FreePress 11-20-15

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C HA MP IO NN EW SPA PE R C HA MP IO NN EW S CHAMPIONNEWSPAPER CHAMPIONNEWS

by Andrew [email protected]

Approximately 100residents attendeda town hall meeting

Nov. 16 to discuss DeKalbCounty’s form of govern-

ment.DeKalb County SuperDistrict 6 CommissionerKathie Gannon hosted thetown hall meeting, titledBlueprint II, to launch acitizen study of local govern-ments to guide elected of-ficials.

Gannon said her goal isto enlist “a new group of citi-zen leaders…who will tacklethe form of government andtalk about it,” Gannon saidduring the meeting held atthe South DeKalb SeniorCenter on Candler Road. It

will not be a charter com-mission, but it’s more likely

a way to help us prepare tounderstand and participate

if the charter commissionmoves forward…in the next

legislative session.”Gannon called the meet-

ing because “the dysfunctionand corruption in DeKalbCounty requires citizensto consider changes in theDeKalb form of govern-ment,” she stated in an an-

nouncement. “Governmentis supposed to be of thepeople, by the people and forthe people. DeKalb citizensmust be actively involvedin choosing their form ofgovernment. It cannot beimposed by politicians or se-lected by experts.”

Gannon said she is infavor of “reviewing and im-proving our form of govern-ment, but I think we shouldlook before we leap. We needto understand how changingthe form of government willcorrect the problems. What

thechampionnewspaper.com F REE P RESS FRIDAY, novembeR 20, 2015 • voL. 18, no. 32 • FREE

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

Thousands of dollarsdonated for annualThanksgiving dinner

Hosea Helps held its annual “The Great Turkey Drop Off” at the DeKalb County Jail.

Kroger donated 500 turkeys and $10,000 to Hosea Helps.

Residents meet to discuss new county blueprint

by Carla [email protected]

Hosea Helps, formerlyknown as HoseaFeed the Hungry,

kicked off the 2015 Festivalof Services with its annualThe Great Turkey Drop

Off ” Nov. 12 at the DeKalbCounty Jail.

Kroger, Publix, WadeFord and the Ford MotorCompany and the law firmKanner and Pintaluga madedonations to the organiza-ion to help prepare for the

Hosea Helps Thanksgivingdinner at the Georgia WorldCongress Center Nov. 26 andother holiday events.

Before the annualThanksgiving event, HoseaHelps uses DeKalb County

Jail’s kitchen to prepare thefood. DeKalb County SheriffJeff Mann said the jail hasembraced the opportunity tohelp the community’s disen-franchised.

“For more than 15 years,traditional holidays havecome to mean somethingspecial for our officers andstaff,” Mann said. “We lookforward to each year hostinghundreds of volunteers andstaff who come to our kitch-en and prepare the mealsfor the tens of thousands ofmen, women and children aspart of their outreach pro-

gram.”Afemo Omilami, COO

of Hosea Helps, said thetheme for this year is “HoseaStrong All Year Long” paint-ing out Hosea Helps servesthose in need all year, not just on holidays. He also saidthe Thanksgiving event is foreveryone to attend.

“This is not just for thosewho don’t have or in need,”

See Hosea on Page 15A

See Blueprint on Page 15A

LocAL, 2A LocAL, 3A eDUcATIon, 16A

Business ................................ 18A

Education..........................16-17A

Sports ...............................20-23A

Opinion ......................................5A classifd .............................. 19A

QUIck FInDeRFAmILY FILes LAwsUITIn oFFIceR-InvoLveDshooTIng

gRADUATIon RATesspIke In DekALb

DUnwooDY hosTs AnnUAL veTeRAnsDAY pRogRAm

Residents place pins on a county map to show where they reside. Photo by Andrew Cauthen

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The Champion FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, November 20, 2015 LOCAL Page 2A

by Ashley Oglesby [email protected]

Veterans are especially honored andemembered on Nov. 11 for their serviceo the United States, a tradition that be-

gan in commemoration of the formal endo World War I in 1918.

his year to celebrate the holiday,hundreds of people gathered in Dun-woody’s Brook Run Park for the city’s an-nual Veterans Day Program.

Outgoing Mayor Mike Davis said,As I often tell my family, hanksgiving

and November are my favorite times ofhe year–when we give thanks for ourreedoms.”

He added, “oday is Veterans Daywhen we give thanks to the people whoprovide that freedom and fight for ourreedoms.”

he colors were presented by Dun-woody High School Air Force ROC

enior cadets led by Lt. Col. KennethBennett; the Pledge of Allegiance wased by Commander Loren Cook ; the

national anthem was performed by theDunwoody High School chorus, led bydirector Mark Lamback ; and the prayerwas led by Rev. Jeff Reams of Saint Luke’sPresbyterian Church.

Dunwoody Police Department Lt. Michael Carlson, executive officer forhe Georgia National Guard and former

United States Marine Corps (USMC) ser-geant, was the guest speaker.

Carlson served in the USMC reserverom 1994 until 2000. After receiving

honorable discharge, he focused his ca-eer in law enforcement.

“We all have different stories, differ-nt backgrounds and different experi-nces, however, we all take an oath—an

oath that can possibly lead up to end ofour life for this great nation,” he said.

In April 2009, Carlson began workingor the Dunwoody Police Department ashe administrative sergeant and later be-ame the shift sergeant on night patrol.

He said, “I took an oath and adoptedix more core values: service, integrity,ourage, professionalism, respect andeamwork.”

In 2010 he began attending officerandidate school through the Georgia

Military Institute and received his com-

mission in December 2012. In the sameyear he received his master’s degree inpublic administration from ColumbusState University.

“his young man has accomplishedmore in a short lifetime than most of usould in a full lifetime,” Cook said.

Last year Carlson was deployed inupport of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Carlson said, “When I patrol thesetreets I keep those core values in

mind…. I embrace them the same wayadopted the Marine Corps values in994 and current army values I tookoday. he other 51 officers that patrolhese streets also embrace those core val-

ues. Please know that you are protectedwhether you live, work or play within theity of Dunwoody.”

Dunwoody hosts annual Veterans Day program

Community leaders, veterans and supporters gather at the annual Dun-woody Veterans Day ceremony.

Dunwoody High School choral ensemble, directed by MarkLamback, performs the National Anthem.

Dunwoody High School Air Force JROTC senior cadets pres-ent the colors.

Command Sergeant Major Simon Jonesserved in the United States Army for 30years.

Rev. Jeff Reams has been on staff with Dun-woody Baptist Church since 2002.

Dunwoody Police Department Lt. MichaelCarlson served in the United States MarineCorps Reserve.

Dunwoody Mayor Mike Davis welcomes gust to the celebration.Loren Cook served with the U.S. Army inVietnam from 1967 to 1968.

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On Veterans Day, the

amily of Anthony Hill fileda wrongful death lawsuitagainst the DeKalb CountyPolice officer who shot andkilled the unarmed veteran.

“We are pursuing a civilaction, not only for the leg-acy of Anthony Hill, but forhe future of veterans—for

better treatment for veteransand for the future of Ameri-ans,” said Atlanta attorney

Christopher Chestnut.Hill, 27, an Air Force

veteran from Chamblee,was shot and killed March

9 by DeKalb County PoliceOfficer Robert Olsen, whoesponded to a call about

a man acting “deranged,”knocking on apartmentdoors and crawling on theground, Cedric Alexander,deputy chief operating offi-er for public safety, stated in

a March news conference.“Unfortunately, Officer

Olsen of the DeKalb CountyPolice Department shot andkilled Anthony Hill whowas unarmed, who was dis-obed…who had no weap-

ons, had made no threaten-

ng statements to OfficerOlsen and to date there hasbeen no justification for this,”Chestnut said.

In October, a grand juryould not decide whether toecommend an indictment

of Olsen “because there wereontradictions and incon-istencies in the testimonies

presented.” he grand juryecommended that the case

be investigated further to aidDeKalb County District At-orney Robert James’ deci-ion to pursue the case.

James has stated that hehas “serious concerns” abouthe case.

“We hope that the dis-rict attorney will file murderharges against Officer Olsenor his unjustified, unlawful,

unnecessary and certainlyxcessive force,” Chestnutaid.

Hill, who was a veteranof the war in Afghanistan,returned home with post-raumatic stress disorder andwas] bipolar,” Chestnut said.

“Statistics show that 10

percent of Americans sufferfrom some type of psycho-logical disorder,” Chestnutsaid. “We need specialized

training of police officers inencountering the mentally ill.

“he frontline [respond-ers] for mentally ill patients,when they have mental dis-order episodes, are the po-lice,” he said. “Many [policedepartments] have acknowl-edged this and have special-ized training for officerson how to engage, interactand deescalate instances ofmentally ill disorder. DeKalbCounty did not havethat.

“Our lawsuit,we hope, will bringattention to this mat-ter,” Chestnut said.

He said thefamily initially was“trying to let thecriminal process takeits course, but whenthe civil grand jurycould not reach aconsensus, the fam-ily decided to file thelawsuit.”

“here hasn’tbeen an indictment,”Chestnut said. “Of-ficer Olsen has not

been arrested. Heshould be. his was murder.here was no justification forthis shooting. Anthony Hillwas unarmed. He was notaggressive. He was not angry.He was having a psychologi-cal episode.

“Officer Olsen had back-up coming. he only excusefor him using lethal force ishe has to feel that his life…isin imminent danger. If he feltthat his life was in imminentdanger, then he never shouldhave gotten out of his police

car. “Officer Olsen had aaser. Officer Olsen had anASP baton. Officer Olsenhad a pepper spray. He hadmany alternatives to pullinga firearm and shooting An-thony Hill once in the neckand once in the chest.

Hill’s mother, CarolynBaylor Giummo, said, “Ifmy son was here, we wouldreally be celebrating VeteransDay.

“I’m sad because he’s nothere, but I’m also thankful

Family files lawsuit inofficer-involved shooting

for the veterans who foughtfor us,” Giummo said.

“A lot don’t come backthe way they go,” she said.

Giummo said she doesn’tconsider Olsen to be “crook”or “bad cop.”

“I just say he made amistake that he has to be ac-countable for,” Giummo said.

Chestnut said the officeris “a dangerous man” and “athreat to the safety of citizensof DeKalb County.”

During his seven-yeartenure, Olsen has had five

complaints filed againsthim—“all of them allegingthat he has an aggressive at-titude toward citizens.

“his was a boiling pointthat culminated in…An-thony Hill’s death,” Chestnutsaid. “It was preventable.his is a bad cop. his is acriminal with a badge and agun.”

Chestnut said the familyis “prayerful and cautiouslyoptimistic” that charges willbe filed against Olsen.

Earlier this year protestors demand justice in the police-involved shoot-ing Anthony Hill, who was naked and unarmed at the time.

Hill was an Air Force veteran.

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he Boys and Girls Clubplayed a big role in forminghe man Derrick Williams isoday.

His experience growing

up in southwest Atlanta iswhy Williams tries to be apositive role model for chil-dren.

“If it wasn’t for thosecommunity-made programs

definitely wouldn’t havefound myself in college,” heaid. “I came from a single-

parent home and that stillexists for many of the youthoday. Not only is it impor-ant to try to create a positive

male role model for the kids, but we need to try to... lead

them into the right way sothey can make the best deci-sions in terms of creating agreat future for themselves.”

Williams, who lives in

Dunwoody, tries to be a posi-tive role model for childrenthrough his hobby as a refer-ee for youth and high schoolfootball. He has refereedgames for 24 years. He beganofficiating games in NorthCarolina while in college. Henow officiates high schoolgames in DeKalb County andAtlanta, and youth footballgames across metro Atlanta.

“I work as a full-timeaccountant, but officiating

is still a hobby for me,” Wil-liams said.

Williams said the bestpart about officiating youthfootball games is being able

to interact with the players.“When you officiate,

you pretty much stick withthe same teams—from ages6 through 12—and you getto see the players’ develop-ment,” he said. “I get to in-teract with the coaches andthe fans. I’ve always playedfootball and it’s the next bestthing for me to actually beingout on the field and puttingon equipment myself. I justabsolutely love being around

the game.”Williams does other

community work with Ome-ga Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.Williams said it is important

that everyone try to be a pos-itive figure for children.

“I think it’s importantthat everyone gets involvedto try to raise these kids,” hesaid. “It’s not just contingentupon what goes on in thehome, but also contingent onwhat goes on outside of thehome.”

DERRICK WILLIAM

If you would like to nominate someone to be considered as a future Champion of the Week, please contact Andrew Cauthenat [email protected] or at (404) 373-7779, ext. 117.

y Ashley Oglesby [email protected]

Pam allmadge took her placen Dunwoody’s city council Nov. 9fter being sworn in at the start ofhe meeting. allmadge ran unop-osed in the Nov. 3 election for the

District One At-large council seatacated earlier this year by Denishortal who ran for, and won, the

mayor’s race.“his is a huge opportunity,” she

aid.he Colorado native first moved

o Dunwoody during her junior yearf high school and attended Dun-

woody High School where she took

part in Student Government Asso-ciation and Model United Nations.

allmadge later moved to Athensto attend the University of Georgiawhere she majored in music educa-tion but returned to Dunwoody withher husband to raise their three chil-dren.

For more than 25 years all-madge has been involved with edu-cation efforts throughout the state.

She’s worked in DeKalb CountySchools for five years, co-authoredthe charter for what is now PeachtreeCharter School, served as presidentfor Dunwoody High School’s Na-tional Parent eacher Associationand currently works as the executive

assistant for Charter System Founda-tion.

She said, “Education is a highpriority for me.”

allmadge said some of her ef-forts as council woman will be insupport of state Rep. om aylor’sHR-4 bill, which would allow cit-ies such as Dunwoody to form theirown school systems.

he proposed bill, aims to allowlocal control of education dollars andmanagement of personnel and cur-riculum.

allmadge said the process forHR-4 will “take some time.”

She said, “Regardless, it’s impor-tant we work closely with DeKalb

County Schools. If we don’t havea good education system in Dun-woody via our own or DeKalb; ifour [schools] are not strong; peoplearen’t going to move here or do busi-ness here.”

allmadge is known for hercommunity involvement and vol-unteerism including serving asco-chairwoman for events such asDunwoody’s fourth of July paradeand Light Up Dunwoody. She’salso a member of the DunwoodyHomeowners Association and is co-chairwoman of the Education andWorkforce Development Commit-tee for the Dunwoody Chamber ofCommerce.

Dunwoody welcomes new councilwoman

City Councilwoman Pam Tallmadge was elected Nov. 3 to the post vacated by the current mayor-elect Denny Shortal.

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Th chamio FRee pRess, FRIDAY, novmbr 20, 2015 OPINION Page 4A

It started with a problemwith a computer at worknd ended with me walkingackwards with my hands inhe air toward three cops, ateast one o whom had hisun drawn.

It was Nov. 3 approxi-mately 11:30 p.m. at TheChampion Newspaper ’s o-ice. I had come to the oiceter covering the elections. I

wasn’t supposed to be there;he plan was or me to helpinish up the paper remotelyt home. But a coworker’somputer malunctioned andhe was unable to access itemotely to lay out the pa-er. So that meant me goingo the oice. I was the onlyerson in the whole oice

omplex.When entering the o-

ice at 11 p.m. I accidentallyet o the alarm because obattery problem with theeypad. I was able to stop thelarm and go about my busi-

ness getting the paper out.Approximately 30 minuteslater while on the phone witha coworker, when I gradu-ally became aware o yellingin the hall. he voices said,“Decatur Police! Come out!”I opened my oice door andyelled, “I’m coming out withmy hands up.” I carried myphone with me—my cowork-er was still on the phone.

I walked down the hallslowly toward the cops until

I was directed to turn aroundand walk backwards to thethree cops. As I turned I no-ticed that one oicer had hisgun drawn. Beore reachingthe oicers, I was told to putmy phone on the loor andput my hands behind myhead. I complied. An oicerasked to search me. I agreed.hey told me they had re-ceived a call rom the alarmcompany and that when theyarrived a door that I didn’tuse was unlocked. heyasked or my ID and reasonor being in the oice com-plex at night. I told them Iworked or The Champion and was covering the elec-tion. hey asked or com-pany ID. I walked with them

toward the back o my oiceto get my ID which was inmy bag.

In my oice, an oicerasked what I presume mayhave been a test question:What was the outcome o

the cityhood vote? O courseI knew the answer and said,“ucker passed, LaVista Hillsdidn’t.”

One oicer, presumablythe team lead or the inci-dent, gave me his businesscard and inormed me that Icould call the police depart-ment i I had any questionsabout what had happened.hen they let.

A lot o thoughts wentthrough my mind as I waswalking backwards in abuilding with just me andthree cops, one with his gundrawn. I’ve written lots ostories about police-involvedshootings in which a Blackmale is killed, sometimesseeming unjustly. As I

walked toward the gun, Iknew I had done nothingwrong and I hoped that thethree cops were reasonable,good cops and not like thoseon my wall o shame in myoice. I knew that my only

hope and appropriate courseo action was to cooperatewith the oicers as my par-ents had taught me.

I didn’t protest the drawngun, or the act that theydidn’t knock on my oicedoor, or ask me i I was OK.I didn’t protest the act thatI elt like they treated melike a suspect irst and askedto search me. I didn’t askwhether a proessional look-ing White man would havebeen treated the same way. I just cooperated; I wanted togo home.

he incident was a littlescary, and I can see how itcould have easily had a nega-tive outcome, particularlyor me. But this time the o-

icers were proessional andrespectul and I was coopera-tive. hat’s the only way wecan decrease police brutalityand inappropriate oicer-involved shootings.

@AndrewChampNews

Andrew [email protected]

Managing Editor

It could have ended badly

I recently took a break rom my regular newsources (as I sometimes do) and here is what Iearned rom watching about 30 minutes o themainstream” news. First, “terrorists” are goingo destroy our way o lie in the near uture. Sec-

ond, both Democrats and Republicans will sayalmost anything to get elected. hird, someone’sunny cat video on Youube went viral. Andastly, Wolf Blitzer’s beard hasn’t grown since theast time I tuned in.

Now don’t get me wrong, these stories de-erve some attention–well, maybe not Blitzer’s

beard–but I’d like to take a break rom the nor-mal 24/7 news cycle to share with you (on a seri-ous note) a recent issue that’s been important tome both personally and proessionally.

I was pleasantly surprised recently when

read the Supreme Court’s recent decision oRiley v. California, which held that it is uncon-titutional to search a person’s cell phone simply

because he or she is being arrested (also knownas a “search incident to arrest)”. In my opinion,Riley is immensely important because it coulddetermine the constitutionality o searches in-volving new electronic devices in the oreseeableuture.

In Riley , the namesake deendant was pulledover or an expired tag. he police arrested Rileyand then searched his cell phone without a war-ant nearly 90 minutes later. he government

argued at trial that a warrant was not requiredbecause the search was done “incident to ar-est,” to prevent evidence rom being destroyed.

Previously, the Supreme Court has upheld suchearches or this reason, correctly in my opinion,or this reason and also to protect oicers or pre-

vent an escape.Fortunately, the Supreme Court disagreed

with the government and, in a very well-writtenopinion, outlined how it will likely interpretconstitutional rights in the context o new tech-nologies in the uture. he gist o the court’sreasoning is the commonsense recognitionthat “smartphones” are no longer merely usedto make phone calls. hey can be a camera, a video/audio recorder, a diary or a picture album.Moreover, they’re requently used to make pur-chases, browse the Internet, view a bank state-ment or email riends or amily. I think that Riley recognizes the basic notion that invading o allo these personal aspects o a person’s lie is un-acceptable based solely on the act that he or sheis being arrested–at least get a warrant irst.

I spoke about Riley at this year’s DragonConevent, and I’ve talked with many people about

this and similar issues in years past. I’d like toshare a ew observations based on my experi-ence that I think Riley highlights. he irst is thebasic idea that everybody, whether they admitit or not, has some an inner sense o liberty, jus-tice and privacy. Additionally, I believe that it ismuch easier to browbeat or suppress these traitsin people than it is to oster them.

We need to be more careul in the uture thatas we continue innovating newer technologieswe don’t alienate ourselves in the process. “Civilliberties” is not a catchphrase or a partisan issue.hey are something that universally increasespeople’s enjoyment o lie, and our soldiers ightwars or this belie. And I would point out, asa practical matter, ostering these uniquely hu-

man traits helps induce personal development,maturity and a more cohesive and productivesociety. Riley implicitly recognized these truthsand I hope that we’ll see more cases like it in theuture.

GUESS EDITORIAL

When can the police search your cell phone?

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Let Us Know What You Think!

THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS encour-ages opinions from its readers. Pleasewrite to us and express your views. Lettersshould be brief, t ypewritten and containthe writer’s name, address and telephonenumber for verification. All letters will beconsidered for publication.

Send Letters To Editor, The Champion Free Press, P.O. Box 1347, Decatur, GA 30031-1347; Send email

to [email protected] • FAX To: (404)370-3903 Phone: (404) 373-7779 . Deadline for newsreleases and advertising: Thursday, one week priorto publication date.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The opinions written by colum-nists and contributing editors do not necessarilyreect the opinions of the editor or publishers. ThePublisher reserves the right to reject or cancel anyadvertisement at any time. The Publisher is notresponsible for unsolicited manuscripts.

Publisher: John Hewitt Chief Financial Ocer:Dr. Earl D. GlennManaging Editor:Andrew CauthenProduction Manager:Kemesha Hunt Photographer:Travis HudgonsSta Reporters:Carla Parker, Ashley Oglesby

The Champion Free Press is publishedeach Friday by ACE III Communications,Inc., • 114 New Street, Suite E, Decatur,

GA. 30030 • Phone (404) 373-7779.

www.championnewspaper.com

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F REE P RESS

STATEMENT FROM THE

PUBLISHERWe sincerely appreciate thediscussion surrounding this and anyissue of interest to DeKalb County.The Champion was founded in 1991expressly to provide a forum fordiscourse for all community residentson all sides of an issue. We have nodesire to make the news only toreport news and opinions to effect

a more educated citizenry that willultimately move our communityforward. We are happy to presentideas for discussion; however,we make every effort to avoidprinting information submitted tous that is known to be false and/orassumptions penned as fact.

Vive La France

Bill Crane

[email protected]

Columnist

ONE MAN’S OPINION

“It was unknowable then,ut so much o the progresshat would define the 20thentury, on both sides o

he Atlantic, came downo the battle or a slice oeach only 6 miles long andmiles wide.”—President

Barack Obama at the 70thnniversary o the D-Daynvasion along the shores o

Normandy, France.Te people o France

re America’s longestlly. General LaFayette,close riend o George

Washington, was arench aristocrat who

ed his troops during ourRevolutionary War to

everal major strategicattle victories. Washingtonommissioned prominentrench architect, Pierre

L’Enant to designWashington, D.C, ournation’s capital, and the State

Liberty was a gif rom theeople o France to America

n 1886.In 1944, the Allied D-Day

nvasion on the beaches oNormandy, led by Americanorces in one o the deadliestattles o World War II,urned the tide and beganhe take-back o France

nd western Europe romccupying Nazi orces. Inhe decades since, relations

have chilled somewhat withhe various governments France, leaving onlyeterans and those with long

memories a strong embrace that deep kinship andupport o the most basic

precepts o liberty. PresidentJohn F. Kennedy ollowedFrench efforts into Vietnam,and in the generation since,the ocean which separates usonly seems to have widened.

Yet ollowing the recenthorrific attacks on civiliansin Paris, and the promptclaim o responsibility byISIS, there are both parallelsand broad differences worthnoting in the Americanattacks o 9/11/2001.

Instead o attackingsymbols o Americangovernance, hubris andthe corridors o power,ISIS chose to seed broaderears, by attacking multiplelocations simply because

they had large gatheringso people, and one obviousstrategic target, whichincluded the past and currentpresidents o France.

U.S. intelligence, air strikesupport and other assistancehave already been offered,and will, o course, be gladlyaccepted. But, as Hitler

learned with the repeatedbombing o London andthe United Kingdom, airstrikes alone in many cases

dampen spirits, but theydo not always break will orresolve. It was the groundinvasion o France thatcaused its temporary all.

Conventional warare,as we have come to know it,may not be the only path to victory over this insidiousenemy who also attemptsinfiltration rom within; buti deending their own flanks,ront doors, homesteads andamilies, they would be abit more than preoccupiedrom planning and

implementing vast overseasand international operationssimultaneously.

In the decades sinceVietnam, our world hasshrunk, many borders haveallen, but political divideshave ofen pushed even theclosest traditional alliesto opposing sides. FrenchPresident Hollande leadsa Socialist government inFrance, a nation well urtherdown a path o governmenttaking a much moreintensive and extensive rolein the lives o its everyday

citizenry. Tough Hollandehas been a longtime critico U.S. oreign policy,particularly during both oour conflicts in the MiddleEast, that same president isnow proposing amendmentsto the French Constitutionwhich may temporarilysuspend certain civil liberties

and extend the reach andmonitoring by the Frenchgovernment and lawenorcement to boundaries

not even attempted by theU.S. Patriot Act.

Desperate times anda climate o ear ofenchange the rules o politicalengagement. Many o thewords and messages selectedand directed by Hollandemore than slightly echo a ewo the more cowboy remarksand post-9/11 utterances oormer U.S. President GeorgeW. Bush.

We should considerand take this opportunity,

much as the 9/11 attackstemporarily galvanized andunified our nation, to rebuildthe bond with the people oFrance. With Syrian reugeesand other matters o similarconcern, we should bettershare intelligence, militaryresources, and outside thenormal theater o politicaldebate, consider what it willtake to wipe our commonenemy off the ace o theplanet.

I suspect it will not besimply drone strikes andmore significant air sorties.

One can only hope asAmerica’s leaders moveorward and we voters selectour next commander-in-chie that we again select apath o vigilance and strongdeenses, to prevent another9/11 here, and to prevent aneven larger swath o Americato end up, like the most

successul cultural export oFrance to the states, beingFrench ried.

God Bless America and

Vive Le France!

Bill Crane also serves asa political analyst and com-mentator for Channel 2’s Ac-tion News, WSB-AM News/ Talk 750 and now 95.5 FM,as well as a columnist for TheChampion, Champion Free

Press and Georgia Trend.Crane is a DeKalb nativeand business owner, living inScottdale. You can reach himor comment on a column [email protected].

Th chamio FRee pRess, FRIDAY, novmbr 20, 2015 OPINION Page 5A

Reader response

Dear Ms. Gay,

Thank you for your recent opinion

piece. You are not alone. I too am

disgusted about the amount of trash

strewn around DeKalb County. While

walking my dog I oen pick up cans andboles, which may be thrown out bymy neighbors, and include them in my

household recycling. However, given

the widespread corrupon I cannot fullytrust that these items are really recycled

or wind up in a landll. Perhaps one dayour fellow cizens and county ocialswill do the right thing. Awareness and

civic pride must come from the top on

down.

Good day,

Barry Burnet

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AROUNDDeKalbAvondale EstatesCity collects donations for Mayors’Christmas Motorcade

Avondale Estates is collecting items for theannual Georgia Municipal Association’s May-ors’ Christmas Motorcade. he event providesholiday gifts for patients in hospitals run by theGeorgia Department of Behavioral Health andDevelopmental Disabilities (DBHDD). It alsoraises awareness for DBHDD programs and pa-tients.

Donations of new and unwrapped gifts willbe accepted. Donations of wrapping paper, rib-

bons and bows also are needed. Cash donationsalso will be accepted. Checks should be madepayable to: GRHA Patient Benefit Fund. Gifts ordonations will be accepted at Avondale EstatesCity Hall until Dec. 1.

BrookhavenCity offers new app for residents

Brookhaven residents can now report publicworks and code issues via “Brookhaven Con-nect,” a free smart phone app for residents toreport non-emergency problems such as pot-

holes, code violations or sidewalk issues. he apps currently available for iPhone and Androidphones.

Residents also can report problems via theiraptops or desktop computers with the app.

“Brookhaven Connect” is not intended for is-sues that need to be addressed immediately. Fordowned trees across roads, traffic signals on flashor “dark,” or downed stop signs, residents shouldcall the Public Works department’s main numberat (404) 637-0540 and press “1” to connect tothe on-call staff. Residents should call 911 for al lpublic safety emergencies that require police, fireor EMS.

Decatur

Commissioner to host 17th annual Tree ofLove program

DeKalb County District 3 CommissionerLarry Johnson will kick off his 17th Annual reeof Love on Nov. 21.

he ree of Love is a holiday initiative toassist DeKalb children who, because of theircircumstances—foster care, single-parent, low-ncome households—may not receive Christmas

gifts. Since the beginning of this initiative atSouth DeKalb Mall in 1999, more than 9,000

children have been “adopted” through the reeof Love.

he kickoff for the event will be Saturday,Nov. 21, beginning at noon at the Gallery atSouth DeKalb Mall, 2801 Candler Road, Decatur.

he community, business owners, organizations

and churches are invited to come out and take achild’s name from the ree of Love. Gifts will bedue back by noon on Saturday, Dec. 19, when theannual ree of Love Christmas program will takeplace, also at South DeKalb Mall.

Donors can contact the commissioner’s officenow to adopt a child.

Any individuals and groups interested inshowcasing their talents and participating in theChristmas Program at the ree Of Love Wrap-Up on Dec. 19 can contact Johnson’s office at(404) 371-2988 or email [email protected] for more information.

Commissioner holds economicdevelopment forum

On Nov. 6 DeKalb County Commissioner

Larry Johnson sponsored “Renaissance 2.0 Eco-nomic Development Forum: Breaking throughHow We See Our Community” at the Porter San-ford III Performing Arts & Community Center.

he purpose of the forum was to foster a vi-sion of bringing beautification, commercial development and economic empowerment to Dis-trict 3 through education, economic incentivesand coordination among community groups.

At the forum, several developers discussedhow to attract new businesses to the community.Additionally, a group of community residentspitched their ideas of what they would like tosee in the community and why DeKalb County’sDistrict 3 is a place that is ready for an economic

emergence.More than 150 residents who registered forthe event had the opportunity to network withbusiness owners, vendors, county officials andpotential employers.

Third annual turkey giveaway scheduled

he third Annual urkey Giveaway for needyfamilies in DeKalb County is scheduled forSaturday, Nov. 21, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in theparking lot of the Galleria at South DeKalb Mall,located at 2801 Candler Road, Decatur.

his event is sponsored by DeKalb CountyCommissioner Larry Johnson and DeKalbCounty NAACP Branch/Women in NAACP.

Last year more than 465 turkeys were do-nated to families in need ranging from youngpeople to senior citizens. he goal this year isto exceed last year’s goal and that each family inneed receives a free turkey.

For more information, contact Johnson’s of-fice at (404) 371-2988.

CountywideCommunity organization to host open micand elect board

he South DeKalb Improvement Associationwants to hear from residents and businesses ofSouth DeKalb about local issues, concerns andpriorities. hat’s why the organization is dedicat-ing a portion of its Nov. 21 general meeting for

public comments.

he meeting will feature an open forum oncode compliance, economic development, educa-tion, housing, public safety and other topics thatfall under the group’s service umbrella. Duringthe meeting, there will be an election for theboard of directors.

he meeting is Saturday, Nov. 21, 9:30 to11:30 a.m. at Berean Community Center, 2440Young Road, Stone Mountain. he meeting isfree and open to everyone.

he South DeKalb Improvement Associa-tion (SDIA) is a nonprofit, nonpolitical, 501c3organization with a mission of giving the resi-dents of South DeKalb a voice and platform inaddressing common issues.

For more information about the organiza-tion, or to invite SDIA to speak to at a meeting of

a homeowners or association, civic organization,church or group, email [email protected].

County changes deadline for garbage andrecycling container collection procedure

he DeKalb County Sanitation Division hasextended the compliance deadline for servicingthird-party or customer-provided garbage andrecycling containers. Effective immediately, allgarbage and recycling containers placed at thecurb on residents’ designated collection day, in-cluding customer-provided containers, will beserviced until Dec. 31.

Only county-issued garbage roll carts andrecycling containers will be serviced when full

implementation of the new procedure takes ef-fect Jan. 1, 2016. Customer-provided yard trimmings contain-

ers are exempt from this new procedure. he useof secure, durable plastic bags for excess garbagedisposal is permitted with this procedure.

Residents not in compliance after Dec. 31will not be serviced, and will be issued a noticeadvising of the use of an unauthorized garbage orrecycling container.

Customers who do not have a county-issuedgarbage roll cart, or would like to join the re-cycling program and obtain a county-issued18-gallon recycling bin should contact the sani-tation division’s customer service team at (404)294-2900 or [email protected].

Phase II of the sanitation service change pro-gram, which will focus on recycling, is expectedto begin in late November. Recycling roll cartswith a 65-gallon capacity will be available duringPhase II for a one-time $15 fee. More informa-tion on Phase II will be provided in the comingweeks.

For program updates or more details aboutthe sanitation service change, including a com-prehensive list of frequently asked questions,contact the sanitation division’s customer serviceteam at (404) 294-2900 or [email protected], or visit the “Rolling Forward toOne” program website at www.rollingforward-toone.com.

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A year-old DeKalbCounty law requiring publicestrooms to be kept cleaneceived an update Nov. 10.

The DeKalb CountyBoard of Commissionersvoted unanimously Nov. 10n favor of renewing andtrengthening its restroom

ordinance.Commissioners Stan

Watson and Kathie Gan-non worked with a 10-per-on county task force led by

Dale Phillips, director of theounty’s human development

department, to craft a moreffective ordinance, whichlarifies enforcement provi-ions relating to restrooms in

bad repair.The stated purpose of

he ordinance is to regulateestroom facilities “to pre-

vent the nuisance of publicestrooms by prohibiting thexistence of such restroomsn a state of bad repair ando promote the maintenance

and availability of properlyunctioning restrooms.”

As provided by the up-date, businesses, stores, offic-s, DeKalb County buildings

and parks are required tokeep restrooms in adequateanitary conditions. Resi-

dents may report violations

to code enforcement officerswho can issue warnings orultimately fine violators.

The revised ordinancealso allows the DeKalbCounty Board of Health toinspect the restrooms closestto the cafeterias in schools.

“During a review by theBoard of Health when theygo in for their check of thecafeterias, they will also makea check of restrooms closestto the cafeteria,” Phillips said.“And if there is an issue, theywill make a note of it andthey will report that to an of-ficial of the school and workwith code enforcement and

the school” to address theproblem.For other restrooms in

schools, students or other re-stroom users can report defi-ciencies to code enforcement.

“We will make a note ofit and code enforcement willtake action as well,” Phillipssaid.

Dr. Tom Keating , found-er and coordinator of ProjectCLEAN–Citizens, Learnersand Educators Against Ne-glect, said he has been work-ing for 21 years on improvingschool restrooms.

In addition to focusingon restrooms in the DeKalband Decatur school districts,he has worked with repre-sentatives in 20 states, India,

Ireland and Germany.“After 18 years it dawned

on me that I should betalking about all kinds ofrestrooms, because a kidwho leaves school goes to alibrary…a park, a recreationcenter and a swimming pooland a MARTA station,” Keat-ing said.

The DeKalb restroomordinance is “strengthenedand clarified” by the update,Keating said.

“It has clarified the en-forcement,” he said. “It hasbuilt the capability that wenow have to have an educa-tion and an awareness…here

in the county that sanitationis important.”Keating said, “For the last

year we have had an ordi-nance that has helped bringabout a better quality of lifeby decreasing the number ofrestrooms that have been inbad repair.

“This year we have madesome improvements on thatordinance and continue todiscuss [the issue],” Keatingsaid.

The ordinance updatepassed one week beforeWorld Toilet Day, a day de-clared by the United Nationsto recognize that approxi-mately 2.4 billion people whostill lack access to a toilet.

by Ashley Oglesby

[email protected]

hree teenagers arrestedin connection with the deathof 25-year-old Shaneku Mc-Curty have been indicted onmurder charges.

DeKalb County DistrictAttorney Robert James an-nounced at a Nov. 10 newsconference that DemonteGrant, 15, Jermaine Grant,16, and Cameron Williams, 16, each have been chargedwith murder and aggravatedassault. hey will not face thedeath penalty but each is fac-ing life sentences.

Each suspect is chargedwith one account of malicemurder, two counts of felonymurder and two counts ofaggravated assault.

According to law en-forcement, the three suspectsapproached McCurty outsidethe Chevron Food Mart atRedan Road and South In-dian Creek Drive on Oct. 23in an attempt to steal her car.McCurty resisted and wasshot.

James said it was not an

easy decision.“Our office takes no plea-

sure in indicting juvenilesor children as adults. heseare very serious crimes thatthese young men have been

charged with. hese arealways tough decisions forus but these senseless actsof violence—this tragic lossof life–begs for a response,”James said.

He added, “I don’t thinkthere are any winners in acase like this. Our hearts goout to Ms. McCurty’s family.We will keep them in prayerand seek justice on her be-half.”

Physicians’ Care Clinic

Interested in volunteering?Medical professionals and others please contact [email protected]

or call (404) 501-7960.

The Physicians’ Care Clinic isthe oldest and largest volunteer-ledclinic serving residents of DeKalbCounty. We oer non-emergency,comprehensive primary medicalcare that includes chronic diseasemanagement and educaon servicesto low-income, uninsured adults whoare not eligible for Medicaid.

Check our website for paenteligibility requirements, applicaon,clinic locaon, and hours at www.physicianscareclinic.org or call (404)501-7940.

County’s clean restroomordinance gets an update

Teens indictedfor murder

n update to the county’s clean restroom ordinance gives code enforcement ofcers the authority to issuewarnings or nes. File photo

James

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SMELL GAS? ACT FAST!

Natural gas is a colorless, odorless fuel, but for safety reasons, a

chemical odorant sometimes described as a “rotten egg” smell is

added, making the presence of gas detectable.

IF YOU SMELL THIS ODOR:

• Alert others and leave the area

immediately.

• Leave the door open as you

exit.

• Avoid touching anything that

may cause a spark. This

includes starting a car engine

or using cell phones, lighters,

matches, cigarettes, flashlights,

light switches or landlines.

• Go to a phone away from the

area and call Atlanta Gas Light

or 911.

Natural gas odors should be reported right away. Do not try to locate

the source of the smell.

If you smell natural gas, call Atlanta Gas Light at 877.427.4321.

atlantagaslight.com© 2015 AGL Resources Inc. All Rights Reserved. AGL-13310

by Carla [email protected]

Brookhaven city employees could see a 3-percentraise if the proposed 2016 budget is approved.

he 2016 proposed budget includes a cost of livingand/or a merit increase of 3 percent of employee com-pensation. he cost to Brookhaven taxpayers $131,000.

Brookhaven Financial Director Carl Stephens saidat a budget public hearing that there is no increase inthe cost of city-provided medical and other insurancebenefits for city employees. here is also no change incarriers or benefit coverage.

he 2016 proposed budget is $32.7 million, with aprojected general fund of $20.7 million, a 5.1 percentincrease from the $19. 5 million general fund in 2015.

he millage rate for the general fund is projectedto remain the same (2.74 mills), which was adopted by

the city council in June. Stephens said the general fundproperty taxes revenues are projected based on a 3 per-cent growth in the city’s tax digest.

“his represents an additional $193,000 in propertytax revenues above 2015,” he said.

he millage rate for the special tax district is projected to rise to 6.45 mills, as projected in the initiationof the taxing district due to the annexation of the Chil-dren’s Healthcare of Atlanta property.


A DeKalb County Superi-or Court judge has put ethicsproceedings against DeKalbCounty Commissioner Sha-on Barnes Sutton on hold.

On Nov. 5, DwightTomas, Sutton’s attorney,filed court document askinghe judge to “restrain [the]

DeKalb County Board ofEthics from exceeding its ju-isdiction and to declare thesection of the county ethicsode] to be an unconstitu-ional delegation of powernd to be a nullity pursuanto the repeal by House Bill

97.”House Bill 597, approved

by DeKalb voters on Nov., changes how people arehosen to serve on the ethics

board. Currently, the makeupof the board is decided byounty commissioners andhe county CEO.

Under House Bill 597,

ethics board members willbe chosen by the DeKalbBar Association, the DeKalb

Chamber of Commerce, theDeKalb legislative delega-tion, the judge of the DeKalbProbate Court, LeadershipDeKalb, DeKalb colleges anduniversities, and the chief judge of DeKalb SuperiorCourt.

Te bill also took awaythe ethics board’s power toremove elected officials fromoffice.

“Unless restrained theaction of the DeKalb CountyBoard of Ethics will chill andimpact the constitutionalityprotected due process rights

of the petitioner,” states courtdocuments filed by Sutton’sattorney.

In her petition, Sutton“seeks an order invalidatingSection 22A” of the county’sorganizational act, thecounty code of ethics thatestablishes the ethics board.

“Te rules of procedure of

the DeKalb County Board ofEthics are unlawful.”

Te court petition asked

for “an order restraining” theethics board from conduct-ing any “purported ethicshearing.” Sutton’s attorneyalso asked a judge to declarethat the “creation of theDeKalb County Board ofEthics is an unconstitutionaldelegation of power.”

DeKalb County Supe-rior Court Courtney John-son granted a stay in thecase, ordering that the ethicsboard” shall hold no hearingson any complaint against[Sutton] that was pendingbefore Nov. 3, 2015,” pending

a further order by a judge.In September the ethics

board found probable causeto have final hearings for theethics complaints againstSutton and her aide, JudyBrownlee, who are bothaccused of misusing countyfunds.

Judge halts ethics proceedingsagainst commissioner

Pay raises for city employeesincluded in proposed 2016Brookhaven budget

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by Kathy Mitchell

Soon after becom-ng Callanwolde Fine Arts

Center’s executive directorPeggy Johnson set a goal tobring more music educationo the center. Not only hashe made scholarships andraining available to large

numbers of area youth, buthis month the GRAMMYs

will have a presence at Cal-anwolde.

he National Academyof Recording Arts and Sci-nces (NARAS) of the Unit-d States, the organizationhat presents the GRAMMY

Awards, also operates theGRAMMY Foundation,which works year-round

o promote and encouragemusical achievement amonghe nation’s young people.

Among its activities areGRAMMY Camps at whichhigh school students gain ex-posure to the music business.

Weekend GRAMMYCamp, “a one-day non-esidential music indus-ry experience where a small

group of students will gainan introduction to the busi-ness of music and how theyan become successful in it,”

according to the GRAMMYFoundation, is coming toAtlanta Nov. 21 and will behosted by Callanwolde.

“hese students are get-ing a rare and completelyree opportunity. We’re veryxcited that it’s coming to

Callanwolde,” Johnson said.She noted that Callanwoldes involved in a $2.1 millionapital campaign, much of

which is earmarked for ex-panding its new Rick BakerSchool of Music and MusicRecording.

“I’m a musician myself,”aid Johnson, who is NARAS

governor on the AtlantaChapter Board. “We’ve raisedmore than $1 million alreadyand are renovating an areaust for use in our new music

performance programs. Be-ore I came to Callanwolde I

knew it was one of the bestine arts centers in the South,

but I saw music education asan area I would like to en-hance. he GRAMMY Camps perfect fit with our current

goals.”Johnson said Callanwol-

de started a program in Janu-

ary in which students workwith Phil an, a three-timeGrammy winner, in musicngineering. Approximately

50 students have joined the

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The Mayor and City Council of the City of Chamblee, Georgia will hold a public hearing on Thursday, December 10, 2015, at the

Chamblee Civic Center, 3540 Broad Street, Chamblee, GA 30341 at 6:00 p.m. to receive public comments regarding the following

matters:

The City of Chamblee Mayor and Council proposes to amend the City of Chamblee Ordinances, Appendix A, Unified Development Ordinance Chapter 270 by

inserting a new Sec. 270-6(a)(6) and amending other related provisions of said Chapter as it pertains to continuance of non-conforming uses and

reconstruction of nonconforming structures following their destruction in whole or in part by any means except by willful act or deliberate omission of the

owner or tenant of such nonconforming building.

The City of Chamblee Mayor and Council proposes to amend the City of Chamblee Ordinances, Appendix A, Unified Development Ordinance, Section 240-

13 by adding a new sub-paragraph (f)(3) regarding Subdivision Recreation Centers (pr ivate) and to amend Chapter 250, Article 1 to amend the minimum off-

street parking requirements for Subdivision Recreation Area (private).

The City of Chamblee Mayor and Council proposes to amend the City of Chamblee Ordinances, Appendix A, Unified Development Ordinance, Section 300-

68 by adding a new sub-paragraph (c)(1) to provide for Certification language for certain plats that are approved administratively.

Travis Pruitt & Associates, LLC requests a variance from City of Chamblee Ordinances, Appendix A, Unified Development Ordinance, Section 250-2(a)(4) to

increase the maximum permitted number of parking spaces from 16 to 28 with respect to property located at 5000 Peachtree Boulevard being DeKalb County

Tax parcel 18-300-02-001.

Daniel A. Edwards requests approval of a Planned Unit Development in accordance with City of Chamblee Ordinances, Appendix A, Unified Development

Ordinance, Section 280-6 for the purpose of constructing 36 townhomes on 2.8 acres of property located on the following parcels in Chamblee GA: 4041 and

4047 Clairmont Rd.; 1961 Fifth St.; 1938 and 1962 Sixth St., being DeKalb County Tax parcels 18-279-05-001, 18-279-05-002, 18-279-05-003, 18-279-05-

010, and 18-279-05-011.

Matt Wilson of Wilson Development requests variances of the following provisions of the City of Chamblee Ordinances, Appendix A, Unified Development

Ordinance with respect to a lot consisting of 0.585 acres zoned Village Commercial located at 5485 Peachtree Boulevard, Chamblee, GA being parcel 18-

308-15-021:

1. Reduction in the required minimum number of off-street parking places as required in Sec. 250-2(a)

2. Reduction in the required minimum façade height of a building of 24 ft. located on a Storefront Street as required in Sec. 230-5(a);

3. Reduction in the required minimum interior floor-to-ceiling height of 18 ft. for a building located on a Storefront Street as required in Sec. 230-30(b)(1).

4. Relief from Sec. 350-2(c) that requires interparcel access to adjacent commercial, office or multifamily property.

5. Relief from Sec. 230-29(a)(2) that requires a sidewalk from the front of the building to the sidewalk adjacent to the street.6. Relief from Sec 250-22(2) that requires that dumpsters shall be placed a minimum of 5 ft. from property line.

Acadia Homes and Neighborhoods requests an amendment to the text of the adopted City of Chamblee Comprehensive Plan with respect to policies of the

Future Development Map pertaining to Character Area 10 – New Peachtree Road Industrial Area in order to make its proposed rezoning of property from IT

to VR for the development of 98 single-family attached dwelling units on 9.239 acres at 4959 New Peachtree Road consistent with the Future Development

Map as required in Section 200-6. This action is taken pursuant to the amendment procedures provided in Section 280-10 of the City of Chamblee

Ordinances, Appendix A, Unified Development Ordinance.

Acadia Homes and Neighborhoods requests approval of an amendment of the Official Zoning Map of the City of Chamblee pursuant to Section 280-5(a) of

the City of Chamblee Ordinances, Appendix A, Unified Development Ordinance in order to change the zoning classification of property containing 9.239 acres

at 4959 New Peachtree Road, Chamblee, GA being parcel 18-278-03-064 from Industrial Transitional (IT) to Village Residential (VR) for the purpose of

developing 98 single-family attached dwelling units.

Acadia Homes and Neighborhoods requests approval of a Planned Unit Development pursuant to Section 280-6 of the City of Chamblee Ordinances,

Appendix A, Unified Development Ordinance for the purpose of developing 98 single-family attached dwelling units on prope rty containing 9.239 acres at

4959 New Peachtree Road, Chamblee, GA being parcel 18-278-03-064 proposed to be rezoned from Industrial Transitional (IT) to Village Residential (VR).

Greg Mitchell requests a stream buffer variance for his property containing 0.65 acres at 2168 Capehart Circle, Chamblee, GA for the purpose of building a

deck within a stream buffer required in City of Chamblee Ordinances, Appendix A, Unified Development Ordinance, Section 310-19. The property is zoned

NR-1.

Bruce Runyan of Helix X Holdings, Inc. requests variances from the following sections of the City of Chamblee Ordinances, Appendix A, Unified

Development Ordinance to construct hangar buildings on property located at 3415 Hardee Avenue, Chamblee, GA that is zoned Airport (A) and contains 5.8

acres:

1. Section 230-2(a) to reduce the required minimum 10 ft. front yard setback for the purpose of building a delivery ramp in front of a hangar building.

2. Section 230-14 that limits the height of a fence in the front yard to 42” to construct a fence that is 6 ft. in height.

3. Section 250-22(2) that requires that dumpsters be placed in the rear yard in order to place a dumpster in the front yard.

Ilan Sklar requests a variance from Section 230-2(a) of the City of Chamblee Ordinances, Appendix A, Unified Development Ordinance, to reduce the

requirement minimum 25 ft. rear yard setback in the NR-1 zoning district to 7 ft. for an enclosed screen porch and to 5 ft. for an open deck attached to the

existing residence at 2098 Jordan Terrace, NE, Chamblee, GA being parcel 18-235-07-002.

Carl Burnett, agent for Chamblee Center, LLC, requests approval of a major modification to a Planned Unit Development for the Buford Center, 2014PUD-

003 pursuant to Section 280-6(c)(7) of the Unified Development Ordinance, Appendix A of the Chamblee Code of Ordinances. The application concernsconstruction of a proposed commercial and retail development on 3.41 acres of land zoned Corridor Commercial and located at 4900 Buford Highway

consisting of the following parcels: 18-281-01-001, 18-281-01-002, 18-281-01-003, 18-281-01-006, 18-281-01-007, 18-281-01-008, 18-281-01-009, and 18-

281-01-010.

GRAMMY Camp comes to Callanwoldeprogram and eight havereceived graduation certifi-cates.

More than 32 studentsfrom across the metropoli-tan Atlanta area had signedup for GRAMMY Camp bythe first week in November.Johnson said the camp willnot be able to accept morethan 50. Students do nothave to qualify for the camp;acceptance is on a first-come,first- served basis.

David Sears, executiveeducation director for theGRAMMY Foundation, saidthe foundation has been con-ducting 10-day residentialcamps in New York and LosAngeles for 11 years. he

program at Callanwolde willbe the second one-day, non-residential camp.

“hese provide an op-portunity to students inter-ested in a career in music tolearn a little more. If theyfind they are really inter-ested they can apply to thefull camp,” Sears said. “Mosthigh schools have a musicprogram that teaches per-formance but includes noth-ing about how the industryworks and how you becomepart of it. Everybody knowshow you become a lawyer—you go to law school; youpass the bar; you join a firmor set up a practice. Very fewpeople know how to launch a

career in music.”Johnson said she has

invited a panel of profession-als in the music industry tospeak at lunchtime duringAtlanta’s GRAMMY Camp.“hey will get to hear frompeople who earn their livingin the music business andlearn about aspects of thebusiness that they may nothave been aware of.”

Participants in Atlanta’sGRAMMY Camp will honetheir skills in three areas.Electronic music produc-tion for students who wantto learn state-of-the-artmethods of programming,editing, sampling and mix-ing on digital audio work

stations; vocal performancefor those who want to fo-cus on vocal techniques,background (live and re-corded) and lead singing;and audio engineering inwhich students can receivecomprehensive instructionon recording techniques, in-cluding mic technique, signalflow and sonic shaping bothin studio and live applica-tions.

Callanwolde Fine ArtsCenter is located at 980 Bri-arcliff Road, Atlanta. Formore information, visit www.callanwolde.org.

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Come celebrate the Grand Re-Opening of the

Refreshments will be served,along with a guided tour of our

newly renovated hotel.

2158 Ranchwood Drive • Atlanta, Ga 30345

DECEMBER 10, 2015

3:00 - 5:00 P.M.

Holiday Inn Atlanta Northlake

Grand Re-Opening Celebration


Former Dunwoody CityCouncilman Denis Shortal laimed the Dunwoody may-

or’s post on Nov. 3, defeating

he incumbent Mayor MikeDavis.

On the day of the elec-ion Shortal, a retired Marine

general said “From here onout it’s always going to beabout we; it’s never going tobe about me.”

Shortal said his first mis-

sion in office will be to “re-store positive leadership forthe city council and all thecitizens, enhance the attitudethat brings a mutual respectamongst all of us.”

o achieve this goal

Shortal said he will host atown hall meeting in Januaryand get feedback from resi-dents about what need to beaddressed.

“You know, it’s the samethings I’ve talked about thewhole time—open, positiveleadership and doing things

in front of the citizens, con-centrating on the core valueswhen we became a city,”Shortal said.

He said he will also focushis term on infrastructureand taking local control of

Dunwoody schools.he mayor-elect equated

his job over the next fouryears to that of an app devel-oper, comparing city govern-ment to a widget that needscontinual updates.

Dunwoody’s newmayor shares vision

Denis Shortal at the Dunwoody Veterans celebration event.ncoming Mayor Denis Shortal greets Dunwoody Police Department Lt. MichaelCarlson.

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he Supreme Court ofGeorgia ruled unanimouslyNov. 16 that the DeKalbCounty Superior Court mustdetermine whether formerDeKalb County schools Su-perintendent Crawford Lew-s testified truthfully against

his two codefendants.If it is determined that

he testified truthfully, Lewis’entence will be changedrom a year in prison to a

year on probation, as origi-nally agreed upon by stateprosecutors and Lewis’ attor-neys in a plea arrangement.

Former schools con-truction chief Pat Reid, her

ex-husband ony Pope, anarchitect, along with Lewiswere indicted by a grandury and charged with vio-ating Georgia’s Racketeernfluenced and Corrupt Or-

ganizations Act (RICO) and

elony theft by taking relatedo some school constructionprojects.

In a plea agreement withprosecutors, Lewis agreed to

serve as a key witness for thestate against Reid and Popeto avoid jail time. As partof the plea agreement, Dis-trict Attorney Robert James agreed to dismiss the felonycharges against Lewis in ex-change for his guilty plea toone misdemeanor count of hindering and obstructing

a law enforcement officer.In the agreement, prosecu-tors would recommend asentence of 12 months’ pro-bation, a $500 fine, and 240hours of community service.

At Lewis’ sentencinghearing, however, formerDeKalb County SuperiorCourt Judge Cynthia Becker,determining that Lewis didnot testify truthfully, rejectedthe agreement and sentencedLewis to serve a year behindbars. Lewis immediatelywas taken into custody and

Becker refused to considerbond. He spent three days in jail before being released onbond after his attorney filedan emergency motion in the

Court of Appeals.Writing for the Supreme

Court, Chief Justice Hughhompson stated whileBecker “implied that Lewismay have been less thantruthful, she made no writtenfindings to that effect, so thecase must be remanded.”

“Should the trial court

find after consideration ofthe record, the parties’ ar-guments, and the evidencethat Lewis did not testifytruthfully, Lewis will losethe benefit of the negotiatedsentencing agreement andthe court will be relieved ofits duty to impose the prom-ised probationary sentence,”the Supreme Court opinionstates. “If, however, the trialcourt determines on remandthat Lewis testified truthfully,the condition precedent tothe trial court’s obligation to

impose the probationary sen-tence recommended by theState will have been met andthe interests of justice andour decision in this appeal

will require the trial courtto sentence him accordingto the negotiated plea agree-ment.”

he Supreme Court’sopinion upholds a GeorgiaCourt of Appeals ruling thatby accepting the terms ofthe negotiated plea agree-ment, Becker had agreed to

sentence Lewis to probationinstead of to prison. How-ever, the Court of Appealsalso concluded that Lewiswas entitled to the negotiatedsentence only if he testifiedtruthfully at the trial of hiscodefendants, and that whileboth the state prosecutorsand Lewis’ attorneys claimedhis testimony had beentruthful, the trial judge ap-parently disagreed.

he Supreme Courtconcludes “that as a generalrule, where a defendant has

performed under the termsof a negotiated plea agree-ment to his or her detrimentin reliance on the trial court’sacceptance of the plea terms,

the trial court, like the pros-ecution, will be bound byits promises,” the opinionstates. However, if “the trialcourt found Lewis materiallybreached the plea agreementby failing to provide truthfultestimony, the court wouldbe relieved of its duty to sen-tence Lewis according to the

State’s recommendation, re-gardless of any consequencesLewis might suffer as a resultof his partial performance.”

he Supreme Courtopined that in imposing aharsher sentence on Lewisthan the state recommended,the judge only impliedLewis may have breached theagreement by testifying un-truthfully.

“As the trial court madeno express finding with re-spect to this issue, however,we agree that Lewis’ sentence

must be vacated and the caseremanded for a hearing todetermine the appropriatesentence,” the opinion states.

Former school superintendent to get another day in court

hose who served the country

were honored by CongressmanHank Johnson and members ofDeKalb County government at thecounty’s annual Veterans Day Pro-gram on Nov. 13 in Decatur.

he program, titled “We AreUnited,” was put on by the DeKalbVeterans Affairs Advisory Board.

Interim DeKalb County CEOLee May said it was not a time toonly mourn the brave veterans wholost their lives, but a time to cel-ebrate the living veterans and thankthem for their service to protectAmerica’s freedoms.

In addition to thanking the

veterans in attendance, Johnsonthanked their families stating thatthey too often have to sacrifice fam-ily time with their loved ones whoare away from home.

Other elected officials joiningin the celebration with Johnson andMay were DeKalb County com-missioners and Navy veterans JeffRader and Stan Watson, Commis-sioners Mereda Davis Johnson,Kathie Gannon and Larry Johnson.other elected officials in attendanceincluded veteran and DeKalb Su-perior Court Judge J.P. Boulee andDeKalb County Clerk of SuperiorCourt Debra DeBerry .

he keynote speaker, MajorGen. Brian C. Harris, spoke aboutwhat he and his troops had to do onthe battlefield and discussed ways veterans can be of use in the county.Harris also discussed the manyneeds they have that they couldgreatly use assistance with.

Harris, who is a product ofDeKalb County Schools, also de-scribed how American soldiers andweaponry stack up against otherarmies across the world.

“We are in good hands,” Harrisstated.

Veterans honoredat county event

DeKalb’s veterans were honored Nov. 13 during the county’s annual Veterans Day pro-gram. Photos by Joshua Smith

Several people received awards for theirwork with veterans.

Interim DeKalb County CEO Lee May, center, and Congressman Hank Johnson, right, helpedto recognize local veterans.

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The Champion FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, November 20, 2015 WEEK IN PICTURES Page 13A

Photo brought t you by DCTV

DeKalb County begins one-day-a-week sanitation collection service July 6, 2015

Residential customers will have same-day garbage, recyclable materials and yard trimmings collection

For more info, call or visit:

(404) 294-2900

www.rollingforwardtoone.com

WEEKPICTURESIn

Duke University alumni Jason Jones of Dunwoody and BrianGreene recently received the Forever Duke Award, which recog-nizes alumni for excellent recent volunteer service in support ofthe Duke Alumni Association. From, pictured at the ceremonyare Sterly Wilder, Duke University’s executive director of AlumniAffairs, Jones, award recipient Brian Greene and Cynthia Brod-head, wife of Duke University President Richard H. Brodhead.Photo provided

Congressman Hank Johnson speaks at DeKalb County’s annual Veterans Day program. Photos by Joshua Smith

he Veterans Day program was put on by the DeKalb Veterans Affairs Advisory Board.

The theme of the 14th annual Veterans Day observance program was “We are United.”

DeKalb County Schools Chief Information Ofcer Gary Brant-ley poses with Education Excellence award winner Melanie

Mclendon.

A MARTA bus and a car were involved in an accident Nov. 17 onCovington Highway near Redan Road. Photo by Carla Parker

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More than 250 HomeDepot employers swarmedthe Cross Keys High Schoolcampus on Nov. 11 to kickoff beautification projects forthe campus.

he volunteers mulchedand planted in raised bedsaround the entrance of theschool; painted several mu-rals, columns and beams inthe school colors; built pic-nic tables; pressure washedbreezeway trash cans; andmore.

Cross Keys’ student sup-port specialist Jason Randallsaid the goal of the partner-ship is to beautify the cam-pus and “encourage our stu-dents to take ownership oftheir school, inspire the par-

ents to become active par-ticipants in our school, andto create a community where

there is a shared interest inCross Keys High School.”he volunteers worked

on approximately 14 proj-ects to improve the school’sphysical appearance.

Cross Keys Principal Ja-son Heard said since startingthe rebranding of the highschool, he’s witnessed morestudent participation in clubsand an increase in parent involvement.

Home Depot volunteersalso took part in a volleyballmatch against Cross Keys’ varsity team and facilitatedan professional coachingsession for parents and stu-dents, giving them clothingtips for job interviews.

“We do things like this

all the time. One of our core values is to give back to thecommunity and we take that

very seriously,” said BeatrizRodriguez, the Home Depotdirector of diversity and in-clusion.

Rodriguez said the com-pany places a special empha-sis on community serviceduring November because ofits engagement with the mili-tary community, including veterans.

She added, “oday whenwe partnered with [CrossKeys] we also worked withthe [Junior Reserve Officers’ raining Corps] to workon the projects with us, getcommunity hours and spendtime with Home Depot em-ployees. We are also teachingthem what to do when theygraduate.”

Home Depot boosts CrossKeys beautification projects

Home Depot employers gather in the Cross Keys gymnasium for lunch and a group photo.

Employees cleaned the landscape debris and added mulch around the campus of Cross Keys High School.

Volunteers paint the school logo on the walls of the building.

Home Depot aims to assist in community efforts in every com-munity that they occupy.

olunteers started working at 8 a.m. on building benches and beautify-ng the Cross Keys campus.

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BLUEPRINT Continued From Page 1A

HOSEA Continued From Page 1A

[nearly] 20 years,” she said.“We are delighted to be apart of this program. We areproud of the work HoseaHelps is doing in the com-munity.

“Helping people whoare in need, helping families

get back on their feet, not just feeding them on a holi-day, but helping them year-round,” Reid added, “theseare the important things thathappen all the time with Ho-sea.”

Omilami said Hosea

Helps still needs donations ofmen’s clothes, baby clothes,rolling suit cases and turkeys.

For more informationon how to donate, visit www.hosea.org.

Hosea Helps COO Afemo Omilami (2nd right) poses with partners for the annual Thanksgiving event, includingDeKalb County Sheriff Jeff Mann (2nd left).

government leaders] havemplemented over the yearswhen it comes down to side-walks, shrubberies—thoseare little things that I’venoticed from being here somany years.”

Another resident said sheikes the two-commissionerepresentation for each voter.

Ruth Primm, a 36-yearesident of the county whoives in the Briarlake area,aid, “I like the fact that weeally only have one local

government where I live.”Primm said she only has

one taxing authority and shehopes it stays that way.

Barbara Lee, a retirededucator, said she appreciateshow the county governmentnvests in its senior popula-ion.

Others said they do notike the form of government,he “dueling commissioners,”

and how individual commis-ioners have too many con-tituents.

Resident Sandy Johnson aid the “challenged with this

process at this stage of the

game is you can’t freeze allhat’s going on around us.”Johnson said that while

he new Blueprints task forcetudies the form of govern-

ment, state legislators may

file bills and municipalitieshave annexation plans on theboard.

he task force wouldnot have the authority to putanything on hold, Johnsonsaid.

In response, Gannonsaid the challenge of thetask force will be “to be in-formed…and fluid aboutwhat is going” and addressesthe issues as needed.

In 2013, Gannon initiat-ed the Blueprint to RedefineDeKalb, a citizen-led effortthat resulted in legislation to

strengthen the ethics code,create an internal auditorand improve the county’spurchasing procedures.

“Back when cities startedto emerge, we started hearingthen more about problemsin DeKalb County,” Gannonsaid. “In about 2013 thingsstarted coming to a tippingpoint and folks recognizedthat we needed some kind ofreform.

“Blueprint I shows thatcitizen-driven reform works,”Gannon said.

he Blueprints II effort isexpected to result in recom-mendations before the end ofthe 2016 Georgia legislativesession in March.

eKalb residents met in south DeKalb to discuss whether to study the county’s form of government. Photos by Andrew Cauthen

rom left, DeKalb County Commissioner Kathie Gannon called together residents to form the Blueprints II task force.

Residents record ideas about the government to discuss.

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The Champion FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, November 20, 2015 EDUCATION Page 16A


DeKalb County school officials said programsmplemented at schools–including one using tran-ition specialists to keep tabs on students at risk

of failing–are largely responsible for a graduationate increase of more than 10 percentage pointsince 2013.

he Georgia Department of Education re-ported on Nov. 9 that DeKalb County Schools sawts graduation rate rise 8.3 percentage points from

2014 to 2015, adding to the 2.4 percentage pointncrease from 2013 to 2014.

“We are headed in the right direction with im-proved graduation rates because of our laser focuson student achievement,” DeKalb County SchoolsSuperintendent Stephen Green said. “Much morework needs [to], and will be, done to ensure ourtudents are ready for career and college opportu-

nities.”He added, “Combined with the recent

103-point increase in SA scores for our collegebound students, it is clear that we are on the rightpath. Our students are taking advantage of the rig-

orous curriculum and instruction they experienceeach day in the classroom.”Georgia’s 2015 graduation rate grew 6 percent-

age points from the prior year to 78.8 percent, anall-time high under the most recent way of count-

ing those who earned diplomas.One factor for the increase is attributed to

Gov. Nathan Deal signing House Bill 91 into lawin March, creating a new code section that statedstudents are no longer required to earn a passingscore on the Georgia High School Graduation est(GHSG) to earn a high school diploma.

“In addition to the elimination of the stategraduation test, the primary reasons for these

strong improvements include doing a better jobof providing accurate data to the Georgia Depart-ment of Education and an intentional, comprehen-sive scope of graduation services,” Green said.

According to district reports in July, DeKalbCounty middle schools narrowed the achievementgap by 6.6, or nearly 44 percent, from 14.9 pointsin 2013 to 8.3 points in 2014.

Elementary school and high school scores

showed gap reductions of 26 percent and 29 per-cent, respectively, between district and state scores.

Green, hired during the summer, said somethings put in place before his arrival also havehelped improve the district’s graduation rate.

he DeKalb School for the Arts had a 100 per-cent graduation rate.

DeKalb Early College Academy and ArabiaMountain had graduation rates of more than 90percent.

Chamblee, Lakeside, Redan and ucker highschools had graduation rates of more than 80 per-cent. Redan and ucker are both itle I schools.

Clarkston, Cross Keys, Destiny Academy,Gateway to College, Miller Grove, owers anducker high schools have reported double-digit

increases in graduation rates.Green said the district has aimed to narrowthe achievement gap between district and state-wide scores from 2013 to 2014, based on the Col-lege & Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI).

Graduation rates spike in DeKalb

‘We are headed

in the rightdirection withimprovedgraduation rates becauseof our laser focus on studentachievement.’

- Stephen Green

Green

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The Champion FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, November 20, 2015 EDUCATION Page 17A

Jabari Simama, presi-dent of Georgia Piedmontechnical College (GPC),was honored by the DeKalb

County Branch of the Na-tional Association for theAdvancement of ColoredPeople (NAACP) on Oct. 24.

he organization be-stowed its Narvie J. HarrisEducation Award upon Si-mama in recognition of hisexceptional leadership abili-ties. he event was held atSaint Philip AME Church inAtlanta.

“I am truly humbled andgrateful to accept, on behalfof the entire college com-munity, this award from the

NAACP,” Simama said. “Iowe much of my successto organizations like theNAACP and to the sacrificesits leaders have made,” hesaid. “No leader better ex-

emplifies this sacrifice thanNarvie J. Harris, who be-gan teaching in a one-roomschoolhouse in rural Georgia

and, because of her deter-mination and persistence,went on to achieve greatnessthroughout her 39-year ca-reer working as an educatorand an administrator,” Si-mama concluded.

John Evans, president ofthe NAACP DeKalb Branch,and eresa Hardy , the Free-dom Fund chairwoman ofthe NAACP DeKalb Branch,presented the award to Si-mama at the organization’s59th annual awards banquet.he award is presented to an

individual who has promotedpractical educational ideas,techniques and strategies thathave had a positive impacton the DeKalb County com-munity.


“Born to Inspire. Live tonspire.”

hese are the words Bri-an Ball, Boys & Girls Clubsof Metro Atlanta’s (BGCMA)2015-2016 Youth of the Yearsaid he lives and breathes by.

Ball said everyone hashe power to change the

world; each person just needso believe it.

On Nov. 12 Boys & GirlsClubs of Metro Atlantahosted an awards ceremonyfor 16 Youth of the Yearnominees. he event broughtmore than 700 attendees tohe InterContinental Buck-

head Atlanta Hotel, includ-ng community leaders, sup-

porters, staff and families.wo participants, Juan

Sebastian Rodriguez andSabrina Artemus, represent-ed DeKalb County clubs.

Attendees heard speechesabout how the students gotstarted in their clubs, howheir clubs helped shape

who they are and what theirdreams are for their future.

he Youth of the Year

award is BGCMA’s highesthonor, recognizing teensfrom clubs in the metro At-lanta area who demonstrateleadership and hard work.

Brian impressed the judges with his leadership aspresident of LawrencevilleBoys & Girls Club’s KeystoneClub, his service and lead-ership group for teens ages14-18 and his ability to usehis passion for photography,poetry and videography to

highlight key social issuesfacing children today.o date, Brian has

worked on campaigns com-batting bullying, preventingteen suicide and promotingthe power of positivity. Hismost recent outreach “urnit Off ” encourages childrento connect to each other andtheir communities on a per-sonal level.

“My Boys & Girls Clubhas done so much for me andI am honored to representthe organization,” Ball said.“I believe my purpose in lifeis to connect, inspire andawaken my generation to theworld around us. If we buildeach other up, we will all

reach new heights.”In addition to driving

social change, Brian has alsomade huge strides in his aca-demic career.

As Youth of the Year,Brian was awarded a $2,500college scholarship, and inthe spring of 2016, he willrepresent Metro Atlanta asYouth of the Year at the state-wide competition.

Other candidates werePherow Drain from Douglas

County Boys & Girls Clubwho won first runner-up andreceived a $1,500 scholar-ship; Erika Simmons of JesseDraper Boys & Girls Clubwon the Ada Lee Correll community service awardand received a $1,000 schol-arship.

“I’m so proud of ourYouth of the Year candi-dates,” Missy Dugan, presi-dent & CEO of Boys & GirlsClubs of Metro Atlanta said.

“Our Clubs work to showkids that–even though theyare young–they have a voiceand can help drive positivechange. It’s amazing to see allthe ways these young leadersare giving back and making

Teen honored as Youth of the Yearthe world a better place.”For more informationon how to become involved

with the organization, visit www.bgcma.org/get_in- volved.

Georgia Piedmont TechnicalCollege president awarded

Thirteen Youth of the Year contestants pose for a group photo prior to the awards ceremony. Boys & Girls Club President & CEO Missy Dugan announces award recipients forthe 2015-2016 year.

Youth of the Year winner Brian Ball with President &CEO Missy Dugan.

Brian Ball wraps himself in cape and afterhe was announced as the Youth of the Yearwinner.

Jesse Draper Boys & Girls Club member Erika Simmons received the Ada Lee Cor-rell community service award and a $1,000 scholarship.

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The Champion FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, November 20, 2015 BUSINESS Page 18A

DeKalb Chamber of Commerce • Two Decatur Town Center, 125 Clairemont Ave., Suite, Decatur, GA 30030 • 404.378.8000 • www.dekalbchamber.org

LOCALLY DRIVEN

by Kathy Mitchell

Before choosing body-worn police cameras forts officers, Decatur officials looked at several op-

tions then chose a model sold by a Decatur-basedcompany. “We are thrilled,” said Robert McK-eeman, CEO of Utility, the company that createdBodyWorn™ police cameras and Rocket™ vehiclerouter technology the Decatur Police Departmentnow uses.

“We’re very proud and confident that theywill be pleased with our equipment. here is apersonal point of pride for me because I grew upn DeKalb County and graduated from Southwest

DeKalb High School,” McKeeman said, addingthat the Clarkston Police Department uses Utility’sproducts as well.

He said the equipment is designed in Decaturand manufactured in Covington. “Everything’sright here in Georgia, and that’s great for the localeconomy.

“We applaud Chief [Mike] Booker’s thorough

evaluation process, and we are working closelywith the Decatur Police Department as they de-ploy our Generation 2 body-worn camera system,”he continued, adding that the department’s 47 offi-cers are equipped with BodyWorn police camerasand the Rocket vehicle router has been installedn its 37 patrol cars, giving them secure wireless

Internet capabilities for up to 1,500 feet around thevehicle.

McKeeman said that the second-generationequipment is an enhancement of earlier technol-ogy and has capabilities that weren’t available ayear ago. “I attended the International Associationof Chiefs of Police annual meeting and trade fairand looked at what’s available. I’m convinced that

we have the most advanced equipment available.”He describes BodyWorn police body cameras as“the only automated, policy-based, body-wornpolice camera currently available on the market.”He explained that the equipment is programmedbased on each police department’s policy concern-ing recording cameras.

“Our technology is developed to make captur-ing police camera video completely seamless andtransparent at every step of the process—fromrecording, to uploading, to storing, to ensuringprivacy protection when video is made public. Wework with the manufacturers of police uniforms sothe cameras stay in place and continue doing their job no matter what’s going on,” McKeeman said.

“he police officer has a good many things tofocus on when dealing with the public. He or sheshould not also have to be a videographer. heequipment turns on automatically,” he noted.

McKeeman said there has been a spike in in-terest in such equipment in the wake of numeroushigh-profile cases in which police officers have

been accused of acting improperly. “Reliable re-cording devices enhance transparency and buildtrust throughout the community. Most policedepartments are at least looking at adding thistype of equipment and many are ready for a fullroll out. We’re as busy as we can be. We’re fundedby venture capitalists, and they’re delighted at oursuccess.”

Citing a recent national poll measuring theAmerican public’s perspectives of police bodycamera capabilities, McKeeman said, “wo capa-bilities stand out in particular: 94 percent of thosepolled believe a body-worn camera should have an‘officer down’ emergency alert wireless reportingcapability that automatically calls for help if the

officer is no longer on his or her feet, and 89 per-cent want central dispatch to be able to send outimmediate be-on-the-lookout alerts with picturesand text to all body-worn cameras. hese are bothfeatures of our equipment.”

Utility also offers newly released redactionsoftware, SmartRedaction™, which automaticallyidentifies fac

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