the DeKalb FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2018 • VOL.

23, NO 18 • 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

SQUAT CHALLENGE HELPS FURRY FRIENDS

BY HORACE HOLLOMAN
horace@dekalbchamp.com

Nonprofit Lifeline Animal Project,

an organization that manages animal
shelters in DeKalb and Fulton counties,
often comes up with odd ways to
promote animal adoptions and generate
donations.
Lifeline’s latest idea comes in the
form of an internet challenge.
Recently, Lifeline officials issued a
“squats 4 lifeline” challenge on its social
media platforms. If challenged by a
friend online, participants must post
a video doing 10 squats with their pet,
if the challenge is not completed, the
participant is asked to donate $10 to
their local animal shelter.
“We’re always brainstorming on
ways to get the word out and getting
people involved and our social media
people thought about doing a challenge
of some sort with shelter dogs,” Karen
Hirsch, spokesperson for Lifeline,
said. “We thought it would be really
fun to take a shelter dog and do squats
with them. It’s a way to get the whole
community involved.”
Hirsch said the challenge is a great

SEE FURRY ON PAGE 5

Lifeline officials said its promotions increase the adoption rate in DeKalb County.

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

LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • Friday, June 8, 2018 • Page 2

Pine Lake to put nature on display

BY DEREK SMITH
derek@dekalbchamp.com

Pine Lake’s city motto is

“Arts’ Natural Habitat.” The
city of fewer than 800 people
is bringing that motto to the
forefront with an upcoming
public art project, “Public
Works at Public Works.”
The project puts the artistic
skills of Pine Lake residents to
work using the city’s natural
habitat as a muse. Set to be
unveiled June 16 at a special
event, a wall will display 12
oversized photos of nature
in the Pine Lake area on an
“art wall” in front of the city’s
public works building.
The photos for “Public
Works at Public Works” have
yet to be selected. A non-
resident panel will select the
12 photos from more than 100
submissions, something mayor
Melanie Hammet said she’s
proud of.
“That’s impressive for a
town of less than 1,000 people,”
she said. Pine Lake’s new fence in front of the city’s public works building will display 12 photos taken by Pine Lake residents of the city’s natural habitat. Photo by Derek Smith.
Hammet credits the town
motto for the response
“Our natural world [in Pine feature photographs from our might go well for a while, but “I’ll be happy if one [of my like to see a similar project on
Lake] is so robust and we have many citizen photographers,” then we’d have something that photos] gets up there,” Ramsey the other side of the road that
so many photographers and Hammet said. we’d have to defensively create said. “It’s a big space. They’re displays more art. That may
creative [types],” Hammet said. Then, the city had to public art policy about.” gonna be large and I’m sure happen, she said, but they’ll
Resident Tom Ramsey said establish parameters for public The fence was constructed there’s gonna be tremendous wait for another grant.
he submitted five photos taken art. of PVC pipe, then painted to diversity of submissions.” “We’re a city that’s got
on a nature walk sponsored by “We had to create a public look like copper, with curved According to Hammet, the tremendous heart and soul,
a local organization. art policy so that we weren’t light fixtures every few feet to public works art wall is just the and a tiny budget,” Hammet
“I took a ton of pictures— just randomly sticking things illumunate the eventual art beginning for the city’s public said.
mostly flowers, trees, things up there,” Hammet said. “That piece. art projects. She said she would
that you don’t normally stop
for,” Ramsey said. “[Normally,]
City of Decatur Georgia Ad Valorem Tax Digest History
if I’m walking, I don’t take
the time and I don’t carry my Decatur - Digest
camera because I’d be shaking 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
all over the place. But here I
Assessment Ratio 50% 50% 50% 50% 50% 50%
had the time.”
Nature walks similar to Real Property $ 1,168,516,500 $ 1,326,596,200 $ 1,594,612,800 $ 1,693,241,200 $ 1,835,249,100 $ 1,998,244,300
the one Ramsey went on are Personal Property $ 23,211,680 $ 22,248,300 $ 22,322,600 $ 23,627,600 $ 25,448,800 $ 25,650,100
not uncommon in Pine Lake, Public Utilities $ 14,639,953 $ 15,152,700 $ 17,209,600 $ 15,658,700 $ 16,521,530 $ 16,257,600
according to Hammet. Motor Vehicle $ 52,979,900 $ 47,331,600 $ 35,521,587 $ 26,623,700 $ 23,481,400 $ 13,249,900

“The twin values of Total Digest $1,259,348,033 $1,411,328,800 $1,669,666,587 $1,759,151,200 $1,900,700,830 $2,053,401,900
Pine Lake are arts and the
environment,” she said. City Operations
Those two values, Hammet
General Fund Exemptions $ 126,332,000 $ 125,393,000 $ 130,639,000 $ 128,646,080 $ 169,825,080 $ 175,774,991
said, are what led to the
project in the first place. When Net City Operations Digest $1,133,016,033 $1,285,935,800 $1,539,027,587 $1,630,505,120 $1,730,875,750 $1,877,626,909
Hammet took office as mayor
in 2016, the city had a grant City Operations Millage 11.580 11.580 11.080 10.680 10.680 11.170
of $850 to construct a fence City Operations Levy $13,120,326 $14,891,137 $17,052,426 $17,413,795 $18,485,753 $20,973,093
for the public works building.
Hammet said she and council Percent Change 2.46 13.50 14.51 2.12 6.16 13.46
member Brandy Hall wanted Dollar Amount Change $315,587 $1,770,811 $2,161,289 $361,369 $1,071,958 $2,487,340
to make the fence something The Decatur City Commission announces that the 2018 tentative millage rate was adopted at their
the city could be proud meeting on Monday, May 21, 2018. Hearings on the budget and millage rate will be held on:
Monday, June 11, 2018 at 6:00 p.m.
of. They went to the city’s Monday, June 18, 2018 at 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Municipal Arts Panel for ideas A separate hearing on the budget only will be held Monday, June 4, 2018 at 7:30 p.m.
on how to beautify the fence. The hearings will be held at Decatur City Hall, 509 N. McDonough Street, Decatur, GA. Final adoption of
the 2018 millage rate and fiscal year 2018-2019 budget is scheduled for consideration at the Decatur City
“The Municipal Arts Panel Commission meeting on Monday, June 18, 2018. The above table is presented pursuant to O.C.G.A. 48-
thought it would be cool to 5-32 showing the estimated current year's digest and proposed millage rates along with a five-year history
have our first public art event of the tax digest and millage rates.
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • Friday, June 8, 2018 • Page 3

AROUNDDEKALB
DUNWOODY
Outdoor concert scheduled
The city of Dunwoody will hold, Groovin’ on the Green
June 16 from 6 to 7 p.m. at Pernoshal Park, 4575 N.
Shallowford Road. The concert features Darlington
Road, an Atlanta-based band playing a variety of cover
songs from Chris Stapleton and Michael Jackson to
Hall and Oates, The Commodores and others.
CPR/AED classes offered
certification card upon completion of the course. The
class will cover adult and infant CPR, as well as AED
training. According to a news release, the course is
STONE MOUNTAIN
ideal for schools, students, new parents, grandparents, Free concert to be held
babysitters and others interested in learning how to
save a life.  The Garrett Collins Project will perform June 15 at
Participants will receive a participant manual and Stone Mountain’s Tunes by the Track series. The free
practice valve for use during class.  concert will be held at 922 Main Street near the gazebo
from 7 to 9 p.m. For more information, visit www.
stonemountaincity.org.
STONECREST

Dunwoody Police Department will host two CPR/

AED classes on June 9 and June 16.
Both classes will take place from 9 a.m. to noon at
Dunwoody City Hall - Georgetown Conference Room,
second floor, 4800 Ashford Dunwoody Road.
The cost of the class will be $20 (cash only), payable
at the start of the class. Participants must be at least
12 years of age and residents of Dunwoody. Space is
limited to 10 participants per class.  is located at 3123 Klondike Road. For more information,
Dunwoody Police Department will use the American
Heart Association’s Heartsaver CPR/AED course.
Each class participant will receive an AHA CPR/AED
Gentle yoga class scheduled
Stonecrest Library will host a gentle yoga class June 16
from 11 a.m. to noon. The session, which will be taught
by Marsha Needham, is a blend of hatha yoga (physical
discipline), pranayama (breath control) and meditation
(awareness). Attendees must bring their own yoga mat.
The class is open to the first 10 participants. The library
call (770) 482-3828.
TUCKER
Park to host butterfly release
Friends of Kelley Cofer Park will host its second annual
butterfly release June 9. Dozens of butterflies will
be released into the pollinator garden around 4 p.m.
Attendees can visit the Peach Pit and check out the
newly improved pool. King of Pops will also be there
selling pops. Kelley Cofer Park is located at 4259 N. Park
Drive. For more information, visit www.tuckerga.gov/
event.

NOTICE
The City of Brookhaven City Council does hereby invite all concerned citizens to the following public hearings regarding a tax increase
and subsequent adoption of its millage rate for 2018. The public hearings will be held at Brookhaven City Hall, 4362 Peachtree Road.
The first public hearing will be held at 7:00 p.m. on June 12, 2018. The second and third public hearings will be held on June 28, 2018.
The second hearing is at 10:30 a.m., with the third public hearing held at 6:30 p.m.

The City of Brookhaven City Council does hereby announce that the millage rate will be set at a meeting to be held at the
Brookhaven City Hall on June 28, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. and pursuant to the requirements of O.C.G.A. Section 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.

CURRENT 2018 TAX DIGEST AND 5 YEAR HISTORY OF LEVY

Brookhaven City 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Real & Personal 2,261,071,691 2,713,777,476 3,181,646,217 3,446,267,675 3,737,518,097 4,069,168,897
Motor Vehicles 82,633,320 67,891,300 47,578,450 40,040,890 22,420,340
Mobile Homes
Timber - 100%
Heavy Duty Equipment
Gross Digest 2,261,071,691 2,796,410,796 3,249,537,517 3,493,846,125 3,777,558,987 4,091,589,237
Less M & O Exemptions 254,997,596 432,899,327 646,602,506 728,531,005 760,277,266 809,719,176
Net M & O Digest 2,006,074,095 2,363,511,469 2,602,935,011 2,765,315,120 3,017,281,721 3,281,870,061
State Forest Land Assistance
Grant Value
Adjusted Net M&O Digest 2,006,074,095 2,363,511,469 2,602,935,011 2,765,315,120 3,014,554,219 3,281,870,061

Gross M&O Millage 2.850 2.850 2.795 2.740 2.740 2.740

Less Rollbacks 0.055 0.055 0.000 0.000 0.000
Net M&O Millage 2.850 2.795 2.740 2.740 2.740 2.740

Net Taxes Levied $5,717,311 $6,606,015 $7,132,042 $7,576,963 $8,259,879 $8,992,324

Net Taxes $ Increase $888,703 $526,027 $444,921 $682,915 $732,445

Net Taxes % Increase 15.54% 7.96% 6.24% 9.01% 8.87%
LOCAL
Hundreds gathered in Ellenwood to remember Trevon Richardson, who was shot and killed four days after graduating high school.
Arrest made in fatal
shooting of Cedar
Grove graduate
BY CARLA PARKER
carla@dekalbchamp.com
An arrest has been made
in the shooting death of Cedar
Grove High School graduate
Trevon Richardson.
DeKalb County police
officials said 18-year-old
Detavion McDay was arrested
May 31 at 12:20 a.m. He has
been charged with murder
and is in the DeKalb County
jail. McDay allegedly shot
and killed Richardson, 18, on
Memorial Day.
DeKalb police responded
to The Life at Peppertree Circle
Apartments in Decatur around
9 p.m. May 29. Officers found
Richardson’s body lying in the
parking lot. He was killed four
days after graduating from
high school.
Richardson’s father Freddie
said he warned his son, the
youngest of his four children,
hours after graduation to be
careful of his surroundings.
“I told every last one of [my
children] before they go off to
college that when you graduate
you have to be careful because
every time a graduation
happens, immediately after
that someone gets killed
or someone goes to jail,”
Richardson said. “And those
are the things that we worry
about as parents before we
A mourner wipes away tears at the candlelight vigil. Photos by Carla Parker
Detavion McDay, 18, was arrested and
charged with murder in the shooting
death of Trevon Richardson.
send them off to college. I had
this same conversation with
Trevon the day he graduated.”
He said his son was staying
at a friend’s house not far from
where the shooting happened.
“He wasn’t just straying
away from home,” Richardson
said. “We knew where he was
and unfortunately something
else happened [at] the event
that took him away from where
he was supposed to be.”
Family and friends of
Richardson gathered near his
Ellenwood home May 30 for a
candlelight vigil to remember
the standout athlete who made
everyone laugh.
“He was always happy, had
a smile on his face,” said Anton
Cousins, who played football
with Richardson at Cedar
Grove. “If we were losing, we
were down or winning, he was
SEE ARREST ON PAGE 18
DEKALB FREE PRESS • Friday, June 8, 2018 • Page 4
Trevon Richardson’s parents Freddie and Nicole attended the candlelight vigil.
Freddie held a banner of his son in his football uniform.
DeKalb County Announces Human Services Grant
Application Period
Public Information Meeting to be held June 20, 2018 at 10:00 a.m.
DECATUR, Ga. – The DeKalb County Human Services Department announces the
beginning of its 2018-2019 Human Services Grant Cycle. The purpose of the Human
Services Grant Program is to provide opportunities for community partnership with
local organizations that can successfully address identified human service needs of the
citizens of DeKalb County, Georgia.
Eligible non-profit organizations are encouraged to apply for the opportunity to be
awarded a grant funded with County General Fund and Victim Assistance funds.
Agencies that receive Victim Assistance grant funds, must meet the County’s eligibility
criteria and must also be certified to provide victim assistance programming through
the State of Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council.
The Human Services Grant Program is competitive and the total amount of awards
allotted each year is based on the availability of funds. Funding from this grant program
is designed to supplement existing programs and activities.
Examples of appropriate service areas for the Human Service Grant Program
include, but are not limited to, prevention and intervention of violence against
women, youth development (to include addressing safety and/or risky behaviors,
education needs, homelessness and economic well-being), building family unity
and sustainability, supporting individuals with disabilities and/or senior adults to live
inclusive lives within their communities, and homeless intervention/prevention.
A Public Information Meeting scheduled for June 20, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. will provide
the specifics regarding the Human Services Grant application process. The meeting
will be held at the Central DeKalb Senior Center, 1346 McConnell Drive, Decatur,
Georgia 30033.
For more information, call Ms. Lisa Thomas, Grants Coordinator at 404-270-1180
in the DeKalb County Human Services Department. For information on obtaining
Victim Assistance Program Certification, contact the State of Georgia Criminal Justice
Coordinating Council at 404-657-1961.
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2018 • Page 5

FURRY Continued From Page 1

way to promote fitness and animal shelters.
“It’s just a way to get people who may not know
about us involved,” Hirsch said. “Then your friends
share it and a new group of people learn about us and
it takes on a whole other component. People have no
idea that we take in so many animals and so many
animals need homes.”
One of the first to accept the challenge was
Decatur Fire and Rescue Department firefighter Gary
Menard.
“I’m doing the squat challenge for dogs like Koda,
who wouldn’t have a chance at a caring, loving home
if it wasn’t for Lifeline Animal Project,” Menard said.
Menard challenged Decatur Police officer Dan
Bellis, Ronald Steele of city of Decatur Human
Resources and Tad Landau of Dekalb County Fire
Rescue Department.
After the video was posted on May 21, Koda was
adopted.
Lifeline has a goal to raise $10,000. As of June 1,
more than $700 has been raised.
Hirsch said some of the challenges and promotions
Lifeline has throughout the year may seem odd, but
the organization has seen results.
According to Hirsch, Lifeline receives 45 animals a
day in its shelters. In DeKalb County, adoptions have
increased by 300 percent since Lifeline took control of
the county’s shelters in 2013.
“We actually follow our promotions very closely,”
Hirsch said. “For every promotion or push we do we
increase our adoptions and that’s big for us.”
Some of Lifeline’s previous promotions included
dressing pitbulls in pajamas to soften the breed’s
image, $25 adoptions during the Super Bowl and free
adoptions during Memorial Day weekend.
Hirsch said during the month of June Lifeline will
allow its customers to pick the price they would like
to pay for adoptions.

Sun hasn’t set on summer camp registration

BY KATHY MITCHELL
In the hectic days leading to the end
of the school year families may have
neglected an item on their to-do lists:
sign the children up for summer camp.
There’s good news for those families—
it’s not too late. Several metro Atlanta
organizations still have camping slots
available. Marcus Jewish Community
Center (MJCCA) in Dunwoody, for
example, has more than 100 options,
including day camps, overnight camps
and camps away from the Atlanta area
through Aug. 10. In addition to its
Dunwoody site, MJCCA has intown
and East Cobb camps for youth pre-K
through 10th grade.
Those looking for a camp that
features such traditional outdoor
activities as swimming, fishing, hiking
and arts and crafts can find them, but
the schedule also includes camps that
focus on art, sports, dance, theater
and other specialties along with more
atypical choices such as Mermaid
Camp, Drone Camp and Ultimate
Frisbee Camp.
“There’s something for everyone,”
said MJCCA Camps Director Meryl
Rinsberg, adding that even with a
kaleidoscope of options, traditional
camp should not be overlooked.
“MJCCA’s traditional camping
experience is exceptional. The camp
sits on 30 acres. There’s a lake for
canoeing and other water activities as
well as facilities for archery, horseback
riding and many other classic camp
experiences,” she said.
Rinsberg, who has directed the
center’s camp programs for 13 years,
said most of MJCCA’s specialty camps
also include some traditional camp
activities. “We feel this is an experience
every child should have. Summer camp
is a time to try new things, make friends
and build skill sets.”
For some families, summer camp
has become an every-year event or even
a generations long tradition. Parent
Kim Snyder commented, “Last year,
my kids had a blast at the MJCCA’s day
camp. They came home happy every
day. I definitely noticed improvement
in their confidence, self-help skills,
swimming ability and overall maturity.”
Lindsay Medwed said MJCCA day
camps have held a special place in her
family’s heart for generations. “From my
husband and I going as campers, then
as counselors, and now our children as
campers, we continue to look forward to
our camp memories every summer and
hold them close throughout the year. It
is always amazing to see the amount of
personal growth in my children from
their camp experiences and what really
brings camp full circle in our family is
the fact that our children’s grandfather
also still works there as a staff member.”
Rinsberg said MJCCA notes
year-round which activities young
people are interested in and creates
camp experiences that focus on those
interests. Some camps are designed
for those who may be selecting their
summer activities with future careers
in mind. There is Camp Inc. for those
exploring the world of entrepreneurship
and Little Medical School Camp
or Little Veterinarian School for
youngsters who are eyeing a future in
medical science.
New this year is a weeklong road
trip to the Savannah area. “We’re very
excited about this,” Rinsberg said of
the program that will allow campers to
explore the historical city of Savannah,
take a dolphin tour, visit Tybee Island,
take a ghost tour and stroll on River
Street. “It’s perfect for youngsters who
want to move beyond day camp but
may not be ready for three or four
weeks at a sleepover camp. This is just
one week, and it’s filled with activity.”
The MJCCA camps are open to the
community with special rates for center
members. Free bus transportation
is available from 23 metro Atlanta
locations, including Dunwoody, Toco
Hills and Brookhaven. For more
information on MJCCA summer
camps, visit mjccadaycamps.org or call
(678) 812-4004.
Parents looking for day camps for
children 3-year-olds through rising
fourth graders can find a variety of half-
day options that feature enrichment
activities such as music, art, physical
education and science at Shallowford
Presbyterian School.
“We want parents to know they
can still sign up for summer camp.
Some may have had their vaca-
tion plans change and now they’re
looking for summer activities for
the children. It’s especially hard at
this point to find STEM [science,
technology, engineering and math-
ematics] activities that help chil-
dren remember and build on what
they’ve learned in school, but that’s
one thing we offer,” said Margaret
Jones of Shallowford Presbyterian.
There is an art camp June 25
through 29 and a STEM camp July
9 through 13. Camps are Monday
through Friday, 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
In addition, Kids Go Wild Nature
Camp will be held each day 1:15 until
5:30 p.m. “Parents who want to leave
their children for a full day can sign up
for the morning camp and have their
child go immediately into the afternoon
session. This is considered a separate
camp and is priced separately,” she ex-
plained.
The Kids Go Wild Nature Camp is
designed as an outdoor camp that fo-
cuses on plants and animals, but there
are alternative activities planned for in-
doors in the event of inclement weather.
“In either case, the kids will be busy
learning and having fun,” Jones said.
Shallowford Presbyterian School is
located at 2375 Shallowford Road, At-
lanta. For more information or to reg-
ister, call (404) 321-3061 or visit www.
shallowfordschool.com.  

www.TheChampionNewspaper.com
OPINION
“Not just ignorant...irresponsible.”
reaction by Canadian Prime Minister
Justin Trudeau on sudden and
significant tariffs for import into the
United States on Canadian aluminum,
steel and other commodities, citing
national security concerns.  bill.csicrane@gmail.com
Among the many often-discussed
flaws and foibles of the presidency of
Richard M. Nixon was his longtime
practice of maintaining a White House
enemies list. Nixon had risen from
humble circumstances, and always
felt both a need for being liked, and a
desire to do battle and settle old scores
with his political opponents–critics
and adversaries alike.
 It boggles the mind to consider the
hours and challenges of maintaining
such a list in today’s White House. This
is of course in part due to Mr. Trump’s
penchant for treating most everyone at
some point as if they are the enemy.
 The president is currently focused
on delivering a meeting/summit
between the two Koreas in which he
will also serve the role as mediator/
peace broker and lead negotiator for
securing a non-proliferation treaty
with North Korean President Kim
Jong Un. So as flattery is also part of
Mr. Trump’s charm offensive, he is now
saying nice things about the Korean
dictator and his emissaries. Trump
dismissed Kim as Little Rocket Man
while threatening to extinguish life in
his country as recently as a few months
ago.  bomb testing facilities and programs. It
Part of the true greatness of
America has been the strength
and depth of our relationship and
commitments to our allies. Though the
French may not always treat us well
as visitors, and they tend to disdain
our fashion sense and politics, older
citizens of France well remember and
celebrate Americans helping to liberate
their nation from rule by Hitler’s
Germany. Our special relationship
with the United Kingdom goes back
to our nation’s founding, and our men
and women in uniform stand shoulder
to shoulder even today in the trenches
in many troubled places around the
globe.
 To our north—our largest trade
partner and neighbor—Canada stands
with much of the European Union and
FREEPRESS
the DeKalb
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DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2018 • Page 6
Enemies list
the drain plug on North Korea’s nuclear achievements, rather than on previous
‘One Man’s ambitions and arms race, in exchange political slights.
Opinion’ for them rejoining the world economy. 
But to maintain those stiffer
 I’m not betting on that mind
you. Though I have always tended to be
sanctions against North Korea, or a glass half full kind of guy, but there has
Bill Crane renegotiate a tougher weapons deal to be hope.
with Iran, or even to sit down amicably
to renegotiate non-unilateral trade Bill Crane also serves as a political
agreements, we need to have strong and analyst and commentator for Channel 2’s
our other longtime allies attempting to lasting allies and be communicating Action News, WSB-AM News/Talk 750
understand how to communicate with from a position of trust and respect.  and now 95.5 FM, as well as a columnist
and build relations with this president.  Perhaps starting with his own for The Champion, DeKalb Free Press and
Trump seems to believe that our political party, and sometime critics Georgia Trend. Crane is a DeKalb native
allies will either lump it and take it, of this president such as John McCain and business owner, living in Scottdale. You
or that the response to sudden tariff or Mitt Romney, Trump can be the can reach him or comment on a column at
hikes will not cause great pain to other bigger man and focus on common bill.csicrane@gmail.com.
segments of our own economy.  interests and acknowledge efforts and
Though I hope to be proven wrong
on this, it looks like more challenging
days are soon ahead for many
American farmers, as well as exporters
of more popular branded products
such as Harley Davidson motorcycles
and Kentucky bourbon.
 Trump’s combination of charm and
bullying may end up bringing some
type of reunification, as well as an
official end to the Korean War to the
Korean Peninsula. And the president
should be commended and recognized
for that if it happens.   
But the Trump White House is
also already softening its primary
negotiating position, as it relates to
the definition of complete nuclear
disarmament on the Korean peninsula.
For Kim Jong Un it means no more
new warheads and dismantling of
does not mean surrendering or
disarming all existing warheads, nor
the surrender of other conventional
mid-range weapons aimed at
neighboring Japan, nor giving up
technologies decades in the making to
enrich uranium and plutonium or to
run nuclear power plants.
 The Trump White House is
considering an approach which
clearly did not work for the Clinton
administration during the 1990s—
negotiating with Kim Jong Un’s
grandfather—to take sanctions down
first, while North Korea dismantles
and disarms later. 
Hopefully these public perceptions
are in fact incorrect, and though
Trump is not going to Singapore to
drain a swamp, he will return carrying
Publisher: Staff Reporters:
John Hewitt Carla Parker STATEMENT FROM THE
Horace Holloman PUBLISHER
Chief Financial Officer: Derek Smith We sincerely appreciate the
Dr. Earl D. Glenn discussion surrounding this and any
Social Media Manager: issue of interest to DeKalb County.
SEND LETTERS TO EDITOR, Production Manager: Donna Seay The Champion was founded in 1991
expressly to provide a forum for
The DeKalb Free Press, Kemesha Wadley discourse for all community residents
P. O. Box 1347, Decatur, GA 30031-1347; on all sides of an issue. We have no
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
Deadline for news releases and advertising: by ACE III Communications, Inc., a more educated citizenry that will
Thursday, one week prior to publication date. 114 New Street, Suite E, Decatur, GA. 30030 ultimately move our community
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DISPLAY ADVERTISING (404) 373-7779 x 110 assumptions penned as fact.
OPINION
The importance of advance career planning
Students are graduating
throughout this land. Some from
kindergarten, some from middle
school, some from college and others
from more advanced educational
levels. Hopefully most of the college
and above graduates have an idea of
what profession they hope to work in
and have come to accept the expected
payrate associated with their chosen
career.
As teachers throughout the nation
prepare for their long summer breaks,
those in other professions may be
looking forward to a week, maybe two
weeks, of vacation. Teachers typically
are greatly appreciated by their
communities, students and parents
and have the opportunity to make
tremendous differences in the lives of
those they instruct.
However, there is a growing
national movement of teachers
striking to call attention to their
compensation, which most argue is
not sufficient for the job. Statistically
John Hewitt
johnh@dekalbchamp.com
though, when the teaching profession
is compared to other professions, the
salary ranges don’t seem to reflect such
a disparity.
According to BusinessInsider.
com, the national average for a public-
school teacher for the 2016-2017
school year was $59,850. The average
pay for teachers in Georgia is $54,602,
while the average for an entry-level
teaching position within the DeKalb
County School District is $46,571.
Most teachers also have an
extended paid summer vacation that
is likely to be quadruple of what the
average employee gets.
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2018 • Page 7
As a comparison, Georgia teachers’
compensation ranks 24th in the
nation, putting our teachers in the
middle of the pay scale for teachers
nationwide.
The median household income in
the United States is $56,516, according
to 2015 data from the U.S. Census.
And, according to census.gov, the
average household income in Georgia
for 2016 was $51,037
I use teachers as a comparison only
because of the recent walkouts and
strikes, but career planning applies to
all professions.
When choosing a career path
or offering advice to those who are
attempting to choose a career, one
should to choose a career that both
makes one happy and provides the
financial compensation one desires.
If we choose a career based solely
on earnings potential, there is a high
probability that, ultimately, we may
not be happy in that career.
Most who are considering what
line of work to pursue do their
research and have an idea of what
to expect as compensation and plan
accordingly.
However, when we pursue a
job based on real data and then
expect, and in some cases attempt
to demand, pay increases it seems
a bit counterintuitive. The teaching
profession isn’t going to propel those
who choose that profession into the
category of being wealthy but certainly
provides a mid-level income with
good benefits.
Teachers, enjoy your time away
from the classroom and students.
Pursue your interests and be grateful
for the opportunities afforded you.
Most of those who work in other
occupations would love to have eight
to 10 weeks off with pay.
There is a Confucius quote that
reads “Find a job you love, and you
will never work a day in your life."
That is a powerful message that more
people should heed.
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • Friday, June 8, 2018 • Page 8

DCSD sues Atlanta over Emory annexation

ordinance was passed by
BY DEREK SMITH
Atlanta City Council on Dec. 4.
derek@dekalbchamp.com The lawsuit asserts that
DeKalb County School
District (DCSD) is seeking to
void a city of Atlanta ordinance
approving the annexation of
Emory University, the CDC
and other commercial and
residential areas located on
744 acres in DeKalb County,
according to a lawsuit filed
June 4.
According to the lawsuit,
the annexation will absorb all
taxable property into Atlanta
Public Schools (APS), causing
DCSD to lose “a significant
portion of its funding”
and “[impair] its ability to
adequately fund” DCSD
schools. The lawsuit names
both the city of Atlanta and
Atlanta City Council president
Felicia Moore as respondents.
According to DCSD
superintendent Stephen
Green, DCSD agreed to
the terms of the annexation
in September 2017 with a
provision stating the process
would not affect the school
boundaries of DCSD or APS.
The court filing asserts that
an original ordinance was
introduced to Atlanta City
Council in July 2017 that stated
the annexation would not
extend the boundaries of APS.
That version of the ordinance
was read before the city
council at two regular meetings
according to the lawsuit.
According to the filing, on
Nov. 29, 2017, the Atlanta City
Council zoning committee
introduced and passed a
substitute ordinance that
extended the boundaries of
APS to include properties
in the proposed Emory
annexation area. That
seven and nine.
According to Green, the
amount of money transferred
passage of the new ordinance
violates Atlanta city regulations
for passage of ordinances as
the change was not adequately
communicated to the
stakeholders and the public
at large. The complaint seeks
an immediate injunction
against the expansion of APS
boundaries into the annexed
area, and a permanent
injunction invalidating the
annexation ordinance.
Green sent a letter to
stakeholders of the annexation
in December seeking a solution
that would avoid litigation.
In an interview June 4, Green
told The Champion that since
December, DCSD officials
have met with representatives
of Atlanta mayor Keshia
Lance Bottoms and Green
met with APS superintendent
Meria Carstarphen in March.
Green said Carstarphen sent
him an email “discontinuing
and disengaging” further
conversation.
DCSD estimates that more
than $2 million in tax revenue
will be transferred from DCSD
to APS because of the change.
In December, Green called
the tax transfer “especially
egregious” and said the
annexation will not result in
the transfer of a significant
number of students from
DCSD to APS. The lawsuit
estimates the total number of
affected students to be between
Pursuant to the requirements of O.C.G.A. Section 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. All citizens of Doraville are invited to
attend.
Real & Personal 395,990,311
Motor Vehicle
Mobile Homes
Timber 100%
Heavy Duty Equipment
Gross Tax Digest 411,901,061
is not equivalent to the transfer
of obligation, and the change
will make it significantly
harder for DCSD to serve its
102,000 students.
“We have 100,000 students,
70,000 of them qualify for free
or reduced lunches.” Green
told The Champion. “We need
every cent we can muster to
properly serve them.”
Stephen Green DCSD superintendent
CITY OF DORAVILLE
NOTICE OF PROPERTY TAX INCREASE
The City of Doraville has tentatively adopted a millage rate of 10.451
which will require an increase in property taxes by 29.6 percent. The
proposed millage rate is 1.5 mills more than the prior year millage rate
of 8.951 mills.
All concerned citizens are invited to the public hearing on this tax
increase to be held at the Doraville City Hall located at 3725 Park
Avenue, Doraville, GA 30340 on June 11, 2018 at 6:00pm.
Times and places of additional public hearings on this tax increase are
at the Doraville City Hall on June 11, 2018 at 11:30am and on June 18,
2018 at 6:00pm.
This tentative increase will result in a millage rate of 10.451 mills, an
increase of 29.6 percent over the rollback rate. Without this tentative
tax increase, the millage rate will be no more than 8.064 mills. The
proposed tax increase for a home with a fair market value of $175,000
is approximately $167.09 and the tax increase for a non-homestead
property with a fair market value of $700,000 is approximately $668.36.
CITY OF DORAVILLE
NOTICE OF FIVE YEAR HISTORY
CURRENT 2018 TAX DIGEST AND FIVE YEAR LEVY
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
416,515,498 582,014,025 586,820,583 675,554,262 766,035,610
15,906,220 14,025,040 9,332,050 7,001,920 6,360,280 4,056,520
0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0
4,530 0 0 2,222 0 4,496
430,540,538 591,346,075 593,824,725 681,914,542 770,096,626

REDUCE Exemptions
Net Tax Digest
35,478,708
376,422,353
37,551,588
392,988,950
64,281,530
527,064,545
62,253,978
531,570,747
76,694,898
605,219,644
67,597,072
702,499,554

REUSE Net Millage

Net Tax Levy 100%
9.00
3,387,801
8.75
3,438,653
8.50
4,480,049
8.371
4,449,779
8.951
5,417,321
10.451
7,341,823
Net Increase/(Decrease) 309,313 50,852 1,041,395 30,270 967,542 1,924,502
RECYCLE Net Levy %
Increase/(Decrease) 10.05% 1.50% 30.28% 0.68% 21.74% 35.52%
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • Friday, June 8, 2018 • Page 9

Stonecrest mayor
reveals vision at state
of city address
BY CARLA PARKER building a convention center in
the city.
carla@dekalbchamp.com “This is going to happen,”
Building a convention Lary said. “Why? Because there
center, entertainment is a market for it. There is a
amenities and more retail brand for it. There are folks
stores and restaurants are some asking for it every day. We have
of the goals Stonecrest Mayor the smarts; we have the money
Jason Lary hopes come to and the partnerships to get this
fruition. done.”
Lary gave the first state-of- Lary also discussed his
the-city address for DeKalb vision to expand MARTA
County’s newest city May into the city through the
31 at New Birth Missionary proposed I-20 rail project, with
Baptist Church. Stonecrest Stonecrest possibly getting
incorporated last year, and three rail stations.
along with the vision of “We have paid our penny
providing better services and we’re going to reap
through code enforcement, the benefits of it,” he said.
planning and zoning, and “[MARTA] is paying us the
parks and recreation, city most attention first. Our job is
officials also wanted to address to stay on top of them to make
residential, commercial and it happen.”
industrial concerns, school Lary talked about the city’s Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary gave the first state-of-the-city address. He discussed his vision for the city, which includes building
partnerships, tourism and comprehensive plan and how a convention center, adding entertainment amenities and more retail stores and restaurants. Photo by Carla Parker
economic development. residents can use the plan to
Lary said highlights of let city officials know what
last year include construction they want in the city, whether will invest approximately $5 to Amazon. “We got $100 million in
of a senior center, ground that is new restaurants, billion into the city it chooses “We will still remain the advertising about ‘Who the
breaking for Atlanta Sports entertainment amenities such for its second headquarters. mighty Stonecrest,” Lary said. devil is Stonecrest?’
City, demolition of the cinder as Dave and Buster’s or Main The commerce trade business “But, I was more than happy “If we don’t land the giant,
block hotel at Stonecrest Mall Event Entertainment, or retail is expected to create an to stick 50,000 jobs up in this do you know how many
and the corner store at the establishments such as a Whole estimated 50,000 jobs. corridor because I knew we minions we picked up? Do you
intersection of Browns Mill Foods. Stonecrest is offering to have at least 25,000 of those know how many folks [we]
Road and Klondike Road, “If we draw them here, you de-annex 345 acres on the folks who are living right here entertain every day because of
creating a balanced budget have to actually go and shop northeast side of the city and in southeast DeKalb County.” this Amazon [publicity]? We
with an $800,000 surplus there,” Lary said. “That’s very call it Amazon, Ga. Lary joked The city’s pitch to Amazon would’ve never been able to do
for 2018 and bringing in important. Don’t ask for them about the misperception of also brought publicity for the this. Stonecrest is on the map
new businesses, including to come here and then you changing the entire city name city. now.”
Burlington department store. don’t [shop there], because
“We’re creating a vision for they will leave.”
our future here in Stonecrest,” The city also has placed
Lary said. itself in the running to be the NOTICE OF PROPERTY TAX INCREASE
A part of that vision is second home for Amazon
headquarters. Amazon said it
The Decatur City Commission has tentatively adopted a combined
millage rate of 11.17 mills for maintenance and operations which
DEKALB COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION will require an increase in property taxes of 9.16% for fiscal year
2018-2019. This millage rate generates revenue necessary to fund
2nd PUBLIC BUDGET HEARING the City of Decatur’s general operations, downtown development
FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2019 authority and capital improvements. The increase in the millage
Monday, June 11, 2018
rate is recommended for the debt service payments for the former
Children’s Home property that was purchased in August, 2017.
TIME LOCATION
5:30 p.m. J. David Williamson Board Room
Robert R. Freeman Administrative Complex
All concerned citizens are invited to the public hearing on this tax
1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd. increase to be held at the City Commission Meeting Room, Decatur
Stone Mountain, GA 30083 City Hall, 509 N. McDonough Street, Decatur, on Monday, June 18,
The DeKalb County Board of Education will hold a public budget 2018 at 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. This tentative increase will result
hearing to solicit feedback from the public regarding the 2018- in a millage rate of 11.17 mills, an increase of 0.937 mills over the
2019 school system’s budget. FY2019 DCSD budget information rollback millage rate. Without this tentative tax increase, the millage
can be found on DeKalb County School System’s website at
http://www.dekalbschoolsga.org/superintendent/budget. rate will be no more than 10.233 mills. The proposed tax increase
for a home with a fair market value of $475,000 is approximately
FOR INFORMATION, CALL THE OFFICE OF THE $104.13 and the proposed tax increase for a nonhomestead property
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AT 678-676-0069.
with a fair market value of $575,000 is approximately $140.88.
LOCAL
DeKalb seniors celebrated the 25th annual National Senior Health and Fitness Day at the Decatur Recreation Center May 30. Photos by Horace Holloman
SENIORS GET MOVING
BY HORACE HOLLOMAN
horace@dekalbchamp.com
Moving and grooving and
getting plenty of information
was the focus of an event at
the Decatur Recreation Center
held in conjunction with
National Senior Health and
Fitness Day.
The event, hosted by
Decatur Active Living,
was held May 30 for senior
residents of DeKalb County
and offered health screenings,
exercise demos and panel
discussions.
Sara Holmes, adult
program supervisor of Decatur
Recreation Center, said the
theme for the annual event
was active today, healthier
tomorrow.
“We have so much going
on,” Holmes said. “We
want to provide educational
information and resources to
help seniors stay active and be
healthier tomorrow. We don’t
just want them physically
healthier but emotionally and
financially healthy as well.”
May 30 was the 25th
anniversary of National
Senior Health and Fitness
Day. According to event
officials, the event’s goals are
to promote the importance
of regular physical activity,
and to showcase what local
organizations are doing
to improve the health and
fitness of older adults in their
communities.
“We try to bring in all
aspects to help our seniors,”
Holmes said. “We strive off of
partnership. Teamwork makes
the dream work.”   year. Each year there’s
Topics for panel discussions
included “Alzheimer’s and
dementia: What you need to
know,” “protecting yourself
from fraud and exploitation,”
and “little things you can do
every day to stay active and eat
healthier.”
DeKalb County resident
James Davis Sr. said he
enjoys coming back to the
event every year.
“It’s a nice event and it’s a
meaningful thing. Sometimes
you come to events and its
very passé, but this event has
a lot of good information,”
Davis said.
Davis, originally from
Michigan, has lived in Stone
Mountain for more than a
decade.
DEKALB FREE PRESS • Friday, June 8, 2018 • Page 10
DeKalb County Board of Health
Provides Back-to-School Services
We are Here for Your Health!
Friendly, affordable health services including:
• Childhood Immunizations (Form 3231)
• Hearing, Vision, Nutrition, and
Dental Screenings (Form 3300)
• Birth Certificates for Children Born in Georgia
“This event is really • Sports Physicals
helpful. I try to come every
something different they
Extended Hours for ALL Services at ALL Centers
come up with,” Davis said. “I 8:15 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
usually come and get my blood
pressure [checked]. They do a
great job of that.” Monday, July 30, through Thursday, August 2
Decatur partnered with Monday, August 6, through Wednesday, August 8
several DeKalb County
agencies including Lou Walker
Senior Center in Lithonia for Normal Business Hours
the annual event.
Chiquita Thomas, events
Monday - Friday, 8:15 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
coordinator at Lou Walker
Senior Center, said it’s Clifton Springs Health Center (404) 244-2200
important for organizations to
partner to help the community. East DeKalb Health Center (770) 484-2600
“At Lou Walker Senior North DeKalb Health Center (770) 454-1144
Center, we say our seniors T. O. Vinson Health Center (404) 294-3762
don’t retire they refire,”
Thomas said, laughing. “We
love coming out to events For more information
where our seniors can stay (404) 294-3700
active.” www.dekalbhealth.net
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • Friday, June 8, 2018 • Page 11

WEEK in PICTURES

DeKalb County School District 2 Board of Education challenger Candice McKinley (right)
dances at her watch party at the Frazer Center in Decatur May 22. Photos by Derek Smith.

Atlanta Gladiators and Tucker-Reid H. Cofer Library provided entertainment for campers at Tucker Recreation Center May 31. Photo from Tucker’s Facebook page

Students at DeKalb Educators' annual conference May 31 use a shadow viewer to see how city buildings affect City of Decatur police officers pick out donuts at Revolution Doughnuts in Decatur during National Donut
the design of a playground. Photo courtesy of Carolyn Cutts via Twitter. Day.

Have you created programming you’d like to air on TV?

Do you have an interest in Public Access TV in DeKalb County?
Submit your show to DeKalb County’s 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

404.373.7779 x 110
DeKalb25.com
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • Friday, June 8, 2018 • Page 12

Brookhaven issues general obligation bonds

BY DEREK SMITH
derek@dekalbchamp.com
The city of Brookhaven
issued the first general
obligation debt in its history
May 22 to pay for its new public
safety building to be built along
the upcoming Peachtree Creek
Greenway.
City council unanimously
approved the issuance of the
$12 million general obligation
bonds to pay for the building.
“This is the first general
obligation debt we are doing as
a city and I want to thank the
voters,” Mayor John Ernst said.
Brookhaven voters approved
a $47 million county-wide
special local option sales tax
(SPLOST) in November, which
the city said would provide $15
million for public safety. The
general obligation bonds will
be used to pay for the initial
construction of the public safety
building and will be paid back
using SPLOST revenue that will
be received over a period of six
years.
The 19-acre parcel along the north fork of Peachtree Creek, which is the signature trailhead for Peachtree Creek Greenway and
the site of Brookhaven’s new public safety facility. Photo courtesy city of Brookhaven. Photo courtesy city of Brookhaven.
The public safety building
be home to Brookhaven’s police
department, municipal court
and emergency operations
center.
City council voted
unanimously May 8 to award
an $800,000 contract for
architecture and engineering
to Rosser International.
The bidding process for
construction of the public
safety building is expected to be
underway soon, according to a
press release.
City officials said the new
facility will provide public safety
personnel with “state-of-the-art
amenities” and allow the police
department to move from its
current rented space at 2665
Buford Highway.
According to Brookhaven
spokesperson Burke Brennan,
the current space “only has 55
parking places for a department
with 85 employees and a busy
municipal court.”
“The building we are in now
doesn’t even have adequate
backup electricity when the
power goes out,” Brookhaven
Police Chief Gary Yandura said.
“The new facility will address
all of these issues and give us a
little room to grow over the next
20 to 30 years.”
According to Brookhaven
Assistant City Manager
Steve Chapman, seven firms
responded to a request for
proposal for the bonds. STI
Institutional and Government
Inc., a.k.a. SunTrust Bank was
chosen after an analysis of the
bids by a review committee.
Chapman said the city secured
an interest rate of 2.75 percent,
which is better than the current
U.S. Treasury five-year bond
yield of 2.9 percent.
“Clearing this crucial
hurdle ensures an aggressive
and expeditious construction
schedule in support of
Brookhaven’s entire public
safety function, including our
police, municipal court and
emergency management,”
Ernst said in a press release
from the city. “Furthermore,
it supports the general public
in another way, as it provides a
crucial access point to another
of Brookhaven’s prestigious
initiatives, the Peachtree Creek
Greenway.”
A groundbreaking for the
facility is expected for the fall,
with completion planned for the
summer of 2020.

Lawsuit claims Doraville generates significant revenue from fines and fees
BY DEREK SMITH
derek@dekalbchamp.com
Four metro Atlanta
residents have filed a federal
lawsuit against the city of
Doraville for what they claim
is a conscious effort by the city
to generate significant revenue
through municipal court fines,
fees and forfeitures.
“The city of Doraville
budgets to receive millions of
dollars from municipal court
fines, fees, and forfeitures,
which account for anywhere
between about a fifth to about
a third of its general operating
revenues,” the court filing
reads.
Cited in the court filing was
a passage from a spring 2015
issue of the city’s newsletter.
“Averaging nearly 15,000
cases and bringing in over $3
million annually, the court
system contributes heavily to
[Doraville’s] bottom line,” the
newsletter reads.
Attorneys for the Institute
for Justice—a law firm that
on its website calls itself “the
national law firm for liberty”—
are representing the plaintiffs
in the case. The organization
asserts that while the average
city earns 3 to 6 percent of
its budget from tickets and
fines, in 2015 tickets and fines
accounted for 27 percent of
Doraville’s operating revenue,
according to the city’s budget
report.
The four plaintiffs in the
case each claim they were
targeted for fines to generate
revenue for the city.
According to a U.S. District
Court filing, Doraville resident
and plaintiff Hilda Brucker
was ordered in October 2016
to pay a $100 municipal court
fine and serve a six-month
probationary prison term for
three code violations—“rotted
wood on house and chipping
paint on fascia boards”; “high
weeds in backyard and ivy
on tree and vines on house”
and “driveway in a state of
disrepair.”
Plaintiff Jeff Thornton was
given a warning in July 2015
that a trailer on his Doraville
property must be moved from
grass to a hard surface and
that he should “call about the
logs in his backyard.” After
moving the trailer, Thornton
was warned about the logs in
December 2015 then visited
by a code enforcement officer
in June 2016 who told him to
remove the logs from his yard.
Thornton received a notice
of arrest warrant and a $100 the mail in an envelope dated the filing, after informing the
fine in July 2016 for a missed Aug. 22, 2016. The citations judge he could not pay the
court date. According to the were both dated June 8, 2016. fine, the amount was lowered
filing, Thornton claims he Thornton went to trial in to $300 and he was given 12
never received the first notice October 2016 for the violations months of probation, during
of the court date. He said he and was originally sentenced
later received two citations in to a $1,000 fine. According to SEE DORAVILLE ON PAGE 18
NOTICE OF PROPERTY TAX INCREASE
At their regular meeting on June 12, 2018, The Board of Education of the City of Decatur will
tentatively adopt a millage which will remain the same as the Fiscal Year 2018 millage rate of
18.66 mills; however due to property reassessments, this will represent an average increase of
3.43% in property taxes.
All concerned citizens are invited to the public hearing on this tax increase to be held at the
Board Room of the Central Office, 125 Electric Avenue, Decatur, Georgia on Tuesday, June 19,
2018 at 8:00 a.m.
Times and places of additional public hearings on this tax increase are at the Board Room of the
Central Office, 125 Electric Avenue, Decatur, Georgia on Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at 8:00 a.m. and
6:00 p.m.
This tentative increase will result in a millage rate of 18.66 mills, an increase of 0.619 mills over
the rollback millage. The rollback millage rate is calculated to produce the same total revenue
on the current year’s digest that last year’s millage rate would have produced had no
reassessments occurred. Without this tentative tax increase, the rollback millage rate will be
no more than 18.041 mills. The proposed tax increase for a home with a fair market value of
$475,000 is approximately $147 and the proposed tax increase for nonhomestead property
with a fair market value of $575,000 is approximately $178.
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • Friday, June 8, 2018 • Page 13

DOGS SHOW
UP AND
SHOW OUT
BY DEREK SMITH
derek@dekalbchamp.com

Some dogs jumped

through hoops and did frisbee
tricks, while others rolled
in the mud June 2 at the
fourth annual “Bark in the
Park” at Brookhaven Park in
Brookhaven.
Area residents were
encouraged to bring their dogs
to the park for the three-hour
event. Several vendors were
on hand selling items such as
pet safety gear and custom
jeweled leashes and collars, but
the central attraction was The
Dynamo Dogs, a travelling dog
trick show led by trainer Gail
Mirabella.
Mirabella said she has
travelled with a group of skilled
dogs for more than 10 years.
Her website lists appearances
on The Late Show with David
Letterman, The Tonight Show
with Jay Leno, Good Morning
America and The Today Show.
She said she has appeared most
recently on the latest season of
the reality series The Bachelor.
Mirabella’s dogs performed
a series of agility-based tricks
featuring frisbees, hoops and
platforms while at Bark In The The Dynamo Dogs, led by trainer Gail Mirabella, put on a show for attendees of Bark In The Park at Brookhaven Park June 2. Photo by Derek Smith.
Park.
Animal adoptions were
offered by Best Friends Animal
Society and Lifeline Animal NOTICE
Project hosted an information The City of Lithonia, Georgia does hereby announce that the millage rate will be set at a meeting to be
booth.
Best Friends representative held at the Lithonia City Hall on Monday, June 18, 2018 at 7:00 pm and pursuant to the requirements of O.C.G.A. Section
Meredith Bowen said the 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
organization is a nationwide
society with centers in Los digest and levy for the past five years.
Angeles, Salt Lake City, New
York and Atlanta. The Atlanta CURRENT 2018 TAX DIGEST AND 5 YEAR HISTORY OF LEVY
center is in Cobb County INCORPORATED 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
near Smyrna, but the mobile Real & Personal $ 17,690,700 $ 20,095,784 $ 22,172,872 $ 26,527,218 $ 29,294,531 $ 38,544,385.00
adoption truck brings pets Motor Vehicles $ 1,853,380 $ 1,554,440 $ 981,640 $ 794,580 $ 765,330 $ 347,940.00
in need of homes to areas Mobile Homes $ 117,094 $ 93,990 $ 93,990 $ 93,990 $ 87,151 $ 79,712.00
throughout the metro area.
Timber - 100%
“The truck was created
Heavy Duty Equipment
originally for mobile adoptions
in Los Angeles, and it came Gross Digest $ 19,661,174 $ 21,744,214 $ 23,248,502 $ 27,415,788 $ 30,147,012 $ 38,972,037.00

to us in April because their
program wasn’t as necessary
anymore,” Bowen said. “They’re
focusing on some other things
for life-saving and adoptions
in L.A., so we brought it here
to get out in the community
more.”
According to Bowen, Best
Friends, which has been in
Less M& O Exemptions $
Net M & O Digest $
State Forest Land
Assistance Grant Value
Adjusted Net M&O Digest $
Gross M&O Millage
Less Rollback (LOST)
Net M&O Millage
Total County Taxes Levied $
Net Taxes $ Increase
552,462 $ 526,915 $ 536,850 $ 550,783 $ 572,747 $ 5,357,734.00
19,108,712 $ 21,217,299 $ 22,711,652 $ 26,865,005 $ 29,574,265 $ 33,614,303.00
19,108,712 $ 21,217,299 $ 22,711,652 $ 26,865,005 $ 29,574,265 $ 33,614,303.00
17.869 17.869 17.000 15.768 14.074 11.116
17.869 17.869 17.000 15.768 14.074 11.116
341,453.57 $ 379,131.92 $ 386,098.08 $ 423,607.40 $ 416,228.21 $ 373,656.59
$ 37,678.34 $ 6,966.17 $ 37,509.31 $ (7,379.19) $ (42,571.61)

SEE DOGS ON PAGE 15 Net Taxes % Increase 11.03% 1.84% 9.71% -1.74% -10.23%
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • Friday, June 8, 2018 • Page 14

Columbia graduate serves with Navy strike fighter squadron

BY CARLA PARKER
carla@dekalbchamp.com
A 2010 Columbia High
School graduate now works
with a U.S. Navy group that
flies one of the world’s most
advanced warplanes.
Petty Officer 3rd Class
Te’Yana Howard serves
with the U.S. Navy strike
fighter squadron as a logistics
specialist with the Blackknights
of VFA 154, out of Naval
Air Station Lemoore in
California. According to the
U.S. Navy, a logistics specialist
is responsible for procuring,
receiving and issuing parts for
work centers and for financial
management for the squadron.
Howard comes from
a military family whose
members inspired her to follow Columbia High School graduate Petty Officer 3rd Class Te’Yana Howard serves with the U.S. Navy strike fighter squadron.
their footsteps.
“My mom was in the Air
Force and grandfather was
in the Army,” she said. “My
grandfather really encouraged
me to join the military because respect back. I try to apply that experience.
it would open opportunities
aircraft in the world. The
Super Hornet takes off from
and lands on Navy aircraft
carriers at sea and can conduct
air-to-air combat as well as
strike targets on land. It is
approximately 61 feet long, has
a load weight of 51,000 pounds
and a max speed of 1,190 miles
per hour.
Howard serves with the
Strike Fighter Wing, U. S.
Pacific Fleet, which Capt.
James S. Bates called the heart
of Naval Aviation.
“The sailors assigned
to SFWP always exceed
expectations and produce
amazing results through team
work and dedication to their
department, squadron, the
U.S. Navy and their family,”
he said. “Naval Aviation is a
challenging occupation, but
our sailors work day in and day
out to provide fully mission
capable aircraft and fully
for me. He taught me to be
Howard said joining the myself,” she said. qualified aircrew to ensure
respectful. When you are
Navy allowed her to attend According to Navy officials, leadership is able to answer
respectful, you will receive
school for free and get work members of VFA 154 work national level tasking.”
with the F/A 18 Super Hornet,
to my Navy career now.”
“It really meant bettering one of the most advanced

NOTICE OF PROPERTY TAX INCREASE

The Governing Authority of the City of Avondale Estates has tentatively adopted a 2018 millage rate which will require
an increase in the property taxes by 8.32 percent. All concerned citizens are invited to the public hearings
on this tax increase to be held at City Hall, 21 North Avondale Plaza, Avondale Estates, GA 30002 on Wednesday,
June 20, 2018 at 5:30 P. M., Monday June 25, 2018 at 10:00 A.M., and Monday June 25, 2018 at 6:30 P.M.
This tentative increase will result in a millage rate of 9.957 mills, an increase of .765 mills. Without this tentative tax increase,
the mill rate will be no more than 9.192 mills. The proposed tax increase for a home with a fair market value of $342,324.00 is
approximately $105. The proposed tax increase on non-homestead property with a fair market value of $250,908.00
is approximately $77.
CURRENT 2018 TAX DIGEST AND 5 YEAR HISTORY OF LEVY
CITY 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Real & Personal 141,146,248 148,072,403 178,050,508 191,456,685 202,952,052 221,127,298
Motor Vehicles 8,451,460 7,456,190 5,564,760 4,306,900 3,998,710 2,436,450

REDUCE
Mobile Homes
Timber - 100%
Heavy Duty Equipment
Gross Digest 149,597,708 155,528,593 183,615,268 195,763,585 206,950,762 223,563,748
Less M& O Exemptions 138,061 268,311 371,490 466,802 512,749 550,270

REUSE Net M & O Digest

State Forest Land Assistance
Grant Value
149,459,647 155,260,282 183,243,778 195,296,783 206,438,013

0
223,013,478

Adjusted Net M&O Digest 149,459,647 155,260,282 183,243,778 195,296,783 206,438,013 223,013,478

RECYCLE
Gross M&O Millage 10.957 10.957 9.957 9.957 9.957 9.957
Less Rollback (LOST)
Net M&O Millage 10.957 10.957 9.957 9.957 9.957 9.957
Total City Taxes Levied $1,637,629 $1,701,187 $1,824,558 $1,944,570 $2,055,503 $2,220,545
Net Taxes $ Increase $63,558 $123,371 $120,012 $110,933 $165,042
Net Taxes % Increase 3.88% 7.25% 6.58% 5.70% 8.03%
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • Friday, June 8, 2018 • Page 15

DOGS Continued From Page 13A

Atlanta since 2016, is using the truck at events such as Bark in the
Park to create more awareness of the center and the pets it offers.
“We get a good amount of traffic, but we wanted to continue
to grow. So we brought the truck to get out in the community
and get to places like Brookhaven,” Bowen said. “Because we’re
all the way over in Cobb County, we don’t come to this side of
the perimeter nearly as much. That’s kind of the idea behind the
truck.”
The truck is large with a fold-out awning that reveals two
glass windows, allowing potential adopters to see four separate
compartments containing adoptable pets. According to Bowen,
the truck is climate controlled, allowing pets to be shown safely
regardless of weather. The separate compartments also allow for
different kinds of pets to be shown without agitation.
Bowen said the truck attracted a lot of attention at the festival.
“We’ve had a lot of traffic. We haven’t done any adoptions yet,
but we’ve had a lot of people coming in with a lot of interest,” she
said. “Hopefully we have a couple people who are interested in
coming back tomorrow to the center to meet some of our dogs.
We’ll see if some adoptions come from that.” Best Friends Society's mobile adoption unit showcased animals available for adoption at Brookhaven Park during Bark in the Park
June 2. Photo by Derek Smith

NOTICE OF PROPERTY TAX INCREASE

DEKALB COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
3rd PUBLIC
MILLAGE RATE HEARING
Tuesday, June 26, 2018
TIME LOCATION
6:15 p.m. J. David Williamson Board Room
Robert R. Freeman Administrative Complex
1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd.
Stone Mountain, GA 30083
Citizens interested in reviewing a detailed copy of the program
based budget may do so by visiting the DeKalb County School
District website at www.dekalbschoolsga.org.
FOR INFORMATION, CALL THE OFFICE OF THE
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AT 678-676-0069.
The Governing Authority of the City of Avondale
Estates has tentatively adopted a 2018 millage rate
which will require an increase in the property taxes
by 8.32 percent. All concerned citizens are invited to
the public hearings on this tax increase to be held at
City Hall, 21 North Avondale Plaza, Avondale Estates,
GA 30002 on Wednesday, June 20, 2018 at 5:30 P.
M., Monday June 25, 2018 at 10:00 A.M., and Monday
June 25, 2018 at 6:30 P.M.
This tentative increase will result in a millage rate
of 9.957 mills, an increase of .765 mills. Without
this tentative tax increase, the mill rate will be no
more than 9.192 mills. The proposed tax increase
for a home with a fair market value of $342,324.00 is
approximately $105. The proposed tax increase on
non-homestead property with a fair market value of
$250,908.00 is approximately $77.

GOT A NEWS TIP?

The DeKalb County Board of Education does hereby announce that the millage rate will be set at a meeting to be held at the
DeKalb County School District Administrative & Instructional Complex, 1701 Mountain Industrial Boulevard, Stone Mountain, Georgia
on Tuesday, June 26, 2018 at 7:00 p.m., and pursuant to the requirements of O.C.G.A. 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.

We’d love to hear from you.

CURRENT 2018 TAX DIGEST AND 5 YEAR HISTORY OF LEVY

DEKALB COUNTY SCHOOL 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Real & Personal 17,512,942,085 18,945,661,424 21,114,929,747 22,708,465,405 24,341,209,784 27,089,388,336

HORACE HOLLOMAN
Motor Vehicles 1,359,311,440 1,135,212,830 781,124,040 568,562,240 501,760,240 288,361,800
Mobile Homes 396,572 355,333 358,733 769,100 486,235 476,807

Horace@DeKalbChamp.com
Timber - 100% 0 0 0 0 0 0
Heavy Duty Equipment 34,308 57,864 2,208 76,000 81,886 38,569
Local news editor: covers county government/ Gross Digest 18,872,684,405 20,081,287,451 21,896,414,728 23,277,872,745 24,843,538,145 27,378,265,512
crime/courts plus Decatur and Avondale Estates. Less M& O Exemptions 2,826,254,552 2,923,178,437 3,144,309,260 3,295,536,890 3,414,913,868 3,541,634,019
Net M & O Digest 16,046,429,853 17,158,109,014 18,752,105,468 19,982,335,855 21,428,624,277 23,836,631,493
State Forest Land Assistance

CARLA PARKER
Grant Value 0 0 0 0 0 0
Adjusted Net M&O Digest 16,046,429,853 17,158,109,014 18,752,105,468 19,982,335,855 21,428,624,277 23,836,631,493

Carla@DeKalbChamp.com Gross M&O Millage 23.98 23.98 23.98 23.73 23.38 23.28
Sports editor: covers sports plus Stonecrest, Less Rollbacks 0.00 0.00 -0.25 -0.35 -0.10 0.00

Clarkston, Lithonia, Stone Mountain and Tucker. Net M&O Millage 23.98 23.98 23.73 23.38 23.28 23.28

Total School Taxes Levied $384,793,388 $411,451,454 $444,987,463 $467,187,012 $498,858,373 $554,916,781

DEREK SMITH
Net Taxes $ Increase $1,194,763 $26,658,066 $33,536,009 $22,199,550 $31,671,361 $56,058,408
Net Taxes % Increase 0.31% 6.93% 8.15% 4.99% 6.78% 11.24%

Derek@DeKalbChamp.com
Education editor: covers all things education- NOTES:
related plus Brookhaven, Doraville, Chamblee, 1. THE NET LEVY DOES NOT REFLECT ACTUAL REVENUE RECEIVED OR AVAILABLE DUE TO VALUE ADJUSTMENTS RESULTING FROM APPEALS, DELINQUENT TAXES,

Dunwoody and Pine Lake. COLLECTIONS FROM PRIOR YEARS, AND A FEE OF 1.25% PAID TO THE COUNTY FOR BILLING AND COLLECTIONS.
2. THE 2018 MILLAGE RATE IS THE PROPOSED RATE. THE PROPOSED SCHOOL OPERATIONS MILLAGE IS 23.28 MILLS.
3. 2018 DIGEST FIGURES ARE AN ESTIMATE.
EDUCATION
Chamblee Charter High School's quiz bowl team competed in the 2018 High School Quiz Bowl Championship May 28 at Atlanta Marriott Marquis.
Chamblee Charter High
competes in national quiz bowl
BY DEREK SMITH
derek@dekalbchamp.com
Chamblee Charter High
School’s (CCHS) quiz bowl
team competed in the 2018
High School Quiz Bowl
Championship May 28 at
Atlanta Marriott Marquis.
The team, which consisted
of four juniors and four
freshmen, finished 5-5 on the
day. Coach John Donegan said
he wished the team could have
won six games, which would
have allowed them to compete
in the playoff round May 29,
but he was pleased.
“Given that we have four
juniors and four freshmen, that
wasn’t bad at all,” he said.
It was the second
consecutive trip to the national
tournament for CCHS, and the
second time they finished 5-5.
“We just can’t seem to get
over that five-win hump,”
Donegan said.
Freshman James Hardy
led the team in number of
points scored per number of
questions heard. Hardy heard
129 questions through six
games and answered correctly
17 times. Four correct answers
came early enough that Hardy
was awarded a “power,” which
resulted in extra points.
Hardy’s four powers were
tied with junior Sifat Raihan,
who led the team with 131
questions heard. Junior Sam
Lehmann was second in
questions heard with 130.
All four juniors, including
Raihan, Lehmann, Ben Blanck
and Rohan Misra returned
from last year’s team which
also competed in the national
tournament. Donegan, who
also coaches Chamblee Middle
School’s quiz bowl team, said
he’s confident that the team
might make the national
tournament again next year.
“A few of the freshmen
we have coming in are
really good,” he said. “And
our highest scorer this year
[Hardy] was a freshman, so it’s
a good sign.”
Donegan said he was also
pleased with his junior varsity
team, which finished first in
the Georgia Academic Team
Association (GATA) State
Championship in Division 3
on March 10. The team scored
more than 400 points in all but
one of its matches and finished
5-0.
Donegan said coaching
quiz bowl at CCHS is difficult
because the team often can
only meet for practice once a
DEKALB FREE PRESS • Friday, June 8, 2018 • Page 16
week or once every two weeks. “At other schools, like Marist High School also
The players are often divided [national tournament winner] competed in the national
between other activities as Plano, Texas, [quiz bowl] is the tournament, finishing 4-6,
well. A few sophomores on only activity the kids do,” he which put them at 247th out
the team missed the national said. “So I’m very proud of [the of 352.
tournament due to a Boy Scout CCHS team] for making the
retreat. tournament.”
NOTICE OF PROPERTY TAX INCREASE
The DeKalb County School District has tentatively adopted a
millage rate which will require an increase in property taxes by
9.51 percent.
All concerned citizens are invited to the public hearing on this tax
increase to be held at 11:30 a.m. June 11, 2018, DeKalb County
School District J. David Williamson Board Room, 1701 Mountain
Industrial Blvd., Stone Mountain, Georgia
Times and places of additional public hearings on this tax increase
are at:
6:15 p.m. June 11, 2018, DeKalb County School District J.
David Williamson Board Room, 1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd.,
Stone Mountain, Georgia
6:15 p.m. June 26, 2018, DeKalb County School District J.
David Williamson Board Room, 1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd.,
Stone Mountain, Georgia
This tentative increase will result in a millage rate of 23.28 mills,
an increase of 2.021 mills. Without this tentative tax increase, the
millage rate will be no more than 21.259 mills. The proposed tax
increase for a home with a fair market value of $250,000 is
approximately $176.84 and the proposed tax increase for non-
homestead property with a fair market value of $400,000 is
approximately $323.36.
BUSINESS
Age isn’t a barrier in today’s job market
BY KATHY MITCHELL
FREELANCE REPORTER
Corporate downsizing,
reorganization and unexpected
life events may leave older
people searching for work. Job
seekers with a few wrinkles or
gray hairs shouldn’t assume
there are few places for them
in today’s job market. There
are plenty of opportunities
for workers 50 and older,
according to Tamika Condé
who works with AARP
Foundation, a charitable
affiliate of the American
Association of Retired Persons.
At a presentation May 17 at
Scott-Candler Library, Condé
outlined AARP Foundation’s
Back to Work 50+ program.
The program, which operates
under a grant from the U.S
Department of Labor, has
specific guidelines, including
income limits. “I can’t tell
you precisely who qualifies
because it will depend on the
type of income you have, how
many dependents you have
and other factors. You must be
unemployed. If you have part-
time or temporary work you
don’t qualify for program,” she
said.
Condé said the program is
for people seriously looking
for work. “If you want to put in
a few hours a week to pay for
some extras, this isn’t for you.
If you’re not willing to abide by
the program’s requirements in
terms of following up on job
leads and reporting your job
search activities, this program
isn’t for you. When you come,
come real.”
Offering advice even for
those who don’t qualify for the
AARP Foundation program,
she strongly emphasized the
need for flexibility. “Sometimes
older people returning to the
workplace have an unrealistic
list of ‘must haves,’” she said.
“If you insist on only working
certain days, certain hours
and only close to home, you’re
going to have a tough time
finding work. There are jobs
out there, but you may have
to work weekends, early or
late hours or at a place that’s
a 30-minute drive from your
home.”
Condé added that job
seekers also must be willing to
learn new skills. “If you can’t
use a computer, you should
learn at least basic computer
functions. Even at the job
search and application stage,
Tamika Condé of the AARP Foundation offers tips to job seekers older than age 50.
Photo by Kathy Mitchell
you will need to be able to
send and receive emails,” she
said, adding that those who
earned college degrees decades
ago should realize that what
they learned may now be
outdated and they may need
refresher courses to bring their
knowledge up to date.
The good news, Condé
said, is that older workers
may be able to attend job skill
seminars or take classes at such
nonprofits as the Urban League
at little or no cost. Many classes
at state colleges are free for
Georgia residents 62 and older,
she noted.
In addition to updating
skills, jobseekers may need to
update their attitudes. Certain
workplace norms of years
past may have changed. Those
wanting to return to work
would do well to be more open
to the ways things are done
now, according to Condé.
Some who retired from
rewarding careers may now
be looking to earn money at a
job that isn’t demanding. They
might be surprised, however,
to learn that jobs they assumed
anyone could do may not be as
easy as they look. “You might
think of jobs such as cashier
at a fast-food restaurant as
‘no-brainers,’ but some of the
equipment is more complex
than it was years ago. If you
operated a cash register more
than 10 years ago, you have no
useful skills operating a cash
register,” Condé said.
She recommends
developing a brief oral
resume—a 30-minute
commercial—that can be
shared with those who might
DEKALB FREE PRESS • Friday, June 8, 2018 • Page 17
10 Positive Characteristics of Older Workers
Many older workers possess valuable self-management skills that
make them attractive to prospective employers. According to the
Georgia Department of Labor, older workers are often:
•Dedicated workers who produce a high quality of work, which
can result in a significant savings in cost.
•Punctual, arriving on time and ready to work.
•Detail-oriented, focused and attentive, adding an intangible
value that rubs off on all employees and can save a business
thousands of dollars.
•Good listeners who make great employees because they are
easier to train. Older employees listen carefully because they
want to avoid mistakes.
•Well-organized and less likely to be a part of this startling
statistic: More than a million work hours are lost each year due
to workplace disorganization.
have leads to a job. “Some
people call it an elevator
•Efficient and confident, sharing their recommendations and
speech because it should be
concise enough to be given on ideas with management and co-workers.
an elevator ride from the top
floor to the bottom. It should •Mature, having years of life and work experience, creating
cover who you are, what type
of work you’re looking for and
workers who get less “rattled” when problems occur. Setting
an example for other employees is an intangible value many
what your skills are.”
business owners appreciate.
Such a work search
summary can be useful at job
fairs, where jobseekers often •Excellent communicators, knowing when and how to
have only a few minutes to communicate through years of experience.
let recruiters know they’re
serious. Small job fairs and
•Less costly to employ, many having insurance plans from
those focused on specific
previous employers and other sources of income.
job categories may be more
fruitful than those that attract
thousands of jobseekers •Experienced, making them more confident in their decisions.
looking for work in a wide
variety of industries, Condé
suggested.
CITY OF DORAVILLE
PUBLIC NOTICE
Fiscal Year 2019 Budget
Notice is hereby given that the proposed budget for the City of Doraville shall
be available for public inspection beginning Monday, June 4, 2018, in the City
Clerk’s office from 8:30 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at City Hall, 3725
Park Avenue, Doraville, GA.
A Public Hearing shall be held on the 11th day of June at 6:00 p.m. at City
Hall, 3725 Park Avenue, Doraville, GA before the Mayor and Council of the City
of Doraville at which time public comment pertaining to the Fiscal Year 2019
(July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019) budget shall be sounded. All citizens of
Doraville are invited to attend.
A Public Hearing shall be held on the 18th day of June at 6:00 p.m. at City
Hall, 3725 Park Avenue, Doraville, GA before the Mayor and Council of the City
of Doraville at which time public comment pertaining to the Fiscal Year 2019
(July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019) budget shall be sounded. All citizens of
Doraville are invited to attend.
A Regular Meeting shall be held on the 18th day of June at 6:30 p.m. at City
Hall, 3725 Park Avenue, Doraville, GA before the Mayor and Council of the
City of Doraville at which time the Fiscal Year 2019 (July 1, 2018 through June
30, 2019) budget shall be approved and the budget ordinance adopted in
accordance with O.C.G.A. 36-81-5. All citizens of Doraville are invited to attend.
 DEKALB FREE PRESS • Friday, June 8, 2018 • Page 18

ARREST Continued From Page 4A DORAVILLE Continued From Page 12A

always there encouraging us to
get better. He was a big piece of
the glue [that held] the team.”
Richardson played football
for three years at Cedar Grove
and was a member of the 2016
state championship team. He
was also on the state track and
field championship team and
played basketball for one year,
according to football coach
Jermaine Smith.
“He was always trying to
bring everybody together,”
Smith said. “Before his senior
year, he buckled down that
summer and he really was an
asset for us. He did a great job
and was a leader of the team.”
graduation.
“He was in the cafeteria
preparing for graduation and
I was talking to him, telling
him congratulations and we
were talking about him going
to [college] and just preparing
for the next phase of his life,”
Smith said. “His mom was
paying for college and now
they have to pay for a funeral.
It’s sad.”
Richardson’s father said it
is hard to accept that his son is
dead.
“It’s so unreal,” he said. “A
parent never wants to bury
their child. I would’ve never
expected this to happen to him
which he would have been required to pay a generation rather than a matter of public safety,
$40-per-month fee for “pay only” probation to according to the filing.
Professional Probation Services, the probation The lawsuit seeks a declaration of injunction
service contracted with Doraville Municipal against Doraville’s “policy and practice of
Court. budgeting to receive revenues from fines, fees
Following the sentencing, Thornton told a and forfeitures” and a “permanent injunction
Doraville code enforcement official he could not restraining the city from acting in furtherance
pay the fine, and the charges were dropped. of any policy, practice, or custom that violates
Two other plaintiffs, Janice Craig and Byron Plaintiffs’ rights under the Fourteenth
Billingsly, received traffic tickets from Doraville Amendment to the U.S. Constitution,” according
police that they believe to be for revenue to the filing.
Coming to Stone Mountian,
Lithonia and Decatur in June
(more locations and dates available)

Richardson played wide
receiver on the football team
and he recently received
a football scholarship to
Valdosta State University.
Smith said Trevon was a good
student, a good teammate and
a comedian.
“He always had a joke,
always had a smile on his
face and always tried to make
everyone else smile,” he said.
Smith said he last saw
Richardson May 24, the day of
because he’s not the type of
kid that associated himself in
those types of surroundings.
But, sometimes when you’re
away from your comfort zone
other people will draw you into
the wrong light of doing things
and things will happen.”
Funeral services for
Richardson were held June
4. He was buried at Kennedy
Memorial Garden in
Ellenwood.
lifeline
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June 13: Memorial Event and Cultural Center (Stn. Mtn.)
June 14: Atlanta Belvedere SDA Church (Decatur)
June 19: Fairfield Baptist Church (Lithonia) More dates and locations available
Pre-registration is required call 1-888-653-6441 to receive a $10 discount

NOTICE
The City of Brookhaven City Council does hereby invite all concerned citizens to the following public hearings regarding a tax increase
and subsequent adoption of its millage rate for 2018. The public hearings will be held at Brookhaven City Hall, 4362 Peachtree Road.
The first public hearing will be held at 7:00 p.m. on June 12, 2018. The second and third public hearings will be held on June 28, 2018.
The second hearing is at 10:30 a.m., with the third public hearing held at 6:30 p.m.

The City of Brookhaven City Council does hereby announce that the millage rate will be set at a meeting to be held at the
Brookhaven City Hall on June 28, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. and pursuant to the requirements of O.C.G.A. Section 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.

CURRENT 2018 TAX DIGEST AND 5 YEAR HISTORY OF LEVY

Spec Tax Dist #1 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Real & Personal Brookhaven
59,127,532 77,468,898 99,023,094 171,459,419
Motor Vehicles
Mobile Homes
Timber - 100%
Heavy Duty Equipment
Gross Digest 0 0 59,127,532 77,468,898 99,023,094 171,459,419
Less M& O Exemptions 31,786 25,407 26,862
Net M & O Digest 0 0 59,127,532 77,437,112 98,997,687 171,432,557
State Forest Land Assistance
Grant Value
Adjusted Net M&O Digest 0 0 59,127,532 77,437,112 98,997,687 171,432,557

Gross M&O Millage 1.500 6.450 6.450 6.450

Less Rollbacks 0.000 0.000 0.000
Net M&O Millage 0.000 0.000 1.500 6.450 6.450 6.450

Total County Taxes Levied $0 $0 $88,691 $499,469 $638,535 $1,105,740

Net Taxes $ Increase #VALUE! $0 $88,691 $410,778 $139,066 $467,205

Net Taxes % Increase #VALUE! #DIV/0! #DIV/0! 463.15% 27.84% 73.17%
SPORTS DEKALB FREE PRESS • Friday, June 8, 2018 • Page 19

Stephenson High School pitcher Ga’von Wray was named a Metro Atlanta Ga’von Wray was one of the top high school baseball players who were named 2018 all-stars.
High School All-Star by the Atlanta 400 Baseball Fan Club.

Ga’von Wray honored by Atlanta 400 Baseball Fan Club

BY CARLA PARKER
carla@dekalbchamp.com
Stephenson High School pitcher
Ga’von Wray was honored May 31 by
Atlanta 400 Baseball Fan Club at its
annual Metro Atlanta High School All-
Star recognition event.
Wray was one of the top high
school baseball players named 2018
all-stars. He received a plaque and was
recognized with other all-stars during a
pre-game ceremony before the Atlanta
Braves game at SunTrust Park.
Wray led all DeKalb County pitchers
with a 0.79 ERA in the 2018 season. He
pitched 61 2/3 innings and threw 94
strikeouts. He finished the season with
an 8-2 record.
Wray was also named Region
4-AAAAAA pitcher of the year. His
teammates Shane Daley and Joseph
Jackson were named to the all-region
team as infielders.
Other DeKalb players to make
the 2018 All-Region 4-AAAAAA
team were M.L. King pitcher Lamont
Barner, M.L. King outfielder Jeremy
Cain and Tucker outfielders Miles
Bowens and Miles Grayson. M.L.
King’s Xavier Wilson made the
honorable mention list.
Tucker coach Matt Masce was
named region coach of the year.

Emory athletics finish fourth in directors’ cup standings

recorded a top-10 finish in the men’s swimming and diving Emory athletics also The Directors’ Cup is
BY CARLA PARKER (2nd), men’s tennis (3rd), men’s claimed five University Athletic a program that honors
standings, as well as an eighth
carla@dekalbchamp.com top-five finish during that soccer (5th), volleyball (5th), Association conference institutions maintaining
span, according to Emory’s women’s outdoor track and championships this past school a broad-based program,
The National Association field (5th), men’s golf (7th), year—women’s swimming and achieving success in many
athletic department. Emory
of Collegiate Directors women’s indoor track and field diving, men’s swimming and sports, both men’s and
finished the athletic year with
of Athletics (NACDA) (8th) and men’s basketball diving, women’s tennis, golf women’s.
936.05 points.
announced May 31 that Emory (9th). and softball.
Emory scored points in 14
University athletics finished
sports and won the national
fourth in the 2017-18 Learfield
championship in women’s
Sports Directors’ Cup Division
swimming and diving.
III standings.
Emory had nine other top-
The fourth-place finish
10 finishes in the Directors’ Proposed Substantial Amendment to the 2014-2018
represents the 17th time in the Consolidated Plan, including the 2017 Annual Action Plan
Cup— women’s tennis (2nd),
past 18 years that Emory has
DeKalb County is proposing to amend to the 2014-2018 Consolidated Plan, including
the 2017 Annual Action Plan in order to add the Lou Walker Senior Center Classroom
Renovation Project.
DEKALB COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
Due to the need for additional classroom and meeting space at the Lou Walker
Senior Center, the County is proposing to renovate the Lou Walker Senior Center by
1st and 2nd PUBLIC converting current office space within the facility to 3,000 square feet of classroom and
MILLAGE RATE HEARINGS storage space. CDBG funds in an amount not to exceed $553,738 will be used for
design and engineering, construction, furniture, fixtures, and equipment.
All citizens are invited to review the proposed substantial amendment to these
Monday, June 11, 2018 programs from June 8, 2018 – July 9, 2018 on the DeKalb County website,
TIME LOCATION
www.co.dekalb.ga.us, and at the locations identified below.
11:30 a.m. J. David Williamson Board Room
Robert R. Freeman Administrative Complex DeKalb County Community Development Department
1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd. 750 Commerce Avenue, Suite 401, Decatur, Georgia 30030
Stone Mountain, GA 30083
(404) 371-2727
Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Monday, June 11, 2018
Wesley Chapel Branch Library Decatur Branch Library
TIME LOCATION
6:15 p.m. J. David Williamson Board Room
2861 Wesley Chapel Road, Decatur 215 Sycamore Street, Decatur
Robert R. Freeman Administrative Complex (404-286-6980) (404-370-3070)
1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd.
Stone Mountain, GA 30083 Please contact the libraries for days and hours of operation.

Citizens interested in reviewing a detailed copy of the program Comment forms may be obtained and completed at each of the above listed
based budget may do so by visiting the DeKalb County School locations. Comments may also be faxed or emailed to the
District website at www.dekalbschoolsga.org.
Community Development Department.
FOR INFORMATION, CALL THE OFFICE OF THE
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AT 678-676-0069.
Fax: (404) 371-2742
Email: bhcamp@dekalbcountyga.gov
LOCAL
Judge to rule on officer involved shooting case
BY HORACE HOLLOMAN
horace@dekalbchamp.com
A DeKalb County judge
will determine whether an
officer who shot and killed
an unarmed Black man
will stand trial.
Judge J.P. Boulee
finished listening to the
testimony of Robert
Olsen during an immunity
hearing the week of May
21. Olsen is a former
DeKalb County Police
Department (DKPD)
officer who shot Anthony
Hill while Hill was having
what his family referred
to as a “mental health
episode.
Boulee is expected to
soon decide whether a
jury trial is necessary.
Hill served in
Afghanistan and was
discharged after being
diagnosed with bipolar
disorder. In 2015, Olsen
responded to a call of a
naked man acting erratic
outside of the complex.
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DEKALB FREE PRESS • Friday, June 8, 2018 • Page 20
Olsen became said he wants justice to be A DeKalb grand jury 2016. Olsen resigned from
emotional on the stand as served. indicted Olsen on Jan. 21, the DKPD the same day.
he recalled the events.
Olsen said he feared
for his life during the
NOTICE OF PROPERTY TAX INCREASE
encounter with Hill.
Attorneys for Olsen stated
The City of Brookhaven has tentatively
he “did what he had to do adopted a millage rate for the General Fund
for self-preservation.”
“I draw the weapon and which will require an increase in property taxes
start to back up as fast as
I can. I yell, ‘Stop, stop’ by 8.15 percent over the Rollback Millage rate.
twice,” Olsen said.  
Olsen said he believed This increase is due solely to the revaluation of
at the time he was going to
be attacked by Hill.
real property tax assessments.
Pedro Castillo,
who was employed as a
All concerned citizens are invited to the public
maintenance worker at the hearings on this tax increase to be held at
complex where Hill was
shot, said he witnessed Brookhaven City Hall at 4362 Peachtree Road,
the shooting and that Hill
approached Olsen “with Brookhaven, GA 30319. The first public hearing
his hands up.”
Workers at the complex will be held at 7:00 p.m. on June 12, 2018.
described Hill as a “nice
man” and a “gentleman.”
The second public and third public hearings
The Olsen/Hill case will be held June 28, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30
drew national media
attention with protesters p.m. After the final public hearing, the millage
asking that Olsen be
placed in jail. Local rate will be formally adopted at the June 28, 2018
activist Gerald Griggs
meeting at 7:00 p.m.
Berries