f44aea82ea46-2017.
Gifts can be donated in person
by visiting Drew Charter Schools
Lower Campus Atrium and picking
a golden eagle from the tree with
an assigned gift request.
Gifts can be returned
unwrapped to the lower campus
lobby until Dec. 8 at 6 p.m.
Brookhaven
City to host blood drive
Brookhaven, along with the
American Red Cross, will host a
blood drive Dec. 8 from 10 a.m.
to 3 p.m. at city hall. To schedule
an appointment to donate blood,
visit redcrossblood.org and enter
the sponsor code: brookhaven; or
call 1-800-RED-CROSS. City Hall is
located at 4362 Peachtree Road.
Chamblee
Onion Man Productionsa
nonprofit theater production
located at 5522 New Peachtree
Roadwill host the premiere of
A Little Room At the Inn on Nov. 30
until Dec. 10.
The play, written by Atlanta
playwright Hank Kimmel, tells
the story of a CEO and younger
protg as they are forced to
share a room at an inn during a
snowstorm. The pair must face
questions from a judgmental truck
driver as well as an overachieving
desk clerk.
Kimmel said the play is about
fidelity on the surface and the
dismantling of sexual, psychic
and corporate norms beneath the
surface.
Kimmel said he was inspired
to write the play after being
questioned by [an] unforgiving
wife about why a black pair of
womens underpants (not hers)
mysteriously came back with
clothes from the laundromat.
I learned that the appearance
of impropriety can sometimes
be worse than impropriety itself,
Kimmel said.
A Little Room At The Inn begins
Nov. 30 until Dec. 10. Shows are
Thursday to Saturday evenings at
7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m.
Tickets are $12-$16. The play is
directed by Julie Skrzypek and
features Rachel Graf Evans,
Jessie Kuipers, Geoff McKnight
and Jillian Walzer.
DEKALB FREE PRESS Friday, DECEMBER 1, 2017 Page 3
clarkston
Artist Shannon Willow to host
holiday open studio
Clarkston artist Shannon
Willow will host her 8th Annual
Holiday Open Studio event Dec. 2
and Dec. 3 at 1 p.m. until 8 p.m.
This is my favorite show of
the year and I have created a new
body of work since the summer
show to share with you, Willow
said. The fire will be blazing,
snacks and beverages await, along
with this spiritual art experience.
Please dont miss it!
In addition to light
refreshments, Willow will speak on
such topics as human connection,
spirituality and living in the
moment. Original oil paintings,
trade bead jewelry, medicine bags,
fine art prints, T-shirts, art cards,
bells, sage, cedar, sweet grass and
more will also be available for
purchase.
The event is open to the
public at 951 Mell Avenue. Those
interested can call Willow at
(770) 853-4356 or visit www.
shannonwillowart.com.
Dunwoody
Community center invites public
to a night of songs
The Marcus Jewish Community
Centers Zaban Park Campus and
Sophie Hirsch Srochi Discovery
Centerlocated at 5342 Tilly Mill
Roadwill host Shabbat, Me
& Rabbi G, a Hanukah themed
activity and story period on Dec. 8
from 5 to 6 p.m.
The kid-themed event will
feature activities and tales in the
Discovery Center followed by
songs and blessings with Rabbi
Brian Glusman. The event will
also feature an appearance from
the Weinstein School Shabbat
Dinosaur.
The event is free. Light
refreshments such as challah and
grape juice will be served.
For more information, contact
Glusman at (678) 812-4161 or
rabbi.glusman@atlantajcc.org.
lithonia
Tree lighting and park visioning
public meeting
Lithonia will host its annual tree
lighting and holiday celebration
with Santa Dee Dec. 3 from 5:30 to
6:30 p.m. There will be hot cocoa,
cookies and music by the Miller
Grove High School jazz orchestra.
The event will be held at Kelly Park,
located on the corner of Main Street
and Max Cleland Blvd. Before the
tree lighting event, the city will host
a Lithonia Park visioning public
meeting at city hall where residents
can share their ideas for the park.
For more information, contact
Lithonia City Hall at (770) 482-8136.
local
dunwoody
Child shot en route
City proceeds with hotel tax increase to birthday party
Rate raised to 8 percent, funds to be used for
tourism facility fund, greenspace improvements
by R. Scott Belzer
sbelzer@dekalbchamp.com
Visitors and patrons to Dunwoody hotels
and motels can expect to pay an additional 3
percent tax following a city council meeting
on Nov. 13.
Council discussed increasing the
Dunwoody hotel and motel tax to 8 percent
following conversations with stakeholders,
sub committee discussions and a public open
house, which have taken place since June.
The Nov. 13 approval marked the first read
of the ordinance. Should Dunwoody City
Council approve the ordinance at its next
meeting on Nov. 27, the tax will go into effect
January 2018.
According to Dunwoody Economic
Development Director Michael Starling, 15
percent of funds generated by the taxan
estimated $125,000will help finance parks,
trails and greenspace within the city as part of
a newly created tourism facility fund.
Its not often that a city or municipality
finds a new, untapped revenue source,
Starling said. But we have wants and needs
beyond what this limited revenue source can
handle. What weve tried to do is balance
thosewhat we think the community needs,
the hotel needs and what tourism itself
needs.
The tourism facility fund will spur such
projects as Perimeter Center East Park,
Ashford Dunwoody Trail, Flyover Bridge Park,
Westside Connector Trail, Perimeter Park,
Georgetown to Perimeter Trail, Highstreet
Trail, Perimeter Mall Trail, Georgetown
Gateway Trail, Ravinia Trail, Northfork Nancy
Creek Trail, Winters Chapel Road Trail, Cotillion
Trail and Windood Hollow Trail.
Starling said the improvements focus on
how to connect the citys assets and how they
can connect to hotels.
Starling said the number one want
by visitors and residents in Dunwoody
is greenspace, parks and trails. He said
surrounding cities such as Alpharetta are
already working on a loop system linking city
amenities.
This is something a lot of communities
are focused on, Starling said. These are
investments that support office, retail and
residential markets. These are things all
commercial property owners are looking for.
According to Georgia law, no less
than 50 percent of revenue generated by
hotel and motel taxes go to destination
marketing organizations created by cities.
In Dunwoodys case, the agency is the
Dunwoody Convention & Visitors Bureau,
which must spend the funds on promoting
tourism, conventions and trade shows.
Dunwoody was granted permission to
raise its hotel and motel tax rate with the
passage of House Bill 564 this year.
Resident Bill Grant said he supported the
tax because of how transparent Dunwoody
city government has been with constituents.
[The tax] is a good thing, it really is, Grant
said. [Starling] put this in front of us about
DEKALB FREE PRESS Friday, DECEMBER 1, 2017 Page 4
by horace holloman birthday party traveling on
horace@dekalbchamp.com Clifton Church Road when a
white Dodge Charger with
New Jersey plates struck their
An 8-year-old who vehicle.
thought she would spend the According to Milton
day eating cake and ice cream Howard, after his vehicle was
ended up in the hospital after struck he heard gunshots.
a dispute in DeKalb County. Thats when he realized his
Raegan Howard is daughter was shot.
recovering after she was shot Milton Howard took his
in the buttocks following a daughter to a nearby Georgia
road rage incident. Express Meals for help.
According to DeKalb Two teens in the charger
County police, Howard and fled the scene.
her father Milton Howard, One of the teens who fled
32, were on their way to a the scene was identified as
See shot on page 10
Dunwoody City Council held a first read on an ordinance
raising the city hotel and motel tax to 8 percent. Funds will
be used for green space improvements, city officials state.
Photo submitted.
six or eight months ago. Well increase our
revenue, we wont take it from residents,
well have new money and we can move way
ahead on our parks program.
Grant said many hotels endorse such taxes
because they are invested back into the areas
they serve and make cities more attractive to
visitors.
Theres really been no pushback, Grant
said.
Jim Williams, Dunwoody resident
and president of nonprofit Dunwoody
Preservation Trust, referenced an email in
which he requested the funds generated from
the tax and dedicated to the tourism fund be
increased to 25 percent.
The hotel and motel tax is estimated
to generate an additional $850,000 in
funds to the city for tourism-related capital
improvements, Williams said. Staff is
recommending 15 percent of those funds go
to projects managed by nonprofit partners.
Current capital funding available for all of
these facilities has been $250,000 annually,
which is allocated only after competitive
proposals from each of the nonprofits.
Williams said the $250,000 is not adequate
for each nonprofit. He said pursuing funds
from the city budget has not proven to be
effective.
These nonprofit operated properties,
both collectively and individually, create
significant placemakers when attracting
tourism to the city, Williams said.
Williams request was backed by Alan
Mothner, who said he would be happy with
any increase allocated to nonprofits.
opinion
Having just received my DNA
results, it occurred to me while
reviewing the hodge-podge of my
ancestral lineage that most of us are
combinations of many ethnicities.
It also occurred to me that there are
likely many people who are reluctant,
for a multitude of reasons, to have
their DNA tested.
Even though there werent
many surprises in my results, it
does indicate traces of lineage from
northern Africa and from European
Jewswhich is puzzlingas I think
of Judaism as a religion. As a fair-
haired, blue-eyed Georgia native,
I always considered myself to be
primarily of Scots-Irish decent, as is
the case; however, there are other
components of my DNA that link me
to native America, South America,
northern Africa, Germany, Poland,
Russia, Italy, Guam and Polynesia.
It is a safe assumption that most
of us have a multitude of ethnicities
in our veins but so often many
Subscribe to The Champion Newspaper
To subscribe, visit TheChampionNewspaper.com or call 404-373-7779
The tangled web of DNA
John Hewitt
johnh@dekalbchamp.com
people refuse to acknowledge
that possibility and find it difficult
to imagine that they have lineage
linking them to groups that may not
be at the top of their favored lists.
Id love to see a concerted effort
by our national government to offer
free DNA testing to anyone who cares
to participate. Perhaps if more people
knew more about their combined
DNA, we would begin to see how
similar we really are and eventually
become simply Americans.
Imagine if those who espouse
racial bigotry and hatred against
those who are different were
DEKALB FREE PRESS Friday, DECEMBER 1, 2017 Page 5
confronted with factual information
which proves that their ancestors
may not have been as pure anything
as they want to believe. Would
this possibly dissuade them from
being hostile to those they believe
to be different because of physical
characteristics?
Long before there were border
walls (other than in China) or
immigration procedures, people were
free to move about at will with little
concern as to whether they would
be welcome in unfamiliar places
or if they would have the proper
documentation. The biggest concern
was likely surviving the journey or
if there would be hostility by those
they may encounter along the way.
As the developed nations of
Europe began global explorations in
search of spices and other items not
available in their homelands, they
established colonies in the newly
discovered lands and out of necessity
established relationships with the
native inhabitants. Global migratory
practices of our ancestors placed
men and women in situations where
they would be likely to encounter
others of differing ethnicities, be
attracted to them and eventually
procreate.
It is widely believed by many DNA
experts that we all have a common
DNA link to the ancient cultures of
northern Africa, which is believed
to be the cradle of civilization
from whence we all evolved. It
astounds me that so many prefer to
concentrate on differences rather
than commonalities.
We are all humans comprised of
23 pairs of chromosomes; many of
the chromosomes, if not most, are
shared with all others throughout the
world.
Im proud to be a mixture of many
ethnicities and encourage all to
explore their own set of unique DNA
profiles that make us who we are.
opinion DEKALB FREE PRESS Friday, DECEMBER 1, 2017 Page 6

It feels as if we are at a reckoning
point, at least regarding the issue of
sexual harassment and inappropriate
conduct.Women and men are
now calling out bad behavior long
overdue.As the pendulum is pushed
in motion, it is impossible to calculate
the severity or landing angle of the
swing, but this one does feel like a
bridge that we will not cross back
over.And so, I thought Id share two
instances in my own life, each leaving
a small scar.
I was 12.Our sixth-grade chorus
traveled to a senior center to sing
Christmas carols.The entire chorus
wore identical wardrobe white
button-down shirts and black slacks.
The group was a pretty even mix of
boys and girls from our grade.
A much older gentleman,
appearing somewhat frail, sat leaning
forward in a large chair to the side of
the front row.As we completed our
performance, he was commenting
loudly, Bravo! Encore and asking for
holiday hugs from chorus members.
Many in our group complied.When
it was my turn the old man scooped
me up into his lap. I didnt reach five
feet tall until high school. Longer
hair was then in style, mine wasa bit
like Peter Torks of the Monkees of
Me three
One Mans
Opinion
Bill Crane
bill.csicrane@gmail.com
that era, and dirty blonde.The old
man whispered into my ear, Merry
Christmas...should I tell Santa that you
have been a good little girl or a good
little boy?
As I began to answer him, his hand
reached into my crotch and he was
squeezing my private parts, making
clear the answer to his question, as he
said, What a prettylittle boy.
In a flash that I cant quite entirely
describe and has not occurred since,
I was angry, nearly puked and felt a
dizziness and sense of being over-
whelmed and powerless to escape the
situation.
As the old man started to move his
hands elsewhere, I sharply jammed an
elbow into his rib-cage.He was badly
winded, while his face was tearing up,
all he could muster was to say, Wait.
Out of his lap and grasp, my wits
recovered, while I stared him in the
eye and said, Touch anyone else and I
break a rib.
I told only one friend what
happened on the bus ride back to
school.I never told my parents, our
choir director, or anyone at the senior
center.
Nearly a decade later and during a
college summer break, I was waiting
tables in a white linen/fine dining
establishment.I was initially a service
waiter, backing up more experienced
staff.We handled beverage service,
fresh bread, clearing, busing and
re-setting each table. There were no
waitresses at this establishment, and
the vast majority of the seasoned wait
staff were men in their 30s.I was 19.
While bending down into the
kitchens bread warming oven, I
suddenly felt my rear end being
squeezed.I was startled, and fell
forward bracing my hands against
the fall and into the bread oven.As
I pulled out my scorched palms and
spun around to face my groper, I saw
the restaurants most senior waiter.He
winked at me, smoothed his
mustache and said, Nice hot buns.
I knew again there were limits to
what I could do in response without
getting fired.So, I smiled, while
surveying the burn damage to my
palms and said, Grab my buns again
and your hands go into the bread
oven until you arent able to carry a
serving tray.
I am not equating either of
these instances to the hundreds
of situations that Im sure that my
mother, two sisters, grown and now
married daughter or any of many
other women in my life have faced. I
already know their challenges were
worse and more frequent.
We are at a teachable moment.So,
lets share and have sober
discussions.Lets share with our
children as well as those we mentor
what is OK, and whats not, and how
to better respect one another. Lets
try and remember that every woman
is someone elses daughter, sister,
mother, lover or loved one. How
do we want ours to be treated and
respected?
As we enter this holiday season,
there is one gift of the old South
all men might consider giving the
women in their world and livesa bit
more chivalry.Im not suggesting a Sir
Walter Raleigh role-play; just treat all
the women in your life as if they are
your family.Who knows, they might
just return the favor.

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
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local DEKALB FREE PRESS Friday, DECEMBER 1, 2017 Page 7

decatur

Dude until 2021

by R. Scott Belzer
sbelzer@dekalbchamp.com
Less than six months
after increasing his pay and
awarding him a bonus, the
City Schools of Decatur
(CSD) board of education
extended the contract of
Superintendent David Dude
on Nov. 14.
The unanimous decision
made by board members
Garrett Goebel, Julie
Rhame, Bernadette Seals,
Annie Caiola and Lewis
Joneswas arrived upon
in an executive session held
after the boards monthly
meeting.
Dudes contract
guarantees his current salary
of $189,000, will increase
to $199,000 in the 2018-19
school year, $209,000 in the
2019-20 school year and
$219,000 in the 2020-21
school year. Each year, Dude
will be eligible for a bonus of
$20,000.
The board will have the
option to extend Dudes
contract at its discretion.
According to the contract,
Dude can be terminated
from his position for reasons
that, include but is not
limited to incompetence;
insubordination; willful
neglect of duties; immorality;
inciting, encouraging or
counseling students to violate
any valid state law, municipal
ordinance or board policy;
failure to secure and maintain
necessary educational
training; failure to comply
fully with any warranty;
making false or incorrect
representations; failure to
obtain, earn, receive, possess,
acquire, and maintain
educational requirements
required by [the contract];
inability to be bonded; and
any other good and sufficient
cause.
Dudes performance is
evaluated twice per school
yearonce at midyear
and once at its conclusion.
Evaluations, criticisms and
notes from CSDs board of
education remain confidential
in Dudes personnel file.
According to Dudes
contract, he is also eligible
for a $1,500 allowance each
month to, cover or offset
routine and reasonable
expenses arising out of [his]
performance of duties,
including civic duties and
travel expenses.
City Schools of Decatur
extends super's contract
Dude is also eligible for 45
days of paid vacation and 30
days of paid sick leave each
contract year.
According to reports from
Decaturish, Dudes contract
discussion was placed on
CSDs board of education
consent agenda for Nov.
14 but was removed. A
CSD official said the item
was originally there as a
placeholder.
Board chair Caiola later
City Schools of Decatur superintendent
stated the board was likely David Dude was awarded a contract
to discuss his contract at the amendment retaining his services
meeting. at the district until 2021. Photo
submitted.
eXPerieNce decatur

Lithonia

Inman makes history becoming

youngest elected councilmember
by Carla Parker
carla@dekalbchamp.com
Election night was a historic
time for the city of Lithonia and
Amelia Inman.
Inman, 26, became the
youngest person elected to
the Lithonia City Council. She
won one of the three at-large
council seats, receiving the
most votes (79). Incumbent
Diane Howard received the
second most votes with 73
and incumbent William Ric
Dodd finished third, receiving
64 votes. Incumbent Tracy-
Ann Williams lost her council
seat after receiving 62 votes.
The 2009 Druid Hills High
School graduate said it feels
wonderful to be the new
councilwoman in Lithonia.
Im still kind of in shock
because while youre in the
process of working so hard
Amelia Inman is the youngest person
elected to the Lithonia City Council.
Photo by Ayana Johnson
the Georgia Institute of Real
Estate. She is currently a real
estate executive at Keller
Williams Chattahoochee North.
While campaigning, Inman not
only tried to appeal to young
voters, but to older voters as
@ 20+ SHOPS
NOV. 30 | DEC. 7, 14, 21
heard from elderly residents
include the issue of abandoned
homes, trash around their
homes and code enforcement.
She said she will work with
churches and schools to help
create a program for young
people where they will have
S AIME JEW
volunteer hours to help our GR E E N E ELRY
senior population.
FINE FOODS AND GALLERY
Its possible to make our
homes in our communities
look better, she said.
Inman assured voters she DOGGY
would address the noise at
the amphitheater and public DOGG SPLASH
safety. She also wants to E
improve communication and OF OLIV
branding of the city.
Branding is another
platform that I stand on,
she said. [My] first initiative
is to definitely work on our
communication because that artSy SurPriSeS SPecial HOliday dealS
goes with how Lithonia is seen #OctOPidecatur
and our reputation. I will look
for sponsorships from local

campaigning, door-knocking,
sending out mailers, talking to
the peopleyou dont really
think about it in the mist of it.
But, since I was actually elected
in the top vote getter, Im just
like, Wow, all of the hard work
did not go in vain. So, its a
wonderful feeling. I had a lot of
support along the way.
Inman is a graduate of
Valdosta State University and
well.
We do have a very large
senior population, so when
I was talking to them I tried
my best to let them know
that Im all about being a new
voice for them, she said. I let
them know that I dont know
everything, but I would like
to get a lot of things in order
when I do get elected.
Inman said concerns she
DECATUR.
business owners and even [big]
business owners so we can
get digital signage. Whenever
[people] drive by and they see
this signage they will always
know whats happening in the
city, whether its a town hall
meeting, a council meeting or
a workshop. Visitors Center | 113 Clairemont Ave.
Inman said she wants visitdecaturga.com |
See inman on page 13

Decatur-champion-nov-30-2017.indd 1 11/27/17 5:09 PM

local
decatur
The Decatur city commission unanimously approved an intergovernmental agreement with DeKalb County that will provide Decatur with $800,000 to improve green space projects at the United Methodist
Childrens Home property.
All about the green
by horace holloman
horace@dekalbchamp.com
Decaturs decision to
acquire the United Methodist
Childrens Home (UMCH)
property in August is starting
to pay off.
On Nov. 20, the
Decatur city commission
unanimously approved
an intergovernmental
agreement with DeKalb
County that will provide
Decatur with $800,000 to
improve green space projects
on the UMCH property.
decatur
Battle between Cagle, Decatur continues
by horace holloman
horace@dekalbchamp.com
It doesnt appear Lt.
Gov. Casey Cagle will back
down from his claims that
Decatur is a sanctuary city
and after Decatur Mayor Patti
Garrett released a statement
regarding the matter, it
doesnt seem Decatur is
backing down either.
Garrett responded to
Cagles claims, posting a
statement on the citys
website. Garrett said Cagles
accusations are not based
in fact. Garrett also claims
that Cagle is avoiding further
conversation with city leaders.
The city of Decatur is
not a sanctuary city. Had the
Decaturs green space nets city $800,000
According to Decatur
officials, DeKalb County
Commissioner Kathie
Gannon acquired funding
from the countys special
recreation tax district general
obligations bonds. The
bonds were part of a 2001
referendum approving $125
million to acquire land for
additional parks and natural
areas as well as preserving
green space and making
greenspace improvements.
We express our thanks to
Commissioner Gannon and
the county government for
making those funds available
in our area. I think it would be
nice to have that additional
Lt. Governor taken the time
to talk with any of our city
leaders prior to his interviews
with local TV stationswhere
DEKALB FREE PRESS Friday, DECEMBER 1, 2017 Page 8
funding to have the trails
improved and make the space
more inviting, said Mayor
Patti Garrett.
Peggy Merriss, Decatur
city manager, said the city
must use the proceeds on six
possible projects. According
to the agreement, Decatur
has 10 years from the date
of receiving the funds to
undertake certain greenspace
projects.
The city can decide to
use all of the $800,000 on
one project, or distribute the
money among other projects
such as construction of new
walking, biking or pedestrian
trails; improvements to
he questioned the actions
of one of the best police
departments in the state of
Georgiawe could have
discussed the policy matters
at hand, said Garrett. Instead,
for reasons that seem both
personally and politically
motivated, he chose to forgo
having a direct conversation.
He now stands by his own
interpretations with little
effort to verify their accuracy,
such as awaiting guidance
from the state attorney
general.
The issue began in
September when Decatur
codified a long-standing
practice by the Decatur
police, stating they would
not arrest, hold, extend the
detention of, transfer custody
of, or transport anyone
existing walking trails;
preparation of master
plan for green space areas;
removal of invasive species;
improvements for pond
access, including construction
of observation deck and
improvements to the existing
pond.
We can do it all at once
and do a major project, or we
can [spend the money] over
a few years because there
are a number of different
projects, Merriss said. We
havent allocated this money
to any projects yet but we
appreciate Commissioner
Gannons participation.
In August 2017, Decatur
based on the request of U.S.
Immigration and Customs
Enforcement unless the
agency presented Decatur
police with a warrant first.
On Nov. 1, Cagle wrote
on his Facebook page that
Decatur needed to abandon
their practice of harboring
criminal illegal immigrants,
or he would work to cut
the citys funding. Cagle
also wrote a statement
saying, Illegal immigrants
shouldnt be here in the first
place, and if they commit
violent crimes, responsible
local leaders should work
hand in hand with federal
authorities to turn them over
for deportation. Our state has
a responsibility to prevent
crime and uphold the rule of
law. Thats what I intend to
officials completed the
sale of approximately 77
acres of property owned by
the UMCH. The process of
acquiring the property took
nine months and Decatur
purchased the land for an
estimated $40 million.
Approximately 22
acres of the property will
be dedicated for use as a
permanently protected
conservation area. Decatur
plans to have a community-
based master planning effort
in January 2018 to determine
the future use of the UMCH
property.
do.
Cagle also filed a
complaint with the state
immigration board in
November. The board plans
to review the complaint in
January 2018.
Cagle is running for
governor of Georgia hoping
to replace Nathan Deal in
2018.
Lt. Gov. Cagle owes Police
Chief Mike Booker and
the men and women of the
Decatur Police Department
an apology for implying his
actions are rooted in their
failure to uphold the law and
for accusing Decatur officials
of harboring dangerous
criminals, Garrett said.
 DEKALB FREE PRESS Friday, DECEMBER 1, 2017 Page 9

weekinpictures

Atlanta Families Award for Excellence in Education recipient Toni Bailey in her 8th
grade art class on Nov. 15. Photo submitted.

St. Pius X running back Nkem Njoku brushes off a Woodward defender. St. Pius X running back Jason Jones run toward the end zone in St. Pius 35-31 win over Woodward Academy in the
playoffs quarterfinals. Photos by J. David DiCristina/Dry Branch Photography

Volunteers hand out turkeys to DeKalb residents during an NAACP turkey giveaway
event at North DeKalb Mall.

Decatur police officers pose for a picture while attending Decaturs holiday kickoff DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson and Santa ride together during the Tree of Love event at North
event. DeKalb Mall.

Have you created programming youd like to air on TV?

Do you have an interest in Public Access TV in DeKalb County?
Submit your show to DeKalb Countys Public Access channel, DeKalb 25.
Drop off DVD or USB copies to the Manuel J. Maloof Center at
1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur, GA 30030, or upload your content via the internet.

(404) 371-2325 DeKalb25@outlook.com DeKalb25.com

local
Countywide
The latest College and Career Readiness Performance Index scores indicate
improvements throughout DeKalb County. Photo illustration courtesy of
WikiMedia Commons.
College and career readiness
scores improve in DeKalb
Scores, growth percentages increase
by R. Scott Belzer
sbelzer@dekalbchamp.com
DeKalb County School
District (DCSD) and City
Schools of Decatur (CSD) are
celebrating improvement in
College & Career Readiness
Peformance Index (CCRPI)
scores following their release
from the Georgia Department
of Education (GDOE) on Nov.
2.
CCRPI scores are used to
gauge school improvement,
accountability and
communication. Scores are
looked at as benchmarks
for achievement, growth
and school effectiveness
statewide, typically
measuring content
mastery, progress, closing
achievement gaps, readiness
for the next grade and
graduation rates.
In 2017, school districts
throughout Georgia
increased their CCRPI scores,
representing a 1.4 point
increase overall on average.
In 2016, Georgia scored 73.6
and the most recent overall
score is 75.
In metro Atlanta, all but
Gwinnett County Schools
increased their overall
performance. Atlanta Public
Schools increased to 68.3
from 65.2, Fulton County
increased to 78 from 74.7
and Cobb County increased
to 82.9 from 80.5. Gwinnett
decreased to 82.4 from 83.
DCSD increased its overall
score from 66.6 in 2016 to
69.9 in 2017. High schools
in DCSD scored 74.1, middle
schools scored 67.8 and
elementary schools scored
67, representing 0.4, 3.2 and
5.8 increases from last year,
respectively.
The top scores in DCSD
are DeKalb Early College
Academy (107.1), DeKalb
School of the Arts (95.5)
and Arabia Mountain (92.3)
at the high school level;
Kittredge Magnet (101.9) and
Chamblee Middle (82.6) at
the middle school level; and
Kittredge Magnet (108.7)
and Vanderlyn (98.5) at the
elementary level.
CSDs overall score
increased from 89.1 to 90.3.
At the high school level,
CSD increased its score from
93.9 to 95.8 and 84.8 to 87.8
at the elementary level.
CSDs middle school score
decreased from 87.5 to 84.3.
CSD has one high school
and one middle school
Decatur High and Renfro
Middle. CSDs highest
performing elementary
school was Clairemont
Elementary at 87.8.
Each year, school districts
have the opportunity to
earn a possible 40 points for
student academic growth
and progress.
This year DCSD earned
36.7 at the high school
level, 34.8 at the middle
school level and 33.5 at the
elementary level.
CSD received 40 progress
points at the high school
level, 35 at the middle
school level and 36.2 at the
elementary level.
For a complete summary
of DCSD and CSD, including
scores for specific schools,
visit www.gadoe.org/ccrpi.
DEKALB FREE PRESS Friday, DECEMBER 1, 2017 Page 10
Countywide
Name drop
Lifeline to stop
breed labeling
for adoptable
dogs
by horace holloman
horace@dekalbchamp.com
A nonprofit organization
that runs the animal shelter
in DeKalb County has
decided to end the practice
of labeling dogs by breed.
Lifeline Animal Shelter
announced they will no
longer identify animals that
are waiting for adoption by
breed. The change in policy is
meant to give all dogs a fair
chance at getting adopted,
Lifeline officials said.
We decided to remove
[the labels] because we got
together with a lot of other
animal organizations and
found out that breed labeling Lifeline Animal Shelter will no longer label dogs by breed.
hinders the adoption process
and 70 percent of the time,
tests have shown [the labels]
are incorrect, said Karen
Hirsch, spokesperson for
Lifeline Animal Project.
Hirsch said often pit
bulls or bully breeds
are mislabeled because
of their common physical
characteristics such as having
a blocky head.
According to a study
from the The Veterinary
Journal, breed labels are
frequently inaccurate and
have negative impacts such
as breed discrimination and
a higher rate of dogs being
returned to shelters. A reason
breeds are mislabeled is only
1-percent of a dogs DNA
determines how the dog will
a couch potato and we help sponsored by Zappos.com
look physically, Hirsch said.
them pick out the dog, Hirsch and North Shore Animal
A DNA test is one of the
said. League included vaccines,
ways to determine a dogs
According to Lifeline spay/neuter services and a
true breed.
officials, the new policy could microchip for animals.
A dog may have a big,
help increase adoptions. Last year the shelter
blocky head and be labeled
Nov. 24 to Nov. 27, Lifeline adopted 374 animals during
as a pit bull and its not,
waived all adoptions fees in the event. Lifeline officials
Hirsch said. The other reason
its do something different said their goal this year was
is we didnt want people to
campaign. The adoptions, 380 animals.
have preconceived ideas of
how the dog would behave.
People think that some
Shot Continued From Page 4A
breeds are more aggressive
than others or pit bulls are
horrible dogs and thats just
not true.
17-year-old Curtis Trimble. Hes charged with two counts of
We ask them what they
aggravated assault.
are looking for. Maybe they
Raegan Howard was transported to Egelston Childrens
need a dog thats active or
Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS Friday, DECEMBER 1,, 2017 Page 11

diversity
Continued From Page 1
diverse communities and better the lives of
every community.
Koontz said the hard work combined
with her own couragenot her
transgender identityserved as the
impetus behind her successful run for
council. She said her qualifications as
a previous business owner with an
applicable skill set as well as her talks with
residents led to her victory and she just-so-
happens to be transgender.
I think it was me getting enough
courage and hoping my transgenderism
would not be an issue. I didnt feel that it
was, Koontz said. Theres something I read
this year: Everything great happens on the
other side of fear. My fears turned out to
be unfounded. It has been very emotional.
The most touching thing Ive gotten out of
this is the dozens of letters from parents of
transgender kids who were able to finally
read a story that gives their children hope
for the future.
Geierman, too, said his platform of
bettering the community is what led to his
victory.
If this race had taken place 10 years
ago, the fact that Im gay would have
been an issue. It was not something that
was even commented on, Geierman said.
People voted for me because of the things
I want to work on in government. It proves
that anyone looking at the place they live
and thinking, Man I wish I could run for

holiday Continued From Page 1

office but feel like I cant for X,Y or Z, should
maybe rethink those preconceived ideas. I
thought that too, but won very decisively
with a large number of votes.
are here, as the adult Ralph Parker corporate ladder by being protective Christmas and Silent Night. Tickets
Naser said he hopes he is the first in a
recalls with fondness his familys of his reputation as a solitary leader. are $32.49.
long line of diverse, welcoming residents
hilarious holiday memories- This regard is tested when Bill, who
to serve on Doraville City Council. He
exploding furnaces, a wet tongue is nearing retirement, and his much
said many who are in marginalized
on a cold lamppost, and that younger protg Julie Shaffer get ART Station
communities, including immigrants,
unforgettable lamp shaped like a caught in an unexpected snowstorm 5384 Manor Drive
shy away from working in government
womans leg. Silly and sentimental, two days before Christmas. Stone Mountain
because they are already scrutinized and
its a heart-warming holiday treat Desperate for shelter, Bill and Julie (404) 469-1105
want to be left in peace.
for the entire family. Tickets $16-23. find refuge in the last room available www.artstation.org
We need more representation from
at the Wake Robin Inn, a roadside
diverse communities, Naser said. I dont
Merry Little Holiday Shorts motel that operates by its own set of Another Night Before
worry about faith, gender or color. All Im
Nov. 30-Dec. 10 standards. Tickets $12-$16. ChristmasDec. 6-17
looking for is a good person I can work
Like a bowl of Chex Mix at a Its Christmas Eve and for Karola
with. Sometimes thats difficult, but we can
holiday party, this showcase Onion Heads Holiday Sketch harried social worker in her 30s
always fill gaps to work together.
features a diverse assortment of Comedy SpecialDec. 14-16 the Holiday season cant end soon
Naser, Geierman and Koontz all agreed
tasty theatrical treats written by The Onion Heads return with a enough, is the description of the
that Doraville still has a lot of work to
local and national playwrights, is holiday sketch comedy special full play from Art Stations website.
act in the interests of its population.
how the production is described of laughs. Tickets $12. Walking home after her office
Koontz specifically mentioned a lack of
Onstage. This collection of nine party, she meets a homeless man
representation from the Latino community.
one-act plays includes everything with a scraggly beard and gives
Doraville is part of a trend of
from the story of the first-ever Porter Sanford III Performing him her party leftovers. When
inclusiveness, Geierman said. We may be
Christmas to the tale of the Arts and Community Center the same man appears in her
leading that trend.
tiresome search for the perfect 3181 Rainbow Drive apartment, questions ariselike,
We should, as a city government, reach
Christmas tree. Decatur could Santa really have come to
out to anybody and everybody, Naser said.
www.thesteppstewart.com town? The production runs Dec.
Our council, collectively, is working on
Onion Man Productions 6-17 and tickets are $24-$28.
achieving that goal. We havent reached
5522 New Peachtree Road A Soulful ChristmasDec. 1-3
that goal, but were making progress.
Suite 111 This African American Christmas
The advice I would give to anyone
Chamblee tale takes you back in time when
gay, straight, transgender, anythingis if
(404) 519-7591 Christmas Eve meant pure magic
you have the skills and you think you can
www.onionmanproductions.com Feel the excitement of being a little
make the world a better place by serving
kid again as our lead characters,
the public, go sign up and run, Koontz
A Little Room at the InnNov. Destiny and Julius, get the
said. We can always come up with a
30-Dec. 10 Christmas surprise of their young
reason not to do things. And the difference
Described as a lighthearted lives, states the website of Stepp
is having the courage to go ahead and do
Christmas play for adults. Bill Stewart, the plays creator. Features
it anyway.
Grenawalt has reached the top of the songs such as Joy to the World, This
education
Countywide
DeKalb County School District hired a law firm to study and recommend a new salary structure at its November board of education meeting. Photo by R. Scott Belzer
Salaries to be surveyed at DeKalb schools
School board approves salary and compensation study
by R. Scott Belzer
sbelzer@dekalbchamp.com
DeKalb County School
District (DCSD) will devote
approximately $185,000
to the review, study and
development of a detailed
salary structure following
approval from the board of
education in November.
The $185,000 will be paid
to Management Advisory
Group International, a
Washington D.C.-based firm
specializing in compensation
study, according to DCSD
documents. Representatives
from the firm will examine
non-school based personnel
and school-based personnel
as a two-phase process
expected to last five months.
The DCSD board of
education will have the
option of taking Management
Advisory Group Internationals
recommendations to improve
or replace its current salary
structure, which has faced
criticism in recent years.
According to DCSDs
interim chief of human
capital management Everett
Patrick, the scope of work
will be divided into analyzing
position specifications, salary
ranges and a tiered career
pathway.
Management Advisory
Group International
performed a similar study for
DCSD in 2012 for $175,420.
According to Michael Bell,
DCSDs chief financial officer,
the study was forwarded to
then-Superintendent Cheryl
Atkinson and no action was
taken.
Keep in mind where we
were in 2012coming out
of the recession, going into
the negative, having serious
financial issues, people on
furlough days, Bell said. In
terms of what the report may
have recommended, we had
no discretionary revenue to
execute it.
DCSD Superintendent
R. Stephen Green said this
would be advantageous to
the district, as they will be
familiar with the challenges
and goals of the district.
Green said recommendations
and plans that result from
the study will be brought
to the board for approval
intermittently throughout the
year.
DCSD has been criticized
by board members and
employees for its approach to
pay scales, tiered raises and
starting salaries.
The pay is an issue, said
board member Joyce Morley
on the topic of hiring school
nurses. Youre going to get
what you pay for. We keep
looking at these studies when
some things are just as plain
as the nose on your face. You
have to pay people. If you
want the best, recruit the
DEKALB FREE PRESS Friday, DECEMBER 1, 2017 Page 12
best and look at what youre
paying.
Morley criticized the
human capital departments
use of an outside vendor for
the study rather than using a
team from within the district.
She said data from within
the district can be used to
determine social workers,
counselors, maintenance
workers and school
psychologists are not being
paid correctly.
We study everything,
Morley said. Dont we have
evaluators or assessors who
can look at this? By the time
[human capital] studies this,
there will be a phase four and
five. People will be retired,
Ill be gone and people still
wont be paid.
Morley also has
questioned the salaries
of central office staff. In
January 2017, she and
fellow board member Vicki
Turner questioned the
salary of DCSD director of
strategic communication
and marketing, Andre
Riley, stating his degree and
experience did not justify his
$120,000 annual pay.
The board has scrutinized
the pay of Riley, as well as
DCSD student advancement
director Malay Malathip,
former human capital
management director Leo
Brown and director of
communications Eileen
Houston-Stewart following
their arrival from Kansas
City Public Schools with the
superintendent in 2015.
Other employees at
DCSD have requested
salaries be raised and laid
off workers be rehired in lieu
of hiring outside vendors.
Since March, a group of
DCSD workers representing
drivers, technicians,
carpenters, custodians and
landscapersdefined as
auxiliary by DCSDs central
office staffhas pleaded
with the board to end
furloughs, salary reductions,
reclassifications and layoffs,
stating such employees are
paid 17 percent less than
workers in similiar positions in
surrounding counties.
Morley said these
employees were referencing
wrongdoings from 2012 and
that having a plan in place
for correction by September
2018 would benefit all parties
involved.
Board member Michael
Erwin said he is eager to see
how much money the district
has to work with to improve
salaries at the school district.
Were looking at a general
fund of $128 million, Erwin
said. I want to know how
much of that we can focus
toward salary improvements. I
know theres a lot wrapped up
in that, but I know the board
would like to know how much
flexibility we have with that.
Board member Marshall
Orson said, while the study
will compare the districts
salaries and compensation
to the surrounding Atlanta
market, it would be ideal to
take such a concept to the
next level.
This cant be done
overnight, Orson said. At
some point, we need to put
ourselves in the position to
take a step back and ask, Is
this the best way to deliver
the highest results for our
students? The highest
performing education
organizations are [under
taking] or will undertake that
process at some point. We
have to be willing to take that
next step.
According to Green, it
will take approximately $2.9
million for counselors, social
workers and psychologists to
be brought up to comparable
salaries in surrounding
districts. How much it
will take for employees
throughout the district to be
brought up to scale remains
uncertain.
A lot is converging on
the limited resources we
have, Green said. This will fit
into an equation of a bigger
demand that well have to
wrestle with.
business
decatur
Hollywood where the
stars are dogs and cats
by Kathy Mitchell
FREELANCE REPORTER
Despite a name suggesting
glitz and glamor, Hollywood
Feed started in the 1950s as
a feed and seed store serving
family farms in western
Tennessee.
As was often the practice
in the mid-20th century,
the store was named after
the street it was on. The first
Hollywood Feed and Seed
was on Hollywood Street and
Chelsea Avenue in Memphis,
explained Brittany Gilliam,
the companys chief operating
officer. The name leads
some people to think were
California-based, but our stores
are in the South.
Now a supplier of foods
and products for domestic
pets with 63 locations in eight
Southern states, Hollywood
Feed on Nov. 11 opened its
newest store in Tucker. The
3,000-square-foot location on
Lavista Road is the ninth in
Georgia and joins other DeKalb
County locations, including
Dunwoody and Chamblee.
There arent many family
farms in this part of the
country anymore, Gilliam said.
Cattle are now mostly raised in
states farther west. Thats why
the company decided several
years ago to switch its business
model to providing products
for dogs and cats. From the
beginning, they wanted to do
it right, making sure they were
inman Continued From Page 7A
Lithonia to be more than
just the city motorists drive
through to get to Conyers, get
on I-20 or go to Stonecrest
Mall.
Just making it a staple
place where we look classy,
we look like we care about
where we live, she said. It
will tie into more businesses
being brought in and more
homeownership. So those are
the biggest things Im going
to push when getting into
office, in the first 100 days. And
that will tie hugely into our
reputation and our branding of
Lithonia.
offering products that stood
out in the market. Hollywood
Feed wanted to build on its
reputation for high-quality
animal related products.
Weve kept the name
Hollywood Feed despite some
confusion, because we want
to draw attention to our past
and the pet lovers who started
the company, the pet lovers
who worked tirelessly over
the years and the pet lovers
who shopped with us loyally
to make the company what it
is today, the Hollywood Feed
website states.
A drawback to the name,
Gilliam said is that it may
give the impression that its
products are all expensive.
While we focus on high
quality, we have products in
a wide variety of price points.
Customers on a budget who
want to be sure their pets are
well fed, can find what they
need at Hollywood Feed.
Hollywood Feed describes
its products as natural and
holistic. Gilliam elaborated on
the description. There actually
is no official definition for
either of those terms, but what
it means to us is that foods are
made without artificial dyes
and preservatives and our
products are created for the
physical and mental wellbeing
of the pet, she said.
Gilliam said Hollywood
Feed customers usually are
those who think of themselves
as pet parents. They want
to care for their furry family
Inman said she believes her
election win will encourage
and inspire more young people
to get involved in their local
government.
Ive constantly been
putting out on my social
media to others that if I can
do it, you can do it, she said.
I think a lot of people are a
little bit reserved or hesitant
to get started in politics, but I
see it as being a public servant.
If you get involved on a local
level, you can affect what
happens in the national area of
government.
DEKALB FREE PRESS Friday, DECEMBER 1, 2017 Page 13
members as well as they do
for the rest of the family, she
added.
People today are more
careful about what they eat.
They are starting to realize
that the chemicals and
preservatives that go into
many foods arent good for
their health. The trend toward
more health-conscious eating
has extended into concern
about what people are feeding
their pets. After forming the
habit of reading labels before
buying foods for themselves,
they started reading labels on
their pet food. Sometimes it
made them say, Wow, is this
what I want to be feeding
him?
Hollywood Feed is not a pet
food producer. The company Hollywood Feed team members Saivite Wilson, left, and Juan
McNeely show products available at the new Tucker location.
selects products made by
manufacturers that meet their
standards. Were particular, these dogs and cats are as old grooming products, crates,
Gilliam said. Most of the as they are, she commented. vitamins and other items for
brands we carry you wont find In addition to food, pets.
in grocery stores, big box stores Hollywood Feed also sells,
or even most pet specialty
stores. We focus on USA brands
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
from people who care as much
about pet health as we do.
THE CITY OF STONE MOUNTAIN WILL HOLD A
Gillian said that while PUBLIC HEARING AT 875 MAIN STREET, STONE
evidence of the benefits of a
MOUNTAIN, GEORGIA ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 18,
healthy diet for pets is largely 2017 AT 6:30 P.M. THE PURPOSE OF THE MEETING IS
anecdotal, she and other TO CONSIDER AN AIRBNB HOME FACILITY.
observers have seen pets that
might normally have a life
CITY OF CHAMBLEE PUBLIC NOTICE
expectancy of six or seven
years, live 10, 12, even 14 years.
A copy of the proposed 2018 Operating Budget for the
Also, we see them having a City of Chamblee will be available for review at City Hall
higher quality of life. To see
on Tuesday, December 5, 2017.
them running and playing, A public hearing on the proposed budget will be held
youd never guess some of on Monday, December 11, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. in the Civic
Center, 3540 Broad Street. Any persons wishing to be
heard on the budget may appear and be heard.
The City Council will adopt the budget on Tuesday,
December 19, 2017. The meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m.
and will be held in the Civic Center.
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DISCLAIMER: We do not knowingly accept advertisements that discriminate,
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advertisements are subject to the fair housing act and we do not accept
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sports
Football
Rivals Marist,
St. Pius X to
face off in
semifinals
Cedar Grove, Tucker advance
to consecutive semifinals
by Carla Parker
carla@dekalbchamp.com
For the 53rd time, rivals
Marist War Eagles and St. Pius
X Golden Lions will face each
other on the gridiron.
This time, the stakes are a bit
higher.
No. 1-ranked Marist will host
St. Pius Dec. 1 in the Class AAAA
semifinals. The winner of the
game will advance to the Class
AAAA championship to be held
at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in
Atlanta.
The two teams played each
other early in the regular season
Sept. 8 at St. Pius. Marist won
the matchup 17-14. The War
Eagles lead the series 32-17-3.
Marist (13-0) advanced to
the semifinals after a 28-6 win
over No. 3-ranked Burke County
(12-1) Nov. 24. The War Eagles
were down 6-0 midway through
the second quarter, but scored
28-unanswered points to win its
13th consecutive game. Marist
rushed for 253 yards, led by
Ellis Pearson, who rushed for
67 on 13 carries and scored a
touchdown.
Marist is seeking its first state
title since 2003. The War Eagles
last semifinals appearance came
in 2013.
St. Pius (8-5) has been on a
roll since starting the season
0-5. The Golden Lions have gone
on to win eight straight games,
including the 35-31 victory
over No. 7-ranked Woodward
Academy on the road Nov. 24.
St. Pius finished the game
with 420 total yards, all of which
were rushing yards. Sophomore
running back and defensive
back Jacob Pajer led the team
with 168 yards on four carries
and two touchdowns. He also
had eight tackles and three pass
breakups. Junior running back
Jason Jones had 177 yards on
eight carries and scored two
touchdowns.
St. Pius is trying to win its
DEKALB FREE PRESS Friday, DECEMBER 1, 2017 Page 15
first state title since 1968. This
is the Golden Lions third trip to
the semifinals in six seasons.
In Class AAAAAA, No.
1-ranked Tucker (12-1) is back
in the semifinals for the seventh
time in 11 seasons after the
Tigers 20-12 win over Allatoona
Nov. 24 at Adams Stadium. The
Tigers trailed 6-0 at halftime,
but Tucker took a 7-6 lead
right out the locker room after
Tyler Hughley returned the
second-half kickoff 95 yards for
a touchdown.
Tucker continued to
dominate on special teams. A
blocked punt and recovery by
Trevon Flowers set up a field
goal for the Tigers, extending
their lead to 10-6. A 30-yard
punt return by Taurean Taylors
30-yard punt return set up a
14-yard touchdown pass from
Travon Ford to Isaiah Dunson
to give Tucker a 17-6 lead.
Tuckers defense also had a
big game, holding Allatoona
to 19 yards rushing and 130
total yards. Tucker will host
No. 4-ranked Coffee (9-3) in
the semifinals Dec. 1 at Adams
Stadium. The Tigers, which
finished runner up in the state
finals last year, are hoping to
return to the finals to win their
first championship since 2011.
Defending Class AAA state
champions Cedar Grove Saints
punched their tickets to another
semifinal after beating Pike
County 28-0 Nov. 24, their fifth
shutout of this season.
Quarterback Xavier Dennis
had a rushing and passing
touchdown in the game and
running back Darrell Neal
rushed for 124 yards and
scored two touchdowns. Jadon
Haselwood intercepted two
passes and linebacker Isaiah
Ratcliff had 17 tackles, 2.5 for
losses.
The No. 1-ranked Saints (13-
0), winner of 23 consecutive
games, will host No. 4-ranked
Calhoun (12-1) in Dec. 1 at Marist will host St. Pius Dec. 1 in the Class AAAA semifinals. Marist won the previous matchup 17-14 on Sept. 8.
Godfrey Stadium. Photos by David DiCristina/Dry Branch Photography
local DEKALB FREE PRESS Friday, DECEMBER 1, 2017 Page 16

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