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We’re Social FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014 • VOL. 17, NO. 9 • FREE

• A PUBLICATION OF ACE III COMMUNICATIONS •Serving East Atlanta, Avondale Estates, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Clarkston, Decatur, Doraville, Dunwoody, Lithonia, Pine Lake, Tucker and Stone Mountain.FREEPRESS

See Sheriff on page 15A

See Incumbent on page 15A

See School on page 15A

FOLLOW THE MONEYA series revealing purchases on county-issued P-Cards by DeKalb County Commissioners, officials and assistants.

From Smoothie King to iTunes

FOLLOW THE MONEYFOLLOW THE MONEYIn DeKalb We Trust?

See page 12A

Tuesday, May 20

ELECTION NIGHT2014 PRIMARY RESULTS

ELECTION NIGHTELECTION NIGHTELECTION NIGHTELECTION NIGHT

by Andrew [email protected]

“I think that we’re going to win.”

That’s what Super District 7 Commissioner Stan Watson said late on May 20 after 112 of 189 precincts had been counted in the May general primary and special election.

Watson, a former state repre-

sentative, had a significant lead over Gregory Adams, a pastor and former DeKalb County Police officer. Watson had 65.69 percent of the votes, while Ad-ams brought in 34.31 percent.

“It gives me a chance to con-tinue some of the programs I have in place for economic de-velopment and jobs in DeKalb County,” Watson said before the final results came in.

Watson said voters recog-nized the work he does in the county.

“I have a tremendous amount of events to allow people to have access to com-missioners,” Watson said. “I do seven cleanups throughout the year. I don’t mind getting my hands dirty. I recognize our clergy, our seniors and our youth.

by Daniel [email protected]

DeKalb County Sheriff Jeff Mann was hop-ing to avoid a runoff, but residents will have to wait another two months for a

new sheriff. A close may 20 race forced a runoff election

between Mann, the incumbent sheriff, and for-mer DeKalb County CEO Vernon Jones.

By press time, with 112 out of 189 precincts reporting, Mann led with 39 percent of the overall vote with Jones trailing at 22 percent. Atlanta Police sergeant Melvin Mitchell re-ceived 14.84 percent of the vote.

Mann, who replaced former Sheriff Thomas Brown after he resigned to run for Congress, received approximately 12,765 votes, putting him at 39.44 percent. Jones received 7,229 votes and approximately 22.34 percent of the vote.

At press time, Mann told The Champion that he remained optimistic in avoiding a runoff but that he was extremely proud of the way his campaign has been run.

“In the event that there is a runoff we will continue to put our message out there to make sure that the [residents] of DeKalb County know the excellence of the sheriff ’s office and

JonesMann

Mann comes in ahead; sheriff’s race goes to runoff

Incumbents lead results in primary electionWatson Johnson Millar Henson Parent

by Carla [email protected]

For the second time in two years, Marshall Orson has defeated Don McChesney for the DeKalb County School Board District 2 seat.

Orson, the incumbent for District 2, received 60.95 percent of votes to McChesney’s 30.95 per-cent from 25 precincts. In 2012, Orson unseated McChesney with 61.65 percent of the votes to McChesney’s 38.19 percent.

Orson, cofounder and partner in the consult-ing firm Melbourne Partners, said he looks for-ward to serving the residents of District 2 and all of DeKalb for the next four years.

“I think we’ve begun the process of reforming the school system and these are great opportu-nities to do wonderful things for our children,” Orson said.

In 2013, Gov. Nathan Deal suspended six school board members and appointed new mem-bers after the district was placed on accreditation

Three school board seats to be decided in runoff election

The Champion Free press, Friday, may 23, 2014 page 2aloCal news

See Park on page 16A

Georgetown Park hosts grand opening with fl air

2,000 security cameras

youYou’re never alone when you’re onMARTA. Every station is under ourwatchful eye. We could use your eyes, too. If you see something that’s not right, call us. We’ll take it from there.

SeeSaysomething

something

If you

Use MARTA’s See & Say App.

Txt MPD: (404) 334-5355or

Call (404) 848-4911 if you see something out of the ordinary.

by Lauren [email protected]

Dunwoody’s newest park opened with a party in the front yards of dozens of people who have bought property in the Georgetown area.

Ground on Georgetown Park was broken more than a year ago on April 17, 2013. The grand opening May 17 featured bands, food trucks and kids’ activities. But when the dust settles from the celebration, the park is intended to be another draw to Dunwoody as it continues to expand its infra-structure.

The park is part of the Project Renaissance revival of the George-town/North Shallowford area, a part of the city previously under-developed.

“The original 16 acres was originally zoned for just apartment buildings, but the apartments went belly-up in 2008,” said Bob Mullen, marketing and public re-lations director for the city. “The

city came into being in 2010 and decided to use it for city ameni-ties as town developed. In 2011 they came up with the idea for this catalytic redevelopment with John Weiland.”

John Weiland Homes, a Smyrna, Ga.-based real estate developer, purchased lots on the 16-acre property off Shallowford Road with the park, developed by the city, serving as the neighbor-hood’s focal point. The park is approximately 1.5 acres, featuring a playground, sidewalks, an open green, bocce courts and a covered pavilion. A two-mile, multi-use trail winds through the entire property, including the residential areas, with the eventual goal to connect with Brook Run Park.

“It’s a public-private partner-ship, and we’re enjoying the public part of it today,” said Dunwoody Councilman Terry Nall at the park’s grand opening. “The park is open to everyone here in Dun-woody, and you can see there are lots of people here having tons of

The playground at Georgetown Park will continue to be a draw for families.

An “ideas skyline” was displayed in front of the retail-zoned land to enable residents to submit ideas.

Kids play Frisbee on the bocce courts. Photos by Lauren Ramsdell

The Champion Free press, Friday, may 23, 2014 page 3a

Crime Briefs

Occupy Our Homes Atlanta appears in court with veteranby Daniel [email protected]

Residents and advocates gathered on the steps of the DeKalb County courthouse May 14 to protest what they said was an unlawful fore-closure on a DeKalb County veteran’s home last year.

Approximately 30 people gathered in front of the courthouse to support U.S. Army veteran Mark Har-ris and other members of Occupy Our Homes Atlanta (OOHA), who were arrested last year.

“Lawyers argued that a home defense rally and evic-tion blockade held at Mr. Harris’ home in late 2013 was nonviolently protected by ‘Stand Your Ground’ laws and the First Amend-ment,” said Siraj Raheem,

a spokeswoman for OOHA. Harris and four others

who were arrested all plead-ed not guilty to criminal trespassing charges due to their assertion that because mortgage-lending company Fannie Mae is under fed-eral control, it makes the company’s property public property. Defendants also asserted that housing is a human right and with five vacant housing units for ev-ery homeless person in At-lanta no one should be made homeless.

“While our clients were nonviolent, we believe that they reasonably believed they had a right to resist and should be granted immunity from prosecution. No mat-ter what, we know we are on the right side of history,” attorney Mawuli Mel Davis

said. DeKalb County Superior

Court Judge Dax Lopez de-nied the motion to dismiss the case based on the Stand Your Ground claim but has yet to reach a decision on whether the defendant’s

First Amendment rights were violated.

According to a press release, Lopez stated the defendants did not meet their burden of proof that the eviction of Harris was unlawful. Fannie Mae Vice

President Candy Lasher has been subpoenaed to provide testimony on the structure and practices of the company.

Lopez is scheduled to hear further First Amend-ment arguments June 16.

NOTICE OF PROPERTY TAX INCREASE The Decatur City Commission has tentatively adopted a combined millage rate of 13.00 mills which will require an increase in property taxes of 6.71% for fiscal year 2014-2015. This is the same millage rate adopted for the current fiscal year 2013-2014 which generates revenue necessary to fund the City of Decatur’s general operations, bonded indebtedness, downtown development authority and capital improvements. The millage rate is not increasing. All concerned citizens are invited to the public hearing on this tax increase to be held at the City Commission Meeting Room, Decatur City Hall, 509 N. McDonough Street, Decatur, on Monday, June 2, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. Times and places of additional public hearings on this tax increase are at Decatur City Hall on June 9, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. and June 16, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. This tentative increase will result in a millage rate of 13.00 mills, an increase of 0.817 mills over the rollback millage rate. Without this tentative tax increase, the millage rate will be no more than 12.183 mills. The proposed tax increase for a home with a fair market value of $290,000 is approximately $102 and the proposed tax increase for commercial/nonhomestead property with a fair market value of $675,000 is approximately $276.

Members of Occupy Our Homes Atlanta rallied on the courthouse steps to protest the arrest of an army veteran whose home was foreclosed on last year. Photos by Daniel Beauregard

One Man’s OpiniOn

letter tO editOr

Tell me what you are running for

Citizen involvement key to DeKalb government reform

Some free campaign advice from a longtime observer, analyst and con-sultant in the political arena—I know that trash, rumors, lies and innuendo will make their way to the voters, but from you and your campaign...could you please at least try and fo-cus on your thoughts on the issues, your plans for the position if elected and why you are running in the first place? When you sling the mud, it is almost impossible not to get some on yourself. When you get into that ring, you cannot emerge unscathed.

First to the voters...If you read or hear a story, see an

ad or receive an email or mail piece in the waning hours of an election cycle, viciously attacking or laying out a case against a particular candidate, ask yourself this simple question: If this is at least half-way true, why didn’t I hear this at any time before today?

Second to the candidates...I know that a team of consultants

may want you to stand on the roof-top and shout what a creep your op-ponent might be. Personally though, I tend to support, and almost always

vote for the candidate or incumbent with a proven and demonstrated track record of leadership and results. We live in troubling times. Our DeKalb County sits at the edge of a dangerous precipice. Selecting our best possible leaders is our quickest path back to higher and better ground.

You can’t have it both ways...Former State Rep. Elena Parent,

more recently a candidate for State Senate District 42, was a solid and ef-fective legislator, who represented her constituents well. Our DeKalb Coun-ty legislative delegation, one of the state’s largest, is significantly divided and seldom speaks with a unified voice. Ms. Parent was always one of the more reasonable voices, and when redistricting maps drew her into the same district as a peer and colleague, State Rep. Scott Holcomb (D- 81), Ms. Parent decided to leave the body, and allow her colleague a near clear shot at retaining the seat.

I know less about her opponent, Kyle Williams, but can tell you that he represents himself well, has some nice looking yard signs, is quite a snappy dresser and appears regularly at candidate forums. If elected, Mr. Williams would also be the first open-ly gay member of the State Senate.

I share this last fact for two rea-sons, one, there are already several gay members of the Georgia General

Assembly. There happens to only be one other openly gay member, and that is my State Rep. Karla Drenner (D-85). Though we don’t always agree on every issue, I am proud to have Karla represent us, have found her to be consistently reasonable and re-sponsive, attentive to the needs of her constituents and always willing to lis-ten to the various sides of any debate.

Rep. Drenner earlier endorsed her former colleague, Ms. Parent, in a race which became too close to call. Rep. Drenner was only doing what many activists in the LGBT commu-nity would suggest we all do, which is judge people on their merits, abili-ties and actions...and not separate, segregate or discriminate based upon sexual preference.

And for taking this early position, Rep. Drenner has been bombarded with attacks for not supporting the other openly gay candidate in the race. And sadly, several of those gre-nades are being fired from leadership within the LGBT community.

Listen folks, you can’t have this both ways. You cannot seek non-bias and Georgia voters treating everyone fairly and equally and then suggest that you may only vote for, support or speak in favor of “members of the team.” Treat others as you would pre-fer to be treated...and that includes your opponent. Whether carrying a

rainbow or the old Georgia flag, peo-ple should be treated with courtesy, dignity and respect until their choices and actions demonstrate otherwise.

Having a special needs child, I’m well aware of how, unfortunately, many less enlightened folks treat someone not like everyone else. As you read this, the voters will have made their choice in the 42nd Senate District. I can’t and don’t know in ad-vance what that choice will be. From what I have heard, either candidate will passionately and seriously rep-resent the district to the best of their abilities. I’d just like to be hearing more about those abilities. And even though she has no opponent in the primary, or in the November general election, I’m with Rep. Karla Drenner on this one.

Bill Crane also serves as a political analyst and commentator for Channel 2’s Action News, WSB-AM News/Talk 750 and now 95.5 FM, as well as a col-umnist for The Champion, Champion Free Press and Georgia Trend. Crane is a DeKalb native and business owner, living in Scottdale. You can reach him or comment on a column at [email protected].

Bill Crane

Columnist

the ChaMpiOn Free press, Friday, May 23, 2014 page 4aOpiniOn

by Allen Moye

The Georgia General Assembly has gone home. We have no new cities for DeKalb County, but we continue to face nettlesome questions about governing ourselves. No matter how many cities we divide ourselves into, we cannot secede from DeKalb County. Instead of ignoring its problems, we must make sure that it is operated efficiently and honestly.

My own view is that despite recent problems, DeKalb County govern-ment has for the most part served us well over the past 30 years. In 1998, DeKalb was named an “All American County.” I am probably biased. For al-most ten years, from the mid-1970s to the mid-‘80s, I was involved in that era’s reorganization effort. In 1979, I chaired the charter commission known as the DeKalb County Government Reorgani-zation Commission.

Citizen involvement was essential in that time. Despite the opposition of elected county leaders, citizens took control and designed a government that separated the executive and leg-islative functions, in part to stop the commissioners from meddling in the day-to-day operations of the county de-partments. In 1982, citizens decisively

rejected the old commission-county manager system, and replaced it with the current system.

Despite that history, some commis-sioners have suggested the return to a commission-county manager form as the tonic for current problems. They claim the current form of government fosters a “culture of corruption,” which boiled to the surface with the indict-ment of the CEO.

What we must realize is that good government requires both a good form of government and honest and dedi-cated people to lead and manage that government. In reality, our government works in counties across the country, and in cities in Georgia.

There is little contemporary evi-dence that returning to the commis-sion-county manager government would eliminate corruption. Just ask voters in Gwinnett or Fulton, where that form of government exists. In Gwinnett, one former commissioner is in federal prison; another is under indictment, and a former chair resigned rather than face indictment. In Fulton, the county manager hid information about improper actions of sitting com-missioners, for whom he works, until after they were reelected in 2012.

Only if a new city completely elimi-nates the need for county government

is the creation of that city a solution for problems in the county. As a resident of Decatur, I can attest to the benefits of living in a city, but neither my city government nor my city taxes has eliminated reliance on DeKalb County for some services. County services are essential for every city, existing or proposed. Even if a city government can offer police services at a lower cost, DeKalb County still provides the jail and the court system. No city, exist-ing or proposed, intends to replace the County’s water and sewer services, despite steadily climbing water and sewer rates amid allegations of mis-management and possible corruption. Even if we create cities which cover all of DeKalb County, the problems of the county must be solved.

We now have a chance to step away from rhetoric filled with vitriol and hyperbole, to carefully and deliberately consider causes and solutions for prob-lems in county government. There is time to ask hard questions of elected officials and ourselves, rather than set-tling for short- sighted solutions, which only plant seeds of tomorrow’s prob-lems.

Are the problems caused by the form of government, or by the people running that government? Will chang-ing internal policies or procedures im-

prove the delivery of county services? What impact will new cities have on current and future needs and responsi-bilities of county government? Would the reduction in the size of commission districts increase our sense of connec-tion to the county? How willing are we to pay for additional government services, and, for that matter, for addi-tional governments?

The future of our county merits and demands thoughtful consideration of these and other issues, and we as citi-zens must claim a role in this process. Wisely, interim DeKalb County CEO Lee May and Commissioner Kathy Gannon have begun that conversation, and I strongly urge them to continue and expand it. Especially if the push for new cities continues, we need to develop and implement a careful plan for a diminished but still critical county government. We cannot and should not delegate that to elected leaders alone. This process will take time and be difficult, but the choice we face is to define our own future or leave it to oth-ers to do it for us. I for one don’t want to wake up following some future Gen-eral Assembly or referendum and find that we face even more problems than we have today.

Allen Moye is a lifelong resident of DeKalb County.

OpiniOnthe ChaMpiOn Free press, Friday, May 23, 2014 page 5a

Black clergy need to launch a prophetic political and social movement

Gene Walkerk

Columnist

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 veri� cation. All letters will be considered for publica-tion.Send Letters To Editor, The Champion Free Press, P. O. Box 1347, Decatur, GA 30031-1347; Send email to [email protected] 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 contribut-ing editors do not necessarily refl ect 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.

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www.championnewspaper.com DISPLAY ADVERTISING (404) 373-7779 x 110

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STATEMENT FROM THE PUBLISHERWe sincerely appreciate the discussion surrounding this and any issue of interest to DeKalb County. The Champion was founded in 1991 expressly to provide a forum for discourse for all community residents on all sides of an issue. We have no desire to make the news only to report news and opinions to effect a more educated citizenry that will ultimately move our community forward. We are happy to present ideas for discussion; however, we make every effort to avoid printing information submitted to us that is known to be false and/or assumptions penned as fact.

[email protected]

Dr. Cornel West, an American philosopher and a specialist of re-ligion, advises us that Black clergy and the Black church “are already playing an important, even if not sufficient, role in holding back the meaninglessness and hopelessness that impinges on large numbers of Black people.”

In support of this observation, DeKalb’s Black clergy and churches shared information about some of the work they are doing to support Black youth during a meeting held March 2 at Fairfield Baptist Church. As the clergypersons who spoke at the meeting said, we need to do much, much more to make our com-munities whole.

In the past, given Black op-position to racial proscription in any form, pursuits such as those described by church leaders at Fair-field could easily have implied ac-commodating the status quo of ra-cial discrimination and segregation.

Clearly, in these post-Jim Crow days and the prevailing strong anti-government sentiments, growing numbers of Blacks see no inherent moral problem with the pursuit of

race interest activities or programs. Indeed, like many ethnic groups

that have maintained a high level of group consciousness in their pursuit of cultural, political, economic and social values, many Blacks now feel it necessary to do likewise.

Specifically, many Black church-es are motivated by racial self-inter-est in a new way, and no longer feel they are betraying their ideal soci-etal vision by working vigorously for such racial goals as: political determination, economic develop-ment, preservation of predominately Black schools (private and public), construction of senior living com-munities, working against voter suppression, and encouraging entre-preneurship and job creation.

In fact, noted historians and theologians—such as Michael Eric Dyson, Manning Marable, Cornel West and Robert M. Franklin—identify Rev. Jesse Jackson as evidencing these tendencies and ap-pealing to the same type of values in his efforts to become the Democrat-ic Party’s candidate for president of the United States in 1984 and 1988.

During each campaign, Jackson, one of the most gifted public moral-ists and intellectuals, crisscrossed the nation using his rhetorical eloquence and insight to address minority issues and to challenge Americans to support justice and equality for all.

Consistent with Jackson’s ef-fort to forge coalitions and inspire

involvement in 1988, he selected Mike Mears, then-mayor of Decatur, and me, then a state sena-tor, to serve as his campaign co-chairmen for Georgia. We were ably assisted with adequate human and financial resources from Black churches throughout the state via the leadership of Revs. Cameron Alexander, Jasper Williams Sr. and William Smith, along with many other very capable volunteers who assisted in winning the Georgia primary for Jackson.

Historically, Jackson has largely lived up to Dr. King’s belief that leaders be wise, in love with jus-tice, strategic in their plans to affect transformation, and place the inter-est of the people over self-interest.

To be sure, Jackson has been accused of unprincipled acts and in 2001 it was revealed that he fa-thered a child out of wedlock after having an extramarital affair with an aide.

Certainly, these indiscretions raised difficult questions about lead-ership and morality, and the belief of many that a leader needs to be pure to be effective.

Jackson’s situation illustrates the need to acknowledge that leaders are not perfect and will occasion-ally reveal their flaws. Likewise, be aware that one does not have to be pure to be effective. Nevertheless, we must hold leaders accountable for their actions and/or transgres-sions. In this regard, Jackson ac-

knowledged his failure, sought for-giveness from his family and sup-porters, and took responsibility for his daughter. The record shows that he is willing to practice the same type of moral accountability that he preaches.

In spite of Jackson’s human weaknesses, more leaders like him are needed—who have been anointed as a pastor, possess politi-cal skills, a broad moral vision and willingness to be held account-able—to move this country forward.

Clergy of DeKalb, in an effort to halt the disintegration of family and societal values, and combat the harmful effects of materialism and consumerism, Professor Cornel West tells us that “people are look-ing for places where some value and meaning can be found, outside of a market-base conception of life, and this is where a prophetic church—a prophetic political movement—can play a role.”


CommuniTy

Sammy Rosenberg, assistant director of the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta’s (MJCCA) Blonder Fam-ily Department for Special Needs, recently received the Nobis Works’ Luminary Award for Volunteer Advo-cacy.

Rosenberg received the award April 30 during a No-bis Works awards luncheon.

“To me it means that I’m doing the right thing—making people with special needs have a better life,” said Rosenberg, who coordinates volunteers and develops programming for adults and children with special needs.

Bobbie Knopf, cofound-er of Nobis Works, said in a statement, “Sammy has fi rst-hand experience with dis-ability (Sammy has Tourette syndrome himself, and is the caretaker of his brother-in-law with Prader-Willi syndrome), and has worked to overcome his disability and to become a community leader.

“Sammy provides a fo-rum to interact and partici-pate in communal activities. He allows for those with dis-abilities to have a platform to own their strengths and skills to benefi t the commu-nity at large,” Knopf said.

Originally from New-port, R.I., Rosenberg has been in metro Atlanta since he was 2 years old. At age 11, he was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome, a neuro-logical disorder. Rosenberg attended Curry College in Massachusetts and graduat-ed in 1987 with a bachelor’s degrees in social work and psychology.

In 1993, Rosenberg was hired by Th e Atlanta Jewish

Community Center, now called the Marcus Jewish Community Center of At-lanta, as assistant director of the developmental disabili-ties department. Rosenberg has been instrumental in starting programs for indi-viduals with special needs at the MJCCA.

Rosenberg also has taken groups with special needs to the U.K., Israel, as well as more than 40 group vaca-tions throughout the U.S.

In 1999, Sammy married Katie Alterman, they have one son, Max, 7.

Susie Davidow, direc-tor of the MJCCA’s Blonder Family Department for Spe-cial Needs, said, Sammy is a warm, loving, generous man who enriches many lives—including mine.”

In addition to coordinat-ing volunteers, Rosenberg volunteers by educating “churches and synagogues and schools about not only being nice to not just people with disabilities, but in gen-eral,” he said.

“People with special needs need to be befriended by wonderful, warm, kind-hearted people and it makes typical people more sensi-tive to their needs, and more sensitive to people in gen-eral,” Rosenberg said.

If you would like to nominate someone to be considered as a future Champion of the Week, please contact Andrew

Cauthen at [email protected] or at (404) 373-7779, ext. 117.

sammy rosenberg

Championof theWeek

Commissioners table YMCA vote

NOTICE OF PROPERTY TAX INCREASE

The Governing Authority of the City of Avondale Estates has tentatively adopted a millage rate which will require an increase in the property taxes by 9.80 percent. All concerned citizens are invited to the public hearings on this tax increase to be held at City Hall, 21 North Avondale Plaza, Avondale Estates, GA 30002 on Wednesday, June 4, 2014 at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 18, 2014 at 5:30 p.m. and Thursday, June 26, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. This tentative increase will result in a millage rate of 11.20 mills, an increase of 1.0 mill. Without this tentative tax increase, the millage rate will be no more than 10.20 mills. The proposed tax increase for a home with a fair market value of $200,000.00 is approximately $80. The proposed increase on non-homestead property with a fair market value of $200,000 is approximately $80. The proposed tax increase for a property with the county basic homestead exemption is $80.

CURRENT 2013 TAX DIGEST AND 5 YEAR HISTORY OF LEVY

CITY 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Real & Personal 157,621.535 157,295,925 158,471,976 133,021.745 141,146.248 149,130,779

Motor Vehicles 9,411.170 7,917.420 7,854.350 8,014.980 8,451,460 7,456,190

Mobile Homes

Timber - 100% Heavy Duty Equipment

Gross Digest 167,032.705 165,213,345 166,326,326 141,036,725 149,597,708 156,586,969 Less M& O Exemptions 168,873 119,131 102,456 231,089 138,061 260,276

Net M & O Digest 166,863,832 165,094,214 166,223,870 140,805,636 149,459,647 156,326,693 State Forest Land Assistance Grant Value Adjusted Net M&O Digest 165,863,832 166,094.214 166,223,870 140,805,636 149,459,647 156,326,693

Gross M&O Millage 11.000 11.000 10.957 10.957 10.957 11.20

Less Rollbacks

Net M&O Millage 11.000 11.000 10.957 10.957 10.957 11.20

Net Taxes Levied $1,835.502 $1,816,036 $1,821,315 $1,542,807 $1,637,629 $1,750,859

Net Taxes $ Increase $123,755 -$19,466 $5,279 -$278,508 $94,822 $113,230

Net Taxes % Increase 7.29% -1.06% 0.29% -15.29% 6.15% 6.91%


DeKalb County commis-sioners postponed a vote May 13 on a proposed pub-lic-private partnership with the South DeKalb YMCA that officials said could save the county $50 million dur-ing 50 years.

The vote on the partner-ship will now take place in June.

Commissioner Stan Wat-son said although there is support for the partnership,

he wanted to make sure that all the questions stakeholders had were answered before a vote is made.

“We have the opportunity to make sure we work with the key stakeholders,” Wat-son said.

According to county of-ficials, the partnership in-volves purchasing the YMCA using approximately $5 mil-lion in greenspace bonds, which Commissioner Larry Johnson said isn’t unusual because the funds would still go toward improving health and wellness in the county.

“We’ve gotten a lot of great support, and we’ve

had a lot of meetings in the community as well,” Johnson said. “This proposal has been talked about and worked on since before I [became a commissioner.]”

Rev. Dexter Rowland, pastor New Piney Grove Missionary Baptist Church across the street from the YMCA, said the nonprofit recreation center has been an “anchor” in the community.

“This is a very unique [and] wonderful opportu-nity for the county and the YMCA,” Rowland said. “I

hope that you all will give some serious consideration to this because there is sup-port, a lot of support, espe-cially in that area.”

Representatives from the DeKalb NAACP also expressed their support of the partnership during the public comments portion of the meeting. However, some residents such as Beth Nathan were more skeptical of the partnership and said questions remained unan-swered.

Nathan, who is a member of both the county’s Park Bonds Citizen’s Advisory Committee and the Parks

and Recreation Citizens Advisory Board, said there needs to be more public discussion before a vote is taken.

“I’m not speaking for those boards today, I’m speaking for myself,” Nathan said. “I ask you today to fur-ther delay this proposal.”

Mike Cooper, the com-munity affairs officer of Lit-tle Creek Farm Conservancy, a 40-acre park in DeKalb County, said the partnership was simply a “bad business decision for DeKalb County.”

Cooper said the pro-posal would only benefit the YMCA’s members and other DeKalb County taxpayers would be left “repaying the bonds used for greenspace acquisition.”

“This proposal makes it clear that the parks depart-ment will have absolutely no control over what the South DeKalb YMCA will do in the future,” Cooper said. “How can the county justify spend-ing approximately $5 million on a property appraised at less than half of $1 million?”

If passed, the YMCA would be expected to im-prove and maintain its facili-ties without the support of the county.

Community input ses-sions will be held at the Por-ter Sanford Arts Center on May 31, at 9 a.m. and in the Maloof Auditorium on June 5, at 6 p.m.

‘How can the county justify spending approximately $5 million on a property appraised at less than half of $1 million?’

–Mike Cooper


CommuniTy

AROUND DEKALBAvondale EstatesCity to hold fi re safety class

The city of Avondale Estates and the DeKalb

County Fire Rescue Department are sponsoring a fire safety class Thursday, May 22, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Avondale Estates City Hall, 21 North Avondale Plaza.

The community is invited to learn about ba-sic home fire safety and how to prepare for a fire emergency. There also will be a question-and-answer session with DeKalb County Fire Chief Darnell Fullum. For more information, contact the city of Avondale Estates at (404) 294-5400.

Volunteers and sponsors needed for city’s 4th of July celebration

Volunteers are needed for the Avondale Es-

tates annual 4th of July Parade which attracts hundreds of families and friends.

On the morning of July 4, volunteers are need-ed to blow up helium balloons, hand out items, coordinate traffic and line-up the participants. Float judges are also needed. Morning volunteers still have plenty of time to participate in the pa-rade or watch it. Breakfast will be provided.

Residents also can donate to the event by writing a check payable to the City of Avondale Estates, with the notation “4th of July Parade” in the memo section of the check.

All businesses, residents, streets and neigh-borhood organizations are invited to enter a float in the parade.

For more information and to volunteer or do-nate, contact Karen Holmes at (404) 294-5400 or [email protected].

BrookhavenCity to host food truck roundup

Brookhaven will host its weekly food truck roundup May 28 at Blackburn Park, 5-9 p.m. The event will include live music, more than 12 food trucks, and activities for children. Pets are welcome, but must be on a leash. The Food Truck Roundup is hosted by the city in con-junction with Fork in the Road, a joint venture between food truck provider Happy Belly and the Atlanta Street Food Coalition. The park is located at 3493 Ashford Dunwoody Road. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/BrookhavenFTN?fref=ts.

CountywideJuvenile court seeking volunteers

The DeKalb County Juvenile Court Judicial Citizen Panel Review is seeking volunteers.

“Participation in the panel program benefits not only children and families, but volunteers also gain useful experience and take pride in knowing that they have helped improve the life of a child,” states an announcement about the panel.

Potential volunteers must complete an ap-plication and undergo a background and refer-ence check. There will be an orientation for new volunteers July 24-25 at DeKalb County Juvenile Court, 4309 Memorial Drive, Decatur.

Contact Teinika Lewis at (404) 294-2738 for more information.

Decaturhistory center to hold event about gourd-making

The DeKalb History Center is hosting a gourd-making demonstration June 20, from 11 a.m.- noon at the historic Swanton House, locat-ed at 720 West Trinity Place in Decatur.

Actress and storyteller Cathy Kaemmer-len will demonstrate and tell stories about how gourds have been used throughout history, espe-cially during the early pioneer days of Georgia.

Attendees will make a craft using gourds and will be able to help do some “old-timey” chores such as sweeping, doing laundry and hauling wa-ter.

For more information visit www.dekalbhisto-rycenter.org.

deKalb history Center hosts storytelling event

The DeKalb History Center will host a family day June 7, from 10-11:30 a.m. at the Swanton House, located at 720 W. Trinity Place in Decatur.

Storyteller LaDoris Davis will be at the his-toric Biffle Cabin teaching 19th-century games.

Davis will also be sharing stories from the past and talking about life in the mid-19th-century. Attendees also will be able to make a 19th-centu-ry game to take home.

For more information visit www.dekalbhis-tory.org.

Dunwoodybeerfest details released

The Dunwoody Beer Fest will be hosted May 31 from 2 to 6 p.m. at Brook Run Park. The event, featuring live music and beer tastings, will benefit the Dunwoody Nature Center. Breweries includ-ing Terrapin, Sweetwater, and Monday Night Brewing will be in attendance featuring at least two craft beers.

“It will be a small, intimate affair focusing on Georgia breweries, sampling, and tasting,” said Alan Mother, executive director of the event. “We have many breweries here in Georgia that many people have never heard about, and we want to highlight them.”

Only 350 tickets are available, and organizers expect a sold-out event. Tickets can be purchased for $30 in advance at http://www.dunwoodyna-ture.org/beerfest.

Friends of the dunwoody library book sale begins may 29

Friends of the Dunwoody Library is hosting its tri-annual book sale beginning May 29 at the Dunwoody library branch. The sale starts at 1 p.m. for Friends of the Dunwoody Library mem-bers and at 4 p.m. for everyone, through 8 p.m. The sale continues during hours of operation May 30, 31 and June 2.

LithoniaCity to off er amnesty program

The Lithonia Municipal Court is conducting an amnesty period for the unpaid failure to ap-pear warrants and citations. The amnesty period will run from June 9 through Sept. 12. During this period the warrant fee of $470 and the fail-ure to appear fee of $160 will be waived for each outstanding item paid. The Lithonia Municipal Court will look for individuals who fail to take advantage of the amnesty period by attempting to execute the outstanding warrants at their homes and businesses.

Cases that require a mandatory court appear-ance will be rescheduled, and offenders must come in during the amnesty period to receive a new court date and take advantage of the amnes-ty offer. Payments will need to be paid to Lithonia Police Department, located at 6920 Main St. Cash and money order will be accepted. For more in-formation, call (770) 482-8947.

Stone MountainCitywide yard sale scheduled

The city of Stone Mountain will hold its city-wide yard sale on Saturday, May 24, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the First Baptist Church lawn in the center of town.

Set up begins at 7:30 a.m. on the day of the sale; tables will not be provided. A limited num-ber of 10 feet-by-10 feet spaces under the pavil-ion are available at $20 each on a first-come, first-served basis. Also, 10 feet-by-10 feet lawn spaces can be rented for $10 each.

For more information, contact Susan Coletti at (404) 444-5607 or city hall at (770) 498-8984. The event will have no food vendors. There will be no refunds and no rain date.

City to host Color Vibe run

The Stone Mountain Village will host the Color Vibe 5k run May 31. Throughout the course, participants run, walk, or dance their way through color stations, where vibrant colored powder is showered on runners and walkers. When the run is over, everyone is invited to stick around for dance party hosted by a professional sound crew and DJ. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to support the Stone Mountain Village Visitors Center. For more information on the Color Vibe event and registration, visit www.thecolorvibe.com or send an email to [email protected].


restaurant health inspectionsEstablishment Name: Los Bravos Mexican RestaurantAddress: 2895 North Decatur Road, Suite BCurrent Score/Grade: 83/BInspection Date: 05/08/2014Observations and Corrective Actions

Postage of an expired, revoked, or suspended food safety certification. (Certificate expired on 01-09-14) COS- PIC advised to register for a Certified Food Safety Manager’s Exam immediately; DeKalb CFSM Schedule provided. Corrected On-Site. Observed employee drink from single use cup with no lid or straw in wait station, next to food equipment. Advised PIC that food can only be consumed in approved designated areas separate from food preparation and serving areas, equipment or utensil washing and storage. COS- Employee left wait station. Corrected On-Site. Observed PIC handling food while wearing bracelets. PIC informed all jewelry must be removed while preparing food, food employees may not wear jewelry including medical information jewelry on their arms and hands, except for a plain wedding band.Upon arrival, most current inspection report not posted. PIC advised that inspection report should be posted in public view within 15 feet of the primary entrance, 5-7 feet above the floor, and readable from one foot. Observed portion of grill covered with foil. PIC advised to remove foil. Facility has the option of covering grill with a material that is durable and cleanable. Observed yellow rim of drink nozzle cover, exterior of lids on foods in walk-in- cooler, and handles of warmer drawers in wait station not clean to sight and touch. PIC advised to clean immediately. Observed back door not fully closed; also door is not tight fitting to wall allowing light to come through bottom of door. PIC advised to repair immediately.

Establishment Name: Quality Inn Of Northlake (Breakfast Room)Address: 2155 Ranchwood DriveCurrent Score/Grade: 80/BInspection Date: 05/12/2014Observations and Corrective Actions

Bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods. PIC advised that EXCEPT when washing fruits and vegetables there shall be no bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods; utensils such as deli tissue, spatulas, tongs, single-use gloves, or dispensing equipment may be used. Observed employee using bare hands to adjust bread before refilling bread container; employee allowed customer to use bare hands to retrieve bread from bulk container used to refill bread on front food area. PIC discarded bread. Corrected On-SiteCold-held potentially hazardous foods not maintained below 41F; no time controls/documentation in place (see * at temp log). PIC advised that proper cold hold temperature shall not exceed 41F. Corrected On-Site.

Establishment Name: Jazzy Juice CafeAddress: 6116-F Covington HighwayCurrent Score/Grade: 88/BInspection Date: 05/12/2014 Observations and Corrective Actions

Items in prep top cooler not holding at or below 41F (see temp log). Milk was frozen last night and was below 41F. PIC advised that all PHF must be held at 41F or below. COS- food discarded, milk relocated to freezer. PIC advised to store PHF in drink cooler until prep top cooler is repaired.

Establishment Name: Atl Deli Address: 2000 Candler RoadCurrent Score/Grade: 86/BInspection Date: 05/12/2014

Establishment Name: Waffle House #1600Address: 2255 Panola RoadCurrent Score/Grade: 85/BInspection Date: 05/12/2014

Establishment Name: FroyoloAddress: 545 North Mcdonough Street, Suite 102Current Score/Grade: 91/AInspection Date: 05/15/2014

Commissioners approve East Metro DeKalb CID

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS ON THE 2014-2015 PROPOSED BUDGET

FOR THE CITY OF DECATUR, GEORGIA

There will be public hearings on the proposed 2014-2015 budget for the City of Decatur at 7:30 p.m. on June 2, 2014, at 6:00 p.m. on June 9, 2014, and at 7:30 p.m. on June 16, 2014 in the City Commission Meeting Room at City Hall, 509 N. McDonough Street, Decatur. The proposed budget is summarized below and is available in its entirety for public inspection at Decatur City Hall and at the Decatur Library on Sycamore Street. After May 21st, the budget will be available on the City’s website at www.decaturga.com/budget. All citizens are invited to attend the public hearings, to provide written and oral comments, and ask questions concerning the entire budget.

FY 2014-2015 PROPOSED GENERAL FUND REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES

REVENUES Taxes 17,422,600 Licenses, Permits & Inspections 1,200,500 Penalties, Fines & Forfeitures 1,370,000 Interest 500 Charges for Current Services 1,670,800 Intergovernmental Revenues 464,300 Miscellaneous Revenue 240,000 Sale of Fixed Assets 10,000 Operating Transfers 222,170 Appropriation From (To) Fund Balance (767,930) TOTAL REVENUES $21,830,940 EXPENDITURES Governmental Control Department 203,000 General Government Department 1,429,870 Community & Economic Development Department 1,843,470 Administrative Services Department 3,119,030 Police Department 5,335,350 Fire & Rescue Department 3,607,720 Public Works Department 2,872,830 Design, Environment & Construction Division 1,672,650 Active Living Division 1,747,020 TOTAL EXPENDITURES $21,830,940


The DeKalb County Board of Commission-ers unanimously passed a resolution May 13 to form a new community improve-ment district (CID) in East DeKalb.

The East Metro DeKalb CID encompasses more than 200 property owners in

southeast DeKalb that repre-sent 400 parcels of commer-cial and industrial property valued at more than $146 million. The CID spans from Gresham Road on the west, Covington Highway on the north, Turner Hill on the east and Flat Shoals Parkway on the south.

A CID is a self-taxing district that uses additional property tax dollars to implement beautification, public safety and infrastruc-ture projects to increase its economic viability. Each district is comprised of private, non-exempt com-mercial properties zoned as office/industrial and retail properties. Each CID must be approved by the DeKalb County Board of Commis-sioners.

“The CID concept is a proven economic develop-ment tool that will garner success and positive atten-tion in this corridor. As a resident of DeKalb County, I am truly excited about the possibilities of this…effort to improve our community,” said Doreen Carter, chair-woman of the East Metro DeKalb CID formation committee and president of the Greater Lithonia Cham-ber of Commerce.

Carter said she first got engaged in the discussion of a CID for the area in 2008. She said there hasn’t been

a successful vehicle in the proposed area that would allow the private sector to participate in economic de-velopment.

“If you look at the devel-opment that has transpired in other communities that have CIDs there has been significant improvement in economic development,” Carter said. “This will be the catalyst that will help

push us forward.” According to Carter, the

East Metro DeKalb CID will be the first formed in metro Atlanta in a “majority minority” community. It is also the first located south of I-20 in a predominantly non-industrial area.

The CID was formed out

of the efforts of a commit-tee comprised of southeast DeKalb commercial prop-erty owners and community leaders.

The East Metro DeKalb CID will serve as a public-private partnership that aims to improve economic development, increase prop-erty value, revive business, create jobs and enhance the overall quality of life in southeastern DeKalb, a press release stated.

Additionally, the CID will also serve as a tool to leverage matching dollars from local, state and federal funding agencies to sup-port projects such as public safety, beautification and transportation.

Raquel Obumba, East Metro DeKalb CID project manager, said the proposed CID would generate more than $2.5 million with a millage rate of 5 mills. The final millage rate would be set only after the district is approved by commissioners.

“Representatives from the various corridors will form the CID board of di-rectors,” Obumba said.

‘The CID concept is a proven economic development tool that will garner success and positive attention in this corridor. As a resident of DeKalb County, I am truly excited about the possibilities of this…effort to improve our community.’

–Doreen Carter


MARTA makes changes to bus and rail services

MARTA has improved bus and rail services for riders as well as implemented a new fare evasion policy for bus riders.

General Fund Special Funds Nutrition Fund Capital FundsESTIMATED REVENUESLocal Taxes 27,617,827$ 3,360,000$ Local Other 2,570,860 939,964$ State General 17,742,664State Other 700,000$ 37,000 Federal 1,680,322 570,500 Transfers from Other Funds 236,762General Fund Balance Obligated 3,071,059Capital Fund Balance Restricted 350,671Total Revenues 51,002,410$ 2,617,084$ 1,547,464$ 3,710,671$

ESTIMATED EXPENDITURESInstruction 34,004,357$ 2,163,116$ Pupil Services 1,390,660 37,988Improvement of Instructional Services 1,345,760 248,717Educational Media Services 1,311,092Federal Grant Administration 111,382General Administration 959,585 12,788School Administration 3,812,106 966Support Services - Business 392,322Maintenance and Operation of Plant Services 4,386,501Student Transportation Service 1,289,507 20,551Support Services - Central 936,530Other Support Services 7,000 21,576School Nutrition Program 855,850 1,547,464$ Community Services Operations 74,378Facilities Acquisition and Construction Services 1,459,920$ Transfers to Other Funds 236,762Debt Service 2,250,751 Total Expenditures 51,002,410$ 2,617,084$ 1,547,464$ 3,710,671$

of the Central Office at 125 Electric Avenue.

City Schools of DecaturBudget for Fiscal Year 2015

July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015

The Fiscal Year 2015 Tentative Budget will be considered for final adoption by the Board of Education at 6:30 PMat the regular board meeting scheduled for Tuesday, June 10, 2014. The meeting will be held in the Board Room


MARTA riders may have noticed buses and trains ar-riving more frequently to pick up riders recently as the public transportation service rolled out service improve-ments.

MARTA officials an-nounced that bus routes were modified, which went into effect May 17, to improve service and on-time perfor-mance. Rail changes also went into effect May 19 on the red and gold lines from the airport to Lindbergh sta-tions and on the blue and green lines from Ashby to Candler Park stations.

From 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays, wait times will be reduced to five minutes on the trunk–before the lines split–and 10-minute head-ways on the branches, ac-cording to MARTA officials. MARTA also will run four-car trains on the north and south rail lines.

During the weekday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., trains will run every 12 minutes on each of the lines with a rate of six minutes on the trunk.

The improvements are being supported, in part, by federal funding designated to the transit system by the At-lanta Regional Commission. The metropolitan planning organization allocated more than $7 million over a multi-year period to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality in the Atlanta region, according to MARTA of-ficials.

Construction and infra-structure improvements also will begin soon on rail lines to maintain a state of good repair on equipment and tracks. Work will take place on weekends and trains will operate every 20 minutes on each line and every 24 min-utes, when necessary, accord-ing to MARTA officials.

Bus improvements in-clude an additional 23 trips each weekday, 99 trips on Saturdays and 55 trips on Sundays. Other bus routes have schedule changes, and five of the seven routes pre-viously diverted due to the Atlanta streetcar construc-tion are returning to their old routing, according to MARTA officials. No chang-es will be made to routes 99 and 186—Rainbow Drive/South DeKalb route, due to

an increase in ridership dur-ing construction.

Along with service chang-es, MARTA implemented a new fare evasion policy, which went into effect May 17. The policy bans riders from boarding unattended buses at rail station bus bays.

According to MARTA of-ficials, bus riders will still be allowed to pay their fares and

board at rail station bus bays while the bus driver is pres-ent. Under the new policy, the doors will be secured whenever a bus driver leaves the vehicle for a break. Rid-ers who have already paid can remain aboard. However, those waiting to pay their bus fare and board the bus must wait until the driver returns in order for them to pay.

Edward Johnson, MAR-TA’s chief administrative of-ficer, said the policy is about “basic fairness.

“The vast majority of our customers pay their fare and have every right to expect that everyone else is also paying to ride the system,” he said. “We realize this will be an adjustment for our cus-tomers, and we’re committed

to reviewing the policy to ensure that it’s working as intended.”

Passengers caught par-ticipating in or enabling fare evasion will be penalized, up to and including being banned from riding MARTA, according to MARTA of-ficials.


Reduce • Reuse • Recycle Reduce • Reuse

Sheriff’s Office touts savings

CITY OF DORAVILLE PUBLIC NOTICEFiscal Year 2015 Budget

Notice is hereby given that the proposed budget for the City of Doraville shall be available for public inspection beginning May 23, 2014, in the City Clerk’s office from 8:30 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at City Hall, 3725 Park Avenue, Doraville, GA. A public hearing shall be held on the 2th day of June at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 3725 Park Avenue, Doraville, GA before the Mayor and Council of the City of Doraville at which time public comment pertaining to the Fiscal Year 2015 (July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015) budget shall be sounded. All citizens of Doraville are invited to attend. A special called meeting shall be held on the 16th day of June at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 3725 Park Avenue, Doraville, GA before the Mayor and Council of the City of Doraville at which time the Fiscal Year 2015 (July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015) budget shall be approved and the budget ordinance adopted in accordance with O.C.G.A. 36‐81‐5. All citizens of Doraville are invited to attend.

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The DeKalb County Sheriff ’s Office recently re-leased its 2013 annual report and touted major improve-ments, such as a video visi-tation system for prisoners that will save the county approximately $1.7 million annually.

According to the report, the office also came in under budget for fiscal year 2013 at $77.3 million.

“Our officers face serious challenges every day, from serving warrants on offend-ers to keeping the peace within our courts to man-aging a jail population the size of a small city,” DeKalb County Sheriff Jeffrey Mann said.

Last year, the DeKalb County Jail housed more than 3,000 inmates daily. Mann replaced outgoing Sheriff Thomas Brown, who had served four terms as sheriff. Brown left to run for

Congress against Rep. Hank Johnson.

Mann, who faced several sheriff candidates in The including former DeKalb County CEO Vernon Jones, said in the future the sher-iff ’s office is committed to improved efficiency and transparency; an increased focus on recruitment, train-ing and development; con-tinued investment in tech-nology; expansion of recidi-vism programs and ongoing community partnerships.

The report credits the successful year to initia-tives such as a cost-cutting conversion of the jail sur-veillance system to digital, which also increases safety for officers and inmates and to its establishment of rela-tionships with local medical institutions and agencies to address critical inmate health care issues.

According to the re-port, the total inmate court transports in 2013 includ-ing arrests was 30,433 and

approximately 1.5 million court visitors were protected by deputies from the sher-iff ’s office.

In 2013, approximately 36,000 inmates were housed in the DeKalb County Jail; The average population was 2,623 with an average stay of 29 days.

The sheriff ’s office offers vocational training, a GED program, and work release and substance abuse servic-es. According to the report, more than 2,000 inmates have graduated from the jail’s in-house GED program since 2004.

The report also states that the DeKalb County Sher-iff ’s Office is accredited by three nationwide bodies and recently has maintained its Triple Crown status from the National Sheriff ’s Insti-tute since 2008. The associa-tion recognizes less than 40 sheriff ’s offices out of 3,500 throughout the country with Triple Crown Status.


Brookhaven residents’ 911 fees will be transferred from DeKalb County to the city .

At its May 13 meeting, the Brookhaven City Coun-cil unanimously approved the enhanced 911 charge on cell phones, landline phones, voice over internet protocol (VoIP) connections and prepaid cell phones within Brookhaven city limits.

DeKalb County currently imposes an enhanced 911 charge upon each active cell phone account, land-line phone, and voice over internet protocol connec-tion subscribed to by any, subscribers whose billing address or place of primary use is within Brookhaven. Those fees will now go to Brookhaven.

The vote comes a month after the city council voted to enter into an intergov-ernmental agreement with Chattahoochee River 911 Authority (ChatComm).

Under the agreement, all 911 calls made from a cellphone or landline phone

in Brookhaven will be an-swered by a ChatComm emergency operator instead of a DeKalb County dis-patcher beginning Aug. 1.

According to the resolu-tion, House Bill 256, which was passed in 2011, local governments are authorized to impose a 911 charge at a rate of up to $0.75 upon pre-paid wireless service “at the retail point of sale for sales occurring within the juris-diction of the local govern-ment.” Brookhaven residents will be charged up to $1.50 per month per wireless con-nection, which the city will impose, collect and deposit beginning Aug. 1.

The city council was scheduled to vote on the 911 charge April 15, but the vote was deferred because a pub-lic hearing was not held to discuss the 911 charge. The hearing was held during the May 13 meeting.

“I’m excited about mov-ing forward and continuing to move the ball on getting our own 911 services for the benefit of our citizens and public safety in general,” Brookhaven Mayor J. Max Davis said.

Brookhaven approves 911 call charge

by Lauren [email protected]

A person just released from prison March 3 had his first hearing for alleged new crimes May 16.

Allen Lee Garner, 30, stood with his head tilted down while his charges were read by Magistrate Judge Curtis Miller. Garner is ac-cused of criminal attempt, burglary in the first degree, rape and theft by taking.

On April 26, Garner al-legedly broke a window in a Chamblee home, using the access to unlock a door. Inside was the occupant, a 79-year-old woman.

Garner is charged with raping the woman before

demanding to know where money was kept. Accord-ing to the warrant, Garner was told there was money in a drawer, took it, and left after admonishing the woman to not call police or he would return to kill her. The money amounted to ap-proximately $200.

According to a news re-lease from the Chamblee Po-lice Department, Garner was initially arrested for a related burglary charge. He was charged with the assault on May 15, after DNA evidence from the scene of the crime matched his.

Garner recently finished prison time for charges of theft by taking, entering auto and fleeing/attempting

to evade a police officer in 2012. His previous sentence began March 21, 2013.

Leaving the judge’s chamber, Garner waved to a few members of the gallery. His bond is currently posted at $50,500.

Parolee accused of rape, burglary weeks after prison release


From Smoothie King to iTunesA series revealing purchases on county-issued P-Cards by DeKalb County Commissioners, officials and assistants.

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BOYER RADERBARNES SUTTONJOHNSON MAY WATSON GANNON

Art showcase gives glimpse into mental health recoveryby Lauren [email protected]

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, the DeKalb Community Ser-vice Board (CSB) put togeth-er a showcase of its clients’ art on May 15.

Psychosocial rehabilita-tion, or PSR, is a service of-fered by CSB that provides day treatment to clients with mental illnesses who need assistance with life skills, in-cluding money management, coping skills, communica-tion and job skills. A new group in the program focus-ing on art and expression is helping clients uncover fresh talents.

“Research has shown that creative expression helps cli-ents with expressing internal conflict,” said Marianette ReFour, director of the psy-chosocial rehabilitation pro-gram. “People with anxiety, depression and other prob-lems can identify and change negative thoughts and emo-tions.”

According to the Ameri-can Art Therapy Association, art therapy can improve at-tention, focus on tasks and self-esteem, among other things.

“A lot of the clients say it’s a sense of relaxation for them, it takes your mind away from stress, from feel-ing depressed,” said Helen Hogin, a therapist with CSB and a creative expression in-structor. “It puts your mind in a whole other mood.”

The staff often lets the cli-ents choose what they want to create. Everything from

knit throws to beaded jew-elry was displayed

“Some of the canvas art they do [expresses] their feelings or what is going on in their minds,” Hogin said. “A lot of times we have medi-tation music or relaxation music, so it can be a nice tranquil place for them.”

Alice Robertson said she found the CSB after moving to Atlanta from Winston-Salem, N.C., with her son. She said she felt lonely, sad and lost a lot of self-esteem. She joined the creative ex-pression group and found that it helped her with those thoughts.

“It helped me by doing drawing and art and mixing with the people,” she said. “I have made a lot of friends in the program and helped a lot of people.”

Despite never having tried it before, Robertson made jewelry–necklaces and bracelets–though they did not make it to the showcase.

“One of the things that we have seen that was surprising is there is usually some hesi-tation because they think, ‘Oh, I am going to have to be an artist,’”ReFour said. “They like doing it after the first time. They see the way they are thinking and changing those thoughts.”

Many clients reported feelings of enjoyment and pride when completing their artworks.

“PSR is a nice program and it’s very encouraging,” Robertson said. “I’ve gained a lot of knowledge from go-ing there, and I’ve become a stronger person.”

From left, Helen Hogin, creative expression instructor; Marianette ReFour, psychosocial rehabilitation director; and Angel Warren, creative expression instructor.

Some clients chose to build and paint wood block fi gures.

Nayati Richardson, pictured with her illustration of the Tom and Jerry cartoon characters, says she likes drawing because “it’s a talent.”

Chavanne Pippin holds a picture he drew as a part of the creative expression group.

“I wanted to do something that was creative, so I saw the Popsicle sticks and I said, ‘You know what? I want to make a bridge out of it because I think that would be really neat,’” said Kenneth Pack, pictured with his bridge.

A fl ower wreath made by a DeKalb Community Service client. Clients are encouraged to express their inner emotions on canvas, like this one.


Georgia Piedmont Technical College will hold its

Spring Commencement Ceremony

Reverend Dr. C.T. Vivian

2013 Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient

Commencement Speaker

Come Celebrate With Us!

Saturday, May 31, 2014

10:00 a.m. at

The House of Hope Atlanta

(formerly Greater Traveler’s Rest Baptist Church)

4650 Flat Shoals ParkwayDecatur, Georgia 30034

www.gptc.edu

Commissioner says all county purchasing cards should be auditedEditor’s note: Th e Champion looks at the purchasing card use of the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners and those of other select P-card holders.


An April 2010 internal audit of the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners determined that fi ve of the seven commissioners “did not fully comply” with the county’s purchasing card (P-card) policies and proce-dures.

Twenty months later, in November 2011, another internal audit revealed that three commissioners “did not comply” with the P-card policy. Among the three commissioners making the list in both audits was Com-missioner Elaine Boyer.

In the 2010 audit, Boyer was cited for transactions at restaurants. According to the audit, 12 of the 17 trans-actions in a sample were for restaurants.

“As stated in the purchas-ing card policy, the P-card program allows designated employees to purchase business-related goods and services,” the audit stated. “P-card transactions from restaurants could become costly over a 12-month pe-riod.”

Fast forward to March 2014.

Boyer, and her chief of staff , Bob Lundsten, came under fi re aft er an investiga-tive report by the Atlanta Journal Constitution re-vealed that between 2012 and 2013, Boyer and Lund-sten together spent more than $11,000 for restaurant meals using their county-issued P-cards.

According to records Th e Champion obtained aft er an Open Records Request, the pair spent $5,958.93 in 2013 on food. In the fi rst three months of 2014, Boyer’s offi ce spent $2,289.84 on meals, including a $452.31 tab at McKendricks Steak-house for a legislative meeting in February and a $190 meal at Seasons 52 for “DeKalb City Staff Budget.”

Th e purchasing card policy, revised in March 2004, states that “the DeKalb County P-card program is intended to be an alternative method for the purchase of small dollar value, miscel-

laneous expenses, including materials and services.

“Th e P-Card is the prop-erty of DeKalb County and should only be used for business purposes,” the policy states.

On May 20, Boyer told Th e Champion that she is “exhausted talking about” P-cards.

“I don’t have anything new to say,” Boyer said.

“Th e thing that is most distressing is that there is no focus on all the rest of the P-cards,” Boyer said, add-ing that there are “70 people with P-cards [who] don’t fall under” the county CEO’s authority.

“Th at’s a lot,” Boyer said. “I know all of them. I’ve looked at them. Th ey are constitutional offi cers or they work for other elected offi cials.”

In a March 25 statement, Boyer said, “Over the past several years I have on occa-sion purchased airfare and related travel expenses using my County P-Card which is a debit card. Over that same period I reimbursed over 90 % of these charges. Th ere was no expense to the County taxpayers.”

A reporter “brought to my attention that I had not reimbursed some of these expenses for 2012 and 2013,” she stated. “Th at was an oversight for which I accept responsibility and for that I apologize.”

Boyer added that she “immediately reimbursed the expenses from that two year time frame.”

Boyer subsequently sus-pended her use of the card

and said she was unaware that she was in violation of any county policy. An eth-ics complaint has been fi led against Boyer and Lundsten.

In March 2013, four $25 Starbucks gift cards for Tucker Middle School were charged to Lundsten’s card.

Lundsten purchased a $750 offi ce laptop from Best Buy, according to an Oc-tober 2013 receipt marked “OK per EB.”

Th e P-card policy states that “all Information Sys-tems, Communications, and Finance Special Approval related purchases will be coordinated/routed through Information Systems, Com-munications, and Finance Special and will require a requisition and purchase order regardless of the dollar amount.”

In December 2013, Lund-sten, Boyer’s chief of staff , paid for two gift baskets at a cost of $49.99 each and an-other one costing $54.99 for planning, purchasing and water. On the same receipt from Th e Fresh Market in Dunwoody are three Santa pop-up cards at a cost of $5.99 each.

Additionally, Lundsten paid $12.88 in sales taxes, even though the county “is not required to pay sales tax to any supplier since the county is exempt,” according to the county’s P-card policy.

Also in December 2013, Lundsten paid $50 for a service order for Comcast Internet hookup at 302 Pe-rimeter Center North, Apt. 1208, Atlanta. Th e address is in the Gables Metropolitan apartment complex.

Boyer said she is not fa-miliar with that address, but would check into it.

Boyer said there should be an audit of all of the county’s P-cardholders.

“I’ve called for it; there should be an audit on all of it,” she said. “I’ve said it a zil-lion times; no one seems to be doing it.

“I’m not throwing any-body under the bus, but [the policy] needs to get clarifi cation. I think [interim DeKalb County CEO Lee May] tried to do that with his new policy.]”

Research assistance by Travis Hudgons and Donna Turner

Commissioner says all county purchasing cards should be audited


WEEK PICTURESIn

Searching for Our Sons and Daughters:

For a programming guide, visit www.yourdekalb.com/dctvNow showing on DCTV!

Finding DeKalb County’s Missing Stories of our missing residents offer profound

insights and hope for a positive reunion.

Searching for Our Sons and Daughters:

DCTV – Your Emmy® Award-winning news source of DeKalb County news. Available on Comcast Cable Channel 23.

Photos brought to you by DCTV

Dawn-Breakers, a local Toastmasters Club, and The Youth Gavel Club recently donated 70 bottles of detergent to Ronald McDonald House in Decatur in response to the house’s urgent need. Photo provided

Petty Offi cer 2nd Class Joseph D. Moses, a 2006 Redan High School graduate, is serving aboard a U.S. Navy attack submarine, the USS Hawaii. Photo provided

Mothers and their sons danced the night away May 16, at Stone Mill Elementary for its mother/son dance in Stone Mountain. Photo by Travis Hudgons


Students view 3D technology at STEM center event

County receives positive credit rating, approves tax notes


DeKalb County has received the highest credit rating available for its $85.7 million tax anticipation notes, which were approved by commis-sioners May 20.

Each county collects taxes at specific times throughout the year. During some months while tax rev-enue is not collected, some county governments take out a low-interest loan to cover their expenses.

“It’s an interim borrowing the county has done for several years–borrowing money now for tax reve-nue we’ll collect later in the year. The loan is to be paid back in December,” county attorney Thomas P. Lauth said.

Moody’s Investors Services has assigned a MIG 1 rating to DeKalb County’s tax anticipation notes. This is the highest rating available for that category.

“The highest quality short-term rating is based upon Moody’s expec-tation of sufficient projected cash flow for note repayment and sound legal provisions… Moody’s expects that the county will have ample cash balances to repay the notes at their maturity in December 2014,” a news release stated.

Interim DeKalb County CEO Lee May said the county has been under scrutiny from the rating agency.

“Moody’s has had us under a mi-croscope for years and continues to scrutinize our ongoing efforts to re-organize government, cut expenses, and operate efficiently,” May said.

Another rating company, Fitch Ratings, assigned DeKalb County an “F1+” rating, the highest rating for that category on the county’s tax an-ticipation notes.

Larry Johnson, presiding of-ficer of DeKalb County Board of Commissioners, said the board has always made it a point to keep the county’s finances in order.

“The good news for the people of DeKalb is that this rating affords our taxpayers the lowest interest charges possible thanks to these ratings by Moody’s and Fitch,” Johnson said.

Additionally, according to the report released by Moody’s, the county maintained it’s positive rat-ing on general obligation bonds and appropriation-backed debt.

“The stable outlook acknowl-edges the county’s improved finan-cial position, which is projected to remain below formal targeted levels through fiscal 2016, and reflects Moody’s expectation that the coun-ty’s financial position will continue to improve,” the report said.


A few dozen students, some ac-companied by parents, got to see a 3D printer in action May 19.

The demonstration was part of a science, technology, engineer-ing and math (STEM) open house sponsored by DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson at Exchange Park Intergenerational Center in Decatur. During the event, attendees also learned about animation using an Xbox.

“What we do in technology impacts everything—from cars to medicine to government to all the things that make a difference in our society,” Johnson said. “My goal is to elevate DeKalb County to a much higher height. I want to make us the Silicon Valley of the southeast.

I want to make sure [students] are impacted by science, technolo-gy, engineering and mathematics.”

The guest presenter at the event was Dhata Harris, executive director of the Enitiative Group,

a nonprofit organization with a mission to “empower minorities and underprivileged youth with greater earning potential and infor-mational access through the use of electronic media, the Internet, and other technological resources,” according to the event’s announce-ment.

Using the latest version of the MakerBot 3D printer, Harris dem-onstrated the four-year-old tech-nology by 3D-printing a stretch-able bracelet in approximately 12 minutes. He also demonstrated how students can make games us-ing Xbox Kinect.

“I’m a nerd,” Harris told the students, after entering the room on a Segway–a two-wheeled, self-balancing vehicle. “I wish I had sold out a lot earlier [and realized] that being a nerd was not such a bad thing. The message is that nerds get paid.”

Harris, a former professional football player, presented a talk called “Your Life in 5D,” referenc-ing the next level in 3D technol-ogy.

In the presentation, the “5D” represented:• Dream: “You’ve got to have

a dream,” Harris said. “If you would just follow up on your dream, that’s the first step.”

• Define: “Define what you are uniquely gifted to do,” he said.

• Decide: “I have an idea for ev-erything. You can’t do everything that you have an idea for. You have to decide.”

• Develop: “You’ve got to develop it so that it’s not just written on a napkin somewhere,” Harris said.

• Deliver it: “You’ve got to de-liver it. You’ve got to package it. You’ve got to get in the homes of everybody who can afford your product.”

Reminding the students that 5D technology doesn’t exist, Harris said that one day it will and will be the next level of robots that will force students out of fast food and other low-paying jobs.

“That is why you need to have a 5D mindset,” Harris said.

Dhata Harris displays a plastic comb he made using a 3D printer.

Students crowd around a 3D printer as it makes a bracelet. Photos by Andrew Cauthen

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the ChaMpiOn Free press, Friday, May 23, 2014 page 15alOCal news

the work that we’ve accomplished in the past 14 years,” Mann said.

For the last 14 years, Mann has served under Brown as chief deputy and was re-sponsible for administering the day-to-day operations of the DeKalb County Jail, court and administrative divisions.

Mann also reportedly played an integral role in managing the office’s approximately $78 million budget for more than a decade.

Jones, who has lived in DeKalb County for nearly 30 years, served as a legislator in the Georgia House of Representatives for eight years before serving two terms as CEO.

Jones could not be reached by press time. Results for the others candidates in the

sheriff ’s race bypress time are as follows: re-tired DeKalb County Sheriff ’s deputy Dale Bernard Collins received 3.99 percent; re-tired U.S. DEA agent Ted Golden received 4.46 percent; DeKalb County Police sergeant R. Tony Hughes received 5.84 percent; former Georgia Piedmont Technical Col-lege Assistant Police Chief Melody Maddox received 7.3 percent; and retired Atlanta Po-lice officer, and GBI and FBI agent LaSalle Smith received 1.79 percent of the vote.

“People see that a person from the legislature can be good in local government,” Watson said. “People have seen that I’ve learned how to be a great local county commissioner.”

Congressman Hank Johnson was winning the Democratic primary for his seat late on May 20, fighting off former DeKalb County Sheriff Thomas Brown.

At press time, Johnson had 55.40 percent of the vote, while Brown had 44.60 percent.

In the race for State Senate District 40, incum-bent Sen. Fran Millar was leading his Republi-can contender Richard Anderson, 79.7 percent to 20.83 percent. In the Democratic primary, Tamara Johnson, had 70.84 percent, while Bene-dict Truman III had 29.16 percent.

For State Senate District 41, incumbent Steve

Henson was unopposed in the Democratic pri-mary and there were no Republicans seeking the seat.

In the Democratic race for State Senate Dis-trict 42, Elena Parent, a former state represen-tative, was leading Kyle Williams. Parent had 65.67 percent of the votes, while Williams had 34.33 percent. On the Republican side, Greg Wil-liams was the sole candidate for the seat.

State Sen. Ronald Ramsey was unopposed in the Democratic primary for the District 43 seat.

Sen. Gail Davenport, who represents District 44, led contender Marcus Eugene Davis 81.43 percent to 18.57 percent, in the Democratic pri-mary.

In the District 55 Democratic primary, in-cumbent State Sen. Gloria Butler was ahead of

Mark A. Williams, 78.08 percent to 21.92 per-cent.

For District 81, incumbent State Rep. Scott Holcomb, a Democrat, and James Duffie, a Re-publican, were unopposed in their party’s prima-ries.

State Rep. Michele Henson, who represents District 86, was ahead of opponent Jacqueline Adams, 72.76 percent to 27.24 percent.

In the race for the State Rep. District 91 seat, Rep. Dee Dawkins-Haigler had 68.40 percent, while Diane D. Adoma had 31.60 percent

At press time, State Rep. Earnest “Coach” Williams of District 87 was leading opponent Ivy Green 64.66 percent to 35.34 percent.

Ramsey Davenport Butler Holcomb Henson Haigler Williams

probation. Orson said the school board has made significant strides in improving the district.

“We also know that there is a lot more to do,” Orson said. “So what we need is to be in partner-ship with the rest of the community to ensure that we have a clear vision.”

In another high‒profile race, District 5 in-cumbent Thad Mayfield will face former school board member Jesse “Jay” Cunningham in a runoff July 22. Mayfield received 34.64 percent of votes while Cunningham received 28.41 percent.

Mayfield was the school board member for District 9, but his seat was one of two eliminated by the state General Assembly. David Campbell, who was the District 5 representative, chose not to run. Mayfield was one of six school board members appointed in 2013 by Deal. Cunning-ham was also among the board members who were suspended.

The District 4 seat also will be decided in a runoff, as incumbent Jim McMahan will face incumbent, Karen Carter. Carter led McMahan 35.98 percent to 27.29 percent at press time. Carter was appointed to Super District 8 by the governor, but the seat was one of two eliminated by the state General Assembly.

McMahan said District 4 will be well repre-sented, no matter who wins in the runoff elec-tion.

“We have wonderful leadership in our district, a very involved and informed community and I look forward to debating my challenger for the runoff in July,” McMahan said.

District 3 also will be decided on July 22. In-cumbent Michael Erwin, appointed by Deal, re-ceived 38.14 percent of votes. Challenger Atticus LeBlanc received 19.93 percent of votes.

Incumbent Melvin Johnson, the school board’s chairman, was re-elected for his District 6 seat, defeating challenger Bridgeman Bolger 77.33 percent to 22.67 percent of votes.

In District 7, incumbent Joyce Morley–an-other Deal appointee–was chosen by voters to remain on the school board with 60.44 percent of votes. Morley defeated challengers Kim Ault (21.79 percent) and Lee V. Dukes (17.77 per-cent).

Stan Jester won the District 1 seat uncon-tested. The seat was formerly held by his wife, Nancy Jester, who ran for state school superin-tendent.

YOUR vOTE COUNTS

The Champion Free press, Friday, may 23, 2014 page 16alocal newsPark Continued From Page 2A

COMBINED NOTICE

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC OF REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

May 22, 2014

DeKalb County Human and Community Development Department150 E. Ponce de Leon Avenue, Suite 330Decatur, Georgia 30030Telephone (404) 286-3308

TO ALL INTERESTED AGENCIES, GROUPS AND PERSONS:

The DeKalb County Human and Community Development Department gives notice that it will submit a request for release of grant funds and an environmental certification pertaining to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) 15 days following this publication. The request and certification relate to the following projects.

Project: Tobie Grant Manor Redevelopment Project Location: 3128 Tobie Grant Circle, Scottdale GA 30079

Purpose: The Housing Authority of DeKalb County (HADC) has been awarded HUD RAD funding and two Low Income Housing Tax Credit awards in order to help fund the redevelopment of their existing 55 acre Tobie Grant Manor apartment develop-ment. This redevelopment project will better serve the local community and will provide mixed income residential housing oppor-tunities and quality housing choices for qualifying residents. The proposed project will begin with the demolition of all 104 existing residential structures, along with the removal of the existing community building, located within the property owned by HADC. A total of 105 structures will be removed, as well as all existing sidewalks and driveways. Proposed new construction will consist of a phased Master Plan approach to construct senior apartments, multi-family units, townhomes and single family residential lots. The initial phase of construction will include the installation of Master Infrastructure for the project. This infrastructure work will include storm water detention areas, park areas, and roadway improvements to accommodate the overall project. Simultaneously, as this master infrastructure is being installed, the first and second phases of construction will commence. Phase One will be called “The Reserve at Mills Creek”, and will consist of 100-units of Senior Apartments. Phase Two will be called “Mills Creek Crossing”, with plans for 200-units of Family Apartments. Phase Three will be called “The Retreat at Mills Creek”, and will consist of 80-units of Senior Apartments. Phase Four will be called “Mills Creek Estates” and will consist of 114 units for homeownership, including 47 proposed single family lots and 67 proposed townhomes.

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT (FONSI) It has been determined that such request for release of funds will not constitute an action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment and, accordingly, DeKalb County has decided not to prepare Environmental Impact Statements under the Na-tional Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (P.L. 91-190). The reasons for the decision not to prepare such Statements are as follows: An Environmental Assessment has been made for the project which concludes that all adverse effects will be minor, short-term impacts will be mitigated by either the requirements of the construction contract documents or by the requirements of applicable lo-cal, state or federal permits and environmental ordinances. The positive effects of providing mixed income housing and improving environmental conditions for low and moderate-income families outweigh any potential negative impacts. This project is consistent with the goals and objectives of DeKalb County Government and the Human and Community Development Department. The Environmental Review Record, respecting the proposed project, has been made by DeKalb County which documents the environmental review of the project and fully sets forth the reasons why such Environmental Impact Statements are not required. The Environmental Review Record is on file at the DeKalb County Human and Community Development Department, 150 E. Ponce de Leon Avenue, Suite 330, Decatur, Georgia 30030 and is available for public examination and copying upon request between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. No further environmental reviews of the subject project are proposed to be conducted prior to the request for release of Federal funds. Public Comments on FONSIAll interested agencies, groups, and persons disagreeing with this decision are invited to submit written comments for consideration by DeKalb County to the Human and Community Development Director. Written comments will be received at 150 E. Ponce de Leon Avenue, Suite 330, Decatur, Georgia on or before June 6, 2014. All comments received will be considered and DeKalb County will not request the release of Federal funds or take any administrative action on the proposed projects prior to the date specified in the preceding sentence.

NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS (NOI/RROF)At least one day after the termination of the public comment period for the FONSI, but not before comments on the FONSI have been considered and resolved, DeKalb County will submit a Request for Release of Funds (RROF) and certification to HUD. By so doing DeKalb County will ask HUD to allow it to commit funds to this project, certifying that (1) it has performed the environmen-tal reviews prescribed by HUD regulations (“Environmental Review Procedures for Title I Community Development Block Grant Program” - 24 CFR part 58), and (2) the Certifying Officer, Chris Morris, Director, DeKalb County Human and Community Devel-opment Department, consents to accept and enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental reviews or resulting decision-making and action. The legal effect of the certification is that by approving it, HUD will have satisfied its responsibilities under the National Environmental Act, thus allowing DeKalb County to commit CDBG funds to this project. Objection to Release of FundsHUD will accept objections to its approval of the release of funds and the certification only if it is on one of the following basis: (a) that the certification was not in fact executed by the Certifying Officer; or (b) that the applicant’s Environmental Review Record for the project indicated omission of a required decision, funding, or step applicable to the project in the environmental review process. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance to HUD at the Regional Environmental Branch, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 40 Marietta Street N.W., 15th floor, Atlanta, Georgia 30303-9812. Objections to the release of funds on basis other than those stated above will not be considered by HUD. No objection received after June 24, 2014 will be considered by HUD.Chris H. Morris, Director DeKalb County Community Development Department150 E. Ponce de Leon Avenue, Suite 330, Decatur, Georgia 30030Date of Publication and Dissemination of NoticeMay 22, 2014

fun and enjoying all the best that Dunwoody has to of-fer. I’ve also met many of the homeowners who have pur-chased these homes and are waiting for them to be built, and they have said ‘welcome to our front yard.’”

Crews faced unforeseen hurdles in completing con-struction on time and on budget. Originally due to be completed in the fall of 2013, the park’s facilities were com-pleted earlier this month. The contract awarded to Geor-gia Development Partners provided a $1.7 million plus a $50,000 contingency. In August 2013, Brent Walker, parks and recreation manag-er, recommended a $120,000 increase in the contingency to compensate for additional costs such as unusable soil under the park that went un-noticed in the initial survey. The total approved budget was $1.7 million.

Mullen said that many of the delays and added costs could be attributed to the site’s former life as an apart-ment complex that never ma-terialized.

“As you build a park or any structure you’re not sure what would be undertaken,” he said. “We wanted to be sure we had everything in place.”

Another parcel of land has been reserved for future com-mercial development. Mullen said no plans have been final-ized for that location in order to gain feedback from the community, and in anticipa-tion of further development. A literal blank canvas was on display at the grand opening to give patrons a chance to suggest uses for the plot.

“The best is yet to come,” Nall said. “We look forward to one day having dinner, having a drink on the patio, overlooking the park.”

Janet Ziffer and her daughter Rachel live nearby, and visited the park for its grand opening.

“We hadn’t driven back here so it’s been fun just to see,” Ziffer said. “I didn’t real-ize they had that little covered area and that there was so much they were planning on building here.”

“It’s nice to see that they’re doing something to keep people here in Dunwoody in-stead of driving up to Roswell or into Virginia Highlands or something,” she added. “I think it’s great, personally.”

The Champion Free press, Friday, may 23, 2014 page 17abusiness

by Kathy [email protected]

One executive works in Kentucky, another works in North Carolina, and they both had business that brought them to the Atlanta area for a day. Rather than work from a hotel room, the executives rented office space at Decatur CoWorks.

“This is an example of the type of flexibility that many people need today and exactly the kind of situation we’re set up to accommodate, “explained co-owner Karla Finnegan “With today’s technology, many workers don’t need a traditional office, but they occasionally need a space to work or meet.”

Decatur CoWorks offi-cials describe the downtown Decatur business as “a place for individuals or groups to work, meet, share ideas and resources and network.” It’s owned by Karla Finnegan and Kim Finnegan, who also own next door Property

Works, a lease management company for businesses with multiple offices

The owners tell the story of Decatur CoWorks on their website, explaining that early in 2013, the build-ing next to theirs was of-fered for sale.

“Our business didn’t need an additional 8,000 square feet, but we didn’t want to pass up the oppor-tunity to own the adjacent property,” They state so we moved ahead with the pur-chase and then started think-ing about how we would use the space. Somewhere along the way, someone mentioned a co-working space. We had no idea what co-working was so we ‘Googled’ it. The more we learned, the more we were convinced that this would be a perfect solution. Our com-pany could use extra space when we needed it, we’d make a few dollars to help pay the mortgage by offer-ing work space to others, and we’d have the chance to be more involved in our

awesome community.” Being involved in the

community, Karla ex-plained, is important to De-catur CoWorks. “We want to be thought of as a place where small businesses and nonprofits can get to know one another, make connec-tions and form collabora-tions,” she said, adding that the company sometimes makes space available for nonprofit meetings free of charge.

Decatur CoWorks of-ficially introduced itself to the community with a grand opening open house in late April. “Decatur is a perfect place for us,” Karla commented. “It is the home of lots of small businesses and independent workers. Our location is near a lot of neat little restaurants where people can go out to lunch or get food to bring back to our dining space.”

Clients use their own computers, but at Decatur CoWorks they find Wi-Fi as well as equipment to print, fax, scan and copy. “The

conference rooms have big screen televisions that can be used as monitors dur-ing presentations,” Karla Finnegan said.

Typical clients are inde-pendent contractors, small businesses, nonprofits and start-ups that prefer not to sign long-term rental agreements until they are established, she said. Some, she added, need a confer-ence room or training space from time to time. “Also, people who work at home may need a place to meet with clients, or they may just need to get away from distractions at home to focus on a project.”

Clients have choices that range from renting space by the day to being full-time tenants with 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week access with either a dedicated work space or a private office with several in-between op-tions.

Some meeting areas at Decatur CoWorks have a stark all-business look; other have a warm homey

feels. “I know that this place was a florist shop before we bought it. I’m not sure what it was before, but this part of Church Street was once residential and many of the buildings were private homes years ago,” Karla said.

“We can even envision book clubs and small social groups meeting here,” she said of the cozy living-room-like space on the Church Street side.

The Voice of Business in DeKalb CountyDeKalb Chamber of Commerce

404.378.8000 www.DeKalbChamber.orgTwo Decatur Town Center, 125 Clairemont Ave., Suite 235, Decatur, GA 30030

New downtown Decatur facility offers occasional office options

STONE MOUNTAIN VILLAGE

CITY-WIDE YARD SALE 922 Main St. behind Gazebo

Saturday, May 24 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Setup begins 7:30 a.m. on day of sale

For info call City Hall 770-498-8984

From left, Karla Finnegan greets guests at the April open house. Photos provided Visitors chat as they look over the newly available office space.

Decatur CoWorks has open work stations, private offices, meeting and training rooms as well as cozy meeting areas.

Potential clients mingle at Decatur CoWorks April open house.

The Champion Free press, Friday, may 23, 2014 page 18aeduCaTion


Students at Indian Creek El-ementary School were recognized May 15 for playing games.

“It’s very serious math; don’t let the word ‘game’ mislead you,” said Barbara Asteak, vice president of Suntex International Inc., about the students’ participation in First in Math, an online, game-based math program used by 1.5 million stu-dents nationwide and 50,000 class-rooms.

“Children access the program during their free time here at school, from home, the public library—any-where they have Internet access,” Asteak said.

“Kids start through a progression of games and gradually build their skills,” Asteak said. “They just push themselves. The teachers are great cheerleaders, but this is all effort-based for the students.

“Here in DeKalb County, the children correctly solved over 93 million math problems on the First in Math site, for an average of 1,665 problems per student.”

Students “cumulatively solved 4 million math problems in this lovely little elementary school, for an aver-age of 5,000 math problems per stu-dents,” Asteak said.

As a result, scores of students received various awards May 15 during the school’s year-end awards program.

“They are the No. 1 team in all of Georgia, the No. 1 team out of over 8,500 classrooms around the state,” Asteak said. “They are also the No. 4 team in the U.S.A. out of 58,000 teams. It’s totally phenomenal.”

The school also has the No. 2 fourth-grade team in Georgia.

Precieux Vangu was recognized for being the No. 1 player in Georgia and the No. 35 fifth-grade player out of 225,000 fifth-graders in the country.

“It’s absolutely astounding the excellence that’s going on in this school,” Asteak said. “You might drive past this school and you would never even in a million years believe the excellence that’s going on here.”

Joining Precieux in the Top 10

at the school are: Mee Meh, Jason Lian, Prae Mo, Rachel (surname not provided), Wille Lian, Zo Boi, Ra Ju, Rozalind Boilu and Merdi Mbuangi.

At Indian Creek Elementary, which ranks No. 3 in the state, there are 819 active students participat-ing. This is the first year that Indian Creek Elementary has used the pro-gram, said Principal Dr. Antoinette Campbell.

“It has helped our students to build math fluency and automatic-

ity,” Campbell said. “Our students have really responded well to the program. They really like it. They are learning, but at the same time it’s fun. I don’t even think they realize that they are actually learning at the same time.”

The competition is also a motiva-tor for the students, Campbell said.

“They’re constantly talking about how many points they have,” she said. “It’s a healthy competition be-tween classes. This has been really exciting for our students.”

Math games add up to serious fun

‘NOTICE OF PROPERTY TAX HEARING’

The Mayor and the Atlanta City Council will adopt a millage rate which will require no tax increase.

All concerned citizens are invited to the public hearings to be held at the Atlanta City Hall Complex, 55 Trinity Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia in the City Council Chambers located on the Second Floor on Thursday, May 29, 2014 at 11:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

See Wrestling on page 19A

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Bishop (ID#: 22549648) is a big, sweet boy who loves to rest his giant head on your knee. Most people who meet him are immediately taken with his beautiful eyes - he has one brown and one blue. Bishop, however, is not just a pretty face. He is also a smart boy who already knows how to sit on command and gets along with other dogs. Come meet him at the shelter or for more information please call (404) 294-2165 or email [email protected].

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From left, Indian Creek Elementary’s Top 5 math students (in descending order) include Rachel, Prae Mo, Jason Lian, Mee Meh and Precieux Vangu. Photo by Andrew Cauthen

The Champion Free press, Friday, may 23, 2014 page 19aeduCaTion

A passion for science: Four Ochiobi siblings graduate from GPC together by Bill Roa

They are not quadruplets. But when the graduate roll was

called on May 12, during Georgia Perimeter College’s (GPC) com-mencement ceremony, the name “Ochiobi” was said four times in a row.

That’s because David, 26, Grace, 24, Darlene, 22 and Gift, 19, all received an associate of science de-gree from GPC. The four siblings all majored in biology, and all gradu-ated with honors. They all have been accepted into the University of Georgia.

Nigerian by birth, the four stu-dents came to the United States in 2010 to be with their mother, who lives in Marietta. They are all per-manent residents of Georgia.

While they came to the U.S. for

a “change of environment,” the four came to GPC because of its reputa-tion as a good school where they could get individualized attention from the teachers, David said. They took classes on the Clarkston cam-pus.

Gift, the youngest sibling, had not completed high school when she came to the United States. That didn’t stop her, she said. After some preliminary testing, she took the GED, passing at age 16. She was then able to join her brother and two sisters when they enrolled at Georgia Perimeter in 2011.

The foursome studied together and often rode to school together when their schedules allowed. And like many siblings, they competed with one another—in their case, for the highest GPA, which ranges from 3.5 to 3.8.

“We had a friend who came here, and we asked how long [our associ-ate degree] should take—she said two years, and we said, ‘OK, how do we do this?” Darlene said. “We sometimes have taken up to 22 cred-it hours a semester—and 90 percent of those classes were science. It was crazy.”

In between classes, the siblings often tutored others in the college’s math, engineering and science lab. Grace also worked as a supplemen-tal instructor for a chemistry course. And they all became involved in the National Science Foundation-fund-ed Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Talent Expansion Program, as well as the college’s Math Engineering, Science Achieve-ment program. These science-fo-cused programs encourage students to apply for undergraduate research

positions at four-year universities. This summer the siblings will be

undergraduate researchers: Grace and David will work at Georgia State University, while Darlene and Gift will do separate research projects at Emory University.

While the Ochiobis did not have anyone in their family involved in a science field, their dedication to science was inspired by the famous physician, Dr. Ben Carson, David said.

“When you’re from my place [in Nigeria], there are not enough family practitioners. There are fake drugs … and there is malaria. You want to help; you wonder how you can help,” said David, who hopes to pursue his medical degree after un-dergraduate studies at UGA, as does Gift. Grace and Darlene hope to work in the pharmacology field.

From left, The Ochiobi siblings—Darlene, Gift, Grace and David (seated)—graduated from Georgia Perimeter College on May 12 and are headed to the University of Georgia. Photo by Bill Roa


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DISCLAIMER: We do not knowingly accept advertisements that discriminate, or intend to discriminate, on any illegal basis. Nor do we knowingly accept employment advertisements that are not bona-fide job offers. All real estate advertisements are subject to the fair housing act and we do not accept advertising that is in violation of the law. The law prohibits

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Marist, St. Pius win tennis state titles

REPORT OF STONE MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT OF PROPOSED MILLAGE RATE

In compliance with O.C.G.A. §48-5, the Stone Mountain Community Improvement District (“CID”) reports that at its meeting on June 10, 2014, beginning at 7:30 A.M. at the Pierre Construction Group, 1677 Lewis Way, Stone Mountain, DeKalb County, Georgia 30083, the Stone Mountain CID Board of Directors will vote upon a proposal to levy an ad valorem taxation rate of 5 mills, and will set its millage rate for the lawful purposes of the District for the current calendar year. Set forth below are the assessed taxable values of the properties subject to taxes for the current year and the immediately preceding three calendar years, the total dollar amount of ad valorem taxes proposed to be levied for the current year and levied in the immediately preceding three calendar years, as well as the percentage and dollar increases or decreases with respect to each immediately preceding calendar year. All property levied upon is real property. Because this CID was created in 2011, there are only three preceding years of assessed taxable values, taxes, and changes to report. Assessed Value Taxes Levied % Change $ Change

2011 $99,233,165 $496,165 100% $ 496,165 2012 $95,086,670 $475,433 - 4% - $20,732 2013 $125,777,273 $628,886 32% $ 153,453 2014proposed $133,865,607 $669,328 6% $ 40,442 J. Lynn Rainey, PC, 358 Roswell Street, Suite 1130, Marietta, Georgia 30060; (770) 421-6040: Attorney for CID - State Bar No. 592350


It was a sweep for the Marist tennis program as both boys’ and girls’ teams won the Class AAAA state tennis title May 10.

Marist boys won their 14th state title in school history with a 3-1 win over River Ridge. The no. 2 doubles team of Eric Thompson and Chris Ber-tasi clinched the title for the War Eagles with a 6-4, 4-7, 7-5 win over River Ridge’s Gabe Mims and Matt Pol-ley. Thompson said it was the fans who helped him and Bertasi get the win.

“We got a lot of energy from the crowd,” Thomp-sons said. “They really pumped us up.”

Marist also got wins in the No. 1 doubles as Chase Krouskos and Grant Kelly defeated Gray Chumley and A.J. Joyner 6-0, 6-0; and at No. 2 singles as Jef-

ferson Dockter knocked off Clay McIntyre 6-2, 6-3. River Ridge’s only match win came in the No. 1 sin-gles where Ben Van Hout defeated Kyle Ferrer 6-3, 6-4.

The Marist Lady War Eagles won their fourth title in five years with a 3-0 win over Columbus. Marist’s Jenna Kane de-feated Columbus’ Madelyn Bell 6-3, 6-0 in the No. 1 singles match, and Eliza-beth Gould beat Columbus’ Maddison Abell 6-0, 6-0 in the No. 2 singles matchup. Marist clinched the title when the No. 2 doubles team of Leigh Peters and Anna Swensen defeated Akshaya Shan and Kate Mize of Columbus 6-0, 6-1.

St. Pius boys were cham-pions as well after beating Woodward 3-2 to claim the Class AAA title. It was St. Pius first title in 10 years and fifth title in program history.


St. Pius boys’ and girls’ soccer swept the AAA championship for the second consecu-tive season May 17.

No. 1-ranked St. Pius defeated Oconee County 2-0 for the title. It is the third win in the past four seasons for the Golden Lions.

The lady Golden Lions, who are also ranked no. 1 in the state, won their fifth title in six years after defeating Blessed Trinity 1-0.

The No. 1-ranked Marist girls’ soccer team won its second consecutive AAAA State Championship after defeating the Vet-eran 3-0. The team finished the 2014 season with a 22-0-1 record for retiring head coach Sergio Stadler.

Golf The Marist boys’ golf team won its third

consecutive AAAA state title May 19 by 10 strokes over second-place finisher Colum-bus with a score of 296-306. The team was led by tournament low medalist winner Jack Larkin, who shot a 69. Other top 20 finishers included Will Chandler (5th‒73), Will Duma (8th‒76) and Kevin Jackson (17th‒78).

St. Pius golfer Christopher Harris earned AAA golf state championship low medalist honors with a score of 69, tying his personal best. The St. Pius boys’ team finished third overall with a score of 307, five strokes behind state champions North Oconee.

St. Pius sweeps, Marist girls win soccer state title

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 coach-es. Please email nominations to [email protected] by Monday at noon.

MALE ATHLETE OF THE WEEKJack Larkin, Marist (golf): The senior shot a 69 to lead his team to its third consecutive

Class AAAA state golf title May 19. Larkin was also earned low medalist honors.FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE WEEKGrace May, St. Pius (soccer): The senior forward kicked the only goal in the champion-

ship game to lead her team to a 1-0 win over Blessed Trinity for the Class AAA girls’ soccer state title.

Marist boys’ and girls’ tennis teams swept the Class AAAA tennis championship.

St. Pius defeated Woodward 3-2 to claim the Class AAA title.


DeKalb alums sign with NFL teams

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The Mayor and City Council of the City of Chamblee, Georgia will hold a public hearing at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 12, 2014 at the Chamblee Civic Center, 3540 Broad Street, Chamblee, GA 30341 to receive public comments regarding the following matters:

Margaret Taylor, representing Dryads Dancing, Inc. requests variances from the following provisions of the City of Chamblee Code of Ordinances, Appendix A, Zoning Ordinance in order to build a parking lot on a parcel of land that is zoned Light Industrial (I) consisting of 0.65 acre located at 5655 Peachtree Road being Tax Parcel 18‐309‐03‐016:

Section 902.A.: Public sidewalks shall be located along both sides of all streets and shall have minimum widths as specified in the street type dimensions table. Sidewalks shall consist of two zones: a landscape zone and a sidewalk clear zone.

Section 902.C.2.: Sidewalk clear zone requirement. Said zone shall be hardscape and shall be unobstructed for a minimum height of eight feet. Special paving within the sidewalk clear zone shall be permitted only as approved by the city planner.

Section 902.D.1.: Street trees are required and shall be planted in the ground a maximum of of 50 feet on center or grouped 120 feet on center within the landscape zone and spaced equal distance between street lights.

Section 902.D.9.: Street lights or pedestrian lights in the landscape zone shall be spaced equidistant between all required street trees.

Section 1201.A.1.: Off‐street surface parking shall not be between a building and the street without an intervening building.

Section 1201.A.3.: Surfacing, drainage and lighting. All off‐street parking spaces, access and interior driveways shall be provided with a paved, dust free surface. If the off‐street parking facilities are used at night, they shall be properly illuminated for the safety of pedestrians, vehicles and for security.

Section 1203.D.: The total number of permitted parking spaces shall not exceed 110 percent of the minimum number of off‐street parking spaces required by type of permitted use.

Section 1205.A.: There shall be one landscape island for every ten parking spaces and such island shall be planted with an overstory tree.

Section 1402.A.: Minimum landscape strip dimensions for front yards …along the street frontage for each lot in any zoning district shall be ten feet.

Section 1403.A.: Where parking lots exceed 15 continuous spaces, a planter island meeting the following criteria is required. The planting islands shall be located no farther apart than every ten parking spaces and at the terminus of all rows of parking.


The NFL draft went by May 8-10 without any DeKalb County alumni be-ing drafted by a team, but a few players did sign with teams as undrafted free agents.

So far, five players from DeKalb County schools have signed as undrafted free agents and have joined their new teams for rookie camps, which began May 15, to compete for a roster spot.

Just as they usually do during National Signing Day, the Stephenson Jaguars led the pack with three for-mer players signing on with NFL teams.

Kenny Ladler, a 2010 graduate, signed with the Buffalo Bills.

Ladler–a 6-foot-1, 205-pound safety–finished his college career at Vander-bilt University with 183 solo tackles, 277 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, nine inter-ceptions and seven forced fumbles in 39 starts.

During his senior year, he led the SEC, ranked among NCAA leaders with five forced fumbles, and ranked

third in the conference with a team-high five intercep-tions. Ladler also finished the year third in the league with 65 solo tackles and tied for the team high with 91 total tackles.

During his senior year at Stephenson, Ladler had 80 tackles, 45 solo tackles, four interceptions and a forced fumble. He also scored on a punt return, an intercep-tion return and on a blocked punt.

Tyrone Cornelius, a 2010 Stephenson graduate, was invited for a tryout with the Washington Redskins dur-ing their rookie camp.

The 6-foot-2, 225-pound linebacker finished his se-nior year at the University of Miami (Fla.) with 41 total tackles (27 solo), one sack and one pass deflection.

Before the draft, Ste-phenson alum Marcus Ball signed a three-year contract with the New Orleans Saints April 2.

The 2006 graduate played two seasons with the To-ronto Argonauts of the Ca-nadian Football League after finishing his college career at the University of Memphis. In two seasons with Toronto,

he recorded 142 tackles, sev-en sacks, four interceptions (two returned for touch-downs) and three fumble recoveries. In 2013, Ball had 69 tackles, four sacks and three interceptions.

The 6-foot-1, 209-pound safety, recorded 66 tackles (35 solo) and two intercep-tions as a senior in 2010 with Memphis. Ball started his career at Florida State where he appeared in 13 games in 2006 and 2007 and then transferred to Memphis after playing the 2008 season at Pearl River (Miss.) Com-munity College.

Ball was joined by Tucker alum Seantavius Jones, who signed with New Orleans as an undrafted free agent.

Jones, who graduated from Tucker in 2010, fin-ished his college career at Valdosta State with 2,345 all-purpose yards. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound wide receiver finished his senior year with 55 receptions, 777 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns. He also had 75 yards on kick returns.

Miller Grove 2009 gradu-ate Kenneth Gilstrap ac-cepted an invitation to the Baltimore Ravens rookie

mini-camp May 11. In his 46-game career

(28 starts) at Middle Ten-nessee State, the 5-foot-9, 185-pound cornerback, re-corded 125 tackles and three

interceptions. He led Middle Tennessee State with seven pass breakups as a senior. Gilstrap was also a confer-ence champion 55-meter sprinter on the track team.

PUBLIC NOTICE

The Downtown Development Authority of the City of Chamblee will meet the fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:00 pm. Beginning May 27, 2014 the meetings will be held in the conference room at the Chamblee Chamber, 5382 Peachtree Road, Chamblee, GA 30341. Meeting agendas and minutes can be found on the City of Chamblee website at www.chambleega.com.

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Cedar Grove improves depth chart for 2014 football season

Tucker Tigers


The 2013 season for the Cedar Grove Saints football team ended on a higher note than previous seasons with the team winning its first playoff game since 2010.

The team is heading into its second season un-der head coach Jermaine Smith and after its spring game on May 16, Smith saw a few things from his team that can help them improve over last season.

“The good thing is we created a lot of depth,” Smith said. “Last year we didn’t have as much depth as we needed, but I think the [players] did a good job competing and improving.”

The Saints finished last season with a 7-5 record, fourth in region 6-AAA, and fell to Ringgold 37-12 in the second round of the playoffs. The offense fin-ished second in the county last season with an average of 377.9 yards per game.

Cedar Grove averaged 164.8 passing yards per

game, with James Harts-field leading the team and county with a 68.9 comple-tion percentage. Hartsfield, a returning senior, finished last season with 1,800 pass-ing yards, 17 touchdowns and three interceptions.

Smith said his offense will “throw the ball around a good bit” next season.

“The biggest thing to me is to find what the other team’s weakness is and ex-ploit it,” he said. “We have to find what our strength is and try to use it.”

One of Cedar Grove’s strengths last season was running the ball. The Saints were one of the top rushing teams in the county with 213.1 rushing yards per game and 8.1 yards per at-tempt. Graduating senior Deion Sellers led the coun-ty in total yards (1,516) and average yards per game (151.6).

Smith said it will be hard to replace a player like Sellers, but he liked what he saw in the group of running backs during the spring game.

“They looked pretty

good,” he said. “Replacing Deion is impossible but we’ve got two good running backs that can do some of the things Deion can do. Together they’ll be alright.”

Running back Labron Morris, a returning junior, finished the 2013 season with 176 yards and three touchdowns. Dennis Miller, a returning senior, had 50 total yards with 7.1 yards per rushing attempt last season.

The Saints will have to replace some starters on defense as well, specifically in the secondary. During the spring game, some of the defensive backs were “looking around too much” and not paying attention to the play. Smith said that is something that can be fixed before the season starts, he added.

“We’ve just got to keep coaching them up,” Smith said. “We’ve got some good athletes back there and they are improving. I think we just have to work on our technique and continue to work on it. We’ll be alright.”

Cedar High School football fans got an opportunity to see what the 2014 football team will look like during a spring game May 16. Photos by Carla Parker

The Tucker Tigers held their spring football game May 17 at Fitzgerald Field in Tucker. The Tigers face new competition this season as they move from Region 5A to 6A. Photos by Travis Hudgons

The Champion Free press, Friday, may 23, 2014 page 24alocal news

FreePress 05-23-14

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