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WWW.CHAMPIONNEWSPAPER.COM FRIDAY, MAY 24, 2013 VOL. 16, NO. 9 FREE

A PUBLICATION OF ACE III COMMUNICATIONS

Decatur Arts Festival still lively and colorful at its 25th anniversary
by Kathy Mitchell [email protected] For 25 years, the Decatur Arts Festival has been a popular way for area families to spend Memorial Day weekend. This year the festival returns May 25-27 with more than 160 artists from around the nation selling paintings, jewelry and more. This interactive, inclusive arts extravaganza, presented by the Decatur Arts Alliance, includes art and artists from all disciplines and features handsSee Arts on Page 17A
Visitors to the Decatur Arts Festival get to see many types of art and watch artists at work. Photos by Travis Hudgons

Challenging commutes a breeze on a bicycle

by Kathy Mitchell [email protected]

estimates biking to work area more bicycle friendly. saves her about $50 a Decaturs great, too, month. She recently won she said. They do a lot to he Clifton Corridor, a gift card through the encourage bicycling. home of some Georgia Commute Options Originally from of Georgias Commuter Rewards Vermont, Pasackow said largest employers, program. shes been riding a bicycle including Emory University, I enjoy biking to work. most of her life, but got Emory Hospital and the Id love to do it every serious about it about Centers for Disease Control day, said Pasackow, who 30 years ago. While the and Prevention, is the heart added that she doesnt ride Olympic Games were going of one of the areas most her bicycle on the winter on in Atlanta in 1996, she challenging commutes. days when its dark outside and her bike hopped a Lee Pasackow, a business when she leaves the office plane to British Columbia librarian at Emory, however, or when its raining. Its in Canada, where she biked isnt bothered by it. just too dangerous to ride through the area, covering Pasackow, who lives a bicycle in this area after 30 to 50 miles each day. approximately three miles dark. Its a great way to from her office, rides a When she bikes to work travel. You get to slow bicycle to work most days. on a pleasant day and is down and see everything Emory encourages people greeted by a rain storm thats going on around you, to look for alternatives to when shes ready to go Pasackow said, adding driving to work and has put home, Pasackow leaves her that sometimes theres also in place things to make it bike at Emory and either an opportunity to meet easier, she said. In addition takes a bus or catches a new friends. She recalls to there being bicycle ride with a co-worker. Im a trip from North Dakota racks near most campus lucky to work with someone to Winnipeg in Manitoba, buildings, the university has who doesnt mind dropping Canada, when she was showers in many buildings, me off, she said. biking through a sparsely including where Pasackow She said Atlanta is not populated area and looking works, so commuters an especially bike friendly for a restaurant or a grocery who bicycle to work can city because there is too store where she could get freshen up after they reach much traffic and too few lunch. She stopped a truck work. She said she wears bike trails. Ive spent time driver to ask where she her biking clothes for the in the Netherlands, where could eat. He said there was Emory business librarian Lee Pasackow says biking is the perfect commute and brings her is just the oppositelots no place around and invited solution to tight traffic in the Clifton Corridor. Photos by Kathy Because her news updates online from the The Champi Mitchell work clothes with her. of bicycles and very few she getsher to come home with him stress of sitting in traffic she I dont have to buy There are many good cars, from said Pasackow, who and have lunch with him Because she gets the The Champion. finds its good exercise, its much gas or her paynews for a updates online reasons to bicycle to work, noted that shes pleased by and his wife. Theyve been she gets her news updates online from the The Champion. my friends good for the environment Because monthly parking pass, Pasackow said. In addition such efforts as the PATH ever since, she and it saves money. said Pasackow, who to freeing herself from the trails that are making the said. www.facebook.com/championnewspaper

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The Champion Free Press, Friday, May 24, 2013

LOCAL NEWS
oversight caused patients to fall through the cracks. Much of the second report relates to patient referrals to community service boards after mental health patients are released from the hospital. Three examples are outlined in the report that describe how better communication with patients may have prevented an accidental overdose, a patients incarceration and in one case, a suicide. Atlanta VA Medical Center Chief of Staff Dr. David Bower said the hospital concurs with all of the reports recommendations. VA recognizes the importance of providing national policy to all VA medical centers addressing hazardous items, visitation, urine drug screens and escort services for inpatient mental health programs, Bower said.
Wiggins

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VA hospital hires new director amid reports of poor oversight

by Daniel Beauregard [email protected] The Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center has hired a new director to run the Decatur hospital, which has recently been accused of widespread mismanagement. Leslie Wiggins has replaced former Director James A. Clark, who retired in December. An interim has been serving as director since Clark retired. Wiggins has worked for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs since 1993. Last month, the Department of Veterans Affairs Office released an in-depth report that determined poor oversight at the hospital may have caused the deaths of several mental health patients. The report, released April 17, cites numerous issues with the hospitals inpatient mental health services and follow up procedures, and states that such negligence may be responsible for the deaths of three patients. The confidential complaint alleged that this inpatients death was due to failure of [mental health services] leaders to establish effective unit policies, ensure monitoring of unit inpatients, staff the unit appropriately and care about patients, the report states. One patient who died was a male in his 20s with a diagnosed history of alcohol and drug abuse. According to the report, the patient died after abusing drugs he obtained with another inpatient. At one point, a staff member reported he appeared drowsy and the patient was required to undergo a drug screening, which was not monitored by staff. The day after the subject patients death, another inpatient confessed to staff that he provided the patient with a clean urine sample, the report states. The report said the mental health facilities had no updated policies relating to contraband and patient observation, and found lapses in the leaderships followup actions in response to patient incidents and staff concerns. Another report issued simultaneously describes several scenarios where poor

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The Champion Free Press, Friday, May 24, 2013

Lawsuit on behalf of special grand jury dismissed

by Daniel Beauregard [email protected] A DeKalb County judge has dismissed a lawsuit May 17 to force another judge to dissolve a special grand jury impaneled last year to investigate corruption in the countys watershed department. Superior Court Judge Daniel Coursey dismissed the lawsuit against Superior Court Judge Mark Anthony Scott. Albert Trujillo, the foreman of the special grand jury, filed the suit against Scott several months ago for refusing to allow the special purpose grand jurys findings to be made public and not dissolving the grand jury when it was finished with its investigation. The only issue before you has to do withthe special purpose grand jurors, the petitionersthey want a vote; thats what theyre asking for, Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Lee Grant told Coursey. Before a special grand jurys findings are made public the judge who impaneled the jurorsin this case Scottmust bring the findings before the 10 DeKalb County Superior Court judges, who then vote to dissolve the special grand jury and release the findings. Attorneys for Scott argued that since the case involving the special grand jury and Scott is currently moving through the court of appeals, filing a civil motion was uncalled for. The fact of the matter is, when someone doesnt like what a judge does their remedy is not to sue the judge personally in another court in the same circuit to compel the judge to do the very thing that is the basis of the appeal, Scotts attorney Gary Freed said. Coursey, who said he understood the states argument, agreed with Freed in granting the motion to dismiss. I think this is part and parcel of the same thing, Coursey said. This is pretty much uncharted waters. Soon after the special purpose grand jury concluded its investigation, Judge Scott granted a motion filed Jan. 28 by DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis attorneys to seal the findings of the investigation. Investigators from District Attorney Robert James office searched CEO Ellis home and office while he was testifying before the special grand jury Jan. 7. According to a search warrant, investigators were looking for information that would prove a range of crimes, including racketeering, wire fraud, theft and bid-rigging. Ellis former campaign manager Kevin Ross home and office were also searched at the time, although he wasnt required to testify before the special grand jury. Scott then ruled Feb. 5 to release the findings to Ellis and Ross attorneys review before being made public. After Scotts ruling, James filed an emergency motion to prevent the release of the special grand jurys findings to Ellis and Ross attorneys and appealed Scotts decision. James motion was denied and he has filed another motion in the Georgia Supreme Court asking for reconsideration. I dont think we have a case of Judge Scott not acting, we have a case of Judge Scott trying to navigate these uncharted waters and whether he does so correctly or not remains to be seen, Coursey said. Coursey thanked the special grand jurors for their service but said he didnt think it was an inconvenience for them to still be impaneled. Its not as if youre have to stay in some jury room somewhere awaiting the outcome of this. Theres no reason why you cant just go about your daily lives and wait until you might be called back, Coursey said.

From left, Arlene Parker Goldson, Carrie Baldwin and Relda Bea Mackins were (seated) were honored by a local nonprofit. Photo by Greg Wright

DeKalb For Seniors announces Senior of the Year

A 99-year-old retired entrepreneur was named Senior of the Year by DeKalb For Seniors Inc. Stone Mountain resident Relda Bea Mackins received the honor during the organizations second annual Silver Gala Awards held May 18 which honored senior citizens for their service and civic involvement. Fifteen finalists were recognized at the luncheon held at Saint Philip AME Family Life Center. Larry Tinsley, host of WAOK/V-103 Sunday Morning Praise, served as master of ceremonies. Lithonia resident Arlene Parker Goldson was awarded second place and Decatur resident Carrie Baldwin was awarded third place. Nominated by the staff of Antioch Senior Community, Mackins is active member of Antioch AME Church and resides at Antioch Manor Estates, an independent active senior community in Stone Mountain. Mackins owned Bs Beauty Box beauty salon for 30 years. When she retired she volunteered for the pediatric ward of Foote Memorial Hospital in Jackson, Mich., for 24 years. Honey Bea, as she is affectionately called, is a God fearing loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, great-aunt and

Former police officer reports to jail

by Daniel Beauregard [email protected] A former Atlanta Police officer reported to DeKalb County Jail May 13 to serve time for hitting a commercial bus while driving under the influence last year. Officer Christopher Niezurawski was arrested April 26, 2012, for driving the wrong way on I-85 and crashing into a Greyhound bus. Niezurawksi was charged with DUI and operating a vehicle the wrong way. He pleaded guilty in December 2012 and was sentenced to serve 10 months in jail. According to officials, Niezurawski will serve 10 days in jail and the remainder of his sentence on probation. He is also required to pay approximately $2,000 in fines and complete 80 hours of community service. DeKalb County Police spokeswoman Mekka Parish said officers received a report of a wrong-way driver traveling north in the southbound lanes of I-85. Parish said an off-duty DeKalb police officer spotted the vehicle stopped the wrong way in the lanes between Northcrest Road and Pleasantdale Road. Before officers could get to the area, a Greyhound bus loaded with passengers struck the wrong-way vehicle, Parish said. Parish said no injuries were reported on the bus but Niezurawski had visible head injuries and was transported to Grady Hospital. Niezurawski reportedly traveled past five exits while driving the wrong way on I-85.

Name: Phoebe Adult Vaccinated, spayed and heartworm negative. Phoebe comes with a $250 Training Package for Frogs to Dogs
Phoebe is a very sweet Terrier mix. She attends Charm School and I can tell you she is a very charming lady indeed. She is so sweet; she would rather be near you than to play with toys in the play yard; she just wants to be close to you. Phoebe has learned many things in Charm School. She has learned to sit, to look at you on command and to touch your hand when asked. She is still working on walking nicely on a leash, but I can tell you she is learning that lesson very quickly. I love when I take her for a walk and she turns her little face around to look back at you as if to make sure you're still there. Phoebe really wants a home with a person of her own. You'll be able to help Phoebe with her lessons since her adoption includes training at Frogs to Dogs. Please consider coming to the shelter to visit Phoebe; she loves company and I know you will love her.

Pet

of the

Week

See Senior on Page 15A

If interested in adopting Phoebe, send an email to both addresses below for a prompt reply

Jamie Martinez [email protected] Christine Kaczynski [email protected]

Dekalb County Animal Shelter

404-294-2165

Page 4A

Immigration discrimination
disadvantaged by the elimination of the Diversity Visa program. Are foreign-born Black people the collateral damage under this bill? Under the legislation as it is currently written, the Diversity Visa Program would be eliminated. This program allows a visa lottery for countries that have fewer A new immigration bill is being than 50,000 people immigrating to the United States and African proposed that doesnt pass the smell test and bears closer scrutiny. immigrants make up 36 percent of those receiving Diversity Visas. Senate Bill 744 is a bipartisan Replacing the Diversity Program is effort of eight Democratic and a provision to create up to 200,000 Republican senators. Its called visas on a merit system that gives the Border Security, Economic highest priority to those who have Opportunity and Immigration future employment opportunities. Modernization Act. President The problem for African and Obama reportedly approves of Caribbean immigrants is that the measure in large part, and on employers are less likely to seek the surface the bill provides badly them out, preferring instead Indian needed immigration relief to the estimated 11 million undocumented and Chinese workers. Senate Bill 744 is sponsored by people in the country. But lurking Democratic Senators Dick Durbin just beneath the surface is the of Illinois, Robert Menendez of very real threat that African and New Jersey, Chuck Schumer of Caribbean immigrants will be New York and Michael Bennett of Colorado. Adding their John Hancocks on the Republican side of the aisle are Marco Rubio of Florida, Lindsay Graham of South Carolina and Jeff Flake and John McCain of Arizona. Like any good politicians, the senators put in some intentional benefits for their home states. South Carolina Sen. Graham wants more visas for the meat packing industry. New York Democrat Schumer put in special provisions for Irish people with high school diplomas. Florida Sen. Rubio, speculated to be a presidential candidate in 2016, asked for more visas for the cruise ship industry, and Sen. Bennett, a Democrat, wants more visas for workers in ski resorts. So while Sen. Schumer pushes for special provisions for Irish immigrants with no stipulation that they have a job, no special consideration is being proposed for African and Caribbean immigrants. Mexican immigrants dont necessarily get a free pass under Senate Bill 744. The measure includes a provision that we spend $4.5 billion to secure the southern border from Mexicans, but no provision for securing the northern border from Canadians. The measure must still make its way through the House where it is almost certain that changes will be made. President Obama is on record urging Democrats to accept the bill as is because too many amendments will jeopardize its passage. While the president needs this win to fulfill campaign promises to the Latino community, as the legislation is currently written, African and Caribbean immigrants will lose. Steen Miles, The Newslady, is a retired journalist and former Georgia state senator. Contact Steen Miles at [email protected].

The Newslady

OPINION

The Champion Free Press, Friday, May 24, 2013

Ribbon cuttings allow communities to encourage investment in the future. Every new company or expanding employer is truly worthy of celebration. Taking nothing away from the joy of a grand opening, it is important to realize that the new business may have just moved out of another community. DeKalb has seen its neighbors attract new corporate headquarters, manufacturing facilities, high-tech employers and other businesses that could have flourished in DeKalbs commercial areas. There have even been cases where longtime DeKalb employers opted to relocate outside of the county, finding it easier to take root in other jurisdictions. We at the Stone Mountain Community Improvement District (CID) have personally witnessed

Greater economic development success awaits DeKalb County

the outward migration of business investment. All the while, our stakeholders have been calling for DeKalb to take a more aggressive stance toward business recruitment and retention. Last year, during the CIDs extensive economic development planning efforts, corporate and community leaders clearly said that DeKalb needed to enhance the countys economic development process. Thankfully, county commissioners were listening and acted. Commissioners budgeted $300,000 this year to begin revising the countys permitting andlicensingfunctionsa critical effort that the CID strongly advocated. This tremendous first step will increase thespeedandefficiencyfor existing businesses to expand and for new businesses to locate in DeKalb. Now the potential exists to further raise the stakes, but this time without cost to the county. This month, commissioners can approve an application to the states Department of Community Affairs to create opportunity zones in designated commercial areas. Opportunity zones allow new and existing employers to receive state tax credits for creating two or more full-time jobs. Employers could save as much as $17,500 over five years for each new position. These are state tax credits DeKalb County will not lose money. In fact, businesses will be able to hire from within this community and employees will have more income to spend closer to home. Opportunity zones are already functioning successfully in Sandy Springs, Alpharetta, and Norcross,

Guest Editorial

as well as in many other areas that are attracting corporations and cutting ribbons. The Stone Mountain CID and its businesses wish to encourage commissioners to move forward with this powerful economic development tool and give their approval during the upcoming May 28 board meeting. We know that DeKalb County is poised for job creation and employment growth, and opportunity zones are key to achieving that greater level of success. The CID has posted a simple guide explaining opportunity zones at Stonemountaincid.com/ files/oz-highlights.pdf. Lawrence Callahan, Stone Mountain CID chairman Emory Morsberger, Stone Mountain CID president

The Champion Free Press, Friday, May 24, 2013

Cullys reign and a Peabody parade

were all named in his honor, as is the Grady College of Journalism at the University of Georgia, nearing the celebration of its own centennial. Since the Grady School was founded by Steadman Sanford (for whom Sanford Stadium is named) at UGA in 1921, the college has had only five I want to say to General deans.And since 2006, we have Shermanwho is considered an all been blessed to watch Grady able man in our hearts, though reach new heights, establish new some people think he is a kind milestones and even begin to of careless man about firethat dream with greater ambition than from the ashes he left us in 1864, perhaps ever imagined during we have raised a brave and the reign of our fifth dean, Cully beautiful city.Henry Woodfin Clark. Grady (1850-1889) in his historic A native of Grady County New South address to the New yes, named for the same fellow England Club in New York City, created out of portions of Decatur Dec. 22, 1886. and Thomas counties by an act Henry W. Grady was only of the Georgia General Assembly 36 when he made that speech in 1905, Cully left tiny Cairo, in one of his many efforts of Ga., for his bachelors and Southern revitalization during masters degrees from Emory Reconstruction.Though passing on University.His doctorate in history a short three years later at 39, short is from the University of North of stature, and some say of temper, Carolina, and he now calls Stone Grady generated stories and quotes Mountain home. that are told and retold, nearly 125 Clarks published works, years after his death. academic honors and awards are A statue of Grady stands on simply too numerous to mention Marietta Street in the heart of here without blowing my entire downtown Atlanta and a literal word count.So I will instead tell stones throw from the former you more of Cully the storyteller, home of the Atlanta Journal Cully the leader with vision and & Constitution at 72 Marietta purpose, and Cully the donor Street.Grady Hospital, Grady cultivator. High School, and the now Dean Clark was early invited demolished Henry W. Grady Hotel to a reception for UGA President Michael Adams.Clark noted that the room was filled to overflow and that Adams had clearly built an extensive network of more than 500 close friends and allies. Clark quietly told himself he needed to mirror that network, and during his tenure he did that and more, creating the Grady Society, Grady Board of Trustees, Grady Alumni Board and Grady Ambassador program for undergraduates as well as the Grady Fellows to recognize and honor the Hall of Famers among Grady nation in their chosen professions. Clark oversaw the purchase and integration of a television station, now an affiliate of Georgia Public Broadcasting and WUGATV 32 into Grady and in Athens. The station is professionally managed, but also includes student produced content.As the changing media landscape helped dictate, Clark has seen to the creation and certification of a new media program, as well as funded and added tenured chairs in the areas of sport journalism, health and medical journalism, and most recently public relations/ public affairs.And while most academics tend toward insularity and surrounding themselves with peers, Clark has recruited faculty from the private sector as well, including vaunted opinion writer Cynthia Tucker from the Atlanta Constitution and making both a guest lecturer and graduate student out of Atlantas broadcast queen, Monica Pearson. When you see Cully in conference with a young student, or an aging donor or giant of journalism, you see a storyteller engaging a friend.You see smiles, affection, trust and mutual admirationall things increasingly too fleeting in this world.This month I will once more see Cully assisting with the awarding of the Peabody Awards, given annually by Grady in recognition of the Most Outstanding Electronic Communicationand Broadcasting across the globe at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City.I only wish, as his swan song, UGA and Grady would welcome back their Grady County leader with a Peabody tickertape parade, as he packs up his office to head up the hill to the new UGA Library Special Collections building to write the history of the Grady College.As special as our Cully is, he will fit right in there too.
Bill Crane also serves as a political analyst and commentator for Channel 2s Action News, WSB-AM News/Talk 750 and now 95.5 FM, as well as a columnist 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 billcrane@ earthlink.net.

One Mans Opinion

OPINION

Page 5A

FREEPRESS
Let Us Know What You Think!
THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS encourages opinions from its readers. Please write to us and express your views. Letters should be brief, typewritten and contain the writers name, address and telephone number for verification. All letters will be considered for publication.
Send Letters To Editor, The Champion Free Press, P. O. Box 1347, Decatur, GA 30031-1347; Send E-Mail to [email protected] FAX To: (404) 370-3903 Phone: (404) 373-7779 Deadline for news releases and advertising: Thursday, one week prior to publication date. EDITORS NOTE: The opinions written by columnists and contributing editors do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editor or publishers. The Publisher reserves the right to reject or cancel any advertisement at any time. The Publisher is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts.

Publisher: Dr. Earl D. Glenn Managing Editor: Kathy Mitchell News Editor: Andrew Cauthen Production Manager: Kemesha Hunt Graphic Designer: Travis Hudgons The Champion Free Press is published each Friday by ACE III Communications, Inc., 114 New Street, Suite E, Decatur, GA. 30030 Phone (404) 373-7779.

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We 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 forall community residents onall 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, wemake every effort toavoid printing information submitted to usthat is known to be false and/orassumptions penned as fact.

The Champion Free Press, Friday, May 24, 2013

COMMUNITY

Page 6A

Avondale Estates to implement mobile neighborhood watch

by Daniel Beauregard [email protected] Avondale Estates residents will soon see another type of car patrolling their neighborhoods each daya police car equipped with amber, rather than blue, safety lights. The Avondale Estates City Council approved the creation of a citizen patrol unit May 19. City Manager Clai Brown said there are nearly 50 residents already signed up. Were trying to be proactive in an ongoing effort to make Avondale less of a target for crime, Brown said. Residents who have gone through the citys citizen police academy are eligible to join the mobile citizens patrol, which will drive around neighborhoods in a decommissioned police car. Brown said the car, which will have all of the police accessories removed from it, will bear the words Citizens on Patrol on its side. Their whole role is to be eyes and ears on the street they will be looking for suspicious persons, vehicles or any type of suspicious activity, Brown said. Brown said more than 80 residents have gone through the citizens police academy, an eight-week class, in the four years the city has been doing it. Those interested in becoming members of the citizens patrol unit are required to enroll in a three-hour training session and a one-hour police ride along. A procedural manual outlining the details of the unit states that under no circumstances will members of the citizen patrol unit be allowed to carry any kind of weapon. Volunteers should avoid physical confrontation at all costs, the manual states, remember, our goal is to observe and report, becoming the eyes and ears of our police department. No weapons are authorized for use by any member of the program. This includes any firearm, stun gun, Taser, baton, knife or pepper spray. They cannot engage anyone, Brown said. The manual also states any member found in possession of a weapon will be immediately terminated from the program. Additionally, no member of the patrol will be allowed to consume alcoholic beverages for a period of at least eight hours prior to reporting to duty. While on duty, members of the unit will be required to wear a uniform and are required to look for any suspicious activity and report that to the citys 911 call center. At least two members of the citizens patrol group are required to be in the patrol vehicle at all times. Theyre not only focusing on suspicious stuff but theyll be able to help the police out with any road hazards or help the community or stranded motorists, Brown said.

Champion of the Week

Tammy Robinson
the Arabia Alliance had to offer, she said. So I thought the best way to get more involved...was to volunteer. Robinson helps with maintaining the trail, volunteers at events such as the fall festival and with the programs the nature preserve hosts, and helps out with the monthly clean up of the preserve every first Saturday of the month. Robinson said she enjoys helping out. I love it, she said. Im always there. Im surprised theyre not tired of seeing me yet. Robinson has been volunteering around Atlanta since she moved to the city from Shreveport, La., 16 years ago. She started out mentoring young girls with behavioral issues for three years. She then began volunteering with Hands on Atlanta TeamWorks! program, where she volunteered for eight years. I thought [volunteering with TeamWorks!] would be helpful because

Tammy Robinson of Lithonia has become a familiar face at the Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve. A year ago, Robinson was hiking at Arabia Mountain with Ranger Robby Astrove when Astrove told her about the events and programs that go on at the nature preserve and how he needed help with putting events together, maintaining the trail and other things. So Robinson offered to volunteer. I thought it was a good opportunity to learn more about the Nature preserve and about what

not only are you getting out there and helping out in the community, its also a way of learning more about the city and what it has to offer, she said. You also meet different people from different backgrounds and cultures. Robinson is also a volunteer at PAWS Atlanta pet adoption center, where she walks the dogs to help them get socialized. After a year and a half of volunteering at PAWS, they offered her a job. Im in the process of training and Ill be more involved with making sure the area is sanitized and being more attentive to the dogs, she said. Robinson said it is important to volunteer in the community because those who do are making a difference. Its very important to get out there, do your part and help spread the word, she said.

If you would like to nominate someone to be considered as a future Champion of the Week, please contact Kathy Mitchell at [email protected] or at (404) 373-7779, ext. 104.

The Champion Free Press, Friday, May 24, 2013

Church to host farmers market

AROUNDDEKALB
BROOKHAVEN
meets every other month on the last Tuesday, except for holidays. Wesley Chapel-William C. Brown Library is located at 2861 Wesley Chapel Road, Decatur. For more information, call (404) 286-6980. Friends of the Decatur Library to hold book sale The Friends of the Decatur Library will have its annual Memorial Day Book Sale on the front lawn of the Decatur Library. The sale will be in the front lobby of the library should there be inclement weather. The sale will be Saturday, May 25, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.Decatur Library is located at 215 Sycamore Street, Decatur. For more information, call (404) 3703070. Hula dancers to perform at library In celebration of Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month, Hearts of Polynesia Hula Dancers will perform Tuesday, May 28, at the Decatur Library, 7-8 p.m. Hula dancing is a huge part of the culture of the Pacific Islands, with a complex set of moves, each with its own meaning, states an announcement from the library. Funding for this performance is provided by the Friends of the Decatur Library. The Decatur Library is located at 215 Sycamore Street, Decatur. For more information, call (404) 370-3070. Top science journalists visits library One of the countrys top science journalists, Annalee Newitz, will visit the Decatur Library May 29, 7:15-9 p.m., to speak about her new book Scatter, Adapt and Remember: How Humans Will Survive a Mass Extinction. Newitz is the founding editor of the science website io9.com and has written about science for the Washington Post, Wired and Popular Science. According to a press release, Newitz new book examines humanitys success at dodging the bullet of extinction and suggests ways to keep doing it. For more information contact the Decatur Library at (404) 3703070. Secrets exhibit to open at MudFire gallery Artist Tammy Marinuzzi has been collecting secrets from

COMMUNITY

Page 7A

The Brookhaven Farmers Market has moved its ___location to Brookhaven Baptist Church, 1294 North Druid Hills Road in Atlanta. The market is opened every Saturday until Nov. 23 from 9 a.m. to noon. The Brookhaven Farmers Market provides access to healthy products. Farmers selling at the market will use sustainable agriculture methods such as organic and naturally grown practices. For more information, visit www. brookhavenfarmersmarket.com.
u

CLARKSTON

strangers. She distributed envelopes all over the country appealing to people to share their secrets. She purposely mixed up the submissions she received; she didnt want to know who, or even where, they came from. At the same time, she had been creating a series of ceramic containers in which to house and safe-keep these secrets. The resulting collection will be on exhibit at MudFire Gallery. There will be an opening celebration Friday, May 24, 5-9; Marinuzzi will be in attendance. MudFire Gallery is located at 175 Laredo Drive, Decatur. Full artist information and representative imagery are available at the shows page, http://www.mudfire.com/ tammy-marinuzzi-ceramics.htm.

formancesby RupeeDemarco, Kerwin Dubois,Bruck Up,Cool Session Band and Rebel Band. There also will be music byDJ Stephen, DJ Choice One and ChangezDisco. Doors open at noon and performances will be 1-10 p.m. Admission is $20 in advance or $25 at the gate. For youth 12 years old and younger, admission is $10 in advance and $15 at the gate. Tickets are available online at www.urticketpro.com. Wade Walker Park is located at 5585 Rockbridge Road, Stone Mountain. For more information, call (404) 465-3393 or visit http://youtu.be/ a2350CfQoXM. County to host Adopt-A-Stream water quality workshop The DeKalb County AdoptA-Stream program is partnering with Stone Mountain Memorial Association to host a workshop to get residents involved in protecting DeKalb Countys water resources. The workshop is designed to train volunteers on how to collect water samples from DeKalb County streams and how to interpret water quality data. The event is Saturday, June 1, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. at Stone Mountains Confederate Hall Historical and Environmental Education Center, located at 2003 Robert E. Lee Boulevard inside, Stone Mountain Park. The workshop will be an introduction to the Adopt-AStream program. Additionally, attendees will be taught how to use maps to delineate and assess watersheds and how to perform visual water quality surveys. This workshop is a hands-on learning experience where participants will collect data in the field. There is no fee for the workshop, but pre-registration is required and limited to the first 20 people. DeKalb County Adopt-AStream is a volunteer water quality program coordinated by the DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management in conjunction with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. For more information or to register for the workshop, contact Michael OShield, environmental education specialist, at (770) 7241456 or by email at msoshield@ dekalbcountyga.gov.

Library to host cooking demonstration Clarkston resident librarian and Vietnam native Dan L will be cooking Banh-m in celebration of Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month on May 25. Banh-m was first featured on the PBS program Sandwiches That You Will Like, but its journey began long ago in France, moved to colonial Vietnam, then VietnameseAmericans brought it to their new home in America. Now its all the rage with foodies and trendy restaurants everywhere. The 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. cooking demonstration is open to the first 25 participants. The Clarkston Library is at 951 N. Indian Creek Drive. To register, call (404) 5087175.
u

LITHONIA

Basketball, family fun to come to Bransby YMCA VI Shades of Chocolate will hold its annualMemorial Day weekend Family Fun Day & Basketball Tournament Sunday, May 26, starting at noon. The event, which will feature a live performance by Pumpa and the Unit, will be held at the Bransby Outdoor YMCA. There will be food and drinks for sale; parking is $5. The Bransby Outdoor YMCA is located at 1185 Rock Chapel Road, Lithonia. For more information, call (404) 441-7495, (678)754-4998 or (678)749-1688. Autism support group to meet Our Childrens Story, a support group for families of children with autism and other special needs, will meet at the RedanTrotti Library, Saturday, May 25, 10-11:30 a.m. The RedanTrotti Library is located at 1569 Wellborn Road, Lithonia. For more information, call (770) 482-3821.

DECATUR

Antigua/Barbuda group to hold pot luck event in park Antigua/Barbuda Association of Georgia will hold its Family Fun Day Monday, May 27, noon8 p.m., at Mason Mill Park, 1340 McConnell Drive, Decatur. Those attending are asked to bring a dish. For more information, visit [email protected]. Aspiring writers to meet at library to network Creative Writing Group will meet Tuesday, May 28, 6:30-8:30 p.m.,at Wesley Chapel-William C. Brown Library. Aspiring writers have the opportunity to share their work and network. The group

STONE MOUNTAIN

Caribbean music event to be held in Wade Walker Park HC Promotions and Literacy to Legacy Inc. will hold an Atlanta Caribbean Unity Festival, a fusion of music and culture Sunday, May 26, at Wade Walker Park in Stone Mountain. The event will feature live per-

The Champion Free Press, Friday, May 24, 2013

LOCAL NEWS
City Schools of Decatur Budget for Fiscal Year 2014 July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014 General Fund ESTIMATED REVENUES Local Taxes Local Other State General State Other Federal Transfers from Other Funds General Fund Balance Obligated Capital Fund Balance Restricted Total Revenues ESTIMATED EXPENDITURES Instruction Pupil Services Improvement of Instructional Services Educational Media Services Federal Grant Administration General Administration School Administration Support Services - Business Maintenance and Operation of Plant Services Student Transportation Service Support Services - Central Other Support Services School Nutrition Program Community Services Operations Facilities Acquisition and Construction Services Transfers to Other Funds Debt Service Total Expenditures $ 24,716,408 2,658,498 16,546,288 $ 625,000 1,482,105 274,176 Special Funds Nutrition Fund

Page 8A

Former Paideia pleads guilty to possession of child porn

U.S. Attorneys officials said a 52-year-old man has pleaded guilty to receiving child pornography, according to the Associated Press. U.S. Attorneys spokeswoman Sue McKinney of the Middle District of Georgia told the Associated Press that Josh Ensley, a former janitor at the Paideia School in Atlanta, pleaded guilty May 16 in U.S. District Court. Authorities said Ensley admitted to making a video of children using a school restroom and to ordering DVDs featuring children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. McKinney said Ensley also told investigators he had child pornography stored on his computer. Some of the images featured children younger than the age of 12. Ensley, who faces between five and 20 years in prison and is scheduled to be sentenced July 25, was fired in October 2012 after he was accused of putting cameras in the high school girls and boys bathrooms. The U.S. Postal Service began investigating an alleged child pornography video production company in 2010. During the investigation Ensleys name turned up in the production companys records. Investigators found that Ensley, a 52-year-old Tucker resident, had purchased more than 50 DVDs from the company. In October 25, 2012 postal inspectors and law enforcement officials executed a search warrant of Ensleys home, which contained the DVDs ordered from the company. During the search officials also located videos of children using the restroom. During questioning Ensley admitted to videotaping the children at Paideia with a camera hidden in a hollowed out air freshener in boys bathroom and on a broom handle in the girls handicapped bathroom stall.

Capital Funds $ 3,324,000

842,119 27,000 616,000

2,814,181 $ 46,735,375 $ 2,381,281 $ 1,485,119 $ 3,037,288 6,361,288

30,903,467 1,440,088 1,284,111 896,729 873,814 3,513,164 479,009 4,265,158 1,128,014 771,703 834,139 71,803 274,176

2,037,440 14,621 248,479 62,555

11,602 6,584 $ 1,485,119 $ 5,337,188 1,024,100 6,361,288

46,735,375

2,381,281

1,485,119

The Fiscal Year 2014 Tentative Budget will be considered for final adoption by the Board of Education at 6:30 PM at the regular board meeting scheduled for Tuesday, June 11, 2013. The meeting will be held in the Auditorium of the Central Office at Westchester on 758 Scott Boulevard.

Medicaid provider sentenced for inadequate nursing services

Michelle Maylene Cooper was sentenced to one year in prison, followed by nine years on probation after pleading guilty May 9 to Medicaid fraud in DeKalb County Superior Court. Judge Gregory Adams also ordered her to pay $641,350 in restitution to the Georgia Department of Community Health. Cooper owned Nurse Management Services Inc., a company enrolled in the Community Care Services Program (CCSP). The CCSP program is intended to offer home nursing services to recipients who would otherwise require services in a nursing facility. The program requires that nursing services in the home be supervised by a registered nurse. Between Oct. 1, 2009, and Dec. 15, 2011, there were extended periods of time during which no registered nurse was employed at Nurse Management Services, according to court documents. Cooper concealed the fact that she was not providing the required nursing care by signing the name of a registered nurse known to her without the nurses permission on several documents required by the Department of Community Health. The case was investigated by the Georgia Medicaid Fraud Control Unit in cooperation with the Georgia Department of Community Healths Office of Inspector General and the Georgia Secretary of States Office.

Notice is hereby given that the Mayor and Council of the City of Brookhaven, Georgia in accordance to O.C.G.A. 36-35-3 (b) (1) is proposing an amendment to the Charter for the City of Brookhaven pursuant to the Municipal Home Rule Act of 1965 (O.C.G.A. 36-35-1, et seq.) Amendment That the Charter of the City of Brookhaven, Georgia shall be amended in accordance with the above so that upon proper passage, Section 2.15 of the City Charter, Ordinance form; procedures shall be revised to read as follows: Sec. 2-15. Ordinance form; procedures (a) (b) Every proposed Ordinance and Resolution shall be introduced in writing and the City Council shall have the authority to approve, disapprove or amend the same. An Ordinance or Resolution may be passed at the time its offered for the first time. The catchlines of sections of this charter or any ordinance printed in boldface type, italics, or otherwise are intended as mere catchwords to indicate the contents of the section, and: (1) Shall not be deemed or taken to be titles of such sections or as any part of the section; and (2) Shall not be so deemed when any of such sections, including the catchlines, are amended or reenacted unless expressly provided to the contrary.

LEGAL NOTICE CITY OF BROOKHAVEN NOTICE OF PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE CHARTER

Printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper

Furthermore, the article and section headings contained in this charter shall not be deemed to govern, limit, or modify or in any manner affect the scope, meaning, or intent of the provisions of any article or section hereof. (d) The city council may, by ordinance or resolution, adopt rules and bylaws to govern the conduct of its business, including procedures and penalties for compelling the attendance of absent councilmembers. Such rules may include punishment for contemptuous behavior conducted in the presence of the city council. The proposed amendment is on file in the office of the Clerk of the City of Brookhaven and in the office of the DeKalb County Clerk of Superior Court for examination and inspection by the public. Anyone may, upon written request submitted to the Clerk of the City of Brookhaven, obtain a copy of the proposed amendment. The Mayor and Council will consider this amendment for adoption by ordinance during their regularly scheduled meeting on May 28, 2013 and if approved at said meeting, again at their regularly scheduled meeting on June 11, 2013. City Council meetings are held at 2 Corporate Square, Suite 125, Brookhaven, Georgia 30329 beginning at 7:00 P.M. All council meetings are open to the public.

(c)

Susan D. Hiott City Clerk

The Champion Free Press, Friday, May 24, 2013

LOCAL NEWS

Page 9A

Commissioners to consider opportunity zone designation

by Andrew Cauthen [email protected] DeKalb County commissioners are considering whether they want to designate several unincorporated areas of the county as opportunity zones. Opportunity zones, a designation by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA), create a tax incentive for businesses to expand and locate in the area, benefiting new and existing businesses. The designation, with an option to renew, allows businesses within the opportunity zone boundaries to take tax credits of up to $3,500 per job for net new jobs created, provided a minimum of two net new jobs are created. The credit can be taken for five years for a total of $17,500 per new Georgia job. The incentive can be taken against the businesss Georgia income tax liability and payroll withholding tax. A lot of communities around the metropolitan Atlanta area have taken advantage of this program to be able to incentivate companies to relocate, said Luz Borrero, DeKalb Countys deputy chief operating officer of development. The beauty of this program is that it doesnt cost any money to the residents of the county, nor does it have any impact to the countys tax base, Borrero said. Pending approval by the Board of Commissioners, the county has opportunity zone applications ready to go for 15 areas including Bouldercrest, part of the I-85 corridor, Kensington, Lithonia Industrial, Montreal Industrial, Panthersville, Ponce De Leon, Rock Mountain, Royal Atlanta, Snapfinger Woods, Stone Mountain, Stonecrest, Tilson, Wesley Chapel and Zonalite. Borrero said the county has had numerous conversations with DCA representatives to ensure that the selected properties are eligible to be in the opportunity zone program. These already exist in most other metro county areas and have brought in a huge amount of economic development, said Emory Morsberger, president of the Stone Mountain Community Improvement District. The need for this is huge because we are struggling to attract businesses to DeKalb without any economic development incentives. Companies are going to places where those opportunity zones exist and they are ignoring places that dont have opportunity zones, said Morsberger, who is in favor of DeKalb County applying for the designation. If you are bringing 200 employeeswhich is what somebody I was talking to this morning was working onthat is a savings of almost three and a half million dollars, Morsberger said. Thats a decision influencer right there. The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners is expected to consider applying for the designation at its May 28 meeting. According to a resolution the commissioners will consider, the opportunity zones would help the county promote economic development and industrial job growth.
See Zone on Page 12A

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS ON THE 2013-2014 PROPOSED BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF DECATUR, GEORGIA There will be public hearings on the proposed 2013-2014 budget for the City of Decatur at 7:30 p.m. on June 3, 2013, June 10, 2013 (TENTATIVE) and on June 17, 2013 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. All citizens are invited to attend the public hearings, to provide written and oral comments, and ask questions concerning the entire budget. FY 2013-2014 PROPOSED GENERAL FUND REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES REVENUES Taxes Licenses, Permits & Inspections Penalties, Fines & Forfeitures Interest Charges for Current Services Intergovernmental Revenues Miscellaneous Revenue Sale of Fixed Assets Operating Transfers Appropriation From (To) Fund Balance TOTAL REVENUES EXPENDITURES Governmental Control Department General Government Department Community & Economic Development Department Administrative Services Department Police Department Fire & Rescue Department Public Works-Sanitation & Facilities Maintenance Design, Environment & Construction Active Living Division TOTAL EXPENDITURES 15,532,600 920,400 1,360,000 500 1,409,650 423,840 189,000 10,000 (2,846,300) 3,654,100 $20,653,790 152,500 1,397,610 1,733,360 2,972,380 5,047,420 3,516,440 2,773,330 1,544,800 1,515,950 $20,653,790

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The Champion Free Press, Friday, May 24, 2013

According to a report describing the incident, on April 17 Browner and Delmonte Madison, a prevention and intervention specialist at the Atlanta rapper and reality school, were seen fighting in TV personality Lil Scrappy the school gym by another was in a DeKalb County school coach. Both teachers courtroom May 22 for a pro- were charged with disorderly bation violation hearing. conduct. Scrappy, whose real On March 11, a video name is Darryl Richardson, of Browner and his students was ordered May 15 to prodoing a popular dance, the vide a urine sample to test Harlem Shake, in a classfor illegal drugs. Prosecutors room was posted on Youalleged that he switched his Tube. According to a DeKalb urine during a routine drug County School District screening that is required as a spokeswoman, Browner was condition of his probation. disciplined for the video, but Richardson, 29, is on pro- was fired for a separate incibation for a 2008 first-offend- dent. er plea to felony marijuana I cannot disclose the and gun possession charges. cause for termination. Thats The hearing was originally part of an employee personscheduled to place May 16, nel file that is not public, but DeKalb County Superior said Lillian M. Govus, the Court Judge Daniel Coursey spokeswoman. However, rescheduled the hearing for I can tell you that the video May 22 to allow the urine was not the cause for his tersample to be processed and to mination. make a ruling accordingly. Govus also would not Richardson was discovsay what disciplinary actions ered by rapper Lil John were taken. and was one of the first acts Browner said he could signed to his Black Market not discuss the video or his Entertainment Recordings, termination because he is in according to VH1. His first the process of getting an atsingle, Money in the Bank, torney. made it to No. 28 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. His debut album was Bred 2 Die Decatur Police Born 2 Live in 2006. He investigating later released Prince of the South in 2008 and Prince catalytic converter of the South 2 in 2010. thefts Richardson is a cast member on VH1s Love & Hip The Decatur Police deHop: Atlanta, a reality show partment is investigating the that explores the relationships theft of catalytic converters of a host of cast members, from seven vehicles in a 72 including Richardson and his hour period. fiance Erica Dixon. Police said six of the thefts were from Honda Elements and one was from a Honda CRV. The thefts ocCoach in Harlem curred on Jefferson Place, Shake involved in Adair Street, Fifth Avenue, fight with teacher Spring Street, Cambridge Avenue and Feld Avenue. Former Lithonia High Police said some vehicles School basketball coach Bar- were parked in driveways ry Browner was fired after and some were parked on the a physical altercation with street. another teacher a month after All of the thefts occurred a YouTube video surfaced at night. Police are warning of him and his students doresidents to pay extra attening the Harlem Shake in a tion to these types of vehicles classroom. and to call police immedi-

Local rapper to face judge on probation violation

NEWS Briefs

LOCAL NEWS

Page 10A

ately if anything suspicious is seen or heard. To report information related to the thefts, call Sgt. Jennifer Ross at (404) 3736551.

County begins sameday permitting program

The DeKalb County Department of Planning and Sustainability Development Services Division has launched its Same-Day Permit Program aimed at streamlining the business license and permit improvement process. The program will be held the last Friday of each month beginning May 31 through Oct. 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pre-registration is required to participate in the program. Limited registrations are being accepted now through May 24 until 5 p.m. for the first same-day permit on May 31. This is an important first step to long-term improvements to our permitting and licensing process which includes plans to reorganize and modernize our technology and enhance customer service, DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis said. This significant business change will support our economic and community development initiatives. Residents and business owners seeking licenses for

DeKalb commissioner reelected to board

DeKalb County Commissioner Kathie Gannon, who represents Super District 6, has been re-elected to her fourth term as a member of the Board of Managers for the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG). She will continue as the District 3 representative, which includes the 10 metro Atlanta area counties. In this role, Gannon will facilitate a line of communication between the counties and ACCG. The Board of Managers of ACCG is the governing arm of the state association of counties, which was founded in 1914. It serves as the forum for consensus building, training and legislative development for all 159 county governments.

home-based businesses and permits for residential additions, alterations and move in as-is can register online after following instructions at www.dekalbcountyga.gov/ samedaypermit/. Resident unable to register online may call DeKalbs 311 to sign up. Registrations are accepted up to 5 p.m. on the last day of the registration period. During registration, applicants will be screened for eligibility and provided instructions on how to prepare to receive a permit or license in one day. Applicants selected for the same-day process will be contacted by DeKalb development services staff and provided an appointment to submit an application and other documents in person. Following submissions, applicants will be offered a choice to wait at the permitting office or return at the end of the day to pick up permits. All permits will be ready by 4 p.m. Future dates for registration for the one-day permit program are (permit pick-up dates are in parentheses): June 17-21 (June 28), July 15-19 (July 26), Aug. 19-23 (Aug. 30), Sept. 16-20 (Sept. 27) and Oct. 14-18 (Oct. 25).

DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management Public Advisory

Interstate 85 & Oakcliff Industrial Court Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation

May 9, 2013 Advisory Issue Date June 9, 2013 Advisory Close Date

This advisory is issued to inform the public of a receipt of an application for a variance submitted pursuant to a State Environmental Law. The Public is invited to comment during a 30 day period on the proposed activity. Since the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) has no authority to zone property or determine land use, only those comments addressing environmental issues related to air, water and land protection will be considered in the application review process. Written comments should be submitted to: Program Manager, Non Point Source Program, Erosion and Sedimentation Control, 4220 International Parkway, Suite 101, Atlanta, Georgia 30354. Type of Permit Application: Variance to encroach within the 25-foot Sate Waters Buffer. Applicable Law: Georgia Erosion and Sedimentation Act O.C.G.A. 12-7-1 ET seq. Applicable Rules: Erosion and Sedimentation Control Chapter 391-3-7. Basis under which variance shall be considered {391-3-7.05(2) (A-K)}: A Project Description & Reason for Initiating: I-85 and Oakcliff Industrial Ct. Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project is a rehabilitation project of an existing sanitary sewer located between the North Fork of Peachtree Creek and just northwest of Oakcliff Industrial Ct. in the City of Doraville, GA. Specifically, the site is located in land lot 314 & 318 of the 18thth district in DeKalb County, GA. The proposed construction will include the rehabilitation of approximately 2,275 linear feet of 10, 12, and 15 sewer pipe. The project is needed due to the numerous sewer spills along the existing sewer outfall. Project Location: This project is located in land lot 314 and 318 of the 18th district of DeKalb County, beginning at terminus of Oak Cliff Industrial Court and running south to Interstate 85 and continuing south to the confluence of the North Fork of Peachtree Creek for a total distance of approximately one mile. The Public can review site plans at 1580 Roadhaven Drive Stone Mountain, Georgia 30083. Phone 770-621-7272.

The Champion Free Press, Friday, May 24, 2013

Decatur Zoning Board rejects residents appeals

by Carla Parker [email protected] The Decatur Zoning Board of Appeals rejected appeals filed by residents who live near the proposed site for a mixed-used complex project at 315 West Ponce de Leon Ave. in Downtown Decatur. The board rejected the complaints May 14 after finding that no procedural errors were made by city planning director Amanda Thompson in processing the project. On April 12, nearby homeowners filed an appeal questioning the validity of revisions to the Downtown Multiple Dwelling ordinances passed by the city commission on Dec. 3,
Advocates for DeKalb Animals is pressuring the DeKalb County Board of Commission to approve a new shelter in Chamblee. The group says the current shelter (pictured), located off Memorial Drive, is killing a high numbers of animals.

LOCAL NEWS

Page 11A

Animal advocates still seeking for new shelter

by Carla Parker [email protected] Advocates for DeKalb Animals continues to put pressure on the DeKalb County Board of Commission to approve a new shelter in Chamblee. The animal advocacy group went before the board of commissioners May 14 to demand the county to build a new animal shelter with $2.75 million from the Recovery Zone Bond on a 5-acre plot near PeachtreeDeKalb Airport (PDK) in Chamblee. The group claims that the current shelter, located off Memorial Drive, is killing too many animals. Advocates said that over 3,000 animals were killed at the shelter last year. They said a newer, bigger facility would reduce that number. The commissioners have delayed the vote on the new shelter and some commissioners have previously voiced concern over the ___location of the proposed new site. The ___location that the task force has recommended is on the northern part of the county and the question really is how much do we want it to be more centrally located, more neutral, Commissioner Lee May said. The county appointed an advisory board a year ago to find a new site for the shelter. After looking at more than 100 locations it recommended the PDK site. The county already owns this land and it features more than 500 feet of frontage, animal advocates said on its Facebook page. There is adequate space for both outdoor and indoor facilities. The ___location is in a central market-driven area as recommended in the Task Force Report, where there are greater opportunities for increased community involvement. Despite the delay of the vote, Advocates for DeKalb Animals said on its Facebook page that the organization is continuing to grow and will continue to pressure the county. We are so very thankful that you are getting there, wearing red, and showing support for animals, the statement said. As exhausting as this process is, we cannotnor will wegive up. We think that the County leaders think we willbut we plan on being there until something is truly done to help DeKalb animals and DeKalb animal services. The commissioners tabled the vote until June 11. In February, LifeLine, a nonprofit program whose purpose is to end animal euthanasia, was awarded a contract to operate the DeKalb County animal shelter. The contract is still under negotiation. It looks like we may be done negotiating really soon, said LifeLine public relations representative Karen Hirsch. Lifeline plans to convert the DeKalb County animal shelter into a no-kill operation. The shelter has been criticized for high euthanasia rates and poor living conditions.

2012, and listed five concerns that they had. One of the concerns was that the zoning administrator failed to follow the procedures established in the applicable ordinance for providing public notice. The appeal also stated that the zoning administrator has not addressed applicable ordinances, which require variance approval by the Zoning Board of Appeal. The board decided that the city had done its job notifying property owners about the developers plans for the project. There were joint property owner meetingsone in February and one in Marchand there was also

an individual meeting with the [residents of the] 335 condos, Thompson said. Plans were delivered to applicants, they were presented at the meetings and they were also posted on the citys website. Thompson added that the developer, Carter USA, made significant changes to the original plans in response to detailed comments about the plans submitted by residents prior to the Decatur Downtown Development Authority review of the project. So [the board] said to the appellants basically that everyone knew about the project, everybody had an opportunity to comment on it and changes were made in
See Zoning on Page 15A

Please take time this Memorial Day to give thanks to the brave men and women who have served in defense of liberty and our way of life.

TheChampionNewspaper.com

404.373.7779

The Champion Free Press, Friday, May 24, 2013

LOCAL NEWS

Page 12A

Zone
Continued From Page 9A

From left, R. J. Talley is served lunch by DeKalb County Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Affairs Director Roy Wilson during the Summer Food Program last year at Tucker Recreation Center. Photo provided

Summer food program satisfies students needs

by Andrew Cauthen [email protected] When school is out for the summer, some children, who depend on free or reduced school meals, dont know where their next meal will come from. One in four Georgia children live in food insecure households, according to data from Feeding America, a domestic hunger-relief charity. To help fill this summer food gap,Quality Care for Children (QCC),an Atlanta-based nonprofit organization, will serve approximately 68,000 free meals and supplemental snacks to more than 900 children in metro Atlanta through its Summer Food Service Program beginning May 28. Although Georgias economic climate has improved some over the last year, we know that many families are still struggling to meet their most basic needs, and that includes providing regular nutritious meals to their families, said Pam Tatum, QCCs chief executive officer. With funding from the U. S. Department of Agricultures Summer Food Service Program, QCC is sponsoring 15 feeding programs in Fulton, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Clayton and Douglas counties.Some of the selected locations serve a combination of breakfast, lunch and/or snacks to eligible children. A $35,000 grant award from the Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation enabled QCC to expand the program to more children and makes it possible to provide better nutritional meals incorporating more fresh produce. The meals are available for eligible children younger than age 18 or young adults with a diagnosed disability who are enrolled in a local school. QCC has also partnered with Project Open Hand in Atlanta to offer more fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains, with Open Hand preparing and delivering meals daily to each ___location in the program. Additionally, the meals will have reduced saturated fat and sodium, and some fresh vegetables will be offered in finger food size to promote the trial of new fruits and vegetables by the children. For the first few weeks of the program, each ___location will receive nutrition education visits from Open Hands chef and dieticians who will discuss the new menu and help encourage the participants to try something new each week. Children need regular balanced meals for brain and physical development, Tatum said. We are hoping that by providing families with meal options through community centers and churches, it will alleviate some of the hunger these children would have otherwise faced this summer and allow their bodies to continue to grow as they should. To be eligible for the summer food service, children must be enrolled in a program at the ___location where the meals are being served, with the exception of Shy Temple CME Church, located in Atlanta on Memorial Drive.It is the only open site for children in the community to receive free lunches from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on a firstcome, first-served basis.Lunches will be served only on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Shy Temple. In DeKalb, QCC will provide meals at Refugee Family Services, 5561 Memorial Drive Suite H, Stone Mountain (breakfast, lunch, snack); St. Timothy School, 5365 Memorial Drive, Stone Mountain (breakfast, lunch); and Brown Educational Foundation, 3278 Buckeyes Road, Chamblee (breakfast, lunch); and Whitefoord Elementary School, 35 Whitefoord Ave SE, Atlanta (breakfast, lunch). The DeKalb County Recreation, Parks & Cultural Affairs Department will host the Summer Food Service Program, June 3-July 26. DeKalb Countys program is paid for by up to $745,000 in USDA funds allocated by the state through the Bright from the Start program. Last year there were 54 sites for the free summer food. This year, which is the 25th year for DeKalb, the county is shooting for 60 sites, Anderson said. Approximately 199,000 meals were served last year in DeKalb. The meals are prepared and delivered by the DeKalb County School District, which is paid by the county. Anderson said the program provides good nutritional food for the children of DeKalb County. In some cases the kids might not get a nutritional lunch in the summer, Anderson said. This is a valuable program for our children. Research shows that many children may only eat one healthy meal a day, and that is at lunch time during the school year, said DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis. The main goal of this program is to ensure children are getting nutritious meals even though school is not in session. For more information about the DeKalb County summer food program, contact Rose Myrick at (678) 698-1114. For more information about Quality Care for Children, visitwww. QualityCareforChildren.orgor call (404) 479-4200.

To be eligible for the designation, an area must be within or adjacent to a census block group with 15 percent or greater poverty where an enterprise zone or urban redevelopment plan exists, according to the website of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. Weve got to get back in the economic development game, Morsberger said. Were not even in the game anymore. Were losing ground rapidly. Weve got companies moving out and weve got companies going elsewhere. This is just one tool that allows us to do that. This is just for us to try to catch u. This is a game changer for DeKalb. This opportunity zone concept is actually causing data centers to move in to Alpharetta, Morsberger said. This isnt some kind of low wage deal. These are high-paying jobs with great work environments. Thats what we need in DeKalb County. DeKalb is hemorrhaging jobs. We need to turn that around. Morsberger said, This is a tool that doesnt cost DeKalb anything. This is money that is basically a state and federal grant. All DeKalb has to do is apply. Avondale Estates officials recently announced that the citys central business district has been designated an opportunity zone. The former Doraville General Motors property and an adjacent Seaboard Oil facility comprise the other opportunity zone in DeKalb County.

REDUCE REUSE RECYCLE

The Champion Free Press, Friday, May 24, 2013

LOCAL NEWS
for all of the opportunities that this country offers. As for being the dental hygiene departments top student, Rodriguez says she finds it hard to believe she was chosen for the honor. Ive always been very disciplined and try to give 150 percent to work and school. I have to work hard to get the grades, because I dont think I am necessarily the smartest student, she said. There are so many really smart people in my class that I never thought I was at top of the class. I am very blessed and very happy and very proud of myself.

Page 13A

GPC dental hygiene student overcomes obstacles to graduate

When Maria Alejandra Rodriguez fled guerilla rebels who had kidnapped her father and killed her mother, she thought she would spend a few months in the United States and return to her native Colombia. Instead, she was forced to learn a new language, assimilate into a different culture and craft a new future. On May 3, Rodriguez will be one of 23 dental hygiene students participating in the Georgia Perimeter College commencement exercise. Named the departments top student, Rodriguez will accept her diploma in front of her father and other proud family members. Rodriguez, 28 and of Dunwoody, was a young girl growing up in the bustling city of Bogota, Colombia, where her father owned a textile mill. But he loved spending weekends four hours away in the countryside, tending to a rice farm that gave him time to work the land and think about life. It was a hobby that would cost the family dearly. My father was kidnapped from the rice farm and held for ransom, Rodriguez said. When my mother went to pay part of the ransom during his first year of captivity, the guerillas took the money and killed her. Her father would be held for an additional two years. Meanwhile, government agents rushed Rodriguez, then 17, and her younger brother out of the country for their own safety. They lived with relatives in Woodstock, Ga., and began assimilating into American society. Rodriguez took English classes at Kennesaw State University for a year and began working in a pediatric dental office. Still, she was wracked with sadness and guilt over leaving her father behind. I was in my comfort zone in Colombia; I didnt want to leave and I was just heartbroken. But it wasnt safe for us to stay there, Rodriguez said. I thought I would only be here for a few months, but the government told us that it would be too dangerous to come back. I realized that I would have to stay in the United States, and it took me several years to get used to the culture and learn the language. Rodriguez stayed busy and focused on taking core classes at Kennesaw State to become a dental hygienist. She loved her job at the dental office and realized that she had a passion for helping people. During that time, the guerillas released her father, and the family was reunited in the United States. That was a turning point for Rodriguez, who had just been accepted into the GPC dental hygiene program. Once he was released my life came back. I realized I could do anything and move on with my life in my new country and find success, she said. I became a citizen two years ago and got married. I am so grateful

Maria Alejandra Rodriguez, who fled Colombia as a child, was one of 23 dental hygiene graduates. Photo provided

Searching for Our Sons and Daughters:

Stories of our missing residents offer profound insights and hope for a positive reunion.
For a programming guide, visit www.yourdekalb.com/dctv

Finding DeKalb Countys Missing

Now showing on DCTV!

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

The Champion Weather

Seven Day Forecast
Isolated T-storms High: 84 Low: 61 Sunny High: 77 Low: 52 Sunny High: 76 Low: 54 Mostly Sunny High: 79 Low: 57 Partly Cloudy High: 79 Low: 58 Mostly Sunny High: 83 Low: 61

May 23, 2013

Todays Regional Map
Dunwoody 82/60 Smyrna 83/61 Doraville 83/61 Atlanta 84/61 College Park 85/61 Union City 85/61

Detailed Local Forecast

Today we will see mostly sunny skies with a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms, high temperature of 84, humidity of 45%. West wind 5 to 15 mph. The record high temperature for today is 95 set in 1941. Expect partly cloudy skies tonight with a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms.

Weather History
May 23, 1989 - Severe thunderstorms developing along a cold front resulted in 98 reports of large hail and damaging winds in the northern Plains and upper Mississippi Valley. Hail the size of golf balls caused a million dollars in damage around Buffalo City, Wis. May 24, 1894 - Six inches of snow blanketed Kentucky. Just four days earlier as much as 10 inches of snow had fallen across Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia. Six days earlier, a violent storm wrecked nine ships on Lake Michigan.

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

Lilburn 83/61

Last Week's Local Almanac

Date Hi Lo Normals Precip Tuesday 79 44 80/59 0.00" Wednesday 86 60 80/59 0.00" Thursday 83 61 80/60 0.00" Friday 82 58 80/60 0.09" Saturday 76 63 80/60 0.06" Sunday 71 64 81/60 0.47" Monday 85 61 81/61 0.01" Rainfall. . . . . . . . 0.63" Average temp . . 69.5 Normal rainfall. . 0.91" Average normal 70.1 Departure . . . . . .-0.28" Departure . . . . . -0.6 Day Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Sunrise 6:30 a.m. 6:30 a.m. 6:29 a.m. 6:29 a.m. 6:28 a.m. 6:28 a.m. 6:28 a.m.

Decatur Snellville 84/61 84/61 Lithonia 85/61 Morrow 85/61

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

Hampton 86/62

Local Sun/Moon Chart This Week

Sunset 8:37 p.m. 8:38 p.m. 8:38 p.m. 8:39 p.m. 8:40 p.m. 8:40 p.m. 8:41 p.m.

TUESDAY

Full 5/24 Last 5/31

WEDNESDAY
Sunny High: 85 Low: 62

Moonrise Moonset 7:11 p.m. 5:10 a.m. 8:20 p.m. 6:00 a.m. 9:26 p.m. 6:55 a.m. 10:27 p.m. 7:57 a.m. 11:21 p.m. 9:04 a.m. No Rise 10:12 a.m. 12:09 a.m. 11:20 a.m.

Tonights Planets
New 6/8 First 6/16 Mercury Venus Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus Rise Set 7:16 a.m. 9:48 p.m. 7:25 a.m. 9:47 p.m. 6:04 a.m. 7:55 p.m. 7:50 a.m. 10:06 p.m. 6:18 p.m. 5:25 a.m. 4:02 a.m. 4:27 p.m.

Local UV Index
0 - 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11+

National Weather Summary This Week

The Northeast will see widespread showers and thunderstorms today, isolated showers Friday, mostly clear to partly cloudy skies Saturday, with the highest temperature of 83 in Salisbury, Md. The Southeast will experience scattered thunderstorms today, mostly clear to partly cloudy skies with isolated thunderstorms Friday and Saturday, with the highest temperature of 91 in Crestview, Fla. In the Northwest, there will be scattered showers today, partly cloudy skies with isolated thunderstorms Friday and Saturday, with the highest temperature of 82 in Worland, Wyo. The Southwest will see mostly clear skies today through Saturday, with the highest temperature of 99 in Casa Grande, Ariz.

Weather Trivia
How does the dew point relate to summer comfort?

StarWatch By Gary Becker - Magnificent Planet Gathering

Throughout this week three planets will be moving into position for what will become, early next week, the most stunning planetary grouping of the year. The assemblage takes place low in the west during evening twilight. The triad includes Mercury and Venus becoming more prominent because of their increasing distance from the sun, and Jupiter, which because of its slow orbital motion, will be overtaken and in conjunction with the sun on June 19. The week commences with the most difficult planet to see, Mercury, only nine degrees from the sun and setting about 52 minutes after sundown; Venus reaches the horizon only 15 minutes later. Jupiter, because of its distance from Sol, will pose no problem in viewing. Forty minutes after sundown, Venus will still be four degrees above the horizon, and Jupiter will be 10 degrees in altitude. They should be easily seen if a good western horizon is available. Scan just above the horizon 30 minutes after sunset. Binoculars will help Venus and Jupiter stand out more easily against a bright horizon. By Saturday, May 25, the scene has changed completely. All three planets will be found in a tight little triangle about three degrees in diameter and six degrees above the horizon, 40 minutes after sundown. Binoculars will easily contain the three in the same field of view with ample space to spare. Venus will be brightest and lowest to the horizon, followed by Jupiter, which will be farthest to the left. Faintest and farthest to the right will be Mercury. All three members will be bright and easily visible to the unaided eye if sky conditions are transparent enough and the observing ___location unobscured enough to permit objects only a few degrees above the horizon to be seen. On May 26, the grouping is at its tightest with the largest separation among the three planets less than 2.5 degrees. The 27th finds Venus and Jupiter separated by just one degree. www.astronomy.org

Answer: A higher dewpoint means that the air is more humid.

UV Index 0-2: Low, 3-5: Moderate, 6-7: High, 8-10: Very High, 11+: Extreme Exposure

The Champion Free Press, Friday, May 24, 2013

LOCAL NEWS

Page 14A

Chapel Hill community walks to promote better health

by Carla Parker [email protected] Residents from the Chapel Hill community in Decatur walked five kilometers around the community May 18 to promote health and fitness and to raise money for college scholarships. The Chapel Hill Community 3.5/5K Walk for Health & Hope was the first walking event in the community. Approximately 50 residents, escorted by three officers from DeKalb County Police Department, walked from Chapel Hill Park to Flakes Mill Road, then to Flat Shoals Parkway where they turned right on Dogwood Farms and walked to LeHigh Boulevard then back to the park. Vendors for the event included Farmers Insurance, Ultra Life, Inc. and Talent Connection Group, an organization that helps high school students transition from high school to college. Kerol Armstead-McLeod, who helped organized the event, said the purpose for the walk was to help residents to become more aware of their health. The idea is that well get the community to come out to get healthy, work on their diet and exercise, she said. The hope portion of the event is to generate a scholarship for individuals who have students graduating out of the community. The scholarship is named in honor of the late Milton Parker, who lived in the community for 35 years before his death in March 2012. The community is trying to raise funds for some $1,000 scholarships and hope to award the scholarships by 2014. Well continue to raise money so we can give out multiple scholarships to students, she said. The event was also held to raise awareness in the neighborhood about vacant homes that may need attentionsuch as yard work, community clean up, neighborhood watch, reducing crime rate and illegal activity. Armstead-McLeod hopes the event will encourage residents to stay active and healthy. Its all about diet, exercise and nutrition, she said.

Brookhaven takes over stormwater management

by Carla Parker [email protected] The Brookhaven City Council voted unanimously May 14 to pass an ordinance that would allow the city to run its own stormwater utility. DeKalb County has managed the stormwater utility in the unincorporated areas of the county, including the Brookhaven area, since 2004, according to the Brookhaven city clerks office. The utility is responsible for monitoring, inspecting, and maintaining the stormwater drainage system. The funding for the stormwater is generated by a stormwater utility fee, which the county bills property owners along with there property taxes. The funds, which are kept in a separate enterprise fund from general tax revenue, are allocated throughout the county to maintain and repair the storm drainage systems as needed and determined by the county, according to the city clerk. City officials believe that in order to control how the stormwater fees generated by the property owners of the city are spent, the city must to establish their own stormwater utility and take over the responsibility for the maintenance and repair of the system. Along with establishing a stormwater utility for the city, the ordinance would also allow the city to set the scope of responsibility of the utility, establish a separate enterprise fund for collection and allocation of stormwater utility fees and establish the policy for determining and collecting the stormwater utility fees and credits. City officials said the ordinance does not set the actual stormwater fees. The current flat rate fee for resident in DeKalb County is $48. We expect to present a separate resolution to the mayor [J. Max Davis] and city council in May, which will set the stormwater utility fee to be charged property owners for 2013, City Clerk Susan Hiott said in the memorandum.

Residents and friends of the Chapel Hill Community in Decatur participated in the communitys 3.5/5K Walk for Health & Hope to promote health and fitness as well as raise money for college scholarships. Photos by Carla Parker

The Champion Free Press, Friday, May 24, 2013

LOCAL NEWS
METROPOLITAN ATLANTA RAPID TRANSIT AUTHORITY

Page 15A

Senior Continued From Page 3A

godmother, according to a media release by DeKalb For Seniors Inc. She is truly a virtuous woman and a friend to all she meets. She feels and believes we were put on this earth to serve God by attending to the needs of others. Mackins was married to Henry Mackins for 66 years prior to his death. Parker Goldson, was nominated by Commissioner Jeff Rader and Dr. Sandra Ford, director of the DeKalb County Board of Health. She has more than 30 years of experience in the nonprofit, public sector and for-profit industries. She currently serves as chairwoman for the Board of Health, representing the countys needy, underprivileged and elderly community. Parker Goldson graduated cum laude from City University of New York and received the universitys first bachelors degree in Black womens history. For more than 14 years, Parker Goldson worked as a manager, program developer and community organizer for The Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation, the largest and oldest community development corporation in the nation. She also served the United Way in DeKalb County as associate director of community impact for more than 11 years focusing on education, homelessness and youth services. Baldwin, nominated by Sen. Emanuel Jones, is a retiree from Grady Memorial Hospital. Ms. Baldwin is passionate and dedicated to feeding the homeless. This passion is borne out of her desire to help others and was instilled in her at a very early age, the media release states. Ms. Baldwin was born during the Great Depression and as a child would go to bed hungry many nights. As a young girl she vowed that if the Lord would continue to bless her she would do all she could to feed the hungry and homeless. Baldwin, using her own resources, buys, prepares and delivers food to Atlantas homeless weekly. A longtime member of Saint Philip AME Church, she volunteers in the food pantry, participates in the seniors retiree group and the prison ministry. DeKalb for Seniors Inc. is a nonprofit that serves as the fundraising and advocacy arm for the Lou Walker Senior Center. Proceeds from the Silver Gala will help continue the work in supporting the center.

Notice of Public Hearing June 4, 2013

Notice is hereby given that the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) will hold a public hearing for the purpose of considering

Proposed Service Changes for August 24, 2013

Proposed elimination and restructuring for the following bus routes:
Route 521 Q-Express: Elimination. Route 520 Q-Limited: Maintain current 10-minute service frequency and restructure to pro-

vide service to the Goldsmith Park & Ride Lot. The new alignment will operate along Central Drive outbound from Kensington Station only and along Memorial Drive inbound to Kensington Station. The segment along N. Hairston Road between Central Drive and E. Ponce De Leon Avenue, Mountain Industrial Blvd., Lewis Road, McCurdy Drive and E. Ponce De Leon Avenue between McCurdy Drive and N. Hairston Road will be discontinued. Additionally, Route 520 Q-Limited will be renamed as Route 121-Stone Mountain/Memorial Drive Limited.

Tuesday, June 4
495 North Indian Creek Road, Clarkston, GA 30021

Georgia Piedmont Technical College Conference Center

Community Exchange: 6-7 p.m.

Hearing: 7:00 p.m.

Riding MARTA: Riding MARTA: Bus route 121 from Kensington Station and Bus route 125 from Avondale Station. Special bus shuttle also provided from Kensington Station.

Zoning Continued From Page 11A

response to the comments, Thompson said. The Decatur Downtown Development Authority approved the developers application for the project in March. The $40 million project includes 240 highend apartments and 10,000 square feet of retail space. Atlanta-based real estate developer Carter USA brought the plan to the city in midFebruary. Since then, the company has held meetings with residents in the area as well with city officials. Thompson said the next step for the developer is application to submit a building permit to the city to begin construction. They have submitted a site plan, she said. So theyre working on the stormwater part of the project.

Copies of the proposed bus service modifications will also be available at MARTAs Office of External Affairs, 2424 Piedmont Road, N.E. Atlanta, Georgia 30324 during regular business hours, Mon-Fri 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. For formats (FREE of charge) in accordance with the ADA and Limited English Proficiency regulations contact (404) 8484037. For those patrons requiring further accommodations, information can be obtained by calling the Telephone Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 404 848-5665. In addition, a sign language interpreter will be available at all hearings. If you cannot attend the hearings and want to provide comments you may: (1) leave a message at

(404) 848-5299; (2) write to MARTAs Office of External Affairs, 2424 Piedmont Road, N.E. Atlanta, GA 30324-3330; (3) complete an online Comment Card at www. itsmarta.com; (4) or fax your comments no later than June 9, 2013 to (404) 8484179. All citizens of the City of Atlanta and the counties of Fulton, DeKalb, Clayton and Gwinnett whose interests are affected by the subjects to be considered at these hearings are hereby notified and invited to appear at said times and places and present such evidence, comment or objection as their interests require. Keith T. Parker, AICP, GM/CEO

DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management Public Advisory

School Property Sale

DeKalb County School Board is selling two of its properties asis through a competitive sealed bid process. The two properties are located at:
Building A/B (office) 3770 North Decatur Rd Decatur, Georgia 30032 81,000 square feet of office space 9.3 acres Hooper Alexander (school) 3414 Memorial Drive Decatur, Georgia 30032 68,900 square feet of school facility 8.1 acres

SNAPFINGER WOODS SANITARY SEWER ACCESS ROADS

May 9, 2013 Advisory Issue Date June 9, 2013 Advisory Close Date

This advisory is issued to inform the public of a receipt of an application for a variance submitted pursuant to a State Environmental Law. The Public is invited to comment during a 30 day period on the proposed activity. Since the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) has no authority to zone property or determine land use, only those comments addressing environmental issues related to air, water and land protection will be considered in the application review process. Written comments should be submitted to: Program Manager, Non Point Source Program, Erosion and Sedimentation Control, 4220 International Parkway, Suite 101, Atlanta, Georgia 30354. Type of Permit Application: Variance to encroach within the 25-foot Sate Waters Buffer. Applicable Law: Georgia Erosion and Sedimentation Act O.C.G.A. 12-7-1 ET seq. Applicable Rules: Erosion and Sedimentation Control Chapter 391-3-7. Basis under which variance shall be considered {391-3-7.05(2) (A-K)}: A Project Location: This project is located on the section of Snapfinger Woods Drive that is bounded by Rayburn Road to the west and Shell Bark Rd to the east near the city of Lithonia, GA. Specifically, the site is located in land lots 8 & 9 of the 16th district & land lots 128 & 129 of the 15th district, in DeKalb, Georgia. The proposed construction will include the installation of permanent gab surface course sanitary sewer system access roads on both tracts of land. Project Description: The proposed site conditions will include the installation of 16ft heavy duty gravel road inside of a 20 proposed access easement. The surrounding site conditions will not be altered from the existing. All disturbed non-roadway areas and landscaping will be replaced in kind. Abandoned drives will be planted with approved materials and converted to wetland mitigation areas. County and state buffer encroachments will be required for sanitary sewer maintenance road access in order to gain access to different parts of the property that contain the overall sewer main. The Public can review site plans at 1580 Roadhaven Drive Stone Mountain, Georgia 30083. Phone 770-621-7272.

An advertisement for bids will be posted in The Cham pion Newspaper in midMay and all Invitation to Bid documents will be made available via the Districts solicitation website at http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/ solicitations for your consideration. The District currently contemplates site visits in early June and anticipates closing the bid process in early July. If a successful bidder is selected, the District would like to close on said prop erties as early as August 2013. A more detailed schedule of events will be provided in the formal Invitation to Bid documents. For more information on this upcoming competitive sealed bid process, please contact Gloria Johnson at 6786761444 or [email protected]. k12.ga.us.

The Champion Free Press, Friday, May 24, 2013

BUSINESS

Page 16A

Worthmore Jewelers is among the businesses opening their doors to ArtWalk participants during the Decatur Arts Festival Memorial Day weekend. Photos by Kathy Mitchell

Art is on exhibit at the store all year round.

Looking forward to arts festival, jewelry store owner calls art and jewelry perfect complements
forward to festival weekend and celebrating with the Decatur residents who have supported Worthmore from day one. Worthmore Jewelers specializes in one-of-a kind jewelry and has two designers who create pieces for the two stores. We also have estate jewelry, which is very popular right now, he said. Worthmore offers wedding, commitment, and engagement rings, watches, bracelets, earrings, necklaces, silver and custom work. Botnick, who said he became interested in jewelry because theres always something new to learn about it, noted that he seeks to make the store an enjoyable place to shop by creating fun and a little weirdness. What really makes us stand out is our positive team and family spirit. Everyone who works here is as devoted as they would be if they owned the store. They work to deliver wow through the level of service they provide, he said. Apparently customers agree. Since Worthmore opened its first ___location in 1994, it has since been voted Best of Atlanta by several publications, Best to Do Business With, and one of the top five design stores in the United States.

Watches and necklaces, some from estate sales, are among Worthmores merchandise.

by Kathy Mitchell [email protected]

every year, according to an announcement from Worthmore. As DeKalbs county seat Owner Harris Botnick is celebrating the 25th annu- said, Art and jewelry are al Decatur Arts Festival Me- natural complements. After morial Day weekend, Worth- we moved into our Decatur more Jewelers will celebrate ___location, we started putting five years on the downtown work of local artists on the Square. Worthmore will be walls and changing it four among the businesses weltimes a year. It fit so well coming ArtWalk participants that we started doing the during the festival. The Art- same thing at our original Walk portion of the event store in midtown. invites festivalgoers to stroll Botnick said he and his among local businesses and wife opened the midtown institutions that stay open store 20 years ago, but late to greet visitors with wanted a Decatur ___location small art exhibits and often as well. This was the first snacks. spot we looked at and it was Worthmore Jewelers will perfect, but another business have an early Memorial Day was here already. We decidcookout Friday evening, ed this was where we wantMay 24, 6-10 p.m., featured to be so we waited until ing live music from Uncle it was available, he said of Daddy and the Kissin Cous- the East Court Square locains Junkyard Jug Band, food tion. provided by Colbeh Persian Decatur is a nice tight Kitchen & Bar and cold community that fits our imdrinks. age. I like to say Decatur is Bringing local artists and a hip version of Mayberry, their work to restaurants, he said, referring to the ficeducational institutions tional warm, friendly small and retail shops is part of town of The Andy Griffith the ArtWalk tradition and Show. Its an incredible Worthmore will have an art community that has supportexhibit featuring Jimmy and ed us from the moment we Marlene Hopkins Creative opened our doors. Its hard Creations. Their unique to believe its already been mixed media sculptures five years. made from reclaimed matePeople here love having rials are beautiful and ecolocally owned businesses friendly, keeping thousands and theyre really supportive of pounds of scrap metal and of each other, Botnick said, other items out of landfills adding that he always looks

From left, Rachel Reuter and Anela Terzic say they enjoy working in the friendly family-like atmosphere at Worthmore.

Owner Harris Botnick shows an example of the stores one-of-akind jewelry pieces.

Michael Logan, left, shows a couple the stores ring collection.

DeKalb Chamber of Commerce

The Voice of Business in DeKalb County

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

The Champion Free Press, Friday, May 24, 2013

LOCAL NEWS
Ramblers, a roots-oriented group playing original and cover tunes that blend traditional, country, folk, rock, blues, and bluegrass styles; Bonaventure Quartet, which plays swaying, jazzy, Reinhardt/Grappelli gypsy-inspired music; Frankies Blues Mission, which plays blues, jazz, R&B, and Zydeco; and Delta Moon, described as where sinuous Mississippi blues meets the gritty backwoods twang of Appalachia. Kids Arts FestivalThe Kids Arts Festival will be May 25, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., primarily at the Decatur Recreation Center, however, it kicks off with a parade that begins at 9:30 a.m. at Commerce Drive and Church Street. Marching begins at 9:50. Parents are urged to dress up their youngsters and decorate their strollers, bikes and trikes. After the parade, there will be arts and crafts, music, balloons, juggling, clowns, inflatables and much more. Most activities are free or for a small donation. Decatur Recreation Center is located at 231 Sycamore St. Fine Arts Exhibition Already under way, the annual juried Fine Arts Exhibition will be open through June 2. The exhibition features works from more than 60 artists and is held at Agnes Scott Colleges Dalton Gallery, 141 E. College Ave., within walking distance from the weekend festival. It will be open May 24, 2-10 p.m. and May 26 and 27, noon 6 p.m. There will be a closing reception June 2, 4-6 p.m. Theater and Literary Arts Festival Book signings, comedic and musical performances, and storytelling and theater and literary arts open to the public free of charge during the Decatur Arts Festival. The Decatur Library auditorium will be the site of pre-festival author readings and book signings. New Dance Festival This year the New Dance Festival offers classes and performances in the dance studio at the Decatur Recreation Center Saturday, May 25, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday, May 26, 1-5 p.m. Decatur Recreation Center is located at 231 Sycamore St. Other Memorial Day weekend events In DeKalb County, there will be many other places to celebrate Memorial Day weekend, May 25 27, both in commemoration of lives lost in military service and as a time of fun and fellowship with family and friends. Here are two others: Stone Mountain Park celebration Stone Mountain Park will again host a variety of family events while honoring the sacrifices of Americas military heroes over the Memorial Day weekend. Billing itself Atlantas largest Memorial Day weekend celebration, the Stone Mountain Park event again will bring a variety of entertainment as well as solemn tributes. This year, the park celebration will feature country music concerts on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. The headliners are The Charlie Daniels Band and Colt Ford. Those who have attended the parks laser show have heard the Charlie

Page 17A

on participatory art as well as demonstrating and performing arts at venues throughout Decatur. All events are free. Memorial Day was founded 145 years ago to honor those who gave their lives in service to their country and the significance of the day hasnt been forgotten at the festival. On Sunday, May 26, at 3 p.m. the Decatur Civic Chorus will give a concert at First Baptist Church of Decatur that features special tributes to all who have served this country from the Revolutionary War to the present conflict in the Middle East. A media presentation will salute the United States and the Decatur Civic Chorus members and their families. The program will be dedicated to Dawn Thomas, a long-time member of the chorus, whose husband, sister-in-law, and five sons all served in the Armed Forces. Founded in 1948, the Decatur Civic Chorus is one of the oldest continuing choral groups in the Southeastern United States. First Baptist Church of Decatur is located at 308 Clairemont Ave. Other events visitors will find at this years Decatur Arts Festival include: Artists Market The Artists Market, open Saturday and Sunday, will feature more than 160 artists selected through a competitive jury process. The annual market is known for its high quality of artwork and attracts artists from across the Southeast and beyond. Some festival favorites will be returning and many new artists have joined the Artists Market this year. The works of several accomplished area artist guilds are featured, including collections from Georgia Goldsmiths Group, Callanwolde Clay Guild, Atlanta Glass Guild and Atlanta Printmakers Studio. ArtWalk Friday, May 24, 5-10 p.m. all around Decatur, local shops, restaurants, and educational institutions host free exhibitions and receptions. Attendees can visit the local businesses that have invited an artist or have displayed a collection of art. Many offer complimentary food and beverages. This years participants include Agnes Scott College, Art Institute of AtlantaDecatur, Farm Burger restaurant, Little Shop of Stories, Seen Gallery, Wild Oats and Billy Goats, Trinity Mercantile and Design, Worthmore Jewelers and more. Artwalk is free and open to the public. Performing Arts Stage There will be performances Saturday and Sunday at the Community Bandstand in Decatur Square. Saturdays performers will include ConunDrums, an all-women drumming group; Swamp Funk Quartet, a group that describes itself as at the crossroads where funk, soul, and blues come together; Nicole Chillemi, a local singer who brings her unique interpretation to favorite jazz tunes; Jacob Jeffries, a Florida band plays original songs reminiscent of the Beatles and Tom Petty but with their own unique style; and Shawn Mullins, a Grammy nominee with Decatur roots. Sundays performers BooHoo

Arts Continued From Page 1A

Daniels Bands signature song The Devil Went Down to Georgia, which is part of the show. Ford, who calls himself a country music rapper, is best known for his anthems and downhome lyrics. He just released his fourth album Declaration of Independence, featuring the single Back, which is his highest charting single to date. Other country artists who will perform over the weekend are Rose Falcon, Eric Paslay, Alex Hall, Doug McCormick and J.J. Lawhorn. Concerts are free with paid parking all three days of the event. As in past years, in addition to the parks regular attractions, each day concludes with the Lasershow Spectacular in Mountainvision followed by special patriotic fireworks set to honor the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces. Stone Mountain Park and USA Cares, a nonprofit organization that assists post-911 veterans, have teamed up to host Bryan Anderson speaking on his inspirational personal journey. While serving in the Army in Iraq, Anderson was injured by an improvised explosive device that caused him to lose both legs and his left hand. He will be sharing his story during scheduled speaking engagements all three days of the event. In addition, more than a dozen active duty service members will participate in an allmilitary Naturalization Ceremony Saturday, May 25, at 11 a.m. on the Memorial Hall Terrace. Throughout the Memorial Day weekend, military ID holders will be offered special deals including discount on food, beverageand merchandiseitems. For more information, call (770) 498-5690 or visit www.stonemountainpark. com. Elks Lodge annual Memorial Day Flag Retirement Ceremony The Atlanta-Northlake Elks Lodge 78 each year reminds Americans of the proper way to dispose of a U.S. flag. The Federal Citizen Information Center of the U.S. General Services Administration, states, When a flag is so worn out that it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner. For the seventh year, the Legionnaires and Eagles will hold their annual flag retirement ceremony. The event will be held at the Elk Lodge headquarters, 1775 Montreal Road in Tucker, May 25, starting at 10 a.m. It is designed to demonstrate the proper method of disposing of worn American flags and provide area residents a way to dispose of their tattered or torn flags. The public is invited and encouraged to bring their worn American flags for disposal at the ceremony. This years program will include local Boy Scouts leading our Historic Parade of Flags.Lunch will be provided free to those wearing a military uniform or who show military ID. The meal is available to others at a breakeven price. For more information, call (770) 908-0835.

Correction
In the May 2, 2013, issue of The Champion Free Press, the article titled Dorsey Brooks: A Tucker High School legend still active at 98 had an error. The sentence should have read, He told the teachers to seat their students in alphabetical order so that no bias could be seen.

We apologize for the error.

The Champion Free Press, Friday, May 24, 2013

EDUCATION

Page 18A

Olympians help students run in the classroom

by Andrew Cauthen [email protected] bursts of three to five minutes to get kids up and moving and ready to learn again, Brown said. Some third-graders at Mary Lin They are running next to the Elementary School took a break athletes in a virtual track and field from their studies May 16 to exercise event, Brown said. with two Olympians. In the programs, the Olympic Ashton Eaton, who won a gold athletes lead the children in stretchmedal in the decathlon in the 2012 ing exercises to warm up and then Olympics, and Queen Harrison, a the virtual athletes compete in the hurdler and sprinter who competed events. in the 2008 Olympics, visited the The teacher can control the outschool to promote physical activity come, Brown said. So based upon during school. how the students are runningif The Olympians demonstrated they are exerting a lot of energy, they GoNoodle (www.gonoodle.com), an get first place and a gold medal and online suite of interactive games for if theyre not, they get second or kids that are all about bringing phys- third. ical activity in the classroom to get GoNoodle, a free resource, was kids up and moving, said Reagan launched in March and already is Brown, vice president of business being played in classrooms in all 50 development of HealthTeacher, the states. company that developed GoNoodle. All teachers need is Internet acIt stimulates learning, increases cess, a projector and a computer or movement and improves behavior. smartboard, Brown said. One game, Run With Us, was Eaton said, After seeing it firstdeveloped in partnership with the hand, I think its really good. I dont track and field foundation and it know anything about the statistics features Olympic medal athletes as far asit helping test scores, but leading kids through a series of track I do know that its good for being and field events, running next to the well-rounded in general. desk, jumping next to the desk, doWhether it helps test scores or ing hurdles next to the desk in short learning in general, I think it doesnt hurt, Eaton said. Dr. Brenda Fitzgerald, Georgias public health commissioner, said GoNoodle is a tool that could support the goals of Georgia Student Health and Physical Education (SHAPE) Act, which requires each local school district to conduct an annual fitness assessment program for all students enrolled in state public school physical education classes taught by certified physical education teachers. What were going to do is make sure that there are 30 minutes of this kind of activity every single day and the aim is every day, every school, every kid in Georgia, Fitzgerald said. Interestingly enough, if you dont exercise, not only do you get stiff and you dont feel good physically, but you cant learn, Fitzgerald told the students. Francheska Starks, a teacher at Mary Lin, said GoNoodle gives students an active break in the classroom. A lot of the time they are seated for most of the time that we are doing group work and independent work. It allows them a chance to get physical and active just for a few minutes, Starks said. It helps their blood flow better, I think, and theyre able to focus better when they go back to doing their work in their seats. Ive found it very beneficial. They really look forward to it, Starks said. Students at Mary Lin have P. E. three times a week and recess daily. So they are outside, but I think when its the colder months or its a rainier month where they dont get outside as often, its good to have this as an opportunity for them to get physical in the classroom, Starks said. Maddux Campbell, 8, said the program is a really good way to get people active in the class and its fun. We normally dont do a lot of running in our class, she said. We normally do that in P. E. I also like just being able to do the different games that they have. My favorite part of the program is the long jumping. Mark McClain, 9, said GoNoodle is a good way to learn that running isnt just a fun thing to do. It helps your body also. I like GoNoodle.

Top left, Olympic hurdler Queen Harrison, and top right, Olympic decathlon gold medalist Ashton Eaton lead Mary Lin Elementary students in classroom exercises. Photos by Andrew Cauthen

The Champion Free Press, Friday, May 24, 2013

EDUCATION
Dunwoody Elementary joins reading world record attempt
This summer, more than 960 students at Dunwoody Elementary School will try to set a world record for reading. They are participating in the Scholastic Summer Challenge, a global literacy program designed to prevent summer reading loss by encouraging students to read for the world record. During the summer-long challenge, Dunwoody Elementary students will compete for top reading honors with schools around the world by logging as many reading minutes as possible from May 6-Sept. 6. The top 20 schools logging the most minutes will be listed in the 2014 edition of the Scholastic Book of World Records. Last year, more than 4,000 schools participated in the challenge, logging more than 95 million reading minutes. The Scholastic Summer Challenge is a great way to encourage our students to read as much as possible during the summer months, while giving them a fun incentive to compete against other schools across the country, said Dunwoody Elementary teacher Lauren Long. Our goal is to expose more kids to the joy of reading and, of course, we also want to try to make it into the Scholastic Book of World Records top 20. To learn more about the program, visit www.scholastic.com/ summer.

Page 19A

Frank Brake, plant engineer at Dunwoody Elementary School, with fourth grade students, from left, Sierra Tianyvu, Anna Zhao, Justin Kaufman, Daijah Kelley, Jasiah Daniel and Justin Nettles.

Dunwoody Elementary names Auxiliary Staff Member of the Year

Frank Brake has been named Dunwoody Elementary Schools 2012-2013 Auxiliary Staff Member of the Year. Brake has worked for DeKalb County for 7.5 years and at Dunwoody Elementary as a plant engineer since July 2009. An integral part of the Dunwoody Elementary family, Brake is an extremely dedicated and hard worker and is loved by all, according to a statement from the school. Mr. Brake is one of those employees that goes above and beyond and is available to assist everyone with a smile on his face. He keeps the school running smoothly and efficiently. Mr. Brakes work philosophy is, If you are not going to do it right, dont do it at all. And one can be certain that when a task is performed by Frank Brake, it is done right.

DEKALB COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION 3rd PUBLIC BUDGET HEARING FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2014 Monday, June 3, 2013 TIME
12:00 p.m.

Students in Robin Hollis third grade class

LOCATION

Vanderlyn kindergarten teacher recognized

Georgianna Hendrickson, a kindergarten teacher at Vanderlyn Elementary School in Dunwoody has been chosen as one of Georgia United Credit Union & Star94 Radios Top Five Teachers Make a Difference award winners. As part of Georgia United and Star94s commitment to stronger schools and stronger communities, this educational credit union and metro Atlanta radio station teamed up to reward teachers who make a difference in the lives of students and their parents. Hendrickson was recognized with a reception and lunch at which she received a $500 cash prize and a $250 prize for her school. Other teachers recognized include Avid Holbrook and Klare McKee, both of Dunwoody Elementary School.

J. David Williamson Board Room Administrative & Instructional Complex 1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd. Stone Mountain, GA 30083

Citizens interested in reviewing a detailed copy of the program based budget may do so by visiting the DeKalb County School District website at www.dekalb.k12.ga.us.
FOR INFORMATION, CALL THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AT 678-676-0069.

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 11, 2013, 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 two calendar years, the total dollar amount of ad valorem taxes proposed to be levied for the current year and levied in the immediately preceding two 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 two preceding years of assessed taxable values, taxes, and changes to report. Assessed Value Taxes Levied % Change $ Change 2011 2012 2013proposed $99,233,165 $95,086,670 $125,777,273 $496,165 $475,433 $628,886 100% - 4% 32% $ 496,165 - $ 20,732 $ 153,453

J. Lynn Rainey, PC, 358 Roswell Street, Suite 1130, Marietta, Georgia 30060; (770) 421-6040 Attorney for CID - State Bar No. 592350

Page 20A 

The Champion Free Press, Friday, May 24, 2013

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The Pryor twins:

by Carla Parker [email protected]

The Champion Free Press, Friday, May 24, 2013

SPORTS

Page 21A

Competitive nature leads to track state title for Cedar Grove

of 24.50 points at the state meet. She won gold in the 800-meter run and in the 400-meter run, edging Like many siblings, Christian out her sister by .55 seconds. Kayla and Kayla Pryor grew up said she wasnt upset about losing competing against each other. to her sister in the 400-meter. In swimming, bike riding, arm I was happy for her, she said. wrestling, basketball and even At the end of the day she is my cooking, the twin sisters are always sister and my teammate. trying to find ways to outdo each Kayla won gold in the other. 300-meter hurdles. The sisters Weve always been teamed up with Latoya Harze and competitive against each other, Nylah Littles in the 4x400-meter Kayla said. relay to take the gold medal over But their competitive spirit has Blessed Trinity. Kaylas win in the led to success, most recently on 300-meter hurdles put Cedar Grove May 11 when they led the Cedar up 74-70 with the 4x400-meter Grove High School girls track relay remaining. The twins also and field team to the 2013 GHSA won a silver medal with the 4x100Class AAA State Track and Field meter relay team. title. The twins combined for four Although Christian and Kayla individual medals and two relay began their track careers in the medals to help Cedar Grove win seventh grade, they have been the state title. racing each other since they were Cedar Grove girls track and children. field coach Quanisha Smith said When we had field day in the twins were a major part of the elementary school we would race teams success this season. each other, Kayla said. Without those points, winning They both said that Kayla was state wouldnt have happened, she faster of the two in their younger said. years but Christian is now the The twins said they just did faster Pryor twin. The two said their jobs. they realized they were talented I knew the field event sprinters when they were in the [participants] did their jobs the ninth grade. That same year, they first day of competition so I knew joined the Jaguar Track Club, a the runners had to do their jobs DeKalb County track club, and the second day, Christian said. It since then they have gotten better at wasnt anything big. I just had to go their craft. out there and run. They were both awarded I felt the same way she did, track scholarships to Tennessee Kayla added. State University and hope to lead Christian had an individual high Tennessee State to a championship

Kayla (left) and Christian Pryor combined for four individual medals and two relay medals to help the Cedar Grove High School girls track and field team win the Class AAA state title.

title as well. Were also looking forward to going pro, they said. The twins said they plan to try out for the 2016 summer Olympic Games. Even with their competitive

nature the twins have are close and a strong bond. We are really close but then again we do argue a lot, Christian said. But we dont let anyone come between us.

Redan moves on to semifinals after sweeping Locust Grove

unior Miles Fore led the hit parade for the Redan Raiders as they scored 24 runs on 24 hits in a Class AAAA quarterfinal sweep of the Locust Grove Wildcats at Locust Grove May 14. Fore went 4-6 at the plate with six RBIs and a triple in the two games to lead six players who drove in two or more runs on the day as Redan won 11-1 and 13-3 to advance to the semifinals. A two-out rally in the top of the first inning in game one was a sign of things to come for the Raiders against the Wildcat pitching staff. Wesley Jones doubled with two outs and Brandon Baker followed with a single to send Jones to home plate for the early 1-0 lead. The Raiders would finish the inning with a 3-0 advantage as Fore hit a two-run single with the bases

loaded to start his day. Centerfielder Joseph Graves came running in on a blooper just over the infield in the bottom of the first and made a diving catch for the third out and saved a run to preserve the 3-0 lead. The lead was still 3-0 in the third inning when the Wildcats made errors that proved costly with a triple over the right fielders head into the corner to push the lead to 5-0. Redan got a three more runs in the fourth as Baker drilled a two-run double in the gap to give the Raiders a comfortable 8-0 lead. Raider pitcher Corderius Dorsey allowed just one run and three hits in the game, two of the infield variety in the fifth inning that
See Redan on Page 22A

Redans third baseman Miles Fore hit a single in the second inning of game two of the state semifinals against Troop County.

The Champion Free Press, Friday, May 24, 2013

SPORTS
Druid Hills swim team. Terry did double duty competing on the cross country team that made the state meet and on the soccer team which advanced to the Sweet 16. A pair of tennis players were at the top of their class at Lakeside in valedictorian Stephanie Pham and salutatorian Paul Choi. The pair helped their respective teams to state tournament appearances this spring. Another sweep of top honors came in the Southwest DeKalb magnet program in the form of valedictorian Brittany Williams (lacrosse/cheerleading) and salutatorian Kristen Peagler (soccer). Williams was part of a Southwest lacrosse team competing on the varsity level for the first time. The team just missed out on reaching the state playoffs in its first season. Peagler is a record-setting performer on the soccer field as she scored a DeKalb County record 55 goals this season to break her own record of 50 from a year ago. Valedictorian Brittany Burnett (tennis/volleyball) and salutatorian Maiya Smith (cheerleading) are being recognized as the top two honorees at Stephenson. Tucker High also boasts a

Page 22A

Senior DeKalb athletes collect top academic honors for 2013

by Mark Brock Twenty-three senior DeKalb County School District athletes are receiving the highest academic honors in their classes as they graduate this week. There are 50 valedictorian and salutatorian honors at the 19 DeKalb County School District High Schools, including magnet programs at Chamblee, Columbia and Southwest DeKalb. Ten athletes led their 2013 classes as the valedictorians and 13 earned salutatorian honors, showing they could perform in the classroom as well as in athletics. These athletes account for 46 percent of the top academic awards for 2013. Twelve of the 14 sports sponsored by DeKalb County were represented in this group. Tennis led the way with five representatives followed by soccer and cross country with four each and volleyball and golf contributed three honorees each. Seven athletes participated in two or more sports during the school year, which is impressive because to the practice and competition time eating into the athletes study windows. Arabia Mountains magnet program had three athletes earn top academic honors including valedictorian Charles Akin-David (soccer) and co-salutatorians Asier Isayas (soccer) and Tyrus Wheeler (tennis). Senior golfer Sarah Kuranga earned top honors in the magnet program at Columbia. The valedictorian is a three-time DeKalb County girls golf champion and earned three trips to the state tournament, including a top six finish in 2012. The Columbia resident valedictorian was Shykeena Blanton, who was part of the Lady Eagles volleyball team. A third athlete took the resident salutatorian as football player Xavier Howard was one of two DeKalb football athletes to earn top academic accolades. Athletes swept the honors at Druid Hills as Anna Dowling was named valedictorian and Jason Terry earned salutatorian recognition. Dowling participated in the Class AAAAAA Cross Country State Championships, the state sectionals in track and also on the pair of athletes at the top of the academic ladder in the graduating class in valedictorian Andrew Melissas (cross country) and salutatorian Aniya Hamilton (basketball/volleyball). Hamilton was part of the volleyball team in the fall that reached the Sweet 16 with a 29-15 record and then over the winter was the second leading rebounder for the 25-5 girls basketball team that reached the Elite Eight. Miller Groves James Moody tied for 12th in highest batting average for DeKalb County during the regular season hitting at a .441 clip. He also kept up with academics as he will step to the podium as the Wolverines valedictorian. Other honorees include Cedar Grove co-salutatorian Joshua Heard (football), Chamblee resident salutatorian Kevin Reagan (golf), Cross Keys valedictorian Ranulfo Ramos-Santos (cross country/track), Lithonia salutatorian Ashlee Gutheridge (tennis), McNair salutatorian Terrence Dixon (baseball), and Towers salutatorian Jasmine Carruth (swimming).

Redan Continued From Page 21A

led to a bases-loaded walk to Johnny Shoemaker to plate Locust Groves only run of the game. While reliever Darian Osby came in to pitch the final two innings for Redan, the Raiders added a run in the sixth on a RBI single by Jones and a sacrifice fly by Graves to make the final of 11-1. Osby struck out four of the seven batters he faced to close out the first game win. Locust Grove got out to a quick start in the second game, jumping to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning on a passed ball and a RBI single by Shoemaker. Redan answered as Trega Williams singled to left, sending Graves to home plate and trimming the lead to 2-1. Locust Grove took a 2-1 lead into the bottom of the third. Williams got an infield single off the end of his bat to score James Nelson to knot the game at two. Following a walk to Bacari Gayle to load the bases, Fore stepped to the plate with another big opportunity. He promptly hit a liner into left-center field, driving in his fifth and sixth runs of the day. The hit gave Redan the lead for good at 4-2. Redan struck for six runs in the fourth as Jones delivered a two-run triple and Dorsey lined a shot down the left field line for a two-run double to give the Raiders a commanding 10-2 lead. Jones added another RBI in the fifth as his single scored Graves to make it 11-2. Locust Grove pushed a run across the plate in the top of the sixth before Osby closed the door with a strikeout and a fly out to leave the bases loaded with Wildcats. Redan closed out the game in six innings as Nelson slapped a two-out, bases loaded single to score two runs to end the game by the 10-run rule. The Raiders (26-6) hosted Troup County (21-11) in the Class AAAA semifinals on May 20. The series is tied at one. Redan won the first game 9-8 after Williams hit a 3-run homer in the seventh inning. Troop County rebounded and won the second game 4-3. The two teams faced off in game three on May 21. The winner moves on to the state finals.

Redan pitcher Brandon Baker prepares to throw a pitch in game two of the state semifinals against Troop County.

The Champion Free Press, Friday, May 24, 2013

SPORTS

Page 23A

Westminster came back from a two-point deficit to defeat Decatur 6-5 in the semifinals of the lacrosse state playoffs.

Decatur lacrosse falls to Westminster in state semifinals

Carla Parker [email protected] Down by one with a minute left in the game, the Decatur High School lacrosse team fought to tie the score at six to send the game into overtime and keep its championship hopes alive. But Westminster Wildcats defense shut down Decatur and its championship goal. The Decatur Bulldogs lost 6-5 on May 14 to Westminster in the semifinals of the state tournament. Decatur had beaten Westminster 10-7 during the regular season, but Westminster avenged the earlier loss and later defeated Northview 8-4 in the state title game. Decatur had a 4-2 lead in the second quarter, but Westminster tied the game at four before half time. Westminster took a 5-4 lead early in the third quarter before Decatur tied the game at five. But Westminster took a 6-5 lead in the fourth quarter and Decatur was unable to score again. Decatur finished with an 18-3 record, 16-2 in the regular season.

Page 24A 

The Champion Free Press, Friday, May 24, 2013

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