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

thechampionnewspaper.com F REE P RESS FRIDaY, FEBRUaRY 19, 2016 • Vol. 18, No. 46 • 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.

CHAMPION The

See Fire on Page 5A

See Avondale on Page 5A

by Andrew [email protected]

Many of DeKalb County’s fire rescue personneldon’t feel valued by the county government.

That’s what Tom Burrell, a fire rescue cap-ain and secretary of the International Association of Fire

Fighters, Local 1492, told county commissioners on Feb. 9.For weeks now, DeKalb County Fire Rescue personnel

have been appearing en masse at the county commission-rs’ meeting to ask for money for salaries.

Burrell told commissioners that funding also is neededo improve the poor conditions of many of the county’sire stations.

“The problem is how this government values our men

by Carla [email protected]

Police departmentsoften exhaust all of theirecourses to stop crime, butometimes those resources

are not enough to catch ev-ry criminal who menaces a

neighborhood.The creation of neigh-

borhood watch programsallow residents to assistpolice officers in spottinguspicious activity and help-

ng curb crime in residentialareas.Avondale Estates took

t a step further two yearsago by creating the CitizenPatrol Unit. The unit allowsesidents to patrol neighbor-

hoods in a decommissionedpolice car. Police Chief GaryBroden said the goal behindorming the unit two years

ago was to have more eyesand ears on the streets.

“Criminals don’t like tobe watched,” Broden said.If you have more eyes out

there watching you, you’reprobably going to go some-where where you’re not beingwatched. Our group is totallynonconfrontational; they ob-serve and report. We do thecontact.”

Members of the patrol

unit are graduates of thecity’s the Citizen PoliceAcademy. Once participantsgraduate from the eight-weekacademy and decide theywant to do more to help by joining the patrol unit, theyreceive additional training.

Through all of the training,participants are taught whatsuspicious activities and ve-hicles are and more.

“Not only are they taughtwhat to look for, but they’retaught how to report it cor-rectly and how to call it in

correctly,” Broden said. “Soyou can’t have too many ofthose out there.”

The unit started out with40 members. One of thosemembers included MattMiller, who is now the di-rector of the Citizen PatrolUnit.

“I joined it because Igrew up in the neighbor-hood and I was retired andwas looking for somethingto do,” Miller said. “I haveplenty of hobbies but I

was looking for somethingmeaningful. It just kind ofall came together with thisprogram.”

Miller said the unitmaintains a steady numberof members.

“We’re constantly grow-ing with additional training,”he said. “We’ve includedsome traffic control trainingfor some of our people whoare comfortable with that.We have enough people inthe program right now withone car. We’re pretty happy

Avondale Police builds community through citizen patrol

Firefighters fighting fornew stations in additionto salary increase

Matt Miller, director of the Avondale Estate’s Citizen Patrol Unit, stands in front of the unit’s only patrol carwith Police Chief Gary Broden. Photo by Carla Parker

DeKalb County Fire Station No. 7, which houses the busiest engine in the county, is in need ofreplacement, according to a study performed for the county. The more than 60-year-old struc-ture has mold, rotting wood and open ceilings. Photos by Andrew Cauthen

Business ................................16A

Classified ..............................20A

ducation............................... 16A

Opinion ......................................7A

Sports ................................21-24A

QUICK FINDER

LOCAL, 15A

DUNWOODY RESIDENTSTAKE PART IN BIRDCOUNTING EVENT

EDUCATION, 18A

STEPHENSON HIGHSTUDENTS WEAR THEIRPRIDE

LOCAL, 12A

DEKALB COUNTYFIREFIGHTERSGRADUATION

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LOCAL The Champion FREE PRESS, Friday, Feb. 19, 2016 • Page 2A

DeKalb County Department of Watershed ManagementPublic Advisory

SNAPFINGER WOODS SANITARY SEWER CROSSINGS

January 29, 2016 February 29, 2016Advisory Issue Date Advisory Close Date

This advisory is issued to inform the public of a receipt of an applicaon for a variancesubmied pursuant to a State Environmental Law. The Public is invited to comment during a 30day period on the proposed acvity. Since the Georgia Environmental Protecon Division (EPD)has no authority to zone property or determine land use, only those comments addressingenvironmental issues related to air, water and land protecon will be considered in theapplicaon review process. Wrien comments should be submied to: Program Manager,Non-Point Source Program, Erosion and Sedimentaon Control, 4220 Internaonal Parkway,Suite 101, Atlanta, Georgia 30354.

Type of Permit Applicaon: Variance to encroach within the 25-foot State Waters Buer. Applicable Law: Georgia Erosion and Sedimentaon Act O.C.G.A. 12-7-6 ET seq. Applicable Rules: Erosion and Sedimentaon Control Chapter 391-3-7. Basis under which variance shall be considered: {391-3-7.05(2) (A-J)}: E

Project Locaon: This project is located on the secon of Snapnger Woods Drive that isbounded by Rayburn Road to the west and Shell Bark Rd to the east near the city of Lithonia,GA. Specically, 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 site is approximately 800 linear feet north ofSnapnger Creek’s intersecon with Snapnger Woods Drive. The proposed construcon willinclude the installaon of 132 linear feet of 15 inch sanitary sewer across Snapnger Creek.

Project Descripon: The proposed site condions will include the installaon of 132 linear feetof 15 inch sanitary sewer aerial stream crossing to replace an exisng inverted siphon sanitarysewer under Snapnger Creek which in a constant maintenance problem. This work is a repairthe exisng system that runs along Snapnger Creek.

MARTA workers want county to intervene in privatization plans


Some MARA workerswant DeKalb County’sgovernment to opposea pending privatization

o the transit system’s Mobility

service or disabled passengers.At the Feb. 9 DeKalb

County Board oCommissioners meeting, PaulMcLennon, a retired membero Amalgamated ransit UnionLocal 732—an organizationthat represents more than

3,000 transit workers in metroAtlanta, including DeKalbCounty—spoke againstMARA’s privatization plan orits Mobility service.

“We would like to seesome accountability in terms

o the representatives on theMARA board who representDeKalb County and voted orthis,” McLennon said.

In November 2015,MARA’s board odirectors voted to hire MVransportation to take overthe operations o the Mobilityservice.

“Te decision tooutsource Mobility was adifficult and necessary steptoward improving customersatisaction, increasingon-time perormance and

leveraging private sectorknow-how to achieve greateroperational efficiencies,” wroteJoseph Erves, MARA’s seniordirector o operations, in aletter to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

According to Erves, MVransportation plans to “hireincumbent Mobility driverswith good perormancehistories, pay them wagescomparable to their currentrate and offer competitivebenefits.”

Current Mobility driverswho want to remain with

MARA can apply or otheropen positions within thetransit service, Erves stated.

“MARA tried this beore

back in the ‘90s and it didnot work,” McLennon toldcommissioners. “We knowthat privatization will have adetrimental effect on workersand the disability community.MARA is a public asset that

is supposed to be providing aservices not make a profit.

“Apparently the contracthas not yet been signedand we’re hoping it can bestopped,” McLennon added.

Te board o directorso disABILIY LINK, anadvocacy group or peoplewith disabilities, also isopposing the privatizationo MARA and the MARAMobility service.

“ransportation is animportant issue or thedisability community as

lack o access to transitis the No. 1 reason whypeople with disabilities stayat home, prevented romparticipating in the lie o thecommunity including accessto employment, education,worship and leisure,” accordingto a statement by disABILIYLINK.

“Paratransit service ismandated by the Americanswith Disabilities Act o 1990and the Rehabilitation Acto 1973,” according to thestatement. “ransportation isa public service and a human

right.“Privatization adds the

profit motive. In order to makemoney, service will likely be

cut, ares may be raised, andsaety could be compromised,”according to the statement.

Stanley Smalls, a DeKalbCounty resident and membero the Amalgamated transitUnion, said, “Te MARA

board made a decision to goorward with outsourcing 370

jobs. Another [proposal] isgoing orward with more jobson the line.

“It hurts me to the core[your] appointees voted anddidn’t ask us any questions,”Smalls told commissioners.“MARA is bragging andboasting...last week that they’reabout to lay 371 people off like[they’re] not about to harm371 people.

“Tis is starting to becomea mockery with people’s

livelihoods,” he said.“For MARA to tell us wedon’t have a job on March 25,is a slap in our ace,” Smallssaid. “We come to work everyday.... We’re out here in alltypes o weather doing whatwe have to do to make sureour seniors get to where theyneed to go.

“For MARA to tell us,‘Tank you, you’re out o yourpension, you’re out o yourhealthcare,’ it’s a travesty,” hesaid.

Smalls urgedcommissioners to “talk to your

appointees.”“It does hurt the bulk o

your [residents] in DeKalb,”Smalls said.

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AROUNDDEKALBCOUNTYWIDEDeKalb Chamber names six to board of directors

The DeKalb Chamber of Commerce recently announced the

appointment of ve new members to serve on the organization’s board ofdirectors. New board members will serve a three year term.

“These board members will bring a new perspective along with awealth of knowledge and experience that will help us as we continue towork toward creating a more prosperous business community in DeKalb,”said Katerina Taylor , the chamber’s president and CEO.

The new board members include: Erik Bryant, vice president, AtlantaCommercial Group, BB&T; Tom Burns, owner, Toro Properties RehabLLC; John Funny, president and CEO, Grice Consulting Group; Vaughnrons, founder and CEO, APD Solutions; Andrew Lewis, executive vice

president, Georgia Charter Schools Association; and Jason Ressman,general manager, Hyatt Atlanta Perimeter at Villa Christina.

The new board members will be installed at the Chamber’s 78thAnnual Meeting on Thursday, Feb. 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at theGeorgia Aquarium, 225 Baker Street NW in Atlanta.

MARTA CEO and General Manager Keith Parker will serve as thekeynote speaker during the event, addressing MARTA’s impact in DeKalb,nitiatives for small business and women- and minority-owned business

and the transit system’s expansion plans for 2016.

AVONDALE ESTATESCity creating new directories

Avondale Estates is in the process of updating its residential andbusiness directories. The directory—which includes names, addressesand phone numbers of participating Avondale Estates residents andbusinesses—will be sent to each household in mid-June 2016. Directoryorms requesting information can be found in the upcoming March/Aprilnewsletter that will be delivered the week of Feb. 29. PDF copies of theorm can also be viewed on the city’s website at www.avondaleestates.org. Completed forms can be hand delivered or mailed to City Hall, 21 NorthAvondale Plaza; faxed to (404) 299-8137 or emailed to Gina Hill at ghill@

avondaleestates.org. Forms are due on or before April 1.

City to celebrate Arbor Day

The Avondale Estates Tree Board and members of the AvondaleEstates Garden Club (AEGC) will hold a tree planting dedication ceremonyFeb. 19, at 1 p.m. at 22 Dartmouth Avenue to celebrate Arbor Day. AEGCdonated funds for the purchase of the tree. For more information, visitwww.avondaleestates.org.

BROOKHAVENApplications open for citizen’s police academy

Applications are now open for the Brookhaven Police Department’s third

annual Citizen’s Police Academy. Anyone who lives or works in Brookhaven is invited to attend. The classs open for all those older than 21 years of age. A criminal backgroundcheck will be conducted on applicants and the police department reserveshe right to deny enrollment to those with a criminal history.

The academy will meet every Thursday from 7 to 9:30 p.m. and takesplace March 3 through May 5. The rst meeting will be held at the policestation.

For more information and to apply, download and complete theapplication and background check consent form at www.brookhavenga.gov/Home/Components/News/News/371/17 and return it to [email protected] or in person at the Brookhaven Police Station, 2665Buford Highway, by Feb. 19.

City to host ‘parent’s night out’

Brookhaven will host Parent’s Night Out on Feb. 26, from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

at Lynwood Community Center. The event is a way for parents to drop offheir children on a Friday and get some time to themselves. The event willnclude dinner, games, activities and options to keep children entertained.Pre-registration is required and pick-up is promptly at 9 p.m. Cost is $15 perchild; ages: 5-12. For more information call (404) 637-0512.

Mayor to host town hall

Brookhaven Mayor John Ernst will host a town hall Feb. 22, 6:30 to8 p.m. at Briarwood Community Center. For more information, visit www.brookhavenga.gov.

CHAMBLEE/DORAVILLE$96,000 awarded for highway revitalization

Chamblee and Doraville will receive $96,000 as part of a study grantawarded by The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC). The grant, knownas the Livable Centers Initiative (LCI), will help the cities construct a planto revitalize Buford Highway by way of connectivity, affordable housingand pedestrian safety. The ARC has awarded approximately $800,000 inLCI study grants to nine metro Atlanta communities, with funding comingfrom federal transportation dollars. Recipients are required to make a20 percent match. Since LCI began in 2000, more than $197 million hasbeen awarded to 112 communities. Communities eligible for LCI studygrants cover less than 4 percent of a region’s land area, contain 7 percentof its recent residential development, 29 percent of its recent commercialdevelopment, and 69 percent of its recent ofce development. For moreinformation, visit www.chambleega.com or contact Teresa Taylor [email protected] or (470) 395-2309.

CLARKSTONEmployment resource fair coming to GPTC

Georgia Piedmont Technical College (GPTC) will host Rep. HankJohnson’s (GA-04) 2016 Resources Fair on Thursday, Feb. 18, from 10a.m. to 2 p.m. The fair seeks to connect DeKalb residents with local, stateand federal agencies that will provide job-readiness training, informationon Atlanta’s booming television and lm industry as well as employmentopportunities. The event will also include training for veterans and ex-offenders on resume development, interviewing skills and job readinessworkshops. Small business forums as well as discussions regarding

pathways out of poverty will also be available to attendees. GPTC islocated at 495 N. Indian Creek Dr., Clarkston.

DUNWOODY Law enforcement looking to engage with the public

DeKalb residents looking to learn more about those who serve andprotect will have the opportunity to do so Tuesday, Feb. 23, as the DunwoodyPolice Department will host its annual “Coffee with a Cop” program from 7a.m. to 9 a.m. at Crema Espresso Gourmet. The event will provide the publican opportunity to ask questions, voice concerns and get to know ofcersserving the community. No formal agenda or speeches will be given, as theevent is an opportunity to sit down with local law enforcement for a generalconversation. For more information, contact ofcer Mark Stevens at [email protected] or call (678) 382-6917. Crema Espresso Gourmetis located at 2458 Mount Vernon Rd. in Dunwoody.

LITHONIACity to host Mardi Gras ball

Lithonia will host its annual Mardi Gras Ball Feb. 27 from 7 to 11 p.m.The event will be held at The Academy located at 6886 Main Street inLithonia. The event will include a live jazz band, an open bar and food.Cocktail attire and masks are required. Tickets are on sale on eventbrite.com. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Randolph Foundation.

City to host contractor’s workshop

In conjunction with a major housing development, Lithonia will beholding a series of contractors’ workshops. These workshops are designedto identify, qualify, and increase the participation of local contractors in

the project. Bid opportunities exist in the following areas: demolition, sitepreparation, GC services, and interior and exterior services, includinggeneral labor. The rst workshop will be held Feb. 27, at 10 a.m. atBruce Street Community Center, 2484 Bruce Street. To RSVP, [email protected].

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Gina ManghamGina Mangham, a

racticing attorney andmediator who lives inLithonia, says she is “a doer.”

“I just care abouteople and I care about myommunity,” said Mangham,

who has been a communitydvocate or 20 years. “It’s upo us not to just complain,ut to make things happen.”

Mangham representsDeKalb’s District 5 on theZoning Board o Appeals,nd is the board vicehairwoman or the Friends the Stonecrest Library andresident o the Hosannahoir at New Bethel A.M.E.

Church.

As treasurer or theSouth DeKalb ImprovementAssociation, Manghamsaid she is “trying to get

the organization in theposition to attract unds andexpand its ability to provideservices.”

“Tat’s not the prettywork. Te policies, makingsure that we are doingeverything according to thebook, making sure that weare in a position to attractgrants—that doesn’t get alot o play,” said Mangham,who has a bachelor’s degreein business administrationfinance rom the Universityo Michigan, and a juris

doctorate rom JohnMarshall Law School inAtlanta.

“Te programs are

important, but capacitybuilding is absolutelyessential,” Mangham said.

When her commissiondistrict was withoutrepresentation orapproximately two years,Mangham was an outspokenadvocate or District 5. Sheeven made an unsuccessulbid to be the commissioner.

“I worked reallyhard on the fifh districtrepresentation,” she said.

“Most o the issuesI’m involved in affect my

community,” Mangham said.“It’s really about protectingour community andstanding up or our rights.”

She has worked toprotect the environmentin the Lithonia area byopposing a proposedbiomass gasification plant.She also has ocused on“making sure representativesare listening to us” and on“zoning issues in general.”

“I try to get involvedwhere I can be o service,”she said. “It’s in my blood.

“Every time I say I’mgoing to take a break, I justcan’t,” Mangham said. “It’s

just innate in me.

“Sometimes somebodyhas to take leadership,” shesaid about volunteering.“It’s not about who gets thecredit. It’s about getting the

job done.”


A vondale Estates city officialshave decided to orgoannexation this year.

“Upon discussion andmutual agreement with our stateeaders, the Board o Mayor and

Commissioners has decided noto pursue annexation plans orhe remaining 2016 year,” Mayoronathan Elmore said in a releasedtatement. “We believe annexation

can be a positive means or thegrowth o the city and we will revisitannexation plans in the uture.”

Te city was looking intoannexing two areas. One areancluded commercial property

north o the city along East PonceDe Leon Avenue, the old AvondaleMiddle School property andesidential property northeast o the

city along Old Rockbridge Road and

he DeKalb School o the Arts andesidential property south the city

along Berkeley Road.Te second area also included

properties along Old RockbridgeRoad and Berkeley Road, andesidential properties west o the

city along Katie Kerr Drive andSouth Columbia Drive.

Te city contacted the CarlVinson Institute o Governmentast November to conduct an

annexation study on the two areas.Te study areas contained

commercial and industrial parcels

with a 40 percent assessed value o$10.9 million in study area 1 anda 40 percent assessed value o $4.1million in study area 2, according tohe annexation report.

Representatives rom CarlVinson Institute ocused on twoquestions—how much revenuewould the city have collected romthe study areas in fiscal year 2014i the areas were annexed, and howmuch would the city have spent in2014 to provide services to the studyareas.

Te institute used 2010 U.S.census block data, census estimatesor 2014 and tax maps. According tothe report, they estimated the 2014population o the study areas, wouldbe 461 in study area 1 and 2,040 instudy area 2.

Te institute estimated that ithe study areas were annexed intothe city in fiscal year 2014, thecity would have produced nearly$526,339 in gross revenues or$1,141.73 per capita in study area 1.Study area 2 would have provided$1.6 million in gross new revenuesor $795.95 per capita, according to

the report.Te institute also interviewed

department heads and askedthem to consider their individualdepartment budgets or fiscal year2014, according to the report.Te department heads were thenasked to project the effect theannexation would have on theirbudgets, including personnelrelated expenditures, operatingexpenditures and equipment.

“According to what we learnedrom these interviews, there is verylimited need or personnel and

equipment increases,” the reportstated. Only public saety, publicworks and sanitation departmentswould need any additionalpersonnel.”

Avondale Estates delays annexation plan

Avondale Estates had two annexation feasibility studies done before deciding todelay action.

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The Champion FREE PRESS, Friday, Feb. 19, 2016 local Page 5A

FIRE Continued From Page 1A

AVONDALEContinued From Page 1A

with the current status of theprogram.”

The unit currently has 37members, including a major-ity of the original members.

Broden said there hasbeen a slight decrease incrime since the unit beganpatrolling the streets.

“If you take these lasttwo years and the two yearspreviously, the crime statsare a little bit lower,” he said.“But what you can’t measureis deterrence. To say how ef-fective it is we can’t say, butwe do believe it is effective,not just in crime deterrencebut it’s also effective in build-ing a relationship with thecommunity and the police

department.“A lot of times peoplethink they know what wedo until they go through theCitizen Police Academy andthen they find out what weactually do and how to doit right,” Broden added. “Italso gives the communityownership in the community.If we have a little spike of[automobiles being brokeninto] or something, it’s not somuch what is the police de-partment is going to do. It’s‘what are we going to do as acommunity?’”

“It’s neighbors watchingneighbors and helping neigh-bors,” Miller said. “We’re rid-ing by our own homes andwe’re helping each other. It’ssuch a good volunteer pro-gram and I highly encourageother cities to do it.”

Although Miller is happywith the number of peopleon the unit, he still focuseson recruitment and training.

“People may change in-terest,” he said. “They maymove, so it’s a constant goalto keep it staffed with 30 to

40 people.”Broden said the policedepartment enjoys the rela-tionship with the volunteersand their effort.

“This is strictly volun-teer,” he said. “They don’thave to be doing this. Theychoose to do it and they’rehelping us. It shows goodteamwork.”

and women and the services they pro-vide in this community,” Burrell toldommissioners. “Our men and women

are not feeling valued in general thesedays.

“When a third-party study of coun-y operations reveals that nearly three-

quarters of your fire stations, whereour men and women live a third ofheir lives, are not in good condition,

you don’t feel valued,” Burrell said.The study report Burrell referred

o is the 2015 Organizational Effective-ness Study the county contracted tohave done.

According to the study, “most sta-ions have issues that need to be ad-

dressed.” Several were described as be-ng in “poor condition.”

The study states that a “majorityof the stations have major issues with

eaks, molding and cracks. A lot of sta-ions have ceilings falling out. Mosttations needed the kitchen area, stove

and counters repaired. A majority oftations need A/C and heating unitsepaired/replaced.”

The report states that the countyhould “adopt a formal facility main-enance program which requires the

period inspection of all fire facilitiesand procedures for the timely repair ofeported deficiencies.”

“When half your stations haveuntreated mold issues, you don’t feelvalued,” Burrell told commissioners.When the county hasn’t committed

ignificant capital funding to a fire-house in this county in a decade, andyour ceilings are falling in over yourhead, you don’t feel valued.”

On Feb. 11, The Champion touredeveral fire stations and noted some of

the poor conditions mentioned in thereport.

The report states that Station 7,located off of Glenwood Avenue at1776 Derrill Drive in unincorporatedDecatur, “is in need of maintenancefor foundation issues, cracks, leaks andmold.”

Further, the report notes that maleand female personnel share the sameliving quarters and the light fixturesneed proper securing and mainte-nance.

Burrell said the building, whichformerly housed the county coroner’soffice or a funeral home before be-ing converted to a fire station in 1954,“could be as old as 70 years old—we’renot really sure.”

After DeKalb County Commis-sioner Nancy Jester visited Station 7,

stated in August 2015 that “mold isputting the lives of DeKalb Countyfirefighters at risk inside a crumblingbuilding.”

“We ask these heroes to put theirlives on the line every day,” she stated.“We have a responsibility to givethem a safe, working environment. Letme be clear, DeKalb County is failingour fire and police men and womenwhen we vote to give millions to builda soccer complex while we fail to fundsafe, working environments.”

The station has been the subject ofseveral budget requests by the fire de-partment, Burrell said. The departmenthad put the building in its 2016 budgetrequest for replacement, but that wasdenied.

Burrell said the fire department isattempting to qualify for federal fund-ing to construct a new Station 7.

“We are awaiting the approval ordenial of that community block devel-opment grant,” Burrell said.

The department also has plans tomake some emergency repairs to thestation “not to make the station usablefor another 10 years, or even 20 years.It’s to make the facility usable until wecan get funding to replace the station,”Burrell said.

The report list five more stations inpoor shape.

“We have seven of our 26 stationsthat have an average age of 55 yearsold,” Burrell said. The fire departmentwants to replace those seven.

“We have kicked the can on these...seven stations that are an average age of55 years,” Burrell said. “At some pointyou reach a tipping point of wherethere’s so much to do…you can’t con-

ceivably figure out how to catch up.“When you hear about a windfall

from a refinancing of those 2006 bondreferendum and there’s $20 million outthere that can be used, and Station 7…was just denied in the budget again,you see why our [firefighters] say ‘Whycant we use $3 million to replace a firestation?’” Burrell said.

“The employees are disheartenedand they’re voting with their feet. Wehad someone resign today. A captain.That’s unheard of.

Fire personnel “feel like the govern-ment has quit on them,” Burrell said.

“It is time to remind these men andwomen that you value the hard workthey do, the dangerous work they do,but most importantly, the good workthey do every single day across thiscommunity,” he told commissioners.

A study performed for DeKalb County says DeKalb County Fire Station No. 7, located off of Glenwood Avenue, is in “need ofmaintenance for foundation issues, cracks, leaks and mold.” Photos by Andrew Cauthen

An engine from DeKalb County Fire Rescue Station No. 7 responds to a call.

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GUEST EDITORIAL

The Champion FREE PRESS, Friday, Feb. 19, 2016 oPINIoN Page 6A

Every so often we getclear reminders that racismtill exists.

A case in point are thecomments to a reporter and

recent bills filed by Rep.Tommy Benton (R-Jeffer-on), who proudly states on

his website that he is a sixthgeneration resident of Jack-on County, which is 88.8

percent White and 7.2 per-cent Black, according to theU.S. Census Bureau.

Benton also is a memberof the National Rifle Associa-ion, and three Confederate

organizations: Sons of Con-federate Veterans, MilitaryOrder of the Stars and Barsand the Gainesville Chapter

of the Sons of the AmericanRevolution.In one comment report-

ed by the AJC , Rep. Benton,a former middle school his-

tory teacher, opined that theKu Klux Klan “[was] not somuch a racist thing but a vigilante thing to keep lawand order.

“It made a lot of peoplestraighten up,” he told the AJC . “I’m not saying whatthey did was right. It’s just

the way things were.”To combat efforts of

some to remove prominentlyplaced Confederate icons,Benton, chairman of the

House Human Relations andAging Committee, recentlyintroduced three items:House Resolution 1179,which would have led to aconstitutional amendmentprotecting Stone MountainPark as a Confederate me-morial; House Bill 854, inwhich any street named for veterans that [was] changedafter Jan. 1, 1968, wouldrevert to the original name;and House Bill 855 whichwould have made Robert E.Lee’s birthday and Confeder-

ate Memorial Day legal holi-days in Georgia.One would think a

middle school historyteacher would understand

history better than others.As a former history teacher,Benton should understandbetter than most the toll theKKK and racism has had on

Blacks. I know of people whosupport the Confederacy butwould never tell a reporterthat the KKK was there to“keep law and order.”

The remarks are insensi-tive at best, racist at worst.

Benton, who graduatedfrom high school in 1968,lived through the historicalCivil Rights Movement of the1960s. He would have seenthe way Confederate flag wasused by those tormentingBlacks in the name of the KuKlux Klan. So how could this

politician be so insensitivepublicly?It probably never crossed

his mind that he would notbe able to get away with the

statements he made and thebills he authored. It probablynever crossed his mind thatsuch statements and ideasare best left back home in

Jackson County. It probablynever crossed his mind thatsome who work with himin Atlanta, “the cradle ofthe Civil Rights Movement,”might consider his wordsand actions racist.

And if these did occur tohim, he didn’t care.

As long as Benton andhis collaborators—Reps.Joe Wilkinson (R-Atlanta),Mike Cheokas (R-Ameri-cus), Jesse Petrea (R-Savan-nah) and Stephen Allison (R-Blairsville)—are in office,

racism is alive and well in theGeorgia General Assembly.

@AndrewChampNews

Andrew Cauthen

[email protected]

Managing Editor

Racism is alive and well

Chris Carr, the commissioneror economic development for thetate of Georgia, had some sober-ng commentary on DeKalb Coun-y recently. He said the bad public-ty is hurting the local economy,nd that DeKalb should get its actogether and turn over a new leaf.

I am usually not in lockstepgreement with the appointees of

Republican governors, but whenhey are right about something, I

have to agree. DeKalb County has been

plagued by political infighting and

urf wars for decades, with near-ighted politicos cashing in onhort-term victories at the expensef long-term progress. We are athose crossroads again.

Carr points out that jobs arekipping over DeKalb in favor of

Fulton, Cobb and Gwinnett, andwhy not? The grass is greenerhere. If you were a developer, andll things are equal, why wouldn’tou go along with the others?

DeKalb needs to step up itsame and do something different,nd the opportunity is in front of

us. There are 155 acres at the prec-pice of redevelopment in north

DeKalb, but it is stalling for lackf economic development incen-ives. The plan is for commercial,etail and residential in a transit-riented environment. That’s

huge! Doraville has signed up fortax incentives, and so has DeKalbCounty. That is two steps in theright direction.

That leaves the schoolboard. The DeKalb County Boardof Education (BOE) has been re-luctant to be a team player whenit comes to anything other thanrunning schools. Don’t get mewrong, schools are very important,but they do not exist in a vacuumapart from the larger framework ofcommunity and economy. Roughlythree-quarters of property taxes

are school taxes, so the overturesof Doraville and DeKalb meanlittle if the Board of Educationdoesn’t take an interest in corpo-rate investment and job creation.

Their rationale is that theydon’t want to tie their hands withany tax incentive that would dic-tate where and how freely theycan spend tax money. This is theflaw in their logic: at the moment,no one is living on the formerhome of the General Motors facil-ity, but they soon will. With theBOE’s involvement, there couldbe a significant infusion of smart,quality growth. With that comes jobs, and with jobs come fami-lies. With families come children,and those kids will need to go toa nearby school. Under normalcircumstances, there might need to

be a tax increase to pay for thoseschools, but with an infusion ofcapital investment, property valuesgo up, and there won’t be a need toraise taxes.

DeKalb Schools should sup-port the Doraville Tax AllocationDistrict. Certainly in this case, andmany similar cases, it becomes aself-fulfilling prophecy—tax in-centives spur commercial invest-ment, which in turn increases the value of real estate. Increases in the value of real estate mean more taxproceeds, and those tax proceeds

fund education for children—win-win-win—win! The only caveat isthose proceeds created from thegrowth must be reinvested in thesame area.

I have served on the DeKalbBoard of Education, and I haveserved on the Development Au-thority of DeKalb County. I sup-port education, and I supporteconomic development. Theseconcepts are not mutually exclu-sive. Economic Development andquality education actually go handin hand. Good schools are goodfor businesses and vice versa. TheDeKalb BOE should consider thelong term benefits for the com-munity at large and approve taxincentives, before it’s too late.

Eugene P. Walker, Ph.D.

The Board of Education shouldsupport smart growth in DeKalb

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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 Offi cer:Dr. Earl D. GlennManaging Editor:Andrew CauthenProduction Manager:Kemesha Hunt Photographer:Travis HudgonsStaff Reporters:Carla Parker & R. Scott Belzer

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

DISPLAY ADVERTISING (404) 373-7779 x 110

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.

There’s a battle brewin’

Bill Crane

[email protected]

Columnist

ONE MAN’S OPINION

“Under Georgia’s wackyystem a restaurant located

beside a brewpub can sell thatbrewpub’s beer in a growlero go while the brewpub that

made it cannot. What kind ofense does that make?” que-ies Terrapin Beer Companyofounder John Cochran.

Within hours afterF.D.R. signed the ratificationof the 21st Amendment toour U.S. Constitution intoaw on Dec. 5, 1933, repeal-ng the 18th Amendment

and Prohibition, AugustBusch had a Clydesdalewagon deliver a case of beero the president at the White

House. The adult beverages

ndustry has always appre-iated the teamed needs ofmarketing and keeping theiregulators happy campers.

Mass market brewersuch as Anheuser-Busch/mbev took note, several

years ago, as consumption ofheir primary brands began

an extended period of salesdecline. Micro, craft andegional brewers, is wherehe majority of growth has

moved to in the beer busi-ness.

Yet state laws related tohe manufacture, distribu-ion and sale of alcoholic

beverages vary greatly. Geor-gia maintains a convolutedhree-tier system for beer

and distilled spirits with themanufacturers, wholesalers/distributors and retailers/esellers all facing a vast ar-ay of taxes, license fees and

regulations. While in 48 oth-er states, craft brewers mayalso legally sell their product,fresh brewed, to consumers.

Athens, Ga., based Ter-rapin Beer Company, brewsa wide array of productsnow sold primarily via dis-tributors, in all or parts of 12states, Washington, D.C. andPuerto Rico. Terrapin wasfounded in 2002 by Brian“Spike” Buckowski and JohnCochran, and now has morethan 100 full- and part-timeemployees. And, just as Ter-rapin has rapidly expanded,Georgia brewers are growingin number and clout, whileassembling a healthy head ofsteam.

Last year the GeorgiaGeneral Assembly passeda watered-down brewerybill, allowing limited on-sitebrewery product sales, vari-able levels of tour pricingand a few other options tointeract with their brewerytour customers. For Terrapin

alone, that is roughly 30,000 visitors per year.

The wholesale distribu-tors made their opposing views known on the frontend, and then after the lawpassed, they in effect wentaround to the loading docksto chat more with the Geor-gia Department of Revenue(DOR), the state agencycharged with regulating andcontrolling the spirits in-dustries. This past fall, DORissued a rule that in effectnullified most impacts of thenew law.

Later Georgia HouseSpeaker David Ralston andother legislators cried foul

that the DOR had, in effect,ignored the legislative intentof the bill...and that theycould either fix it by rule, orthe legislature would amendthe law. But instead a com-promise deal was reached,several weeks in the making,and largely foisted on theindustry. If this holds, it basi-cally has the same impactsas last year’s law, with a fewimprovements.

The brewers may alsonow sell food onsite at theirbreweries, as one example.But the new deal does verylittle to actually alter thecumbersome three-tier dis-tribution system, which per-haps by design is most lucra-tive for the middle men whodeliver the product, versusthose who make it or whoactually sell it.

Wholesalers by law, can-

not sell directly to consum-ers, but they face limitedcompetition, other thanprice point differences frommanufacturers, in how theyprice their products to retail-ers and restaurateurs and barowners.

The Georgia House hasa resolution, HR 1345, with91 co-sponsors, which callsfor the appointment of astudy committee on craftbrewery and distillery com-petitiveness, authored byState Rep. Michael Caldwell(R-Woodstock). The resolu-tion is not an act of law, itin effect expresses more thesense and sentiment of the

chamber, and involvementis not required for the StateSenate for the study commit-tee to begin researching beerlaws in other states.

The beer purchasingpublic wants more craft beerproduct. Georgia wineriesgained the ability to sell di-rectly to consumers decadesago. Though brewers willstill rely on distributors toship, place and support themarketing of their products,they are making a reasonablerequest to expand a non-competitive offering of whatthey and only they directlybrew to whomever takes thetime and pays the price to visit their breweries.

So before another fullblown battle gets brewin’next year, with public senti-ment generally siding withthe brewers, let’s hope that

the wholesale distributorsbegin to open their mindsto supporting this logicalbusiness expansion for oneof their fastest-growing cus-tomers and business part-ners. I’ll drink to that.

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 FreePress and Georgia Trend.Crane is a DeKalb nativeand business owner, living inScottdale. You can reach himor comment on a column at

[email protected].

The Champion FREE PRESS, Friday, Feb. 19, 2016 oPINIoN Page 7A

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Tucker city council District 3 candidatesby Carla [email protected]

Leading up the March 1 Special

Election, Te Champion will publisha Q&A with each candidate in thecity o ucker elections. Tis Q&Asegment eatures candidates orCity Council District 3 Post 1 and2: Michelle Penkava (Post 1), RuthHoffman (Post 2) and Anne Lerner.

Why did you decide to run fora city council seat?

Penkava: “Te uckercommunity voted overwhelminglyo support cityhood. Residents

want a city that will be fiscallyconservative—starting responsiblyand building a strong oundation. Iwant to be part o the council thatwill establish our city as the votersntended.”

Hoffman: “Provide an honest,ransparent and accountable voice

or the residents o this district.For too long politics in this statehas been dominated by businessnterests that are ofen diametrically

opposed to quality o lie goals.”

Lerner: “Having poured myheart and soul into the cityhoodprocess, I want to make sure thepromise o the ucker charter isupheld and preserves what makesucker unique, while implementinghe community’s vision or the

uture. It would be an honor tocontinue to serve the people oucker in an even more meaningulway.”

What are the top threepriorities you will focus on ifyou’re elected to city council?

Penkava: “1) Responsibleimplementation and a smooth

transition o services with DeKalbCounty; 2) effective communicationwith ucker’s volunteerorganizations to ensure broadcitizen input on decisions impactingucker; 3) ongoing dialogue withthe school district and DeKalbCounty to ensure comprehensivesuccess or ucker.”

Hoffman: “Keep governmenthonest and hold it accountable tothe citizens o this community;environmental awareness ingovernment contracting and cityservices; and community outreachincluding educating constituents onservices provided by the city.”

Lerner: “Troughout thecityhood process, I’ve listened toresidents express their hopes or ournew city, hearing loud and clear theyfirst want ucker starting on a solidoundation or lasting success. Teirpriorities are my priorities: make

decisions based on communityinput; be fiscally responsible;provide responsive and effectiveservices.”

What qualities do you havethat will help you be a goodcity council member forTucker?

Penkava: “I’ve been immersedin the cityhood process or ucker.I participated in writing thecharter, was part o the easibilitystudy committee and worked withlegislators to ensure ucker theopportunity to direct our ownuture. I will continue listeningto the community, working byconsensus, to move ucker orward.”

Hoffman: “First and oremost,I am a concerned citizen. I wantto see all o the communityrepresented during the ormativestages o ucker city government.Perspective: I bring a world-view tothis position that others, who havespent their lives here, do not have.”

Lerner: “For 19 years, I’ve

worked with the communityto address concerns and buildrelationships to benefit ucker. Ibring extensive knowledge o the

planning and zoning process asan involved citizen and a DeKalbCounty planning commissioner.With my proven commitment tothe community and my experiencein the issues affecting our new city,I can better serve the people oucker.”

What do you believe someof the challenges will be forTucker?

Penkava: “Excitement or our

new city is palpable. Tere will bea period o time, especially in thebeginning, when things will appearto move slowly, though there will bemuch important work transpiring atmany levels. Tis may prove diffi cultor those that are most excited aboutucker’s uture.”

Hoffman: “Te day-to-dayminutia o setting up a new citygovernment; keeping the lines ocommunications open betweenthe community and government;educating the community on theucker city value proposition.”

Lerner: “Te tasks to accomplishin the first year o cityhood are notglamorous, but they are important.We’ll need community members tostay engaged and be patient as wework together to implement their

vision or ucker. Some things willtake time, but we’ll get it done theright way or lasting results.”

Penkava Hoffman Lerner


Te Lithonia mayor and city council helda special called executive session Feb. 10 todiscuss a personnel matter.

City offi cials would not disclose all thedetails discussed in a meeting, but CityAdministrator Eddie Moody said the meetingstemmed rom an internal complaint filedagainst a police offi cer.

“I don’t know the ull extent o what allthat’s going on,” Moody said. “I do knowenough to tell you that there will be aninternal investigation. I’m going to do my due

diligence on it to see what all is happening. Ican’t comment on it right now. ime will beinvested to see what’s actually happening.”

Afer the meeting, Mayor DeborahJackson said the issue surrounding the offi cerand the complaint were recently brought toher attention.

“Apparently, something happened overthe weekend and we just need to get someinormation about what that is and any actionsthat were taken that should not have beentaken,” she said.

Moody said more inormation will bereleased once the investigation is completed.

Lithonia investigating

complaint against officer

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East Lake neighborhood seeks to be annexed by Atlanta

PUBLIC

NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALES AND USE TAX ELECTION

TO

THE

QUALIFIED

VOTERS

OF

THE

CITY

OF

ATLANTA

YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that Tuesday, March 1, 2016, the date chosen by the Secretary of

State of the State of Georgia for the presidential preference primary pursuant to Georgia law, a

[special] election will be held in all of the precincts of the City of Atlanta (the “City”). At this

election there will be submitted to the qualified voters of the City for their determination the

question of whether a special one percent sales and use tax should be reimposed within the

City, upon the termination of the special one percent sales and use tax presently in effect, for a

maximum period of time of 16 calendar quarters, for the purposes of funding water and sewer

projects

and

costs,

at

an

aggregate

maximum

cost

of

Seven

Hundred

Fifty

Million

Dollars

and

Zero Cents ($750,000,000.00).

Voters desiring to vote for the reimposition of such sales and use tax shall do so by voting

“YES” and voters desiring to vote against the reimposition of such sales and use tax shall do so

by voting “NO,” as to the question propounded to‐wit:

"Shall a special 1 percent sales and use tax be reimposed in the City of

Atlanta

for

a

period

of

time

not

to

exceed

16 calendar

quarters

and

for

the raising of not more than ‐ Seven Hundred Fifty Million Dollars and

Zero

Cents

($750,000,000.00)

for

the

purpose

of

funding

water

and

sewer

projects

and

costs?"

The several places for holding the election shall be in the regular and established precincts of

the City, and the polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on the date fixed for the

election. Those qualified to vote at the election shall be determined in all respects in accordance

and in conformity with the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America and of the

State of Georgia.

This notice is given pursuant to joint action of the City Council of the City of Atlanta and the

Municipal Election Superintendent of the City.

Rhonda

Dauphin

Johnson

Municipal

Clerk/Election

Superintendent

City of Atlanta


No one spoke during a public hearingbeore the Atlanta City Council’s financecommittee Feb. 10 about the proposed

annexation o the Olmsted at East Lakeneighborhood into the city o Atlanta.Located off Glenwood Avenue on

the border o the city o Atlanta andadjacent to the historic East Lake GolCourse, Olmsted at East Lake is aneighborhood o 91 residences and apopulation o approximately 275. Tecommunity o Crafsman-style homes,established in 2001 and inspired by theamed landscape designer Frederick LawOlmsted, has a centrally located two-acrepark and is surrounded by seven acres ogreenspace.

According to the Atlanta cityordinance introduced by Atlanta CityCouncilwoman Natalyn Archibong , atleast 60 percent o the residents o theneighborhood—the minimum numberrequired by state law— have petitionedthe city o Atlanta or annexation.

According to an annexation serviceplan by the city o Atlanta, the city is“prepared to provide municipal servicesto Olmsted at East Lake residents.”

“Te proposed Olmsted at East Lakeannexation is a very small area that couldbe absorbed into [police department]beat 611 with current staffing levels,”the report stated about the provision opolice services.

The 91-residence community of Olmstead at East Lake is petitioning the

city of Atlanta for annexation. Photos by Andrew Cauthen

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MARTA holds workshop for proposedBrookhaven station development

Amanda Rhein, MARTA senior directorof transit oriented development, gives apresentation on Brookhaven/OglethorpeStation project.

Brookhaven residents voice concerns about trafc issues around the Brookhaven/Oglethorpe Station.

A project developer shares information about the Brookhaven/Oglethorpe Station project with residents. Photos by Carla Parker


MARA representativesare meeting with Brookhavenesidents to receive eedback

on the transit system’sproposed transit orienteddevelopment (OD) or theBrookhaven/OglethorpeStation.

MARA officialsmet with residents in theDistrict 2 area on Feb. 11 atBriarwood Recreation Centero present preliminary plansor the project. Te project

will be located on 15 acres ounder-used surace parkingon both the east and westides o the Brookhaven/

Oglethorpe Station onPeachtree Road.

MARA is proposing amixed-use development withesidential space—126 senior

affordable apartments and560-580 market rate units;40,000 to 60,000 square eeto retail space; 120,000 to400,000 square eet o officepace; 10,000 to 40,000quare eet o civic space and

a community green transitplaza.

Brookhaven City CenterPartners (BCCP), a masterdevelopment joint ventureo Integral and ranswesternDevelopment Company,was selected as MARA’sdevelopment partner or theproject.

BCCP’s conceptualmaster plan aims toransorm the station surace

parking lots into a mixed-use development that will

connect residents to thetation and new amenities

and services, according toMARA.

Amanda Rhein, MARAenior director o OD,aid the project is part o

MARA’s broader ODnitiative.

“We’re really ocusedon the development on ourproperty being integratedwith transit to ensurehat we issue the goalshat we want to through

our program, which areo increase ridership,generate revenue or ouroperations, support localcommunity development,

as well as regional economicdevelopment,” Rhein said.

MARA officials said themajor connecting element othe plan is an active publicpark/plaza that connectsPeachtree Road and AppleValley Way through thestation. Te group wants toreduce traffic while creatingan “active station surrounded

by all the elements thatencourage a live, work, playliestyle while seamlesslyintegrating into the existingabric o Brookhaven.”

Rhein said the projectwill be a lengthy process.

“Tis process, we expect,will unold over our years—our years, just including thefirst phase o development,”she said. “Tere is a loto activity that will behappening over the nextyears that will allow or usto be in the position to start

construction ideally earlynext year.”Rhein said MARA

is still in design right nowand the purpose o the

community workshops isto solicit residents’ inputon multiple aspects o theproject, including design.

Mary McPherson saidthe station does need to beredeveloped.

“I am concerned mostlyabout the traffic becausethat is a very congestedarea,” she said. “We’ve had

two apartment complexesgo up and townhomes areabout to go up, and then thiswill be on top o that. Everytime something is added

more and more traffic isadded which means morecongestion.”

McPherson said shewould like to see moregreenspace in the area ratherthan a large development.

“Some retail would bewonderul—some uniqueretail,” she said. “Locallyowned, independently

operated retail, smallbusinesses—I wouldreally like to see that.But greenspace would bewonderul.”

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Stone Mountain Park hosts veteran firefighter training

MOVE IN/OUT CLEANNG

CleaningByMarines.com

(404) 975-9002

by R. Scott [email protected]

For three dayslast week, StoneMountain Parkplayed host to men

and women sporting hardhats, shovels, axes, flaresand fire blankets. Morethan 15 pounds sat ontheir shoulders, while theyconcentrated and listened.Heavy yellow hardhatscaused perspirationacross their brows as theywere asked to quicklydemonstrate detailedtraining.

Regardless, eachindividual could be seensmiling. Te gear, the drills,the exercises and preciseinstruction all seemedamiliar, perhaps welcome.It seemed to remind themo something they werealready used to: service.

Approximately 30military veterans romsuch places as Ohio, exas,Florida, North Carolina andIdaho received wildland

firefighter training atStone Mountain Park. Teprogram, which lasted romFeb. 12 to Feb. 14, came

courtesy o Te Bureauo Land Management

(BLM), the Department oInterior (DOI) as well as the veteran-led nonprofit eamRubicon or the secondconsecutive year.

Te weekend trainingensured participantsreceived Firefighterype 2 (FF2) training.

According to firemanagement manuals

provided by Te Nature

‘Training this weekendwill allow immediate

deployment to a fire line.’

See Training on Page 14A

– Mike Ward

Mike Ward, a fuel specialist for the National Park Service, served as one of ve reghter instructors at Stone Mountain Park. Photos by Travis Hudgons

Sage Decker, center, a three-year Army veteran, explains the ins

nd outs of proper ignition and weather control to reghterrainees.

ustin Waters, left, a National Guard veteran, along with J.C.Gillespie, a Team Rubicon member training to become an EMT,pack up an emergency re shelter after a demonstration.

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DeKalb County firefighters graduation

Twenty-one new reghters will hit the streets after the DeKalb County Fire Rescue classes 103and 104 graduated from the county’s re academy Feb. 11. Photos by Andrew Cauthen

Kevin Fleming gets his badge pinned on for the rst time.

Ellic Jackson, right, shakes the hand of Fire Chief Darnell Fullum.

The new graduates take the reghters’ oath.

uan Rosado III poses for pictures after his graduation.

From left, Carter Jackson pins a badge on his father Killroy Jackson.

Gabriel Haskins wears the helmet belonging to his father Khalil.

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13/24


23

DCTV Channel 23

@DCTVChannel23

DeKalb County GovUstream.tv/channle/DCTV-Channel-23

VISIT US AT WWW.DCTVChannel23.tv E-mail us at [email protected]

Get your front row seat to all things DeKalb County

through your EMMY Award-winning station

2323

PHOTOS BROUGHT TO YOU BY DCTV

WEEK inPICTURES

Elisa Clark, top row, center, a principal dancer with the Alvin Ailey American DanceTheater Company, hosted a class for the J Dance Company from the Marcus JewishCommunity Center of Atlanta in Dunwoody on Feb. 9. Photo provided

Trees Atlanta planted 21 trees outside of the Marcus Jewish CommunityCenter of Atlanta’s Kuniansky Family Center. Photo provided

DeKalb County Fire Rescue Station No. 24 personnel enjoy a break betweenalls. Photos by Andrew Cauthen

Thurmond to join race for county CEOby Andrew [email protected]

Mike Turmond is planningto run or the county’s top

government position.Turmond, a ormer state

labor commissioner who servedas superintendent o the DeKalbCounty School District romFebruary 2013 to June 2015,told Te Champion on Feb. 16that he would be releasing astatement later in the day offi ciallyannouncing his candidacy or theDeKalb CEO position.

“Hopeully we can get DeKalbback on track,” Turmond, whoturned 63 in January, said.

Under his leadership, the

school district’s financial crisiswas reversed, and governanceproblems that led to the removalo several board membersand threatened the district’saccreditation were solved.

Turmond’s pending candidacywill put him in a race with twoothers who also have said they will

run or DeKalb County CEO.Calvin Sims, a ormer MARA

employee and candidate or countycommission in 2008 and the CEO’sposition in 2004, also has said hewill run or CEO. Sims currentlyserves on DeKalb County Parksand Cultural Affairs CitizenAdvisory Board.

Connie Stokes, a ormer statesenator and county commissioner,said in January that she wouldenter the race. In 2014, Stokeswas the state Democratic Party

nominee or lieutenant governor.As a senator under ormer Gov.Roy Barnes, Stokes served aschairwoman o the Health andHuman Services committee andsecretary o the Banking andFinancial Institutions committee.

Interim DeKalb County CEOLee May announced earlier thismonth that he would not seek theelected position.

Turmond said a campaignkick-off rally is scheduled or 11a.m. Feb. 20 at the Comort Suitesin ucker.

Sims Stokes Thurmond

The Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta and Trees Atlanta held aFamily Tree Planting Day on Feb. 7 in Dunwoody. Photo provided

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TRAINING Continued From Page 11A

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The Mayor and City Council of the City of Chamblee, Georgia will hold a public hearing on Thursday, March10, 2016, at the Chamblee Civic Center, 3540 Broad Street, Chamblee, GA 30341 at 6:00 p.m. to receive publiccomments regarding the following matters:

•Serge Shevchenko, representing Peachtree Crossing, LLC requests a variance from Sec. 260-9(f) of the City ofChamblee Ordinances, Appendix A, Unied Development Ordinance to allow an oversize temporary construction sign fora proposed shopping center on 11.12 acres zoned Corridor Commercial at 5001 Peachtree Blvd. being parcels 18-278-14-002, 18-278-14-006, 18-278-14-007, and 18-278-14-008. •Julie Sellars, representing RRB Development, LLC requests approval of a Development of Community Impact inaccordance with City of Chamblee Ordinances, Appendix A, Unied Development Ordinance, Section 280-6 for thepurpose of constructing a self-storage facility consisting of 712 units and 3,960 sq. ft. of other commercial space andparking for 49 cars on 0.94 acres of property located at 1801 Savoy Drive, Chamblee, GA, being DeKalb County Taxparcels 18-345-05-004, 18-345-05-007, and 18-345-05-006. •Andrew Blakey, representing Broward PIB, LLC requests approval of a Development of Community Impact inaccordance with City of Chamblee Ordinances, Appendix A, Unied Development Ordinance, Section 280-6 for thepurpose of constructing a self-storage facility consisting of 600 units and 3,599 sq. ft. of other commercial space andparking for 35 cars on 1.28 acres of property located at 5208 Peachtree Boulevard, Chamblee, GA, being DeKalb CountyTax parcel 18-300-08-002. •Daniel A. Edwards requests approval of a Planned Unit Development in accordance with City of Chamblee Ordinances,Appendix A, Unied Development Ordinance, Section 280-6 for the purpose of constructing 36 townhomes on 2.8 acresof 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. •Steven Ellis of Pro Building Systems requests variances of the following provisions of the City of ChambleeOrdinances, Appendix A, Unied Development Ordinance with respect to a lot consisting of 11.1171 acres zoned CorridorCommercial located at 5625 and 5665 New Peachtree Road, Chamblee, GA being parcels 18-309-05-001 and 18-309-05-005: 1. Relief from Section 230-5 that requires a 7 ft. wide landscape zone behind the curb along the frontage

of New Peachtree Road. 2. Relief from Section 230-5 that requires an 8 ft. wide sidewalk behind the landscape strip along the

frontage of New Peachtree Road. 3. Relief from Section 230-33(a)(1)c. that requires that the facades of buildings over 50 feet in height

step back that portion of the building greater than 50 feet in height a minimum of ten feet away from theremainder of the building façade.

4. Relief from Section 240-13(h)(1)b. that requires that external openings of above-ground parkingdecks that face public streets shall be screened with decorative elements such as metal grill-work, brickscreens, or louvers.

5. Relief from Section 240-13(h)(1)d. that requires that above-ground decks of parking structuresthat have a total length or width of 250 feet or more along a public street shall provide at least one lighted and

signed 5 foot-wide pedestrian entrance and walkway passing completely through the parking structure connectingwith buildings or other sidewalks leading to adjacent buildings or to the surrounding streets. 6. Relief from Section 240-13(h)(1)f. that requires that the roof level of multi-story parking structures be

landscaped to provide adequate shade cover for a minimum of 40 percent of the upper surface. 7. Relief from Section 250-2(a)(4)b. that requires that surface parking provided in excess of 100 percent

of the minimum number of required off-street parking spaces be constructed of approved perviouspaving systems.

8. Relief from Section 250-7(a)(4)a. that requires developments with 30 or more parking spaces providecompact parking spaces, amounting to a minimum of ve spaces, or ten percent of the total number ofparking spaces (whichever is greater.

9. Relief from Section 300-17(c) that requires that non-residential and mixed-use developments withmore than 600 feet of frontage along a single street be divided by streets into blocks having a maximumlength of 400 feet.

10. Relief from Section 320-21(a)(1) that requires landscape islands be located no farther apart than every tenparking spaces and at the terminus of all rows of parking.11. Relief from Section 320-21(a)(2) that requires that there shall be at least one overstory tree, ten low shrubsand a minimum of 60 percent living groundcover, sod, and/or annual or perennial color in each landscaped island.12. Relief from Section 320-21(a)(4) that requires rows of head-to-head parking to provide a ve-foot grass stripseparating the wheel bumpers.13. Relief from Sec. 350-2(c) that requires sidewalks and driveways connecting parking lots serving adjacentcommercial and multifamily residential properties.

14. Relief from Section 350-25(a) that requires that existing overhead utilities be placed underground for all newdevelopments with total oor areas 20,000 sf or over.

Conservancy, ype 2firefighters take part incontrolled burns as well aswildland fire responses.

Mike Ward, a NationalPark Service uel specialist

erving as an instructor,aid the certification allowsparticipants immediatework in the field. Accordingo a release rom BLM, in

2015, service was requiredn Nevada, Caliornia,

Oregon, Washingtonand even Alaska due to

a dangerously busy fireseason. Te governmentagency oversees responsesto more than 13,000 firesannually.

“raining this weekend

will allow immediatedeployment to a fire line,”Ward said. “Last year, thosewho passed the test wentstraight to Wyoming andeventually Alaska to helpfight fires.”

Sage Decker, a three-year army veteran also

serving as an instructor,commended the eventor providing a solidemployment oundationoutside o military service.

“Te overall program is

great,” Decker said. “It givespeople another avenue topursue work similar to themilitary.”

Te veterans cycledthrough 40-minute sessionsat five separate stations.Tese included lessonspertaining to ignition

devices and weather, lineconstruction, gridding andcommunication, field hoselaying and pumping, as wellas emergency equipmentdeployment.

For emergencyequipment, Ward detailedhow to properly use mobileemergency fire shelters.At first glance, the sheltersresemble aluminum sleepingbags. Students, however,were quickly taught the bagscan make all the difference

in lie or death situations.“Tese have saved a lot

o lives,” said Ward. “Teyare by no means oolproo,and firefighters rely heavieron their intelligence and

training.”Te trainees were givena single chance to quicklytake out the bags, coverthemselves and wait orthe all clear. Te test wasrepeated with more urgencyin a patch o nearby woodssoon aferward.

“Tese are ‘very last-minute’ fire shelters,” saidJustin Waters, a NationalGuard veteran participatingin the weekend training.“Tey’ll give you a muchbetter opportunity to live.”

Meanwhile, Deckerexplained to traineesthe proper way to goabout ignition. Aferdemonstrating how to lighta flare, the army veteranshowed how to construct,prepare and use an ignitormechanism.

While communicating via radio or walkie-talkiemay seem like a simpletask to the average person,instructor Kelly Woods explained how talking

incorrectly can hamper afirefighting team’s efforts.

“I you’re too wordy ordon’t know what to say orhow to say it, it can be veryconusing or the receiver,”Woods said. “I you talktoo long, you can also weardown your battery.”

eam Rubicon, whichspecializes in disasterresponse, seeks to help

veterans by “[providing]them with a sense opurpose, community and

identity ofen missingollowing their militaryservice,” according to arelease regarding the event.Te DOI contacted eamRubicon last year to ortiythe country’s firefightingefforts.

For more inormationon uture veteranfirefighting training,contact the Bureau o LandManagement’s Fire andAviation help desk at (888)364-6432 or visit www.

blm.gov. More inormationcan also be ound at TeDepartment o the Interior’swebsite www.doi.gov.

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Dunwoody residents take part in national bird counting event


More than 60Dunwoodyresidents broke

out binoculars, cradledlipboards and counted

eathered riends as part o aweekend, worldwide event.

Te Dunwoody NatureCenter (DNC), as part ohe 2016 Great Backyard

Bird Count (GBBC), playedhost to young and old birdnthusiasts alike on Feb. 12

and Feb. 15. Te GBBC seesornithologists throughouthe world count and identiy

birds in their region beoreecording them online.

Te 22-acre nature center,ocated off Roberts Drive in

northern DeKalb, has hostedhe ree event or the pastour years and typically draws

a crowd o approximately 60over two sessions.

Headed by HollyLoveland, program directorat the DNC, the local birdount offers attendeeshances to learn birdwatchingips as well as the chanceo put that knowledge into

practice.Once they finish, they

ecord the species o birdseen, how many they haveeen, as well as the time andocation on gbbc.birdcount.

org. Tere, birdwatchersoin thousands worldwide inracking bird populations,

migration patterns and whichpecies are choosing what

habitats.“It’s great to do events

ike this so we can trackhanging bird populations,”

Loveland said. “Te morepeople we can get countingand submitting their findings,he bigger difference we can

make. It’s one o those thingswhere every little bit counts.”

According to the DNCprogram director, the most

common species seen in thenorthern DeKalb area areCarolina chickadees, tufedtitmice, cardinals, crows,robins, red-tailed hawks,bard owls and eastern screechowls.

Loveland said the annual

event casts a bright light onareas o wildlie not typicallythought o by the averageperson. Since the event isheld in late winter as birdpopulations are makingtheir way to their respectivebreeding grounds, it providesa great opportunity to trackrecent habits and trends.

“[Te Backyard BirdCount] brings a lot oattention to our backyardhabitats,” Loveland said.“We’re trying to preserve

and bring people’s attentionto birds in the area. We tryto bring attention to ourfluctuating bird populations,which have changed a lotover time.”

According to Loveland,even setting out a simpleeeder can help local birdpopulations eel welcome andsustained. While the DNCprogram director insistslocal bird populations haveremained steady, an annualcount can ensure no species isendangered or declining.

Loveland seemedimpressed with the turnoutor this year’s GBBC, whichbrought more than 60 localsto the DNC or birdwatching.

“[Te response] rom thecommunity has been verygood,” Loveland said. “We’vehad a very good turnout; agarden club came and so dida lot o moms with their kids.”

For more inormationon the Great Backyard BirdCount, visit gbbc.birdcount.org. For more inormation

on uture events at theDunwoody Nature Center, visit www.dunwoodynature.org or call (770) 394-3322.

Ayla Maeroff, 7, looks through binoculars to track and identifybirds at the Dunwoody Nature Center. Photos by R. Scott Belzer

Austin Loveland participates in Dunwoody NatureCenter’s annual hosting of the Great BackyardBird Count on Feb. 12 and Feb. 15.

Liam Shepherd and Valerie Shepherd eagerlyhunt birds at Dunwoody Nature Center for theannual Great Backyard Bird Count.

From left, Regan Cox and Ayla Maeroff, 7, take part in the 2016 Great Backyard Bird Count at

Dunwoody Nature Center.

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BUSINESS The Champion FREE PRESS, Friday, Feb. 19, 2016 • Page 16A

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

Wine connoisseur brings sip and shop to Avondale Estatesby Kathy Mitchell

Steffi ni Bethea has beennterested in wine most o her adultie—so interested that her husbandemarked she had put so much time

and money into wine research shehould make a living at it.

Te remark inspired Betheao launch Te Purple Corkscrew

Wine Shop & asting Room. Betheaaid her previous experiences as a

pharmaceutical representative and asowner o a fitness ranchise preparedher to open a business built aroundher original concept.

Initially located in EmoryVillage, Te Purple Corkscrew wasactually two shops—a retail shopwhere bottles were sold or offsiteconsumption and a wine room where

customers could sip vino in a livingoom type setting.“I enjoy getting together with

riends and sharing good ood andgood wine. I know others like that,oo. I wanted to create a space thateels like an extension o my own

home,” Bethea said.Te concept was so popular

within our years Bethea was lookingor a larger space. In January, Te

Purple Corkscrew moved into apace on North Avondale Road in

Avondale Estates that had been a gastation beore being remodeled into a

eal estate offi ce.“It had taken lots o work toconvert the space rom a gas station,but I really liked what the real estateagent had done with it. All we had todo was move in,” Bethea recalled.

In the new location, Bethea andher staff are able to sell bottles owine or pour flights—tasting-sizeportions o wine—or consumptionn the shop. “Although local laws

don’t allow us to sell ull bottles orull glasses or consumption on the

premises, customers can still havewo or three two-ounce servings toip with riends. We still have the sip

and shop concept.”Te Purple Corkscrew also offers

wine-related items such as scentedcandles. Tere are special eventsuch as tastings and presentations onpecific types o wines, and Betheaaid cooking classes and other such

events will be arranged in the nearuture.

“We like to partner with ourneighbors or special events andcross promotions,” she said, offeringas an example a “wine and vinyl”

evening in partnership with a nearbyrecord shop. Customers were invitedto bring vinyl records or listening asthey sip wine.

Paintings on the walls are thework o local artists, she pointed out.

Te Purple Corkscrew specializesin small vineyard, boutique wines.“Tese aren’t wines you’ll find inthe grocery store,” Bethea said,explaining that she and her teamo wine consultants sample winesoffered by distributors to decidewhich the shop will stock. “Weprobably sample 30 or more wines aweek. We choose what we like andwhat we think will appeal to ourcustomers.

“We have different tastes,” Betheasaid o hersel and her consultants,“so European wines are more likelyto have been chosen by [wineconsultant] Racquel [McCreary ],and another consultant who’s moreinterested in Caliornia wines willprobably choose those. Everythingwe sell one o us has tasted withinthe past 60 days. When a customerasks what a particular wine is like,we don’t just tell the person what thelabel says; we’ve actually tasted it.

“We deliberately keep theinventory small so we have the

flexibility to add new wines wediscover or discontinue those ourcustomers don’t seem interested in,”she said.

Bethea said the wines are offeredat a wide variety o price points. “Wehave every day wines that someonemight drink at a cookout or withan inormal meal and pricier winesthat would be suitable when theperson is doing special entertaining.We want Te Purple Corkscrew tobe a comortable place or all wine

drinkers rom the novice to theseasoned connoisseur.”

Although the shop has onlybeen open a ew weeks it’s alreadypopular, according to Bethea. “Awine shop that had been on thissame street closed not long ago andpeople in the neighborhood miss

it and are stopping by to see whatwe’re like. I’m pleased that a lot o myEmory Village customers are cominghere now that we’ve moved. Peoplepassing through Avondale Estates—people rom Decatur, Lithonia,Clarkston and other nearby cities—stop by as well.”

The Purple Corkscrew specializes in small vineyard, boutique wines that aren’t

available in grocery stores, according to owner Stefni Bethea.

A jar of corks suggests the many winesstaff members sample before offering themto customers.

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DEKALB CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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

Brought to you in partnership with: The Champion Newspaper

News and events of the

DeKalb Chamber to host 78th AnnualMeeting and Business Luncheon

Upcoming Events

Since 1938, the DeKalb Chamberf Commerce has been the voice forusiness in the county and has beenedicated to the success and growthf the business community. At our8th Annual Meeting and Businessuncheon, presented by AT&T and

Oglethorpe Power, more than 400

usiness, civic and governmenteaders will join DeKalb Chamberor a celebration of the Chamber’sccomplishments and impact in

DeKalb County and the metro region.Keith Parker, CEO and General

Manager of MARTA, will serve ashe keynote speaker for the Annual

Meeting and speak on MARTA’smpact in DeKalb, initiatives for smallusiness, women- and minority-wned business, and the transitystem’s expansion plans for 2016.

At the meeting, 2015 Board Chair Al Edwards, Managing Director of

CERM, will pass the gavel to 2016Board Chair Diane McClearen,Director of Community and ExternalRelations at Oglethorpe Power.

DeKalb Chamber will formallyntroduce and install the six new

members to the Board of Directors.he new members include Erik

Bryant, vice president, AtlantaCommercial Group, BB&T; Tom Burns, owner, Toro Properties RehabLC; John Funny, president and CEO,

Grice Consulting Group; Vaughn rons, founder and CEO, APDolutions; Andrew Lewis, executive

vice president, Georgia CharterSchools Association; and, Jason Ressman, director of operations,Hyatt Regency Atlanta Perimeter at

Villa ChristinaIn addition, the Chamber will

present its inaugural EconomicDevelopment Project of the YearAward, an award recognizing amajor economic developmentproject completed in DeKalb andits accomplishments in 2015. TheChamber will also recognize theAmbassadors of the Year for theircontributions to the Chamber andan individual for the Sirius Award forhis or her characteristics of integrity,work ethic, vision and values, andoutstanding public service.

February 18 – 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. 78 th AnnualMeeting & Business Luncheon presented by AT&T andOglethorpe Power. Georgia Aquarium, 225 Baker StreetNW, Atlanta.

February 23 – 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. – Breakfast Clubpresented by the Martial Arts Center, 2947 North DruidHills Road, Atlanta.

March 10 – 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. – DeKalb State of theCounty Address presented by Gas South. Thalia N. CarlosHellenic Center, 2500 Clairemont Road, Atlanta.

March 15 – 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. – New MembersOrientation presented by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.Lunch sponsored by Taziki’s Mediterranean Café.

May 25 – Save the Date – 2016 Apex Business Awards.

Additional information available on our events page:www.dekalbchamber.org.

DeKalb Chamber 2015 Accomplishments

• DeKalb Chamber increased its membership base over 2014by 15 percent.

• DeKalb Chamber developed a partnership and businessalliance with Decide DeKalb Development Authority to reviewand approve all new projects over $75 million in the county.

• DeKalb Chamber partnered with the DeKalb CountySchool District to host the official welcome reception ofSuperintendent Dr. R. Stephen Green.

• DeKalb Chamber created more opportunities for womento assemble and connect, attracting more than double thewomen over the previous year for the 2nd Annual Women inLeadership Golf Clinic, more than 100 for a multigenerationalleadership panel discussion with women executives anda private exclusive event on personal and professionalbranding workshop.

DeKalb Chamber 2016 Goals

• Increase revenue and membership by providing qualityprogramming, developing strategic engagement

opportunities and exploring retention efforts.• Providing more resources for businesses to make an impact

through the Chamber’s 2016 Legislative Agenda and thelaunch of the Industry Council Initiative, an initiative forbusinesses to gain access to opportunities that will increasethe efficiency of their business development efforts.

• Expanding the Chamber’s community involvement bycontinuous engagement with local partners; highlightingDeKalb economic development projects through theChamber’s new DeKalb 360 Project; creating awarenessabout the physical health of our county through the KeepDeKalb Healthy Initiative.

MARTA CEO Keith Parker to serve as keynotespeaker at the 78th Annual Meeting.

FEBRUARY 2016

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EDUCATION The Champion FREE PRESS, Friday, Feb. 19, 2016 • Page 18A

Stephenson High students wear their pride

PET

WEEKOF THE

Lula (ID# 29261876) is a sweet, wiggly girl who would love to beyour new best friend! This gorgeous 2 year old gal seems to love everyhuman she meets. Lula’s favorite activities include getting belly rubs, go-ing for car r ides, and playing with squeaky balls. She already knows howto sit and she would love to learn more. Lula prefers to only have humanfriends, she isn’t a fan of other dogs. She would do best in an only doghome, one where she could have you and your family all to herself. Sheis already spayed, microchipped, vaccinated, and heartworm negative.Lula is currently in a foster home. If you would like to meet Lula pleaseemail [email protected] or call (404) 294-2165. She’swaiting to meet you.

Lula qualifies for our February “Find the One” promotion, where

all cats and all dogs over 25 lbs. are only $14! Adoption includes spay,vaccinations, microchip and more! If you would like more informationabout Lula please email [email protected] or call(404) 294-2165. All potential adopters will be screened to ensure Lulagoes to a good home.


More than150 DekalbCountyhigh school

tudents, sta andaculty chose to celebrate

Black History Monthby donning colorul,patterned, loose-ittingclothing.

On Feb. 11,

Stephenson High Schooln Stone Mountaincelebrated “Dashiki Day,”where members o thechool, ranging romtudents to the principal,

dressed in pullovergarments known asdashikis. hough widelypopular in west Arica,he garments ound

popularity in the UnitedStates during the CivilRights Movement o the

960s, sporting colorsand patterns reminiscento the continent.

Dashikis were soldby student advisor andDashiki Day ounderVernada Habeeb-ullah,who heads the school’sSankoa Club. he clubmeets every week todiscuss Black history,pride and heritage, aheme that spread to the

day’s overall message.“During the ‘60s,

dashikis meant so much– they meant pride,”Habeeb-ullah said. “Iwanted the kids to lovehemselves and each

other instead o turning

on each other. [Students]need to understandwhere we’ve been. I wantstudents to get back tothat pride.”

he advisor said suchpride was evident themoment dashikis wereput on.

“When they putthem on, it’s like they’retransormed,” Habeeb-ullah said. “When youput on a suit, how do you

eel? When you put onsomething that’s relatedto your culture, youeel connected. You eelconnected to a sense ohistory.”

Habeeb-ullah went onto explain how SankoaClub ocuses on honoringBlack history throughoutthe year rather thanlimiting the practice toFebruary.

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