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Lithonia Police Chief Annette Williams is the first female and first Black female police chief of the department. Photo by Carla Parker
Lithonia police chief reflects on year one
BY CARLA PARKER
carla@dekalbchamp.com
Annette Williams is no stranger to
making history in law enforcement.
During her time with DeKalb County
Police Department, Williams became the
first Black female lieutenant and the first
Black female captain of a unit. In October
2018, Williams made history once again
when she was named the first female and
first Black female police chief of Lithonia
Police Department.
Williams was hired Oct. 15, 2018 as
Lithonia’s new chief of police, replacing
former police chief Roosevelt Smith, who
was fired in March 2018 following multiple
complaints filed against Smith. Some of
the complaints were made from former and
current Lithonia police officers who said
Smith created a hostile work environment
and engaged in corrupt and unethical
practices.
Williams made several changes when
Visit www.TheChampionNewspaper.com for local, real DeKalb County news.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2019 • VOL. 24, NO.
she took over to help rebuild morale within
I have an open-
the department.
“I made sure I selected somebody as my
second-in-command. She’s a veteran officer
door policy for
here, so people had a level of confidence
in her,” Williams said. “It’s about building
trust; having meetings with my officers one-
anyone who wants
on-one, setting objectives, goals and what
it is I want for them to do and how I run a
department. It’s about being transparent and
to come and talk to
making sure that I lead by example in this
organization.”
Williams also said it’s important for
me about anything.
her and her officers to be involved in the
community and build partnerships with
residents and stakeholders.
I think that has
“I have an open-door policy for anyone
who wants to come and talk to me about
anything. I think that has worked for us, so
worked for us, so far.
far.”
In Williams’ first year, the police
department has purchased new squad cars,
body cameras for full-time officers and has
plans to purchase body cameras for reserve
officers. Lithonia also has partnered with
- ANNETTE WILLIAMS
SEE CHIEF ON PAGE 6
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2019 • Page 2

COUNTYWIDE

Rapid response vehicles

making positive impact
BY HORACE HOLLOMAN
horace@dekalbchamp.com
DeKalb County Fire
Rescue Department (DCFR)
added two rapid response
vehicles recently. The
vehicles will service Station
20 in Decatur and Station 21
in Dunwoody and respond
to emergency medical calls.
Rapid response vehicles
are smaller and less
expensive to operate than
larger fire trucks. The units
feature fire extinguishing
capabilities as well as
various emergency response
equipment and medical
supplies.
“DeKalb County
has structured a strong
countywide ambulance
transport service system,”
said DeKalb County CEO
Michael Thurmond in a
statement. “Our firefighters
are often the first on
the scene and the most
critical point of emergency
response is how quickly
first responders can initiate
lifesaving care and stabilize
patients.” 
The county purchased
10 rapid response vehicles
using funding generated by DeKalb County added a rapid response vehicle at Station 21 which serves Dunwoody and surrounding areas.
the special purpose local
option sales tax (SPLOST)
According to Fullum, said 75 to 85 percent of all the number of calls the unit
passed in 2017. A total
larger fire trucks require calls are non-fire related. responds to has significantly
of $2 million in SPLOST
three to four crew members The rapid response vehicles decreased. 
funding was allocated for
to operate. Rapid response also help reduce mental and “Having more resources
the 10 response units. Each
vehicles are staffed by physical fatigue on DeKalb means we can spread
vehicle costs approximately
two DeKalb firefighters firefighters, he said.  and share those [non-
$200,000, which includes
trained to stabilize patients In the second quarter of emergency] calls and
upgrades and equipment.  
and treat conditions that 2019, DCFR responded to so we’ve already seen a
DCFR Chief Darnell
require immediate life- 22,761 incidents, 14,041 of decrease in utilization.
Fullum said the vehicles
saving actions such as major which were non-fire related.  We’ve seen that unit being
have had a positive impact
bleeding. Fire Station No. 14 in one of the highest utilized
on the department by
Fullum said rapid Lithonia had one of the units and now they’re in the
allowing faster response
response vehicles prevent most frequently used fire middle of the pack,” Fullum
times and requiring fewer
wear and tear on larger fire truck units in the county, said. 
crew members to operate.
trucks by responding to non- Fullum said. With the arrival
“What we’re doing is
fire related calls. Fullum of a rapid response vehicle,
augmenting our ability to
respond to calls and doing
that without having to send
the larger fire trucks with
the crew that goes along
with it,” Fullum said. 

DeKalb County Special Purpose Home Repair Program

COUNTYWIDE Application Period Opens
The DeKalb County Community Development Department will offer deferred pay-
Organization continues to ment, forgivable loans to assist senior and disabled homeowners with critical repairs
to plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and roofing. To be eligible, applicants must be at least

raise awareness, encourage 62 years of age or disabled and at least 21 years of age, own DeKalb County property
that serves as their primary residence and satisfy income and other eligibility require-
ments.
restoration of South River The DeKalb County Community Development Department will accept preliminary
applications for the Special Purpose Home Repair program from 11 AM – 3 PM on
September 30 – October 7, 2019. Deliver the completed pre-applications form to the
BY CARLA PARKER address below:
carla@dekalbchamp.com DeKalb County Community Department
750 Commerce Drive, Suite 401 Decatur, GA 30030
South River Watershed Alliance (SRWA) has been Decatur, GA 30030
raising awareness for years to protect and restore the water
The Department will randomly select, 250 preliminary applications for review. Prelimi-
quality of South River and will continue its mission during nary applications and instructions for submission are available on the DeKalb County
its annual jamboree, “Rally for the River,” on Oct. 5. website (https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/community-development/public-notices) or
Dr. Jacqueline Echols, president of SRWA board, said at the DeKalb County Senior Centers shown below:
the event is an annual fundraiser.
“The theme of this event is very important because it DeKalb Atlanta Senior Center Lou Walker Senior Center
actually points to our advocacy and support of the river and 25 Warren Street 2358 Panola Road
Atlanta, GA 30317 Lithonia, GA 30058
asking that people come out and help us raise our voices in
support of the river,” she said. South DeKalb Senior/Community Center Central DeKalb Senior Center
The rally will be held on the river at Eifrid Farm near 1931 Candler Road 1346 McConnell Dr.
Panola Mountain State Park in Stockbridge. The event will Decatur, GA 30032 Decatur, GA 30033
include food, drinks and music, as well as information on
North DeKalb Senior/Community Center Latin American Association
projects SRWA is working on to help raise awareness of the 3393 Malone Drive 2750 Buford Highway
river. Chamblee, GA 30341 Atlanta, GA 30324
“We will have a nonprofit that focuses on amphibians,
to come out and show what a great ecosystem the South Lithonia Senior Center Center for Pan Asian Community Services
River has in terms of some of the animals that are there,” 2484 Bruce Street 3510 Shallowford Road, NE
Lithonia, GA 30058 Atlanta, GA 30341

SEE RIVER ON PAGE 8 For further information, please call 404-371-2727.

LOCAL
COUNTYWIDE
Organization hopes 5K run/walk raises
awareness of mental, physical health
BY CARLA PARKER
carla@dekalbchamp.com
Two years ago, The National
Coalition of 100 Black Women
Decatur-DeKalb Chapter sponsored a
5K run/walk.
The event was hosted by Door
to Door Fitness, a mobile fitness
business that promotes health and
wellness through physical activity and
exercise, to raise awareness of health
and wellness. This year, the coalition
partnered with Door to Door Fitness
and Samson’s Health Fitness Center
in Stonecrest to host the annual Taste
of Health 5K Run-Walk and Mental
Health Awareness event Sept. 21.
Coalition president Deloris Grizzle
said Door to Door wanted the coalition
to have an active role in the event.
“We wanted to do a little bit more
with it,” she said. “We’re hoping that
this event will be something that we
can continue in the community for
many years to come.”
The 5K run-walk event is designed
to bring awareness to the importance of
physical fitness in families. A portion
of funds raised will be used to enhance
fitness programs and to support local
organizations that provide mental
health resources and awareness.
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DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2019 • Page 3
Grizzle said the organization wanted
the focus on physical and mental health
because it is a vital component of the
community.
“We are very concerned as the 100
Black Women about the well-being of
our whole community and the whole
person—physically, emotionally and
spiritually,” she said. “Physical and
mental health is very important to us
under our chapter’s initiative. We have
four core initiatives and health is one
of the most important ones.”
Grizzle said it is important for the
coalition to promote mental health for
this event. The group has also given
its support to the Helping Families
in Mental Health Crisis Act, which
was passed by the U.S. Senate and
Congress in 2016.
“We’re working with legislation on
comprehensive mental health reform
because we know the importance of it,”
Grizzle said. “Millions of Americans
live with, or are impacted daily, by
mental health. So, we want to ensure
that voices are heard, and the stigma of
mental illness is no more.”
The event will be held at Samson’s
Health Fitness Center, 6400 Woodrow
Road in Stonecrest. Registration begins
at 7 a.m. and the race will begin at 8
a.m. Vendors are scheduled until 3 p.m.
Registration can be completed at www.
healthfamilyfun.com for a fee of $25.
Grizzle said she hopes participants will
become more aware of the importance
of mental and physical health.
“That’s the main reason why
we’re doing this. We hope that they
will understand what mental illness
and health is, and to overcome the
stigma associated with mental illness,”
she said. “We also want them to
understand about seeking treatment
and understanding medication and
work closely with their doctor and
understand their bodies.
“We also want them to learn about
diabetes, heart disease and stroke
[because] many of us don’t know
about [those] and the risk factors,”
Grizzle added. “So, we hope that
the takeaway from this will be that
they’ll know about the treatments for
diabetes, they’ll know about heart
disease, they’ll know about metabolic
syndrome, high cholesterol and how
to control [their health]. It’s very
important for us to put this out in the
community so that they will begin
to seek treatment, understand the
stigma associated with mental health
and understand the different illnesses
and conditions that affect a person’s
thinking.”
Brookhaven city council member, Bates
Mattison announces resignation. City of
Brookhaven website.
Mattison
steps down
as council
member
BY TAYLOR ROBINS
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com
Brookhaven City
Council member Bates
Mattison recently
announced he will not
run for re-election for his
District 3 seat.
“It has been one of my
greatest honors to help start
the city seven years ago
working to represent the
[residents] of Brookhaven,
but I truly want to focus
on my family before my
children reach college age,”
said Mattison. “This has
been a difficult decision
to reach, but I hope you
understand my reasoning. I
look forward to continuing
to serve the [residents] of
Brookhaven until the end
of my term and thank you
all for the confidence and
support you’ve given me
over the past seven years.”
Mattison was elected
in 2012 and resides
in the Brookhaven
Fields neighborhood.
Mattison’s goals as a city
council member were to
increase walkability and
transportation alternatives,
attract smart economic
development, grow jobs and
create better quality of life.
OPINION DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2019 • Page 4

Dear dads: It’s OK to be vulnerable

The first time I attempted to lay
my son to sleep in his crib didn’t
end well. As he fell asleep in my
arms, I walked to his crib, stepped
on a LEGO and nearly dropped
him. The sudden jolt of almost
hitting the ground woke him up and
he cried. For hours.
At approximately 2 a.m. that
night, my wife came to rescue me.
She said, “you tried your best” and
was able to put our son Horace C.
Holloman IV, also known as Dru,
to sleep in a matter of minutes.  I was struggling. I felt like I was
My wife developed a special
bond with our son. Most likely the
result of a six-month maternity
leave. However, I went back to
work a few days after his birth. I
was not able to spend important
one-on-one time with Dru, and
it showed. As our son aged, my
frustration and disappointment
grew. I realized I struggled to
perform basic dad responsibilities
like feeding him, burping him and
the ultimate test—putting him to
HORACE HOLLOMAN
horace@dekalbchamp.com
sleep in his crib.  to be, what they are supposed
I began to feel unsure of myself.
I felt like a failure. Fatherhood
seemed so easy with my now
7-year-old daughter, but with Dru,
slowly sinking into a depression,
and I realized I wasn’t alone.  professional help for depression,
Approximately 5 to 10 percent
of new fathers in the United States
suffer from postpartum depression
(PPD), according to U.S. Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention
data. One study shows the risk
goes up to 24 to 50 percent for men
whose partners also suffer from
PPD.
Researchers from UNLV
conducted a study of depression
among new fathers. Results of
the study indicate that fathers
experience PPD, in part, due to
adhering to gender expectations,
repressing feelings and feeling
overwhelmed.  my feet to avoid stepping on his
“The expectations society gives
to men of what they are supposed
to do and how they do it was a
significant factor on how many of
these men chose to cope with life
stressors,” one UNLV researcher
wrote. “Because men are already
less likely than women to seek
it is vital that the stigma of PPD
decreases.”
The first step I took to get out of
my fatherhood-induced depression
was to admit I wasn’t OK. I started
to take more time for myself and
take off work more frequently.
I began to do things I enjoyed
like taking my dogs for a walk
or exercising. I also made sure to
spend more one-on-one time with
my son. 
Recently, I gave putting him to
sleep in his crib another attempt. As
Dru dozed off in my arms, I went to
put him in his bed while shuffling
toys. I learned to cradle him like a
football because he enjoys being
close to my body. I also learned
to put him in feet first, then head.
In one motion I laid him down
confidently and without waking
him. 
My wife came into his room and
gave me a “thumbs up” and smiled
at me. I smiled back. As I watched
him sleep for a couple of minutes, I
thought to myself, “This fatherhood
thing isn’t so bad.”
I had to realize as a man, it’s
OK to be vulnerable. It’s time to
break the stigma. It’s OK to not be
OK.

2019 GHSA high school reclassification – It’s déjà vu all over again
In 2016, the Georgia High School
Association (GHSA) implemented the 3 percent
rule, a rule intended to improve competitive
balance in classifications 2A, 3A, and 4A. This
rule targeted enrollment from out of district.
Seven private and city schools initially moved up
in classification.
 During the three years prior to the
implementation of the 3 percent rule - 2013-
2015 – five private schools won 52 state titles.
These five schools, 4 percent of all schools in 3A
and 4A, won 32 percent of state titles. During
the three years after the implementation of
the 3 percent rule - 2016-2018 – seven private
schools won 53 state titles. These seven schools,
6 percent of all schools in 3A and 4A, won 33
percent of state titles. The three years prior to the
3 percent rule, 3A/4A Buford won 10 state titles.
The three years following implementation of the
3 percent rule, 5A Buford won 15 state titles.  The current proposal will move all 3A and
The Georgia Athletic Director’s Association
(GADA) Director’s Cup is an acknowledgement
of a high school’s success in sports. Every year
since 2011 in classifications 2A-4A, private
schools have held the top rankings in GADA.
There are three exceptions: 3A Buford was #2 in
school year 2013-1014; 2A Pace Academy was
#7 in 2014-2015; 3A Jefferson was #2 in 2018-
2019. 
GHSA’s current proposal replaces the 3
percent rule with a 2.0 multiplier. This multiplier
will double count any student outside a school’s
enrollment district. A school will not move up
more than one classification. 
4A private schools down in classification, then
back up. GHSA’s objective is not competitive
balance, it’s to move a few more schools up in
classification. Private schools will continue to
dominate in 3A and 4A.
 
Alan Henderson
Watkinsville, Ga.
 

Foreclosures
Tax Sales/Ads for Bids
Trade Name Registrations
Public Notices/Public meetings
Sheriff Sales/Local Legislation
Notices of Incorporation
To subscribe, visit DeKalbLegalNotices.com
or call 404-373-7779, X 0

#ItsInTheChampion
OPINION
Seasoned hands on the wheel
“While this is only the first
part of the Golden Ray and the
St. Simons Sound incident, there
remains a lot of work to do, threats
to the environment, hazards to the
people and to the Port of Brunswick
continue to be addressed through
a unified command,” said U.S.
Coast Guard Captain John Reed,
Charleston sector Coast Guard
commander.
 While an ongoing review
and investigation unfolds of a fire
and the subsequent capsizing of a
South Korean automobile transport
tanker, the Golden Ray, off the
Georgia coast, you can bet millions
that the ship’s owner, automobile
manufacturer/shipper and insurer
were all hoping there were some
very experienced hands at the wheel
the night this massive cargo ship
fell over on its side.
 The Port of Brunswick is
one of the busiest automobile
import facilities on the Eastern
Seaboard. The shipping channel
into and out of the port is narrow,
surrounded on both sides by sand
bars as well as St. Simons Island/
Brunswick and Jekyll Island.  Georgia and our U.S. economy
It's hard to imagine that the
massive craft with 4,200 vehicles
still on board was piloted by a crew
of only 24 sailors. The ship’s pilot
hails from Brunswick, most of the
remaining crew are South Koreans.  for record budgets, including a one-
It may be months before we
know how the ship ran aground,
if the fire damaged navigation
systems, or operator error grounded
this massive ship on a sandbar.
The results of which are still
causing ongoing environmental and
economic injury, though thankfully
without any serious injury or loss of
life.    and 6 percent for 2021.
Georgia emerged from the
depths of the Great Recession
with a seasoned team at the helm.
Gov. Nathan Deal had nearly
two decades of legislative and
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DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2019 • Page 5
state government, though furloughs a more entrenched and less
‘One Man’s did occur during the prior recession
within several state agencies and
responsive bureaucracy. 
 Having lived through several
Opinion’ local school systems. prior recessions, especially the deep
While the state owns most trough of 2006-2010, I understand
Bill Crane of its real estate, maintaining and appreciate the benefits of
bill.csicrane@gmail.com those structures and paying utility having steady, seasoned and senior
expenses typically consumes hands on the wheel. Sensing
another 10-15 percent. You are now turbulent economic times ahead, I
leadership experience in the U.S.
at 75 to 80 percent of the available want Georgia to have captains and
Congress and Georgia State Senate,
budget dollar, leaving 20 percent to a spending skipper who can help us
former Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle
make cuts from—and those dollars smoothly sail through the tightest
presided over the State Senate for
are the agency program or mission channel and choppiest waters, in
three terms and 12 years, and House
expenses. A 4 percent cut is actually part because they have already done
Speaker David Ralston joined
more like a 20 percent cut to the this before. Think about it. 
the body in 2002 and was elected
agency program; followed by the Prayers for the crew of the
speaker in 2010. This experienced
request of deeper cuts the following Golden Ray and their families.
team led Georgia to become the best
year. This calls for experienced
place to do business for six years
hands chairing the House Bill Crane also serves as a
in a row now, as well as record
Appropriations and Senate Budget political analyst and commentator
levels of employment and industry
committees, as well as steering for Channel 2’s Action News, WSB-
relocations, while conservatively
the legislative process and budget AM News/Talk 750 and now 95.5
managing the state’s fiscal affairs,
differences between the executive FM, as well as a columnist for The
resulting in the highest bond ratings
and two legislative chambers to a Champion, DeKalb Free Press and
possible to service our state’s
successful and prudent conclusion.  Georgia Trend. Crane is a DeKalb
relatively modest debt. None of
So, would you prefer the native and business owner, living
these accomplishments occurred
experienced surgeon, pilot or ship in Scottdale. You can reach him
easily or by accident and of those
captain, or a newbie in training or comment on a column at bill.
three team captains, only Speaker
learning the ropes? A less seasoned csicrane@gmail.com. 
Ralston remains on the current field
legislative branch also enables
of play.
may again experience choppy
waters in the not too distant
future. During the past two sessions
of our General Assembly, growth
in the Georgia economy allowed
time pay raise of $3,000 heading for
the wallets of Georgia educators. 
Now with a tougher economic
climate looming, it may be time
to trim those sails a bit. Gov.
Brian Kemp is requesting that
state agencies identify and prepare
their budgets with a reduction of 4
percent for the coming fiscal year
 
The largest component of
most every state agency budget is
salaries of its employees—typically
consuming 65 percent of each
dollar. Layoffs are generally rare in
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LOCAL
Lithonia Police Chief Annette Williams chats with residents outside of city hall. Photo by Carla Parker
CHIEF Continued From Page 1A
other law enforcement agencies to address the
community’s needs.
“Our resources are very scarce, very limited,
so we’re partnering with other law enforcement
agencies—DeKalb County Police Department
and DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office—to make
sure that we get more officers on the streets
and make sure we’re being proactive,” she
said. “We’re very responsive to the community.
Whenever they call, we’re there as much as we
can be.”
Williams said she was not aware that she was
the city’s first female police chief until Lithonia
Mayor Deborah Jackson brought it to her
attention.
“I never made a big deal about it, but I
don’t take it lightly,” Williams said. “I know
that other women paved the way for me in law
enforcement and I feel that I’m standing on their
shoulders and I know that other minority law
enforcement personnel are looking at me for
leadership too. I take it seriously and I make sure
I try to mentor and guide as much as I can.”
Williams has been in law enforcement
since 1985, starting her career with DeKalb
County Police Department as a patrol officer.
She worked in various divisions within the
department before being promoted to assistant
chief. She retired from the force in 2013 and
became a security representative with the NBA
as a contractor, working with the Atlanta Hawks.
When the Lithonia police chief position
became available, Williams decided to return to
law enforcement full time.
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DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2019 • Page 6
“[When] I retired from law enforcement,
I always thought I would never come back,”
she said. “I’ve always said, ‘Once you’re done,
you’re done.’”
However, Williams remained engaged
with law enforcement associations that she
is a member of. By attending meetings and
panel discussions and hearing about strained
relationships between police officers and the
community, Williams said, she got the itch again.
“[Lithonia is] kind of close to home, it’s a
small agency and [easy] for me to jump back in,”
she said. “I thought it was a perfect fit.”
Jackson said she first met Williams in 2011
through Leadership DeKalb. She said Williams’
level of experience with DeKalb County made
her the right candidate for the job.
“She struck me as a very dedicated,
professional person, and I think where the
department was at that point, it could really
benefit from her level of leadership,” Jackson
said.
“It means a lot to me that the citizens here
in Lithonia and the city council and mayor
put their faith in me and want me to lead this
organization,” Williams said.
Jackson and city administrator LaThaydra
Sands gave Williams praise for the efforts she
has made to improve the police department in
her first year of service.
“She has done an excellent job,” Jackson
said. “One of the challenges we have as a small
department is the demands that we have on
the officers. But I’ve seen improvement in the
level of morale among the officers. More retired
officers have reached out to see how they can
be of some assistance or be involved to provide
support. So, it’s been really positive.”
“Since I’ve been here, I’m very proud of
[Williams] and of the work that she does,”
said Sands, who was hired last March. “We
have a lot of citizens that come to sit outside
[city hall] and [Williams] has taken the time to
build relationships with them. We get a lot of
runaways and she takes care of them.”
Williams said she is committed to improving
the relationship between the police department
and residents. She said listening to residents will
help improve that relationship.
“One of the things that [we] do know—
particularly minority leaders in other agencies—
we have to acknowledge that we have not been
as fair in policing minority communities as we
should have,” Williams said. “I want to make
sure that we understand and acknowledge that
we haven’t always been fair in policing our
communities.
“We have good intentions, but sometimes our
approach wasn’t as fair as they should be,” she
added. “We want to do the right thing; we want
to clear crime because we get those kinds of
complaints, but sometimes our approach has not
been fair. That goes back to ‘stop and frisk’ and
those kinds of things. We have to acknowledge
as minority leaders that we have been a part of it
also.”
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2019 • Page 7

DORAVILLE

City manager resigns to fulfill other endeavors

BY TAYLOR ROBINS come hard. When I came and moreover making tough the hobby side, I am a
decisions today that are grand master porcelain
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com to Doraville, I was a fairly doll maker so I will keep
new resident to the state of founded in reasons that may
Georgia and I did not know not be readily visible or making dolls and competing
Doraville Mayor Donna much about Doraville. Now immediately well received,” internationally.”
Pittman announced Sept. 11 though, while I am leaving she said. According to Pittman,
that Doraville City Manager employment with the city, Williams-Gates cited Williams-Gates has a
Regina V. K. Williams- I will come back to my her desire to fulfill other “wealth of experience”
Gates is resigning from her favorite restaurants and for business endeavors and that she shared with
position. some events. As parting spend more time with her Doraville with an ability to
“My time with Doraville words, I want to thank the family as reasons for her effect positive changes to
has been fun from the residents of Doraville for resignation. streamline processes within
standpoint of sharing some choosing this as the city in “As they do now, 22 the city while focusing on
of my experiences gained which to live and businesses grandchildren are going large-scale development and
from 40 years elsewhere,” for locating here; but I to keep me pretty busy. I regional projects.
Williams-Gates said. would encourage them, will continue to do some Doraville city manager announces “She has served our city
Williams-Gates’ elected officials and staff professional work. I am resignation. Photo provided by Regina well and will be missed,”
resignation is effective Dec. to embrace innovation and a registered mediator and Williams-Gates. Pittman said.
31. She has had a public change; make decisions arbitrator with the state of Pittman and the city
service career for more which respect Doraville’s Georgia, so I plan to re- council will begin the
than 40 years, serving as history but likewise have the establish my management performing organizational process of recruitment for
city manager for Norfolk, courage to make decisions consultant business and development training Williams-Gates’ successor
Va., and San Jose, Calif. that implement the city’s do dispute and conflict and executive coaching,” in the coming months.
She began her position as vision of the future.” resolution cases, along with said Williams-Gates. “On
city manager May 2017 According to Williams-
and describes Doraville as Gates, Doraville faces many
“unique. The cultural and challenges in the future. NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING, CITY OF CHAMBLEE
ethnic diversity is fantastic.” “With this, however, comes
“I will miss the staff the need to determine a The Mayor and City Council of the City of Chamblee, Georgia will hold a public
the most. Doraville has hearing on Thursday, October 10, 2019 at the Chamblee Civic Center, 3540 Broad
future vision for the city Street, Chamblee, GA 30341 at 6:00 p.m. to receive public comments regarding the
good people throughout that must transcend current following matters:
the organization that work to future residents and •PZ2019-532: Applicant and Owner: Michael Gokey requests a variance
hard and are dedicated… businesses. That means from the City of Chamblee Code of Ordinances, Appendix A, Unified Development
you cannot beat their changes to land use zonings, Ordinance, to allow for a home addition to encroach into the front yard setback. The
dedication,” Williams- property is located at 1875 Dyer Circle, being DeKalb County tax Parcel 18 278 03
implementing more 022 and zoned Neighborhood Residential 1 (NR-1).
Gates said. “Parting words technology to city processes, •PZ2019-531: Applicant: Richard Spalding; and Owner: Milenko and Marija
Gvozdic request multiple variances from the City of Chamblee Code of Ordinances,
Appendix A, Unified Development Ordinance, to allow for a garage addition to
encroach into the front yard setback; to encroach into the street side yard setback;
and to allow the street-facing façade not to be treated architecturally as the primary
CITY OF STONE MOUNTAIN façade. The property is located at 2254 Wallace Dr, being DeKalb County tax Parcel
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE 18 334 01 059 and zoned Neighborhood Residential 1 (NR-1).
•PZ2019-533: Applicant: Garrett Womble, Praxis3; and Owner: SRE Georgia
The City of Stone Mountain hereby gives notice that a 6, LLC dba Dyer & Dyer VOLVO requests approval of a major modification to a
Public Hearing will be held to receive public comment on previously approved Development of Community Impact to modify an existing
condition of approval. The property is located at 5260 and 5270 Peachtree Blvd. being
a request for street name change for a portion of Venable DeKalb County tax parcels 18 299 01 002 and 18 299 01 001, and zoned Village
Street between Third and Fourth streets. Commercial (VC).
The Mayor and City Council will hold a Public Hearing •PZ2019-508: Applicant: Julie Sellers; and Owner: SIG 5466, LLC request
on this matter on Tuesday, October 1, 2019 at City Hall approval of a Development of Community Impact with variances for the redevelopment
of a mixed-use building, from the City of Chamblee Code of Ordinances, Appendix
located at 875 Main Street, Stone Mountain, GA at 6:30 A, Unified Development Ordinance, to allow a roof sign; to allow the maximum sign
P.M. Anyone wishing to attend the public hearing may do area to exceed 200 sf per tenant; to allow tenant facades less than 100 feet in length
so and be heard relative thereto. to exceed the maximum of one sign per façade; to allow the maximum sign area to
exceed 200 sf per multi-tenant building; to allow facades less than 200 feet in length to
exceed the maximum of one sign per façade; to allow facades greater than 200 feet in

GOT A
length to have more than the one additional sign per façade; to allow exterior building
materials to include metal; to allow less than 65% fenestration; to allow for each
street-facing façade to not be treated architecturally as a primary façade; to eliminate
the landscape zone requirements; to eliminate the sidewalk clear zone requirements;

NEWS TIP?
to eliminate the supplemental zone requirements; to exceed the maximum retaining
wall height; to allow more than 25% of the required open space to consist of
hardscape or paved materials; to exceed the maximum impervious surface area; to
allow off street surface parking to be located between the building and the street; to
eliminate the required five-foot pathway from parking aisles to the building entrance;
to allow bicycle parking to not be located in the supplemental zone; to reduce the
minimum number of required parking spaces; to reduce the minimum number of
We’d love to hear from you. required compact parking spaces; to reduce the number of required loading spaces;
to allow accessory mechanical systems to be located between the building and the

404.373.7779 street; to eliminate inter-parcel connectivity requirements; to exceed the maximum

building height. The property is located at 5466 New Peachtree Road, being DeKalb
County tax parcel 18 298 01 001 and zoned Village Commercial.
LOCAL
STONECREST
Kanye West
visits DeKalb for
‘Sunday Service’
BY HORACE HOLLOMAN
Horace@dekalbchamp.com
More than 10,000 people
came to Stonecrest’s New
Birth Missionary Baptist
Church to witness Grammy
award-winning artist Kanye
West perform his “Sunday
Service” Sept. 15.  necessary,” said Senior
West has previously
performed “Sunday
Service,” a gospel-themed
event that features music,
dancing and celebrity guests,
in West Coast cities and
decided to bring the event to
Stonecrest. Celebrities who
appeared include actor Chris
Tucker, producer Jermaine
Dupri, rappers Clifford
“T.I.” Harris, 2 Chainz and
Lil Yachty.
West’s performance
gained national media
attention for the church,
New Birth officials said.  the 30-minute performance
New Birth officials said
they coordinated the worship
experience with West in less
than two days. The event
featured traditional gospel
songs mixed with modern
music with modified lyrics.  community and the month
RIVER Continued From Page 2
Echols said. “It’s [going to
be] a good time.”
SRWA incorporated
in 2000 as a nonprofit
organization to help
improve the river. The
organization has worked to
stop sewer overflows into
the water and held multiple
events over the years to
remove trash from the river.
Echols said awareness
of the river has grown
exponentially.
“That has gone up
because we actually see
South River Watershed
Alliance doing something
to actually restore the
river,” she said. “We are
involved on a number of
fronts, including the consent
“At a time where
unfortunately, the church
is becoming less and less
relevant to this generation
of young people, we are
committed to doing all we
can to shift that mentality
and show that the church
is not only relevant but
Pastor Jamal Bryant in
a statement. “This was an
incredible day that started
with a dynamic message by
Bishop I.V. Hilliard and
proceeded to a redefined
worship experience led by
Kanye West.”
As a part of the praise
and worship service, West
led a 600-person choir, 150
of whom traveled from
California to join New Birth
Missionary Baptist Church’s
choir and other local singers.
Event organizers said
is meant to bridge the gap
between generations.
“On Sunday it was
Kanye West, last month
it was our shoe drive for
underserved students in our
decree.”
In 2011, DeKalb County
entered into an agreement
with the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA)
and Environmental
Protection Division (EPD)
known as a consent decree,
which requires the county
to clean, repair, enlarge and
maintain its sanitary sewer
pipes so sewer overflows are
reduced.
Echols said activities
such as the water trail
and canoeing also raise
awareness about the river.
“People can get on
the river and see it,” she
said. “They can build a
connection; they can see
how it’s important that the
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2019 • Page 8
Kayne West performed his Sunday
Service at New Birth Missionary Baptist
Church in Stonecrest. Photo by New
Birth.
before that we worked
to bail out non-violent
offenders to reconnect
them with their families,”
said Bryant. “All of it is
important and hopefully
effective in engaging our
next generation of leaders
and winning souls for the
body of Christ.”
According to The
Christian Post, the church
will also build senior
housing and a medical
facility on the church’s
campus that will serve the
uninsured and underinsured.
community supports the
South River. I tell people if
you want to see the river in
a different light and really
embrace it, then you need to
get on it.”
Echols said SWRA
doesn’t have a monetary
goal for the fundraiser,
which will start at 5:30 p.m.
and end at 8 p.m.
“Anything that we raise
is great,” she said. “We
don’t have a set amount.
More than anything, it’s
about raising awareness. It
lets people know that we’re
still here and we’re still
raising awareness. We want
people to support us.”
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2019 • Page 9

WEEK in PICTURES

Keyshawn Tabb was sworn in as the newest Dunwoody police officer at Dunwoody’s city council meeting
Sept. 9. Tabb previously served as corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps. Photo provided by the city of
Dunwoody Twitter.

During a countywide boil water advisory, DeKalb County Fire and Rescue Department supplied Little Creek
Horse Farm with 500 gallons of water to ensure horses stayed hydrated.

Hayden Lantinga walked up 12 flights of stairs to honor the lives of firefighters during Decatur Fire and The DeKalb County Bomb Squad was on the scene Sept. 13 in Doraville after grenades were found Sept. 12
Rescue’s annual Stair Climb for Sept. 11 remembrance. inside the home of a deceased individual. Photo provided by DeKalb County Police Department.

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 DeKalb25.com

EDUCATION
COUNTYWIDE
External audit discussed Student arrested after school lockdown
at district event
‘You will not see this superintendent go to jail’
BY TAYLOR ROBINS
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com
During DeKalb County
School District’s (DCSD)
On the Scene with Dr.
Green Sept. 12 event, an
attendee asked about an
external forensic audit of
DCSD Education Special
Purpose Local Option Sales
Tax (E-SPLOST) spending.
The event held
multiple times each school
year allows community
members to ask DCSD
Superintendent R. Stephen
Green questions about
school related topics and
issues.
“Show us where the
money is at,” Willie Pringle
of Restore DeKalb said.
“We can sit down with
you to show you exactly
where the money is spent
on anything relevant to
E-SPLOST or anything
else… no dollar went into
somebody’s pocket… We
have nothing to hide,”
Green responded to the
attendee.
The attendee said he
has asked for an external
forensic audit for five
years; Green explained that
“numerous types of audits”
are done for the district’s
finances, internal and
external.
“[Green], you really
need to go ahead and step
down,” Pringle said. “You
had no idea what you were
stepping into when you
came to this school system.”
In 2014, former Lithonia
High School bookkeeper
Stephine Barkley was
arrested and terminated
for allegedly embezzling
$46,000. Barkley admitted
taking $15,000.
In 2011, former Miller
Grove High School
paraprofessional Daphne
Murphy and bookkeeper
Chyrokessia Rucks were
accused of stealing $11,640
in student and cheerleading
fees.
“I know there was a
DCSD Superintendent R. Stephen Green
resigns.
history here,” said Green. “I
understand that.”
According to the
Georgia Professional
Standards Commission
there is currently an
active investigation of
Green. However, since the
investigation is ongoing, the
reason for the investigation
is unknown.
“No. There is no
pending complaint,
contention or claim that I
personally engaged in any
individual wrongdoing. I
am only involved because
of my official role as
superintendent as I am not
involved in the decision-
making processes regarding
which terminations to report
to the PSC,” Green said in
May. “DCSD is working
with the PSC to ensure they
have a full opportunity to
review the terminations of
certificated personnel.”
During the Sept.
12 event, Green said
many goals were not
accomplished during his
term, but DCSD is a better
district than it was before.
“As I continue this last
chapter here, you will not
see this superintendent
go to jail,” Green said.
“You will not see any
collusion, any fraud, any
indictments ordered on this
superintendent because our
books are clean.”
Green’s last day as
DCSD superintendent will
be June 30, 2020.
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2019 • Page 10
LITHONIA
BY TAYLOR ROBINS
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com
A student was arrested
after a weapon was found at
Lithonia High School Sept.
10.
According to DeKalb
County School District
(DCSD) officials, the school
was placed on a temporary
lockdown following the
report. DCSD public A weapon was found at Lithonia High School Sept. 10. Photo from Lithonia High
safety officers responded School website.
to the report, conducted an
investigation and took the 10, according WSB-TV. school resumed its normal
No students, staff or schedule and additional
student into custody.
The student who was community members were officers were placed on-site
injured, according to DCSD for the remainder of the
arrested allegedly pointed
a gun at another student officials. day for safety, according to
After the lockdown, the DCSD officials.
during the morning of Sept.
EDUCATION BRIEFS by Taylor Robins • Taylor@dekalbchamp.com
Students named to academic lists Recruiting and Retention Scholarship
and Jamie Croff was awarded the Lettie
A total of 477 students enrolled during Pate Whitehead Scholarship. Lithonia
the 2019 summer term at The University of scholarship recipients include: Cyle Clark
Alabama were named to the dean’s list with was awarded a Georgia Power Recruiting
an academic record of 3.5 or above or the and Retention Scholarship, Jewell Johnson
president’s list with an academic record of and Deja Lewis were both received a Walter
4.0. and Dorothy Salter Scholarship. Decatur
Students honored included Connor students awarded scholarships include:
Anderton of Brookhaven (president’s list) Kaynal Davis was awarded with a Debate
and Michael Dunn of Stone Mountain Scholarship and the Walter and Dorothy
(dean’s list). Salter Scholarship, Sariah Millar was
awarded with a Georgia Power Recruiting
Loyola University Maryland welcomes and Retention Scholarship, Kayla Hopkins
Rodriguez was awarded with a Jim and Mary Threatte
Scholarship and Savannah Lockhart who
Luis Montoy Rodriguez of Doraville was awarded with the President’s Choice
is now a member of the class of 2023 at Scholarship.
Loyola University Maryland. These scholarships were established
by private donors and are awarded each
Valdosta State University announces year by VSU Foundation Inc. to students
scholarship recipients with excellent academic achievement
and/or students with financial need. Each
Valdosta State University has offered recipient represents the high standards of
scholarships to nearly 500 currently the university.
enrolled, incoming first-year and transfer
students for the 2019-2020 academic year. Saulny recognized by UNG president
Stone Mountain students awarded
scholarships include: Sydney Cason was Maya Antonette Saulny of Lithonia
awarded the Georgia Power Recruiting and has been named to the president’s honor
Retention Scholarship, Jason Ferguson roll at the University of North Georgia for
was awarded the Student Scholarship, achieving a 4.0 grade point average during
Par Mawi was awarded a Georgia Power summer 2019.
THIS COULD BE YOUR AD
CALL 404.373.7779 EXT 110
EDUCATION
Chamblee Charter High School seniors celebrate being named National Merit semifinalists. Gail Barnes Twitter page.
Area students named National Merit semifinalists
BY TAYLOR ROBINS
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com
The National Merit Scholarship
Corporation Sept. 11 announced
the names and schools of 16,000
semifinalists who are included in
the 65th annual National Merit
Scholarship. Named in the list are
38 DeKalb County students.
Theodore Shepherd of Druid
Hills High School; Jonas Iskander
of Ben Franklin Academy; Hanna
Baniassad, Adan Jarvis, Ruby
DCSD reveals suicide rates from previous school year
BY TAYLOR ROBINS
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com
September 8-14 was National
Suicide Prevention Week, an annual
VISIT US ONLINE @ WWW.THECHAMPIONNEWSPAPER.COM
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2019 • Page 11
Reich, Madelyn Shaffer, Jenny
Zha and Emily Zhou of Lakeside
High School; Ty Mancao and
Tatiana Solsrud of St. Pius X
Catholic High School; Emily
Adams, Rachel Choi, Andrew
Council, Layla Dhabaan, Anish
Jaisinghani, Deborah Kitzler,
Amy Lin, Connor Lin, Hudson
McGaughey, Ritu Reddy,
Ethan Shi, Brenna Turner and
Shanru Xu of Chamblee Charter
High School; Will Hutchinson,
Aidyn Levin, Charlotte Lewis,
Josephine Miller, John Spencer,
campaign to inform and engage
health professionals and the general
public about suicide prevention and
warning signs of suicide.
During the Sept. 12 DeKalb
County School District’s (DCSD)
Emiko Wu and Anna Zheng of
Paideia School; Julian Daniel,
Aidan Papandria and Nayeli Shad
of Decatur High School; Galya
Fischer and Justin Jasper of
Dunwoody High School; Camille
Chatman of Arabia Mountain High
School; and Joshua Perimutter
and Eric Shavkin of Tucker High
School.
The semifinalists have a chance
at 7,600 scholarships worth more
than $31 million to be offered
in the spring. According to the
organization, 90 percent of the
On the Scene with Dr. Green event,
DCSD District 7 Board Member
Joyce Morely reported that during
the 2018-2019 school year, five
students and one teacher committed
suicide.
semifinalists will advance to finalist
standing and half of the finalists
will receive scholarships and the
Merit Scholar title.
To become a finalist, students
must submit a scholarship
application that details academic
records, participation in community
and school activities, leadership
abilities, employment, as well
as honors and awards received.
Students must also be endorsed
by a school official, write an essay
and earn SAT or ACT scores that
confirm student performance.
“Mental health is a crucial
issue,” said Morely.
Since the start of the 2019-
2020 school year, one student has
committed suicide, according to
Morely.

DECATUR
Church announces weekend
events
Gresham Park Christian Church,
2819 Flat Shoals Road, Decatur,
announced three events to which
the public is invited. On Saturday,
Sept. 21, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., there will
be a community picnic with free
food, games and other activities.
On Sunday, Sept. 22, at 6 p.m. and
Monday, Sept. 23, at 7 p.m. there
will be a revival with Minister
Venus Ware as the speaker. For
more information, visit www.
greshamparkchristianchurch.org or
call (404) 241-4511.
DUNWOODY
Grab a slice of pizza with the
police
Dunwoody’s Pizza with Police
is open to the public and gives the
community an opportunity to get
to know the Dunwoody Police
Department while enjoying a
CLASSIFIEDSection
delicious slice of pizza.
DRIVER
New Jerusalem Adult Day Care is
hiring a full-time driver. Must pass
background, drug test and MVR.
Contact Dr. Julius Edmondson, Sr.
(770) 981-7408. Location is 5721
Miller Grove Road, Lithonia, GA
30058
FOR SALE
Tech Support Engineer: Company:
Internet Networks LLC, 1100
White St SW, Atlanta, GA 30310.
Position: Tech Support Engineer.
Education: Bachelor Degree in
Computer Technology or IT. Special
Requirements: Must be bilingual
in both English and Spanish
The Champion is not responsible for any damages resulting from advertisements. All sales final.
RATES: $30 for up to 40 words, each
additional word $0.60. All ads are prepaid. All
major credit cards accepted.
AROUND DeKalb
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2019 • Page 12
The free event will take place
in the Dunwoody City Hall parking
lot─4800 Ashford Dunwoody
Road─Sept. 26, 6-8 p.m.
Animal adoption center to be
named after community leader
County commissioner
Kathie Gannon and the board
of commissioners will be honor
Susan Neugent during the county's
animal control and adoption
center dedication─3280 Chamblee
Dunwoody Road in Chamblee.
The event will take place Sept.
19 at 1:30 p.m.
STONECREST
Library to host computer basics
class
Stonecrest Library will host
“Computer Basics: Overview of
a Computer” on Sept. 23 from 2
to 3 p.m. Attendees will be told of
the basic parts of a computer and
terminology of personal computing.
No prior computer experience
needed. The library is located at
(reading, writing, speaking). Must
be familiar with and have utilized
the ITIL (Information Technology
Infrastructure Library) Program.
Must have taken advanced certificate
courses in: Microsoft Windows Server,
HP Blade System, HP ESL G3, HP
Storageworks XP2400, HP StoreOnce
B6200, Linux systems and networks,
Gen9 graphic processing units, Cisco
systems and networks. Ability to
work in small spaces, lift 60 pounds
and availability to work outside
of normal office hours including
nights and weekends. Experience:
Must have minimum of fifteen (15)
years of experience in the areas of
Computer Technology or IT. Must be
familiar with and have experience
utilizing Microsoft Windows servers
Ads due by Friday at noon for next publication
date. For more information visit www.
championclassifieds.com
3123 Klondike Road. For more
information, call (770) 482-3828.
Councilwoman to host movie
screening, expo
Stonecrest Councilwoman
Jazzmin Cobble will host
the “Screen on the Green and
Entrepreneur Expo” event Sept. 21
at Fairington Park at 5 p.m. The
event will include a live DJ, a movie
screening at dusk and children’s
activities. No glass or grills are
permitted. Food trucks and vendors
are welcome. The park is located at
Phillip Bradley Drive and Fairington
Parkway. For more information, visit
www.stoncrestfest.com.
STONE MOUNTAIN
Church celebrating 151 years
Antioch AME Church will
celebrate it's 151st anniversary Sept.
22 at 7:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. The
church is located at 765 S. Hairston
Road. For more information, visit
www.antioch-ame.org or call (404)
299-3388.
(including Windows Server 2008,
2012, 2016, 2019), FreeBSD, Mac
servers, Linux programs and servers
(including CentOS, Debian, Ubuntu,
Fedora, Proxmox, Noc-PS) and
Cisco systems and servers. Must
be familiar and have experience
with: Adobe Flash, Microsoft Office,
Office 365, Visio, VMware, hiren
boot, r1 soft, Icinga, Cacti. Must
have experience in configuration,
repair and maintenance of networks
components and servers. Job
Duties: Responsible for IT support
including acting as server engineer,
configuring, installing, building and
maintaining work stations, servers,
networks and other operating
systems. Responsible for disaster
recovery and security for work
DISCLAIMER: We do not knowingly accept advertisements that discriminate,
or intend to discriminate, on any illegal basis. Nor do we knowingly accept
employment advertisements that are not bona-fide job offers. All real estate
advertisements are subject to the fair housing act and we do not accept
advertising that is in violation of the law. The law prohibits discrimination
based on color, religion, sex, national origin, handicap or familial status.
City to host car show
Stone Mountain will host the
“Village Cruisers” car show Sept. 28
from 4 to 7 p.m. There is a $5 entry
fee per car, and there will be awards
and other giveaways. For more
information, call Kim Cumbie at
(770) 630-1727.
TUCKER
Church to host day of service
First United Methodist Church
of Tucker will host “Great Day
of Service” Sept. 28 from 8 a.m.
to 1 p.m. Church members and
volunteers will work in teams on
service projects to benefit local
organizations. Registration fee
is $10, which includes a T-shirt.
Volunteers should meet at the
church’s activities center, which
is located at 4315 Church Street.
For more information, visit www.
tuckerfirst.org/great-day-of-
service-2019.html.
stations, servers, networks and other
operating systems. Responsible for
configuring and installing network
devices such as PDUs, Switches, Load
Balancers, Routers. Responsible for
maintenance and repair of computer
systems including repairing/
upgrading Ram, hard drives, Raid
cards, motherboards, internal and
external computer components.
Responsible for performing all
backup. Responsible for network
infrastructure assignment,
maintenance and remote assistance.
Email resume to: acamacho@serveris.
com. Compensation: DOE
BUSINESS
Entrepreneurs learn to boost their
businesses though social media
BY KATHY MITCHELL
FREELANCE REPORTER
In its 15 years of existence
Facebook has dramatically changed
the way people across the globe
communicate, including how
businesses and their customers connect
with each other. Small business owners
interested in learning about how digital
marketing can be used to grow their
businesses and connect with their
communities are finding information
from the online social media and social
networking service at Boost with
Facebook, which came to Atlanta Sept.
10 and 11 in a free two-day seminar.
The Atlanta event was held in
Southern Exchange Ballrooms, the
building that for decades housed
Macy’s downtown. It attracted more
than 1,500 participants and included
such sessions as Build Your Online
Presence with Facebook, Learn How
to Create Facebook Ads, Find New
Customers Using Instagram, Scale
Your Advertising with Ads Manager,
and Get Creative with Your Mobile
Phone.
In Georgia, 81 percent of owners
of small to medium businesses believe
an individual’s digital and social media
skills are important to their hiring
decisions, according to Facebook.  page constantly so if someone has a
Boost with Facebook’s Atlanta
edition opened with a panel discussion
during which representatives of local
businesses talked about what Facebook
and related social media have done for
their business. Among the panelists
was Nate Martin from Magnolia
Room Tucker. Along with Maranda
Walker-Dowell from Joe’s Gourmet
in Atlanta, and Farrah Haidar from
Seven Sisters Scones Johns Creek,
Martin discussed his experiences
building a business or brand online.
Martin explained that Magnolia
Room was created in 2016 after a
cafeteria restaurant that had been in
the community 50 years closed. “In
addition to the disappointment of a lot
of loyal customers, many employees
were thrown out of work. The
corporate office [of the cafeteria chain]
didn’t care, but Tucker is an intimate
community where people care about
each other.”
Reopening as a local business took
about six months, Martin explained,
adding that the restaurant had the
challenge of getting the word out
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2019 • Page 13
that Magnolia Room was open with
many from the previous cafeteria’s
chain preparing and serving food.
“The restaurant business is tough,” he
said. “There’s a lot of competition and
people forget about you if you close
even for a short period.”
Martin said it was his idea to use
Facebook to tell people that Magnolia
Room was open offering fresh
vegetables and a variety of meats,
including its signature fried chicken.
“It was rocket fuel,” he said of the
Facebook page. “We not only reached
customers of the old restaurant but
many young people who had never
eaten there. It’s a great platform that
casts a wide net. We have great food;
it was just a matter of getting people to Nate Martin, left, was among the local panelists discussing how Facebook is used to communicate with
come and try it.” customers.
Many in the current generation
of young adults rarely read print
advertising or watch television ads,
according to Martin. “Facebook and
Instagram are their primary sources
of information. If you want to reach
them, that’s where you have to have
a presence. It’s a really cost-effective
way to reach large numbers of people.”
Martin said people are attracted
to the immediacy of social media.
“People don’t like to wait. Customers
can contact you and get an immediate
response. We monitor our Facebook
question, we get back to them right
away. I’m a customer service nut;
I believe in being as responsive as
possible to customers. I might be home
watching a ball game, but if I see that
someone has posted a question on our The two-day Boost with Facebook seminar was held at Southern Exchange Ballrooms in downtown
Atlanta.
Facebook page I can respond right
away,” he said.
Social media also is effective way
to recruit and screen job applicants,
Martin said. “There’s a lot of turnover
in the restaurant business, so we’re
often looking for employees. Facebook
lets us vet potential employees so that
we know before we interview them
whether they’re likely to be right for us
and we’re likely to be right for them.”
Martin said Facebook also has
proven to be a good way to publicize
what his business is doing in the
community. “Food that isn’t sold
doesn’t go in the trash can. We get it to
people who need it. We want people to
know we’re part of the community and
we care about the community.”
More than 1,500 representatives of small and medium businesses registered for the Atlanta
Boost with Facebook. Photos provided
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2019 • Page 14

STONE MOUNTAIN

Chef Karen Patton displays her shrimp and grits dish.

Sweet Potato Cafe owner Karen Patton will represent metro Atlanta in a statewide shrimp and grits competition in Jekyll Island.

Chef to participate in
statewide competition
BY HORACE HOLLOMAN I’m just going to go down there, have fun
Horace@dekalbchamp.com and do the best I can.”
When Patton decided to become a
Sweet Potato Cafe owner and chef restaurant owner, she said she wanted to do
Karen Patton said she never envisioned something unique. 
working at a restaurant, much less owning “Being an African-American, I felt
one. But after nearly three decades working like this area didn’t need another soul
at a law firm, Patton said she would give it food restaurant. I wanted to be different,”
a shot.  Patton said. “I wanted to do a farm-to-table
Eight years later, Sweet Potato Cafe restaurant because I just felt like this area Sweet Potato Café located in Stone Mountain.
will have the opportunity to be named the could use something like that.” 
best in Georgia.  Patton said her dishes feature fresh
Patton and Sweet Potato Cafe will again produce, some of which is grown in a
compete for first place honors at Jekyll garden beside the restaurant. Patton also
Island’s Annual Shrimp and Grits Festival. finds different ways to serve sweet potatoes
The event will be held Sept. 20-22 and in her dishes. Sweet Potato Cafe offers
feature some of Georgia’s most renowned loaded sweet potatoes with sour cream,
shrimp and grits chefs.  chives, cheddar cheese and bacon; roasted
First-place winners of the competition sweet potatoes with orange salad and sweet
will receive $2,000 cash, an official potato hummus. 
“Georgia’s Best Shrimp and Grits” award “We’re so used to the sweet potato
and a potential feature on QuakerOats.com. being done a couple of ways...when you
Patton said she adjusted her shrimp and come in here, you can get a loaded sweet
grits recipe slightly after falling short of a potato with veggies. You can add grilled
first-place victory at last year’s competition. chicken to it. I just hope people come in
Patton said she’s proud to represent the with an open mind,” Patton said. 
metro-Atlanta area with her shrimp and Patton said at times, the restaurant
grits recipe and hopes to continue learning business can be tough, but it’s her valued
and improving as a chef.  customers who keep her motivated, she
“[Last year’s] experience was great. It said. 
was my first time entering a competition “That’s probably what keeps me going
like that and I really enjoyed it,” Patton more than anything. This is a hard business
said. “Now I have a better understanding and from time to time you wake up and say,
of what’s in front of me and I changed my ‘Lord, can I make it another day?’ But then
recipe a little bit. I’ve tried it out through I think about my customers and how they
the year, and I’ve had great feedback on it. enjoy my food. They tell me this place feels
like home,” Patton said.  Sweet Potato Café’s loaded sweet potato topped with bacon and sour cream.
SPORTS DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2019 • Page 15

Player profile:
Lithonia offensive tackle Broderick Jones
BY CARLA PARKER
carla@dekalbchamp.com
When watching the Lithonia High
School football team, it is hard to miss
offensive tackle Broderick Jones.
Jones is the biggest player on the
team at 6-foot-6 inches and 285 pounds.
When Lithonia’s offense is running a
play, it seems as if Jones has no trouble
guarding the defensive player in front of
him to open a hole for his running back or
protecting his quarterback.
It is no surprise that Jones is a five-
star recruit and the No. 2-ranked offensive
tackle recruit in the nation and top-3
overall recruit in the state, according to
ESPN, Rivals and 247 Sports. The senior
has led his team to a 3-0 start on the 2019
season.
Last season, he helped lead Lithonia’s
offense to become the fourth best in
DeKalb County with 329.0 average
yards per game. According to various
scouting reports, Jones is described as a
quick-footed player with long arms and
outstanding length, and a nimble, flexible
mover.
Jones, who has been playing football
since he was 8 years old, said it’s hard to
explain the best aspect of his skillsets.
“I’m just an all-around player,” he
said.
Jones, who also plays basketball, said
it feels good to be considered one of the
best offensive tackles and players in the
nation but concedes that he still has room
for improvement.
“I still have to work hard,” he said.
Jones officially committed last year to
continue his football and academic career
at the University of Georgia.
“When I went to Georgia on my first
visit, I just fell in love automatically—
with the coach, the school, the whole
coaching staff and the whole rundown,”
he said. “I just love [how the program is
operated] and how they have things set
up.”
Jones said Georgia is getting an
explosive player.
“I’m a quick learner,” he said. “I’m
just ready to go, get it done and get to the
next level.”
As for now, he is focused on winning
at Lithonia and leading his team to a state
championship.
“We have big expectations for this
year,” he said. “We have big plans and we
plan on going far in the playoffs.”
Lithonia offensive tackle Broderick Jones the No. 2-ranked offensive tackle recruit in the
nation and top-3 overall recruit in the state. Photos by Carla Parker

The Champion’s game of the week:

Marist vs. St. Pius X

by Carla Parker • carla@dekalbchamp.com
The 56th meeting between the
Marist War Eagles and St. Pius X
Golden Lions will take place Sept.
20 at St. Pius X.
The historic rivalry between
Marist and St. Pius X is one of the
oldest in the state, beginning in
1962; Marist leads the series 34-
18. The War Eagles won four of
the last five matchups, including
a 24-8 win over St. Pius X last
season.
Marist has a productive offense
that could pull out another win
against its rival. With quarterback
Connor Cigelske’s ability to run
and pass, the War Eagles' offense
can put up big yardage numbers as
they have done all season.
Cigelske has led the team in
passing and rushing this season.
When he isn’t running with the
ball and scoring touchdowns
with his feet, Cigelske is finding
receiver Josh Moore in the end
zone, who has had two touchdown
receptions each in the two games
of the season. Running back
Lincoln Parker also has been a
reliable offensive weapon for the
War Eagles.
Marist's defense also has
played well this season—keeping
their opponents out of the end
zone and not allowing big plays.
St. Pius has struggled on both
sides of the ball this season. The
offense scored a total of 34 points
in the first three games of the
season and the defense allowed 78
points.
With rival games, emotions
are high, and anything can happen.
However, St. Pius must play its
best game if it wants to upset
Marist.
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2019 • Page 16

DUNWOODY

Traffic to be improved with monitored signals

Engineer Eli Veith. “If there’s Department of Transportation
BY TAYLOR ROBINS an incident on I-285, and we also supports the center with
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com know a lot of people are going a team of engineers who work
to be getting off and using the on traffic issues in Dunwoody,
Rush hour could become
surface streets, we can change Brookhaven and Sandy Springs.
less stressful in Dunwoody
the plans we’re using for the In August 2019, Dunwoody
due in part to the city’s new
traffic signals.” Police Officer Nathan Daley
traffic control center that allows
The traffic control center was dragged onto I-285 by
engineers to monitor and adjust
uses a fiber-optic signal a suspect’s car and injured
signals to improve traffic flow.
communication network, video after trying to conduct a
The city announced
cameras and vehicle detection routine traffic stop. Veith used
Sept. 5 that it can now
at intersections. the traffic control center to
manually control all 60 of Dunwoody Traffic Signal Engineer Eli Veith monitors traffic in the control
“The cameras are not red manage traffic congestion after center. Photo provided by Dunwoody YouTube video.
its traffic signals. According
light cameras,” Smith said. the I-285 ramp at Ashford
to Dunwoody Public Works
“These are purely used to Dunwoody Road was shut
Director Michael Smith, the
monitor traffic conditions down for investigation.
city previously could only
at each intersection. We can “When we were notified
manually control 20 of its
look at the video along with about that, we were able to
traffic signals. The traffic
the cycle of the signal in real identify where the traffic
control center also allows
time to troubleshoot and make congestion was occurring and
engineers to monitor traffic
timing adjustments.” add a lot more green time to
congestion and look for
The new traffic control the direction that extra cars
incidents.
center is not operated at were coming,” Veith said.
“We can’t make traffic
all times, according to city “By keeping certain directions
go away entirely, but we’re
officials. However, traffic moving and clearing people out
doing the best we can to get
engineers are on-call and of the area, we helped reduce
people through traffic,” said Monitors display live feeds from Dunwoody’s 60 traffic cameras. Photo
can be contacted to work the total congestion due to that
Dunwoody Traffic Signal provided by Dunwoody YouTube video.
remotely at any time. Georgia incident.”