the DeKalb FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2019 • VOL. 24, NO.

32• 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

Family releases videos that capture jail death

‘I want everybody held accountable for my son’s death’
BY TAYLOR ROBINS
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com

T
he family of Shali
Tilson called a
press conference
Sept. 18 at Decatur-based
Davis Bozeman Law Firm
to release anonymously
obtained videos of Tilson’s
last eight hours of life.
“This video has been
an absolute game changer
in terms of understanding
what Shali endured,” said
attorney Mawuli Davis.
“He struggled to live in
some of the most inhumane
conditions that we have seen
as civil rights attorneys.”
Tilson, who was
22-years-old at the time,
was arrested March 3, 2018
for misdemeanor disorderly
conduct. He was held at
Rockdale County Jail for
nine days, until his March
12, 2018 death. He died
of dehydration in solitary
confinement while placed
on suicide watch, according
to the federal civil action A family member of Shali Tilson cries at the press conference. Photos by Taylor Robins.
complaint filed in June.
The complaint lists
Rockdale County, Rockdale
County Sheriff Eric Levett
and Rockdale County
deputies who were assigned
to oversee Tilson while in
jail as defendants
An anonymous source
provided the video that
contains the last eight hours
of Tilson’s jail cell stay and
possible moment of death
to the law firm. The video
was not previously made
available to the public or
Tilson’s family. The law
firm showed four clips of the
eight hours to illustrate what
Tilson endured while in jail.
“When the videos
were released [at the
Tynesha Tilson, left, speaks about her son’s 2018 death during a press conference Sept. Mawuli Davis, left, of Decatur-based Davis Bozeman Law Firm holds a press
SEE DEATH ON PAGE 8 18. conference to release videos of Shali Tilson’s death to the public.

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

LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2019 • Page 2

COUNTYWIDE

Murder trial of former officer to begin

BY HORACE HOLLOMAN
horace@dekalbchamp.com

The murder trial for former DeKalb County Police

officer Robert Olsen is set to begin more than four years
after he shot and killed Anthony Hill.
Jury selection for the case began Sept. 23 as some
protestors and social rights groups claim the trail is long
overdo. 
Olsen, shot and killed Hill, who was unarmed, in March
of 2015. Olsen was indicted by a grand jury in 2016 and
charged with two counts of felony murder, aggravated
assault, two counts of violation of oath by public officer
and making a false statement in connection with the
shooting death of 27-year-old Hill. 
Olsen claims during the incident he feared for his life, Robert Olsen Anthony Hill
while family and friends of Hill claimed Hill was having a
mental health episode and was not a danger to others. 
In the years following the shooting, several protests
have been held in DeKalb. Some protestors said they CITY OF DORAVILLE
believe the shooting of Hill, a Black man, by a White NOTICE OF ELECTION
officer may have been racially motivated.
“We stood with these activists and this family for four The City of Doraville, Georgia, will hold a GENERAL ELECTION on Tuesday,
years, three marches and a lot of protests. We are calling November 5, 2019 to elect the following council seats:
for justice,” said NAACP member Gerald Griggs during a
Mayor (Incumbent: Donna Pittman)
protest in Decatur. “We’re calling on justice for the victim, City Council District 1 (Incumbent: Pam Fleming)
Anthony Hill, an unarmed veteran who was murdered by City Council District 2 (Incumbent: MD A Naser)
police.” City Council District 3 (Incumbent: Shannon Hillard)
Bridget Anderson, the former girlfriend of Hill, has
advocated for changes to how DeKalb police respond to The City of Doraville, Georgia, will also hold a SPECIAL ELECTION on Tuesday,
NOVEMBER 5, 2019 to elect the following council seats:
individuals suffering from a mental health episode.
Anderson helped create Us Protecting Us, a grassroots City Council District 2 (To Fill the Unexpired Term of Joseph Geierman)
organization with the stated goal of protecting the rights
of people of color and individuals with mental disabilities The polling place for the elections will open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the
during encounters with police. In a statement, Us Protecting following election precinct:
Us officials said DeKalb needs to do more to protect its Doraville City Hall
vulnerable residents and that Hill’s death could have been 3725 Park Avenue
Doraville, Georgia 30340
preventable with appropriate training. 
Us Protecting Us has requested that DeKalb officials Residents of the City of Doraville, GA, who are qualified to register to vote for this
make three changes to it’s system including creating a election and are not currently registered, may register to vote through the close of
system for 911 operators to identify a mental health crisis business on Monday, October 7, 2019. Persons may register to vote at any of the
emergency, make changes to the current Crisis Intervention designated places for registering DeKalb County residents. If you have moved within
Training for officers to include training by individuals with the city limits of Doraville and have not notified the DeKalb County Board of Elections
and Registration, you must do so no later than October 7, 2019 in order to vote in the
disabilities and send a mobile crisis unit that is staffed by Doraville November 5, 2019 General Election and Special Election.
emergency responders but not law enforcement officers.
“It has been reported that from one-third to one-half of DeKalb County Board of Registration & Election will conduct advance and absentee
people murdered by the police live with a disability. We are voting, Monday, October 14, 2019 through Friday, November 1, 2019 at Voter
adamant about not calling the police but relying instead on Registration & Elections Office, 4380 Memorial Drive, Suite 300, Decatur, GA 30032,
during business hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. There will be no Saturday or Sunday
the experience of people most affected to develop response voting. Application for an absentee ballot may be obtained from the DeKalb County
plans to crises. The current crisis intervention training is Board of Registration & Elections website at https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/voter-
severely flawed for officers in Georgia,” said Anderson in a registration-elections/current-election-information. Requests for absentee ballots may
statement.  also be made in person, in writing, by mail, email, or fax:

4380 Memorial Drive, Suite 300

CITY OF STONE MOUNTAIN
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
The City of Stone Mountain hereby gives notice that
a Public Hearing will be held to receive public com-
ment on a request for street name change for Ven-
able Street to be renamed Eva Mamie Lane.
The Mayor and City Council will hold a Public Hear-
ing on this matter on Tuesday, October 15, 2019 at
City Hall located at 875 Main Street, Stone Mountain,
GA at 6:30 P.M. Anyone wishing to attend the public
hearing may do so and be heard relative thereto.
Decatur, Ga 30032
Email: absenteeballot@dekalbcountyga.gov
Fax: 404-298-4038
Phone: 404-298-4020
No absentee ballot can be mailed or voted in office the day prior to the Election.
In addition to requesting an absentee ballot by email, fax, in person and US postal
mail, voters can also return absentee ballot request applications in the same manner.
You may contact Raquel González, City Clerk at 770-451-8745 for more information
about voting or the General Election or the Special Election.
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2019 • Page 3

LITHONIA

Mayoral candidate wants to foster growth, development

awesome place and lead it helped secure more than
BY CARLA PARKER to its next level so that it $20 million in revenue for
carla@dekalbchamp.com could really realize all of its companies.
potential.” If elected mayor,
Before she decided to
Thomas is challenging Thomas said she will
run for mayor of Lithonia,
Lithonia Councilwoman focus on seven areas
Cindy Thomas was already
Shameka Reynolds for the to improve the quality
trying to make the city
mayor’s seat in the Nov. of life for Lithonia
better.
5 election. The Champion residents. Those areas are
From picking up litter
contacted Reynolds for sustainability, business and
in a Lithonia park as a
an interview but did not entrepreneurship, culture
child to recently leading
receive a response by press and arts, holistic health,
“vision” meetings for
time. education, family and
Lithonia elected officials,
Thomas, a former innovation.
stakeholders and residents,
magnet student, graduated “[Lithonia] is a great
Thomas said she has always
from Chamblee Charter place with great history,
served her community.
High School in 2004. but we are a place with 50
Now, she is seeking to serve
She later graduated from percent [of residents in] Cindy Thomas is seeking to be Lithonia’s next mayor. Photo provided
Lithonia as the city’s next
Georgia Tech with a low income,” she said. “So,
mayor.
bachelor of science degree how can we uniquely grow beats,” she said. “We’ll be Thomas also wants
Thomas, who grew up
in business management and it? For me, it’s about the offering music production to bring mental health
in Lithonia, said she decided
marketing. She completed development of not just the as well as coding classes for programs to the city,
to run for mayor because
graduate studies at Parsons land but also the people.” kids after school.” improve transparency—
she loves her hometown and
School of Design, Clark Education, specifically Thomas said she will such as improving the
wants to help it reach its full
Atlanta University, after-school programs, focus on beautification website—and increase the
potential.
University of California, is an important issue for as well and has secured a city’s revenue.
“I have gone to other
Berkeley and the University Thomas. She said she partnership with The Home “I’ve already been
cities and I’ve seen the way
of Pennsylvania, and earned had been working with Depot to bring trees and looking at how to increase
that they have developed,”
a certificate in city planning Lucious Sanders Recreation flowers to the city. She also revenue,” she said. “I have
Thomas said. “I love my
and design. Center to expand one of its said she wants to expand several things that are in the
hometown and we have
Thomas is a business programs. walkability in the city and works. So, the thing with
some great history here;
consultant and has worked “One of the coolest police presence. me is that everything that I
however, our greatness
with companies such as things that we’ll have in “[The police] does a plan to do if elected mayor,
is not always reflected in
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta the program is this game great job,” she said. “We I am already doing. I’m not
what you see. [Running for
International Airport, truck that also doubles as a have a great police chief and just talking it; I’m actually
mayor] was something that
Toyota, Nike, Kroger and classroom to teach kids how a great captain, and I want walking it as well.”
I prayed about and God put
Sprouts. She said she has to code and how to make to help them grow.”
it on my heart to take this

DECATUR
Students charged after gun found at school
BY TAYLOR ROBINS
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com
Two DeKalb County
School District (DCSD)
students were arrested
and charged after a loaded
gun was found on school
property Sept. 19.
According to DCSD
officials, one of the
Columbia High School
students was searched
after administrators said charged the two students student was arrested for
the students smelled like with possession of a weapon bringing a gun to school
marijuana. The student in a school safety zone and in August; another student
who was searched was possession of a handgun by reported the incident to
in possession of a loaded a person under 18. DCSD administration.
handgun, which the student The age and gender of A Lithonia High School
said was obtained “from the students have not been student was arrested at
another student.”
DCSD police officers
released by DCSD officials.
A 14-year-old
school Sept. 10 after
pointing a gun at another
Visit us online at
confiscated the gun and Stephenson High School student. www.thechampionnewspaper.com
OPINION
Oh no! Elections are coming
Georgia will be pivotal in the
2020 elections as we will have
two Senate positions on the ballot
following U.S. Sen. Johnny
Isakson’s announcement that he
will resign from the Senate at
the end of 2019 and with three
Democratic candidates having
already entered the race for Sen.
David Purdue’s seat.
During the 2017 special
election to fill the seat held by Tom
Price (R), who was confirmed
as U.S. secretary of health and
human services, those living in
the metro area were inundated
with seemingly non-stop political
advertising placed by and on
behalf of candidates vying for
the Georgia’s 6th Congressional
District. That race went into the
history books as being the most
expensive congressional race in
the history of our nation as Jon
Ossoff ‘s (D) and Karen Handel’s
(R) campaigns and special interest
groups poured millions of dollars
of advertising expenditures into the
race.
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
JOHN HEWITT
johnh@dekalbchamp.com
Unfortunately, with Georgia
having two national-level seats
being voted on and Democrats
needing only three additional seats
to gain control of the U.S. Senate, it
is likely that we will soon be seeing
even more political advertising than
in the 2017 special election cycle.
Democratic contenders who
have already announced that they
will be vying for Purdue’s seat
include former Columbus Mayor
Teresa Tomlinson, Clarkston
Mayor Ted Terry and Sarah Riggs
Amico, a businesswoman who
lost the 2018 race for lieutenant
governor.
Gov. Brian Kemp can appoint
a replacement to fulfil Isakson’s
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2019 • Page 4
term, but that appointee will
have to run again in the 2020
General Election, which opens the
possibility for Democrats to gain
two of the needed three seats that
will guarantee a majority.
Political advertising has
become so divisive, misleading
and at times intentionally false
that most of us fear turning on our
televisions or radios during election
cycles. We can expect quotes
to be taken out of context and
intentionally manipulated to create
false narratives, personal attacks,
misleading accusations and almost
impossible to achieve promises
for improvements in healthcare,
immigration, border control,
education and the economy.
It is safe to assume that
candidates or their campaign
managers approve advertising
messages crafted intentionally to
confuse the electorate. It is also
safe to assume that candidates who
allow deceptive advertising to be
placed on their behalf, will act
similarly if elected and will not give
the public the entire truth.
We can expect Republican
messages to portray Democratic
candidates as being too liberal in
their approaches to border security
and immigration issues and likely
attempt to align those candidates
with controversial Democrats such
as Nancy Pelosi, Alexandria
Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar,
Ayanna Pressley and Rashida
Tlaib.
Democratic campaigns will
have plenty of fodder to criticize
Republican candidates by simply
accusing them of being a rubber
stamp for Donald Trump and
the negativity associated with the
current administration.
With the number of anticipated
political advertising messages,
it may be a good time to make
sure subscriptions to streaming
services such as Amazon, Netflix,
Sling, Hulu or YouTube are current
and that each home has a large
collection of alternative digital
entertainment.
OPINION
More than a chip off the old block
“Chip changed the norms for
suburban office development in the
city with structured parking decks,
taller buildings, attention to detail
and a density component, which
previously had not been seen in the
Perimeter sub-market,” said Bob
Voyles, immediate past chair of the
Urban Land Institute (ULI), Atlanta
District Council and CEO of Seven
Oaks Company.
 It is true in large and small
towns, but particularly true in the
South. Strong, positive servant
leadership, more than any other
trait, can make or break most any
community. Atlanta and many
regions in our state have been
blessed with visionary leaders and
often multiple generations of the
same leading families carrying
a disproportionate share of that
load. As our state has grown and
matured, thankfully that leadership
team has also become more diverse
by including women, minorities and
a variety of cultural backgrounds
in the group that attempts to build
consensus and move communities
forward.
 Separating the servant leaders
and community builders from the
self-aggrandizers is also pretty
simple. Again, as learned from
my grandparents who published
community newspapers for several
decades in five metro Atlanta
counties, pay more attention to what
people do, than what they say or
how they prefer to be viewed in the
local press. Though I have written
quite a few of those press releases,
I took that sentiment particularly to
heart.
 The Davidson family in
DeKalb County was long known
for granite. They owned the
parcel and acreage around Arabia
Mountain—Stone Mountain’s
smaller twin sibling—and granite
quarries dotting the east side of
metro Atlanta; all of which sit atop
FREEPRESS
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DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2019 • Page 5
Voyles, Chip Davidson and others strong faith, he is also an honorary
‘One Man’s during metro Atlanta’s turbulent
1980s and explosive 1990s. The
board-member of Trinity House
Community Ministries.
Opinion’ Urban Land Institute (ULI) recently  You know who the ground-
honored Davidson for a career movers are in your community, and
Bill Crane full of vision and instrumental those who all too frequently further
bill.csicrane@gmail.com developments, first at Hines and divide their limited time, schedule
later as the CEO and co-founder of and resources to make your town a
his own firm, the Brockdale Group. better place. I’m going to suggest
a massive granite vein that includes
 “At first I thought (winning this that when the opportunity arises,
Stone Mountain (long owned by the
award) was a set-up.  Then, when it just say thank you or offer a pat on
Venable family).
sunk in and I looked at the previous the back. Remember, it was often
 In 1983, Charles “Chip”
list of winners, I was blown away,” their capital and perhaps family
Davidson III, returned to
said Davis to The Atlanta Business resources at risk, always with no
his hometown of Atlanta to
Chronicle. guarantees and a requisite share of
open the southeast real estate
 Prior winners of this lifetime near misses. Mr. Davidson, to you
development offices of Houston,
achievement recognition by and your family. Many thanks.
Texas-based Hines. Hines has
the ULI include Tom Cousins,
long since been a name dotting
John Portman, Egbert Perry Bill Crane also serves as a
north metro construction sites
and Lawrence and Mary political analyst and commentator
and developments, but it was
Gellerstedt. Those are some pretty for Channel 2’s Action News, WSB-
Davidson’s ground-breaking work
tough acts to follow, also proving AM News/Talk 750 and now 95.5
developing The Ravinia complex
that Chip and his career are much FM, as well as a columnist for The
at what would become later known
more than merely a blip or a Champion, DeKalb Free Press and
as Perimeter Center that changed
chip of the old Davidson granite Georgia Trend. Crane is a DeKalb
that area of modern day Dunwoody,
block. Like most leading families, native and business owner, living
Sandy Springs and now Brookhaven
Davidson’s work does not end in Scottdale. You can reach him
from an apple orchard and cow
with his own enterprises. Davidson or comment on a column at bill.
pasture to what is now one of the
sits on the board of trustees of the csicrane@gmail.com. 
nation’s most robust edge cities
Shepherd Spinal Center as well as
and the metro area’s second largest
the Georgia Conservancy. A man of
cluster of Fortune 500 corporate and
North American headquarters. 
Davidson brought what some
may now consider the "evils" of
density to the suburbs dotting
north metro Atlanta–parking decks,
mid and high rises–destination
hotels and dining...to a market
long-accustomed to heading to
downtown, later Midtown or
Buckhead for such options and
fare. Hines is still a market leader
and The Ravinia is being again
refreshed even as this column is
being distributed, but you can
tie back the Dunwoody MARTA
station, relocation of Pill Hill
hospitals from downtown, and
the massive expansion of the
Perimeter Center sub-office market
to decisions and bets made by
leaders such as Liane Levetan, Bob
Publisher: Staff Reporters:
John Hewitt Carla Parker STATEMENT FROM THE
Horace Holloman PUBLISHER
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Dr. Earl D. Glenn discussion surrounding this and any
Social Media Manager: issue of interest to DeKalb County.
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LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2019 • Page 6

DECATUR

Firefighters frustrated by cars blocking exit

BY HORACE HOLLOMAN
horace@dekalbchamp.com
For first responders and
firefighters, every second
counts when responding to
a call. Decatur firefighters
say they’re wasting valuable
time waiting for motorists to
move out of the way.  someone outside the fire
Firefighters at Decatur
Fire Station No. 1, located
on East Trinity Place in
downtown Decatur, said
for years they have tried
to inform the public to not
block the entrance to the fire
station.  marks in front of the station,
“Maybe two years ago
we [placed] the hash marks
in front of the station to let
people know not to [stop]
there. Unfortunately, the
hash marks have done zero
good,” said Decatur Fire
and Rescue Captain Gary
Menard.  the station. At least three
Menard said in years
prior flashing light signals
in front of the station would
stop traffic, but today that is
no longer the case.  “If there’s a line, you’ve
Menard said firetrucks
take two lanes when exiting
Decatur Fire officials say motorists are not heeding the 'do not block' hash marks in front of fire station No. 1 in downtown
Decatur. Photo by Horace Holloman
times a day motorists block
the exit when firefighters
are attempting to respond to
calls, he said.  Renae Madison said
got nowhere to go,” Menard
said. “If it’s a cardiac arrest,
every second counts. Not all
calls are that serious, but you
just don’t know.”
Decatur spokesperson
Decatur officials plan to
distribute information that
will instruct motorist “don’t
station,” Madison said. 
Menard said firefighters
are also concerned about
returning from a call and
attempting to back into the
fire station. According to
Menard, some motorists try
to pass the firetruck as it’s
backing into the station. 
“Usually we will have
truck helping direct the
driver. If there’s a fire
truck with lights on, you
never pass...that is a way
firefighters can get killed,”
Menard said. 
In addition to the hash
there are signs notifying
motorists to not stop in front
of the fire station. Menard
said he hopes the city’s new
campaign will decrease
response times.
“Just think if your family
or one of your loved ones
block the box.”
has an emergency where
“We are working to
every second counts and
produce an informative
ask yourself if you want the
card within the next couple
emergency response delayed
of weeks to assist us with
by 30 seconds. That’s a
educating motorists on the
serious amount of time,”
importance of not blocking
Menard said. 
the entrance to the fire

BROOKHAVEN

Splashing toward a new $3 million pool

BY TAYLOR ROBINS voters when they approved update the existing facility
to meet current health codes
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com the referendum. I am
pleased that this project’s and standards, according to
Brookhaven officials cost is less than estimated.” Brian Borden, Brookhaven
voted unanimously to Brookhaven city council Parks and Recreation
renovate the Briarwood approved a contract with director.
Park pool as its first major Waterworks Aqua Design The improved
construction project funded for $3.5 million. According Briarwood Park pool will
by $40 million park bond to city officials, $4 million include a zero-entry pool
capital improvement funds. was initially budgeted for with spray features─a
“With the parks bond the project, which is set to portion of the pool will
referendum approved be complete and ready for transition into a 75-foot,
last year, the residents of use Memorial Day 2020. six-lane competition
Brookhaven delivered a The original plan section to be used by swim
clear mandate for us to for the renovations for teams that operate out
follow through with our city the pool─located at of the park. A pool deck
founders’ vision of a top- 2235 Briarwood Way in will feature a pavilion,
notch park system that can Brookhaven─called for bleachers and umbrellas.
be enjoyed by everyone,” upgrading the pool and The 4,000-square-foot Updated pool and amenities coming to Brookhaven in 2020. Photo provided by city of
said Brookhaven Mayor pool house only. However, pool house will feature Brookhaven.
John Ernst. “This inaugural research shows it would restrooms, locker rooms,
construction project will be more cost effective to a concessions area, ticket Brookhaven’s Park Bond the city’s parks and other
help fulfill the vision of construct a new pool and office and a lifeguard room. referendum passed, allowing facilities.
the community granted by pool house rather than In November 2018, $40 million to be spent on
 DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2019 • Page 7

WEEK in PICTURES

More than 65 students from DeKalb County School District's middle and high schools met for the first Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council of the school year Sept. 20. Photo provided by DeKalb County School
District Twitter.

Gov. Brian Kemp, second from left, presented the Paul Nelson Award for Outdoor Recreation and Preservation DeKalb County School District students celebrate Falcons Day. Photo provided by DeKalb County
to Arabia Mountain Heritage Area Alliance Executive Director Mera Cardenas, second from right, at the 2019 School District Twitter.
Governor’s Tourism Conference. Photo: Georgia Governor’s Tourism Conference.

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

LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2019 • Page 8

CHAMBLEE

Photo by Yash Lucid from Pexels

Marijuana
possession
decriminalized
in DeKalb city
BY TAYLOR ROBINS
taylor@dekalbchamp.com

Chamblee city council

voted unanimously to
decriminalize possession
of less than an ounce of
marijuana Sept. 17.
Chamblee becomes the
11th local government in
Georgia to pass a similar
Tynesha Tilson is comforted by press conference attendees as video of Shali Tilson’s death plays. Photo by Taylor Robins. ordinance.
“Chamblee you rock,”

DEATH Continued From Page 1A said a city council meeting

attendee. “There’s no need
to put people in jail or ruin
press conference] we saw seasoned lot of people that watched my son [Rockdale County District Attorney their job prospects for life
community activists and reporters suffer and die in that jail. I’m beyond Alisha Johnson is holding] I feel over marijuana… Thank
become emotional,” said Davis. outraged at this point,” said Tynesha like is a smoke screen,” said Tynesha you very much, guys.”
“Watching another human being be Tilson, mother of Shali Tilson. “They Tilson. “It’s just to make a joke out of Chamblee City Council
left to die under these conditions was treated my son worse than an animal us even more. I want everybody held member Brian Mock
traumatizing.” and you mean to tell me that no one is accountable for my son’s death. I want proposed the change in the
The video shows a naked Tilson being held accountable?” that sheriff out of office and I want all city code.
pressing a call button that was not The video shows the cell had no those deputies held accountable for my According to the
operational, according to the law firm; bed, toilet or source of water. There son’s death.” ordinance, an adult will be
yelling through a food slot; collapsing was also garbage in the cell. All defendants are currently cited and fined $75 for a
to the floor and lying motionless for The complaint alleges that Shali employed by the Rockdale County first offense. Fines can be
more than two hours before being wasn’t seen by a medical doctor and Sheriff’s Office and have not been paid online without a court
discovered. According to the law firm, lost 20 pounds while in jail. charged criminally for Shali’s death. appearance.
sheriff’s department policy requires There is currently a special grand According to Davis, Rockdale Prior to passing the
inmates to be checked every 15 jury impaneled by the Rockdale County Jail is not accredited by the ordinance, Chamblee used
minutes. County District Attorney’s Office to American Correctional Association state law that classifies
“For nine days Shali was in jail. review the case. but is certified by the Georgia Sheriffs’ possession of marijuana
That jail never closes. There are a “This special grand jury that Association. under an ounce as a
misdemeanor─punishment
includes up to a year in jail

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EDUCATION DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2019 • Page 9

DECATUR

Abrams visits Agnes

Scott College
BY TAYLOR ROBINS
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com
Stacey Abrams, the first
Black female major-party
gubernatorial nominee in the
history of the United States,
visited Decatur’s Agnes Scott
College as part of its SUMMIT
Signature Series Talk Sept. 11.
“I love being around smart,
amazing women who are going to
change the world,” said Abrams.
Abrams spoke to students
and other attendees about her
nationwide Fair Fight 2020
initiative, which focuses on voters’
rights. She was greeted with
applause and standing ovations.
“My name is Stacey Abrams
and I am not the governor of
Georgia,” said Abrams. “There
are some people that think I’m
confused but I am not.”
Abrams ran for governor of
Georgia in 2018 as a Democrat
against now-Gov. Brian Kemp
and did not win.
“I’m not going to call myself
a loser,” said Abrams. “[Losing is]
not fatal and it’s not a flaw as long
as you learn to transition from not
getting what you want to figuring
out why you wanted it. I don’t
count not becoming governor
as a failure. It isn’t. If running
for office was simply about me,
then that’s one thing. But I like to
say that we won because I know
that we lifted up voices that had
never been heard in the state of
Georgia.”
According to Abrams, the
Latino and Asian Pacific Islander
vote tripled and youth turnout
increased by 139 percent during
the 2018 gubernatorial election.
“These numbers matter
because it proves that if we
don’t see each other, we won’t
hear from each other. If we
don’t engage completely and
fully and seek out leadership
and opportunity among other
communities we will miss out on
the greatness that is our state,”
said Abrams.
After Kemp became governor
by 50,000 votes, Abrams said the
election was not conducted fairly
as Kemp was secretary of state
and oversaw elections─a conflict
of interest. Abrams also cited
voter suppression as a reason for
her loss, alleging 670,000 voter
registrations were purged in 2017
and 53,000 voter registrations
were pending before the election.
It was then that Abrams created
Fair Fight 2020.
“It’s an initiative to ensure
every Georgian has voice in our
election system,” said Abrams. Stacey Abrams speaks at Agnes Scott College in Decatur Sept. 11. Photo by Taylor Robins.
“[Fair Fight 2020’s] job is to find
the ways to make the people that
want to be good stronger than the
people that want to be bad. To
make those trying to make things
right more powerful than the
people that want to strip the rights
from others, that’s my mission.”
At the end of the event,
Abrams answered questions from
attendees that included inquiries
about Abrams experiences at
Spelman College in Atlanta,
advice on getting into politics,
what makes a good leader and
how to work with people you
disagree with.
Agnes Scott College students asks Stacey Abrams Stacey Abrams takes a moment to commemorate her
questions during her appearance Agnes Scott appearance with a young attendee Sept. 11.

EDUCATION BRIEFS by Taylor Robins • Taylor@dekalbchamp.com

Duncan named League Rookie of
the Week
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
(RPI) student-athlete Arik Duncan
of Decatur and Woodward Academy
has been named The Liberty
League’s Men’s Soccer Rookie
of the Week. Duncan helped the
Engineers achieve to a 1-1 record
over the team’s opening weekend.
A freshman, Duncan scored
the overtime-winning goal in RPI’s
2-1 victory at Elizabethtown in the
season opener. He recorded six shots
(2 on goal) in 57 minutes. He then
had one shot in 21 minutes the next
night at Dickinson.
Duncan was captain of the
Woodward Academy soccer team
where he recorded 57 goals and 64
assists in career, earning All-Region
honors four times and All-State
recognition twice. An honor roll
student, Duncan guided the War
Eagles to a Region 4 Championship
in his senior season.
UA announces graduation list for
summer 2019
The University of Alabama
awarded approximately 1,450
degrees during its summer
commencement.
Local graduates include
Connor Cregan Anderton and
Hannah Elizabeth Christopher
of Brookhaven, Lajuarren
Deonchevelle Burks and Sharonda
Tacoa Malcome of Lithonia and
Alexia Charlea Lewis of Decatur
and.
DeKalb County residents make
dean’s list  Booth named to dean’s list at
Reinhardt University is proud to
announce the names of students who
earned recognition for being placed
on the spring 2019 dean’s list.   University of North Georgia (UNG)
DeKalb County residents on the
spring 2019 dean’s list are Grant
Ashton, Chase Hawkins and Taylor
Titus of Dunwoody and Cameron
Dalton and Nina Hutcherson of
Stone Mountain. 
The dean’s list is compiled at the
end of each semester to recognize
undergraduate students who have
completed at least 12 hours during
the semester with a 3.5-3.99 grade
point average, with no grade less
than a B. 
University of North Georgia
Tania Booth of Lithonia made
the summer 2019 dean’s list at the
for achieving at least a 3.5 grade
point average, carrying 12 or more
credit hours in one semester and
having no grade lower than B.
 AROUND DeKalb
COUNTYWIDE
Beat the badges in a race
DeKalb County Police
Department will hold a Beat the
Badge 5K Sept. 28 starting at 8 a.m.
Interested individuals may
request race application forms at
DKPD Police Headquarters or any
police precinct.
Fresh on Dek Annual Fall Harvest
festival
University of Georgia’s DeKalb
County Cooperative Extension
will end its fifth season of Fresh on
DeK with a DeKalb County Mobile
Farmers Market Fall Harvest
Festival on Sept. 28, from 10 a.m.
to 2 p.m., at the DeKalb County
Extension Office, 4380 Memorial
Drive in Decatur.
Festival attendees will be able to
purchase fresh produce at a reduced
cost and participate in educational
demonstrations from the Extension.
There will also be interactive games
for children along with food and
prizes.
For more information about the
Mobile Farmer’s Market, contact
DRIVER
CLASSIFIEDSection
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
HELP WANTED
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
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.
the DeKalb County Cooperative
Extension office at 404-298-4080
or visit www.ugaextension.com/
dekalb.
Get rid of hazardous waste
DeKalb County Sanitation
Division will hold a household
hazardous waste event Oct. 12. The
event is free and will be held at the for citizens. Registration includes
DeKalb County Sanitation Division’s access to run/walk activities and a
Central Transfer Station─3720 Leroy law enforcement themed dri-wick
Scott Drive in Decatur─from 8 a.m.
to noon.
Proof of DeKalb County
residency is required. Residents are Tucker/BeattheBadge5K.
limited to 10 gallons of paint per
vehicle.
DeKalb police to host 5th annual
Beat the Badge 5K
On Sept. 28, the DeKalb County
Police Department, in partnership
with the DeKalb County Police
Alliance, will host the 5th annual
Beat the Badge 5K at the Fire and
Police Headquarters, located at
1960 W. Exchange Place, Tucker,
at 8 a.m. The race route begins and
ends at the 9/11 Memorial in front
of the building.
This year’s event will feature a
in both English and Spanish
(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
Ads due by Friday at noon for next publication
date. For more information visit www.
championclassifieds.com
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2019 • Page 10
new route, electronic chip timing
and a pre-race packet pickup the
3500 Covington Hwy., Decatur. The
speaker will be Dr. Darlene Ruffin-
day before the event. The event will Alexander, founder and president
also feature a kids’ fun run and a emerita of Atlanta Black Nurses
post-event mini-festival with SWAT Assn. Inc. The event is free. Light
trucks, police motorcycles and refreshments will be served.
moonbounces.
STONE MOUNTAIN
Registration for the 5K run/
walk is $20 for P.O.S.T. certified
law enforcement officers and $30
City to host Tunes by the Track
Stone Mountain’s Tunes by
t-shirt. the Track event will take place
Registration can be completed Oct. 4. The free concert will be
at https://runsignup.com/Race/GA/ held at 922 Main Street near
the gazebo from 7 to 9 p.m. For
For more information, contact more information, visit www.
Sgt. Obester at jaobester@ stonemountaincity.org.
dekalbcountyga.gov or 678-937-
5301.
TUCKER
DECATUR Library to host arts exhibit
Public invited to Founder’s Day
Celebration Tucker Arts Guild members
will provide an ongoing exhibit of
The Atlanta Metro Chapter of their art Sept. 30 from 10 a.m. to
National Hook-up of Black 8 p.m. at Northlake-Barbara Loar
Women Inc. is inviting the public Library. The library is located
to its Founder’s Day Celebration at 3772 Lavista Road. For more
Saturday, Sept. 28, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., information, call (404) 679-4408.
at the Covington Highway Library,
familiar with and have experience networks and other operating
utilizing Microsoft Windows servers systems. Responsible for disaster
(including Windows Server 2008, recovery and security for work
2012, 2016, 2019), FreeBSD, Mac stations, servers, networks and other
servers, Linux programs and servers operating systems. Responsible for
(including CentOS, Debian, Ubuntu, configuring and installing network
Fedora, Proxmox, Noc-PS) and devices such as PDUs, Switches, Load
Cisco systems and servers. Must Balancers, Routers. Responsible for
be familiar and have experience maintenance and repair of computer
with: Adobe Flash, Microsoft Office, systems including repairing/
Office 365, Visio, VMware, hiren upgrading Ram, hard drives, Raid
boot, r1 soft, Icinga, Cacti. Must cards, motherboards, internal and
have experience in configuration, external computer components.
repair and maintenance of networks Responsible for performing all
components and servers. Job backup. Responsible for network
Duties: Responsible for IT support infrastructure assignment,
including acting as server engineer, maintenance and remote assistance.
configuring, installing, building and Email resume to: acamacho@serveris.
maintaining work stations, servers, com. Compensation: DOE
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.
BUSINESS
Expert: ‘Learn to negotiate the salary you’re worth’
BY KATHY MITCHELL
FREELANCE REPORTER
Many people work
hard every day and are paid
less than their efforts are
worth, noted Stephanie
Spencer of Launch Career
Consulting, during a
Sept. 14 presentation at
Stonecrest Library. A key
step to remedying that
situation, according to
Spencer, is knowing who
you are and what you can
contribute—and being
able to communicate that
effectively to perspective
employers, bosses or
clients. does not reflect what you’re Among them is 360-degree
Offering advice that she
said is valuable to those who
work for a company as well
as to entrepreneurs, Spencer
said, “Everyone has a boss.
If you are self-employed,
your clients are your
bosses. You must position
yourself to get the salary or
fee that your services are
worth.” help a job seeker learn
Spencer cautioned that
compensation doesn’t just
mean salary. “Look at the
total package that you’re
offered. If the benefits are
really good, that may mean
more than the dollar amount.
Some employers pay all
or almost all of health
insurance. That’s huge. You
may be better off accepting
a lower salary for benefits
that ultimately translate into
more money in your pocket.
Also, consider what’s
important to you. If shorter
hours or more vacation
time mean a lot to you and
your family, that may be a
consideration.”
Education assistance,
learning and development
opportunities, career
advancement opportunities
and retirement benefits are
other forms of compensation
that may be part of the
package as well, she said.
“If the initial offer is not
what you are looking for,
you may be able to negotiate
an acceptable compromise,”
Spencer said. “If not, don’t
be afraid to walk away. A
company or client that won’t
pay what you’re worth
ultimately is not one you
should want to work for.”
Spencer noted common
reasons people are often
paid less than they are
worth.
Faulty interview skills
“The moment you find
a position that interests you,
you are on stage,” Spencer
said. “Be prepared to talk
confidently about your
strengths and abilities in a
way that presents you in the
best light without sounding
arrogant.
“A good human
resources representative will
tell you the salary range in
the first interview so you’re
not wasting your time and
the company’s if the range
looking for. If salary isn’t
mentioned, don’t be afraid
to say, ‘I’m excited about
the opportunity, but I did not your position. Cultural
hear you mention the salary competency is a major
range.’” consideration in today’s
Having forgotten—or
never known—one’s worth work with and get along
A little research can
what someone with his or
her skills and experience
should be paid. “There are
several websites that can
give you a range for your
value in the current market.
Do your research before
you start to negotiate. That
way when you ask for a
level of compensation you
can back up your numbers
with industry market
information,” Spencer said.
An outdated résumé
Spencer said most
unemployed people and
employed people seeking
to take their careers to
the next level have not
updated their résumés to
reflect new skillsets they
have gained. “Each time
you learn something new
that might be valuable in
the future at your present
job or a future one, add it
to your résumé. Don’t wait
until you’re actively looking
for another position,” she
recommended.
Having diminished or
nonexistent soft skills
Soft skills, she
explained, are those
indirectly related to the
job—primarily your
ability to work with others.
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2019 • Page 11
others who have successful
careers in the field,” Spencer
said.
Being unfamiliar with
labor market trends
Job seekers are wise
to know which skills
are currently in demand
locally or nationally,
Spencer said. “If you
aren’t knowledgeable of
the market, you may be
promoting yourself based
on skills that are no longer
in demand, or conversely
you may have skills that
you aren’t aware are highly
valued in the current
Stephanie Spencer advises job seekers to not be shy in asking about salary ranges. market.”
issue for you, it can hold Spencer also noted that
thinking—being able to you back,” she said, adding even a highly qualified
see the larger picture at that empathy, adaptability candidate may ruin his
your workplace, not just and intellectual curiosity or her chances with such
are other soft skills that are deal breakers as having
valued in today’s business no portfolio or padfolio or
market. having one that does not
workforce, according to show his or her best work.
Spencer. “If you can only Career complacency Coming to the interview
“Don’t rely on your not dressed appropriately
with people who are like current knowledge to retain can be another costly
you, that is a weakness. employment or move mistake, she said, adding
You may have a boss forward. Industries are that it is common today for
who’s significantly older constantly changing. Keep employers to research you
or younger than you are. abreast of what’s going on through social media before
You may have to work in your industry and in the offering you a job. “Be sure
with people of a different business world generally there is nothing about your
ethnic background or who by reading business online presence that would
come from another region publications, taking classes make a company reluctant
of the country. If that’s an or seminars and listening to to offer you a position,” she
said.
DeKalb County Continuum of Care for Homeless Programs
FY 2019 Continuum of Care (CoC) NOFA
Consolidated Application and Priority Ranking
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Continuum
of Care (CoC) program supports national efforts to prevent and end homeless-
ness and provides critical funding to support local efforts to permanently house
and support individuals and families experiencing homelessness in DeKalb
County, Georgia. Each year HUD releases a Notice of Funding Availability
(NOFA) which signifies the beginning of a national funding competition among
approximately 450 CoCs across the country.
The DeKalb County Community Development Department, as the designated
collaborative application for the DeKalb CoC, has responsibility for holding
a local competition to determine which homeless assistance projects will be
included in the consolidated CoC NOFA Application to HUD, along with their
relative priority. The local competition, including the review, rating and ranking
of applications for new and renewal projects commenced on July 23, 2019 and
concluded on Sept 9, 2019.
A copy of the Consolidated Application for 2019 HUD CoC funding, along with
all accepted project applications and their respective priority ranking will be
posted and available for public review and comment on the DeKalb County
website On or before September 27, 2019, at https://www.dekalbcountyga.
gov/community-development/grant-application.
Questions or comments may be made to (404) 371-2727 or by email at ad-
pope@dekalbcountyga.gov.
SPORTS DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2019 • Page 12

The Champion’s game of the week:

Cedar Grove at Lovett

by Carla Parker • carla@dekalbchamp.com
A series that has been dominated
by Cedar Grove the last two seasons
could have a competitive balance
Sept. 27.
No. 2-ranked Cedar Grove Saints
(2-2) will face Region 5-AAA rival
No. 9-ranked Lovett Lions (3-1) at
The Lovett School Sept. 27 with
a kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
The teams have faced each other
11 times with the first matchup in
1976, which Cedar Grove won 31-
14. Lovett leads the series 6-5, but
Cedar Grove has won the last four
matchups, including a 41-14 win in
2017 and a 45-0 shutout in 2018.
Cedar Grove is coming out of a
bye week following a 29-7 loss to
McEachern. The defending Class
AAA state champions split the first
half of their schedule with two
wins and two losses against non-
conference opponents and is entering
the region portion of their schedule
with Lovett up first.
If the Saints want to continue
their winning streak against an
improved Lovett team, they will
have to be more efficient on offense.
Cedar Grove’s offense isn’t as
productive this season as in previous
seasons. In past seasons, the Saints
averaged at least 300 yards and 30
points per game on offense. In four
games, Cedar Grove averaged 271.8
yards of total offense and 20 points
per game.
However, the more surprising
decline comes from the defensive
side of the ball. Cedar Grove used to
hold opponents under an average of
200 yards per game. This season, the
defense is allowing 310.5 yards per
game.
Lovett has averaged 316.8
yards per game this season. Head
coach Miguel Patrick, who was
previously Cedar Grove’s defensive
coordinator, must have his defense
better prepared if they want to win
this game.

WEEKLY FOOTBALL SCORES

Sept. 20
Next Level
Each week The Champion spotlights former high school
players from the county who are succeeding in athletics on
Decatur (3-1) 45, North Springs (1-3) 13 the college level.
M.L. King Jr. (3-0) 14, Mt. Zion (1-3) 13 D’Vonn Gibbons, Savannah
Marist (4-0) 30, St. Pius X (2-3) 0 State (football): The
Southwest DeKalb (4-1) 26, Lovejoy (3-1) 14 junior quarterback from
Stephenson (3-1) 34, Morrow (2-3) 7 Stephenson had a passing
Tucker (2-2) 44, Mundy’s Mill (2-3) 20 touchdown and rushing
Berkmar (3-0) 40, Clarkston (0-5) 6 touchdown in the 21-14 win
Coffee County (5-0) 45, Miller Grove (0-4) 0 over Benedict Sept. 21.
Forsyth Central (2-1) 49, Lakeside (0-4) 6
Heritage-Conyers (2-2) 25,
Arabia Mountain (0-5) 7 CJ Marable, Coastal Carolina
Johnson-Gainesville (3-2) 56, Cross Keys (0-5) 0 (football): The junior running
KIPP Academy (2-3) 43, McNair (0-4) 6 back from Towers rushed for
Luella (1-3) 35, Druid Hills (2-2) 6 100 yards on 15 carries and
Northview (3-1) 23, Dunwoody (2-2) 7 scored two touchdowns in
the 62-28 win over UMass
Pebblebrook (2-2) 32, Lithonia (3-1) 14 Sept. 21.
Pickens Co. (2-2) 44, Chamblee (0-3) 3

Open: Cedar Grove (2-2), Columbia (0-4), Redan Stephenson wide receiver Javier Morton catches a pass in
(2-2), Stone Mountain (1-3), Towers (2-2) front of two Morrow defenders. Photo by Mark Brock Kyla Manning, Coastal
Carolina (Volleyball): The
junior outside hitter from
Chamblee had 26 total
VISIT US ON SOCIAL MEDIA attacks, six kills for 11.0
@ DE K ALBC HA M PN E W S points in the 3-1 win over
Iowa Sept. 20.