FREEPRESS

AVAILABLE ONLINE AT WWW.CHAMPIONNEWSPAPER.COM • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2011 • VOL. 13, NO. 48 • FREE

• A PUBLICATION OF ACE III COMMUNICATIONS •

Medal of Freedom Octogenarian

re-launches
artistic career

Photos by John Hewitt

Congressman John Lewis received the Medal of Freedom, America’s highest

civilian honor, from President Barack Obama at a ceremony at The White House
on Feb. 15. Lewis was among the 15 2010 recipients of the Medal of Freedom.
He was cited for his work during the Civil Rights Movement. Among those in at-
tendance were Atlanta Mayor Kaseem Reid, radio personality Frank Ski, former
first lady Barbara Bush, United States Attorney General Eric Holder and Atlanta
Falcons owner Arthur Blank. Photo courtesy of the White House.

With no budget shortfall, Walker

eager to tackle school budget
by Robert Naddra
robertnaddra@aol.com
As newly appointed chair-
man of the DeKalb County
School Board’s budget com-
mittee, Dr. Eugene Walker
has some extra motivation to
begin his new duty.
Walker and the other bud-
get committee members will
be dealing with a budget that
is not expected to have a
shortfall.
due to good financial decisions
made at an earlier time. We
want to clearly minimize a hit
on personnel and programs.”
Interim school superin-
tendent Ramona Tyson told
a gathering last week at the
Tyson state of the system address
Walker
that there will be no shortfall
“I feel good about it and in the 2011-12 budget and
look forward to it,” Walker no millage increase. The
said. “This is the first year in a system entered this school
while we’re not talking about a year with an $85 million
deficit on the front end. That’s shortfall, but trimmed $104
See Budget on Page 15A
by Gale Horton Gay
Creating art is second na-
ture to Corrine Workmaster.
Growing up with parents
who were teachers, she recalls
that the family’s dining room
table was always covered with
crayons and paper. Asked
when she started working as
an artist, she replies, “Since I
can remember.”
Workmaster is now 84
years old and following a ca-
reer as an artist and a 10-year
hiatus, she’s at it again—creat-
ing and exhibiting. Her work
is on display at The Seen Gal-
See Art on Page 15A
neWs
Former sheriff’s employee cleared of charges
by Andrew Cauthen
andrew@dekalbchamp.com
A former DeKalb Sher-
iff’s Office manager
was found not guilty last
week of two counts of
racketeering charges,
while her co-defendant
was convicted of the
crime.
Dorcas Jernigan, a
former manager in the
civil process unit of the
sheriff’s office, had been
indicted for 81 alleged
acts of theft, forgery,
bribery and false swear-
ing from November 2007
through July 2008. A jury
cleared her of the charges
on Feb. 17.
Nathan Hoyte Jones
was convicted on all
charges and will be sen-
tenced by Superior Court
Judge Daniel Coursey on
Feb. 25.
Jones and another indict-
ee Shandarrick Barnes,
were accused of using their
company, Refund Solu-
News Brief
Decatur court clerk arrested
by Andrew Cauthen
andrew@dekalbchamp.com
A court clerk with the
Decatur Municipal Court
has been charged with
felony theft after attentive produce a receipt from
coworkers became
suspicious about missing
funds.
On Friday, Feb. 18,
Sonequa L. James, who
has worked for the court
since 2006, was arrested
by the Decatur Police
Department for the alleged been initiated, Arnold
crime that occurred within said.
her capacity as court clerk.
Andrea Arnold,
Decatur’s assistant city
manager for administrative trust in our government,”
services, said James’
coworkers became
suspicious when they
discovered paperwork
for two deposits but no
funds associated with the
paperwork.
Arnold said a person
told the court that he had
received a notification
tions, to fraudulently obtain
funds that should have been
returned to people who had
posted cash bonds.
There is ‘not one
shred of evidence that
she was involved in
their fraud at all.’
When a person uses cash
for bond, the money is held
by the sheriff’s office until
the case is completed. The
person putting up the bond
money then has five years to
from the Department
of Driver Services that
his license would be
suspended for nonpayment
of a traffic fine. The
individual was able to
James showing that he had
paid in cash.
James was suspended
without pay on Feb. 14
when the investigation
began. She was arrested
on Feb. 18 and her
termination process has
“The city will not
tolerate behavior that
undermines the public’s
Arnold said in a press
release. “We intend to
prosecute Ms. James to
the fullest extent possible
under the law.”
Additional charges
may come from an
ongoing investigation
by the Decatur Police
Department.
THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2011 • PAGE 2A
obtain the funds before the obtain funds due to other $412,000 in restitution.
money is turned over to the people, Melvin said. DeKalb Sheriff Thomas
state. During the trial Jerni- Brown, who testified in the
Assistant District At- gan’s attorney, Keith Ad- trial, said he does not regret
ams, portrayed firing Jernigan because she
Jernigan as a victim violated policies regarding
of the fraud of Jones the use of his signature on
and Barnes. checks. Jernigan was not al-
Adams said there lowed to use Brown’s signa-
is no evidence that
Jernigan “knew that
they were creating
ture stamp on refund checks
of $5,000 or more.
“My standard operating
forged documents,
that she assisted
them in creating
procedure was quite clear,”
Brown said.
Brown, who originally
forged documents,
that she told them
hired Jernigan to work in
the jail division, later pro-
to come and present
these documents,
[or] that she told
moted her to manage the
civil process unit, which
holds cash bonds until the
anyone to turn a associated court case has
– Keith Adams blind eye.” been disposed of.
There is “not one In court on Feb. 15,
shred of evidence Brown told the jury that
that she was in- Jernigan was promoted to
volved in their fraud the position because he
torney John Melvin said at all,” Adams said. needed a quick learner to fill
Refund Solutions had a Barnes pled guilty in the position.
“pattern of racketeering.” 2010 for his role and was “I put her over there spe-
The company would present sentenced to 10 years in cifically to watch my back,
forged documents to Jerni- prison, 20 years probation Brown said. “She violated
gan’s unit to fraudulently and was ordered to pay my trust.”
PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY
EQUAL HOUSING
OPPORTUNITY
DeKalb County Community Development Department
2010 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER)
The DeKalb County Community Development Department is preparing to submit its Consolidated
Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) to the United States Department of Housing
and Urban Development (HUD). The report covers the status of activities and programs carried
out through the use of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment
Partnerships Program (HOME), and Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) funds during the most
recently completed program year that ended December 31, 2010.
The Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report is available for citizens’ review
and comments from February 24, 2011 through March 10, 2011 at the following address:
DeKalb County Community Development Department
150 E. Ponce de Leon Avenue, Suite 330
Decatur, GA 30030
Telephone: 404-286-3308 Hearing Impaired (TDD) (404) 286-3336
The office hours are 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The document may also be reviewed at the libraries listed below.
Please contact the libraries for hours of operation.
Chamblee Branch Decatur Branch
4115 Clairmont Road, Chamblee 215 Sycamore Street, Decatur
(770-936-1380) (404-370-3070)
Redan-Trotti Branch Wesley Chapel-William C. Brown Branch
1569 Wellborn Road, Redan 2861 Wesley Chapel Road, Decatur
(770-482-3821) (404-286-6980)
(Written comments should be submitted to the 150 E. Ponce de Leon Avenue address.)
All locations are accessible to persons with disabilities.
www.championnewspaper.com
Four firefighters demoted
for drinking incident
by Robert Naddra
robert@dekalbchamp.com
Four DeKalb County
Fire Rescue employees
were demoted last week
after a month-long investi-
gation concerning alleged
drinking on duty during
the January snowstorm.
Assistant Chief Joseph
Tinsley was demoted to
captain; Capt. Marcus
Reed was demoted two
ranks to firefighter level 2;
and fire apparatus opera-
tor William Corbett and
firefighter Joshua Craw-
ford also were demoted,
according to Fire Chief
Eddie O’Brien.
The incident happened
on Jan. 11. Several fire-
fighters met at Savage
Pizza in Avondale Estates
for dinner and consumed
alcohol, then most of them
went to Twain’s Billiards
& Tap in Decatur where
more food and alcohol
were consumed, according
to the report.
Reed was found guilty
of conduct unbecoming
and possession of alcohol
at a place of work; Corbett
and Crawford also were
found guilty of possessing
alcohol at a place of work.
Tinsley was exoner-
ated of the charge of con-
duct unbecoming and a
charge of neglect of duty
was deemed unfounded,
according to the report.
Tinsley admitted to hav-
ing one beer at Twain’s
and was not intoxicated,
which is not a violation of
company policy, accord-
ing to the report. On the
neglect of duty charge, it
was determined that he
immediately notified a
supervisor of his involve-
ment in the incident.
The investigation
showed that Corbett and
Crawford drank alcohol
at their fire station and
were seen there with open
bottles of beer. Reed ad-
mitted to having too much
to drink at Savage Pizza
and Twain’s. The bill at
Savage Pizza was $102.81
and the bill at Twain’s was
$12.99, according to the
report.
“Due to the amount of
alcohol I had consumed
while at Savage Pizza and
at Twain’s, I don’t remem-
ber much after leaving
Twain’s,” Reed said in the
THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2011
report. “I am ashamed and
embarrassed by my ac-
tions of that night. I was
way out of line and way
out of control.”
Reed, Corbett, Craw-
ford and Anthony Smith
all had their blood-alcohol
level tested the follow-
ing morning because they
were on duty then.
The initial test showed
that Reed had a blood-
alcohol level of .054 and
Corbett registered .02.
DeKalb County Public
Safety has a “No Toler-
ance” policy for any test
result at .02 and higher.
Because of the initial test
results, both Corbett and
Reed were placed on ad-
ministrative leave without
pay pending the comple-
tion of the investigation.
It was later determined
that Corbett was not un-
fit for duty, but he and
Crawford were found
guilty of having beer at
the firehouse. On the way
back from Twain’s to the
firehouse, Corbett bought
a 12-pack of beer and
brought it into the fire-
house.
Both Corbett and
Crawford were found
drinking in the fire sta-
tion. They went into the
captain’s office, opened
a window and poured
out the beers, but kept
the bottles because they
didn’t want the bottles to
be found in the trash cans,
according to the report.
Smith was exonerated
of misconduct after he
admitted to having beer
but tests revealed he was
never intoxicated, which
is not a policy violation,
according to the report.
A total of 10 firefight-
ers were investigated for
the incident. Capt. Allen
Garcia and Capt. Stevy
Duke, who were not de-
moted, both were found
guilty of misconduct.
They “did not notify their
chain-of-command and
act in a prompt manner to
remedy the policy viola-
tions that occurred” in
their presence.
Deputy Chief William
Smith, who has since
resigned from the depart-
ment, was exonerated on
one charge while three
others were deemed un-
founded in the investiga-
tion.
2011 sewer spills nearing 400,000 gallons
by Andrew Cauthen
andrew@dekalbchamp.com
With seven sewer spills
since Feb. 7, DeKalb
County workers have had
to deal with approximated
395,000 gallons of raw
sewage spills so far this
year.
That makes 38 reported
spills for the first seven
weeks of 2011. The latest
spills include a major one
that occurred on Valentine’s
Day in the Aviara Oaks
Apartments complex,
located at 3200 Oakwood
Village Lane in Chamblee.
County workers estimated
that nearly 18,000 gallons of
sewage spilled.
Rob Clemmons, who
works for complex and who
reported the spill, said a
manhole was overflowing
and took less than an hour
to fix the clog which was on
the private property of the
apartment complex.
A Past to Cherish...A Future to Fulfill
Dr. Joseph Winthrop Holley
1903-1943
Page 3A
“There’s no way it was spill entered Burnt Creek.
18,000 gallons,” Clemmons Other recent spills
said of the spill. include 2,880 gallons at
A 7,800-gallon spill at 2877 Brandywine Road in
the Hidden Hills Golf and Atlanta and a 1,980-gallon
Country Club at 5001 Biffle spill on Panola Industrial
Road in Stone Mountain Boulevard in Lithonia.
was caused by grease. Grease was the cause
County workers used rods of both incidents. A
to unstop the blockage. 1,575-gallon spill on Feb.
Sewage from this spill 17 on Cottonwood Drive
entered Snapfinger Creek, in Decatur was caused by
according to county reports. broken infrastructure.
Grease and rags in a In December, DeKalb
pipe were the cause of a County agreed to pay a
5,660-gallon spill on Feb. $453,000 penalty from the
7 at 5349 New Peachtree EPA for excessive sewage
Road in Chamblee. County spills. Since 2006, there
reports state that the sewage have more than 840 county
from this spill never reached sewer spills.
a creek or storm drain. The After a vote last month
property owners had to call by the county’s Board of
a plumber to the fix the Commissioners, water and
problem. sewer rates will increase
Two days later, debris in by 11-percent each year
a pipe caused 5,270 gallons for three years beginning
of sewage to spill near in 2012. This increase will
the Northlake Office Park fund a $1.345 billion project
located at 3330 Northlake to fix the county’s aging
Parkway. Sewage from this water and sewer system.
 More than 35 undergraduate and
15 graduate degree programs
 New Program:
 Master of Social Work (MSW)
 Online degree programs
 Bachelor of Science in Business
Information Systems
 Master of Science in Criminal Justice
 Master of Science Nursing RN-to-MSN
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
 Achieved reaffirmation by the Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
through 2018
 Record enrollment since Fall 2008
 New State of the Art Residence Halls
and Student Center Opening Fall 2011
504 College Drive  Albany, GA 31705
Recruitment and Admissions (229) 430-4646
Graduate School (229) 430-4862
www.asurams.edu
1-866-579-3498
OPINION THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2011 • PAGE 4A

The Newslady
DeKalb firsts–Gwen Keyes Fleming
cases a year and 165 employees.
As EPA administrator for the
Southeast Region, Keyes Fleming
is responsible for eight states,
including Georgia, and six tribal
nations.
Keyes Fleming is a woman
of stellar achievements modeled
from a rich family history. Her
late father was one of the famed
When she took the oath of Tuskegee Airmen, which was
office in January 1999, Gwen a source of great pride. Keyes
Keyes Fleming made DeKalb Fleming takes great pride in her
County history as the first African community involvement. There
American, the first female and the is not room here to list all of her
youngest solicitor general. Later awards and recognitions. There
in 2005, the New Jersey native are some programs and projects
would become the first African she initiated that became a
American and first female district passion.
attorney of DeKalb County. During her first term as
She was re-elected district attorney she created a pre-
to the post in 2008. Last trial diversion program, expanded
September, President Obama’s services for victims and created
administration tapped Keyes a unit focusing on crimes against
Fleming to head up the women that was a continuation
Environmental Protection of her commitment as solicitor
Agency’s Southeast Region. As general to fight domestic
district attorney, Gwen managed violence. While solicitor, Keyes
an $11 million budget, 13,000 Fleming increased resources in
the Domestic Violence Unit and
increased use of the office’s Elder
Abuse and Consumer Fraud Units
by obtaining numerous federal
awards and grants.
In 1999, Keyes Fleming
coordinated a pilot project with
the DeKalb County School
Board called “DUI: Truth and
Consequences.” A judge held
court in a local high school and
introduced students to the legal
consequences of risky driving
behavior. A pilot video that
grew out of that project received
international acclaim and is still
used today.
Also in 1999, Gwen initiated
a faith-based coalition to end
domestic violence in DeKalb
County. The project was designed
to not only educate members of
the faith community about the
dynamics of domestic violence
and the counseling resources
available, but also provide
training and assistance to
religious leaders who wished to
establish their own counseling
programs or shelter facilities.
Keyes Fleming received a
bachelor of science degree in
finance from Douglass College,
the all women’s college affiliated
with Rutgers University.
Later, she attended the Emory
University School of Law and
graduated in 1993. The Georgia
Association of Women Lawyers
presented Keyes Fleming with its
Outstanding Law Student Award
for high academic achievement,
dignity, integrity and commitment
to the law. Keyes Fleming is
married to Randall Fleming and
they have two young sons. Keyes
Fleming has her place in DeKalb
County history. It’s fair to predict
that there is some national “first”
in her future.
Steen Miles, The Newslady,
is a retired journalist and former
Georgia state senator. Contact
Steen Milies at Steen@dekalb-
champ.com.

Improve infrastructure, create jobs

by Judge Greg Mathis

You have no doubt heard a lot about

President Obama’s proposed federal
budget in the news lately. With an eye
toward reducing the nation’s trillion-
plus-dollar deficit, the president suggests
some difficult-to-swallow bud-
get cuts while still investing in
America’s future. It’s not much
different from what a strug-
gling corporation would do, or
a family. One of those proposed
investments would not only
modernize our nation’s high-
ways and railways, it will also
create millions of jobs.
Over the last several years, Mathis
bridges across the United States
have collapsed, gas lines have exploded
and streets have deteriorated to unsafe
levels. The president proposes that we
shore up our infrastructure and put Amer-
icans to work at the same time. How? By
spending just more than $50 billion to
build a high-speed rail system and by in-
vesting slightly more than $330 billion in
our nation’s highways. Obama’s advisors
estimate the plan would create more than
five million construction jobs and 10 mil-
lion additional jobs in related industries.
Yes, this is a lot of money. However,
investing in America and its infrastruc-
ture is the smart thing – the right thing
– to do. Americans will be able to travel
from place to place, knowing that bridges
and roads are sound. High-speed rail
will connect towns and cities and, over
the long term, improve our environment
since there will be fewer cars on the road.
Lastly, the new jobs this investment will
help create will bring the unemployment
rate down from its record high levels.
Of course, the proposal has its critics.
They say there’s no way the government
can pay for it. The president thought of
that, too. Currently, the gaso-
line tax raises about $35 billion
a year. That money is used to
pay for highway projects. The
president wants to use that fund
to offset the infrastructure proj-
ects and raise additional revenue
through various other taxes and
tolls.
There is no doubt that the
president’s plan is a strong one,
with past success to back it up.
The 2009 stimulus package included
more than $130 billion in infrastructure
spending; this spending created 8 million
jobs. So we know this is the right way to
go. Money spent now, would improve the
economy–and our bridges and roads–and
position the country for a more prosper-
ous future.
Write your Congress men and women;
tell them to support the president’s plan
to create jobs by improving our nation’s
infrastructure. Visit www.usa.gov if you
need help locating your elected official’s
contact information.
Judge Greg Mathis currently provides
legal advice to more than three million
listeners on the Steve Harvey Morning
Show and also on his website, www.ask-
judgemathis.com.
FREEPRESS
Let Us Know What You Think!
THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS encourages opinions
from its readers. Please write to us and express your
views. Letters should be brief, typewritten and contain
the writer’s name, address and telephone number for
verification. All letters will be considered for publication.
Send Letters To Editor, The Champion Free Press, P. O. Box 1347,
Decatur, GA 30031-1347; Send E-Mail to Kathy@dekalbchamp.com
FAX To: (404) 370-3903 Phone: (404) 373-7779
Deadline for news releases and advertising: Thursday, one week prior
to publication date.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The opinions written by columnists and contributing
editors do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editor or publishers.
The Publisher reserves the right to reject or cancel any advertisement at
any time. The Publisher is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts.
Publisher: Dr. Earl D. Glenn
Managing Editor: Kathy Mitchell
News Editor: Robert Naddra
Production Manager: Kemesha Hunt
Graphic Designer: Travis Hudgons
The Champion Free Press is published each
Friday by ACE III Communications, Inc.,
114 New Street, Suite E, Decatur, GA. 30030
Phone (404) 373-7779.
www.championnewspaper.com
DISPLAY ADVERTISING (404) 373-7779 x 110
PLEASE RECYCLE THIS
NEWSPAPER
www.championnewspaper.com
William C. Crane, 1974-1992
“The only things certain in life
are death and taxes.”
–Benjamin Franklin, in a letter to
Jean-Baptiste Leroy (Nov. 13, 1789)
No one, including me, likes to
pay taxes. On the other hand, we all
want safe streets and neighborhoods,
quality schools and working infra-
structure. Those things all cost lots
of money. The question of course
remains how much is too much, and
when do “good government pro-
grams and initiatives” grow into the
unsustainable monstrosities, which
many have become? I won’t have
that answer for you today.
DeKalb County, despite its more
than occasional flaws, operates a
leaner-than-many county govern-
ment. Our public services are not
perfect, but having lived in many
other municipalities and counties,
ours are more reliable and responsive
than most. DeKalb CEO Burrell
Ellis, as well as commissioners, ad-
mirably cobbled together a budget
last year that did not require a tax in-
THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2011
One Man’s Opinion C. William “Bill” Crane, 2009 - ?
Raise my taxes, please!
crease. It should also be noted, that
by a margin of one vote, the DeKalb
County School Board also held the
line in 2010.
The federal stimulus funds are
gone, or soon will be spent. Georgia
is facing its tightest state budget in
decades. Many counties across the
country, now paying the price of bad
management in good times—or the
costs of promises they can’t keep
(such as sky-rocketing employee
health care and pension funds)—are
now leading many local govern-
ments to the brink of bankruptcy.
A stark reality of politics, de-
spite Mr. Franklin’s wise words of
more than two centuries ago, is that
tax increases are never popular and
many an incumbent has been ousted
for supporting same. That brings
us to the brink of a vote on DeKalb
County’s 2011-12 budget as cur-
rently presented by DeKalb CEO
Ellis, and awaiting changes and a
final approval by the DeKalb County
Commission.
The budget offered by the CEO
requires a millage rate increase of
2.32 mills. Balancing the budget
without that increase will require an
additional $28 million in budget cuts.
The majority of those dollars would
come out of DeKalb’s public safety
budgets. The water department is
funded directly by its customers
and related bond issuances, and the
school system’s funding comes from
the property taxes paid to the DeKalb
County tax commissioner and sepa-
rate millage rates set by the DeKalb
School Board.
DeKalb Sheriff Tom Brown (a
longtime fiscal conservative who
typically returns unspent funds to
the commission each year), and
DeKalb’s new district attorney, Rob-
ert James, are joining the CEO in
advocating for this slight millage
increase to avoid drastic cuts in the
courts and public safety budgets.
It should be noted, without blam-
ing the DeKalb Police Department
or Sheriff’s Office that murders in
DeKalb County in 2010 rose by an
alarming 41 percent. Solving and
prosecuting those cases will also re-
quire a strong police department and
judiciary. The trial load in county
courts during 2010 increased 22 per-
cent, and is expected to rise another
12 percent during 2011. Delayed
criminal trials could likely expose
the county to additional litigation
costs brought on by the lack of ac-
cess to a speedy trial.
County voters are unlikely to
support another Special Purpose
Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST)
in the near term, and record foreclo-
sures and bankruptcies unfortunately
will place the burden of paying these
bills on a decreasing number of
DeKalb taxpayers and households.
That is clearly unfortunate too, but
life is simply not fair. Unless we
A Section • Page 5A
choose a path of decline, deteriora-
tion and fiscal irresponsibility, we
need to look to our leadership, and
the DeKalb County Commission to
make the tough choices as we move
ahead together. Better economic
times are ahead. This millage rate
increase may be rolled back in a year
or three, but to hold our ground and
maintain our community this year we
all need to dig a little bit deeper.
Clearly, there is fat still to be
trimmed in some areas, particularly
among executive salaries, and hid-
den benefits or golden parachutes
upon their departure. Review of
those concerns does not end with this
budget. But the law requires a new
and approved budget within a mat-
ter of days. And when we leave our
houses next Monday, we expect our
schools to be open, and our streets to
be safe. When we turn on the water,
we expect it to flow. Keeping those
expectations turning into daily reality
will require a bit more self-sacrifice
for the next few years, so Mr. CEO
and commissions, raise our millage
rate ever so slightly, if you please.
Bill Crane is a DeKalb County
native and business owner, living in
Scottdale, Georgia. He also serves
as chief political analyst and com-
mentator for 11Alive News and WSB
Radio, News/Talk 750. Contact Bill
Crane at Bill@dekalbchamp.com.
 Page 6A
My favorite Republican
Eisenhower's farewell address sounds like a
speech not merely from another era but from
another planet.
There’s been a good
deal happening lately
needing immediate at-
tention, but it’s not too
late to recognize the 50th
anniversary of one of our
great presidential speech-
es–Dwight D. Eisenhow-
er’s farewell address.
The only part of it
much remembered is his
admonition to avoid “un-
warranted influence” by
the “military-industrial”
complex. There’d been
a military-industrial
complex operating since
World War I, but Ike was
the first to name it.
What’s striking about
the speech today is its
tone of balance and mod-
eration. It sounds like a
speech not merely from
another era but from an-
other planet.
Near the top the presi-
dent said:
“Like every other
citizen, I wish the new
President [John F. Ken-
nedy, a Democrat] and
all who will labor with
him Godspeed. I pray that
the coming years will be
blessed with peace and
prosperity for all.
“Our people expect
their president and the
Congress to find essential
agreement on questions
of great moment, the wise
resolution of which will
better shape the future of
the nation.”
Can you imagine a
Republican leader saying
something like that now?
Not if the leader is Mitch
McConnell, John Boeh-
ner, Sarah Palin, Jon
Kyl or Eric Cantor. Had
Ike been that kind of Re-
publican he’d have said:
“I want our new president
to be a one-term president
and I expect our party in
Congress to work to make
him so.”
Eisenhower was the
very model of Republican
Printed on 100% post-
consumer recycled paper
by Donald Kaul
Columnist
probity (yes, Virginia,
there was such a thing
back then) and something
of a national father figure.
As a five-star general and
the commander of Allied
Forces in Europe, he led
us to victory in World
War II. As president, he
brought an end to the un-
popular armed conflict in
Korea.
He had perhaps the
best campaign slogan of
any American politician:
“I Like Ike.” And we did.
Even liberals liked him
personally, if not politi-
cally.
His farewell had a kind
of Polonius lilt (“Neither
a borrower nor a lender
be”), embodying time-
honored conservative
principles–idealism, cau-
tion and moderation.
“Throughout Amer-
ica’s adventure in free
government,” he said,
[our] “basic purposes
have been to keep the
peace; to foster progress
in human achievement
and to enhance lib-
erty, dignity and integrity
among peoples and na-
tions.”
Then he warned
against overreaching:
“There is a recurring
temptation to feel that
some spectacular and
costly action could be-
come the miraculous solu-
tion to all current difficul-
ties…But each proposal
must be weighed in light
of a broader consider-
ation; the need to main-
tain balance in and among
national programs….
Good judgment seeks bal-
ance and progress; lack of
it eventually finds imbal-
ance and frustration.”
THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2011
His warning against
the military-industrial
complex took only a
moment of the speech,
but carried the testi-
mony of a man whose
life had been devoted
to military service:
“We have been com- The following comments are pulled straight from our website and
pelled to create a perma- are not edited for content or grammar.
nent armaments industry
of vast proportions…In
the councils of govern- Avondale Publix development on hold
ment, we must guard
against the acquisition of
unwarranted influence, IDevelopments are BUST from Downtown At-
whether sought or un- lanta to Buckhead to Brookhaven but the DeKalb
sought by the military-in- CEO Burrell Ellis is in Washington DC on my dime
dustrial complex. The po- wasting my money trying once again to revive the
tential for the disastrous Doraville GM Property Bad Deal !
rise of misplaced power Have you ever been in that area during Morning
exists and will persist.”
The speech is a virtual and Evening Traffic ? If the existing roads could
not handle the GM Employees with extra traffic
critique of the present. Al-
most everything he feared how can the area handle the traffic from any grand
plan from CEO “Little Lord Faunteroy” ?
would happen, happened.
I wasn’t a fan of Eisen-
hower as president. He – Iva Ben Hadd posted this on 2/16/11 at 5:48 p.m.
was too conservative for
me, too ineloquent. I cast
my first vote against him. Old school becomes new movie set
I can’t imagine what
I was thinking. For all
his faults, Ike was a fine Great question cynic, perhaps it will be used to
president. If one were to
seek to name his lasting pay the new public relations person. Since I’m sure
his salary is twice that of the former person Dale
accomplishments, one
needs look no further than Davis. Or maybe DCSS won’t have to cut more
jobs from the bottom to pay Tyson’s salary? Or
the Interstate highway
system, the largest public maybe they will use the money to pay for the redis-
works program in our his- tricting scam and the superintendent scam search
tory. since Tyson is the boards Girl! More of the same
Yet far more than that, Black on Black crime. Stay tuned DeKalb!
he was the last American
president able to look the – Loreen Booker Brown posted this on 2/16/11 at
military-industrial com- 6:56 p.m.
plex in the eye and make
it blink. For that, if for
nothing else, we should It would have been nice to include in this story
how much DCSS is being paid for the use of this
honor him and remember
his words. school, and where those $ are going.
A perfect president?
Hardly. But a damn good – cynic posted this on 2/13/11 at 9:52 a.m.
one.
OtherWords columnist Proposed county budget cuts five recreation
Donald Kaul lives in Ann centers
Arbor, Michigan. www.
otherwords.org
As for the recreation centers - good riddance. I
have spent 50 years in DeKalb and never used
them once. They are largely irrelevant.
–The Evangelist posted this on 2/18/11 at 7:30
p.m.
www.championnewspaper.com
Chamblee mayor Eric Clarkson speaks to the Chamblee Business Association about the positive
changes that have happened in the city since annexation. Photo by Andrew Cauthen
Chamblee’s annexation brings changes
by Andrew Cauthen
andrew@dekalbchamp.com
A year ago during his
state of the city address,
Chamblee Mayor Eric
Clarkson told the city that
there might be a referendum
on annexation on the ballots
in November 2010.
The vote came and 58
percent of the residents in
the Huntley Hills area voted
to be annexed into the city.
In this year’s address be-
fore the Chamblee Business
Association, Clarkson said
the recently annexed area
now has a “government
that’s much closer to the
people.”
After adding 6,000 resi-
dents and 1.5 square miles
to the city, Chamblee starts
the year off approximately
THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2011
50 percent larger. Before
the annexation, the city was
approximately 3.5 square
miles with about 12,000
residents.
“There were some folks
that were not in favor of it
[the annexation] and put
out a fairly large campaign
to try to stop it,” Clarkson
said.
Clarkson, who has been
Chamblee’s part-time
mayor since 2005, said he
has received several e-mails
from new residents who say
they are pleased with their
new municipal residency.
Because of the an-
nexation, Chamblee had to
hire additional employees
bringing its workforce to
104. Among the additional
workers, the city hired 12
police officers and four 911
officers.
The city’s 2011 budget
is $13 million and Cham-
blee is expected to bring
in $13.7 million, Clarkson
said. With the $700,000
in unbudgeted funds, the
city will be able have ap-
proximately $2.4 million in
reserves.
“We’re still below where
the city would like to be,”
Clarkson said.
Clarkson said he hopes
Chamblee officials will be
able to lower the 7.95-mill-
age rate later this year.
“It’s just a shame that
we’ve had to balance our
budget on the backs of our
property owners,” Clarkson
said. “For just way too long
now the millage has gone
up. I think that it is time for
it to come back down.”
Page 7A
Michael and Eunice Shinn
Champion of the Week
Gail Smith feels that said. “Now days the
the work her pastor and demand has become
his wife, Michael and greater and of course
Eunice Shinn, do in the middle class and
the community goes so poor always get hit the
far beyond what would hardest.”
normally be expected of
people in their position
Among the projects
that keep the Shinns
that they deserve spe- busy are ones that
cial recognition. provide food baskets,
“I know people would clothing and health
say that these are information in the com-
things a church is sup- munity. They host Fri-
pose to do, and they’re day night family movie
right, but their efforts nights and give away
make it possible for us back-to-school items in
to do so much more. the fall and toys during
We have no money; the Christmas season.
what we have is Pas- They are especially
tor Shinn and his wife,” interested in the well
Smith said. She added being of children in lo-
that because of the cal shelters, schools,
time and effort they hospitals and the Stone
put in New World Har- Mountain community.
vest Church in Stone They seek “to provide
Mountain, which has love, acceptance, guid-
been around for a little ance and encourage-
more than 10 years, is ment to those who
even able to help other may have felt abused,
churches. abandoned, overlooked
“We could never or misunderstood,”
forget where God according to Michael
brought us from and Shinn.
the many days our They also help the
parents struggled to youth build their self-es-
make ends meet for our teem by teaching them
family. During those how to improve their
days families along with problem-solving abili-
churches would come ties, how to interact with
together to assist others others socially, and be
less fortunate than our prepared for the work
family,” Michael Shinn force, the couple said.
If you would like to nominate someone to
be considered as a future Champion of the
Week, please contact Kathy Mitchell at
kathy@DeKalbchamp.com or at
404-373-7779, ext. 104.
 Page 8A THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2011

DeKalb District Attorney Robert James handles one of the 200 confiscated weapons set to be destroyed by James’ office. Photo by Andrew Cauthen

District attorney destroys 200 weapons

by Andrew Cauthen “We have entirely too The weapons were held for a few years until said. “We’re lessening the
andrew@dekalbchamp.com many weapons on the used in various felonies in the appellate process has opportunity for bad people
streets,” said District Attor- DeKalb County and confis- ended. Some of the weap- to do bad things with these
Three years ago, Tajuan ney Robert James during cated by the investigating ons destroyed were from weapons.”
Gurvin, 22 of Decatur, went a press conference Feb. 17. jurisdiction, James said. 10-year-old cases. James said that although
to an apartment complex in “When you have weap- the weapons were just a
Clarkston, and fired an AR- ons on the streets, bad fraction of those available
15 assault rifle in the air. He people gain access to on the streets, each one
then entered an apartment those weapons and they
‘By taking these off
confiscated makes DeKalb
and held five people captive do bad things.” safer.
while threatening to shoot The weapons will be “By taking these off the
them. Gurvin assaulted one
of the victims with the butt
of the weapon before fleeing
shredded at Newell Re-
cycling in Doraville.
“We basically recycle
the streets, I believe streets, I believe DeKalb is
a safer place,” James said.
“We’re safer 200 times.”
the scene.
Gurvin was later ap-
prehended, convicted and
them as scrap metal,”
James said. “They’re
gone and you’ll never
DeKalb is a safer James said that many of
the weapons were obtained

sentenced to 10 years for
aggravated assault, false
imprisonment, burglary and done.
criminal damage to property.
The weapon he used in
the crime was one of 200
revolvers, rifles and semi-
automatic confiscated guns
set to be destroyed by the
DeKalb County district at-
torney’s office.
see these weapons again
on the streets after we’re
“Every time we take a
gun off the street…that’s
one less gun that can be
used against a young
mother or a police officer
or someone caught in the
crossfire when they’re going
to church,” James said.
place.’
After the district attorneys’
office gets a conviction in
cases involving weapons,
the weapons are usually
– Robert James
“We are ecstatic about
… taking these weapons
off the streets [and] getting
them destroyed,” James
illegally by repeat offenders.
“These aren’t Boy Scouts
committing these offenses,”
James said. “These are peo-
ple who have been in prison
before. They’re not getting
these weapons at Walmart.
They’re not getting these
weapons at a reputable pawn
shop. They’re buying these
weapons off the street.”
www.championnewspaper.com THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2011 Page 9A

Outsourcing provides best health care for inmates

by Nigel Roberts
The United States Supreme Court
declared more than three decades
ago that prisoners have a constitu-
tional right to quality health care. At
a time when budgets are tight and
health care costs are skyrocketing,
county officials seek the best way to
comply with the law while spending
tax dollars wisely.
Outsourcing inmate health care,
said DeKalb County Sheriff Thom-
as Brown, is the most cost effective
use of public funds. In January, the
department contracted with Correct
Care Solutions, a Nashville Tenn.-
based company, to provided health
care to county jail inmates.
CCS’ services, which include
medical, dental and mental health,
cost the county about $13 million a
year. “It’s expensive,” said Brown,
“but the law requires that we pro-
vide quality health care to our pris-
oners.”
Brown said he could not recall
a time during his long career when
health care was handled in-house.
But he estimated that in-house
health care would cost perhaps
a little less than the amount the
county pays CCS. “However, sev-
eral factors, including recruitment
and purchasing liability insurance,
would drive up our in-house costs,”
he explained. By outsourcing, the
medical vendor assumes the re-
sponsibility for medical malpractice
suits. “This protects the Sheriff’s
Department and the taxpayers,”
Brown continued.
After declining to renew its con-
tract with a different health care
general population have is often
controversial. Nevertheless, the
courts have been largely steadfast
in protecting prisoners’ health care
rights. The constitutional underpin-
ning of the Supreme Court’s 1976
decision in Estelle v. Gamble is that
an inmate’s untreated illness could
result in pain and suffering—a vio-
lation of the Eighth Amendment
prohibition of cruel and unusual
punishment.
As Cummiskey explained, “Na-
tionally, incarcerated populations
tend to be very litigious.” Lawsuits
and complaints from inmates and
inmate advocacy organizations have
led courts throughout the nation to
intervene on the behalf of prisoners.
In some instances, the courts have
ordered jails and prisons to increase
staffing or to enlarge its range of
health care services.
Brown said he had concerns
about the quality of care the previ-
ous health care vendor provided.
vendor, the department signed a have not traditionally taken good “Our previous medical provider
five-year contract with CCS—the care of themselves,” said Cummis- failed to meet our standards of per-
third-largest correctional health care key. “This is often driven by mental formance measures,” he said, “and
provider in the country. illness, challenges with addiction or that didn’t serve the taxpayers.”
On a typical day, CCS health simply limited access to health care So far, the sheriff is pleased with
care providers have more than services.” the quality of care CCS provides
3,000 patient contacts, said Patrick He added that inmates typically to county inmates. He highlighted
Cummiskey, a CCS executive vice come from a segment of the general that the company is a leader in the
president in charge of client de- population that is “noncompliant electronic medical records industry
velopment. These patient contacts on their treatments” or newly di- and has made significant progress
include screening new inmates, sick agnosed. Consequently, DeKalb’s toward transforming the jail’s old
call service, daily medication ad- inmates, as well as other prison pop- paper files. The sheriff said the com-
ministration, chronic care manage- ulations, tend to have a higher than pany also impressed him when it
ment, medical records management, average rate of chronic illness, HIV/ “proactively” placed its staff in ho-
chronic care management and other AIDS and communicable diseases, tels near the jail so that they could
services. Cummiskey explained. report to work during January’s in-
“This patient population is often Providing a higher level of health clement weather.
skewed toward individuals who care to inmates than many in the

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

School Decommissioning
Tuesday, March 1, 2011 6:30 P.M. Public Hearings Thursday, March 3, 2011 6:30 P.M.
Administrative and Instructional Complex Board Room Administrative and Instructional Complex Board Room
1701 Mountain Industrial Boulevard 1701 Mountain Industrial Boulevard
Stone Mountain, GA 30083 Stone Mountain, GA 30083
DeKalb County School System proposes to decommission six education facilities: (1) Atherton ES, (2) Glen Haven ES, (3) Gresham Park ES, (4) Peachcrest ES,
(5) Medlock ES, and (6) Sky Haven ES and to place two schools in inactive status: (1) Avondale MS and (2) Avondale HS. Students from these schools will be
relocated to other existing nearby schools, as listed in Table 1 and Table 2, and this will take place by August 2011 for the 2011-2012 school year. The
proposed use for each affected building is listed below in Table 1.

All existing school sizes and grade configurations will remain the same and no new facilities or expansion of existing facilities are proposed as part of these
relocations and closures. Attendance lines will be redrawn for some of the receiving schools and their adjacent schools in order to accommodate the relocated
students within each existing school’s capacity limits.
g p y
Table 1. Decommissioned Schools Table 2. Receiving Schools, Size and Configuration
2010-11 Resident Students 2010-11 Enrollment
Receiving Configurati
School Building Address Transferred and Where Proposed Use of Building Funding/Source Address After School
Schools on
1674 Atherton Drive Canby Lane ES (76), Rowland ES (143),
Decommissioning
1. Atherton ES Decommission Facility $0 Avondale ES 10 Lakeshore Dr Avondale Estates, GA 30002 593 PK-5
Decatur, GA 30035 and Snapfinger ES (81)
Bethune MS 5200 Covington Highway, Decatur, GA 30035 1,002 6-8
1402 Austin Drive Midway ES (320), Rowland ES (80), and
2. Glen Haven ES Decommission Facility $0 Canby Lanes ES 4150 Green Hawk Trail, Decatur, GA 30035 650 PK-5
Decatur, GA 30032 Snapfinger ES (15)
Clarkston HS 618 N. Indian Creek Drive, Clarkston, GA 30021 1,399 9-12
Clifton ES (27), Flat Shoals ES (49), Clifton ES 3132 Clifton Church Rd. S.E. Atlanta, GA 30316 466 PK-5
1848 Vicki Ln, SE
3. Gresham Park ES McNair DLA ES (21), and Decommission Facility $0 Druid Hills HS 1798 Haygood Drive, NE, Atlanta, GA 30317 1,334 9-12
Atlanta, GA 30316
Meadowview ES (88)
Flat Shoals ES 3226 Flat Shoals Road, Decatur, GA 30034 533 PK-5
1530 Joy Lane Freedom MS 505 South Hairston Road, Stone Mountain, GA 30088 1,119 6-8
4. Peachcrest ES Midway ES (85) and Knollwood ES (127) Decommission Facility $0
Decatur, GA 30032 Laurel Ridge ES 1215 Balsam Drive, Decatur, GA 30033 342 PK-5
2418 Wood Trail Lane Avondale ES (71), Laurel Ridge ES (60), McLendon ES 3169 Hollywood Drive, Decatur, GA 30033 512 PK-5
5. Medlock ES Decommission Facility $0
Decatur, GA 30033 and McLendon ES (104) McNair DLA ES 2162 Second Avenue, Decatur, GA 30032 984 PK-5
1372 Sky Haven Rd, SE McNair DLA ES (159) and Meadowview ES 1879 Wee Kirk Road, Atlanta, GA 30316 404 PK-5
6. Sky Haven ES Decommission Facility $0 Midway ES 3318 Midway Rd, Decatur, GA 30032 734 PK-5
Atlanta, GA 30316 Meadowview ES (51)
3131 Old Rockbridge Rd Bethune MS (293), Freedom MS (8), Rowland ES 1317 S. Indian Creek Drive, Stone Mountain, GA 30083 479 PK-5
7. Avondale MS Put in inactive status $0 Druid Hills MS 3100 Mount Olive Drive, Decatur, GA 30033 1,082 6-8
Avondale Estates, 30002 Shamrock MS (184)
Snapfinger ES 1365 Snapfinger Road, Decatur, GA 30032 926 PK-5
1192 Clarendon Road Clarkston HS (4), Druid Hills HS (174),
8. Avondale HS Put in inactive status $0 Towers HS 3919 Brookcrest Circle, Decatur, GA 30032 1,109 9-12
Avondale Estates, GA 30002 Towers HS (374)
 Page 10A THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2011

Leaders discuss state of Black DeKalb

by Andrew Cauthen
andrew@dekalbchamp.com
Many of the ills of the
Black community have oc-
curred because of the negli-
gence of Blacks, according
to one community leader.
“We as a people have al-
lowed a whole lot of things
to take place in our commu-
nity,” said Gil Turman, pres-
ident of the South DeKalb
Neighborhood Coalition.
Community leaders have
allowed drug businesses
to thrive and have turned a
blind eye to people casing
their neighborhoods, prepar-
ing to rob homes, he said.
These comments came
Feb. 21 during one of seven
panel discussions on “The
State of Black DeKalb: How
Far Have We Come?” The
event, sponsored by DeKalb
County Commissioner Stan
Watson in recognition
of Black History Month,
brought together an estimat-
ed 200 Black government,
school, business and commu-
nity leaders.
There were panel discus-
sions on education, econom-
ic development, community,
religion, health care, politics
and the future of DeKalb.
Charles Peagler, presi-
dent of the Kings Ridge Ho-
meowners Association, said
concerned DeKalb residents
must participate in all levels
of schools, churches and
government to make DeKalb
a solid community.
“Go to the PTA meeting
whether you have a child in
that school or not,” Peagler
said. “Go to your homeown-
‘We’ve got everything
we need to begin to
solve our problems in
the church, but we’re
underutilized.’
ers association and voice
your opinion. Participate in
your government. Voting is
one of those things that make
your neighborhoods strong.”
Community is foremost
a mindset, said John Leak,
of the Columbia Valley com-
munity.
“When you ask White
people where they live, they
say ‘I live in Druid Hills,’”
Leak said. “You ask Black
people, they say ‘Well, I stay
over by South DeKalb Mall.’
There’s a difference in liv-
ing and staying. And for our
communities to improve, we
have to live in our commu-
nities. Live, work, play and
shop.”
During the panel dis- funding.
cussion on community, “You don’t have to have
John Evans, president of a whole lot of money to do
DeKalb’s NAACP, said that that,” Evans said. “Grandma
many problems in the county used to sweep the dirt in the
front yard just to keep it
clean.”
James Murphy, of
the Churchill Downs
Civic Association, said
one problem in the com-
munity is that parents
and leaders need to have
more of an interest in the
lives of young people.
“We have to teach
our young people core
values, and we have to
bring them to a place
where they understand
what integrity is,” Mur-
– Timothy McDonald phy said.
Commenting during
the religion panel discus-
would improve if the county sion, Timothy McDonald,
were cleaner, aestetically. pastor of First Iconium Bap-
“Our communities are not tist Church, said the Black
clean,” Evans said. “If you church is still the hope of the
don’t have a clean commu- community.
nity, nobody wants to come “We’ve got everything we
into your community. If it’s need to begin to solve our
not clean it says…“don’t problems in the church, but
come in here.” we’re underutilized,” Mc-
Evans said that cleanli- Donald said. Teachers and
ness does not require much business leaders need to join
churches in addressing the
problems of the Black com-
munity, he added.
However, Andre Grier,
pastor of Union Mission-
ary Baptist Church, said the
church is not the answer to
every problem in the com-
munity.
“You want us to solve the
crime problem. You want
us to solve the domestic
violence problem. You want
us to have all the answers
to political and social and
economic needs,” Grier said.
“But we need help. We are
not the end all, be all for ev-
ery ill in our society.”
Grier said that he hopes
and prays that the Black
church is still a viable part of
the community.
“If it is not, I think that all
of us are in trouble,” Grier
said.
In a summary comment
during his panel, Peagler said
DeKalb County is one of the
greatest counties in the na-
tion.
“I’m not going anywhere
until I retire and can’t pay
these high millage rates,”
Peagler said.

Traffic accident victim

ran red light, police say
by Robert Naddra
robert@dekalbchamp.com

The woman whose car struck a DeKalb County Police

cruiser last weekend ran a red light, according to the police
department’s initial investigation, spokeswoman Mekka
Parish said.
The driver of the car, Cheryl Blount, 51, and 56-year-
old Shelley Amos were killed after the vehicle T-boned the
patrol car of officer Kristina Hambie.
Hambie was driving westbound on Covington Highway
just outside Avondale Estates when her cruiser was struck
by a 2001 Nissan Altima driven by Blount, according to
police. Amos was pronounced dead at the scene and Blount
died after being taken to an area hospital.
Drugs or alcohol were not a factor in the accident, ac-
cording to Parish. It is not known how fast Blount was trav-
eling when her car struck Hambie’s vehicle, she said.
Decatur Mayor Bill Floyd, right, and a few Trees Atlanta volunteers kick-off tree planting festivi-
Hambie was taken to an area hospital for injuries, but is ties at Decatur Cemetery on Feb. 18, Georgia’s Arbor Day.
recovering at home. She is on leave while recovering, Par-
ish said. The nature of Hambie’s injuries is not known, Par-
ish said.
www.championnewspaper.com THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2011 Page 11A

Wesley Ruland found an old-fashioned phone among the pile of items in a storage unit he and business partner Doug Jordan won recently at the monthly auction at Storage
World in Decatur. Photos by Robert Naddra

TV show causes spike in storage unit auctions

by Robert Naddra
robert@dekalbchamp.com
At first glance, Wesley
Ruland thought he had just might be worth something.” days, the lien process be-
bid $75 for a heap of trash.
The 10-feet by 20-feet
storage unit was piled with
rolls of carpet backing, a
washer and dryer in ap-
work for you,” Ruland said. the auctions. Now we get hidden treasure. men live in McDonough and
“If we can get these chairs around 50,” Dozier said. Before the auction be- take anything of value they
cleaned up and if the mat- If no payment has been gins, interested buyers are find at auctions to a large
tresses are in good shape, it made on a unit after 60 allowed to walk past the flea market in McDonough
open door of a unit, but are to sell.
Ruland won one of four gins, Dozier said. They can not allowed to go in a unit. Ruland, who is in the real
auctions held recently at sell the contents of a unit if “We average about estate business, has been
Storage World on Panthers- no payment has been made 10 units up for auction bidding on storage units for
ville Road in Decatur. The after 90 days. each month, “Dozier said. about a year since leaving
business holds monthly auc- For the most recent auc- “We’ve had as many as 15 the Army.

So many reasons to join!

parently poor condition,
electronics with the cords
cut and garbage bags full of
miscellaneous junk.
“Looks like I’ll be doing recent auction, but it drew
good to get the $75 back,”
Ruland said before entering 10-by-10 units were won for ville Road as more than 60
tions on units that have been tion, the business’s parking
defaulted on by renters. lot was full with trucks and
Ruland’s unit was the trailers nearly 30 minutes
DeKalb Chamber of Commerce
largest up for bid at the most before the auction began.
Vehicles also were lined up
the lowest100
bid.Crescent CenteronPkwy.,
Three other Suite 680.
the shoulder Tucker, GA
of Panthers-
units up for auction and the “I was inspired by the
bids can get into the thou- TV show,” he said. “You’d
sands for a 5 by 10 unit.” be surprised at what people
After a few minutes of will buy. We had one unit
investigating their unit, Ru- that had 30 or 40 bags full
30084
land (404) were
and Jordan 378-8000
happywww.DeKalbChamber.org
of clothes, and people were
at the prospect of doubling buying entire bags.”

Looking for new customers? We can help!

the unit. $300, $135 and $220. people came to try to find their $75 investment. Both
But after rummaging Since the debut of the
through the unit with busi- popular A&E television
ness partner Doug Jordan,
the Redan High School DeKalb Chamber of Commerce
show Storage Wars, interest
in the auctions has doubled, PUBLIC NOTICE
100 Crescent Center Pkwy.,
graduate was more hopeful. said Storage World manager Suite 680. Tucker, GA 30084 (404) 378-8000 www.DeKalbChamber.org
There were mattresses that Latasha Dozier. The proposed Capital Improvement budgets for the City of Pine Lake will be available
may be able to be salvaged, The auctions are a neces- for public review at the Pine Lake City Hall, 462 Clubhouse Drive, Pine Lake, Georgia
two pieces of furniture that sary part of the business, but
The Voice of Business in DeKalb County
during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, beginning the week of February
may be sellable after a good it is not something Dozier
cleaning and some interest- and her employees take joy 28, 2011.
ing smaller items, includ-
ing an old-fashioned rotary DeKalb Chamber of Commerce
in. The down economy has
increased the number of de-
The City Council for the City of Pine Lake will conduct a Public Hearing to solicit citizen
input on the proposed budgets during the regular City Council meeting scheduled for
100 Crescent Center Pkwy., Suite 680. Tucker, GA 30084
phone and an artificial ficus faulted units. March 14,www.DeKalbChamber.org
2011, beginning at 7:30 PM. The Public Hearing will be held in the
tree. “We’ve404-378-8000
been here since
“This is a classic exam- 2004 and we used to get Courtroom/Council Chambers located at 459 Pine Drive, Pine Lake, GA 30072.
ple of getting your money to about 25 to 30 people at All interested citizens are invited to attend and be heard.

Your competitor is likely a member!

DeKalb Chamber of Commerce
100 Crescent Center Pkwy., Suite 680. Tucker, GA 30084 (404) 378-8000 www.DeKalbChamber.org
Page 12A THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2011

Setback does not stop

Dunwoody’s music hall efforts
by Andrew Cauthen million. economy of the two-year-old
andrew@dekalbchamp.com Ross said the city’s five city.
hotels supported the tax “That would bring
Despite getting a setback because of the tourists the $550,000 in taxes to the
from the Dunwoody City Music Hall of Fame would city,” Ross said. “It would
Council, it’s still full steam bring to the city. increase our tax income
ahead for a bid to bring the “It gives them a venue without increasing the prop-
Georgia Music Hall of Fame they can promote,” Ross erty tax rate.”
to the city. said. The governing board of
Dunwoody’s city council Ross said he believes the the hall is expected to choose
on Feb. 15 voted down a hall in Dunwoody would a new city for the attraction
plan to raise its hotel excise attract 250,000 visitors and by April 15.
tax by 1 percent. Under the add about $50 million to the Photo by Travis Hudgons
proposal, revenue from the
tax would have collected
$1.2 million over three
years. That money would
have been used to help fi- Congratulations to an
nance the Georgia Music
Hall of Fame. American Hero.
But members of the Dun-
woody Music Conservancy,
organized to try to bring the
hall to Dunwoody, are not
giving up the fight.
“We’re still moving
ahead as forcefully as we
started,” said Danny Ross,
chairman of the conservancy
and a Dunwoody city coun-
cilman. Ross did not vote
on the hotel tax increase
because of his role with the
conservancy.
“This is the right thing for
our community and we need
to make this happen,” Ross
said.
Currently, the hall of
fame, which opened in 1996,
is located in Macon, the
birthplace of Little Richard,
Otis Redding and Southern
rock. The hall of fame at-
tracts approximately 20,000
visitors annually and is de-
pendent on state funding.
Because of the state’s fi-
nancial troubles, lawmakers
are planning to stop subsi-
dizing the hall. In addition to
Dunwoody, representatives
from Athens, Woodstock and
Macon are bidding to get the
hall.
The Dunwoody Music
Conservancy wanted the tax
increase to show that it had
money in hand and support
from the city government.
“All of the other bidders
had money in hand,” Ross
said. “Our proposal was al-
ways to fund it through pri- To be granted the highest civilian honor, is not only a testament to his work, but proof that his struggles were
vate sources. I’m very confi-
dent we can raise funds.” not in vain. Georgia Power is proud to congratulate Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, Civil Rights
Ross said he and other
members of the conservancy leader and Congressman, Representative John Lewis.
have extensive experience
raising large amounts of
money. One member, Wil-
liam McCahan, served as GEORGIAPOWER.COM
chief marketing officer for
the 1996 Olympics in At-
lanta, raising more than $900
www.championnewspaper.com THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2011 Page 13A

County commissioners reject tax increase

by Andrew Cauthen DeKalb and partially funds In DeKalb County, During an impromptu local government in the
andrew@dekalbchamp. the tax commissioner’s because of cross-training, press conference before Atlanta metro region.”
com satellite offices—all of paramedics are firefighters the board’s vote, Ellis But a tax increase is
which were threatened by who provide emergency said the “draconian cuts… still needed, Ellis said.
There will not be a the county administration’s medical services, so will have the impact of “There’ll be no way
tax increase in DeKalb proposed budget. a cut in paramedics shutting down the people’s that we can continue to
County—at least not now. A resolution associated is essentially a cut in government.” deliver those services
DeKalb County’s Board with the commission’s firemen, O’Brien said. “We’ve cut our at the same level as we
of Commissioners voted budget also calls for The budget passed by spending more than $109 have in the past without
5-2 to reject the proposed the privatization of the the board is $33.64 million million since I’ve become some adjustment in our
$563 million budget of the county’s emergency less than the one proposed CEO,” Ellis said. “I think millage,” Ellis said.
county’s chief executive medical services. by CEO Burrell Ellis. we’ve done more than any
officer, which called for
a property tax increase of
2.32 mills, or 12 percent.
Instead, the board DeKalb County Wants to Hear From You
substituted its own zero- Regarding the Proposed Franchise Agreement Renewal
increase budget while
stating that it will continue with Comcast Cable Communications
to review the budget and Send your comments and/or concerns regarding Comcast’s current performance under
amend it if necessary the current franchise agreement and/or the future cable-related needs and interests of
before it is implemented in your community to cable@co.dekalb.ga.us.
two months.
County officials said
the board’s vote will force
The Champion Weather Feb. 24, 2011
the county to shut down Seven Day Forecast In-Depth Local Forecast Today's Regional Map Weather History
the police helicopter, Today we will see mostly cloudy skies with a Feb. 24, 1936 - Vermont and
eliminate 80 police and THURSDAY slight chance of showers, high temperature of New Hampshire received
fire recruits, and 800 Mostly Cloudy 65º, humidity of 68%. South wind 5 to 10 mph. brown snow due to dust from
positions throughout the Dunwoody
High: 65 Low: 54 The record high temperature for today is 77º storms in the Great Plains
county. 63/53 Lilburn
set in 1982. Expect cloudy skies tonight with a Smyrna Doraville 64/54 Region. A muddy rain fell
Eddie O’Brien, chief FRIDAY 50% chance of showers, overnight low of 54º. 64/54 across parts of northern New
of the county’s fire 64/54
Showers Likely Snellville York State.
department, said that the *Last Week’s Almanac Decatur
High: 68 Low: 42 65/54
budget would force the Atlanta 65/54
Date Hi Lo Normals Precip
cutting of at least 125 65/54
SATURDAY Tuesday 63 34 57/36 0.00" Lithonia Feb. 25, 1989 - Thirteen cities
positions. Mostly Sunny Wednesday 65 42 57/37 0.00" College Park 66/54 in Florida reported record low
“Our whole service High: 66 Low: 48 Thursday 71 42 57/37 0.00" 66/54 Morrow temperatures for the date,
model will have to Friday 68 48 58/37 0.00" 66/54 including Jacksonville with a
change,” O’Brien said. SUNDAY Saturday 75 47 58/37 0.00" Union City
reading of 24 degrees. Severe
The budget cuts the Few Showers Sunday 63 46 58/38 0.00" 66/54
cold in Florida claimed three
position of director of High: 69 Low: 52 Monday 72 45 58/38 0.00"
Hampton lives and resulted in 250 to 300
public safety held by Rainfall . . . . . . .0.00" Average temp . .55.8
67/55 million dollars crop damage.
William Miller, who MONDAY Normal rainfall . .1.19" Average normal 47.4
said all public safety Few Showers Departure . . . . .-1.19" Departure . . . . .+8.4
departments will suffer High: 69 Low: 51 *Data as reported from De Kalb-Peachtree Airport
without his position. Local Sun/Moon Chart This Week Tonight's Planets
“I can truthfully say TUESDAY Day Sunrise Sunset Moonrise Moonset
Rise Set
that DeKalb County public Few Showers Last Thursday 7:12 a.m. 6:30 p.m. 12:58 a.m. 11:12 a.m. First
Mercury 7:19 a.m. 6:24 p.m.
safety officers respond in a High: 64 Low: 48 2/24 Friday 7:10 a.m. 6:30 p.m. 2:00 a.m. 12:04 p.m. 3/12
Venus 4:55 a.m. 3:08 p.m.
more coordinated fashion Saturday 7:09 a.m. 6:31 p.m. 2:56 a.m. 1:01 p.m.
Mars 7:05 a.m. 6:05 p.m.
and a more efficient WEDNESDAY Sunday 7:08 a.m. 6:32 p.m. 3:45 a.m. 1:59 p.m.
Jupiter 8:40 a.m. 8:53 p.m.
fashion since I’ve been Partly Cloudy New Monday 7:07 a.m. 6:33 p.m. 4:28 a.m. 2:58 p.m. Full Saturn 9:31 p.m. 9:18 a.m.
here,” Miller said. High: 64 Low: 42 3/4 Tuesday 7:06 a.m. 6:34 p.m. 5:06 a.m. 3:56 p.m. 3/19 Uranus 8:19 a.m. 8:17 p.m.
Commissioners Kathie Wednesday 7:04 a.m. 6:35 p.m. 5:39 a.m. 4:53 p.m.
Gannon and Jeff Rader
voted against the budget. Local UV Index National Weather Summary This Week Weather Trivia
Commissioner Lee May
?
The Northeast will see isolated rain and snow today, widespread rain and snow Friday, What was the biggest
said the administration partly cloudy to cloudy skies Saturday, with the highest temperature of 61º in recorded tornado out-
still needs to look at ways 0 - 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11+ Carbondale, Ill. The Southeast will see mostly clear to partly cloudy today, isolated break?
to provide services more UV Index
thunderstorms Friday, mostly clear skies Saturday, with the highest temperature of 81º in Ft. Myers, Fla. Answer: On April 3rd and 4th of
efficiently. 0-2: Low, 3-5: Moderate, The Northwest will see widespread snow today and Friday, isolated snow Saturday, with the highest 1974, 148 tornadoes traveled across
“I don’t think you want 6-7: High, 8-10: Very High temperature of 44º in Brookings, Ore. The Southwest will see mostly clear skies today, scattered rain 13 states.
us to put more money into 11+: Extreme Exposure Friday and Saturday, with the highest temperature of 77º in Carlsbad, N.M. www.WhatsOurWeather.com
a bag with holes in it,” StarWatch By Gary Becker - Vega and the Prince
May said.
When I was a volunteer astronomer at Chaco Culture near Nageezi, NM, I worked with a former Exxon executive named Johnny Prince. Prince headed Exxon’s initiative
In addition to to clean up the Alaskan coastline after the Exxon Valdez oil spill in March of 1989. Johnny could be quite a fistful, and on those rare occasions when his demeanor seemed
eliminating the proposed more like a boardroom CEO, our little cadre would gently remind him that he had been responsible for releasing two friendly seals that Exxon had spent hundred of thou-
tax increase, the sands of dollars rehabilitating. It was a huge media event which deflated immediately when one of the mammals was eaten by a killer whale. In all fairness, Johnny Prince
commission’s budget was really a decent guy, and I enjoyed his camaraderie, especially when we were observing or photographing the night sky. On one such occasion, Johnny was having trouble with his com-
continues to fund the five puterized drive. He had a beautiful refractor, but the drive which allowed the scope to follow the stars was a handful. After tinkering with it for hours he realized that he had forgotten a
recreation centers, the book containing star positions and couldn’t initialize the mount without it. So he yelled matter-of-factly to me, inquiring whether I knew the precise coordinates of Vega, the bright star that
University of Georgia’s was nearly over our heads. I smiled because I knew the precise coordinates of only one star in the entire sky and that was Vega, the star from which “the message” was transmitted back
extension program for to Earth in the movie, Contact. I closed my eyes and watched Jodie Foster’s surprised look as she realized the radio telescopes were picking up ET. Her lithe body jumped into the driver’s
seat of her convertible. Reaching for her walky-talky, she (I) screamed, “Right ascension 18 hr., 36 min., 56.2 sec.; declination +36 deg., 46 min. 56.2 sec. Confirm!” Okay, Jodie was off
just a little, but Johnny Prince never asked me for another stellar coordinate again. www.astronomy.org
health
Members of the Lupus Foundation of America, Georgia Chapter, gathered from across the state to raise awareness among state
legislators of the life-threatening disease. Georgia lawmakers who came to the lectern tin support of the Lupus Foundation in-
clude, at right from top, Sen. Jason Carter, Sen. Gloria Butler, Rep. Michele Henson, Rep. Elena Parent and Sen. Steve Henson.
Photos by Kathy Mitchell
State legislators step forward
to raise lupus awareness
by Kathy Mitchell
kathy@dekalbchamp.com
It’s been more than 50 years
since a new drug to treat the disease
lupus has come on the market. Rep-
resentative of the Lupus Foundation
of America, Georgia Chapter, were
joined at the state Capitol Feb. 16
by a number of state lawmakers,
including several from DeKalb, to
underscore that fact.
More than 100 lupus patients and
their family members came from
across the state as part of the fourth
annual Lupus Awareness Day in the
Georgia Capitol Rotunda. The event
was hosted by two of the newest
members of Georgia Legislature,
Sen. Jason Carter and Rep. Elena
Parent, both of whom represent
parts of DeKalb County.
“Lupus is one the most misun-
derstood diseases. We must take
advantage of every opportunity to
shed light on this disease and edu-
cate the public about this serious
threat to Americans’ safety,” Carter
said.
“The effects of lupus reach be-
yond the patient and into their fami-
THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2011 • PAGE 14A
lies and support systems at home.
It’s an honor to work with those
devoted to fighting the disease and
I hope researchers will continue to
make advancements in treatment
and eventually cure lupus,” Carter
said. “Even though I’m 35 years
old, I have known a number of peo-
ple affected by lupus.”
Former Sen. David Adelman,
now U.S. ambassador to Singapore,
hosted the previous Lupus Aware-
ness Days. Carter holds the senate
seat formerly occupied by Adelman.
“We need to do everything we
can to make people aware of this
life-threatening disease,” said Par-
ent, who added that several mem-
bers of her family have had the dis-
ease, including one who died from
its complications. “It can strike at
any level from slightly debilitating
to deadly.”
Rep. Michele Henson said that
she, too, has had a number of peo-
ple close to her with lupus. “Your
coming here will help legislators
understand the issues and keep them
on the forefront of their agendas,”
she told the Lupus Foundation
members.
Sen. Gloria Butler said that she
was glad to see that the group repre-
senting the foundation was getting
“larger and louder.” She promised
to roll lupus awareness into this
year’s rendition of an annual park
event that she sponsors.
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune
disease that attacks the body’s cells
and tissues resulting in inflamma-
tion, pain and tissue damage to
virtually any organ in the body, es-
pecially the skin, joints, blood and
kidneys. The word lupus, which
means “wolf,” refers to the bright
red rash resembling a wolf bite that
often comes with the disease.
The disease affects primarily
young women in their childbearing
years, but is also can affect men,
children and women of all ages. To
make the point that not all lupus
suffers are young women, Rep.
Calvin Hill came to lectern to an-
nounce that he has a form of the
disease.
Lupus affects more than 55,000
Georgians and 1.5 million Ameri-
cans.
www.championnewspaper.com
Ellis discusses GM plant with Washington leaders
by Gale Horton Gay
gale@dekalbchamp.com
A three-day trip to Washington
to focus on economic growth and
development for DeKalb County
has been termed a success by
DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis.
Ellis traveled to the nation’s
capital last week as part of a
six-member delegation from the
Atlanta Regional Commission
(ARC). Ellis, who serves on the
ARC board, traveled with ARC
Chairman Tad Leithead, ARC ex-
ecutive director Charles Kraulter,
Norcross Mayor Bucky Johnson,
who’s also head of ARC’s Trans-
portation Roundtable, and two
ARC staff members.
Ellis said one of the purposes
of the trip was to convey to Wash-
ington officials that leaders in
DeKalb County and metro Atlanta
are working collaboratively in find-
ing solutions to some of the area’s
most pressing issues. “In regional
issues, such as the common agenda
Art
lery, 415 Church St., Decatur.
Workmaster describes her layered
paper works as “dimensional draw-
ings.” They are her artistic interpreta-
tions of Victorian houses, buildings,
gardens, windows, etc.
She’s a self taught artist and said
she fought with art officials not to have
her work categorized as a craft. She
views it as fine art.
And while her work may ap-
pear complex, the tools that she uses
aren’t—a dental lab knife, Elmer’s
glue and the paper. There’s even a
story in that paper.
After trying different papers,
Workmaster fell in love with a 100
percent rag paper from the Beckett
paper company. When the company
decided to discontinue that particular
card stock, they contacted her and had
stacks and stacks of the surplus paper
delivered to her Ohio home. She still
has two boxes of the paper that she
says “cuts like butter.”
In describing the process she uses,
Workmaster said, “I feel like I am
drawing with my knife when I am
building these things. I love it because
THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2011
of sustainability, it is imperative we
speak with one voice,” said Ellis.
He added it is vital to show a
united front when seeking federal
grants.
“We weren’t there asking for
any specific pot of money,” said
Ellis. However he noted that during
his first year in office in 2009, he
traveled to Washington nine times,
which resulted in securing $174
million in stimulus funding.
“DeKalb County is well known
on Capitol Hill,” he said.
Ellis met with Congressman
John Mica, chairman of the House
Transportation Committee and
Derek Douglas, special assistant
to President Barack Obama on
the White House Domestic Policy
Council (DPC) on urban and met-
ropolitan policy issues. Accord-
ing to a press release, Ellis con-
veyed his willingness to partner
with the Obama administration to
promote livability and long-term
sustainability of the Atlanta metro-
politan region.
Continued From Page 1A
it’s a challenge every time.”
During her prime, Workmaster
traveled the country exhibiting at
shows and winning awards as well as
completing numerous commissioned
pieces for clients such as Disney World
and Dayton Kettering Hospital.
Although she struggled at first, in
time, she said she was able to support
herself and her family, which included
six children.
One complaint she received from
one of her children was about why
they couldn’t have a dining room table
like other families with an arrangement
of flowers and candles on top.
Bill Bibb, co-owner of The Seen
Gallery, said that he and his partner
agreed to represent Workmaster and
display her work.
“We were struck immediately how
exquisite the work was,” said Bibb,
noting Workmaster’s composition and
presentation.
The five Workmaster pieces at the
gallery are available for sale, ranging
from $100 to $350. He said feedback
on her work from patrons has been
“marvelous.”
“I wanted Congressman Mica to
hear firsthand what our transporta-
tion needs are in DeKalb County,
so he will be knowledgeable when
appropriations are recommended
in his committee,” said Ellis in a
statement.
In addition, the CEO met with
Congressman Hank Johnson on
strategies to bring unspent stimulus
funds to DeKalb County, and John
Fernandez, assistant secretary over
the Economic Development Admin-
istration in the U.S. Department of
Commerce, as well as other senior
advisors regarding the funding for
the redevelopment of the General
Motors site in Doraville. He also
met with representatives of the De-
partment of Transportation as well
as the Office of Management and
Budget. Ellis said they were “very
well received.”
Of his meeting with Congress-
man Tom Price on potential rede-
velopment of the General Motors
site in Doraville, Ellis said Price
reassured him that he understood
Budget
million in expenses, she said
“We’ve been very conservative
with our spending and we have an in-
crease in our reserves so that regard-
less of the decrease of the property
tax digest we will not need a millage
rate increase,” Tyson said.
The cuts that eliminated the
shortfall were across the board, said
school spokesman Walter Woods,
but included trimming down the num-
ber of employees in the central office.
“I don’t think it’s sunk in to
people the number of major cuts
we’ve made at the central office,”
Walker said. “We eliminated a num-
ber of administrative positions. Our
administration now is lean.
“[Tyson] has reorganized and cut
A Section • Page 15A
the significance and impact of re-
developing the site and emphasized
that all the congressional leaders
representing parts of DeKalb know
what’s going on with it and “move
together” on it.
“We learned there may be an
opportunity for funding to help to
facilitate the redevelop [the GM
site]” said Ellis. “We told them we
expect this to be a public/private
partnership. Everybody realizes
this is a tremendous economic de-
velopment opportunity. The pub-
lic sector really has to drive this
thing.”
The CEO’s trip was not without
a chance to socialize. On Feb. 15
he was a guest of Vice President
Joe Biden and his wife at their
home for a celebration of Black
History Month. He also attended
a reception for Congressman John
Lewis, who was awarded the Presi-
dential Medal of Freedom during a
White House ceremony.
“This was a very successful
trip,” said Ellis.
Continued From Page 1A
a number of key administrative posi-
tions,” Walker continued. “The lady
has quietly and efficiently made sig-
nificant changes that have had a posi-
tive financial impact on the system.”
Part of savings have come from
the Tyson’s redistricting and consoli-
dation proposal, where eight schools
are slated to be closed instead of 14
schools in the original plan. The con-
solidation plan will save the county
an estimated $12 million annually.
The lack of a shortfall in the com-
ing budget also means that furloughs
will be eliminated, Tyson said.
Ten- and 11-month employees
will get all their furlough days back
and 12-month employees will get 11
of 15 furlough days back, Tyson said.
Page 16A THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2011

News and events of the

DEKALB CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
100 Crescent Center Pkwy, Suite 680, Tucker, GA 30084 • 404.378.8000• www.DeKalbchamberofcommerce.org

Message from the President

Achieving Goals Thru
Partnerships and
Collaborations
Business has always been
about relationships–cultivating
existing ones, establishing
new ones, and re-establishing
old ones. The ability to
partner has never been more
paramount for businesses and
organizations as it is today. Our
economic climate continues
to make us do more with less.
Fewer resources and fewer
people can lead to minimized
opportunities. Yet, the ability
to partner enables us to grow
in size, expertise, stature and
capabilities.
The DeKalb Chamber could
not do what it does without
partnerships. In many respects
our partners are typical–
business, local government,
non-profits, and other business
groups. Just this year alone,
the DeKalb Chamber has
partnered with the DeKalb
CEO’s Office and Council for
Quality for Growth on the State
of the County address and the
DeKalb County School System
and Public Schools Foundation
on the State of the System.
In the days ahead, we will I would argue one cannot afford
partner with the Small Business to not partner. To share the
Finance Institute (March 16) for spoils is better than no spoils at
a half day business finance and all.
funding seminar and Franchise
Mart of Atlanta, DeKalb
Economic Development, and
Commissioners Watson and
May for a seminar (March
24) on starting and funding a
franchise.
Simply stated, the ability
to partner creates leverage.
Sometimes small businesses Leonardo McClarty
are leary to partner and joint President, DeKalb Chamber
venture with other firms for lack 404-378-8000 ext 222
of trust and fear of minimized lmcclarty@dekalbchamber.org
profits. In today’s environment,

Chamber Breakfast - March 10

DeKalb Chamber Launches Executive Speaker Series
Each year, the DeKalb
Chamber looks to refine its
programs with the goal of
providing more value and rele-
vancy for its membership. This
year, the DeKalb will launch
its Executive Speaker Series
program which is a quarterly
breakfast program geared
towards business owners
and senior level executives.
Attendees will hear from At-
lanta’s top business leaders
on key issues facing business
today. Speakers will address
topics related to public policy
and tax reform, healthcare,
improving productivity, strate-
gic planning, and maintaining
market share just to name a
few.
The first program of the
2011 calendar year will feature
Atlanta Gas Light’s Suzanne
Sitherwood who will speak
on tax reform in Georgia
which comes on the heels of
the recommendation of the
Tax Reform Commission to
the General Assembly. De-
rived from 2010 HR 1737, the
Commission’s sole purpose
was to make recommenda-
tions and design a balanced
tax system. Sitherwood was
one of the 17 commission
members who on December
15, 2010 began a comprehen-
sive and exhaustive study of
the tax laws and tax policy of
this state. The group’s goal
and objective was modernize
and revitalize the state rev-
enue structure so as to create
an equitable and flexible tax
system which properly balanc-
es the taxes based on fixed
wealth, current expenditures,
and current flow of income.
The group met until January
15 after which its recommen-
dations were disseminated
to the General Assembly for
review, modification, and pos-
sible passage.
The March 10 breakfast
will take place at the Holiday
Inn Select – Decatur/Confer-
ence Center located at 130 Suzanne Sitherwood
Clairemont Avenue, Decatur,
GA 30030. The cost is $25.00 interested parties should visit
for members and $35.00 gen- http://dcocexecspeaker.event-
eral admission. To register, brite.com/.

Save these important dates for March: Brought to you in partnership with

March 4 – Page Awards – Recognition of STAR March 15 – Principal Shadow Day Luncheon
Students March 16 – Stepping Up To Business
March 8 – New Members Lunch Reception March 16 – Network DeKalb Leads Group
Sponsored by the AJC March 24 – FranchiseMart – Own Your Own
March 10 – Executive Speaker Series – Suzanne Business
Sitherwood, Atlanta Gas Light
education THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2011 • PAGE 17A
Top teachers help Southwest DeKalb
earn top AP scores, principal says
by Daniel Beauregard
Southwest DeKalb High School
was recently recognized by the Col-
lege Board as one of 14 top schools
in the nation with the most African-
American students scoring a three
or higher in Advanced Placement
tests in 2010.
International Community School wins national According to the College
Board’s seventh annual AP Report
theater award to the Nation released on Feb. 9,
Southwest DeKalb was recognized
DeKalb’s International Community School won national recognition at for having exemplary AP scores
the 2011 Junior Theater Festival held in Atlanta last month. A cast from the in both Macroeconomics and U.S.
school won the Freddie G. Broadway Junior Spirit Award for performing History.
selections of Disney’s The Jungle Book KIDS. Also, ICS student Gezai “Southwest DeKalb is an ex-
Eta won both the Outstanding Individual Male Performance Award and ample of a school that’s doing the
the Junior Slam Award. As a result, an ICS teacher will attend the Freddie sort of work [needed], to reach out
G. Theatre Experience in New York this summer, which includes theater to African-American students and
workshops and performances. ICS consists of 400 students in grades prepare them in earlier grade levels
kindergarten through sixth grade. so that they’re ready for AP once
they get to be a junior or senior and
then helping them succeed once
Tyson makes influential list they’re in AP,” said Trevor Packer,
vice president of the Advanced
DeKalb County School System Interim Superintendent Ramona Tyson Placement Program for the College
has been named to the Atlanta Business League’s “100 Top Black Women Board.
of Influence.” Principal Angela Bethea said
The honorees are women in the community who have influenced large one of the reasons why the school
public bodies politically and in government, or are leading entrepreneurs has been recognized this year, as
in their industry. The Atlanta Business League also recognizes women well as in previous years, is due in
who have demonstrated commitment to the residents of metro Atlanta by large part to the teaching success of
maintaining significant involvement and participation in community and a core group of AP teachers.
civic activities. Tyson was among those recognized Feb. 22 at the 16th “Our numbers have grown be-
annual Women of Vision breakfast. cause the teachers are helping us get
Tyson also was chosen by the DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce great results, so parents of course
to receive the Sirius Star Award, which recognizes her dedication and want their children to be a part of
commitment to public service. Tyson took over as interim superintendent in that,” Bethea said. “We have a pool
February 2010 and is contracted to continue serving in that capacity until of advanced placement teachers
June 2012. here who are veterans at this point,
and we do push our [students] to
take more rigorous courses so we
can fill up these classes.”
Bethea also mentioned that the
school has seen a rise in the number
of students enrolled in AP classes at
the school.
“We’re increasing the number of
[AP] classes we offer; this year we
offer 15 courses but in the summer
we’re training additional teachers in
order to offer 18 courses next year,”
she said. “We also reach out to the
parents and ask them to place their
students into more rigorous courses
so we can get our numbers up.”
Dunwoody baseball team helps refugee group Georgia was also recognized as
one of the top 10 states that had the
Members of the Dunwoody High School baseball team assisted the City greatest five-year increase in seniors
of Refuge Outreach program last month by cleaning and organizing the scoring three or higher on AP tests
agency’s warehouse, and loading boxes of food for families in need. The during high school, an increase of
Atlanta-based agency offers both life-saving resources and life-building 4.7 percent.
tools for Atlanta families in need.
Printed on 100% post-
Wynnbrooke Elementary class wins Jeopardy
classroom contest
consumer recycled paper
Cynammon Walden-Smalls’ fifth grade class at Wynnbrooke
Elementary Theme School in Stone Mountain recently won the
WXIA/11Alive Jeopardy Classroom Contest. The class received the
classroom edition of Jeopardy! The students posted a song on YouTube that
they wrote and performed, explaining why they should win the contest and
how they would use the game if they won.
“I will say that Georgia is doing
much, much better than almost ev-
ery other state in the nation in help-
ing a greater percentage of African-
Americans students,” Packer said.
According to a College Board
report of AP test results for DeKalb
County, there has been a significant
rise in the number of students tak-
ing AP tests, an increase of approxi-
mately 3,000 students since 2005.
“Although there has been an in-
crease in African-Americans taking
AP courses and scoring three or bet-
ter on AP exams, they still remain
significantly under represented de-
spite the progress that has occurred
over the past decade,” Packer said.
He explained that this under rep-
resentation is the most significant
equity gap in advanced academics
in U.S. high schools.
“In the nation, 14.6 percent of
students in the high school class of
2010 are African-American but for
every 100 test takers that score a
three or better, only 3.9 of them are
African-American students,” Packer
said. “Now in Georgia, for every
100 students that score a three or
better on an AP exam, 11.6 are Af-
rican Americans, and Georgia ranks
third in nation behind Maryland and
Delaware for having the greatest in-
crease in African-American student
success on the AP exam.”
Since 2005, Southwest DeKalb
High School has also been recog-
nized as an exemplary school in
each of the College Board’s Annual
AP Report’s to the Nation, except in
2008 when the data only highlight-
ed state achievements rather than
those of specific schools.
National recognition
Southwest DeKalb has been rec-
ognized by the College Board for
being one of the top schools in
the nation for having Black stu-
dents score three or higher on AP
exams in the following subjects:
U.S. History: 2005-07; 2009-10
Calculus: 2007
English langauge and
composition: 2007
Macroeconomics: 2010
(data doesn’t exist for exemplary
school breakdown in 2008)
Page 18A
AROUND
ATLANTA
Wind ensemble concert to be
held at Emory
Emory Wind Ensemble will give
a free concert Saturday, Feb. 26, at
8 p.m. in the Schwartz Center for
Performing Arts, Emerson Concert
Hall, 1700 N. Decatur Road, At-
lanta. The Emory Wind Ensemble is
a select ensemble dedicated to the
study and performance of literature
for wind bands. It sponsors an ac-
tive commissioning program, hosts
guest artists and tours nationally
or internationally. For more infor-
mation, call (404) 727-5050, arts-
marketing@emory.edu, www.arts.
emory.edu.
Registration for spring classes
at Callanwolde opening soon
Callanwolde Fine Arts Center
announces that registration opens
soon for day, evening and week-
end classes and workshops for
adults and children of all ages.
Classes and workshops will be
offered in visual arts, pottery, mu-
sic, dance, yoga, jewelry making,
writing, photography, Kindermusik
and more. The spring quarter runs
March through May. Registra-
tion begins March 7 and is accept-
ed up to the first day of each class
if space is available. Callanwolde
Fine Arts Center is located at 980
Briarcliff Road, NE, Atlanta. For
more information, call (404) 872-
5338 or visit www.callanwolde.org.
Event offers help for
underrepresented students
Georgia’s five law schools will
present “Law School 101: A How-To
Guide for Underrepresented Stu-
dents on Applying and Getting into
Law School,” 6 - 9 p.m. Wednes-
day, March 2, at Emory University
School of Law, 1501 Clifton Road,
Atlanta.
Law School 101 is presented in
cooperation with the Law School
Admission Council’s DiscoverLaw.
org months. From Jan. 15 to March
15, events are held at law schools
across the country aimed at high
school and undergraduate college
students from underrepresented ra-
cially and ethnically diverse groups
who are interested in law careers.
The event will feature panel
discussions on topics ranging from
“The Importance of Undergradu-
ate Performance” to a “Law School
Admissions Panel.” Students also
will participate in a mock class led
by an Emory Law professor. Alumni
and current law students will be on
hand to discuss their experiences in
law school and in the legal profes-
sion.
Admission is free, but registra-
tion is required. Registration is
available at http://www.law.emory.
edu/discoverlaw.
DECATUR
Veterans’ seminar announced
The Regency House retirement
community is hosting a free veter-
ans’ benefits seminar on March 2 at
6:30 p.m.
The seminar, led by Ron Baker
of the American Association of
Wartime Veterans, will shed light
on a little-known VA program that
provides eligible veterans and sur-
viving spouses up to $1,949 per
month, tax-free. The VA estimates
that 100,000 people are eligible.
But many, especially widows of vet-
erans, are unaware these benefits
exist.
The public is invited to attend
this seminar and refreshments will
be provided. The Regency House is
located at 341 Winn Way, Decatur.
To RSVP, or to learn more, call The
Regency House at (404) 296-1152.
Sorority to host reading program
The Decatur Alumnae Chapter
of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority
Inc. will host its sixth annual
Spring Into Reading program on
Saturday, March 5, at The Gallery
at South DeKalb, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
The program focuses on literacy
and increasing children’s interest
in reading. To date, more than
350 children have participated in
reading sessions and received a
free book. More than 700 people
have attended these events.
This year, the chapter hopes to
continue in this legacy by serving
more than 300 children ranging in
THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2011
DEKALB
age from 2 to 16 through its Spring
Into Reading initiative. Highlights
of the 2011 program include adult-
child reading sessions, a writers’
corner for the children to create
their own stories, an author’s
pavilion, an arts and crafts corner,
and free distribution of books, along
with other motivational activities.
The Gallery at South DeKalb
is located at 2801 Candler Road,
Decatur. The Spring Into Reading
program will be hosted in the mall
corridor near the Macy’s entrance.
For more information, visit www.
dstdac.org or call (678) 895-9360.
Beekeeping presentation
announced
As part of its Enhancing Life
Through Gardening workshop
series, the DeKalb County
Cooperative Extension is
presenting Beekeeping - How to
Start Your Own Bee Hive, taught
by Phillip J. Quinn Thursday,
March 3, 7 - 8:30 p.m. Quinn
is a certified master beekeeper
who “knows everything there is
to know about bees,” according
to the announcement from the
Cooperative Extension. He will
discuss the importance of bees, the
basics of beekeeping, where to find
materials and when and how to get
started. The workshop will be held
at the DeKalb County Cooperative
Extension Training Facility at 4380
Memorial Drive in Decatur.
LITHONIA
Baby Boomer seminar
announced
A free Baby Boomer Seminar
will be held at Redan-Trotti Library
on Saturday, Feb. 26, 10:15 a.m.
– noon. Under the theme “Keep
Living—Takin’ Care of Business—
Your Life,” the event will feature
health and help resources and
a free blood pressure screening
10:15 -11 a.m. The Redan-
Trotti Library is located at 1569
Wellborn Road, Lithonia. For more
information, call (770) 879-9954.
STONE
MOUNTAIN
Black history expo to feature
arts, food and more
The AID Africa Black History
Expo will be held Saturday Feb.
26, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Redan High
School. The event will include
such performing arts as drumming,
singing, dancing and poetry.
Health information, food, children’s
activities, a marketplace and more
will be available. Redan High
School is located at 5247 Redan
Road, Stone Mountain. Tickets are
$3. For more information, call (678)
357-2549.
TUCKER
Community health seminar
announced
A free health seminar that’s
open to the public will be held on
Saturday, Feb. 26, 11 a.m. – 3
p.m., at the Northlake Library in
Tucker. With the theme “Good
Health Comes With A Price,”
the event is sponsored by the
American Red Cross Metro Atlanta
Chapter. Health related topics
will be discussed throughout
the day. A special presentation
on the contributions of those in
the health, wellness and other
sectors of society will be made in
recognition of Black History Month.
A discussion on financial health will
be incorporated during the session
to emphasize the importance of
financial literacy. Free literature
and resource information will be
provided along with refreshments
and door prizes. The Northlake-
Barbara Loar Library is located at
3772 Lavista Road, Tucker.
Scouts to hold blood drive
Boy Scout Troop 129 is hosting
a community blood drive Saturday,
Feb. 26, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., on the
Bloodmobile, 4217 N. Park Drive,
near Cofer Park, Tucker. Donors
should bring a photo ID, and eat
iron-rich foods and drink plenty
of non-caffeinated beverages
prior to donating blood. For more
information, contact Jim Towhey at
jimbo2e@yahoo.com.
business THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2011 • PAGE 19A

Cooper Piano President Blake Cooper shows a handmade 100-year-old

European grand piano, one of the most expensive items in the store.
Dozens of other pianos, including a bright red one, top left, customized
for University of Georgia fans, are displayed in the showroom. The
poster at bottom right is one of many in the store that tell the history
of the 105-year-old business. Photos by Kathy Mitchell

After 105 years, Cooper Piano still striking the right notes
by Kathy Mitchell
kathy@dekalbchamp.com
In the early days of the
20th century, many men
in western Pennsylvania
earned their living in coal
mines, where back-breaking
labor and coal dust inhaled
with every breath shortened
their lives and made them
old men before their time.
Jonathan Cooper’s wife
insisted that he find another
way to earn a living. Draw-
ing on his Welsh roots, he
turned to the only other
thing he knew–music.
Today, 105-year-old
Cooper Piano is still in the
family, run by Blake Coo-
per, Jonathan’s great-great-
grandson. “We’re one of the
few family-owned business-
es in America that are more
than 100 years old. I believe
we’re one of about three in
this industry,” he said.
That’s one reason cus-
tomers may choose Cooper
Piano over its competitors,
Cooper said. They can re-
turn years later and not only
find the company there, but
very likely the same em-
ployees.
The company relocated
to Atlanta in 1976, and is
now one of the biggest such
companies in the Southeast.
“It was the right move at the
right time,” Cooper said.
“The economy in western
Pennsylvania, which de-
pended heavily on the coal
and steel industries, was in
decline while the Atlanta
area was starting a growth
spurt.”
From Cooper Piano’s
unassuming exterior on
the southbound I-85 access
road between North Druid
Hills and Clairmont roads,
visitors might not guess
that its retail space is more
than 10,000 square feet with
rooms devoted to various
types of pianos as well as to
teaching and tryout space.
There’s even a small recital
hall, Liberty Theatre, where
widely known and commu-
nity artists give concerts.
Cooper estimates that
his company has sold more
than 20,000 pianos since it
first opened. Although the
demand for pianos is down,
the business continues to
stay afloat. Approximately
350,000 pianos were pur-
chased worldwide in 1924;
last year fewer than 30,000
were bought. While many
families 85 years ago de-
pended on the piano in the
parlor for entertainment, lots
of other options are avail-
able today. Besides, Cooper
pointed out, “Pianos last a
long time. Once a family
buys one, they may not buy
another for generations.”
He added that the down-
turn in the economy was
especially hard on his busi-
ness. “Pianos are a luxury
item,” he said. “They don’t
sell well in hard times.”
He said his company had
approximately 90,000 in-
struments in stock in 2007;
in 2010 that was down to
28,000. Cooper said it’s
likely his company still is
among the largest in the
country since his competi-
tors face the same challeng-
es he faces.
He said the company
has put greater emphasis on
the service end of the busi-
ness—renting and tuning
pianos. Outstanding service
and community involvement
have helped the company
maintain an excellent repu-
tation, according to Cooper.
“When the recession hit
about three years ago, I had
some choices to make. I de-
cided not to lay people off.
If we’re going to continue
giving the level of service
that makes us one of the
best in the country, we have
to have good employees,”
Cooper said.
According to the New
York City-based U.S. Com-
merce Association, Cooper
Piano is one of the best in
business. For the third con-
secutive year, the organiza-
tion chose Cooper Piano as
Atlanta’s best piano store.
It’s also one of eight mu-
sic retailers in the United
States to earn the Number
One Performance Award
from the Keyboard Insights
Group, a national music re-
search organization.
In addition to grand
pianos and uprights, Coo-
per Piano also sells digital
pianos and organs. “At first
I poo-pooed the idea of digi-
tal pianos, but they became
so popular that I decided
I couldn’t lick them so I’d
better join them,” Cooper
said. Besides, he reasoned,
if a customer becomes inter-
ested in playing through an
inexpensive digital piano,
he might upgrade to regular
piano as he becomes more
serious about it.
Cooper said that quality
pianos are available from
many sources, but relation-
ships make the difference.
“We treat our customers and
our employees the way we
would want to be treated,”
he said.
www.championnewspaper.com THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2011 Page 20A

TheChampion
For Prices, Deadlines and Information
Classifieds
Visit www.championclassifieds.com
RATES: $30.00 for up to 40 words, each additional word $0.60. All ads are prepaid!
All Major credit cards accepted!

Business Connection Ads are $325.00 for 3 months

ANNOUNCEMENTS
DIVORCE with or without Chil-
dren $125.00. With FREE name
change documents and marital
settlement agreement. Fast and
easy. Call us 24hrs/7days: 1-888-
789-0198;
AUCTIONS
Gigantic Auction March 2,3,4,
2011 Montgomery, Alabama
Tri, tandem & single axle dumps,
(57, 2008-2011 yr). Roll off
trucks, truck tractors, service &
water trucks, crawler tractors &
loaders, hydraulic excavators,
articulating dumps, motor scrap-
ers & graders, loader backhoes,
rubber tired loaders, forklifts,
trenchers, skid steers, paving &
compaction, rollers, dump trail-
ers, lowboys, skidders, feller
bunchers, log loaders & trail-
ers, farm tractors, travel trailers.
For details visit www.jmwood..
com J.M. Wood Auction Co., Inc
1-334-264-3265. Bryant Wood Al
Lic# 1137.
BUSINESS SERVICES
Remodeling Contractor Turn
Your Home Remodel Ideas Into
A Reality. Call Rob at 404-207-
2875 or Visit Us Online at www.
atmconstructors.net to Request A
Quote Now.
Drivers - CDL-A TEAM WITH TO-
TAL! TEAM WITH TOTAL! Great
Miles & Great Weekly Pay. Paid
loaded or empty. Teams, Solos,
& CDL Grads Welcome. 800-
942-2104 ext. 238 or 243. www.
totalms.com
Driver - Daily or weekly pay.
Single source dispatch. No trac-
tor older than 3 years. Safety
bonuses paid quarterly. CDL-A, 3
months recent OTR experience.
800-414-9569. www.driveknight.
com
DRIVERS - OTR. New Career/
Guaranteed Job? FFE Offer-
ing Free Tuition at FFE Driver
Academy, Fort Worth, TX. Experi-
enced? $1000 bonus Sign on CO
& O/O’s! 800-569-9232 recruit@
ffex.net
Drivers - FOOD TANKERS DRIV-
ERS NEEDED. OTR positions
available NOW! CDL-A w/tanker
REQ’D. Outstanding pay & ben-
efits! Call a recruiter TODAY 877-
882-6537. www.oakleytransport.
com
Drivers Earn Up t 39¢/mi HOME
WEEKENDS 1yr OTR. Flatbed
exp. Call: 1-800-572-5489 Susan
ext. 227. SUNBELT TRANS-
PORT, LLC.
Drivers/CDL Training - CAREER
CENTRAL. We Train and EM-
PLOY you. Company Drivers up
to 40K first year. New Team Pay!
Up to .48¢/mile Class A-CDL
Training in ATLANTA, GA 877-
369-6712. www.centraldriving-
jobs.com
Drivers - Flatbed OWNER
OPERATORS. UP TO $1000
Sign On Bonus. Earn $1.85/
mi or more! No age restric-
tion on tractors/trailers. CRST
Malone.877-277-8756. www.Join-
Malone.com
Drivers - CDL-A FLATBED DRIV-
ERS NEEDED! Sign On Bonus!
Start Up to 43¢ PER MILE. Lease
Purchase available. Experience
Req’d. Hornady Transportation.
com 800-441-4271 x GA-100.
Drivers / Solo. $1,000.00 SIGN
ON BONUS! 100% O/OP - Con-
tractor Co. Dedicated Reefer
Fleet. Run Mideast to Florida.
Call 1-800-446-2864 or visit www.
suncocarriers.com
Run with a Leader! We offer
everything you need: Solid Pay
& Benefits. 2011 Tractors, High
Miles and Great Hometime. Van -
avg $0.39cpm includes bonuses.
CDL-A, 6mo. OTR. 888-801-
5295.
EQUIPMENT FOR SALE
SAWMILLS - Band/Chainsaw
- Cut lumber any dimension,
anytime. Build anything from fur-
niture to homes. IN STOCK ready
to ship. From $4090. www.Nor-
woodSawmills.com/300N 1-800-
661-7747.
HELP WANTED
Do you earn $800 a day? Your
Own Local Candy Route! 25 Ma-
chines and Candy All for $9995.
877-915-8222 All Major Credit
Cards Accepted!
IMMEDIATE OPENINGS. Are you
looking for a career opportunity?
Could you use money extra? Are
you looking for a retirement plan?
Are you looking towards the fu-
ture? If you answered yes, then
you owe it to yourself to call us.
Earn Money While Training
Money for College Retirement
Benefits Job Skills
Call 1-800-GO-GUARD or visit
www. NATIONALGUARD.com.
EXPLORE YOUR PATH TO
HONOR in the Georgia Army
National Guard.
MISCELLANEOUS
AIRLINES ARE HIRING - Train
for high paying Aviation Main-
tenance Career. FAA Approved
program. Financial aid if quali-
fied - Job placement assistance.
CALL Aviation Institute of Main-
tenance (866) 564-9634.
REAL ESTATE
Own 20 Acres - Only $129/mo.,
$13,900 near growing EL Paso,
Texas (America’s safest city!)
Low down, no credit checks,
owner financing. Free map/
pictures 866-701-5538. www.
sunsetranches.com

DRIVERS

CALL NOW Top 5% Pay! Excel-

lent Benefits. 300 New T660’s.
Need CDL-A & 3 mos. Recent
OTR. 877-258-8782. www.melt-
ontruck.com

AUCTION
March 2nd - Bank Owned
REO Liquidation
10 AM - Warehouse Chattooga Co. GA
12 PM - SFR Home LaFayette GA
1 PM - Condo Lots Dalton, GA
2 PM - Beautiful Acreage Rising Fawn GA
4 PM - Mountain Home Ellijay GA
Call Gaines Dempsey at 706-346-4533
to set up viewing appointment.
Terms: 20% down bal. 30 days - - 10%
buyer’s premium - Selling on Site
DEMPSEY AUCTION CO. - Rome, GA
1-800-DEMPSEY at
www.dempseyauction.com
GA AUC #101

Ads Due By Friday - Noon

We do not knowingly accept advertisements that discriminate,
DISCL AIMER

or intend to discriminate, on any illegal basis. Nor do we

knowingly accept employment advertisements that are not
bona-fide job offers. All real estate advertisements are subject
to the fair housing act and we do not accept advertising that
for next publication date The Champion is not responsible for
is in violation of the law. The law prohibits discrimination
based on color, religion, sex, national origin, handicap or
any damages resulting from advertisements. All sales final.
familial status.
sPoRts THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2011 • PAGE 21A

Redan girls ready for another shot at championship

16 teams
in county
qualify
for state
by Robert Naddra
robert@dekalbchamp.com

T
here is no 58-game
winning streak to
cloud the vision and
weigh on the minds
of the Redan girls basketball
team this time.
There is only clarity.
Redan was the Class
AAAAA runner-up last sea-
son after falling in the state
title game to Norcross and
watching its winning streak
come to an end. This year,
however, coach Jerry Jack-
son has watched his team
evolve and grow closer after
winning the final two games
of the Region 6-AAAA tour-
nament in the final seconds.
“This year it has been
easier to focus,” Jackson
said. “Last year there was Redan’s Aneesah Daniels looks to pass in front of Miller Brittany Hawkins of Redan (11) puts up a shot over Miller Grove's
so much pressure to keep Grove’s Katie Hunt. Tabitha Fudge in the Region 6-AAAA championship game, won by
Redan 40-37 in overtime. Photos by Travis Hudgons
the winning streak going. I
think the region tournament
brought them closer together
as a team. If you’re in a bat-
tle like we were, you’ve got
to trust each other.”
That bond helped the
Raiders win the region title
and become one of 16 teams
in the county to qualify for
the state basketball tourna-
ment, which begins Feb. 25.
At least one team has made
the field in each of the five
classifications.
In addition to the Redan
girls, St. Pius and Stephen-
son also won girls region
titles, and Southwest DeKalb
and Columbia won boys re-
gion titles.
The Redan girls are
making their 12th straight
appearance in the state
tournament, but two teams
expected to challenge for the
girls AAAA state title were
eliminated in the region
tournament. No. 1 and previ-
ously unbeaten Chamblee
lost to Miller Grove and
three-time defending AAAA
champion Southwest

See Playoffs on Page 22A Aniefiok Udofia of Miller Grove drives to the basket past Redan’s Jamesa Abney.
www.championnewspaper.com THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2011 Page 22A

12 DeKalb players chosen for state all-star games

by Robert Naddra Miller Grove; Keenan Palmore, North roster, while Breanna Mc- rebounds per game. Brooks has
robert@dekalbchamp.com Paideia; Jordan Price, Southwest Donald of Chamblee and Zuri Frost earned the Wolverine Academic
DeKalb; and William Goodwin, of Columbia were selected to the Award for having the team’s high-
DeKalb County will be well Southwest DeKalb. Also, Chamblee junior North roster. Columbia head est grade point average at 4.0.
represented in the upcoming Geor- head coach Caesar Burgess will be coach Chantay Frost was named an Daniels is among the county
gia Athletic Coaches Association the team’s head coach, and assis- assistant coach for the game. leaders in scoring, rebounding and
All-Star Basketball Showcase on tants will be Lakeside head coach Several of the players are field goal percentage. She leads the
March 26. Larry Pierce and Chamblee assis- among the county’s statistical lead- county shooting 59 percent (98 of
The event features a junior tant Roosevelt Weatherly. ers this season. Price is second in 165) from the field, and averages
game and a senior game for both Algie Key of Columbia and the county in scoring at 19.7 points 14.9 points and 11.9 rebounds per
boys and girls at Armstrong Atlan- Henry Brooks of Miller Grove per game. Goodwin is fourth in game. Camp, who has signed a
tic State University in Savannah. were selected to the senior boys scoring at 19.2 points per game and scholarship with Stanford, is shoot-
Twelve players and five coaches North roster. Miller Grove head leads the county shooting 72 per- ing 42 percent (10 of 24) from
from public and private schools in coach Sharman White will be an cent from the field. Parker is the top 3-point range and 70 percent (38 of
the county have been selected to assistant coach. rebounder in DeKalb with 15 per 54) from the free throw line.
participate. On the girls side, Jasmine game. Frost is one of the top junior
Five area players are on the ju- Camp of Chamblee, Destinee Palmore, rated the No. 1 junior point guards in the state and av-
nior boys North roster: Tony Park- Smith of Columbia and Aneesah point guard in Georgia by ESPN, erages 3.5 assists and steals per
er, Miller Grove; Brandon Morris, Daniels of Redan made the senior is averaging 20 points and 12.2 game.

Playoffs Continued From Page 21A

DeKalb was eliminated by ond round since 1998.

Carver Atlanta.
Miller Grove, which lost
to Redan in the 6-AAAA fi-
nals, is making its second trip
to state in the seven-year his-
tory of the school.
Stone Mountain, which
finished third in Region
5-AAA, is making its first
appearance in the girls tourna-
ment since 2007. St. Pius won
5-AAA for its first region title
since 2007 and first state ap-
pearance since 2008.
For Redan, more depth
this season also has Jack-
son optimistic. In addition
to seniors Kierra Paige and
Aneesah Daniels, Jackson
has four freshmen that he uses
regularly. One, Brea Elmore,
made game-winning baskets
in the final seconds against
both Miller Grove and Mays
in the region tournament.
“We couldn’t really go to
the bench last year,” Jackson
said. “But now we have these
freshmen who can play late
in the game and produce. Our
level of play doesn’t change
when we go to the bench.”
On the boys side, South-
west DeKalb heads into the
AAAA state tournament as
the No. 1 seed from 6-AAAA
after upsetting No. 1 Miller
Grove in the region final.
The Panthers are in state for
the first time since 2006 and
haven’t made it past the sec-
First-year Panthers coach
Dwayne McKinney can see a
change in his team since they
lost to Miller Grove by 32
points in December. The loss
came four games after scoring
100 points in each of their first
two games of the season. Ear-
lier this month the Panthers
lost again to the Wolverines,
but this time by only three
points.
“I was a little lax with them
and gave them too much rope
earlier,” McKinney said. “I
think they’re mentally tougher
now. We had some tough
games over Christmas break
and I think we saw where we
could be during that time.”
Southwest DeKalb and
Columbia have benefitted
from underclassmen step-
ping up in the postseason. At
Southwest, juniors Jordan
Price and William Good-
win have dominated, while
sophomore point guard Tahj
Shamsid-Deen performed
well for the Eagles in the re-
gion tournament.
“We’re approaching state
one game at a time and focus-
ing on the first round right
now,” said Columbia coach
Phil McCrary, who has led
the Eagles to two straight state
titles. “Our depth is always
strong and we always try to
get great support from our
bench.”

Teams advancing to state tournament

Region 2-AAAAA: Boys—Stephenson; Girls—Stephenson.
Region 6-AAAA: Boys—Southwest DeKalb, Miller Grove,
Tucker, Chamblee; Girls—Redan, Miller Grove.
Region 5-AAA: Boys—Columbia; Girls—St. Pius, Columbia,
Stone Mountain.
Southwest DeKalb's Tony Parker powers to the basket over Chamblee defenders Charles Savoy
(4) and Sedarius Boyd (21) in the semifinals of the Region 6-AAAA basketball tournament. South- Region 6-AA: Boys—Decatur; Girls—Decatur
west DeKalb won the game and went on to win the region title. Photo by Travis Hudgons Region 7-A: Boys—Paideia; Girls—Paideia
www.championnewspaper.com THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2011 Page 23A

DeKalb High School Sports Highlights

BOYS BASKETBALL GIRLS BASKETBALL gion championship since remaining to tie the game win over North Springs in
2007 with a 43-40 win over 40-40, but St. Pius won it the first round. Clark had 21
defending state champion on a 3-pointer at the buzzer. and Reeves added 18 in a
Region 2-AAAAA Region 2-AAAAA Columbia in the region Columbia beat Riverwood 58-46 win over North Atlan-
Stephenson: The Jaguars Stephenson: Kaliyah finals. The Golden Lions 69-21 in the quarterfinals, ta in the second round, then
qualified for the state tour- Mitchell scored 15 points, beat Woodward Academy and forced 34 turnovers. Clark led with 15 in a loss
nament with a second-place Kayla Kudratt and Dani- 43-34 in the first round and Victoria Gonzales had 14 to Columbia in the semi-
finish in the region tourna- elle Jackson each added 12 Washington 29-28 in the points and Zuri Frost added finals. The Pirates (18-10)
ment. Derek Harper scored and Tyhela Whittington semifinals. 10. beat Washington 57-44 for
25 points and Jonathan had 10 as the Jaguars won third place as Reeves scored
Tinch added 18 in a 60-50 the region title 70-57 over Columbia: The Eagles lost Stone Mountain: The Pi- 25 points and Clark had 16.
win over M.L. King in the Westlake. The Jaguars de- to St. Pius in the region rates advance to the state
first round. Harper had 20 feated Langston Hughes in finals after leading 12-1 in tournament for the first time WRESTLING
points and Tyler Burch the first round and beat Lu- the first quarter. The Eagles in five years after finishing
scored 14 in a 47-46 win ella 58-34 in the semifinals. were outscored 21-6 after third in the region tourna- Gabriel Miller of Tucker
over Langston Hughes in that and trailed 22-18 at ment. Charra Reeves won the Class AAAA state
the semifinals, then the Jag- Region 6-AAAA halftime. Miah Spencer hit scored 19 points and Dani- championship at 130 pounds
uars lost to Newton 64-50 in Redan: Brea Elmore a basket with 21 seconds elle Clark 13 in a 56-41 and was among 15 wres
the championship game. scored the go-ahead basket
with 2.8 seconds remaining See Highlights on Page 24A
Region 6-AAAA to help the Raiders defeat
Southwest DeKalb: Jordan Miller Grove 50-47 in over-
Price scored 67 points in time in the championship
three games, including 24 game. Jada Byrd led the
in the Panthers 61-56 win Raiders with 14 points and
over Miller Grove in the Aneesah Daniels added
region championship game. 13. In a 58-56 win over
Kaderius Turner added 19 Mays in the semifinals,
points and William Good- Elmore scored all seven
win had eight points and 10 of her points in the final
rebounds in the final. Price 42 seconds, including the
scored 21 points and Chaz game-winning basket with 8
Bullock added 10 in a 47-29 seconds to go. Kierra Paige
first-round win over Marist. led with 22 and Daniels
Also, Price had 22 points scored 15. Daniels had 14
and 11 rebounds, and Turner in a 51-42 win over Tucker
scored 12 in a 70-56 win in the semifinals, and Byrd
over Tucker in the semifi- added 13.
nals.
Miller Grove: Sophomore
Miller Grove: Tony Parker Klarissa Weaver made two
scored 28 points in a 61-56 free throws with 7.5 sec-
loss to Southwest DeKalb in onds remaining to give the
the tournament finals. Park- Wolverines a 43-41 upset of
er had 15 points and 21 re- No. 1 Chamblee in the first
bounds in a 55-36 win over round of the tournament.
Chamblee in the semifinals. The loss kept Chamblee
from advancing to the state
Region 5-AAA tournament. The Wolverines
Columbia: The Eagles finished second in the region
won their third straight re- after defeating Carver At-
gion title with a 64-48 win lanta 47-37 in the semifinals
over Woodward Academy. and losing to Redan 40-37
Jhaustin Thomas had 15 in overtime in the champi-
points and 14 rebounds, onship game.
Tahj Shamsid-Deen had 14
points and nine assists, and Southwest DeKalb: The
Jarmal Reid had 12 points Panthers, who have won
and eight rebounds for the three straight Class AAAA
Eagles in the final. In a win state titles, will miss the
over North Atlanta in the tournament this season af-
first round, Algie Key had ter being eliminated in the
13 points, seven assists and quarterfinals of the region
seven rebounds, and Reid tournament. Olivia Gibbs
had 11 points and seven had 19 points and Shayla
rebounds. Shamsid-Deen Rivers scored 10 in a 56-46
had 22 points and 10 assists, loss to Carver Atlanta.
and Nate Mason added 13
points in a win over Grady Region 5-AAA
in the semifinals. The Eagles St. Pius: Anne Lloyd Bean
averaged margin of victory hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer
in the tournament was 21 to give the Golden Lions
points. (23-5) their first girls re-
www.championnewspaper.com THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2011
Each week The Champion spotlights former high school
players from the county who are succeeding in athletics on
the college level.
Marshon Brooks, Providence
(basketball): The senior from Tucker scored
80 points in three games last week. He had
27 in a 93-81 overtime loss to Cincinnati, 28
in a 79-76 loss to DePaul and 25 points in a
75-57 loss to Connecticut.
Gabrielle Lahowitch, Guilford College
(swimming): The freshman from Decatur
recorded her fastest time in the 200-yard
freestyle (3:11.51) recently at the Old
Dominion Athletic Conference/Atlantic States
Championship. She also recorded career
bests in the 50 freestyle (33.64) and 100
freestyle (1:16.23) in a tri-meet on Jan. 29.
Jeremy Price, Georgia (basketball): The
senior from Columbia had 20 points on
Feb. 19 in a 69-63 win over Tennessee on
the road. He is averaging 9.2 points per
game and is second on the team making
49.4 percent of his field goal attempts.
Page 24A
The Champion chooses a male and female high school
Athlete of the Week each week throughout the school
year. The choices are based on performance and
nominations by coaches. Please e-mail nominations to
robert@dekalbchamp.com by Monday at noon.
MALE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Jordan Price, Southwest DeKalb (basketball): The junior scored 67 points in three games to
help the Panthers win the Region 6-AAAA tournament. Price had 24 points in the 61-56 win
over Miller Grove in the championship game. He also scored 21 points in a 47-29 win over
Marist, and had 22 points and 11 rebounds in a 70-56 win over Tucker.
FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Brea Elmore, Redan (basketball): The freshman scored the winning points in each of the
final two games of the Region 6-AAAA tournament. She scored the go-ahead basket with 2.8
seconds remaining in overtime in the Raiders’ 50-47 win over Miller Grove in the title game.
Elmore also scored seven points in the final 42 seconds, including a basket with 8 seconds to
go, in a 58-56 win over Mays in the semifinals.
Highlights Continued From Page 23A
tlers who placed among the top six in their third; Hunter Bailey, Marist, fourth
weight classes. Miller, who ended his senior 145: Carey Cloud, Tucker, second
season with a 52-0 record, defeated Ryan 171: James Philpot, Redan, fifth
Cecil of Woodland-Cartersville 3-2 in the 215: Ernest Moore, Redan, fourth
championship match. 285: Gabriel Echols, Southwest DeKalb,
second
Here are the other top finishers from
schools in DeKalb County. Class AAA
Class AAAAA 103: Alema Favors, Arabia Mountain, third
160: Darian Perry, Stephenson, fourth 125: Robbie Martin, St. Pius, fourth
215: Jonathan Abrams, Stephenson, fifth 130: Gaslaw Belete, Druid Hills, sixth
189: Joseph Ray, Druid Hills, third
Class AAAA
125: Connor Carrier, Marist, fifth Class AA
140: Charlton Benjamin, Miller Grove, 189: Eric Palmore, Clarkston, fourth