the DeKalb FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2020 • VOL. 24, NO.

47 • 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

Eric Gaines is
gaining traction
BY JAY PHILLIPS home to one of the most
Jay@dekalbchamp.com underrated high school
athletes in the state, if not
DeKalb County is no the country: Eric Gaines.
stranger to star athletes. Gaines is a senior point
The Lithonia Bulldogs guard for the Lithonia boys’
had five-star offensive basketball team and has led
tackle Broderick Jones his team to a 16-1 record
commit to Georgia this past after starting the season 15-
football season. 0.
Jordan Walker, one of However, Gaines is
the top baseball prospects in unranked on 247Sports and
the country, of Decatur High a three-star guard without a
School signed with Duke in national ranking on Rivals,
November. but all of that could change
Three DeKalb alums following the start Gaines
were drafted into the NFL has gotten off to.
last April. Gaines had an official
The list goes on. breakout party in the
On the other hand, Tournament of Champions
DeKalb County is currently at Wheeler High School

See GAINES on page 5

Eric Gaines, (4), waits to pick up Deivon Smith on defense.

Addressing potential physician shortage

BY JAY PHILLIPS
Jay@dekalbchamp.com
Areas around the country,
including Georgia, are facing a
potential shortage of primary care
doctors, unless something can be
done to encourage medical students
to take jobs in rural and non-affluent
areas, according to Dr. G. Richard
Olds, president of St. George’s
University.
“There is no question that there
is a doctor shortage,” Olds said. “It’s
much more painful in certain areas
of the country, mainly rural areas.”
The United States has an aging
population, and Georgia is no
exception. According to the United
A child getting a shot from a doctor.
States Census, 13.2-percent of
Georgia’s residents are older than
65, and according to Olds, the older
people get, the more doctors visits
they schedule.
“Our population is aging,” Olds
said. “That causes demands for
physicians to grow.”
According to The Senior List,
Georgia is the 14th most likely state
to face a physician shortage.
Based on the numbers, DeKalb
County is among the areas facing a
problem.
The median age of a resident
in DeKalb County is 34.3 years
old, while 11.2 percent of the
county’s population is older than
65, according to the United States
Census Bureau.
See SHORTAGE on page 5

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

LOCAL
COUNTYWIDE
Special election for DeKalb County
sheriff to be held March 24
BY ASIA ASHLEY
Asia@dekalbchamp.com
Just a month and a
half after a new sheriff has
taken on the role in DeKalb
County, the DeKalb County
Board of Elections and
Registrations has called for
a special election to fill the
position.
As required per the
DeKalb County code, former
DCSO chief deputy Melody
Maddox has served in the
sheriff’s position since Dec.
1 after former sheriff Jeffrey
Mann announced Nov. 13
that he would retire on Nov.
30.
The special election
for DeKalb County sheriff
will be held March 24
in conjunction with the
presidential primary. The
last day to register to vote
in the special election and
presidential primary is
Feb. 24. Voting will take
place in all regular polling
places in DeKalb. A runoff,
if required, will be held on
WE ARE SOCIAL
@DEKALBCHAMPNEWS
Visit us online @
www.thechampionnewspaper.com
April 21.
Qualifying for sheriff
began Jan. 6 at 9 a.m. and
ended at noon Jan. 8. at the
DeKalb County Board of
Registrations and Elections.
Maddox and several other
candidates have previously
announced their plans to
enter the race.
The winner of the special
election will serve the
remainder of Mann’s term,
which expires Dec. 31, 2020.
An election for sheriff
will also be held during the
November General Election
to fill the position’s full
four-year term which would
begin Jan. 1, 2021.
DEKALB FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019 • PAGE 2
STONE MOUNTAIN
Freedom Middle School students collect hygiene items for project
Freedom Middle hygiene items for students The Freedom Middle
School’s Future Business who may lack necessities School group collected more
Leaders of America and such as toothbrushes, than 500 hygiene items
Robotics team recently toothpaste, soap, deodorant during a four-week period
completed its community and shampoo, and items are for the project, according to
service challenge of filling a donated to Title 1 elementary Clean Cargo founder Johari
“Clean Cargo” trashcan with schools, or schools with Dozier. They were treated to
hygiene items. the highest percentages of a Waffle House breakfast on
The Clean Cargo project children from low-income Dec. 12.
creates drives to collect families.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
ZONING ORDINANCE TEXT AMENDMENTS
2020-TA-001
Notice is hereby given that the Mayor and City Council of the City of Lithonia,
Georgia will hold a public hearing on city-initiated amendments to the text of the
Downtown Lithonia Form-Based Code and to the text of the Zoning Ordinance
concerning the regulation of Special Event Facilities. The public hearing will be held on
January 28, 2020 at 6:00 PM in Lithonia City Hall located at 6920 Main Street, Lithonia,
Georgia.
Written comments concerning the proposed text amendment may be filed with
the City Clerk prior to the public hearing or submitted at the hearing. Individuals
interested in commenting on the proposed amendment, either in writing or verbally,
will be given the opportunity to be heard at the above mentioned time and place. The
written findings and recommendations of the Zoning Administrator may be examined at
Lithonia City Hall, Lithonia, Georgia. Further information may be obtained by contacting
Ms. Robinette Blount, Interim City Clerk, at 770.482.8136, ext. 128.
LaThaydra Sands
City Administrator, City of Lithonia
CITY OF TUCKER NOTICE OF AMENDMENT TO THE
CITY CHARTER
A proposed Amendment to the Charter of the City of Tucker amends
Section 5.03(a) to change the date required to submit to the city council
for the proposed operating budget and capital budget for the next fiscal
year.
The proposed Charter Amendment also amends section 5.04 (b) to
change the date of adoption of the final budget by the city council.
The City Council shall meet at the following regular meetings to consider
the adoption of the proposed Charter Amendment:
TUESDAY, JANUARY 14, 2020 AT 7:00 P.M.
CITY HALL ANNEX
4228 1st AVENUE, SUITE 2-4,
TUCKER, GA 30084
and
MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2020 AT 7:00 P.M.
CITY HALL ANNEX
4228 1st AVENUE, SUITE 2-4,
TUCKER, GA 30084
A copy of the proposed amendment is on file at the office of the City
Clerk and in the office of the Clerk of the Superior Court of DeKalb
County for purposes of examination by the public.
OPINION
It seems not so long ago that with
much anticipation, the world was on edge
on New Year’s Eve 1999 as we entered a
new century. There were predictions that
the internet and power grids throughout
the world would shut down, that com-
munications with air traffic could be
impacted and clocks would stop working.
It created what became known as Y2K
hysteria for many.
In preparation for the possibility
of catastrophic failures on Y2K, TIME
magazine management set up a generator-
powered “war room” in the basement of
the Time & Life Building filled with com-
puters and equipment ready to produce
the magazine in case of a catastrophic
breakdown of electricity and communica-
tions, according to then-assistant man-
aging editor of TIME, Howard Chua-
Eoan.
My wife and I threw financial caution
to the wind and bought a bottle of limited-
edition Dom Perignon champagne telling
ourselves that it may be the last bottle
of champagne we would ever enjoy. We
ended up pouring it down the drain. Ap-
parently, our champagne tastes are not
enlightened enough to appreciate the vin-
tage delicacy.
And now 20 years later we have en-
tered the decade of the 2020s. So much
has happened at home and abroad in those
20 years, that it deserves a recap.
Perhaps one of the most significant
occurrences, particularly for the United
States were the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist
attacks on the World Trade Center, The
Pentagon and a plane in mid-flight over
Pennsylvania, which combined took the
lives of an estimated 3,000 people. As a
result of the 2001 attacks, the U.S. de-
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
How quickly time passes
John Hewitt
johnh@dekalbchamp.com
clared war and invaded Afghanistan in
an attempt to overthrow the Taliban-led
government.
In 2003, the U.S. invaded Iraq and
toppled Saddam Hussein; protests fol-
lowed worldwide and an eight-year war
followed.
Facebook was formed in 2004
by Mark Zuckerberg as a way for Har-
vard students to communicate with each
other.
The year 2005 brought the wide-
spread devastation of Hurricane Katrina,
which wreaked havoc on New Orleans
and much of the Gulf Coast of the U.S.;
It was also the year YouTube was intro-
duced to the world.
In 2006 Pluto was no longer con-
sidered a planet after the International
Astronomical Union created the first
formal definition of a planet. Those who
memorized the names of planets with the
acronym “Many Very Early Men Jumped
Straight Up the North Pole” were forced
to remember the planets’ names in other
ways.
The iPhone was introduced in 2007
by Apple; there have since been 12 newer
versions of the iPhone.
Barack Obama became the first per-
son of color to hold the office of president
DEKALB FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019 • PAGE 3
of the United States in 2008.
The largest oil spill in U.S. history
occurred in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010,
in addition to the introduction of the iPad
and Instagram.
The year 2011 brought a 9.0
earthquake in Japan that triggered a tsu-
nami and the meltdown of the Fukushima
Nuclear Power Plant. Also in that year,
the population of the world exceeded
seven billion.
Vladimir Putin was elected presi-
dent of Russia for the third time in 2012
and the Sandy Hook Elementary School
shootings resulted in the deaths of 26 peo-
ple, forever changing security measures at
most public schools in the United States
In 2013, terrorist attacks oc-
curred in Boston and Nairobi; Pope
Benedict XVI resigned placing Pope
Francis as the newest pope and Typhoon
Haiyan killed nearly 6,150 people in
the Philippines and Vietnam.
The worst Ebola epidemic in re-
corded history occurred in West Africa
in 2014, infecting nearly 30,000 people
and resulting in the deaths of 11,000 as
DeKalb County’s Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention fought diligently
to find a cure.
Also in 2014, Malaysia Airlines
Flight 370 disappeared from radar en
route to Beijing from Kuala Lumpur;
there were 239 people on board the plane,
which was never located. The shooting of
Black teenager Michael Brown by police
led to violence and unrest in Ferguson,
Missouri, and other locations throughout
the nation.
The heads of China and Taiwan met
for the first time in 2015 and
the U.S. and Cuba resumed diplomatic
relations. Also occurring in 2015 was
the church massacre in Charleston,
South Carolina, in which nine African
Americans were killed during Bible study.
Later in 2015, a shooter killed 49 peo-
ple at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida.
The year 2017 brought elevated ten-
sions between the U.S. and North Ko-
rea after the country tested a hydrogen
bomb and conducted a series of ballistic
missile tests. Charlottesville, West Vir-
ginia was the site of a rally protesting
the removal of Confederate statues
throughout the U.S. during which a White
supremacist rammed his car into a crowd
of counter-protesters injuring 19 and
killing one. Later in the year, 58 people
attending a country music concert in Las
Vega were killed in a mass shooting.
The first monkeys were cloned and
first genetically modified humans were
reported in China in 2018. The first
summit between the U.S. and North Ko-
rea and the first crossing of the Korean
Demilitarized Zone by a North Korean
leader also occurred in 2018.
Perhaps the biggest story of 2019
was the ongoing political bickering in
Washington that led to the third impeach-
ment of an American president as Donald
Trump was charged with obstruction of
Congress and abuse of power. The two
previous impeachments were against An-
drew Johnson and Bill Clinton.
The 21st century has certainly
brought life-changing events to most parts
of the world. We can only hope that the
2020 decade will bring peace.
OPINION
Old haunts and new memories
I’ve found that the holiday
season and weeks at year’s end are
great for perspective and inventory,
and the occasional strolls down
memory lane.  views. The music, sights, odors
The new year had me back in
New Orleans for another Sugar
Bowl and visits to the Garden
District and French Quarter. My
first two NOLA trips were more
decades ago than I care to admit—
during college—and I had the
good fortune to meet up for the big
game with my host of those many
decades ago. Fraternity brother
Stephan Nelson, who hosted our
fraternity convention in nearby
Gulfport, Mississippi, met me along
with his son Saxon, soon to be a
successful attorney, for nosebleed
seats and watching our Georgia
Bulldogs eventually put away a
strong challenge by the Baylor
Bears.
My memories of the Super
Dome were pre-Katrina. The
concrete bomb shelter is holding
up reasonably well, other than
the distinct and strong odors of
stale beer and human waste which
appear to be inculcated into the
concrete structure at this point. But
our Dawgs won big during my first
Sugar Bowl, and more recently
embarrassed themselves pretty
badly last year–while this time
running up a respectable win and a
redemption performance of sorts by
our quarterback, Jake Fromm.
All in all, the sliver on the
river is holding up quite nicely,
and while the reverse is true
of the Super Dome, reportedly
a $150 million renovation is
forthcoming. Staying along the
St. Charles Streetcar line, I later
retraced the steps of many prior
visits into the Garden District,
along the Mississippi River and
throughout the French Quarter. And
with some of those earlier visits
FREEPRESS
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DEKALB FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2020 • PAGE 4
your favored old haunts. publication, but trust me when
‘One Man’s The new and the familiar I say that the “proof ” of these
tend to blend into an intoxicating memories is soaked with all of
Opinion’ gumbo of reverie as well as fresh life’s best. As you start your own
new year—hopefully in a place of
Bill Crane and other remembrances and if you joy and celebration—perhaps try
bill.csicrane@gmail.com are lucky, often some of the same and find a way to take a new friend
staff who sometimes also remember to an old haunt of your own and
you. Of course, the best way to visit help get their year off to a bright
partially in fugue from Mardi Gras a beloved old spot is to introduce and memorable new start. Great
and the over-servicing of youth, them to a new friend, embellishing memories are best for sharing. 
I found some favored haunts the real charms of the environs and Cheers and wishing all of you
that were drawing me back with locale with a fresh lacquer of shiny the best this New Year and decade!
nostalgia and smiles even today. memories. 
This visit to the Big Easy was
I learned to love po boy shrimp begun by a quick flight down on Bill Crane also serves as a
sandwiches in the Big Easy. A Delta, where Louis Armstrong political analyst and commentator
favorite for those is Johnny’s on International Airport has received for Channel 2’s Action News, WSB-
St. Louis Street near Royal, and a beautiful lightening and facelift, AM News/Talk 750 and now 95.5
serving “The Hungry and Hungover and then back out on the Amtrak FM, as well as a columnist for The
since 1950.”  Where else but NOLA Crescent, heading north first with a Champion, DeKalb Free Press and
might you find a branding slogan leisurely and stunning roll across a Georgia Trend. Crane is a DeKalb
like that on the official T-shirt?  six-mile rail bridge just a few feet native and business owner, living
Some of my favorite hotels and above Lake Pontchartrain in Slidell. in Scottdale. You can reach him
memories of overconsumption There are of course other tales or comment on a column at bill.
are also New Orleans-based—at to tell, most not fit for a family csicrane@gmail.com. 
the Omni Royal Orleans, Royal
Sonesta and later during client
assignments for InterContinental
Hotels Group and Johnson &
Johnson, even higher end respites
in the Central Business District,
French Quarter and Garden
Districts.
Downtown Savannah and
Jekyll Island’s Historic District
cause a similar pleasant effect on
me, though not as infused with
loose recollections fogged by
libation. The Crystal Beer Parlor
on Jones Street, during numerous
Savannah St. Paddy’s Day parades
and their aftermath, and even the
jaunts out U.S. 80 to the beaches
and Tybee Island only bring
smiles. It is of course often said that
you can “never go home again.”
Though I’ve never been entirely
sold on that concept being true, I do
find that you really can go back and
create some great new memories at
Publisher: Staff Reporters:
John Hewitt Asia Ashley STATEMENT FROM THE
Jay Phillips PUBLISHER
Chief Financial Officer: We sincerely appreciate the
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Donna Seay issue of interest to DeKalb County.
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LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019 • PAGE 5

GAINES Continued From Page 1

Dec. 27. The senior lit up No. 1
Grayson for 34 points, despite his
team picking up its only loss of the
season in the process.
“[Eric Gaines] is showing that
he’s one of the best guards [still
available],” Lithonia head coach
Wallace Corker said. “He’s an
exceptional ball player and a great
leader. He does all of the things we
need him to do.”
Even with what Gaines has done
on the court this season, it’s what he
had to do to get there that tells much
of his story.
Gaines was slated to play AAU
basketball on the Nike EYBL circuit
for Team United last summer. That’s
big time. That means Gaines would
have been playing in front of the
top college coaches, scouts and
recruiting analysts daily.
In his first three games, Gaines
averaged 21 points per game, four
rebounds per game, four assists per
game and three steals per game.
Those stats gave Gaines the
second most steals per game and
the 16th most points per game in
the most competitive AAU circuit
in the country. Those stats would
have given Gaines more points per
game than the top ranked player
in 2021, Jonathan Kuminga, and
more steals per game than five-star
players such as Devin Askew, BJ
Boston and others.
Kuminga has received offers
from Duke, Kentucky and every
other blue blood school in the
country, while Askew and Boston
are already committed to Kentucky.
Gaines was starting to catch
up in that department, with college
coaches coming to his games
and his name appearing in EYBL
previews.
Unfortunately, a hairline stress
fracture cut Gaines’ AAU season
short, and those three games were
his only games.
Without that injury, Cory
Underwood, one of Gaines’ AAU
coaches, said Gaines could have
been a top 70 player.
That injury didn’t stop Gaines; it
just slowed him down.
“He’s playing like it never even
happened,” Underwood said. “[His
doctors and parents] said his leg
would be even stronger than it was
before. So, he’s still jumping around
like a maniac.”
Gaines kept a basketball close
by and continued to work on his
game while recovering, and he
wasted no time starting his breakout
season once he was cleared to
play. Gaines scored 24 points in
Lithonia’s preseason scrimmage
against Meadowcreek and capped
off that game with two highlight
reel dunks.
Following Gaines’ performance
at the Tournament of Champions
Holiday Classic, where Gaines
scored 34 points against Grayson’s
Deivon Smith and Caleb Murphy,
Dan McDonald of Lakepoint
Sports and Rivals wrote that:
“If you’re looking for a
candidate to be the ‘next Ja
Morant,’ look no further than
Lithonia’s Eric Gaines. At same age,
he’s similar in size and skill level
with the same ridiculous athleticism
Morant now possesses.”
That’s high praise, considering
Morant was another lightly recruited
guard who, despite playing with
2019’s No. 1 NBA Draft pick Zion
Williamson, played two seasons at
Murray State before being the No.
2 pick in that same draft behind
Williamson.
McDonald went on to say that
Gaines is a high major prospect, and
he wouldn’t be surprised to see high
major schools involved soon.
“I’m going to bring him up in
our next rankings discussion on
Rivals for our top 150,” McDonald
said. “I think he’s definitely good
enough.”
Underwood has heard the
comparisons to Morant, but he
said those are a trendy comparison
considering how popular Morant is
right now.
“I’ve been comparing him to
Rafer Alston,” Underwood said.
“But a few college coaches have
told me ‘that’s Ja Morant.’”
Comparing Gaines to Alston
might not sound as flashy as
comparing him to Morant, but
Alston, widely known as “Skip to
my Lou,” played in the NBA for
more than 10 years and helped
lead the Orlando Magic to an NBA
Finals appearance.
Alston is also a legendary
streetball player, known for his
revolutionary handling skills and
creativity. Two departments that
Gaines has already built a reputation
in.
“The things Eric Gaines does
with the basketball are things some
college and pro players wish they
could do,” Underwood said.
Gaines’ game isn’t just
impressing his coaches and local
fans. According to Andrew Slater
of The Athletic, Gaines has received
interest from Nebraska, DePaul and
New Mexico State, while receiving
a scholarship offer from TCU this
season.
However, the recruitment
process is an afterthought for
Gaines, who says he’s focused on
winning it all this season.
“I just want to get us a state
championship this year. That’s it,”
Gaines said.
The more Lithonia wins, and the
more big performances that Gaines
has along the way will generate
more college interest for him.
Gaines has gotten off to one of
the hottest starts in Georgia high
school basketball this season, just
months after recovering from an
injury. So, the point guard could
continue to improve his game as he
gets more comfortable being back
on the court, and college could help
him take those improvements to the
next level.
“He’s one of the most naturally
talented kids I’ve been around,”
Underwood said. “It’ll be scary to
see what [Gaines] can do once he
gets to college and gets put in a
routine where he’s breaking down
film and working on his game.”
If Gaines’ national rankings
and college offers don’t follow the
same trajectory that him game is
following, he’ll continue to be one
of the country’s most underrated
high school recruits and could end
up as the “next Ja Morant,” for
whatever lucky team receives his
commitment.

SHORTAGE Continued From Page 1

Whether it’s DeKalb
County or Georgia as a
whole, a population that is
aging requires a significant
number of primary care
doctors. According to Olds,
many of the country’s
primary care doctors are also
aging. The United States
Census Bureau indicates that
29.1 percent of doctors are
nearing retirement age, and
Olds said the next wave of
medical students are eying
fields outside of primary care
as a profession.
That combination of
aging doctors and an aging
population will make the
doctor shortage much worse
in the next 20 to 30 years,
Olds stresses.
Olds said a geographical
barrier is starting to build
itself in between areas that
need more primary care
doctors and areas with more
than enough primary care
doctors, and this problem
stems from two main
reasons.
The first being that not
many medical students are
going into primary care,
compared to other medical
fields. Olds said that 70
percent of medical students
go into fields other than
primary care, such as plastic
surgery or sports medicine.
The problems of where
doctors are going is linked
to where doctors are coming
from.
According to Olds, most
medical students either
return to areas near where
they were born and raised
to practice, or they practice
wherever they did their
residency.
“All the money in the
world won’t convince a
medical student from New
York to go and practice
in a rural community in
Georgia,” Olds said. “Don’t
fight that. That’s a losing
battle.”
Luckily DeKalb County
is home to a large population
and multiple large medical
facilities, such as Emory.
According to Olds,
another issue is that most
medical students are either
from wealthy and highly
populated areas or are
international students.
“We need more
geographic diversity in
medical school,” Olds said.
“We have to find a way to
get more people from areas
that have these shortages into
medical school.”
Olds said that scholarship
funds and graduate facilities,
not medical schools, need to
be a priority for rural areas
that are already facing doctor
shortages or could be in the
future.
He said the number of
medical schools areas have
or the number of students in
these medical schools is not
the problem.
More graduate facilities
in rural areas and more
doctors from rural areas are
the first steps that must be
taken.
Another potential
solution, according to Olds,
is looking to international
medical students.
Stigmas may be
held over the word
“international,” but Olds
said that many international
doctors are United States
citizens who were unable to
get into a medical school in
the United States, sometimes
over a minor grade-point-
average issue.
These students complete
medical programs offshores
and in other countries and
are able to come back to the
United States and work, and,
according to Olds, they work
as primary care physicians
at a much higher rate than
American medical students.
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019 • PAGE 6

DECATUR

Affordable housing recommendations

to be reviewed by Decatur commission
BY ASIA ASHLEY
Asia@dekalbchamp.com
With scarce property
remaining for development
in the city of Decatur and
population increasing, future
affordable housing options
is an area city leaders hope
to embrace in the city’s
planning efforts.
Elke Davidson, chair
of the Decatur Affordable
Housing Task Force,
presented the 26-member
task force’s findings to the
Decatur City Commission
Dec. 16, stating the city has
faced affordable housing
challenges similar to other
communities nationwide
such as new construction
disproportionately serving
the affluent, limited housing
subsidies, gentrification
pushing out people of lower
income, housing costs rising
faster than income, and
wages remaining stagnant as
rents rise.
Decatur’s population
increased more than 30
percent from 2010 to 2019,
compared to the 12 percent
increase for the metro
Atlanta area during that
timeframe.
“Population growth is
significant and is going to
continue,” said Davidson.
“Over the last 10 years,
we didn’t have the public
policies in place to ensure
that we could bend a portion
Decatur Housing Authority’s Trinity Walk apartments are one of few affordable housing complexes within the city of Decatur. (File
Photo)
of that new housing to the
needs of low-to-moderate
income folks. We are now
at a tipping point where we
need to have those policies
in place.”
The average home price
in the city of Decatur in
2018 was more than half a
million dollars, according
to First Multiple Listing
Service (FMLS). The
cost of land in the city of
Decatur exceeds that of
metro Atlanta averages at
$1.5-$2 million per acre and
the tear-down value of a
home is between $300,000-
$400,000.
Syreeta Campbell, a
member of the task force,
said the average measure
of affordable housing is
housing that costs no more
than 30 percent of annual
gross income. In Decatur,
49 percent of renters and
24 percent of homeowners
spend more than 30 percent
of income on housing, she
said.
That task force’s data
shows that only 4 percent
of the city’s population both
live and work in Decatur.
Most of those who work
in Decatur such as home
care providers or daycare
workers, who may make as
little as $16,000 per year,
and teachers who may make
as little as $45,000 could
not afford the median two-
bedroom rental in Decatur,
which FMLS reports is
about $2,275.
Families of four making
at least 80 percent of the
area median income at
$63,760 would realistically
be able to afford buy a home
costing $198,260. However,
the average cost of a
townhome or condo in the
city of Decatur is $343,946
and $663,440 for a single-
family home.
“These are people
that have to travel in to
support our residents. We
did find that there were
some affordable units, just
not enough to fit the future
need,” said Campbell.
Over the next 10 years,
the report indicates the city
needs to develop at least 90
affordable housing units to
accommodate those making
30 to 60 percent of the area
median income per year, and
100 “workforce” units to
accommodate those making
60 to 120 percent of the area
median income. In addition,
the more than 900 existing
affordable housing and
workforce units in the city
would need to be preserved
along Decatur Housing
Authority properties.
“[The estimate] will not
fix the problem but will get
us to serving our existing
residents but not to take
care of any future residents
or anyone moving in,”
Campbell said.
Tom Atkinson, task
force member, said among
the solutions to affordable
housing that the task force
is recommending is a
voluntary tax abatement
for complexes that agree
to limit their rents to at
least 80 percent and below
AMI, amendment to the
city’s code for RS-17 zoned
properties, reducing lots size
subdivision ordinance to
encourage smaller duplexes
or triplexes.
The task force plans to
submit its final report to
the city commission by late
January. Recommendations
in the report will serve as
a basis for decisions in the
city’s 2020 Strategic Plan
Update.

Three transported to hospital after massive Christmas Day house fire

BY ASIA ASHLEY
Asia@dekalbchamp.com
A house fire in Lithonia on
Christmas Day led to three people
being transported to area hospitals.
DeKalb County Fire Department
spokesman Capt. Dion Bentley
said fire and emergency medical
personnel responded to the home
in the 5300 block of Timor Trail in
Lithonia just before 6:30 p.m.
Bentley said the home is
considered a complete loss and the
fire is believed to have started in
the garage. All persons in the home
were transported for medical care:
one person was deemed critically
injured from burns; another person
sustained minor-to-moderate
injuries; and a third person was
transported to a hospital for a
medical issue not related to the fire,
according to Bentley.
The fire also caused damage to a
neighboring home.
No update has been provided on
the status of the victims. Danella
Hughes, regional disaster officer
for American Red Cross of Georgia,
said Red Cross volunteers provided
emotional support, including
disaster mental health services,
and also assisted with emergency
resources to the family.
Later that evening, firefighters
also responded to an extensive
fire on S. Hairston Road in Stone
Mountain around 11 p.m. No
injuries were reported during the
incident.
Hughes said the emotional
support, clothing and medications
were provided to the family of two.
“Our hearts go out to everyone
involved in these home fire-related
tragedies,” said Hughes. “We are
just so grateful for our dedicated
volunteers, who stand ready to help
24/7/365 — even on Christmas
Day.”
 DEKALB FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019 • PAGE 7

WEEK in PICTURES... As seen on DCTV

Below: DCTV was on location along with other media outlets when the new voting
equipment arrived at the DeKalb County Voter Registration & Elections Office. Georgia
Secretary of State, Brad Raffensperger was also in attendance.

Above: District 3 Commissioner Larry Johnson visits Exchange Intergenerational Center to share census awareness information with
local youth.

23
DCTV CHANNEL 23
Get your front row seat to all
@DCTVCHANNEL23 things DeKalb County through your
DEKALB COUNTY GOV EMMY Award-winning station.
U USTREAM.TV/CHANNEL/DCTV-CHANNEL-23
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LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019 • PAGE 8

COUNTYWIDE

Meals provided to students,

community during break
BY JAY PHILLIPS
Jay@dekalbchamp.com
DeKalb County School
District partnered with
School Nutrition for the
second year to provide food
for students and families
during winter break. Lunch
was served at Flat Shoals
Elementary School Dec. 26
and Stoneview Elementary
School Dec. 27.
“This is the second
year that [DeKalb County
School District has]
provided food support for
our students during breaks,”
said Dr. Vasanne Tinsley,
DeKalb County deputy
superintendent. “We’ve
done it during winter break
and spring break sessions
when our students are out of
school.”
In addition to providing
food for students, families
and the community during
breaks from school, the
partnership provides healthy
food choices and not just
snacks, according to Tinsley.
Even though this was
year two of the partnership
between DeKalb County
School District and School
Nutrition, it was the first year
that Flat Shoals Elementary
has hosted a food service
during a break.
“This is our first year
participating,” Flat Shoals
Elementary Principal
Laconduas Freeman said.
“We are very excited to
be on the receiving end.
We very much promote
the opportunity of giving,
so giving back to this
community is near and dear
to my heart.”
Flat Shoals had help
from volunteers throughout
the community and had a
team from School Nutrition
led by Chef Jacquelyn
Taylor to cook and serve the
food.
“We have an awesome Chef Jacquelyn Taylor with potential additions to school breakfast menus.
team,” Taylor said.
“Everyone has been great,
all hands-on board, and we
made sure we have enough
food for everyone. Everyone
who comes through the door
will eat.”
In addition to the food
served in the cafeteria,
samples of new items
which could be added to the
breakfast menu in the future
were also served.
If the students and
community like the new
breakfast items, the foods
will be sent to a nutritionist
and then added to the menu,
according to Taylor.
However, the winter
break service came off the Food served at Flat Shoals Elementary School.
lunch menu.
“We have a specially
prepared menu from Chef something that is hearty and more community partners Tinsley said.
Taylor,” Tinsley said. “It’s will hold them over,” Tinsley coming out and parents It’s not just students
really done nicely. Today’s said are really happy that we’re benefiting from these
menu we have lemon grass The lunch services offering this support for our services; it’s the entire
chicken, vegetables of have started to make a students.” community, according to
course, and eggrolls.” name for themselves, with The services are also Freeman.
In addition to the more volunteers joining, worthwhile to the school “It’s open to
proteins and vegetables, the more community support district, according to Tinsley. everyone,” Freeman said.
service also provides fruit, and more schools getting “When we don’t have “Grandparents, aunts, uncles,
milk and other beverages and involved, according to school, sometimes our extended families, the
snacks to take home. Tinsley. students don’t have food,” community. We’ve reached
“It’s not just providing “Each time we do it Tinsley said. “Now they can out to day care facilities;
them with something to we get a better response,” eat here, at a safe place, and we’ve really opened this up
eat, we want them to have Tinsley said. “We got also have something they can to the entire community.”
something nutritious, more excitement about it, take back in a snack pack,”

Lithonia to study annexation

BY JAY PHILLIPS
Jay@dekalbchamp.com
The city of Lithonia is
considering adding to its city
limits, according to a press release
from Lithonia.
That press release says,
“The City of Lithonia is seeking
proposals from qualified entities
to study the likely fiscal impacts
of a possible annexation of an
unincorporated area into the City
of Lithonia.”
Whichever entity is selected
will be in charge with gathering
and presenting information to the
city council and mayor regarding
annexation and the fiscal properties
associated with Lithonia potentially
expanding its city limits.
“It’s just the early stages,”
Lithonia City Manager Lathaydra
Sands said. “They haven’t
discussed any areas or anything of
that nature. We’re just looking at
our options to possibly expand.”
The selected entity will be in
charge of things such as creating a
data of assessed property values,
identify capital costs related to
annexation, determining the special
services that will be provided to
the annexed area, considering the
option of a phased annexation
process, developing maps and
more.
Proposal packets are due
by Jan. 23, the contract will be
executed Feb. 17 and the final
deliverables are due Jun. 14.
The proposed study will help
Lithonia determine if annexing the
areas is the right move, and if so,
SEE ANNEXATION ON PAGE 10
BUSINESS
STONE MOUNTAIN
Specialty fitness center identifies Stone Mountain as ideal next location
BY KATHY MITCHELL
FREELANCE REPORTER
Not everyone who
joins a gym is young, fit
and wanting to maintain an
already strong, slender body.
The Camp Transformation
Center officials say they
are aware that people of all
ages and body types may
be in search of a gym that
can help them move toward
fitness at their own pace.
“We’re talking people
who may have never been
to a gym before, and who
could be more than 100
pounds overweight,” said
Manny Holguin, Camp
Transformation’s franchise
and development real estate
manager, who said the
company has set its sights
on Stone Mountain and the
Atlanta area for its newest
location.
“Over the last couple
of years, Stone Mountain
has seen a population
increase, and there seems
to be a need in the area for
a gym concept like ours
for first-time gym goers
who may be looking for
a community-focused
workout environment,”
Holguin said. “Overall, we
look for growing cities or
bustling suburban areas that
could benefit from a gym
concept like The Camp
Transformation Center.”
The Camp
Transformation Center is
unlike gyms customers
may have visited in the
past, according to Holguin.
“Our target customers
are people who may have
tried other gyms but
DID YOU KNOW?...Cannabis use can negatively affect adolescents’
and young adults’ health and well-being, including their school performance,
education level, social lives, and future employment and income.
For more information, call (770) 285-6037, E-mail: beyondthebell@comcast.net
or visit beyondthebellkids.org
lost a desire to work out
consistently because they
weren’t seeing results or
had trouble self-motivating.
They include people who
may not have had the right
support system in place
and may have not been
familiar with fitness but are
looking to get into shape or
lose weight. The sense of
community provided at our
gyms is what helps people
stay on track and achieve
their goals. Our concept
is different, as instead of
targeting boutique studio
goers, it appeals to folks
of all fitness levels to help
them truly transform their
lives.”  NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION, WINDING UP,
The approach is the
vision of The Camp
Transformation Center
founders Alejandra
and Luis Font and their
business partner Dr. Saman
Bakhtiar, whom Holguin
said “have a passion for
the industry and desire to
empower the lives of clients
and our franchisees.”
DEKALB FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019 • PAGE 9
When the Fonts were
working out at Bakhtiar’s
personal training gym in
Southern California, Luis
Font lost 60 pounds. They
approached Bakhtiar about
partnering to create The
Camp in 2010, according
to Holguin, who added,
“Sam had an impressive
background and was a
great fit to be their partner
to start the business. They
opened the first location in
Chino Hills, California, and
opened a couple of other
locations. Clients loved the
sense of community the
gyms fostered and started
approaching the team about
opening their own locations
and the brand started
franchising in 2017.”
Holguin explained how
The Camp Transformation
Center provides a program
unlike that available at
most gyms. “The Camp
Transformation Center
offers people a place when
they feel like they’ve tried
other health and wellness
options. It runs a six-week to open, represents more
challenge program designed than 4,000 square feet in
to help clients lose weight; real estate creation, and
78 percent of challengers creates about 10 jobs,”
lost the goal 20 pounds in he said. “The Camp
six weeks. The clients who Transformation Center
lose the 20 pounds or reach would give the people of
their goal weight get their Stone Mountain a place to
money back. Our members work out that is committed
form a true community, to helping people reach
which creates a strong, their weight loss goals in
positive environment where a positive environment
people feel empowered and and strong community of
continue to work out in even support.”
after they reach their goals.” Holguin said The Camp
In addition, Holguin Transformation Center is
reported that many hoping to open a Stone
franchisees who had Mountain location in the
previous experience with next few months and is
the brand—whether as a actively seeking qualified
trainer or member—became franchise partners in the
enthusiastic for the program area. “Our franchisees are
after seeing results clients invested in helping people
were getting. and finding meaning in
The Camp their business. The ideal
Transformation Center now franchisee is someone
has more than 100 locations who has a passion for the
across the country, and industry, a desire to help
Holguin said he believes people with compassion
that a Stone Mountain and empathy, enjoys
studio would not only working with others,
benefit the company but has sales experience, are
would benefit the Stone business savvy and possess
Mountain community leadership qualities.”
as well. “Each studio
costs upwards of $300,000
AND TERMINATION OF
DEKALB SURGICAL ALLIANCE, LLC
& REQUEST FOR CLAIMS
Notice is hereby given that DeKalb Surgical Alliance,
LLC, a Georgia limited liability company, has dissolved,
is in the process of winding up, and will be terminated.
Notice is further given that DeKalb Surgical Alliance,
LLC has filed with the Georgia Secretary of State’s
Office a Statement of Commencement of Winding Up
in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 14-11-606 and other
applicable Georgia law, if any.
DeKalb Surgical Alliance, LLC requests that any and all
persons with claims against DeKalb Surgical Alliance,
LLC send a written statement – with such statement
detailing the facts related to such claims, the nature of
such claims, the amount of the claim, the date the claim
arose, and the names and contact information of the
persons relevant to such claims – to the registered agent
of DeKalb Surgical Alliance, LLC at the following address:
James Forstner or Current Registered Agent, DeKalb
Surgical Alliance, LLC, 2701 North Decatur Road,
Decatur, Georgia 30033.
Except for claims that are contingent at the time of the
filing of the statement of commencement of winding
up or that arise after the filing of the statement of
commencement of winding up, a claim against DeKalb
Surgical Alliance, LLC not otherwise barred will be barred
unless a proceeding to enforce the claim is commenced
within two (2) years after the publication of this Notice.
 DEKALB FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019 • PAGE 10

AROUNDDEKALB
BROOKHAVEN
Motivational event scheduled
The Women Project presents “Your 2020
Vision,” an evening of clear inspiration and
motivation to help you make 2020 the best year
yet.
This two-part evening will consist of a panel
discussion with several Atlanta women followed
by vision boarding. The event begins at 6 p.m.
on Jan. 14 at 804 Town Blvd.
CHAMBLEE
Chinese dances presented at library
The Atlanta Chinese Dance Company will
present costumed traditional dances from many
of China’s diverse cultures during the Chinese
New Year Celebration at the Chamblee Library,
4115 Clairmont Rd.
The event will be held Jan. 11 at 10:30 a.m.
DECATUR
Georgia master gardeners as they beautify and
restore the park. Volunteers will learn how
plants and gardening improve our environment,
“How to do business with DeKalb” clinic health and overall quality of life. Participants are
announced encouraged to dress for the weather, wear proper
footwear and bring a refillable water bottle.
The clinic will be held Jan. 10 from 10- For more information, contact LaShanda
11:30 a.m. in Conference Room A of the DeKalb Davis, Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs
County Watershed Management building, 4572 public relations specialist, at 404-371-3643 or
Memorial Dr. Attendees will be told of the lsdavis@dekalbcountyga.gov.
DeKalb First Local Small Business Enterprise
Program Certification and Compliance process
and how to do business with DeKalb County.
Guests will also be instructed on how to
navigate: iSupplier, DeKalb Links, Certification
STONECREST
Module and Compliance Module.
The “DeKalb First” LSBE Ordinance (Local
New basketball team debuts
Small Business Enterprise) was enacted on Stonecrest’s new professional basketball
September 27, 2016 by the DeKalb County team, the Georgia Kangaroos, will play the first
Board of Commissioners with the intention game of its innagural season at Browns Mill
of providing earned revenue to local certified recreational center in Stonecrest Jan. 19. Tickets
businesses through its competitive bid process. and details can be found on the team’s website:
https://iamroo.com/
Volunteer day scheduled at park
DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and
Cultural Affairs will hold a Volunteer Day on
Sunday, Jan. 12, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Mason Mill
Park, 1340 McConnell Dr., Ste. B.
The public is invited to join park staff and

CLASSIFIEDSECTION
ANNEXATION
Continued From Page 8

FARM EQUIPMENT courses. Financial Aid Available trusted, local experts today! Carpeting & Flooring. Call how they will go about it,
for those who qualify. Call 833- Our service is FREE/no Today! 1-866-971-9196. according to Sands.
Our Hunters will Pay Top$$ To 628-2698. obligation.1-855-508-8043.
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PROBLEM CREDIT REPORT? an Acorn Stairlift. Call now for Schedule a FREE LeafFilter worth the city looking into
EDUCATION /Career Training Lexington Law helps to $250 off your Stairlift purchase estimate today. 15% off and annexation further.”
challenge inaccurate negative & Free DVD brochure. 855-200- 0% financing for those who According to Sands,
AIRLINE Career. AVIATION items including: Identity theft, 4205. qualify. PLUS Senior & Military
Grads work with Delta, United, collections, late payments, liens Discounts. Call 1-877-735-0477.
nothing has been discussed
Boeing, and others. Get hands and more from your credit report. Get A-Rated Dental Insurance outside of the city council’s
on training for FAA certification. Call for a free credit repair starting at around $1 per day! Affordable New Siding! Beautify proposal to get a study
Financial aid if qualified. Call consultation: 877-250-3937. John Save 25% on Enrollment Now! your home! Save on monthly done. However, a long-
Aviation Institute of Maintenance C. Heath, Attorney at Law, PLLC, No Waiting Periods. 200k+ energy bills with beautiful NEW time council member and
(866) 564-9634 www.FixJets.com dba Lexington Law Firm. Providers Nationwide. Everyone SIDING from 1800Remodel! Lithonia’s mayor elect,
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Call & Press 1. Financial Aid Call 1-855-558-2664. Monday 50 Blue Pills for only $99.00! Energy Saving NEW to bring up the idea of
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Call and Press 1. 100% Online referral service. Contact our a FREE in-home estimate on [about the next step] yet.”
Reynolds will be sworn
The Champion is not responsible for any damages resulting from advertisements. All sales final. in Jan. 6 by Chief Judge
Tunde Akinyele, and
RATES: $30 for up to 40 words, each Ads due by Friday at noon for next publication DISCLAIMER: We do not knowingly accept advertisements that discriminate,
or intend to discriminate, on any illegal basis. Nor do we knowingly accept Lithonia will choose its
additional word $0.60. All ads are prepaid. All date. For more information visit www. employment advertisements that are not bona-fide job offers. All real estate
major credit cards accepted.
advertisements are subject to the fair housing act and we do not accept finalists for the annexation
championclassifieds.com advertising that is in violation of the law. The law prohibits discrimination based
on color, religion, sex, national origin, handicap or familial status. study proposals Jan. 28.
SPORTS
FOOTBALL
Broderick Jones with fellow Georgia commit Darnell Washington. Photo provided by
Robert Hamler.
Broderick Jones
shows out in Orlando
BY JAY PHILLIPS
Jay@dekalbchamp.com
Lithonia offensive
lineman Broderick Jones
played in the Under Armour
All-America football game
Jan. 2 at Camping World
Stadium in Orlando, Florida.
Jones played for Team
Pressure, who won the game
over Team Savage 30-24.
Team Pressure was
coached by Deion Sanders
while Team Savage was
coach by Ed Reed.
Both coaches are Super
Bowl winners, and both are
in the College Football Hall
of Fame and the Pro Football
Hall of Fame.
In addition to being great
experience for Jones’ on
the field resume, the Under
Armour All-America game
also works to help all of its
players get accustomed to
what it’s like to be a big-
name player at the next level,
according to Lithonia head
football coach Marcus Jelks.
Jelks said that the players
are working out, practicing,
eating and watching film in
the same way they will when
they get to college.
Jones is one of five
student-athletes from
Georgia participating in
Under Armour’s All America
game, while the All-
American Bowl, held in San
Antonio, Texas, has 16 high
school football players from
Georgia slated to participate.
Lithonia finished 5-6 in
football and ended its season
DEKALB FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019 • PAGE 11
BASKETBALL
Eric Gaines fights through contact from Ian Schieffelin before attempting a layup.
Lithonia bounces back after season’s first loss
with a road loss to Rome in
the first round of the state
playoffs. BY JAY PHILLIPS On top of that, the Grayson went viral.
Jones also plays Bulldogs played in front of “[Eric Gaines] is
Jay@dekalbchamp.com
basketball for Lithonia and multiple college coaches, showing that he’s one of the
has helped the Bulldogs including assistants from best guards [still available],”
Lithonia’s boys’
reach a 16-1 record on the Auburn, Gardner-Webb, Corker said. “He’s an
basketball team lost to
hardwood, following a 15-0 Georgia, Troy and others. exceptional ball player and
Grayson 87-66 Dec. 27 at
start. “It was a great a great leader. He does all
Wheeler High School in the
Jones is the ninth-highest experience and a great of the things we need him
Tournament of Champion’s
ranked player in the Under opportunity,” Corker said. to do.”
Holiday Classic, but
Armour All-America game “There were a lot of college Both Grayson and
Lithonia was able to win its
and will be the highest coaches [watching] the kids. Lithonia were at full-
next game against Westside
ranked prospect from They get that exposure, and strength for their day-one
63-46 Dec. 28.
Georgia in this year’s game. that’s what this was about.” contest, but Lithonia had to
The tournament was
The 6’5” 275-pound Senior point guard Eric play Westside (7-8) without
a good experience for
left tackle from Lithonia is Gaines took full advantage starting senior center
Lithonia (16-1), even
ranked as the No. 3 recruit in of that opportunity and Broderick Jones, who
though the team picked up
Georgia, the No. 2 offensive poured in 34 points against was in Orlando, Florida,
its first loss of the season
tackle in the nation and is Grayson, the top-ranked preparing for the Under
against Grayson (13-1),
a top 20 five-star recruit team in Georgia and the No. Armour All-America Game.
thanks to everything it
according to the 247Sports 13 team in the country. However, senior forward
taught the Bulldogs’ about
composite. Gaines’ 34-point outing Franklin Champion
their team, according
Jones is committed to came against one of the best stepped up and led Lithonia
to head coach Wallace
Georgia but hasn’t signed backcourts in the nation, led with 16 points and earned
Corker.
his letter of intent, and the by senior Mississippi State player of the game honors,
“When you play against
five-star tackle has seen commit Deivon Smith and despite having to sit out a
one of the top teams in the
considerable attention from senior South Florida commit portion of the game after
nation, and one of the top
Auburn and Tennessee, Caleb Murphy. getting shaken up by a
teams in the state, you have
following Georgia’s former Murphy and Smith, with rough landing.
to learn how to execute your
offensive line coach being the help of breakout junior “Franklin is a great ball
plays and do everything
hired by Arkansas. forward Ian Schieffelin, player,” Corker said. “He
you’re supposed to do,”
All the major recruiting snapped McEachern’s 39- does so much for us. He’s
Corker said. “It was a great
outlets have Jones ranked game win streak two weeks that kid that’s going to carry
experience because it was a
as a five-star offensive before doing the same to us all the way through.”
learning experience for us.
tackle, but Jones lined up at Lithonia’s 15-game win Following the
We’re going to get better
guard in the Under Armour streak. Tournament of Champions
and that game is going to
All-America game and still Gaines became the talk Holiday Classic, Lithonia is
help us get better.”
received great reviews. of the tournament with set to start the new year with
Even though the game
Jones faced off against his 34-point performance, games at Cedar Grove (Jan.
ended with a loss, Lithonia
Team Savage’s trio of five- with Rivals Sports’ Dan 4) and at Miller Grove (Jan.
was excited to take the court
star defensive linemen in McDonald calling him “a 7). Corker believes that the
against one of the best teams
South Carolina commit high-major talent.” Gaines experience the team gained
in the country, according to
Jordan Burch, Alabama also earned a SLAM High from the tournament will
Corker.
commit Chris Braswell and School Hoops highlight help Lithonia improve and
“We’re not shying away
Clemson commit Demonte video while a clip of a late- stand a better chance against
from anybody,” Corker said.
Capehart. game layup he had against the rest of its schedule.
“We want to play the best.”
EDUCATION DEKALB FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019 • PAGE 12

AVONDALE ESTATES

Language proficiency is goal of Spanish-only afterschool program

Agnes Scott College student
BY GALE HORTON GAY whose parents are from
FREELANCE REPORTER Mexico and who does art
projects with the children.
A new afterschool “We purposefully have
program is immersing its teachers from different
students in the deep end of a countries to allow students to
Spanish language pool. hear and learn from a variety
The United Language of accents and cultures,” said
Immersion Program (TULIP) Kuropatwa.
began operating in August in The program is the
Avondale Estates. It provides brainchild of Kuropatwa
Spanish instruction through and her business partner
reading and writing Spanish Liz Blanco di Sipio, who is Students in The United Immersion Language Program(TULIP) Christie Kuropatwa, left, and Liz Blanco di Sipio, are the
with teachers leading small from Argentina and has been engage in games and academic activities exclusively in founders of TULIP.
groups in language exercises. a Spanish and Spanish arts Spanish. Photos provided
The students, who are in instructor. Both are mothers
kindergarten through third who met in Candler Park at and listening,” said Blanco schools is also available. and school break Spanish
grade, are spoken to and a local elementary school. di Sipio. “In childhood, They also offer summer immersion camps.
are taught to respond only Blanco di Sipio is TULIP’s the brain is flexible and
in Spanish from the time curriculum creator and lead creates connections all the
they arrive at the facility at teacher. time. We, at T.U.L.I.P.,
approximately 3 p.m. until “I want to spread the provide the setting for them
they are picked up by parents importance of learning a to experience a second
or guardians around 5:30 second or third or fourth language organically,
p.m. language,” said Blanco naturally. Music, play, dance,
According to Christie di Sipio in an email. story telling, cooking - it is
Kuropatwa, TULIP’s director “Communication is all done in an environment
of operations, 19 students extremely important. Being where they don't even know
are currently enrolled in the able to communicate in that learning is happening
program with some attending more than one language because they are immersed
five days a week and others is huge these days. With in playing and being creative
fewer days. social media and the internet with kids their age.”
“Essentially they where the world is at the According to Kuropatwa,
understand the language very tip of your fingers, being there are numerous brain
quickly,” said Kuropatwa, able to express yourself and benefits to learning a foreign
noting that students learn being understood by a larger language.
from context, clues and audience is key.” “We wanted to give our
nuance. “We are using it as She added that being children as much opportunity
we are doing things with bi- or multi-lingual opens up as possible,” said Kuropatwa
them.” opportunities for traveling, of having her daughters learn
She said that when work, school, building Spanish at an early age.
students arrive at TULIP’s friendships and community. Ironically Kuropatwa,
office at Little Tree Art Kuropatwa said schools who’s from Alabama,
Studios they are greeted in have been cutting back on doesn’t speak Spanish and
Spanish, have snacks, play foreign language instruction studied French while she
games in Spanish before in recent years, but the was in school. She said
settling down for academic benefits of foreign language she’s picking up on Spanish
writing assignments. proficiency are many. language interacting with the
Students are encouraged Several of TULIP’s students staff and is starting to take

to speak to each other in
Spanish as well, she said
“We do keep our
afterschool enrichment and
camps smaller than most,”
said Kuropatwa. “We believe Those students lost some of
that children do well in
smaller environments and
they are able to bond with
each other and teachers more
effectively which leads to
more productive learning.
Our smaller group also
allows for more hands-on
learning.”
The program is staffed
attended Spanish immersion
pre-school programs but
afterward had one-hour, one-
or two-day-a-week Spanish
instruction in public school.
their proficiency until they
were enrolled at TULIP, she
said
“Many of the parents
could see them pick it back
up,” said Kuropatwa. “It
comes right back.”
Blanco di Sipio added
that children’s brains are like
sponges.
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more formal steps to learn
the language.
Kuropatwa said their
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of people of all ages—native PLANNING
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Spanish speakers and non-
native speakers who come PLANNING WORKSHOP
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and engage in other ways.
TULIP’s afterschool Saturday, January 25, 2020
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