FreePress 3-4-16

8/20/2019 FreePress 3-4-16

1/24

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, MaRcH 4, 2016 • Vol. 18, no. 48 • 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 Budget on Page 5A

See Leaders on Page 5A

Perimeter regional leaders discuss growth, future

County budget includes public safety pay raises

DeKalb County’s Board of Commissioners passed the 2016 budget Feb. 25 which contains payincreases for police, re, sanitation, watershed and E911 employees.

Police personnel have been attending Board of Commissioners’meetings for weeks, asking for salary increases. Photos byAndrew Cauthen

by Andrew Cauthen [email protected]

DeKalb County’s $1.32 billion budgetfor 2016 includes $5.2 million for sal-ary increases for police, re, sanita-

tion, watershed and E911 employees. Commissioners voted 4-3 to approve

the budget which includes the pay increas-es for approximately 2,800 employees. Thepay raises will go into effect in May.

A not-yet-complete compensation studywill include new pay ranges for county jobs,

and for “a number of employees, their cur-rent pay will not even be the minimum forthat new range,” May said.

For these employees, the county plansto “move their current pay up to the mini-mum of that new range,” May said. Some ofthese employees will see their pay increaseas much as 15 percent.

May said the increases would help ad-dress the problems the county has in retain-ing ofcers.

“We have too many ofcers that havebeen leaving,” he said. “We want them tostart here and retire here. We don’t wantthem to leave within three, four, [or] veyears. We want them to be here 15, 20

years.“Our current compensation level is notsufcient to keep our ofcers,” he said.

by R. Scott Belzer [email protected]

For an hour on Feb. 19,community leaders and government

ofcials from Chamblee, Doraville,Dunwoody and Sandy Springscame together to discuss the futureof a northern DeKalb region.

The Perimeter Business AlliancePBA), a volunteer organization

based in North Atlanta, hosted auncheon at the Hyatt RegencyPerimeter Center, where themayors of Chamblee, Dunwoodyand Sandy Springs answeredquestions about the region’sgrowth.

“Each of these folks has a greathistory of public service in theprivate sector, the public sector andhe military,” said Robert Voyles,

chairman of the PBA.Mayors Eric Clarkson

(Chamblee), Denis Shortal (Dunwoody) and Rusty Paul (Sandy Springs) took turns

answering questions preparedby the PBA regarding expansion,infrastructure improvement andtransportation. The questions comeahead of the various cities’ “State of

the City” addresses coming in thenext few weeks.

The mayors began by explainingtheir main areas of focus forthe upcoming year. Paul began

by stating congestion relief inthe region would be his primaryconcern. Chamblee mayor Clarksonechoed this concern in additionto reinventing Chamblee from anindustrial town to a full-edgedmodern suburb.

“Chamblee has grown overthe last couple of years. We wentfrom just under 10,000 residents to28,000 through two annexations,”Clarkson said. “Our focus willbe continuing what we’re doing,promoting a more walkablecommunity.”

Shortal, who has only beenmayor for 45 days, kept his answer

The Perimeter Business Alliance hosted a luncheon discussing growth and transportationFeb. 19, inviting business leaders and government officials.

County sanitation workers are among those getting payncreases in the new budget.

Business .................................17A

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

ducation.........................18-19A

Opinion ......................................7A Sports ............................... 21-23A

QUICK FINDER

EDUCATION, 19A

OLYMPIAN CHALLENGESDUNWOODY STUDENTSTO BE CHAMPIONS

SPORTS, 21A

BASKETBALL: FIVE TEAMSTO PLAY FOR A STATE TITLE

LOCAL, 10A

LITHONIA POLICE CHIEF ACCUSED OF CREATING‘HOSTILE WORK ENVIRONMENT’

8/20/2019 FreePress 3-4-16

2/24

8/20/2019 FreePress 3-4-16

3/24

LOCAL The Champion FREE PRESS, Friday, March 4, 2016 • Page 3A

AROUNDDEKALBAVONDALE ESTATESDowntown Development Authority seeks to fill opening

The Avondale Estates Downtown Development Authority (DDA) hasan open board position for an owner or operator of a business locatedwithin the downtown area.

“The DDA plays an integral role in the redevelopment of downtown Avondale Estates and is seeking members that are energetic, motivatedand willing to utilize their talents and connections to further the missionand goals of the DDA,” states an announcement about the position.

Candidates must “possess the skills to invigorate other business/property owners along with residents and visitors to support and growthe city’s unique downtown,” states the announcement.

The primary goal of the DDA is retaining existing businesses andattracting new ones.

Anyone interested in serving as a member should complete theapplication located on the city website at www.avondaleestates.org/documentcenter/view/38.

For more information, contact Karen Holmes at (4040 294-5400or via email at [email protected]. Applicants can submitcompleted applications to Holmes in person at City Hall, 21 North

Avondale Plaza, by email or by fax at (404) 299-8137.

BROOKHAVENStat rprsntativ to host town hall

State Rep. Taylor Bennett will host a town hall meeting March 9 atBrookhaven City Hall from 7 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. City Hall is located at 4362Peachtree Road. For more information, visit www.brookhavenga.gov.

City to host Arbor Day tr planting

Brookhaven will celebrate Arbor Day by planting trees in one of thecity’s older parks, Georgian Hills, 2800 East Georgian Drive, on March12, from 10 a.m. to noon. Mayor John Ernst will read an Arbor Day

proclamation to recognize the importance of trees to the city. City councilmembers and the city’s arborist will be present to help in the planting of anew tree. Bartlett Tree Experts is donating a year of care for the tree.

Those attending this event will be eligible to receive a free treeseedling given away on a rst-come, rst-served basis. This year thecity is giving away 50 river birch and 50 bald cypress seedlings. Localarborists and tree services will be on hand, and children are welcome atthis family friendly event.

CHAMBLEE City conducting survy for trail xtnsion

Cycling, jogging and walking enthuisiasts in downtown Chambleehave the opportunity to have a say in the city extending a local trail.

The city is considering extending a portion of the Keswick ParkExtension Trail, also known as the Chamblee Rail Trail. The extensionwould run along an abandoned rail corridor and link McGaw Drive toChamblee Dunwoody Way.

DeKalb residents have the chance to complete a survey onthe city’s website and voice their opinion. The survey offers thoseinterested a chance to look at examples of current in-use trails and toproposed development.

The Asphalt Pathway, which currently runs 0.6 miles from KeswickPark to Chamblee Tucker Road, offers a short, useful path throughdowntown Chamblee under Peachtree Industrial Boulevard.

For more information and access to the survey, visit www.chambleega.com/civicalerts.aspx?AID=263.

CLARKSTON

Community cntr hosts ongoing Tai Chi classs

Those looking to expand their cultural palette and get healthy inthe process can do so at the Clarkston Community Center on Tuesdayevenings.

Tuesday, March 8, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. attendees will practice TaiChi in the East Room of the Community Center in Clarkston. Tai Chi is anancient Chinese martial art and exercise designed to strengthen musclesand improve mental focus. In addition to breathing exercises, studentslearn how to hold poses that test physicality as well as endurance.

Suggested attire is comfortable and breathable clothing completewith tennis shoes. The rst class is free, but continuing students willpay $25 per month for one class per week. For more information, [email protected] with Tai Chi as the subject line. Additionalinformation can be found at www.clarkstoncommunitycenter.org.

DUNWOODY City rcognizd as ‘Tr City USA’

As part of its annual Arbor Day celebration, the city of Dunwoody wasformally recognized as one of Georgia’s “Tree City USA” communities.

On Feb. 19, Dunwoody celebrated Arbor Day by planting a white oakand green ash tree at Brook Run Park, located along N. Peachtree Roadby Peachtree Charter Middle School. Arbor Day is celebrated in thePeachtree State every third Friday in February.

Communities with the “Tree City USA” designation have an

established tree board or department, an ordinance dealing withtrees, a budget for urban forestry and planned Arbor Day celebrations.Dunwoody joins 3,400 Tree City USA communities nationwide and 135statewide.

For more information, visit www.dunwoodyga.gov/parks.

LITHONIALibrary holding book sal, offring fr flu shots

The Friends of Stonecrest Library will have a book sale on Saturday,March 12.

The book sale, which will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., will featurection, nonction, textbooks, encyclopedias, children’s books, romanceseries and more. Most books will be $1 or less.

Stonecrest library is located at 3123 Klondike Road, Lithonia. Formore information, call (770) 482-3828.

PINE LAKE Kindnss Fst 2016 coms to city

Compassionate Kids and EcoArtsCamp are hosting the inauguralKindness Fest on March 12.

Local organizations will be on hand to “help local families learn aboutchanneling love into action through exciting activities, ecoarts, games, yogaand tness, presentations and demos featuring service project opportunitiesin the metro Atlanta are,” states an announcement about the event.

Kindness Fest 2016 sponsors and exhibitors include The HumaneSociety of the U.S., Trees Atlanta, Nonviolence Leadership Project, TheHumane League, Draw Change, Peta Kids, Barefoot Books, Veggie Kids,Parenting Beyond Punishment, Wild Child Counseling, Joyful Spaces,InJest Puppets, Ashley Chase Yoga & HUM, The Garden School, RomanMitic Fitness, In Home Fitness and Ahimsa Portraits.

Compassionate Kids is an organization whose members seek tohelp people, animals, and the environment through the support of localinternational projects. EcoArtsCamp is a local summer camp that connectskids to nature and fuels creative expression.

The event will be held March 12, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Pine LakeBeach House, 4575 Lakeshore Drive, Pine Lake.

For more information, go to www.CompassionateKids.org/KF or contactKristen Howard at [email protected] or (740) 417-5860.

STONE MOUNTAINCity to host gardn vnt

Stone Mountain will host Community Garden Work Day March 12,from 9 to 11 a.m. Master Gardener Talk at 9:30 a.m. will be by Susan Morrison on tomato blight. For more information, email Columbus Brown at [email protected].

8/20/2019 FreePress 3-4-16

4/24


Jon Marshall

Historic community celebrates its heritage

Jon Marshall

Jon Marshall wasa successful track andeld athlete at Southwest

DeKalb High School.He went on to have a

successful career with theMorehouse College trackand eld team. Today,Marshall, 34, is passing hisknowledge of the sport tostudents at his alma materSouthwest DeKalb.

Marshall has beena volunteer coach atSouthwest DeKalb for nineyears.

“I was inspired to

return to my high schoolafter Morehouse Collegeprimarily due to the earlylife lessons provided bymy parents,” Marshall said.“They both taught me theimportance of giving backto my community and theydemonstrated this throughtheir own volunteering withvarious organizations.”

Marshall has won statechampionships with theSouthwest DeKalb trackteam as a coach, includingthe 2015 Class AAAAAstate title. The 2015 title

was special for the programbecause the team wasclosing out legendary coachNapoleon Cobb’s “farewell”season. Cobb retired after50 years of coaching.

Marshall said Cobbplayed an important role inhis track career.

“My respect and desireto support the track programat SWD under Coach Cobb’sleadership also fosteredmy desire to volunteerwith this track program,”Marshall said. “CoachCobb helped develop me

as an athlete and it seemsonly right for me to reachback and provide the samedevelopment to otherathletes too.”

Southwest DeKalb alumand former track athleteOmari Crawford expressedhigh praise for Marshall andhis work with the SouthwestDeKalb track and eld team.

“He’s an excellentrole model and coach andan example of why it’simportant to come backand serve your community,”Crawford said.

by Kathy Mitchell

T

hose traveling along busyLavista Road might havea difcult time envisioningit as the rural agriculturalcommunity it was in years

ust after the Civil War. Still, onenstitution remains as a reminder.

Mount Zion AME Church,established in 1870, and itsadjacent cemetery continue to beprominent landmarks on Lavista.Founded by former slaves, thechurch became the heart ofa community that each yearcelebrates its rich heritage.

The church, originally calledRocky Knoll AME Church, rstmet in a railroad boxcar in theLawrenceville Highway area. Withina few years a modest buildingwas erected on the current site.

Over the years, structures havebeen constructed and improved.The current church building wascompleted in 2001.

A program, Memories of the

Little White Church on the Hill,was held Feb. 20 and repeatedFeb. 27 as part of this year’sanniversary celebration. It includeda presentation on the founding ofthe African Methodist Episcopal(AME) church by Mt. Zion’s currentpastor, David F. Richards III.

Richards explained that the AME church, like many in theBlack community, was founded byChristians who wanted to be ableto worship where they could havedignity and respect. He explainedthat despite the word African inthe name, AME churches existacross the globe and people of allethnicities are welcome. Mt. Zion,he said, is the oldest AME church inDeKalb County.

DeKalb History Center ArchivistFred Mobley showed slides ofvintage photos, news articles and

transcripts of oral histories given bymembers of what is known both asthe Nelms Community—named forone of the original families—and theMt. Zion Community.

“It’s quite usual for 19th centurycommunities, particularly Blackcommunities, to be named for achurch. Churches not only werethe heart of the community, butalso often were the only institutionsowned by the community,” Mobleysaid, adding, “You can’t separateMt. Zion Community from Mt. ZionChurch.”

He explained that essentiallyno structures remain from theoriginal community. “There maybe a chimney that was part of anoriginal building, but it must beremembered that a few years afterthe end of slavery, those who hadbeen enslaved had no money forthe types of building materials thatwould last. Their homes and otherbuildings were simple woodenbuildings that time would quicklydestroy,” according to Mobley.

First person accountsgiven over the years tell of thehardscrabble lives of those living inthe Mt. Zion community who livedprimarily on what they could raise

on small farms, supplementing theirliving by selling vegetables andeggs to their White neighbors or bydoing laundry or domestic choresfor them.

Adrienne “Polly” Nelms-Hickman, minister of music atMt. Zion—dressed as her great-grandmother, who had been aMt. Zion member—led a call andresponse musical historical tributewith such songs as “O We’reDown Here, Lord, Just Waitingon You,” “By and By, When theMorning Comes,” and “Glory, Glory,Hallelujah! Since I Laid My BurdensDown.”

She said that although theMt. Zion Community, like most inthe South, had its share of racialtensions, there was primarilycooperation between Black andWhite families along Lavista Road.

“That’s why we survived. We cametogether and worked together longbefore the law decreed it.” The

See Mt. Zion AME on Page 9A

Three Jewish children killed by the Ku Klux Klan areamong those buried in the cemetery adjacent to MountZion AME Church.

The current Mount Zion AME Church building wasompleted in 2001. Photos by Kathy Mitchell

Mount Zion Pastor David F. Richards III gave a historyof the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

A watercolor drawing in the current church buildingshows an earlier Mount Zion AME church building thatstood on the same spot.

8/20/2019 FreePress 3-4-16

5/24

The Champion FREE PRESS, Friday, March 4, 2016 local Page 5A

BUDGETContinued From Page 1A

LEADERSContinued From Page 1A

Some public safety per-sonnel and advocates sayhe increases do not go far

enough.“What’s been put on the

able, we’re liking becauset’s putting money backnto public safety where itbelongs,” said Jeff Wiggs, president of the DeKalbFraternal Order of Police.Obviously it’s not enough,

but it’s a step in the right di-ection. And we certainly do

appreciate that.”DeKalb Police Sgt. Mar-

nie Mercer said ofcers aregrateful for the raise, “but its not enough.”

“Unless you x the otherssues—the promotionalpay and the lack of merit in-

creases—you will not solvehe problem or stem thede of ofcers leaving the

department,” she said. “Andwe’ll be back in June askingor the same thing.”

Faye Cofeld, aDeKalb resident and pub-c safety advocate, saidhe budget “does not have

enough in there for publicsafety and it doesn’t haveenough in there for sanita-on raises and improve-

ments.”“Until we address the

ssues of public safety, ofpay, of equipment, you guysshould be ashamed,” Cof-eld said.

Commissioners KathieGannon, Nancy Jester and Jeff Rader voted againstthe budget.

“I’m certainly disappoint-ed with the outcome of ourbudget today,” said Jester,who wanted funding in thebudget to replace DeKalbCounty re station No. 7,which is in poor repair.

“If we held our boardmeeting at re station[No.7] it would get xed,”she said.

“Budgets are choicesand the choices we make

tell a lot about us as a gov-ernment,” Jester said. “Ihope that our police and re

will continue to come to ourmeetings. We certainly letthem down today.”

Gannon said, “I believemy constituents are moreinterested in public safetythan the other things we arespending our money on.”

One issue that was de-bated was the funding of anew library at Wade WalkerPark.

In a statement, Jestersaid, “Rather than fund therebuilding of dilapidatedand unsafe re stations,DeKalb’s CEO and Board

of Commissioners choseto build a new library andsenior center even though

they are close to existingfacilities.

“The additional incre-ment of funding added topolice and re is insufcientto address the real structur-al problems with compensa-tion in those departments,”she stated. “It was a politi-cal Band-Aid placed over astab wound. It’s like takingcough syrup to try to cureEbola.”

Rader, in a statement,said, “DeKalb’s operat-ing strategy seems solelyfocused on short-term

political benet, new debtfor facilities that we can’tafford to operate, and politi-

cal posturing in an electionyear.

The budget “representsa missed opportunity tostrengthen the county’snancial position, buildspressure for increased per-sonnel costs, and sets thecounty on the course to un-sustainable facility expan-

sion,” Rader stated.In the budget, the gen-eral fund reserve remainsat a one month of operat-ing expenses; $200,000is allocated for more codeenforcement ofcers andequipment; the new internalauditor’s ofce is funded at$1 million; and $1 million isallocated in sanitation fund-ing for mowing and litterabatement.

The budget also in-cludes $4.9 million in HOSTfunding for road resurfacingand transportation; $1.1 mil-

lion for additional reghtersafety equipment; and $2million for technology tostreamline permitting andother development costs.

Supporting the budget,Commissioner Larry John-son said it is “responsiveto the needs of the people,addresses the capital needsof the county, fair compen-sation for employees andremains scally prudent.

“We maintained a pru-dent budgetary reserve,which ensures that DeKalbwill retain its superior creditrating. That’s a win for tax-payers,” Johnson stated.

simple. Before talking about improving roadshrough repavement, Shortal stated continuing

partnerships is a number one priority.“My number one goal is personnel wise:

want to continue to create an atmosphereof mutual respect between our citizens andeadership, our residential community andbusiness community, and our city’s leadershipand leadership of neighboring cities,” Shortalsaid. “We’re all in this together.”

The second question dealt with the presenceof MARTA stations in each city as well as theprospect of future MARTA plans, including busanes throughout the I-285 and GA 400 corridorand additional rail stations in each city. Eachmayor was questioned about how they plano deal with future public transit expansion,

primarily in regards to construction.“The word collaboration is something we all

need to focus on,” Clarkson said. “You have toook outside of your borders and work together.We need to keep up basic communication andnd out where those challenges will be and

educate folks about them.”

Shortal brought up the prospect ofsynchronizing lights, collaborating with transitofcials and changing things in an instant. Themayor also suggested working with mobile apps.

“Awareness, advertising campaigns – we all

have to work on making our citizens aware,”Shortal said. “How about incentivizing work poolsand car pools? This is going to require us to thinkoutside the box.”

Paul mentioned numbers, stating 102,000trips go out of the region daily, 84,000 come intothe region, and 7,000 stay within the region.Paul said that reducing congestion by 10 percentwould help trafc ow.

“If 70 percent of residents could get to wherethey needed to go in an efcient, safe and timely

manner, they would prefer to not use their cars,”said Paul. “That’s the level of frustration and thelevel of congestion we face on a daily basis.”

Paul concluded by stating the leadershipwithin the region would be “stupid” not to

consider alternative means of transportationother than rails and automobiles. These includeabove ground train systems and even gondolas.

The PBA is a partner of the PerimeterCommunity Improvement Districts (PCIDs)originally founded in June 2012. Theorganization operates within a four-square-miledistrict encompassing parts of Brookhaven,Dunwoody and Sandy Springs. According tothe organization’s website, the PBA focuses onissues pertaining to “attracting and sustaining aquality workforce and quality businesses” in thenorthern perimeter area.

For more information on the PBA or PCIDs,visit www.perimetercid.org/pba or call (770) 390-1789.

From left, Mayors Rusty Paul (Sandy Springs), Eric Clarkson(Chamblee) and Denis Shortal (Dunwoody).

Yvonne Williams, president and CEO of Perimeter CommunityImprovement Districts.

Approximately 2,800 county workers will receive varying raises in May. Photo by Andrew Cauthen

8/20/2019 FreePress 3-4-16

6/24

The Champion FREE PRESS, Friday, March 4, 2016 opinion Page 6A

Is the Georgia GeneralAssembly putting politicsahead of pupils?

Last year, when I

became superintendentof the DeKalb CountySchool District, I assumedhe responsibility—and

privilege—of continuingo improve classroomnstruction and learning.One of my major dutiesncludes good stewardshipof our nancial resources.

We face an ongoingchallenge. Our district isust three years removedrom the devastating impact

of the Great Recession.Until 2013, we operatedat a decit. At one point,our district was placed onprobation, one step beforeosing accreditation–adevastating blow for anyeducational system, butcertainly hard for a systemhat serves 102,000

students in 135 schools.Those students come from80 different countries

and speak 144 differentanguages.

Today, after much work,we have nances undercontrol with scal integrity,but our system remains at

a crucial stage of recovery.We still need resources toaddress aging classrooms,

teacher pay, safety andsupport services.

We have a plan anda commitment—and alaser focus on classroominstruction and learning.We’ve made progress witha 103-point increase in SATscores, an 11-point increasein graduation rates, a returnto full accreditation, andpay raises for teachersand principals. We’recompetitive again fortalent at the front of theclassroom.

Now, we face a new–apparently politically-motivated–obstacle.

I recognize the call ofsome who want our schoolsystem to nancially as-sist with the redevelopmentof the former General Mo-

tors factory and the down-town area in Doraville.To secure $247 million

in infrastructure bonds,our school district, alongwith local city and countygovernments, has been

asked to approve creationof a Doraville Tax AllocationDistrict, or TAD. The debtservice for this project willexceed $600 million overthe life of the bonds.

Unfortunately, our districtis being asked to pay morethan half of the public fund-ing for this project.

I have met more thanhalf a dozen times withofcials from Doraville andDeKalb county governmentsto discuss the proposedTAD and its impact to thedistrict.

After listening withan open mind, I remainconvinced that our corebusiness should beteaching and learning andthe direction of the nancialresources to our students.

DeKalb schools havenever before participatedin tax allocation districts.Schools are our business.Our research of past TADSin DeKalb County yielded ahistory that concerns us.

Two of three currentTADs in DeKalb County

have never met tax revenueprojections. The Kensingtonand Briarcliff TADs have de-

creased in tax value sincetheir start, Kensington’sby more than 20 percent.

And recent headlines have

documented the inability ofthe city of Atlanta and the Atlanta Public Schools tofulll their agreement basedon a TAD for nancing theBeltline project. That im-passe showcases how un-foreseen pitfalls can cost aschool system time, moneyand focus.

For the Doraville TAD,the school tax digest wouldbe xed for 25 years—witha best-case scenario ofnine more years beforeDeKalb would recoup losttaxes. What advantagedoes a 25-year commitmentto freezing the school taxdigest give students andschools?

We face growing pres-sure from powerful par-ties that would put politicsahead of pupils.

House Bill 969, newlyintroduced in the GeorgiaGeneral Assembly, propos-es to eliminate $63 milliona year from state funding ofeducation in DeKalb Countyby reducing our allotmentfrom the Quality Basic

Education program. The lawwould only apply to DeKalbCounty schools. It wouldn’t

reduce one penny of prop-erty taxes paid by countyresidents and businesses.It would take $63 million

each year from DeKalb stu-dents—and give nothing atall back to DeKalb taxpay-ers.

We recognize our rolein economic development.

A good school system isone of the top reasons forprivate investment. Webelieve our school systemcan invest $63 millionmore wisely. How? Bycontributing to Georgia’seconomic development atthe most basic levels:• We’ll prepare students for

college and careers, sothey become future job-creators, wage-earners,taxpayers, and respon-sible citizens.

• We’ll reinvest resourcesdirectly into our communi-ties (not into developers’pockets) by building newschools and facilities.

• We’ll play an importantrole in attracting newresidents and businesses.(The Daimler Benz North

American headquartersrecently announced itsrelocation here, basing its

decision, in part, on thequality of local education.)

Pupils over politics

See Politics on Page 7A

GUEST EDITORIAL

Green

The doldrums of late winterWith MLK’s birthday and

President’s Day behind us,

we have no other national

holidays on the calendar

until late May, unless one is

ucky enough to have GoodFriday off prior to Easter.

Otherwise, its ve days a

week of the same old daily

grind for most of us.

It is the time of year

when the days are still too

short, and often too cool,

o enjoy most outdoor

activities. And, it seems as

hough those rare winter

days lled with sun usually

all on workdays and we get

windy, overcast weekend

days.

For many years at

this time, I have gotten

inspiration from an art piece

by British artist Graham

Sutherland that was given

to me by my older sister.

It was a purchased at the

National Gallery Museum

in London and features

a collage of a vintagetypewriter, an image of a

tranquil country setting

and a newspaper clipping

with the following words of

the poem Go Out Into The

Country:

The spring days which

come in mid-winter are

among the best of the year.

They never fail to appear in

January or February.

Go out into the country

now.

Do not wait for Easter. It

may be snowing.

Do not wait for August. It

will probably be raining.

Is there fog in town?There may be brilliant

sunshine a few miles out.

Is the sun striking palely

on the rooftops or on the

south side of the street? It

will be ooding the felds.

Go out and fnd it.

There is something

about this passage that

captured my imagination

the rst time I read it. It

is simple yet profound. It

speaks volumes to me. It is

a simple piece of art that to

me signies many important

aspects of my life—a

newspaper, typewriter and a

glimpse of the simple life. Ithelps me in ways that many

won’t understand.

During the winter

doldrums, I often look at this

piece of art that has hung in

my ofce for more than 20

years and anxiously await

the return to daylight saving

time.

We need only wait until

March 13 to again see

longer days. It can’t come

soon enough in my opinion.

John [email protected]

Chief Operating Officer

8/20/2019 FreePress 3-4-16

7/24

POLITICS Continued From Page 6A

Share the road, arrive alive

Bill Crane

[email protected]

Columnist

ONE MAN’S OPINION

“No one should die tryingo get home,” said RebeccaSerna, executive directorof the Atlanta Bicycle

Coalition, following theragic death of 14-year-oldAlexia Hyneman, at thentersection of Piedmontand Monroe drives, and theentrance to the Beltline.

I am a biker, sometimesa hiker. A double-heel breakollowing one of my lifetime

dumbest choices back inhe late ‘80s took some ofhe allure out of distanceunning. Our home is on the

PATH trail; every memberof the family has a bike. Formost of the past three

years, I was averaging 50-75 miles a week on my Fuji.

Unless you havewitnessed a fellow biker,close friend or even aperfect stranger on abicycle lose a battle withan automobile or truck,you may not be aware ofhow horric the effects ofunning into a several ton

moving object can be onhe comparatively delicate

and lightweight frame ofa bicycle, or worse yet, itshuman rider. I unfortunately

have seen several of thesecollisions, including ariple fatality in Thailand,

involving a mother and hertwo children (none wearinghelmets) and a light-dutytruck on a rainy afternoonon the tropic island of

Phuket. It took severalhours of heavy showers towash all of the blood away.

I share this as I amalways mindful, traversingthe busy thoroughfaresand side streets of Atlantathat one inattentivemoment, lapse in judgment,mad dash through anintersection, ignoring thetrafc signal on my bicyclemight be my last suchtrip. Several near-misseshave almost maimed me,but either by the grace ofGod, quick reexes, or thatone mystery pedal pushhas given me on several

occasions the sheer inchesneeded to avoid seriousinjury.

In Georgia, biking

on sidewalks is illegal,if you are older than12. Thankfully, our capitalcity and many of thecounties and municipalitiesacross the metro area areadding miles of bike lanes,even among their mostcongested corridors.

The PATH Foundation,partnering with manyof these same localgovernment entities, hascompleted more than 300miles of PATH trails acrossGeorgia, with dozens ofadditional miles currently

under construction. TheBeltline, now transformingand linking greenspacesalong the northeast side ofthe city, should eventuallyencircle Atlanta with a 22-mile loop.

Roadside memorialsdot many of our busiestthoroughfares. Bikespainted ghost white chainedto a utility pole or guard railto memorialize the loss,and yet, tomorrow, in ouroncoming and beautifulspring weather, another few

dozen bikers will similarlythrow caution to the wind.Yes, I get it, by law,

bicycles and bikers areentitled to share the roads,which many of us helped topay for. Yet there is another

well-known and establishedrule of the road commonlyagreed to by all: slowermoving trafc yields andmoves to the right. Using abike lane, hugging a curband actually abiding by stopsigns and trafc lights arenot just being courteous,it is obeying the law. Thebikers who aunt same alsoleave residual bad will forthe next biker to absorb orreceive.

As the weather getswarmer and better,trafc will increase, for

all modes of transit andtransportation. But thefatalities and maiminginjuries do not have tosoar. Yes, drivers shouldbe more cautious, usetheir peripheral visionand mirrors, put downthe smartphone and takecare when passing bikeriders. But in case theydo not, bikers should stayin their lanes, ride singlele unless roadways areclosed for a race or bikingevent, yield to faster trafc

by moving to the right andutilize the paths, lanes andtrails built specically for

their use.I can already hear the

Trump-like language whichI expect to be red back

at me, even some bikingbuddies who will call mea traitor. I have my ownbreak with the law, in thatI really don’t like wearing ahelmet myself, but I yieldto the automobile, stay tothe right, use the bike lanesand can be seen on manymiles of the PATH trail orBeltline many days of theweek. Besides watchingout for me, I’m aware thatmy choices may impactother bikers. I don’t wantthe death of another highschool co-ed just trying to

make it home on her bikeon my conscience.

Share the road, respectits common sense rules,and above all, arrive alive.

Bill Crane also servesas a political analyst andcommentator for Channel2’s Action News, WSB-AMNews/Talk 750 and now95.5 FM, as well as a col-umnist for The Champion,Champion Free Press andGeorgia Trend. Crane is aDeKalb native and business

owner, living in Scottdale.You can reach him or com-ment on a column at [email protected].

The Champion FREE PRESS, Friday, March 4, 2016 opinion Page 7A

THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS encourages opinionsfrom its readers. Please write to us and express yourviews. Letters should be brief, typewritten and containthe writer’s name, address and telephone number for

verication. All letters will be considered for publica-tion.

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.

F REE P RESS CHAMPION The

Publisher: John Hewitt

Chief Financial Ofcer:Dr. Er D. Ge

Managing Editor:adrew cuthe

Production Manager:Kemesh Hut

Photographer: Trvs Hudgs

Staff Reporters:cr prkerR. Stt Bezer

The Champion Free Press is published each Fridayby ACE III Communications, Inc.,114 New Street, Suite E, Decatur, GA. 30030Phone (404) 373-7779.www.championnewspaper.com

DISPLAY ADVERTISING (404) 373-7779 x 110

EDiToR’S noTE: The opinions written by columnists and contributing editors do not necessarily reect the opinionsof the editor or publishers. The Publisher reserves the right to reject or cancel any advertisement at any time. ThePublisher is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts.

let Us Kw Wht Yu Thk!SEnD lETTERS To EDiToR,The Champion Free Press,P. O. Box 1347, Decatur, GA 30031-1347;Send email to [email protected] To: (404) 370-3903; Phone: (404) 373-7779.Deadline for news releases and advertising:

Thursday, one week prior to publication date.

Here’s the truth: Georgia can come up withbetter ways to redevelop the GM site–ways thatdon’t do it on the backs of students and schoolsor the next quarter century.

Let’s be clear: removing critical resources nowwould disrupt and damage efforts to get DeKalbschools back on their feet. Instead, with $63

million annually, we could:Give three more pay raises to all teachers (sim-ilar to the raise teachers received last month),keeping and drawing top talent to classrooms.Or,Build three new, state-of-the-art, 900-studentschoolhouses like those at Peachcrest and

Fernbank elementary schools. (Our schoolbuildings now average 20 years of age.) Or,

• Buy more than 800 new, safe, comfortable,fuel-efcient school buses (Our buses average10 years of age.)

Most reasonable people would agree that asmart, efcient redevelopment of the Doraville

GM site has every chance to stimulate the area’slong-term economy.Most reasonable people would also agree

that it would be self-defeating to raid resourcesfrom a public school system focused oneducating young people to graduate with ideasand initiatives to make the GM site a long-term

success.Founding father Benjamin Franklin once

wrote, “An investment in knowledge pays thebest interest.”

We agree.We strongly believe our schools should be in

the business of developing students.Given the choice between the educational

well-being of our students and politicallymotivated land deals, we’ll choose our studentsevery time.

Dr. R. Stephen GreenSuperintendentDeKalb County School District

8/20/2019 FreePress 3-4-16

8/24


POLICE Continued From Page 2A

MARTA postpones rezoning request for Brookhaven/Oglethorpe stationby Carla Parker [email protected]

Plans to revitalize theBrookhaven/Oglethorpe

MARTA Station have beenput on hold.Mayor John Ernst

announced Feb. 22 ata town hall meeting thatMARTA and BrookhavenCity Center Partners agreedo postpone submittingezoning applications for the

stations’ Transit OrientedDevelopment (TOD) untilune 1.

Brookhaven CityCenter Partners, a masterdevelopment joint venture ofntegral and TranswesternDevelopment Company,was selected as MARTA’sdevelopment partner for theproject.

MARTA proposed amixed-use developmentwith residential space—126senior affordable

apartments and 560-580market rate units; 40,000 to60,000 square feet of retailspace; 120,000 to 400,000square feet of ofce space;

10,000 to 40,000 squarefeet of civic space and acommunity green transitplaza.

Ernst’s announcementwas met with applause fromattendees.

“After discussionswith me, [MARTA] did notbelieve they were ready forthat at the moment,” Ernsttold the crowd at BriarwoodRecreation Center.

“I’ve heard residents’concerns, and thereare many unansweredquestions regarding theseplans,” Ernst said in areleased statement. “Anydevelopment at this site willhave a big impact on ourcommunity for decades,and this process cannot berushed. I’m pleased that all

parties agree that we mustplan smarter in order for thisproperty to meet the needsof our city.”

MARTA ofcials were

meeting with Brookhavenresidents to presentpreliminary plans for theproject and to receivefeedback on the transitsystem’s proposed TOD forthe Brookhaven/OglethorpeStation.

The project wasproposed for 15 acres ofunder-used surface parkingon the east and west sidesof Brookhaven/OglethorpeStation on Peachtree Road.

According to the city,Ernst plans to enhancethe city’s comprehensiveplan over the next fewmonths and review zoningregulations through aresident-led initiative tostrengthen Brookhaven’sdevelopment policies andregulations.

The initiative will feature13 task forces involvingresidents in each ofBrookhaven’s 13 “characterareas” portrayed in the

comprehensive plan. Thetask force will review theirneighborhood plan andmake recommendationsfor the zoning code rewriteefforts,” according to the city.

The current ZoningCode Rewrite Committeewill be suspended untilthe completion of theseCharacter Area task forces.

Brookhaven, MARTAand Brookhaven CityCenter Partners willcontinue the outreachprogram currently under

way with residents onthe project during thepostponement period andthroughout the course ofthe permitting process,

according to the city.“MARTA looks forwardto continued discussionwith all of our stakeholders,”MARTA General Managerand CEO Keith T.Parker said in a releasedstatement. “We expect theBrookhaven TOD to bean excellent example ofcollaboration.”

Hundreds of Brookhaven residents attended Mayor John Ernst’s town hall meeting. Mayor John Ernst announced that MARTA and Brookhaven City Center Partnersagreed to postpone submitting rezoning applications for the stations’ TransitOriented Development. Photos by Carla Parker

in the efforts to protect and serve the citizensof DeKalb County.”

In the plan, the police department

proposed “an 8 percent salary increase for thenext three years and annual 5 percent meritincrease to be reinstated in the fourth year forsworn personnel.”

“Other than the 3 percent cost ofliving increase approved by the Board ofCommissioners for DeKalb County personnelin 2013, there has not been a salary increasefor DeKalb County police personnel since2006,” the report states. “A greater salaryincrease is needed to retain tenured ofcersand an enhanced compensation incentive isneeded to attract the best qualied candidatesto hire and this should remain constant.”

According to the report, the cost to raisethe salaries would be $4.33 million in 2016,$5.07 million in 2017, $5.48 million in 2018

and $3.7 in 2019.In addition to increased pay for ofcers,

the department needs to hire more ofcers,the report states.

“We do know that we are losing ofcers,”Dedrick told commissioners. “We do have agreat police department, committed to serving

the citizens of DeKalb County, but they needmore ofcers out there.”Stafng of uniformed ofcers in the police

department is “at a critical stage and must beaddressed,” Dedrick’s report stated.

According to the report, dated Jan. 28, thepolice department has 808 staff members,including police trainees. There are 158vacancies in various ranks, 109 of which arepolice ofcer positions.

“Therefore, the department is well belowthe authorized strength of 1,121 swornpersonnel,” the report states. “Hiring anadditional 100 ofcers per year for the nextfour years is needed to improve this stafngdecit.”

The report states that DeKalb County has

1.1 ofcers per 1,000 residents, below thenational average for this region of 2.7 ofcersper 1,000 residents.

“The department is in dire need of

police ofcers in order to provide a safe andproactive police presence in the County andmeet demands and calls for service by the

citizens,” the report states.“As a precinct commander, I attend manycommunity meetings and concerns thatresonate at most of these meetings are highcrime rates, slow response times, lack ofpolice presence in neighborhoods, quality oflife issues and being placed on hold whencalling 911,” Dedrick wrote. “The majority ofthese issues are the result of the low stafnglevel of the police department.

“The police department has beenrelentless in trying to ght crime whilebeing severely understaffed; howeverhiring additional ofcers will help meet thischallenge,” she stated.

Dedrick wrote, “The department is criticallychallenged on many levels and there is an

immediate need for rapid improvements.”“The time to act is now,” Dedrick told

commissioners.

MOVE IN/OUT CLEANNG

CleaningByMarines.com

(404) 975-9002

AffordableHigh-Speed

InternetAvailable Where YOU live!Call TODAY For This

Limited Time Offer!

800-266-4409 0 0 0 2 1 5 7 1 9 r 1

http://pbsinternet.com

8/20/2019 FreePress 3-4-16

9/24


MT. ZION AME Continued From Page 4A Mt. Zion cemetery, forexample, is the nal restingplace for three Jewishchildren who were burnedto death by the Ku KluxKlan, she said.

Nelms-Hickman toldthe story of child in theNelms family who whileplaying near a boilingwash pot fell against

the pot and receivedlife-threatening burns.Her mother did not trustthe local hospital to doeverything possible tosave the child, but a Whitefamily took the little girlinto their home and hadtheir family doctor treat heruntil she recovered.

Much of the racialtension, according theoral histories, came in the20th century as land alongLavista Road becamevaluable and developerswanted to drive the Blackfamilies away.

An account givenby Rev. Ace Rowe, alongtime community

member also related to theNelms family, states, “Therace relations were notovertly hostile, However,there were repeatedattempts for acquisitionof Black-owned land….Many conveniences, suchas sewage, were notavailable to residents in theBlack community, stopping

around Richard StokesDrive and resuming nearVista Groves Shoppingcenter. This was perceivedas yet another indirect formof coercion for Blacks tosell their property.”

The church has tworemaining events inits almost two-monthanniversary celebration.The anniversary worshipservice, followed by foodand fellowship, will beSunday, March 13, at10:30 a.m. The guestspeaker will be StateRep. Dee Dawkins-Haigler . The nal eventwill be Taste of Mt. Zion onSaturday, April 16, 4-7 p.m.

by Carla Parker [email protected]

The investigation of LithoniaPolice Chief Roosevelt Smith andCapt. Lloyd Owens for an allegedassault on a teen while in custody is

still ongoing.Lithonia Mayor DeborahJackson and the city council helda special called meeting Feb. 29 todiscuss City Administrator EddieMoody’s investigation. Smith andOwens are under investigation byhe city for allegedly assaulting7-year-old Isiah Harvey, who was

n custody for burglary on Feb. 5. After an executive session that

asted more than an hour, Jacksonannounced that the “investigation isstill ongoing.”

“We will await the conclusion ofhe city administrator’s [investigation]on this matter,” Jackson said.

Former Lithonia police ofcers

and Sgt. Angela Hatchett werevisibly upset by the mayor’sannouncement. Hatchett’s statementabout the Feb. 5 incident aligns withHarvey’s version of the events ofthat night.

Both said in written statements

that Smith choked Harvey while hewas handcuffed and Owens hada struggle with the teen as well.Hatchett and Harvey also said thatSmith pointed a Taser at the teen’shead.

“Chief Smith and Capt. L. Owensassaulted Mr. Harvey,” Hatchettstated. “There was no reason at allfor them to put their hands on Mr.Harvey in that matter. Their actionswere unjustiable and unethical.”

Smith admitted to putting hishand around Harvey’s neck andholding the Taser to Harvey becausehe was being “combative.”

Harvey’s lawyer Frank T. Smith

was at the meeting. Smith sent an

“ante litem notice of demand” tothe city to make them aware of thechief’s actions. He gave the city 30days to respond to the notice beforehe decides whether to le a lawsuit.The notice was dated Feb. 11.

The family of the teen requested

a $75,000 settlement in the notice. Attorney Smith said after themeeting that he was not surprisedthe investigation is still ongoing“because it’s in the hands of Moody.”

“The city administrator is thewrong person to investigate thismatter,” he said. “With everybodybeing right here within this city, eventhe DeKalb County ofcer being rightdown the street, this investigationcould have been completed in aday or two days. You’re not takingany polygraphs, you’re not going tooutside resources, you’re not doingthese things, but you’re draggingyour feet.”

Frank Smith said his main goal

is to have Owens and Chief Smithremoved from their positions.

“My next focus at this junctureis all the issues with all of the policeofcers, being past and present,having to deal with this council, havingto deal with this chief and seeing what

can be done to be able to grant themsome relief and justication as well,”Frank Smith said.

Former and current ofcershave complained to the city aboutincidents involving Chief Smith andOwens with no resolution to thematter, according to the ofcers.

Former ofcer Foster Hill saidafter the meeting that he is frustratedfor the current ofcers.

“The mayor and Mr. Moody haveknown about [the issues] for a wholeyear,” Hill said. “Any fool can lookat [Chief Smith’s] record and tellthat he has a history of this type ofbehavior everywhere he has gone.”

See related on page 10.

Investigation on Lithonia police chief still ongoing

Lithonia Police Sgt. Angela Hatchett listens inon the city council’s special called meeting.

The Lithonia mayor and city council held a special called meeting to discusshe investigation of Chief Roosevelt Smith and Captain Lloyd Owens. Photos by

Travis Hudgons

Lithonia Mayor Deborah Jacksonannounced the investigation is stillongoing.

8/20/2019 FreePress 3-4-16

10/24


Lithonia police chief accused ofcreating ‘hostile work environment’by Carla Parker [email protected]

In the 15 months Roosevelt Smith has

been chief of police of Lithonia, he hascreated a hostile work environmentand engaged in corrupt and unethical

practices, according to former and currentLithonia police ofcers.

The Champion was the rst to reporthat Smith and Lithonia Police Captain

Lloyd Owens are being investigated by cityofcials for an alleged assault on 17-year-old Isiah Harvey, who was in custody forburglary on Feb. 5. The Champion receivedpolice reports and statements about thencident from an anonymous source.

That source also provided a seven-page document that outlines anddescribes multiple incidents involving

Smith and Owens. The document istled “The Problems with the LithoniaPolice Department: A Collection of IssuesComplied by Lithonia Police Ofcers, bothPast and Present.”

In the document, ofcers state that theyhave led several complaints with no “realaction, reaction or resolution.”

“In the past, we, as a group andndividually, have made our concernsknown to the Lithonia City [Administrator]Eddie Moody and city council, only tohave our complaints revealed directly orndirectly to [Smith] with no resolution,”ofcers also state in the document.Contrary to popular belief, many ofcers

did not leave the police department based

on nding better opportunities. Manyofcers left because it was the apparentack of concern from the city [administrator]and/or city council and the countless timesheir complaints were not satisfactorily

addressed, if addressed at all.”Moody said he would investigate all of

the complaints.“I’m going to look at this whole thing in

totality,” he said. “I’m taking the most recentthing [the Feb. 5 incident] rst and then I’mgoing to work backwards. It will be a part ofa whole big scope of work.”

Moody also pointed out that noindividual ofcers’ names were signed onthe document. The document is signed“A collection of past and present LithoniaOfcers.”

“I can imagine, probably, why no nameswhere attached because there are probablyvery few people who would come [forth],”Moody said.

Smith would not comment on thecomplaints due the current investigation.

Complaints against SmithIn the document, ofcers stated

that Smith “has engaged in corrupt andunethical practices, mismanagement,violation of oath, favoritism and nepotism,and has exhibited hostility, bigotry andbullying and has made verbal threatstowards his subordinates, created a hostilework environment and committed crimesagainst the general public.”

In one incident, during the IGLOO—Di Original Cooler Party (a Jamaicanfestival) at Lithonia Amphitheatre in May2015, former ofcer Foster Hill witnessedSmith and another ofcer Sgt. Angela

Hatchett collecting money from partygoersfor parking on properties outside the Amphitheatre, according to the report.

EXCLUSIVE

See Lithonia Police on Page 11A

by Steen Miles

Youth took center stageat the Georgia Legislative

Black Caucus HeritageDinner held Feb. 25 at theGeorgia World CongressCenter.

While the dinner salutedluminaries in the world ofsports and entertainment, itwas the young people whostood out during the program,including a parade of severaldozen legislative internsfrom around the state. Eachintern was introduced andstood in the spotlight takingtheir bows while their namewas called. Even the colorguard was made up of youngpeople, the Navy JuniorROTC from Martin LutherKing High School in Lithoniawhere caucus chairwomanDee Dawkins-Haigler onceserved as PTA president.

Members of the GeorgiaLegislative Black Caucusintroduced the honorees—stars of track, eld, football,baseball, basketball andentertainment.

Sen. Donzella James of Atlanta introduced soccergreat Phoday Dolleh.Currently general manager

of the Atlanta Silverbacks,Dolleh said his award wasone of the most important hehas ever received.

“To be honored amongthese legends in this countryis something I will alwayscherish,” said Dolleh, a nativeof Liberia, who, with hiswife Kim and four children,resides in Alpharetta.

Dolleh said after heretired from soccer, hewanted to make a differencein the lives of young people.“I mentor young people and

I teach them if they want tocompete they have to strivebe the very best.”

Others honored includedbaseball’s Brian Jordan and

Marty Perez of the AtlantaBraves who were introducedby Sen. Gloria Butler . Sen.Ed Harbison of Columbus

introduced former AtlantaHawks basketball playerMike Glenn and DebbieMiller-Palmore, a formerOlympian and standoutWNBA player. Rep. DeweyMcClain, co-chairman of theevent, saluted football giantsStevie Braggs, SolomonBrannon, Ezra Johnson,and Gerald Riggs. Rep.Pam Dickerson broughttrack-and-eld star RalphBoston to the stage whileSens. Emanuel Jones andGail Davenport presentedawards to entertainersTerrance “TC” Carson, CarlPayne, Terri Vaughn andTommy Ford. Ford sharedhis time on stage with adozen or more of his youngmentees.

While every effortwas made to engage theyouth, the dinner ofciallycommemorated the 20thanniversary of the 1996Summer Olympic Gamesheld in Atlanta and BlackHistory month. Specialguests included the generalcounsel of Liberia and

state Sen. Tanya Cook ofNebraska, and MichaelThurmond, candidate forDeKalb County CEO andformer chairman of theGeorgia Legislative BlackCaucus.

Radio and televisionpersonalities Ryan Cameron and Rashida Ali were themaster and mistress ofceremonies for the event. Tomuch laughter and applause, Ali seized the opportunity tomake the audience awareor remind them that her

father, Buck Godfrey, heldthe distinction of being thewinningest football coach inGeorgia History at SouthwestDeKalb High School.

Legislative Black Caucusdinner recognizes sportsand entertainment greats

Lithonia police ofcers said Chief Roosevelt Smith created a hostile work environment. File photo/Carla Parker

Actor Tommy Ford and Rep. Dee Hawkins-Haigler pose withlegislative interns.

8/20/2019 FreePress 3-4-16

11/24


According to thecomplaint, when Hill advisedHatchett that she could notcollect money for parking,she told Hill that she wasollowing Smith’s instructionsand she gave the collected

money to Smith.“The pair thereafterceased collecting money,”he complaint read.Subsequently, Sgt. Hatchett

asked Chief Smith what hewas going to do with themoney already collected.Chief Smith advised Sgt.Hatchett that he was goingo put the money in a slushund. Per this discussion, theslush fund would be appliedo purchasing new Tasers.”

The Champion was athe May 4, 2015, LithoniaCity Council meeting duringwhicj residents complainedabout the noise level andother things they saw frompartygoers. One residentsaid she saw police ofcerscharging partygoers to parkn some areas, but Smithdenied the claim at the time.

“There were residentscharging people $15 to $20o park at [an apartmentcomplex] and at [a nearbychurch],” Smith said at theme. “When we saw that we

made them give the peopleheir money back.”

According to thedocument, Hill asked Moodyand other supervisors abouthe slush fund—none ofwhom conrmed the fund’sexistence.

“Moody advised thathe would investigate thematter, but nothing, to ourknowledge, was ever doneabout the incident,” thedocument stated.

One month later, in June2015, Hill was accusedby a complainant (laterdentied as Smith) ofsmoking marijuana with adefendant at Hill’s home,according to the document.Hill was ordered by Owenso take a polygraph testat Georgia Department ofPublic Safety headquarterson Constitution Avenue inAtlanta. When the polygraphexaminer asked Hill if heknew why he had to take theest, Hill gave the examinerhe paperwork provided tohim from Owens.

“However, oncehe examiner saw thepaperwork, the examiner

noticed that the paperworkdid not match the lepreviously forwarded toGeorgia State Patrol,”he document read. “No

paperwork presented tothe Georgia State Patrolidentied a complainant.”

The document claimsOwens told Hill that thepolice chief was thecomplainant and led the

complaint based on ananonymous tip. When Hillasked if Smith had led awritten statement about thealleged marijuana incident,Smith allegedly told Hill thathe did not have to write anofcial statement becausehe was the chief, accordingto the document.

“In that same exchange,Chief Smith admitted tohaving ‘a bone to pick’ withHill because he complainedof harassment to Moody,”the document read.

Hill, who spent fouryears on the Lithonia PoliceDepartment, would laterresign from the force afterSmith had someone—who refused to provide

identication—try to conducta polygraph test on Hill,according to the document.

Hill told The Championthat Smith told a “blatant” lieon him.

“He decimated mycharacter, and it had nomerit because if it had meritI would be in jail,” Hill said.“This has been ongoing.”

Hill, who has morethan 20 years in lawenforcement, said Smith’sactions have no place in apolice department.

“When you’re in charge,you can’t do people like thatespecially with policemen,”Hill said. “That’s what causesanimosity in the department.

“If you see how smallthe department is and see20 ofcers just quit like thatyou would have some typeof suspicion,” Hill added.“I have documents wherehe has stolen, sneakingweapons out of the propertyroom, and [the city] didnothing, zero. I don’t know ifit’s politics because they’retrying to get annexation,

but I believe that’s what itis. The reason they’re notdoing anything to causebad publicity is because ofannexation.”

Was a backgroundchck don?

Hill said ofcers havequestioned whether properbackground checks were

done on Smith and Owens.The Champion also receivedcopies of Smith’s andOwens’ backgrounds inlaw enforcement from theanonymous source.

The documents wereobtained from the GeorgiaPeace Ofcer Standardsand Training (P.O.S.T.)

Council. According to thereport, Smith has beenemployed with 12 differentlaw enforcement agencies inGeorgia since 1988.

Smith was investigatedtwice by the P.O.S.T.council, once in 1994 andagain in 2001, accordingto the report. According tothe 1994 case summary,Smith, then an ofcer with

the McDonough PoliceDepartment, damaged alaw enforcement vehiclewhile responding to what heassumed was a call for helpfrom another ofcer.

According to the casesummary, Smith did notle an immediate report asrequired and was chargedwith failure to operate a lawenforcement vehicle “in sucha manner as to avoid injuryto persons or damage toproperty.”

“Upon review, saidofcer was terminated as aresult of the aforementionedviolation, which occurredduring his/her probationaryperiod of employment,” thesummary stated.

The P.O.S.T. council didnot take further disciplinaryaction in that investigation,as well in the 2001investigation, which statedSmith was investigated forobtaining a “criminal historyimproperly and possiblyillegally,” according to thecase summery.

Smith was also

terminated from his jobwith the Henry CountySheriff’s Ofce in 1990. Thedocument did not explainthe reason for Smith’s

termination.Hill believes Smith should

have never been hired to theLithonia department.

“If you look at his P.O.S.T.record he has been with[12] departments,” Hill said.

“How he has enabled hisway in and out is beyond me.Common sense will tell youthat if you see a record likethat, you wouldn’t hire him.Something is wrong.”

Hill said he and otherofcers have told city leadersthat Smith shows favoritismto Owens. According

to Owens’ and Smith’sbackground information, thetwo have worked togethersince 2010 beginning withMorris Brown CollegeCampus Police Department.

Smith was hired byMorris Brown in February2010 and Owens was hired amonth after.

Smith also beganworking with the Lovejoy

Police Department in 2011as a reserve ofcer whileemployed as deputy chiefwith Morris Brown.

When the Morris Browndepartment was deactivated,Owens was hired as apeace ofcer with Lovejoyin January 2013. He wasalso hired by then Lithoniapolice chief Moody as an

investigator and reserveofcer in February 2013.He became a full-timeinvestigator for Lithonia inSeptember 2013.

Smith, who was alsohired by Moody as a reserve

ofcer in February 2013,was promoted three monthslater to captain, according tohis record. Smith was thenpromoted to chief—based onMoody’s recommendation—when Moody was promotedto city administrator inNovember 2014.

In January 2015, Owenswas promoted to sergeant bySmith, and then promoted tocaptain in January 2016.

Hill said there were otherofcers who have donemore work than Owenshas and have been with

the department longer thanOwens, yet Owens receivedthe promotions.

“Owens has doneabsolutely nothing,” Hill said.“[Smith] gives this guy all theperks and he conspires withhim, and takes the extra jobsfrom other ofcers and givesit to this guy. The guy liveswith him. Everywhere ChiefSmith has been Owens hasbeen.”

Moody said the questionssurrounding Smith’s andOwens’ background will be

addressed.“First of all, Lithonia

doesn’t pay a big salary,”said Moody. “So when wetalk about backgroundchecks—people have to becareful how they throw outrocks and hide their handsbecause everybody has abackground.”

LITHONIA POLICE Continued From Page 11A

‘He decimated my character, and it had no merit

because if it had merit I would be in jail.’– formr officr Fostr Hill

8/20/2019 FreePress 3-4-16

12/24


Renfroe students prepare for food driveby R. Scott Belzer [email protected]

For half a day onFeb. 24, more than20 students fromRenfroe Middle

School received a crashcourse on hunger.

In preparation forhe school’s annualood drive on March, 24 representativesrom Renfroe’s student

government volunteered atAtlanta Community FoodBank (ACFB), located onoseph E. Lowery Blvd. in

western Atlanta.They joined more than

,700 monthly volunteersand 150 staff members athe Atlanta facility, which

serves food pantries,community kitchens,childcare centers, nightshelters and senior centersn northwestern Georgia.

Students worked in theood bank’s warehouse,earned how donated foodgets processed and sortedbefore creating boxed mealpackages are created. Inaddition, the students weregiven a tour of ACFB and

aught how grocery storesdonate fresh food to thedowntown facili ty.

Attending studentssorted 9,058 pounds of

food while working in thewarehouse, enough for6,050 meals.

Upon their returnto Renfroe Middle, thestudents spent the restof their day writing publicservice announcementsand commercials. Both willbe used to further students’homerooms’ efforts in theMarch food drive, whichbecomes a schoolwidecompetition.

Robyn Tibbetts,Renfroe Middle studentadvisor and seventh gradehumanities teacher, saidthe purpose of the tripwas for students to take

ownership of the upcomingproject.

“We wanted a smallgroup experience to showthem it’s more than acompetition,” Tibbetts said.“They’re not only moreinterested in the food drivein March, they’re caringmore about publicizing andadvertising the event. A lotof [students] said they weregoing back [to ACFB] withtheir families.”

According to Tibbetts,the experience instilled

participating students witha sense of communityservice.

“I hope studentscarry forward an active,

participating role in thecommunity,” Tibbetts said.“[The visit] shows them they

can put their critical thinkingskills to good use to solveproblems. You start locallyand move on globally.”

This is the second yearRenfroe Middle has visitedthe food bank and theseventh year of its annualfood drive. Students were

inspired to hold a Marchfood drive by ACFB’s“Hunger 101,” a workshop

and curriculum raisingawareness about hungeron local, state and nationallevels.

“Students are muchmore interested in aMarch food drive becausepeople always want to feedother people just during

the holidays, but peopleare hungry all the time,”Tibbetts said.

For more informationon Renfroe Middle School’sMarch food drive event,contact the school at(404) 370-4440. For moreinformation on AtlantaCommunity Food Bank,visit www.acfb.org or call(404) 892-9822.

Representatives from Renfroe Middle School’s student government volunteered at Atlanta Community Food Bank on Feb. 24. Photo provided

8/20/2019 FreePress 3-4-16

13/24


Renfroe Middle School’s student government volunteered at Atlanta Community Food Bank on Feb. 24. The 24 students used the volunteer work and tour of the facility aspreparation for an upcoming three-week food drive in March. Photos provided

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

Several organizations set up informational tables during an event to jumpstart DeKalbCounty’s lm and entertainment commission on Feb. 17. Photos by Andrew Cauthen

Kelly Cato, an aide for Commissioner Stan Watson, passes our popcorn during theevent.

DeKalb County Commissioners Nancy Jester and Stan Watson talks to the crowd athe lm commission event.

Shelbia Jackson, the county’s Camera Ready liaison, and DeKalb County PoliceChief James Conroy attended the event.

8/20/2019 FreePress 3-4-16

14/24


Dunwoody Rotary Club hosts ‘State of the City’ by R. Scott Belzer [email protected]

D

unwoody ofcials, businessrepresentatives andcommunity advocatescame together Feb. 25 to

hear the seventh annual State ofhe City address from Mayor Denis

Shortal.The three-hour event, hosted

by Dunwoody Rotary Club at theCrowne Plaza Ravinia on AshfordDunwoody Road, saw attendeesconverse with local leaders overa catered meal and scheduledprogram. Shortal capped off theevent with a speech addressing thestate of residents, nances, corevalues, police, efciency, schools,nfrastructure, trafc mitigation,parks and economic development.

While most of the subjects

discussed by Shortal were notcontroversial, the mayor proposedDunwoody, as a city, take overgoverning its schools.

“We need to take control of ourschools,” Shortal said. “We mustcontinue to improve our schools toenhance the public education of ourstudents. To me, the best way to dohat is to take control of our local

schools.”Currently, seven schools are

n Dunwoody’s city limits as part ofhe DeKalb County School District.

These include Austin, ChesnutCharter, Kingsley, Vanderlyn andDunwoody elementary schoolsn addition to Peachtree CharterMiddle School and Dunwoody HighSchool.

The mayor said stateepresentatives such as Rep.

Tom Taylor were trying to passegislation similar to HouseResolution 4, which would maket easier for cities to form anndependent school district. Thebill would amend the Georgiaconstitution to “authorize anymunicipality in the State of Georgiao establish by local law anndependent school system.”

Shortal admitted the bill has

been stuck in committee since lastyear and would in all likelihood notbecome law in 2016.

“Listening to you, as citizens,you want to take control of ourschool,” Shortal said. “Stand by for2017, we’re going to reload and hithem full force.”

In addition, Shortal did notshortchange the issue of growth,specically in the realms of trafcand infrastructure. The mainopic Shortal discussed was the

upcoming I-285 and GA-400nterchange, a possibility throughhe city’s partnership with the

Perimeter Community ImprovementDistricts.

Ground will be broken on theproject in late 2016 or early 2017,according to Shortal.

“It’s a 48- to 51-month project,”

Shortal said. “Yes, there will besome inconveniences while it’sgoing on, but in the long term,the inconveniences will be faroutweighed by the benets.”

The mayor said 37 percentof Dunwoody’s roads have beenpaved in seven years’ time dueto no change in the city’s pavingbudget after taking into accountinflation. He promised to “expeditethe paving rate” by proposing anincrease in the budget of $250,000.

Shortal did not shy away fromstating Dunwoody would remainscally prudent under his control.The mayor shared his experiencesin Chicago during the ‘70s and‘80s as a source for keeping a tightbudget.

“We have to make sure we

remain scally prudent,” Shortal

said. “[Chicago] was a city thatworked and they had a AAA bondrating. In May of last year, theirbond rating was junk. The largestcity in the United States has junkbonds. That’s what will happen ifwe don’t watch our nances.”

Shortal said economicdevelopment has changed inDunwoody over the past ve yearsfrom bringing in new businessesto maintaining them. Occupancyin Dunwoody has increased inthat time period from less than 60percent to 87 percent, according toShortal.

Shortal also announced plansto start a Dunwoody Citizen’s Patrolforce later this year. In additionto conducting security checks,directing trafc and assisting police

ofcers, Shortal said their future

presence will provide a “naturalcrime deterrent.”

Dunwoody Rotary Clubpresident Lorri Christopher tooktime during the event to explainwhat the club offers to residentsand the city. This includedcharitable 5k runs, organizing theDeKalb Special Olympics, aidingthe homeless as well as hostingseminars on bullying.

Time was also taken byDunwoody city manager EricLinton to present municipal courtclerk Norlaundra Huntington withthe Employee of Distinction awardfor 2015. Additionally, Dunwoody’sSustainability Committeechairman Kevin Sok presentedTina Wilkinson with the 2015Sustainable Hero Award.

Mayor Denis Shortal spoke at the

Dunwoody State of the City, outliningfuture plans for schools, infrastructureand nances.

Attendees examine the upcoming I-285 and GA-400 interchange which has a planned ground breaking in Dunwoody by late 2016or early 2017. Photos by R. Scott Belzer

From left, Dunwoody Mayor Denis Shortal, Dunwoody Rotary Club president Lorri

Christopher and Dunwoody city manager Eric Linton.

8/20/2019 FreePress 3-4-16

15/24


by R. Scott Belzer [email protected]

To say Georgia PiedmontTechnical College (GPTC)automotive instructor AndreaStrommen is just a teacher wouldbe inaccurate.

The Wisconsin native, whohas been teaching at GPTC forve years, is not only an educator,

but a mechanic, saxophoneplayer, mother and, ultimately, annspiration to her students.

“You have to work in a eldhat’s also your hobby,” Strommensaid. “My two hobbies are musicand cars. I used music to helpme get a career as an automotiveechnician.”

Strommen’s efforts have earnedher the 2016 Rick Perkins Awardrom GPTC, which also names

her the Clarkston-based college’snstructor of the Year.

“I’m honored,” Strommen said.GPTC is a great place to work; Iove our sense of community andamily.”

Since graduating fromSprayberry High School, Strommenhas pursued a career in theautomotive industry. She studiedhe subject at Chattahoochee

Technical College as well as atGeorgia State University beforebecoming a high school automotiveeacher in Paulding County.

In 2011, she brought her talentso GPTC.

“It’s one of those jobs you nevernot want to go to,” Strommen said.It’s a job where you wake up and

want to go to it. I like [that] I canmake my automotive passion myob. I get to eat, sleep and breathecars all day long.”

Strommen’s affection for carss nothing new. Before deciding toeach, she did her time in car bays:

she performed oil changes, xedlube systems, changed tires andreinstalled batteries. Strommenearned an apprenticeship withCarmax, but found she hadplateaued after two years.

At this time, she had earnedher teaching certication and wasteaching high school in PauldingCounty. Still, she worked part timein the eld and was forced to take iton fulltime after being laid off.While Strommen loved what shewas doing, she’s quick to say it hadits fair share of downsides. Theinstructor insists the automotiveeld is more difcult for womenbecause it’s considered a “non-traditional role.”

“I had to show perseverance24/7,” Strommen said. “I had to berock solid on the outside and notlet anything bother me. It can bebrutal, even for an entry level maletechnician. The odds are against you;everyone’s going to challenge you,try to break you and get you to quit.”

The instructor said she has apassion for music. After work, shewould often play saxophone in abacking band or featured band,citing it as a great source of balanceto an otherwise hectic work life.Night shows playing in productionsof Grease or The Buddy Holly Story helped Strommen keep her sanity,she said.

Strommen eventually found amaster technician role at a localPep Boys where she met StephenBullock, automotive programdirector at GPTC. Bullock is quick topoint out how deserving Strommenis in deserving of the 2016 RickPerkins Award, which notes herattention to detail and flexibilityamong her highest qualities.

“We denitely have a muchbetter representation for non-traditional students in theautomotive department [because ofStrommen]. You’re seeing someonend success as a non-traditionalstudent when all expectations arethat she will not,” Bullock said.“Even when male students talk

to Strommen, they’re like ‘Wow,you were in a Toyota dealership,’or ‘Wow, you were in a Forddealership,’ and it denitely helpsinspire them.”

After working under Bullockat Pep Boys for a brief amount oftime, he suggested she consider aposition at GPTC. The following fall,she was enrolled as an instructor.

“I really liked working in theeld as a tech, but I found myselfleaning toward that training side,”Strommen said. “I wanted to helpnew technicians coming in and talkthrough things.”

Strommen said she and otherinstructors in the automotivedepartment teach students realworld survival in the industry. Underher instruction, students not only

learn a trade but the business andsales aspect of automobiles.

“We tell students how tosucceed and make money in theeld,” Strommen said. “We teachthem why, not just theories. Weconnect that back to the eld andtell [students] how it can make themmoney.”

Changing things on anindividual basis, meeting students’needs and accommodating all ofher students regardless of physicalability or age are just a few of thethings Strommen cites as earningher the Rick Perkins Award.

“I’m always open to meetingstudents’ needs,” Strommen said.“I’m not here to teach me. I’m hereto teach them. I try to make sure I’mconstantly getting feedback.”

When she’s not in the garageat GPTC, Strommen can be foundpursuing her bachelor’s degreein educational leadership atKennesaw State University, whereshe also plans on pursuing hermaster’s degree.

“It’s something my family

believes: every day you’re workingto better yourself,” Strommen said.

Strommen said her colleaguesat GPTC often bring her theirdaughters to get advice on jumpinginto the automotive eld. Theinstructor is glad to pass on herwisdom, especially when it pertainsto persevering in a male-dominatedeld.

“You have to be thick-skinnedand you can’t walk in with a chip onyour shoulder,” Strommen said. “Iwalked in completely open-mindedand I got the job; I earned it andI’m here. People are going to tryto push you out of the positionand that’s OK. ‘Perseverance’ issomething I had to print out, puton my cart and look at on a dailybasis.”

Awarded DeKalb instructor defies expectations

Georgia Piedmont Technical College’s2016 Rick Perkins Award recipient,Andrea Strommen

Andrea Strommen puts gloves on to prepare instruction for Georgia PiedmontTechnical College students Joshua McLain and Jared Prince.

Andrea Strommen shows how to install a braking system on an Chevrolet ElCamino SS. Photos by R. Scott Belzer

8/20/2019 FreePress 3-4-16

16/24


Harold S. Buckley Sr. whose 30-year tenure on theMARTA Board of Directors ishe longest in the authority’s

history, died Feb. 23 from astroke.

Buckley, 72, representedDeKalb County on the boardsince 1985.

“Harold Buckley was awonderful man and was anunwavering advocate forMARTA,” said board Chairman Robert L. Ashe III. “Thecourage of his convictions, anddedication to a decades-longdream to expand transit alonghe I-20 corridor, are lessons

we all benetted from, and werenspired by.”

Buckley served in aeadership capacity–either as

chairman or vice chairman–forhe board’s audit committeesince 2010; he last presidedover a meeting on Feb. 18.

He also served as boardreasurer and on the operations

& safety committee, formerlyknown as the safety & securitycommittee. Additionally, he washe board representative for

MARTA’s pension committee. A native of Biloxi, Miss.,

and a graduate of TuskegeeInstitute (later named Tuskegee

University), Buckley movedto the Atlanta area followinga stint in the U.S. Army. Laterrelocating to Decatur, Buckleyearned his real estate licenseand founded a practice servingresidential and commercialclients.

In addition to his service toMARTA, Buckley has served

on the board of directorsfor DeKalb Chamber ofCommerce, DeKalb PrivateIndustry Council, Georgia

Association of Realtors, WesleyChapel YMCA and American

Heart Association. He wasthe chairman of the DeKalbPrivate Industry Council. Healso served as a member of thecommittee that developed theVision 2000 Plan for DeKalbCounty, a member of theGeneral Advisory Council forDeKalb Technical College and acharter member of LeadershipDeKalb.

Buckley is survived byhis wife Sally and two adultchildren, Harold Buckley Jr. and Sarita Anderson, and twograndchildren.

“Mr. Buckley was a tirelessadvocate for his communityand he had a deep and abidingcommitment to public service,”said MARTA GM/CEO KeithT. Parker . “We will cherishhis profound contributions toMARTA and appreciate hislasting legacy of civic duty thatis an example for us to follow.”

Kp DKalb Bautifulrcognizd at nationalawards crmony

Keep DeKalb Beautiful (KDB), thecommunity outreach unit of the DeKalb

County Sanitation Division was recentlyrecognized with the 2016 Keep AmericaBeautiful Afliate of Excellence Award.

KDB was honored for distinguishingitself as an exemplary afliate organizationin the “250,000 and above” populationcategory, and for its outstanding litter indexand single-stream recycling programs,various beautication initiatives, andother community improvement programs,according to a news release.

“KDB has done a remarkable jobengaging innovative ideas and provenstrategies to help combat littering, improverecycling participation and beautify ourcommunities,” said Billy Malone, thecounty sanitation division’s associate

director. “As we continue to advance ourenvironmental stewardship efforts, welook forward to continued collaborationswith community organizations and groupssharing this common purpose.”

County’s public workscommitt to hostmting

DeKalb County CommissionersStan Watson, Sharon Barnes Sutton and Nancy Jester , members of thecommissioners’ public work committeemembers, will host a meeting on Thursday,March 3, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at theMaloof Auditorium at 1300 CommerceDrive, Decatur.

The meeting will give residents anopportunity interact with departmentrepresentatives on topics such as waterbilling, water leaks, potholes, sanitation,recycling and claims. Updates to revisedservices and future initiatives also will bediscussed.

This meeting is free and the publicis encouraged to attend. Advancereservations are not required.

For more information, contact Portia

Reeves at (404) 371-3681 or [email protected].

Longtim MARTA board mmbr dis

Harold Buckley

Doraville has been awarded a grant fromCVS Pharmacy to install a Drug Collection UnitDCU) drop box.

Located in in the lobby of the Doraville PoliceDepartment at 3750 Park Avenue, the DCUdrop box “will provide residents with a safe andenvironmentally responsible way to disposeof unwanted, unused or expired medication,ncluding controlled substances,” a news releaseabout the program stated.

“The DCU is intended to help reduce theamount of unneeded medicine in residents’homes and decrease prescription drug abuse,which has soared in recent years, especially

among teenagers,” the news release stated.More than 70 percent of teenagers say its easy to get prescription drugs from theirparents’ medicine cabinets, according to a 2014Partnership for Drug-Free Kids study.”

Placing old or unneeded medicine in theDCU drop box will also help Doraville preventcontamination of local landlls and water suppliesrom unused medication, the news release

states.The new DCU represents one of 1,000 units

CVS Pharmacy and The Medicine Abuse Project,a ve-year initiative of The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids, are providing across the country.

Doraville’s collection site is open to thepublic daily and drugs can be dropped off withno questions asked. Doraville residents and

CVS Pharmacy customers can also inquireabout the Medication Disposal for SaferCommunities Program at the toll free phonenumber 1 (866) 559-8830 or visit www.cvs.com/safercommunities.

Items accepted include prescriptions,prescription patches, over-the-countermedications, ointments (prescription only),

vitamins, samples and medications for pets.Items not accepted include needles and/or

sharps, inhalers, aerosol cans or any combustibleitems, thermometers, non-prescribed ointments,lotions, liquids and hydrogen peroxide.

Doraville Police Department receives

grant for drug collection unit

8/20/2019 FreePress 3-4-16

17/24

BUSINESS The Champion FREE PRESS, Friday, March 4, 2016 • Page 17A

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

Pizza with ‘authentic Italian roots’ comes to Stone Mountainby Kathy Mitchell

W

ith training in textileengineering and

experience trainingoperators of convenience stores,Yatin Patel said he’s now doingwhat he always dreamed of—owning his own businesses.

Patel held the grand opening ofa Marco’s Pizza in Stone Mountainnear Highway 78 and RockbridgeRoad on Feb. 21, his second storen the Marco’s chain. He said thebusiness brings 30 new jobs to thearea.

Patel said that before becomingan owner of one of its stores, hewas a fan of Marco’s Pizza. “Iwas a customer rst. You can’tsuccessfully sell a product unless

you truly believe in it,” he added.“I was attracted to the Marco’s

brand because unlike some pizzabrands it has true Italian roots.t was founded by a man born intaly, who wanted to offer a producthat is authentic and high quality.

We use fresh ingredients and takepride in every pizza we make,crafting it in the tradition of classictali

Date post:	07-Aug-2018
Category:	Documents
Upload:	champion-newspaper
View:	217 times
Download:	0 times

FreePress 3-4-16

Documents