the DeKalb FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020 • VOL. 25, NO.

2 • 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

Close of qualifying kicks off campaign season

BY ASIA ASHLEY
asia@dekalbchamp.com

Campaign season has officially begun as several

candidates have entered the race to represent DeKalb County
in various seats to be decided by voters this year.
Qualifying started March 2 at 9 a.m. and ended at noon
March 6.
Nonpartisan seats will be decided in the Nonpartisan
General Election May 19. The General Primary Election for
party-affiliated seats will be held May 19. The victors in the
General Primary Election will be decided by voters in the
Nov. 3 General Election.
Below are candidates—and their occupation as listed in
their qualifying documents—who have qualified to represent
DeKalb County in the respective seats or positions:

DeKalb County Chief Executive Officer

Michael Thurmond (D), attorney, (Incumbent)

DeKalb County Board of Commissioners, District 1

Nancy Jester (R), (Incumbent)
MD Naser (D), sheriff officer
Breeanna Bellinger (D), social worker
Robert Patrick (D), senior planner
Cynthia Yaxon (D), retired writer and entrepreneur
Ben Truman (D), consultant

DeKalb County Board of Commissioners, District 4

Steve Bradshaw (D), (Incumbent)

DeKalb County Board of Commissioners, District 5

Mereda Davis Johnson (D), (Incumbent)

DeKalb County Board of Commissioners, Super District 6

Emily Halevy (D), sales
Edward “Ted” Terry (D), mayor and activist
Maryam Ahmad (D), public health analyst

DeKalb County Clerk of Superior Court

Debra DeBerry (D), (Incumbent)

DeKalb County Probate Judge (Nonpartisan)

Bedelia Hargrove, (Incumbent)

DeKalb County Sheriff

Harold Dennis (R), former DeKalb reserve lieutenant
Adam Gardner (D), law enforcement
Antonio “Block” Johnson (D), retired marshall
Carl Mobley (D), retired DeKalb County police officer
Ted Golden (D), retired
Geraldine Champion (D), retired
Melody Maddox (D), (Incumbent)
Ruth Stringer (D), retired DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office
major
Kyle Jones (D), retired law enforcement/businessman

SEE CANDIDATES ON PAGE 9

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

LOCAL
CLARKSTON Alleged serial rapist arrested, linked
Clarkston mayor steps down to eight metro Atlanta cases
BY JAY PHILLIPS
Jay@dekalbchamp.com
Edward “Ted” Terry
stepped down March 4 as
Clarkston’s mayor after
qualifying as a candidate
for the DeKalb Board of
Commissioners Seat 6
March 4. Terry was required
to step down because of
a section of the Georgia
Constitution states that
an elected official must
vacate his or her seat after
qualifying for a different
position.
Article 2, Section 2,
Paragraph 5, of the Georgia
Constitution states: “The
office of any state, county,
or municipal elected official
shall be declared vacant
upon such elected official
qualifying, in a general
primary or general election,
or special primary or special
election, for another state,
county, or municipal elective
office or qualifying for the
House of Representatives
or the Senate of the United
States if the term of the
office for which such official
is qualifying begins more
than 30 days prior to the
expiration of such official’s
present term of office.”
According to a press
release from the city
of Clarkston, Terry is
automatically disqualified
from holding the office
of mayor for the city of
Clarkston, effective March
4. Consequently, per the
Clarkston City Charter,
section 2.05 (a), the city has
a vacant mayor’s seat:
“A vacancy shall exist
if the mayor or a council
member resigns, dies, moves
his or her residence from the
city, has been continuously
disabled for a period of six
(6) months so as to prevent
him or her from discharging
the duties of office, shall
have engaged in any activity
or done any act which under
the laws of this state would
preclude him or her from
continuing to serve as an
elected official, or shall have
been removed from office
by the electorate as provided
by law. Such vacancy shall
Ted Terry
be declared by the mayor
unless it shall be the office
of mayor which is vacant,
and in such case by the vice-
mayor. Such declaration
shall be made in a regular
meeting of the city council
and shall be affirmed by a
majority vote of the city
council.”
City officials said
Clarkston will have a March
31 work session and an
April 7 council meeting for
the vice mayor to declare a
vacancy in the office of the
mayor, which will need to be
affirmed by a majority vote
of the city council at the
April 7 meeting. 
Procedure for filling
the vacant mayor seat is
specified by Clarkston
Charter, section 2.05(b):
“Should a vacancy
occur in the office of mayor,
the vice mayor shall assume
the duties of the mayor until
an election is held pursuant
to this subsection. If a
regular municipal election
to elect a mayor will occur
within one hundred eighty
(180) days of the occurrence
of a vacancy in the office of
mayor, then the vice-mayor
shall complete the vacant
mayor’s term. If no such
regular election is scheduled,
a special election to elect a
mayor to fill out the vacant
mayor’s term shall be held.”
Effective immediately,
Vice Mayor Awet Eyasu
assumes the duties of the
mayor until the Nov. 3
election is held.
DEKALB FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020 • PAGE 2
BY ASIA ASHLEY attacker to seven other kits.
Asia@dekalbchamp.com unsolved sexual assault “Ultimately, the task
cases in metro Atlanta. force is proving what
An alleged serial rapist The crimes span a period public good can be done
linked to eight sexual of nearly 20 years, dating by a victim-centered,
assault cold case crimes, back to 1999. The victims multidisciplinary, and
including five in DeKalb range in age from 15 to 38 collaborative approach,”
County, has been arrested at the time of the respective said Jay Neal, executive
after a 20-year stint. offenses. director, Criminal Justice
According to the “A dangerous predator Coordinating Council. “This
DeKalb County District whom we believe has been is an important project
Attorney’s Office, 58-year- terrorizing women for at and we are going to see it
old Wesley Cooley was least two decades, is off through—continuing to
arrested near his Conyers the street,” said District show survivors that Georgia
home on Feb. 24 by the Attorney Sherry Boston. stands with them.”
Fugitive and K9 Units of the “This is a huge moment Cooley also faces a
DeKalb County Sheriff’s for the victims on whose separate charge of criminal
Office with assistance behalf we advocate. We attempt to commit a felony
from the Rockdale County will continue to fight for for an attempted sexual
Sheriff’s Office. Cooley is them, to seek answers, and attack of a female victim in
charged with rape and is justice, no matter how long Lithonia in October 2017,
held in the DeKalb County it takes.” according to the DA’s office.
Jail without bond with Cooley was identified Prosecutors say there may
additional charges pending. through the investigative be more victims. Anyone
The current charge work of the Georgia Sexual who believes he or she
against Cooley stems from Assault Kit Initiative may have been victimized
the April 2017 rape of a (GASAKI) Task Force with by Cooley is asked to call
female victim in Tucker, assistance from the Conyers the Day League’s 24-hour
according to the DA’s office. and DeKalb County Police crisis hotline at (404) 377-
Cooley was identified as a departments. 1428. Counselors are on
suspect in February 2020 The GASAKI Task standby to assist and to
following a positive DNA Force relies on the Georgia forward information to law
match. Investigators say Bureau of Investigation enforcement.
DNA evidence from the Crime Lab to test
2017 crime links the same backlogged sexual assault
CITY OF TUCKER NOTICE OF AMENDMENT TO THE CITY CHARTER
A proposed Amendment to the Charter of the City of Tucker pursuant to the rec-
ommendations of the Charter Review Committee; amend Section 2.07 regarding
council installment payments; amending Section 3.01(a)(2) requiring two council
members to place an item on the agenda; amending section 3.01(a)(11) allowing,
in addition to City Officers designated by ordinance, the Mayor would have the
authority to administer the oath of office; amending Section 3.11 by deleting the
entire section; and amending Section 3.12 to require annual internal audits; and
for other purposes.
The City Council shall meet at the following regular meetings to consider the
adoption of the proposed Charter Amendment:
MONDAY, MARCH 9, 2020 AT 7:00 P.M.
CITY HALL ANNEX
ADDRESS: 4228 1st AVENUE, SUITE 2-4, TUCKER, GA 30084
and
MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020 AT 7:00 P.M.
CITY HALL ANNEX
ADDRESS: 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.
PLEASE RECYCLE THIS PAPER
LOCAL
TUCKER
Local CIDs study traffic flow
BY JAY PHILLIPS
Jay@dekalbchamp.com
Tucker Summit
Communty Improvement
District (CID), Gateway85
CID and Lilburn CID have
partnered to contribute
$200,000 toward a study of
the Jimmy Carter Boulevard
and Mountain Industrial
Boulevard corridor that runs
from Interstate-85 to East
Ponce de Leon Avenue.
The goal of the study
is to find ways to make
traveling the corridor safer,
faster and more efficient,
according to Tucker Summit
CID and Gateway85 CID’s
executive director Emory
Morsberger.
“When 285 blocks
up—and it’s going to be
blocking up a lot more
with the rebuilding of
Spaghetti Junction—people
come out to our Incredible
Corridor,” Morsberger
said. “[Incredible Corridor
is] the nickname for [the
Jimmy Carter Boulevard
and Mountain Industrial
Boulevard corridor between
I-85 and East Ponce de Leon
Avenue], and then drive
north or south there instead
of getting stuck on 285.”
Morsberger formed
Tucker Summit CID in
2010 to focus primarily on
security, landscaping and
road improvements. The
main goal of the CID is to
increase property values in
its area.
“We went from $30
per square foot [when we
started] to $72 dollars
per square foot [now],”
Morsberger said.
Morsberger said the
study’s findings could
help all CIDs and counties
involved by giving people
who live around the corridor
a faster commute, making
businesses on the corridor
more accessible and by
fostering relationships
among different CIDs and
governments in Gwinnett
and DeKalb counties.
“We are working
together to improve the flow
of traffic in that corridor,”
Morsberger said. “We want
to move [automobiles] more
safely and more quickly
from East Ponce De Leon
to Peachtree Industrial
Boulevard … it’s the next
ring out from 285.”
Morsberger said the
study will look at road
widening, bottle neck
elimination, traffic light
timing and other factors
that can make it faster,
safer and more efficient.
He said he feels good about
the project’s success rate
because of the different
groups that have come
together to work on this
project. According to
Morsberger, the CIDs and
governments from DeKalb
and Gwinnett counties
rarely communicate about
transportation, despite their
proximity to each other.
Communication
between the counties is
crucial, Morsberger said,
and could be an unforeseen
benefit of the study,
considering Gwinnett
is voting on whether
to approve MARTA in
November.
If Gwinnett approves
MARTA, Morsberger
said, the corridor I-85
to East Ponce de Leon
could turn into a major
area for MARTA, and the
communication channel
the governments and CIDs
in DeKalb County and
Gwinnett County have
already established—
thanks to the study they are
working together on—could
play a big role in making
Gwinnett’s transition to
using MARTA smoother for
all involved.
Morsberger said
DEKALB FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020 • PAGE 3
communication between
the two counties could
allow them to work
together on bringing special
transportation services to
the area if MARTA is not
approved by Gwinnett
voters.
“It’s anticipated that
Gwinnett will approve
MARTA this November,”
Morsberger said. “And I
anticipate that there will
be a major MARTA line Tucker Summit CID traffic flow subject of study.
along the Jimmy Carter –
Mountain Industrial corridor.
the end of 2020. how to prioritize them.
I also anticipate there will “We’re not doing a Overall, this is going to be
be a bus rapid transit line
plan to sit on the shelf,” very beneficial to one of the
coming in from Highway 78 Morsberger said. “We’re busiest corridors in DeKalb
from Loganville, Snellville,
doing a plan to figure out County.”
Stone Mountain all the way which projects to do and
into the Perimeter.”
Bus rapid transit is
usually on a dedicated
lane with dedicated stops
and moves faster than
regular buses which get
tied up in traffic. Bus rapid
transit is cheaper and more
flexible than putting in rail,
according to Morsberger.
Morsberger said the
78-corridor and bus rapid
transit plans aren’t a part of
this study, but he foresees
bus rapid transit happening,
partly because of the
improved coordination and
communication between
DeKalb and Gwinnett
counties.
Based on study findings
about the Jimmy Carter
Boulevard and Mountain
Industrial Boulevard
corridor, the CIDs and
governments can apply for
grant money from Atlanta
Regional Commission,
GDOT, Georgia
Transportation Infrastructure
Bank and SPLOST money
from DeKalb and Gwinnett
counties.
The study is expected
to take place during the next
few months. Morsberger
anticipates the counties and
CIDs will move forward on
study recommendations at
OPINION
DeKalb schools make 2020 high school playoffs fun
Teams from DeKalb County
were involved in some of the
most exciting Georgia high school
basketball playoff games played in
2020.
In the first round of the playoffs,
Miller Grove took Kell into overtime
and almost pulled off an upset before
Kell’s Scoot Henderson came alive
and finished the game with 49 points
to give his team a win.
Miller Grove’s boys’ team was
a few calls and bounces away from
pulling off an upset, but the game
featured Henderson—one of the best
players in Georgia—having to put
everything on the line against a well-
coached Miller Grove team that came
in ready to win.
Columbia’s boys won a
stunning 19-point victory on the road
against Bainbridge, before playing
Dutchtown in a game that came down
to the very last second. Columbia
seemed in control of the game in the
final seconds, before Dutchtown’s
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JAY PHILLIPS
Jay@dekalbchamp.com
Cam Bryant launched a three pointer
from nearly 40 feet away from the
basket giving Dutchtown a 73-72 win
as time expired.
Columbia’s overtime loss
happened Feb. 25, and three other
DeKalb County schools—both public
and private—played in overtime
games in the Elite Eight on the same
day.
Arabia Mountain’s girls’ team
joined Columbia’s boys’ team as
teams to lose in overtime on Feb.
25, but St. Pius’ boys’ team and
Southwest DeKalb’s boys’ advanced
to the Final Four in their overtime
periods.
DEKALB FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020 • PAGE 4
St. Pius and Southwest DeKalb
both lost their Final Four games, but
Southwest DeKalb played in what
could have been 2020’s most exciting
game, and it went to overtime—four
overtimes, to be exact.
Southwest DeKalb played Cedar
Shoals—who beat Lithonia by three
points to get to its matchup with
Southwest DeKalb—in the Final
Four.
Southwest DeKalb was in
control for most of the first half. In
the second half, Cedar Shoals started
to make runs and got back into the
game.
It appeared that Southwest
DeKalb had won the game in
overtime when Eugene Brown III
threw an alley-oop from half court
that wound up going in and counting
for three points. Brown’s shot gave
Southwest DeKalb a 54-50 lead with
45 seconds left.
However, multiple big plays
from Cedar Shoals were enough to
extend the game into four overtime
periods before giving Cedar Shoals
a 73-72 win and eliminating the
second-to-last team from DeKalb
County.
Even though only one DeKalb
County school—Greenforest
McCalep’s 1A private boys—made
it to the state championship, it’s clear
that DeKalb schools provided some
of the best highlights in the playoffs
and played in some of 2020’s best
games.
Not only did DeKalb teams
play well and provide excitement
for fans; they also reminded fans
how much fun postseason basketball
can be. Losing close games is never
fun in the moment, but the fact
that basketball generates so many
close games that go into overtime,
and allows small teams to upset the
powerhouses, is one of the things that
makes the sport—and its postseason
tournaments—fun and unique.
OPINION
“For this past couple of sessions,
if not longer, we have been making
it a priority in our caucus and in the
Georgia House, to define and refine
our state in its offering of a ‘culture
of life.’ These are not empty words,
and our priorities are being supported
with programs, with personnel and
with funding,” said Georgia House
Speaker David Ralston (R-District
7, Blue Ridge) in his remarks to the
Atlanta Press Club on March 9.  Assembly) now are placing a keener
It is longtime considered
conventional wisdom, particularly
during election years, that the
Republican Party would like to throw
grandma from the train, cut all social
services and safety net spending
to the quick, and give out only tax
cuts to the rich and well-off. That
is particularly in evidence on social
media, though traditional news media
hold their own share of the blame for
perpetuating these misconceptions.  cumbersome and often ineffective
Currently, in the great state of
Georgia, it is a GOP-led House and
General Assembly, as well as strong
leadership from Georgia’s governor
and state senate which are proposing
a stronger foundation across this
state toward a culture of life. And
they are putting their money where
their mouths are.
 Though HB 481 of two sessions
ago, during the first legislative
session for Gov. Brian Kemp,
codified significant restrictions for
legal access to abortion (still pending
under challenges in federal court),
these new protections being proposed
by this GOP body extend to almost
every vulnerable population segment
in the state.  wrangling between the House, state
Following solid reporting by
The Atlanta Journal & Constitution
on the poor state and declining
conditions of many assisted living,
senior care and nursing homes,
the House is responding with new
regulatory authority, as well as
additional funding for four new
inspectors within the Department of
Community Health. This problem,
years in the making, won’t be solved
FREEPRESS
the DeKalb
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responsible for unsolicited manuscripts.
A culture of life
‘One Man’s
Opinion’
Bill Crane
bill.csicrane@gmail.com
overnight, but both the regulators
and their oversight (the General
eye on these concerns.  return roughly a quarter billion
The House has also passed the
first Parental Leave benefits for
mothers and fathers who are state
government employees. This leave
will be available not only following
childbirth but to adoptive and foster
parents. State House leaders hope
this new benefit and offering will be
catalytic for additional private sector
consideration and adoption, versus
mandates.  one chamber for a budget or other
The freshly proposed House
budget includes another $1,000
pay raise for all classroom teachers
and certified educators; closing on
funding a campaign promise of a
$5K comp adjustment by Kemp, and
bringing Georgia teacher salaries to
the highest in the southeast. And for
the third or fourth consecutive budget
cycle, the General Assembly and
governor will be fully funding the
Quality Basic Education Act enacted
by Democratic state leadership in
1985, but never fully funded until the
administrations of governors Nathan
Deal and Kemp. 
And though the budget
Senate and governor’s office is far
from done, the House is making
a hard stand on restoring funds
proposed for reduction in the GBI
Crime Lab, with particular sensitivity
to the backlog of rape kits across the
state, finally eliminated in 2018. In
the criminal justice arena, the House
also proposes restoration of budget
cuts proposed for Accountability
Courts, which are particularly
SEND LETTERS TO EDITOR,
The DeKalb Free Press,
P. O. Box 1347, Decatur, GA 30031-1347;
Send email to Johnh@dekalbchamp.com
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Deadline for news releases and advertising:
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DEKALB FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020 • PAGE 5
critical in reversing the challenged So as with the Coronavirus
life trajectories of many addicted to looming large in all headlines and
alcohol and drugs.   news coverage, it is important to
And despite this apparent separate facts from fiction, innuendo
spending spree in support of many from institutional memory and
of the state’s most challenged budget realities and to occasionally
populations, the same leadership read budget documents—as that is
team is proposing an across the the most proven way to really see
board individual income tax rate cut, where your elected officials place
to a flat tax rate of 5.375 percent for their priorities.  Happy reading.
all individuals and a new corporate
rate of 5.75. This effectively will
Bill Crane also serves as a political
in currently collected revenues analyst and commentator for Channel 2’s
primarily to individual taxpayers.  Action News, WSB-AM News/Talk 750
The House caucus and and now 95.5 FM, as well as a columnist
leadership team have their work cut for The Champion, DeKalb Free Press
out for them, because in addition to and Georgia Trend. Crane is a DeKalb
differences of opinion with the other native and business owner, living in
chamber and executive branch, there Scottdale. You can reach him or comment
are 180 members of this House, each on a column at bill.csicrane@gmail.com. 
often with their own opinions on
budget priorities. And “cross-over”
day, requiring passage by at least
legislative initiative to live on, looms
imminently later this week. 
Publisher: Staff Reporters:
STATEMENT FROM THE
John Hewitt Asia Ashley PUBLISHER
Jay Phillips We sincerely appreciate the
Chief Financial Officer: discussion surrounding this and any
issue of interest to DeKalb County.
Dr. Earl D. Glenn Social Media Manager: The Champion was founded in
Donna Seay 1991 expressly to provide a forum
Production Manager: for discourse for all community
residents on all sides of an issue. We
Kemesha Wadley have no desire to make the news
only to report news and opinions to
effect a more educated citizenry that
The DeKalb Free Press is published each Friday will ultimately move our community
forward. We are happy to present
by ACE III Communications, Inc., ideas for discussion; however,
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LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020 • PAGE 6

COUNTYWIDE
Former tax supervisor charged
with bribery, blackmail
A former supervisor in the DeKalb County Tax
Commissioner’s Office has been federally charged with
bribery after allegedly accepting payments from customers
to illegally register vehicles, according to a U.S. Attorney’s
Office Northern District of Georgia press release.
The former employee, Gerald Harris, 51, is also
charged with blackmail for reportedly threatening to reveal
the identity of a bribe payer to the FBI.
“Harris traded his integrity for money and betrayed the
trust of the citizens of DeKalb County by allegedly accepting
bribe payments,” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak.
“Then, in an audacious display of bravado, Harris attempted
to blackmail one of those bribe payers.”
Harris was supervisor of tax tag clerks for the DeKalb
County Tax Commissioner’s Office from July 2017 to
November 2019, where he oversaw the Tax Commissioner’s
North Office clerks who processed motor vehicle
registrations and renewals.

FREE FAMILY
REUNION EXPO

FAMILY REUNION EXPO

March 21, 2020 | 12 p.m. — 5 p.m.
Stone Ridge Event Center
1750 Stone Ridge Dr., Suite A
Stone Mountain, GA 30083
Register online
discoverdekalb.com/reunions
or call 770.492.5018
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020 • PAGE 7

WEEK in PICTURES... As seen on DCTV

DCTV interviewed Jorel “JFly” Flynn, founder of How Big Is Your Dream?!, to get
an insight on his collaboration with Commissioner Larry Johnson on their recent
event “Renaissance: Our Soundtrack in American Music” at the Porter Sanford III
Performing Arts & Community Center. This event showed how music has the power
the bring all people together and how African-American music has supported the DCTV Director Diamond Lewis presents an exclusive interview with District Health Director S. Eliz-
fight for equality and inclusion. abeth Ford regarding the Coronavirus and DeKalb County’s preparedness efforts.

DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond, Brookhaven Mayor John Ernst, AMR Regional VP Brett Jovanovich, and DeKalb County Fire Rescue Chief Darnell Fullum participate in a press
conference to discuss the new AMR, emergency medical services hub, which will open soon on Buford Highway. This is an effort to reduce emergency response times.

23
DCTV CHANNEL 23
Get your front row seat to all
@DCTVCHANNEL23 things DeKalb County through your
DEKALB COUNTY GOV EMMY Award-winning station.
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LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020 • PAGE 8

EDUCATION CHAMBLEE

DeKalb School of the Arts’ film “Be trey-ed” won best overall film.
Photos provided by DCSD

File Photo

Dunwoody High School’s film “Dear Abby” won the audience choice
Taste of Chamblee wins ‘gold’ at conference
award in the novice category. The city of Chamblee’s annual Taste of
Chamblee festival received a “gold” award
Feb. 25 during the Southeast Festivals and
of Chamblee won in the “Best Festival or
Event Under $75,000 Budget” category.
The 13th annual Taste of Chamblee will

2020 DCSD Student

Events Association’s (SFEA) Kaleidoscope return on Oct. 3 with cuisines that range
Awards in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, from Mexican to Italian and celebrate the
according to a city press release. The diverse restaurant community in Chamblee,
ceremony was held in conjunction with the said the release. The event will also feature

Film Festival winners SFEA Annual Conference.

Students from 15 DeKalb County School District high
schools presented their films during the festival held at
AMC North DeKalb Theater on Feb. 19. The students wrote
scripts, hired actors, designed sets, mixed sound and shot
scenes—all to produce the best short film possible.
This year’s winners received honors in novice
and advanced categories. The films were judged by
professionals from the film industry. Below are this year’s
winners:
Novice
Best Editing: “The Venus Video Project” – Arabia Mountain
High School
Best Sound: “The Venus Video Project” – Arabia Mountain
High School
Best of Show: “Dear Delilah” – Arabia Mountain High
School
Audience Choice: “Dear Abby” – Dunwoody High School
During the conference, festivals and
events throughout the southeast were
recognized for their contribution to the
events industry.
“The quality of submissions continues
to increase each year. This year there
were 171 entries from seven states,” said
Lisa McCray, executive director for
SFEA. “Of course, to ‘win gold’ becomes
all the sweeter when there is additional
competition, and the recognition a festival
receives for winning is priceless.”
The call for entries into the contest was
posted fall 2019 and all southeast festivals
and events were encouraged to participate.
The judges looked for originality, creativity,
media impact, volunteer programs and the
overall impact to the community. Taste
college football games on two giant LED
screens, a family friendly kid zone and a
“wine down” tent.
SEFA is a 501(c) 6 membership-based
organization composed of festival and
event planners, venues and industry service
providers. SFEA was founded in 2009 to
strengthen the festival and event industry
throughout the southeast United States by
hosting educational sessions, networking
opportunities, award recognition and
additional events throughout the year; thus,
allowing for continued professional growth
within the festivals and events industry.
For more information on the city of
Chamblee or Taste of Chamblee, visit www.
chambleega.gov, www.tasteofchamblee.net
or call (770) 986-5010.

Did you know?

Advanced
Best Editing: “Maybe” – Lakeside High School
Best Sound: “Memories of Love” – Dunwoody High School
Best of Show: “Be trey-ed” – DeKalb School of the Arts
High School A study in the Journal of Addiction shows that teens who use marijuana
Audience Choice: “Memories of Love” – Dunwoody High heavily can experience withdrawal when they stop using it. Marijuana
School and “Be trey-ed” – DeKalb School of the Arts withdrawal symptoms include grouchiness, decreased appetite, anxiety,
Best Overall Film
“Be trey-ed” – DeKalb School of the Arts and cravings.

In an Oct. 10, 2019 article headlined “Cybersecurity

company guards against high-tech crime” and the
accompanying photograph, the presenter was incorrectly
identified. He is actually Danon Vaughn. The writer
recalls asking someone with the company the spelling
of the presenter’s name and apparently there was a
miscommunication. The writer and The Champion
Newspaper regret the error. For more information, call (770) 285-6037, E-mail: beyondthebell@
comcast.net or visit beyondthebellkids.org
LOCAL
CANDIDATES Continued From Page 1
DeKalb County Tax commissioner
Irvin Johnson (D), (Incumbent)
Roslyn Allison McCaskill (D), social worker/
self-employed
DeKalb County Board of Education, District 1
(Nonpartisan)
Anna Hill, CPA
Andrew Ziffer, real estate
DeKalb County Board of Education, District 3
(Nonpartisan)
David Manuel, former educator/DeKalb County
division manager
Willie Mosley Jr., security
Deirdre Pierce, retired
Kevin Alexander, chief of staff-oversight,
management, procurement and education
DeKalb County Board of Education, District 5
(Nonpartisan)
Zehline Davis, retired educator
Willie Heard Jr., clergy
Vickie Turner, (Incumbent)
Delores Brinkley, instructor
DeKalb County Board of Education, District 7
(Nonpartisan)
Joyce Morley, (Incumbent)
Judge of State Court, DeKalb County
(Nonpartisan)
Mike Jacobs, (Incumbent)
Judge of State Court, DeKalb County
(Nonpartisan)
Wayne Purdom, (Incumbent)
Judge of State Court, DeKalb County
(Nonpartisan)
Dax Lopez, (Incumbent)
Judge of State Court, DeKalb County
(Nonpartisan)
Janis Gordon, (Incumbent)
DeKalb County Solicitor (Nonpartisan)
Donna Coleman-Stribling, (Incumbent)
Associate Judge of State Court, DeKalb County
(Nonpartisan)
Kiesha Storey, (Incumbent)
Associate Judge of State Court, DeKalb County
(Nonpartisan)
Ronald Ramsey Jr., (Incumbent)
Associate Judge of State Court, DeKalb County
(Nonpartisan)
Brian Ross, (Incumbent)
Chief Magistrate Judge, DeKalb County
Berryl Anderson (D), (Incumbent)
District Attorney, Stone Mountain
Sherry Boston (D), (Incumbent)
Judge of Superior Court, Stone Mountain, to
succeed Adams (Nonpartisan)
Gregory Adams, Incumbent
Judge of Superior Court, Stone Mountain, to
succeed Seeigler (Nonpartisan)
Roderick Bridges, attorney
Aaron Chausmer, attorney
DEKALB FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020 • PAGE 9
Vincent Crawford, attorney/judge
Yolanda Parker-Smith, attorney
Melinda “Mindy” Pillow, attorney
Judge of Superior Court, Stone Mountain, to
succeed Hydrick (Nonpartisan)
Stacey Hydrick, (Incumbent)
Judge of Superior Court, Stone Mountain, to
succeed Morris (Nonpartisan)
Shondeana Morris, (Incumbent)
Judge of Superior Court, Stone Mountain, to
succeed Hunter (Nonpartisan)
Linda Warren Hunter, (Incumbent)
Judge of Superior Court, Stone Mountain, to
succeed Scott (Nonpartisan)
Mark Anthony Scott, (Incumbent)
Judge of Superior Court, Stone Mountain, to
succeed Barrie (Nonpartisan)
Tangela Barrie, (Incumbent)
Georgia Senator, District 10
Emanuel Jones (D), automotive dealer,
(Incumbent)
Maurice Raeford (D), order manager
Georgia Senator, District 40
Garry Guan (R), translator/interpreter
Sally Harrell (D), social worker, (Incumbent)
Georgia Senator, District 41
William Park Freeman (R), retired military
Gil Freeman (D), IT director
Mohammed Jahangir Hossain (D), construction
business
Kim Jackson (D), clergy
Sabrina McKenzie (D), women’s activist
Beverly Jones (D), post-secondary education
specialist/counselor
Georgia Senator, District 42
Elena Parent (D), attorney, (Incumbent)
Georgia Senator, District 43
Tonya Anderson (D), life coach and consultant,
(Incumbent)
Melanie Williams (R), multi-family property
owner/realtor
Georgia Senator, District 44
Benjamin Brooks (R), paralegal
Gail Davenport (D), real estate professional,
(Incumbent)
Myah Johnson (D), compliance manager
Georgia Senator, District 55
Gloria Butler (D), (Incumbent)
Georgia House of Representatives, District 79
Andrea Johnson (R), payroll
Michael Wilensky (D), attorney, (Incumbent)
Georgia House of Representatives, District 80
Alan Cole (R), retired
Matthew Wilson (D), attorney, (Incumbent)
Georgia House of Representatives, District 81
Scott Holcomb (D), attorney, (Incumbent)
Georgia House of Representatives, District 82
Mary Margaret Oliver (D), attorney,
(Incumbent)
Georgia House of Representatives, District 83
Becky Evans (D), community volunteer,
(Incumbent)
Audrey Maloof (D), community organizer
Georgia House of Representatives, District 84
Harmel “Mel” Codi (D), business executive
Renitta Shannon (D), consultant, (Incumbent)
Georgia House of Representatives, District 85
Karla Drenner (D), professor, (Incumbent)
Georgia House of Representatives, District 86
Ladena Bolton (D), forensic chemist
Michele Henson (D), businesswoman,
(Incumbent)
Zulma Lopez (D), lawyer
Joscelyn C. Oneil (D), retired
Georgia House of Representatives, District 87
Viola Davis (D), RN-BSN and community
missionary, (Incumbent)
Georgia House of Representatives, District 88
Billy Mitchell (D), businessman, (Incumbent)
Georgia House of Representatives, District 89
Bee Nguyen (D), nonprofit director, (Incumbent)
Marcia Ridley (D), elections supervisor
Georgia House of Representatives, District 90
Greg Shealey (D), entrepreneur
Pam Stephenson (D), attorney, (Incumbent)
Stan Watson (D), retired
Georgia House of Representatives, District 91
Vernon Jones (D), consultant, (Incumbent)
Rhonda Taylor (D), business owner
Georgia House of Representatives, District 92
Doreen Carter (D), nonprofit CFO, (Incumbent)
Georgia House of Representatives, District 93
Hubert Owens Jr. (R), retired military and
paralegal
Dar’shun Kendrick (D), lawyer, (Incumbent)
Alfred Reynolds (D), public school teacher
Georgia House of Representatives, District 94
Karen Bennett (D), business owner, (Incumbent)
United States Representative, District 4
Johsie Cruz Ezammudeen (R), administrative
assistant
William Haston (D), operations contractor
Henry “Hank” Johnson Jr. (D), (Incumbent)
Elaine Amankwah Nietmann (D), attorney
United States Representative, District 5
Angela Stanton-King (R), publisher
John Lewis (D), (Incumbent)
Barrington Martin II (D), educator
United States Representative, District 6
Mykel Lynn Barthelemy (R), operations
manager
Karen Handel (R), business consultant
Blake Harbin (R), business owner
Joe Profit (R), author/ businessman
Paulette Smith (R), retired business owner
Lucy McBath (D), activist/ faith and community
organizer, (Incumbent)
 DEKALB FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020 • PAGE 10

AROUNDDEKALB
STONE MOUNTAIN

AVONDALE ESTATES
Concert to benefit Decatur-Area Emergency
Assistance Ministry
Decatur Civic Chorus, in conjunction with
other local choral groups, is sponsoring a concert
to benefit DEAM, which provides emergency help
for local residents to prevent homelessness and
hunger. Admission is free; however, attendees are
encouraged to make a cash donation to DEAM.
Alternatively, donations of canned food, packaged
cereal and pasta, paper goods, and basic toiletry
essentials to benefit DEAM will be collected.
The concert will begin at 4 p.m. March 14 at
Avondale Pattillo United Methodist Church, 3260
Covington Highway.
tournaments, live entertainment and a Vendor Hall/
Artist’s Alley. The event is free and open to the
public.
Mental health support group launches March
17
Fresh Hope for Mental Health—an
anonymous, confidential, peer-to-peer support
group—will be starting at Decatur SDA Church,
2365 Candler Road on March 17 from 7 to 8:30
p.m.
Fresh Hope is a Christ-centered wellness
approach for those who have or have had mental
health challenges and their loved ones. The group
meets weekly.
For more information, contact (404) 981.6802,
email FreshHopeDecatur@gmail.com or visit
www.FreshHope.us.
Goldberg’s. For more information, visit: https://
www.dunwoodyga.gov/index.php?section=for_
residents_view_city_calendar&evtid=605
STONE MOUNTAIN
Vegan festival to be held March 15
The Atlanta Urban Vegan Festival will be held
March 15 from noon to 6 p.m. at The Atrium, 5479
Memorial Drive. Vendors will offer vegan products
to include vegan food, juices, smoothies, herbal
products, jewelry, bags, accessories and natural,
vegan lotions and butters. There will be music,
chess, and board games for adults and children.
The event is free; however, donations
are accepted. For more information, email
atlurbanveganfest@gmail.com or call (478) 227-
5208.

DECATUR
Science fiction and fantasy expo returns to
Decatur
For the sixth year, the Atlanta Sci-Fi and
Fantasy Expo will celebrate pop culture creators
with a family-friendly event March 14-15 from
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at North DeKalb Mall, 2050
Lawrenceville Highway. Artists, writers, actors,
game designers, animators, modelers, cosplayers,
content developers and fans will gather to share
their craft, instruct and inspire others. The two-
day event features panels, workshops, gaming
DUNWOODY
Celebrate National Day of Unplugging at Brook
Run Park
Guests are invited to celebrate National Day
of Unplugging by starting March 14 tech-free and
outdoors in Brook Run Park. Dunwoody is hosting
a 60-minute breath-focused yoga flow class,
presented by The Elite Peasant, at 9 a.m. on the
front field at Brook Run Park. The yoga class will
be followed by real-life socializing and light bites
while guests “unplug.” Breakfast will be served by
TUCKER
Judge, taste chili at Tucker’s chili cookoff
The Old Town Tucker Merchants Association
and The Local No. 7 are hosting the ninth annual
Tucker Chili Cook-Off on March 14. The event
is scheduled to run from 12:30 - 5 p.m. with all
festivities taking place on Main Street in Tucker.
Guests will be charged $5 to taste all the chili.
Proceeds from the event are shared with Friends of
Tucker Parks. For more information, visit: http://
www.tuckerchilicookoff.com/.

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CAREER TRAINING
AIRLINE Career. AVIATION Grads
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FAA certification. Financial aid if
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who qualify. 100% online Courses.
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a FREE info packet & Quote. 1-866-
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HEALTHCARE
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gation.1-855-508-8043.
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SENIOR DESIGN ENGINEERS
(Decatur, GA): The Senior Design
Engineer leads various aspects of
the design process including, but
not limited to, the development of
part geometry, assembly design, and
drawing generation. The position
designs work that varies from new
product development to product
enhancements and cost reduction
activities; develops and distributes
engineering data in the form of
Engineering Change Notices, bills
of material, and parts tracking; and
partners with the manufacturing
facilitates to resolve part or
assembly issues, deviation requests,
and bill of material errors in an
effort to keep the manufacturing
lines running and ensures quality
product is produced. Resume to:
Acuity Brands Lighting, Inc. Attn:
Erica Chmielewski, Senior Legal
Counsel, 1 Lithonia Way, Conyers,
GA 30012. job #SK121354.

The Champion is not responsible for any damages resulting from advertisements. All sales final.
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BUSINESS DEKALB FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020 • PAGE 11

DUNWOODY

Growth continues in ‘edge city’ Dunwoody

BY KATHY MITCHELL
FREELANCE REPORTER
The term “edge city”
was coined almost 30 years
ago by Washington Post
writer Joel Garreau, who
authored a book on the
subject. Dunwoody often is
cited as one of the nation’s
most prominent examples of
this nationwide trend.
“There are slightly
varying definitions of
an edge city,” according
Michael Starling, economic
development director for the
city of Dunwoody, “but most
describe it as a municipality
within a metropolitan area—
typically near at least one
major traffic artery—that
has many amenities of a
major city. Dunwoody was
one of the first cities to be
considered an edge city.”
The growing popularity
of such cities stems in part
from lifestyle choices of
the generations currently
dominating the workforce,
according to Starling.
“Although one of the factors
that makes us an edge city is
the fact that both I-285 and
Georgia 400 run through
the area, people who live,
work and visit here don’t
want to do a lot of driving.
Those who work here, for
example, don’t want to leave
the office at lunchtime and
drive several minutes to get
something to eat. They want
to be able to able to walk a
few feet—or many just go
downstairs—to get lunch,”
he said, adding, “Dunwoody
is thriving as one of the
region’s emerging mixed-
use districts. Connectivity
is driving important
development decisions and
creating density in the right
places.”
The city announced
several new restaurants that
and American casual dining
restaurant and sports bar
Buffalo Wild Wings. In total,
Dunwoody approved seven
new dining venues in the past
year.
“Dunwoody has
historically been made up
of communities of single-
family homes, and we want
to preserve that lifestyle as
we see growth of mixed-
use developments where
people live, work, shop,
eat and play in the same
complex. We believe the
two can not only coexist, but
exist in harmony,” Starling
continued.
The city recently
announced that
approximately 1.4 million
square feet of mixed-use
developments, office and
restaurant space were leased
in 2019, which Starling
noted “adds to the thriving
landscape of Atlanta’s first
edge city.”
He said Dunwoody’s
Perimeter Market continues
to be one of the region’s
predominant economic
engines and 2020 is expected
to bring substantial expansion
as new projects and see
“long-awaited developments
come to fruition,” including
the $2 billion High Street
development across from the
city’s MARTA Station.
“We’re seeing a lot of
new development around the
MARTA Station, and that’s
what we want, places people
can reach easily without
driving,” Starling said.
“Some of the new
development comes to us and
we encourage projects that fit
our vision for Dunwoody,”
Starling said. “Dunwoody’s
economic development
department works to attract
the companies, retailers,
restaurants and developers
that continually improve the
The Twelve24 Hammond office building is among the Dunwoody projects being completed in early 2020. Photo
provided
million development
Perimeter Marketplace—
expected to bring 370 jobs
to the city, according to
the Center for Economic
Research and Development
at Georgia Tech—and two
hotel-anchored mixed-use
developments planned for
11 Ravinia Parkway and
84 Perimeter Center East
that includes more than
80,000 square feet of new
restaurants, retail options
and an additional 300 hotel
rooms.
“There was a period
of about 17 years when
Dunwoody didn’t build any
new hotels, then we built the
Hampton a few years ago.
Now, we’re seeing a boom
in hotel construction. These
are more likely to be smaller
boutique hotels rather than
the large hotels like those
going up two decades ago,”
Starling said.
Dunwoody also
announced that more than
230,000 square feet of new
office leases were signed to
a wide variety of companies
last year. “Most notably,
According to part of the State Farm cam-
Dunwoody’s economic pus, adding 670,000 square
development organization, feet of office space and
projects that have been 50,000 square feet of retail
completed or are set for space
completion in early 2020 • The Twelve24 Ham-
include: mond office building with
• Phase I of “the long-awaited 335,000 square feet of new
$2 billion High Street proj- class-A office space and the
ect, a mini city expected to new Iron Hill Brewery &
feature more than 8 million Restaurant, a brewery serv-
square feet of offices, retail, ing “award-winning beers
residences and hotel rooms” and craft kitchen items.”
• A new second building as
8SHE]’W
7TIGMEP
More than a bank.
Your good partner.
SBA Loan
Steve Bae 678.385.0815
Commercial Loan
Jeannie Yoo 470.514.1022
Home Loan
(NMLS#236883)

quality of life for residents, Zillow Offers will develop a Jin Myung Lee 470.514.1712
opened in 2019, including businesses and tourists.” 52,000-square-foot office in
four at Perimeter Mall: He noted that in 2019, the city; leather goods maker
HQ / Loan Center Home Loan New York LPO* Dallas (TX) LPO * Colorado LPO* Duluth Branch

Sixty Vines, a restaurant the city of Dunwoody gave Circa of America relocated
(678) 385-0826 (470) 514-1712 (646) 912-9456 (972) 247-1788 (720) 925-5978 (678) 385-0800

serving wines on tap with a green light to plans for a its headquarters from San
Doraville Branch
(678) 385-0840
Johns Creek Branch Sugarloaf Branch Chamblee Branch
(678) 892-7000 (678) 892-7020 (678) 892-7030
McGinnis Branch
(678) 892-7040
Houston (TX)
(713) 821-3570
wine country cuisine; a total of four major mixed- Francisco to Dunwoody;
*Loan Production Office

sister restaurant of Sixty
Vines called Whiskey Cake
Restaurant and Bar, serving
farm to table dishes; the
lodge-chic chain, Lazy Dog;
use developments that will
bring new hotels, retail
offerings and restaurants to
the area. Projects include
the approximately $38
and coworking challenger
brand Serendipity Labs
opened a new office space in
Perimeter Center,” states an
announcement from the city.
SPORTS
BASKETBALL
The Georgia Kangaroos in action against the NC Coyotes, a game the Kangaroos won 105-80. Photo by Jay
Phillips
Georgia Kangaroos find new conference
BY JAY PHILLIPS
Jay@dekalbchamp.com
The Georgia Kangaroos,
a semi-professional
basketball team from
Stonecrest, have found a
league to join, announcing
March 2 that the team will
be joining the Maximum
Basketball League (MBL)
after playing its first seven
games independent from any
leagues or conferences.
The Kangaroos are
slated to play a 12-game
league schedule starting on
March 29, with a league
championship scheduled for
the weekend of July 16-19 in
Dallas, Texas.
“The biggest benefits
are we are now playing
for a championship,” said
Georgia Kangaroos coach
Brian Caswell. “It gives
our players a chance to
compete for the league’s
leaders in several [statistical]
categories, and I would not
be surprised if we have a
few Kangaroos at the top of
the league’s leader boards.”
Caswell said being in
the MBL provides his team
with extra motivation to
improve their ranking and
beat the league’s top teams.
Visit The Champion Newspaper online
@ TheChampionNewspaper.com
Being in the MBL also
allows fans to follow the
Kangaroos’ quest to win a
league championship.
The MBL was formerly
known as the Midwest
Basketball League. The
league includes almost 40
semi-professional teams
across eight conferences.
The Georgia Kangaroos
will play in the Mideast
division along with ATL
Grizzlies, Atlanta Wildcats,
Charleston Panthers,
Fayetteville Flight and
Rockers INT.
After going 6-1 in
independent play, the
Kangaroos will enter the
MBL with a clean slate, but
Caswell said their one loss is
still weighing on his team’s
mind.
“We all still really regret
that first game in which we
were not ourselves,” Caswell
said. “Then we won [six] in
a row and on what would
have been our sixth game,
the [opponent] decided not
to show.”
The Kangaroos most
recently beat the Garden
City Magic 150-118—
behind 44 points from Jay
Williams—to push their
winning streak to six games.
DEKALB FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020 • PAGE 12
Caswell said the
Kangaroos waited to join a
league until they found one
that suited them best, and to
give them team a stretch of
games to serve as warmups
before league play.
“We did not find a
league that we felt was
suitable for us in 2019,
so we started as an
independent,” Caswell said.
“We also were a new team,
so we did not have a lot of
leverage negotiation with
a league … After our first
five games, word spread
fast about our team and how
good we are, and we started
getting invitations to play in
leagues.”
The Kangaroos said
their team goal is to
bring a championship to
Stonecrest, and the quest for
a championship will begin
March 29 when the Georgia
Kangaroos host the Atlanta
Lightning at 3:30 p.m. at
the Browns Mill Recreation
Center in Stonecrest.
MBL league standings,
statistical leaders, schedules
and other information may
be found on the league’s
website at: http://www.
officialmbl.org/home
Greenforest during the runners up ceremony. Photo by Jay Phillips
Greenforest McCalep’s run ends in
state title game against St. Francis
BY JAY PHILLIPS
Jay@dekalbchamp.com
Greenforest McCalep
Christian Academy’s boys’
basketball team lost to St.
Francis of Alpharetta 76-55
in the GHSA 1A Private
Boys’ State Championship in
Macon March 4.
The Greenforest Eagles
(20-10) were the only team
from DeKalb County to
make it to a 2020 basketball
state championship game, but
the high-paced offense of the
St. Francis Knights’ (29-3)
led by Xavier commit Dwon
Odom proved too much for
the Eagles to handle.
Odom had nine rebounds
and four assists while
shooting 77 percent from the
field on his way to scoring a
game-high 27 points against
Greenforest.
Drexel commit Lamar
Oden Jr. led the way for
Greenforest with 21 points.
Oden added six rebounds
to his stat line while Middle
Tennessee commit Christian
Fussell finished with 10
points, eight rebounds and
three steals.
Odom scored most of his
points in transition, thanks
to his ability to keep the ball
under control while beating
defenders down the court.
However, Greenforest forced
Odom to commit seven
turnovers and the Eagles
turned St. Francis over 18
times total.
Greenforest led St.
Francis in points off
turnovers thanks to the steals
it forced and turnovers it
created, many of which
came during a third quarter
Greenforest run when the
Eagles cut the lead to as few
as 13 points.
Oden—who finished
with five offensive
rebounds— added a spark to
Greenforest’s second half run
by dominating the offensive
glass in the third quarter.
Oden had multiple put backs
that helped Greenforest
outscore St. Francis 13-5 on
second chance points, but
St. Francis sped the game up
and pushed the lead to more
than 20.
Greenforest’s loss ended
the Eagles’ 12-game winning
streak that started with a 54-
53 win over Trinity Christian
Jan. 14.
The Eagles’ winning
streak included five wins
by 20 or more points, a win
over Southwest DeKalb
High School, a regional
championship and three
playoff wins.
Greenforest will lose its
two team captains—Oden
and Fussell—to graduation
this season, but the Eagles
still return a lot of talent.
Oden and Fussell are the
teams’ only seniors; players
such as Chase Cormier—
who had 11 points and
three rebounds against St.
Francis—and Jalen Forrest
will have a chance to take on
bigger roles as juniors next
season.
In addition to the
contributors from this
season who will return to
Greenforest, the Eagles
will have Madel Deng
and Gai Atem as potential
replacements for Fussell.
Deng and Atem were both
freshmen this season and
are both listed as being taller
than seven feet.