DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME ENDS NOVEMBER 3

the DeKalb FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2019 • VOL. 24, NO. 37• 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

ART STATION REOPENS BY CARLA PARKER

Carla@dekalbchamp.com

N
ewly renovated
ART Station in
Stone Mountain is
now open to the public.
ART Station officials,
along with artists, Stone
Mountain elected officials
and supporters celebrated
the reopening with a
ribbon-cutting ceremony
Oct. 25. The $1.1 million
renovation project included
new HVAC, electrical,
plumbing, windows and
doors and restrooms. The
theater also was expanded
by 55 seats, the lobby
renovated and a gift shop
was added.
ART Station also
features artifacts of the
historic Trolley Car Barn.
The founding group
purchased and renovated
the historic barn into a
contemporary arts center.
The theater features 12
panels which represent
the 12 stops on the trolley
from Stone Mountain to
downtown Atlanta.
There is also an art
exhibit and classroom
space for other
programming. ART Station
President, Founder and
Artistic Director David
Thomas said ART Station
has been in the building on
Manor Drive since 1991.
“[It was a] beautiful
restored building 30 years
ago, but it was beginning
to crumble,” Thomas
said. “The HVAC wasn’t
working, the plumbing

ART Station in Stone Mountain reopened Oct. 23 after the completion of it $1.1 million renovation project. Photos by Carla Parker
See ART STATION on page 6

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

LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2019 • Page 2

TUCKER

Emory Healthcare to move into Northlake Mall

BY CARLA PARKER
carla@dekalbchamp.com
Emory Healthcare will
be a tenant in Northlake
Mall.
Northlake Mall owners
ATR Corinth Partners
announced Oct. 24 that
Emory Healthcare will
lease 224,000 square feet
of space in the soon-to-be
“reimagined” Northlake
Mall. Emory Healthcare’s
initial plans include
corporate administrative
services, according to ATR
Corinth officials.
“We’re excited to
have such a well-regarded
institution as our first anchor
tenant for this project,”
said Tony Ruggeri,
partner with ATR Corinth
Partners, in a statement.
“Emory’s presence will add
Emory Healthcare will move into the old Sears building in Northlake Mall. Photo provided
more daytime traffic to an
already vibrant residential
community surrounding
the project. It’s a winning
formula to support retail
and restaurants, which has
worked for us in previous
mall redevelopments.”
Emory will reportedly
occupy the former Sears
building and an additional
portion of the mall with an
option for more space in the with easy highway and
future.
“Northlake gives us the
opportunity to centralize
corporate support services
in one location for more
than 1,600 employees while
providing the additional
benefit of direct access
to on-site amenities like
restaurants and retail,”
Emory Healthcare Vice
President of Operations
Mike Mason said in a
statement. “The property’s
central location combined
MARTA bus access, along
with necessary parking also
helped Emory Healthcare
development incorporating
office, medical, retail and
restaurants.
“We want to provide
retail and restaurant options,
along with welcoming
gathering spaces to
reconnect the community
with Northlake as a place to
spend time with family and
make the decision to lease friends,” Mihalopoulos said.
with Northlake.” Although additional
Texas-based ATR leases have not been
Corinth Partners purchased announced, Northlake
Northlake Mall in January officials said they expect to
2016 from former real estate see more office space, new
trust company WP Glimcher, retail and a mix of sit-down,
now Washington Prime fast casual and quick-service
Group, for the opportunity restaurant concepts. Officials
to bring new life to the mall. said construction of the
ATR Corinth partner Frank retail portion of the project
Mihalopoulos said in a will begin in early 2020.
statement that the lease with JCPenney and Macy’s will
Emory signifies the start of remain as “anchor” tenants
reimagining the former mall and will be open during
as “Northlake,” a mixed-use construction.

VOTE NOVEMBER 5
Early Voting Ends November 1, 2019

Dear Stonecrest neighbors,

You know me as a fighter. What you don’t know

is that I’m fighting for Stonecrest.

I started this journey six years ago going from

neighborhood to neighborhood with just a map
and an idea of building an independent, self-
sustaining, proud city. There were many dark
days and nights, and I sometimes wondered if
I could continue to bear the pain of rejection,
skepticism, and ridicule. Through faith, family
support and great friends and neighbors along
for the journey, we prevailed and became a city.

If we continue to work together, we'll all be

proud of the collective work that it takes
to move our city forward for now and for
generations to come. Like any new venture,
it requires time and effort to be completely
successful. Two years is an "eye blink" of time
when developing a new city from inception to
operation. I'm asking for each of you to allow
me to continue leading our journey. I would
be honored to earn your vote so that we can

Our future is bright continue what we started, together.

in Stonecrest. Yours in service,

Mayor Jason Lary, City of Stonecrest
LOCAL
LITHONIA
Cardenas departing Arabia
Mountain Heritage Area Alliance
BY CARLA PARKER
carla@dekalbchamp.com
Arabia Mountain
Heritage Area Alliance
executive director Mera
Cardenas is leaving the
organization, the Alliance
announced Oct. 15.
Cardenas, who has
served with the organization
for nearly 10 years, will
leave by mid-December.
She said she is leaving
Arabia Mountain Heritage
Area Alliance to be closer to
her family.
“I’m moving to
Cleveland, Ohio, and I’m
taking on the executive
director role with a nonprofit
that is also affiliated with
a national heritage area,”
Cardenas said.
Arabia Alliance
officials said Cardenas
was the first non-volunteer
executive director of the
Arabia Mountain Heritage
Area Alliance, which was
founded in 1998 to protect
and promote the landscapes
and history of the area.
She has guided Arabia
Alliance to achievements
in historic preservation,
outdoor recreation and
environmental education,
as well as managing the
growing organization,
according to Arabia
Alliance.
Cardenas said she is
proud of everything she
and the Alliance have
accomplished.
“I’ve been here almost
10 years and it’s such a
different place than it was
10 years ago, or even five
years ago,” she said. “A
lot of that has to do with
all of the people who have
embraced the mission of the
national heritage area.”
Cardenas said when she
Visit us online at
www.thechampionnewspaper.com
first took over the position
of executive director of
Arabia Alliance, there was
no office space for staff.
“Since I’ve been here,
we’ve converted Vaughters’
Barn not only into a space
where we come to work
every day but also a space
that’s open to the public,”
she said. “People can come
in and enjoy nature and
celebrate history.
“Arabia Mountain, itself,
in the region, was a place
that people sort of heard
of but have never visited.
Now, Arabia Mountain
is consistently on top 10
lists for hiking, outdoor
recreation, nature viewing
or places to go with your
family,” Cardenas added.
“Having people recognize
what an incredible resource
it is right in their backyard
is really gratifying.”
Cardenas has worked
with the Arabia Alliance’s
board and its partners to
connect and protect the
area’s cultural legacy,
greenspace, trails and
historic narrative across
the 40,000-acre Arabia
Mountain National Heritage
Area, Alliance officials
said. One of those partners
is the Lithonia’s Women
Club. Cardenas and the
Alliance worked with the
club and the city of Lithonia
to transform a small plot
of land in Lithonia, that
once housed an abandoned
building, into a memorial
garden filled with historic
facts about the city.
The Martha Johnson
Interpretive Garden features
signage that celebrates
Lithonia’s history, from
the woman’s club to civic
leaders such as Lucious
Sanders, to the growth of
the quarry industry and
serves as a historic gateway
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2019 • Page 3
to the Arabia Mountain
National Heritage Area.
“Getting those stories
out in the public was so
impactful and that gives us a
lot to build on,” she said.
In a statement, Arabia
Alliance co-founders Kelly
Jordan and Becky Kelley
said hiring Cardenas was
one of the best moves Arabia Mountain Heritage Area Alliance
Arabia Alliance has made in executive director Mera Cardenas is Masonry work
its 20-year history. leaving the organization in December. Stone
Photo by Carla Parker
“On behalf of the Brick
Alliance Board and staff, Block
Concrete repairs
we wish her the very best is there for people who are
in her new role,” they here and people yet to come
Martinez
said. “We look forward can build on that.”
to continuing the exciting Arabia Alliance plans Masonry
404.408.4170
projects underway that to announce the search for MartinezMasonry281@yahoo.com
started under her tenure with Cardenas’ successor soon.
the Alliance.”
Cardenas said she will
SEEKING LEGAL
miss the dedication of the
people who are committed
to protecting Arabia
Mountain National Heritage ASSISTANCE
Area and sharing its stories. This issue may include $500 million
“Knowing that will
I am a Community Activist in DeKalb. I am looking for a
continue doesn’t make
lawyer, law firm, legal team or persons to help me with a
[leaving] easier, but it 1983 Civil Rights action.
makes it less hard,” she said.
Call Joe at (678)-754-2424
“Knowing that foundation
P. O. Box 1647, Pine Lake, GA 30072
CITY OF CHAMBLEE – CALL OF SPECIAL ELECTION
HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION FOR SENIOR CITIZENS AND DISABLED PERSONS PER HB 272 – ACT #104
HEREBY TAKE NOTICE OF THE CALL OF SPECIAL ELECTION: THE CITY OF CHAMBLEE
has requested the DeKalb Board of Elections to call a Special Election to be held at the time of the
general election of the City on November 5, 2019, for the purpose of placing before the qualified electors
residing within the limits of the City of Chamblee, a referendum increasing the existing homestead
exemption from City of Chamblee ad valorem taxes for city purposes to $50,000.00 of the assessed value
of the homestead for certain residents of the City who are under 65 years of age. This Call for a Special
Election is made pursuant to the Georgia Constitution, Art. 7 Sec. 2, Paragraph II Ga. L. 1997, p. 3591 as
amended by House Bill 272 passed by the Georgia House of Representative on March 5, 2019 and the
Georgia Senate on March 22, 2019. House Bill 272 amended the Act providing a homestead exemption
from City of Chamblee ad valorem taxes for city purposes in the amount of $30,000.00, approved April 4,
1997 (GA. L. 1997, p. 3591 by revising subsection (a) of Section 2 as follows:
“(a) Each resident of the City of Chamblee who is under the age of 65 years is granted an
exemption on that person’s homestead from all City of Chamblee ad valorem taxes for city purposes,
except taxes levied by the City of Chamblee to pay interest on and to retire bonded indebtedness, in the
amount of $50,000.00 of the assessed value of that homestead. The value of that property in excess of
such exempted amount shall remain subject to taxation.”
The ballot for the Special Election on November 5, 2019 shall have written or printed thereon the
words: “Shall the Act be approved which increases the homestead exemption from City of Chamblee ad
valorem taxes for city purposes from $30,000.00 to $50,000.00 of the assessed value of the homestead
for residents of that city who are under 65 years of age?”
“( ) YES
( ) NO”
All persons residing to vote for approval of the Act shall vote “Yes,” and all persons desiring to
vote for rejection of the Act shall vote “No.” If more than on-half of the votes cast on such question are
for approval, this Act shall become of full force and effective on January 1, 2020, and shall be applicable
to all taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2020. If the Act is not so approved or is the election
is not conducted as provided in this Section the act shall not become effective, and this Act shall be
automatically repealed on the first day of January immediately following that election date.
OPINION
Janitorial staff should be respected
As with some new fathers,
finances were my biggest concern
as I considered the best way to
provide for my family. With a baby
on the way and bills ever looming,
I decided to work a second full-
time job as a janitor cleaning large
corporate office buildings from top
to bottom. I started work the day
after my son was born.
As janitorial staff members, we
were required to vacuum, scrub,
dust and mop what seemed like
never ending office cubicles. At
times, we would clean more than
500 a night.  since the mid-1990s, the percentage
The amount of time we were
required to stand on our feet made
working a nightmare and the pay
wasn’t great either. Despite the
setbacks, I worked with some
amazing men and women. Many
of us had full-time day jobs. We
would often tell each other, “just get
through another day,” “the weekend
is almost here,” and “it’s all a
mental thing.” Those statements
became our daily mantras.
Foreclosures
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Notices of Incorporation
To subscribe, visit DeKalbLegalNotices.com
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#ItsInTheChampion
HORACE HOLLOMAN
horace@dekalbchamp.com
According to a report from
the United States Census Bureau,
approximately 13 million
Americans are working two jobs.
While the number of multi-job
holding individuals has decreased
of american workers working two
jobs has remained stagnant at 5
percent for the last decade. Many
financial experts say a lack of wage
gains and constant shifts in the
economy are to blame.  elevators. We were now required
For many of my coworkers,
working two jobs is a way of life
and not just a temporary transition.
If the long hours and stress weren’t
enough, the way in which my
coworkers were treated was down
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2019 • Page 4
right disgraceful. Most of the time, trying to create a better life for
the clients we worked for rarely themselves. Three weeks after I
spoke to us. Not a “hello” or “good quit the janitor position, my former
evening.” Some would look at us coworker called me and said the
in disdain. Often times the clients company’s contract wasn’t going to
would decline riding in the elevator be renewed. More than 75 people,
with us, despite ample space for including many of the people
everyone to fit.  I worked with daily, would be
Three months into working, without a job.
management sent an email to There are many people who deal
employees notifying us that we with adverse work environments,
were no longer allowed to use the but I’m a firm believer that
marketplace—a shared facility someone’s title or job should not
where you can sit down to eat define the amount of respect you
and purchase food—because give them. The janitors I worked
our presence made the clients with were some of the most loving,
uncomfortable.  genuine people I’ve ever met. 
Two weeks later we received Whenever I see a janitor or
another email from management anyone in the service industry, I try
notifying employees that we were to make it a point to say hello, along
no longer allowed to use the shared with the phrase, “the weekend is
almost here.” I’m not sure if it helps
to take steps or use “designated” the day move by any faster, but I at
janitor elevators, which were often least want them to know I see them
slow or out of order.  as a person and don’t define them
Many of my coworkers based on their job.
were dealing with family issues,
supporting children at home or
OPINION
The Georgia Veterans
Administration Decatur campus
annually treats nearly 120,000
veterans facing a variety of
illnesses, treatment regimens and
surgical needs. It is one of the
busiest VA campuses in the nation
and it is currently operating under a
state of emergency.  championed by Isakson, passed with
Consider this a potential
preview of “Medicare For All.” The
U.S. Veterans Administration is the
largest civilian agency in the federal
government. Despite doctor and
nursing staffing shortages, the VA
employs more than 400,000—just
slightly less than our entire standing
U.S. Army.  in operating on broken down
Though patient outcomes
continue to be troubling, along with
access to and inconsistent quality
of care, the entire VA health care
system is government-funded and
controlled, and though some of its
facilities are not aging well, the
agency does not lack for resources
or bipartisan Congressional support.
But big budgets don’t necessarily
mean excellent or even efficient
performance and fixed salaries
and federal salary caps don’t
make for the most promising job
opportunities for the best and
brightest in health care.  sector counterparts at for-profit
Infection rates in operating
rooms and other issues became
so problematic that all routine
surgeries at the Decatur campus
were suspended in September, with
hopes of resuming in November
once new nursing and support staff
have been trained or re-trained. Joe
Marrable, a veteran battling cancer
on the Decatur campus also died in
September, covered with more than
100 ant bites. Pest infestations also
closed the campus canteen the same
month.
 Soon to be retiring U.S.
Senator Johnny Isakson, Georgia’s
senior senator and chair of the
Veteran Services Committee
joined a loud chorus calling for
FREEPRESS
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DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2019 • Page 5
Veteran care for all?
service. As most any Medicaid In the most recent Democratic
‘One Man’s or Medicare patient can confirm,
this often means restricted options
Presidential candidate debate,
former Vice-Pres. Joe Biden
Opinion’ and long waits for even the most mentioned a Congressional Budget
basic appointments, procedures and Office (CBO) estimate of $34
Bill Crane patient care. trillion over 10 years for “Medicare
bill.csicrane@gmail.com  Thankfully, the Veterans For All” (which Biden does not
Choice and Veterans Mission Acts, support), and those costs could be
covered in only four short months if
a change in leadership of the VA
rare bipartisan support and signed we eliminated the entire Pentagon,
campus. Regional VA Director
into law by Pres. Donald Trump, all military service branches, every
Leslie Wiggins was put on
are providing veterans with a long- weapon system and bullet. There
administrative leave Sept. 17,
needed safety valve of seeking is virtually no way to fund this
Dr. Arjay K. Dhawan, regional
care outside of the VA health care plan which also has absolutely no
medical director was moved to
system. operational quality guarantees. 
administrative duties pending
 Unfortunately our Atlanta That’s my diagnosis anyway.
further investigation and seven other
VA system is far from alone
staff members were reassigned to
Bill Crane also serves as a
non-patient care duties. Terminating
equipment, with low employee political analyst and commentator
employment of poorly performing
morale and unexpected deaths for Channel 2’s Action News, WSB-
administrative and federal union VA
among routine patient care.  AM News/Talk 750 and now 95.5
staff remains a major problem.  
Our veterans deserve better; FM, as well as a columnist for The
“It’s just the culture, and I
promises made to them and their Champion, DeKalb Free Press and
don’t know what it’s going to take
families need to be kept, and Georgia Trend. Crane is a DeKalb
to change it other than a complete
though I do not view health care native and business owner, living
house cleaning,” said Sheila
as a Constitutional right, American in Scottdale. You can reach him
Meuse, a retired VA whistleblower
citizens do deserve the right to or comment on a column at bill.
and former assistant director of the
make a choice in the structure and csicrane@gmail.com. 
VA hospital in Decatur. 
nature of their health care provider
Nationwide, the VA has the
system.   
additional challenge of several
thousand open physician and
nursing staff positions. VA system
salaries typically lag behind private
and non-profit hospitals alike. And
the VA’s model with all employees
working for the federal government,
no insurance company and all care
provided by one provider is also
very much like the much vaunted
"Medicare For All" being touted by
the bulk of potential Democratic
candidates for president.
 There are still millions of
physicians, specialists and nurses
of all stripes, employed in private
practices. Many of them do not
accept Medicare, or are challenged
by performing procedures and
providing care at Medicare
determined reimbursement rates
lower than the actual costs of
providing that same procedure or
Publisher: Staff Reporters:
John Hewitt Carla Parker STATEMENT FROM THE
Horace Holloman PUBLISHER
Chief Financial Officer: Taylor Robins We sincerely appreciate the
Dr. Earl D. Glenn discussion surrounding this and any
Social Media Manager: issue of interest to DeKalb County.
SEND LETTERS TO EDITOR, Production Manager: Donna Seay The Champion was founded in 1991
expressly to provide a forum for
The DeKalb Free Press, Kemesha Wadley discourse for all community residents
P. O. Box 1347, Decatur, GA 30031-1347; on all sides of an issue. We have no
Send email to Johnh@dekalbchamp.com desire to make the news only to
FAX To: (404) 370-3903; Phone: (404) 373-7779. The DeKalb Free Press is published each Friday report news and opinions to effect
Deadline for news releases and advertising: by ACE III Communications, Inc., a more educated citizenry that will
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LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2019 • Page 6

CHAMBLEE

DeKalb-Peachtree Airport hires noise specialist

BY TAYLOR ROBINS gone. It’s a great job creator If I could choose, I’d say “During my time
for DeKalb County.” no to the expansion. But if at Hartsfield-Jackson
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com
Foto said that most someone doesn’t like it, they International Airport,
critics oppose the expansion should move.” I gained a high level
DeKalb-Peachtree
because they don’t know Barnes said could be of knowledge about
Airport (PDK) announced
how an airport works, kept at a level that ensures how airports operate.
Oct. 17 that Korey A.L.
being a controlled area. An compliance with federal, Additionally, being a
Barnes was hired as a noise
increase in business for the state and local laws. He certified pilot allows me
and environment analyst.
airport wouldn’t affect the also will be responsible to understand how to
“It is my intention to
community, according to for conducting noise operate aircrafts safely
listen [to] and investigate
Foto. monitoring analysis and and efficiently while being
homeowners’ noise
“People should have evaluation, monitors water mindful of the impact to
complaints” said Barnes.
Barnes was recently hired to serve as done their due diligence and sample collections for surrounding areas,” Barnes
“We are here to educate
noise specialist for PDK. Photo provided research before moving here environmental purposes, said. “At Hartsfield-Jackson,
the general public about
by DeKalb County officials. because the airport has been implements procedures to I also learned how the
the FAA (Federal Aviation
here,” Foto said. reduce aircraft noise and FAA, local government and
Administration) regulations
a July 17 open house where Gustavo Barros, a manages environmental surrounding residents work
that govern the airport.”
residents were told about homeowner in Chamblee, events for stormwater as a team to support their
Barnes’ employment
the expansion and were stated concerns about the compliance. local airports.”
comes after Doraville
allowed to voice their expansion but said he feels “While aircraft noise Barnes received a
and Chamblee residents
opinions. Opinions among there is nothing he can do. cannot be contained, noise bachelor’s degree and
complained about noise
the residents were mixed. His concerns include an from aircraft engines master of science degree
from the airport.
Leigh Foto, a 30-year increase in air pollution, continues to decrease in aeronautics from Embry
PDK─the second
Chamblee resident and odor and an increase in the as engine technology Riddle Aeronautical
busiest airport in
a pilot, said he moved to possibility of plane crashes. advances,” said Barnes. University. He is also a
Georgia─announced an
Chamblee because of the Other residents have voiced According to DeKalb certified pilot. The noise
expansion plan in July. The
airport. concerns about increases in County officials, Barnes has and environment analyst
airport is planning to build
“People don’t noise. eight years of experience position at PDK has been
eight additional hangars
understand that this place “We need airplanes and at Hartsfield-Jackson vacant since June.
for jets and planes near
Clairmont Road. The eight has been here longer than we need the airport,” Barros International Airport,
hangars would require an 99 percent of the people that said. “It’s just more of a working for Delta Air lines
additional 19 acres for live here,” said Foto. “It’ll possibility something could and Atlanta Department of
PDK. PDK officials hosted be here long after we’re happen over our homes. Aviation.

ART STATION
Continued From Page 1
was not good, the electrical was in and
out. I prayed every night that we would
get through the performances because we
never knew if the heat or air was going to
come on.”
The project was funded by metro
Atlanta foundations and corporations,
and individuals who contributed to ART
Station’s Next Generation Campaign. The
purpose of the campaign is to provide new
infrastructure for ART Station that will
ensure its future for the next generation.
“The campaign was so important for
the future,” Thomas said.
ART Station was founded in 1986 and
has served millions of art patrons, students
and artists over its 34-year history.
“The reason we enhanced and put in
more seats is because we sell out almost
everything that we do,” Thomas said.
“Adding 55 seats to the theater will help,
but we still know we’re going to sell out
shows.”
ART Station also features artifacts of the historic Trolley Car Barn and an art exhibit. Photos by Carla Parker
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2019 • Page 7

LITHONIA

Shameka Reynolds: ‘I’m the only candidate you can trust’

BY CARLA PARKER
Carla@dekalbchamp.com
After eight years on the Lithonia
City Council, Shameka Reynolds is
ready to be the city’s next mayor and
she believes she is the only qualified
candidate for the job.
Reynolds, a Lithonia native, said
she is running for mayor to bring
back to the city the laughter, love
and transparency she remembers
from her childhood. She is the
granddaughter of the late W.G. and
Ammer Reynolds, founders of Tri-
Cities Funeral Home in Lithonia,
which she now owns and operates
with her parents and brother. She is
a 1994 graduate of Lithonia High
School, has a business administration
degree from Georgia Southern
and graduated from Gupton-Jones
College of Funeral Service.
“I have been in the city of
Lithonia all of my life, born and
raised here. Growing up, I’ve always
remembered how fun and how the
quality of life was in Lithonia,” she
said. “I want to make sure that when
people come into the city that they
have that same feeling that I had
growing up. I don’t want them to feel
displaced.”
“Being on city council for eight
years, I’ve seen a lot—a lot of things
I don’t like, a lot of things I do like,”
Reynolds said. “But I feel like if
everyone knew what’s going on at
city hall or what we’re trying to do,
instead of not coming to meetings or
[listening to] rumors, they’ll know
for sure exactly what we’re doing.”
Along with improving
transparency, Reynolds said she
wants to grow police presence in
the city and grow the city through
annexation, improved livability
for seniors and more services for
the ongoing disconnect between
our service men and their ability
to receive assistance, whether
it is medical, mental health or
transitioning into civilian life,” she
said. “My hopes are to obtain grants
through the federal government that
would assist in creating more reliable
transportation for our disabled
veterans who have appointments at
the VA medical center in Atlanta or
anywhere for that matter.
“This project would also
include assistance with the review
of DD-214s [certificate of release
or discharge from active duty] to
ensure that our veterans are receiving
the proper acknowledgment for the
Lithonia city councilwoman Shameka Reynolds is achievements that would also include
running for mayor. reviewing benefits and survivor
benefits for the spouse as well, to
veterans. make sure that they are receiving
“Too often you read headlines
and news articles that highlight
SEE REYNOLDS ON PAGE 8

Share the Warmth

TheCHAMPION
Coat Drive
Please help the less fortunate stay warm!
The Champion and other community partners are collecting new and
gently used outerwear such as coats, hats and gloves to be given on
Thanksgiving to those in our community who need it the most.
Collection boxes will be placed at:
The Champion Newspaper Clerk of Superior Court of DeKalb County DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Sauers Group, Inc
114 New Street, Suite E DeKalb County Courthouse 4415 Memorial Drive, Decatur, GA 30032 1585 Roadhaven Dr.
Decatur, GA 30030 556 N. McDonough St. (Sheriff Admin side of the Jail) Stone Mountain, GA 30083
Decatur, GA 30030 Drop Off Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Monday - Friday

Collection efforts will continue until Nov. 22

LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2019 • Page 8

Officials show pride during parade

BY TAYLOR ROBINS
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com
The 49th annual Atlanta
Pride Festival has come and
gone. However, officials
from two DeKalb County
municipalities are still reeling
from the experience of
participating.
The annual festival
that celebrates the LGBTQ
community was held Oct. 11-
13 this year, with the parade
occurring Oct. 13. Doraville City
Council Member Stephe Koontz
and Chamblee City Council
Member Brian Mock were both
participants in the parade.
“Not only was I there, but
our entire city council was
there,” said Mock. “It was my
first time as well as theirs, but
we are already looking forward
to next year.”
Despite the cold and rainy
weather, Mock led other
Chamblee officials and residents
in the parade, according to
Koontz.
Mock said prior to the
festival he heard city employees
had interest in participating in
the event but it was questioned
if Chamblee was ready to
participate. This prompted Mock
to place parade participation on
the city council’s agenda that
would be approved unanimously.
“Council felt the best way
to show the city was indeed
ready was for all of us to go
together with staff and citizens,”
said Mock. “Chamblee is a
welcoming city for all, we don’t
tolerate hate here.”
Koontz, who is the first out
transgender elected official in
Southeastern U.S., said she’s
struggled with being transgender
“for as long as I can remember.”
Feeling that she would never
be accepted, Koontz said she still
began her transition to become Doraville City Council Member Stephe Koontz represents Doraville during the Atlanta Pride parade. Photos provided
her true self. “But it still felt by Brian Mock.
empty,” Koontz said. “There
were a lot of hard times over
the next 15 years. Two years
ago I ran for public office, after
years of being told it simply
wasn’t possible. Koontz has
been a member of Doraville City
Council since 2017.
“Finally as I turn 60, I
am able to feel true joy,” said
Koontz. “Last weekend at the
Pride parade in Atlanta, being
respected for who I really am in
front of thousands of people, was
a moment of pure joy.”
For more information
about the annual festival, visit
atlantapride.org.
Doraville City Council Member Brian Mock celebrates with residents Oct. 13.

REYNOLDS Continued From Page 7

all monetary assistance [due] to them,”
Reynolds added.
Reynolds is being challenged by Cindy
Thomas for mayor. Reynolds said this
election is interesting because she thought
she would run against someone with
stronger ties to the city.
A challenge to Thomas’s eligibility to
hold the office of mayor, because of her
residency, was made, according to DeKalb
Board of Registration and Elections.
According to the board’s Sept. 12 meeting
minutes, Thomas and her attorney provided
information regarding her residency in
Lithonia and several individuals also spoke
what the other candidate is saying about
Ask us
development, bringing in developers and
trying to investigate the housing authority
[of Lithonia] and things of that nature,” she
about small
said. “I’m already partnering with the city of
Stonecrest to make south DeKalb better.
“Sometimes people will [say] that we business
insurance.
need to look like Inman Park. No. That
gentrification piece is something that I am
against,” Reynolds added. “I feel like our
city can be better as far as getting people
to redevelop it while we’re here, and not
moving [people] out.” Contact your local
Reynolds said there are developers who
she has met and spoken with through the State Farm agent. ®

about Thomas’s residency.
On the county’s qualified candidates
list, the address listed for Thomas is
within Lithonia’s city limits. The board
of registration and elections eventually
approved for Thomas “to be retained as a
candidate,” according to the minutes.
“I want citizens to understand that
I’ve been paying attention to things and
years who are waiting for her to become
mayor so that they can do business with statefarm.com/small-business-insurance
Lithonia."
In this particular election, [voters] really
need to do their research on what’s going on
because there is only one candidate, me, that
is qualified to be mayor, and has met all of
the qualifications,” she said.
 DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2019 • Page 9

WEEK in PICTURES

DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office detention officers train outside of the

DeKalb County Jail.

Tucker Parks and Recreation Department held its first Zombie Hike Oct.
Paintings from local artists are on display at ART Station in Stone Mountain. Photo by Carla Parker 25 at Henderson Park. Photo from city of Tucker’s Facebook page

Natasha Clark, right, was presented with the Dunwoody Police
Department’s Employee of the Quarter Award during the Oct. 14
Dunwoody city council meeting. Clark was awarded for her positive
attitude and commitment to her job. Photo provided by the city of
Dunwoody Twitter page.
Dunwoody Police Officer Kasey Martin received the Officer of the
Quarter Award during the Oct. 14 Dunwoody city council meeting.
Martin chased down and arrested a suspect who dragged Nathan Daley
onto I-285 in August 2019. Photo provided by the city of Dunwoody Doraville City Council Member Stephe Koontz and Chamblee City
Twitter page. Council Member Brian Mock celebrate at the Atlanta Pride parade.
Photo provided by Stephe Koontz.

If you would like to see your photo added to our Week in Pictures page,
send high resolution photos to carla@dekalbchamp.com.
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 DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2019 • Page 10

COUNTYWIDE

Montessori training and security drills

topics of district event
'The training is
BY TAYLOR ROBINS can be traumatizing.
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com “I heard about the drills from
my kids and they were quite shaken

During DeKalb County School
District’s (DCSD) Oct. 17 On the
Scene with Dr. Green, parents of
Briar Vista Elementary School
students asked about Montessori
education training.
Montessori education was
developed more than 100 years ago
and incorporates a child-centered
approach to education that includes
mixed-age classrooms, student
choices of activities and trained
Montessori teachers who monitor
students and their learning habits
and progress.
Some Briar Vista parents
claimed that the Montessori teachers
are not properly trained in the
Montessori method and wanted to
know the plans to train them.
DCSD Superintendent R.
Stephen Green said plans are in
place to achieve a “pure version” of
the learning method for DCSD with
a short, intermediate and long term
plans.
quite expensive
but it’s quite
good.'
- DCSD Superintendent R. Stephen Green
DCSD’s short term plan is
to bring training experts from
other states to train existing
DCSD teachers─for a lower cost.
According to DCSD officials, expert
training in Georgia would cost more
than $10,000.
“The training is quite expensive
but it’s quite good,” said Green.
DCSD officials are considering
bringing training experts from
Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ohio and
South Carolina, with training to
begin in January.
Recruiting teachers who already
have training and certifications in
Montessori education from other
states is DCSD’s intermediate plan.
The long term plan is for DCSD to
start its own Montessori training
program, which will take two years.
The district conducted security
drills after students from multiple
DCSD schools were found to have
guns in their possessions. A parent
who attended the district event
asked what the district is doing for
the students who need emotional
support after gun related incidents
occur. The parent said security drills
up and scared. One of my kids
thought he was going to die but he
is prone to drama,” the parent said.
“They thought an actual intruder
was in the building.”
The parent said that the district
did not notify parents until after the
drill and searches of students had
been conducted, Green said that
notices were sent to parents and
guardians in advance. Dates of the
drills were not announced.
“It’s a work in progress,” said
Green. “We have to recognize the
emotional aspect of security and
stay current with the best practices
of intervention for moving swiftly
with intruders in the building.
We have both sides of an issue
and we’re trying to find a way to
balance. Any time that we execute
or implement we do debrief and
try to understand how we can do
better.”

Supreme Court rules against DCSD in pension lawsuit

BY TAYLOR ROBINS
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com
The Supreme Court of
Georgia released an opinion
Oct. 21 ruling in favor of
DeKalb County School
District (DCSD) teachers
and employees who sued
DCSD and its board for
not providing two years'
advance notice prior to
suspending contributions
to retirement funds─an
agreement previously made.
“Although we would
have liked to see a different
outcome, we will move
forward with the next phase
of this process,” said DCSD
Superintendent R. Stephen
Green. “We value the hard
work of all DeKalb County
School District employees.
Despite the disposition
of this case, we remain
committed to our teachers
and employees.”
According to the
Supreme Court of Georgia,
in 2011 Elaine Gold,
Amy Shaye and two
other “current or former”
DCSD employees sued
the district and DCSD
board for breaching the
agreement to provide two
years’ advance notice prior
to reducing funding their
Tax Shelter Annuity (TSA)
accounts. The district
suspended contributions in
2009. DCSD cites a budget
shortfall for the halted
contributions, resulting from
former Georgia Gov. Sonny
Perdue's statewide funding
cuts that created a nearly
$20 million budget deficit
for the district.
Originally the Supreme
Court of Georgia ruled
in favor of the district
and board, finding
that employees didn’t
“establish the existence
of an enforceable, valid
contract that was breached
by the school district
when it suspended certain
contributions to” the TSA
account.
In a hearing before
the Court of Appeals, the
employees said DCSD’s
promise to provide two
years’ notice “was adopted
as board policy, it became
part of the employees’
employment contracts,
protected by Georgia’s
prohibition on retroactive
laws and impairment of
contracts.”
Since the board policy
is current, the Court of
Appeals found the promise
part of employees’ contracts
of employment.
“Our school board takes
issues regarding retirement
benefits very seriously. We
will continue to work with
legal counsel to determine
the next steps in this
matter,” said Chair of the
DeKalb County Board of
Education Michael Erwin.
Other applicable
employees could join the
lawsuit as a class action,
costing the district more
money.
EDUCATION
EDUCATION BRIEFS
by Taylor Robins • Taylor@dekalbchamp.com
Kennesaw State’s dean’s list announced
Kennesaw State University named more than 700
students to the summer 2019 dean’s list.
Local students on the list include Nicholas Whitfield
and Margaret Wilcox of Brookhaven; Aaron Fields,
Connor Tinaglia, Matthew Reinard, A’na Knoll,
Neha Dedani, Jenifer Thach, Kenya Johnson, Emily
Corder and Madyson Casey of Decatur; Sabrina
Debas of Doraville; Connor Abruzzino of Dunwoody;
Layah Story, Jalyn Snipes, Lafonda Walker and Percy
Richmond of Lithonia; Courtney Vance, Karen Lloyd,
Mebrat Alemu, Robert Bland, Hassan Hassan and
Khaled Eid of Stone Mountain; and Ahmed Amedie,
Shannon Henry, Hau Dim, Nolan Gilmore, Bilash Paul
and Rowan Abdelhafiz of Tucker.
Students enrolled in at least nine credit hours and with a
grade point average of at least 3.5 were named to the list.
Crandon recognized as McNair Scholar
Malik Crandon of Lithonia is achieving academic
success through work as a McNair Scholar. Now in its
third year, the McNair Scholars program is designed to
identify and prepare sophomores, juniors and seniors from
all University of North Georgia campuses for post-graduate
studies through involvement in research and other scholarly
activities.
As McNair Scholars, students are matched with faculty
members to conduct scholarly research and establish a
formalized mentoring program, said Iris Royal, program
director of the McNair Scholars. Faculty members mentor
students in their research and help them build their skills to
enroll in graduate school with confidence, she said.
WEEK
PET
Yang (ID# 41167929)
My name is Yang,
and I’m looking for my
family to love and hang
out with. Here’s what
volunteers say about
me: “Yang is as darling
as she looks with her
sweet butterscotch
and white coat. She's
social with other dogs
and loves treats. She's
a little shy at first,
but once you share a few treats with her, Yang becomes all
snuggly and will lean in for head rubs and kisses."
If you would like to expand your family by 4 furry little
feet; ask to meet Yang and have a loving friend forever.
All adoptions include your new pet's spay or neuter,
vaccinations, microchip and more! For more information
about Yang please call (404) 294-2165 or email adoption@
dekalbanimalservices.com. All potential adopters will be
screened to ensure Yang goes to a good home. Hours: Mon-
Fri; 11am-7pm / Sat-Sun; 11am-6pm
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2019 • Page 11
CITY OF STONE MOUNTAIN
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
FOLLOW US The City of Stone Mountain hereby gives notice
ON SOCIAL MEDIA that a Public Hearing will be held to receive public
@DEKALBCHAMPNEWS comment on the City of Stone Mountain Proposed
2020 Fiscal Year Budget.
The Mayor and City Council will hold a Public
Hearing on this matter on Tuesday, November 19th,
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.
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
CITY OF LITHONIA GEORGIA
FISCAL YEAR 2020 (FY20) BUDGET REVIEW AND ADOPTION
(JANUARY 1, 2020 – DECEMBER 31, 2020)
PUBLIC HEARING ON FY20 BUDGET: A Public Hearing on the FY20 Budget is scheduled for Monday,
November 11, 2019 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Chambers located
at 6920 Main Street, Lithonia, GA 30058. At this meeting, the Mayor and Council will receive both written
and oral comments about the Annual Operating and Capital Budget for the City of Lithonia, Georgia.
MAYORS RECOMMENDED BUDGET AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW: The FY20 Mayor’s Recommended
Budget will be available for public inspection during normal office hours starting on November 4, 2019 on
the city’s website at www.cityoflithoniaga.org and at the following locations:
Lithonia City Hall, 6920 Main Street, Lithonia GA 30058
Lithonia-Davidson Library, 6821 Church Street, Lithonia GA 30058
BUDGET REVIEW: The Mayor and Council of the City of Lithonia are scheduled to review the FY20
Mayor’s Recommended Budget on the following dates:
November 11, 2019 Monday (7:00 p.m. at City Hall, 6920 Main Street)
November 18, 2019 Monday (6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 6920 Main Street)
BUDGET ADOPTION: The Mayor and Council of the City of Lithonia are scheduled to adopt the FY20
Budget at their regular monthly meeting on Monday, November 18, 2019. The meeting will be held at 7:00
p.m. in the City Hall Chambers located at 6920 Main Street.
CITY OF CHAMBLEE – CALL OF SPECIAL ELECTION
HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION FOR SENIOR CITIZENS AND DISABLED PERSONS PER HB 273 – ACT #105
HEREBY TAKE NOTICE OF THE CALL OF SPECIAL ELECTION: THE CITY OF CHAMBLEE has
requested the DeKalb Board of Elections to call a Special Election to be held at the time of the general elec-
tion of the City on November 5, 2019, for the purpose of placing before the qualified electors residing within
the limits of the City of Chamblee, a referendum providing a homestead exemption from City of Chamblee ad
valorem taxes for city purposes, approved April 4, 1997 (Ga. L. 1997, p. 3591), so as to a homestead exemp-
tion for residents of the City who are 65 years of age or older or who are totally disabled in order to exempt
from such exemption taxes levied by the city to pay interest on and to retire bonded indebtedness. This Call
for a Special Election is made pursuant to the Georgia Constitution, Art. 7 Sec. 2, Paragraph II Ga. L. 1997, p.
3591 as amended by House Bill 273 passed by the Georgia House of Representative on March 5, 2019 and
the Georgia Senate on March 22, 2019; and Chamblee Resolution 2018-29. House Bill 273 amended the Act
incorporating the City of Chamblee by revising subsection (b) of Section 2 as follows:
“(b) Each resident of the City of Chamblee who is 65 years of age or older or who is totally disabled is
granted an exemption on that person’s homestead from all City of Chamblee ad valorem taxes for the purposes
in the amount of the total assessed value of the homestead, except taxes levied by the City of Chamblee to pay
interest on and to retire bonded indebtedness.”
The ballot for the Special Election on November 5, 2019 shall have written or printed thereon the words:
“Shall the Act be approved which revises a homestead exemption from City of Chamblee ad valorem taxes for
residents of that city who are 65 years of age or older or who are totally disabled in order to authorize such ex-
emption to apply to ad valorem taxes levied by the city, except for taxes levied by the city to pay interest on and
to retire bonded indebtedness?”
“( ) YES
( ) NO”
All persons residing to vote for approval of the Act shall vote “Yes,” and all persons desiring to vote for
rejection of the Act shall vote “No.” If more than on-half of the votes cast on such question are for approval,
this Act shall become of full force and effective on January 1, 2020, and shall be applicable to all taxable years
beginning on or after January 1, 2020. If the Act is not so approved or is the election is not conducted as pro-
vided in this Section the act shall not become effective, and this Act shall be automatically repealed on the first
day of January immediately following that election date.
PLEASE RECYCLE THIS PAPER
 DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2019 • Page 12

COUNTYWIDE
AROUND DeKalb
Municipal elections upcoming
DeKalb County will hold a
general election Nov. 5 for the
purpose of electing mayors and
members of city councils as well as
several special elections. If a runoff
election is necessary, the runoff
election would be held Dec. 3.
Voting will take place from 7
a.m. to 7 p.m. at assigned voting
locations.
DECATUR
Health Fair to focus on
Alzheimer’s Disease
The Metro Atlanta Chapter of the
National Hook-Up of Black Women
Inc. in partnership with the County
Community Achievement Center
is hosting an Alzheimer’s Disease
Awareness Health Fair, Saturday,
Nov. 9, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. The event
will include free memory and blood
pressure screenings. The keynote
speaker will be Dr. Monica Parker,
assistant professor of neurology
and education at the Alzheimer’s
Disease Research Center at Emory
University. The free event will be at
Community Achievement Center,
4522 Flat Shoals Parkway, Decatur.
For more information, call (404)
965-8228.
DUNWOODY
Get active with other residents
Bike Walk Dunwoody will host
its monthly community event where
residents can bike together Nov. 3
starting at 2:45 p.m.
The group will meet at Village
Burger on Dunwoody Village
Parkway. There is a short pre-
ride safety review and the group
sets off at 3 p.m. Helmets are
required and bicycles with gears are
recommended to handle the hills.
The route is a 4.5 mile loop around
Dunwoody with mostly right turns.
The group will not ride in inclement
weather or hazardous road
in Tucker from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Donations after 5 p.m. may be
conditions. Everyone is welcome. placed outside the office in a purple
box. For more information, call
STONECREST Emma Fletcher at (470) 242-5682.
City to host job fair
Group to host book sale
The fifth annual Tucker Job
Friends of Stonecrest Library Fair will be held Nov. 7 from 10
will host a book sale Nov. 9 from a.m. to 1 p.m. at Rehoboth Church.
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be WorkSource DeKalb Mobile Career
gently used books on sale at bargain
Center will be onsite for assistance
prices. The library is located at with resumes and online job
3123 Klondike Road. For more applications. The church is located
information, call (770) 482-3828. at 2997 Lawrenceville Highway.
For more information, call (770)
TUCKER 866-9934 or email tuckerjobfair@
gmail.com.
Hospice center to host
Thanksgiving food drive
Guardian Angels Hospice is
hosting a food drive until Nov. 11.
All donations will go to Atlanta
Mission My Sister's House
Homeless Shelter for Women and
Children. Donations can be dropped
off at 3469 Lawrenceville Highway

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BUSINESS DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2019 • Page 13

County official urges small businesses to register for DeKalb’s certified list
BY KATHY MITCHELL
FREELANCE REPORTER
DeKalb County each year
spends millions of dollars on
contract goods and services. There
is no reason that members of South
DeKalb Business Association
(SDBA) cannot be among those
contracting to provide those
services, according to Felton B.
Williams, procurement projects
manager for DeKalb County.
Speaking at SDBA’s Oct. 24
meeting, Williams said there are
hurdles small businesses must
clear before they are positioned to
do contract work for the county.
“You must be able to deliver what
you promise in the contract. You
must be bonded so that if you fail
to deliver someone else will take
responsibility for completing that
work. Imagine driving down a
road that’s smooth and well built
and suddenly the road runs out and
you’re on a rocky, unpaved road.
No contractor can leave the county
in that position. If you agree to
build a road and start the road, you
have to finish the road.”
The first step, Williams said,
is to register with county. “We
have to know who you are and
what you do,” he continued. Each
contractor registered with the
county is assigned a unique six-digit
identification number, he said. “This
number tells us immediately who
DeKalb County Procurement Projects Manager
Felton B. Williams explains what small businesses
must do to secure contracts with the county.
we’re working with. It’s also how
you get paid, and we all want to get
paid.”
During the registration process,
the county will ask how long the
company has been in business—
it should be a minimum of five
years—what other projects the
company has done and what
references it can provide. “Before
we can spend taxpayer dollars with
you, we have an obligation to be
assured you have the capability and
integrity to fulfill a contract.” Once
the registration process has been
completed, small businesses are
added to county’s list of certified
contractors.
Williams said DeKalb County
requires that on projects that
exceed $5 million, major—or
prime—contractors are required to
take small businesses under their
umbrella. “They find these small
businesses on the county’s certified
list,” he noted, adding that these
businesses may not be involved
for the entire project, so it’s best to
have other work and not “put all
your eggs in one basket.”
“If the project is constructing
a building, this will be done in
several phases,” he explained. “It
will start with clearing the land and
go through landscaping and interior
design. If the small business is a
landscaper or interior decorator, it
won’t be needed until the late stages
of the project. That’s when they will
be called in and when they will be
paid.”
Subcontracting with large
businesses is not the only way small
businesses can do work for the
county, Williams said. “There are
some small, stand-alone projects
that only involve a few hundred or a
few thousand dollars. For those, we
go directly to small contractors.”
He cautioned business owners to
never assume that the nature of their
business means the county could
never use them. Williams offered
as an example a small business
that creates balloon decorations.
“She registered with the county
even though she thought we would
never be able to use her services.
We ended up using her a couple of
times for celebration events,” he
recalled. “You never know.”
Williams said that in addition
to making a business available
for county contracts, registering
with the county may bring in
other business. “Some major
contractors who are looking for
small businesses to provide specific
goods or services for projects that
don’t involve the county may check
the county certified small business
list in search of someone to provide
what they need. Small businesses
are also encouraged to do business
with each other. It’s all about
relationships. Once a company
knows you are professional and
reliable, they are likely to call on
you again and again.”
Reginald Hodge, an officer
with SDBA, commented that he
knows of a company that started
working with the county as a small
business subcontractor that is now a
prime contractor doing millions of
dollars in business with the county.
“Sometimes it’s just a matter of
getting your foot in the door,” he
said.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The Mayor and City Council of the City of Chamblee,
Georgia will hold a public hearing on Tuesday,
November 19, 2019 at the Chamblee Civic Center,
3540 Broad Street, Chamblee, GA 30341 at 7:30
p.m. to receive public comments regarding the
following matters:
PZ2019-556: The City of Chamblee proposes
the following amendment to the official zoning map:
Rezone property located at 3216 and 3218 Caldwell
Rd, being DeKalb County tax parcels 18 277 03 003
and 18 277 03 009, from Single-Dwelling Detached
(12,000 sq. ft.) to Neighborhood Residential 1.
CITY OF TUCKER
PUBLIC NOTICE
The City of Tucker will hold a First Read and Public
Hearing on November 12th at 7:00 pm during a
regular scheduled meeting. The Second Read will
be on November 25th at 7:00pm during a regular
scheduled meeting. The hearing and meetings will
be held at the City Hall Annex located at 4228 First
Avenue Ste 2-4, Tucker GA 30084. The purpose of
this hearing is for the City Council to consider budget
amendments for Fiscal Year 2020 for the Operating
and Capital Budgets.
Proposed Substantial Amendment to the
2014-2018 Consolidated Plan,
including the 2018 Annual Action Plan
N.H. Scott Park Pool and Bath House Design Project
DeKalb County is proposing to amend to the 2014-2018 Consolidated Plan, includ-
ing the 2018 Annual Action Plan for the N.H. Scott Park Pool and Bath House Design
Project. The Community Development Department seeks to utilize $150,000 originally
allocated to the N.H. Scott field renovation project to complete the architecture, engi-
neering and design of the new N. H. Scott Pool and Bath House.
The proposed renovated pool and bath house will provide a modern, state of the art
swimming pool facility that is aesthetically pleasing and meet the needs of the commu-
nity. The current pool and bath house located at 2230 Tilson Road, Decatur, GA 30032
will be replaced with the same footprint. The construction of the project will be funded
from DeKalb County Park SPLOTS funds. The project is projected to be completed by
the summer of 2021.
All citizens are invited to view the proposed substantial amendment to this program
from October 31 – November 31, 2019 on the DeKalb County Community Develop-
ment website, https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/community-development/public-notices
DeKalb County Community Development Department
750 Commerce Drive, Suite 401, Decatur, Georgia 30030
(404) 371-2727
Fax: (404) 371-2742
Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Comment forms may be obtained and completed at the above listed location.
Comments may also be faxed or emailed to the
Community Development Department.
Email: bhcamp@dekalbcountyga.gov
SPORTS DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2019 • Page 14

The Champion’s game of the week:

Decatur vs. Jackson-Atlanta
by Carla Parker • carla@dekalbchamp.com

After three consecutive losing seasons, the
Decatur Bulldogs are back on the good side of
.500 at 6-2 and hope to continue their winning
streak when they host Jackson-Atlanta Nov. 1
in a crucial region game at home.
This game will have playoff-seeding
implications. Decatur (6-2) is third in region
6-AAAAA standings at 4-1 and Jackson (5-3)
has a 3-2 region record. Jackson will face a
Decatur team that has the fourth best scoring
defense in Class AAAAA, according to
Georgia High School Football Daily.
Decatur’s defense is allowing an average
of 113.71 passing yards and 98.43 rushing
yards per game. Jackson’s offense averages
103.3 passing yards and 156.8 rushing
yards per game. Decatur junior linebacker
Kristopher Williams leads the team in
tackles and sacks. Williams, along with other
leading tacklers defensive end Marquis Hood
and linebacker Nahshon Smith could have a
big game against Jackson’s offensive line.
Decatur is also rushing the ball well this
season, averaging 170.43 yards per game.
Sophomore Chapman Smith is leading the
team with 61.00 rushing yards per game.
Hood leads the team in rushing touchdowns
with five in seven games.
If Decatur’s rushing attack gets going in
this game, and quarterback James Swank
doesn’t turn over the ball, Decatur could pull
out the win.

SOFTBALL

Marist falls in softball

state title game
BY CARLA PARKER
carla@dekalbchamp.com
Marist softball team
came up short in the Class
AAAA title game after
falling to Heritage-Catoosa
6-3 on Oct. 28.
Marist advanced to
the title game after series
wins over Chapel Hill and
Cairo in the first and second
rounds, respectively. The
team lost to Oconee County
4-3 in the Elite Eight round
in Columbus and fell into
the loser’s bracket of the
tournament.
Marist went on to defeat
Central Carrollton 4-2 and
Madison County 6-2 in the
Elite Eight to advance to the
Final Four, where the team
faced Northside Columbus
and defeated them 4-3.
Marist avenged its loss to
Oconee County in the Elite
Eight by beating them in the
semifinals 8-1 to advance to
the Class AAAA title game.
The title game against
VISIT US ONLINE @
WWW.THECHAMPIONNEWSPAPER.COM
Heritage-Catoosa started
on Oct. 26 in Columbus.
Marist took a 2-1 lead in the
first inning and extended
its lead to 3-1 in the third
inning. In the seventh
inning, Heritage-Catoosa
scored two runs to tie the
game at 3-3. The game was
then postponed due to rain
and Marist had to travel to
Heritage-Catoosa to finish
the game on Oct. 28.
The game resumed Oct.
28 at the top of the seventh
inning with the score at 3-3.
Heritage-Catoosa was at
bat with no outs. Heritage
scored three more runs in
the inning to take a 6-3
lead. In the bottom of the
seventh inning, Marist got
two batters on base. But
confusion by Marist while
running the bases led to a
triple play by Heritage to
close out the game and seal
the victory.
Marist’s Lexi Van
Metre was 2-of-3 behind
the plate with a run score to
lead the team.
Marist finished runner-up in the Class AAAA softball title game after falling to Heritage-Catoosa. Photo from
Christian Cain’s Twitter page
Proposed Substantial Amendment to the 2014-2018
Consolidated Plan, including the
2018 Annual Action Plan
“Lou Walker Senior Center ADA Parking Expansion”
DeKalb County is proposing to amend the 2014-2018 Consolidated Plan,
including the 2018 Action Plan. Specifically, the Community Development
Department seeks to utilize an additional $78,000 in 2018 CDBG funding in
order to pay for Design, Engineering, and Construction for ADA parking at the
Lou Walker Senior Center.
All citizens are invited to view the proposed substantial amendment to this
program from October 24, 2019 to November 8, 2019 on the DeKalb County
Community Development website, https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/com-
munity-development/public-notice.
DeKalb County Community Development Department
750 Commerce Drive, Suite 401, Decatur, Georgia 30030
(404) 371-2727
Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Comment forms may be obtained and completed at the above listed
location. Comments may also be faxed or emailed to the Community
Development Department.
Fax: (404) 371-2742
Email: bkcampbell@dekalbcountyga.gov
SPORTS DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2019 • Page 15

FOOTBALL

Cedar Grove, Champion advance to middle school football title game

BY MARK BROCK picked off his second pass of
the game to end any scoring
DeKalb County’s “Trail threat.
to the Title Middle School Stephenson went for a
Football Championship” game fourth down with 5:30 left in
is set as undefeated Cedar the game with a fake punt/pass
Grove and Champion advanced that came up three yards short.
to the finals with wins Oct. 26 at Cedar Grove took over with
Godfrey Stadium. 5:24 to play and ran out the
Cedar Grove Saints (8-0) clock to seal the win.
was first to punch its ticket to Cedar Grove will make its
the finals with an 8-6 victory fourth trip to the championship
over the Stephenson Jaguars game.
(5-3) in the semifinals. The
Saints struck early following Champion 24, Henderson 6
the opening kickoff as they
recovered the free ball at the The Champion Chargers
34-yard-line to set up their only kept their historic undefeated
score of the game. season alive with a 24-6
A penalty had the Saints in semifinals win over the
a first-and-24 at the 37-yard- Henderson Cougars.
line when Demarcus Smith Champion (8-0) opened
broke free around the left end the game driving 66 yards to
and sprinted to the end zone just take the lead on a four-yard
ahead of a Stephenson defender touchdown run by Milton
for the touchdown with 6:31 Smith. Smith added the two- Champion’s Wesley Brown, left, tries to avoid a tackle by Henderson’s Derrick Roseberry.
left in the first quarter. Boden point conversion run for the 8-0
Walker ran in the two-point lead with 5:34 left in the first
conversion for Cedar Grove to quarter.
make it 8-0. Henderson (7-1) could not
After a pair of bad snaps put get a first down and punted on
the Jaguars in a fourth-and-48 its first possession. Champion
at their own five-yard line, the took over and Arrington
Saints ended up with great field Watkins’ three-yard touchdown
position again at the 37-yard- run, and two-point conversion
line. score extended Champion’s lead
Cedar Grove drove to the to 16-0.
Stephenson two-yard line, but Henderson’s Allen
the Jaguars defense forced a Holomon Jr. trimmed
turnover on downs after a tackle Champion’s lead to 16-6 on a
in the backfield by Carson 23-yard touchdown run with
Wilson and Semario Jones. 4:42 left in the half. Champion
Stephenson took over answered with a 75-yard, nine-
on their own three-yard line play drive that resulted in an 11-
but with 1:14 left in the first yard touchdown run by Randy
half, Cedar Grove’s Lamaze Smith. Milton Smith tacked on
Williams intercepted a pass to the two-point conversion run to
set the Saints up at the 26-yard make it 24-6.
line. Neither team could get
A facemask penalty on much going in the second half
Stephenson put the Saints at the as the Cougars managed just
13-yard line. With fewer than two first downs in the third
30 seconds left in the first half, quarter and Champion had one.
the Saints went to the air, but Champion forced a punt
a screen to the wide receiver early in the fourth quarter to
was tipped and Stephenson’s take possession of the football
Tyrone Etienne intercepted on its own 35-yard line with
and returned it 95 yards for a 6:07 to play. The Chargers
touchdown with 16.3 seconds to marched 45 yards to the 31-yard
play in the first half. The two- line to run out the clock.
point pass was incomplete, and The win put Champion in
Cedar Grove went into halftime the championship game for the
with an 8-6 lead. first time in program history,
The second half was all while also giving the team its
defense as the two teams had first eight-win season.
just one first down in the second Champion and Cedar
half. Cedar Grove ran for a first Grove will face off in the
down on its second possession championship game Nov. 2 at
of the period, but Etienne 11:00 am at Adams Stadium. Cedar Grove’s Demarcus Smith tries to pull away from a tackle.
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2019 • Page 16

by Horace Holloman • horace@dekalbchamp.com 

Ghost, princesses and superheroes attended DeKalb County Department
of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs Halloween-related events. 
The festivities started Oct. 26 and lasted through Halloween. Many of
the events were free to the public and included face painting, movies, games
and costume contests. 
Despite a few rain drops, DeKalb hosted its first pair of events at
Lithonia at Redan Recreation Center and Lucious Sanders Recreation
Center on Oct. 26. 
Portia Perry, recreations center supervisor at Redan Recreation Center,
said the events are great for DeKalb residents and community members.
“This is just something fun for the whole community. At the same time,
we get to showcase some of the programs we offer,” Perry said. “We just
want everyone to celebrate and have a great time.”