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FRIDAY, ApRIl 10, 2015 • VOl. 18, NO. 2 • 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.

F REE P RESS

See Map on page 15ASee House on page 15A

by Carla [email protected]

Two proposed citiesin DeKalb County area step closer to realityafter both cityhood billspassed the Georgia Gen-eral Assembly April 2.

Residents in theboundaries of the pro-posed cities of LaVistaHills and Tucker willhave the opportunity to

vote on incorporation ifGov. Nathan Deal signs

the bills.According to reports,

last-minute negotiationswere made between thestate House and Senateover a disputed area inthe Livsey ElementarySchool area. The Housedid not agree with thealtered maps the SenateState and Local Gov-ernmental OperationsCommittee that shifted2,000 residents fromTucker’s map to LaVistaHills.

A Conference Com-

mittee was formed, andit voted 5-1 to return500 residents, alongwith a Wal-Mart anda QuikTrip to Tucker,and 1,500 residents re-mained in LaVista Hills,according to reports.The committee alsoremoved the Medlockand Mason Mills neigh-borhoods from LaVistaHills’ map.

The House passedLaVista Hills (HB 520)112-52 and Tucker 131-33 (HB 515). The Sen-

ate passed LaVista Hills36-8 and Tucker 43-4.

In a released state-ment, Michelle Penkava of Tucker 2015 thankedcommunity membersfor their work duringthis process.

“Although the mapthat was approveddoes not reflect theentirety of the tradi-tional boundaries of theTucker community be-cause of changes madeby Sen. Fran Millar,

Tucker remains a solid

by Andrew [email protected]

When Gerard Dyson moved to he Windy Ridge Way neighborhoodn Lithonia three years ago, an

abandoned, burnt house was two

houses away.“It looks like a war zone; it looksike a bomb fell on the house,”aid Dyson, a veteran. “It’s just

devastating. It’s embarrassing.“Everybody always asks, ‘What

s that house doing up in this niceneighborhood? Why hasn’t anyoneknocked it down? Why is it takinghree years for someone to comento this community to knock it

down when some other housesn some other communities andhey’ve already demolished them?’”

Dyson said.Those questions were answered

early April 3 when county sanitation

workers quickly bulldozed the housento a pile of rubble.

“To see this go down is a really,eally good thing today,” Dyson said.

The demolition is part of acounty program to during whichhe county goes to court to get

authority “to go onto the propertyo either abate the issues that

are…there because they qualifyas uninhabitable or dangerousproperties, or to demolish it,” Marcus Kellum, DeKalb County’scode enforcement administrator,aid in a March interview.

During the in-rem proceeding,

he owner retains ownership of

LaVista Hills,Tucker bills passGeneral Assembly

County demolishes blighted house

A Conference Committee redrew the boundaries linesfor LaVista Hills (above) and Tucker maps before it waspassed in the General Assembly.

The shell of a burned house was leveled by DeKalb County work-ers as part of a program to rid the county of uninhabitable houses.Photos by Andrew Cauthen

DeKalb ofcials and employees talk to residents in front of the Windy Ridge Way house in Lithonia momentsefore it was demolished.

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

Education .............. 18-19A

Sports...................... 21-23A

Opinion ...........................5A

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

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COUNTY PLANSTO FILL 1,100POTHOLES

CHAMBLEE GIRLS,SWD BOYS WIN TRACKCHAMPIONSHIPS

SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERREFUSES TO RESIGNAMID ALLEGATIONS

8/9/2019 FreePress 4-10-15


Page 2A The Champion Free Press, Friday, April 10, 2015

LOCAL

Enroll Now! Special Enrollment Period*

GCHJ8AAES_GA 0315

*Those eligible for the special enrollment period must: • Live in states with a federally-facilitated marketplace (FFM); • Currently not be enrolled in coverage through the FFM for 2015;• Attest that when they filed their 2014 tax return they paid the fee for not having health coverage in 2014; and • Attest that they first became aware of, or understood the implications of, theShared Responsibility Payment after the end of open enrollment (February 15) in connection with preparing their 2014 taxes.Offered by Humana Employers Health Plan of Georgia, Inc. and/or insured by Humana Insurance Company

If you paid a penalty on your federal taxes because you didn’t have health coverage

in 2014, and you need to get health coverage for 2015 to reduce the penalty you may

owe, you have from now until April 30th to apply for special enrollment.

Stop by the Sign-Up Atlanta event at the Gallery at South DeKalb2801 Candler Road Decatur, GA • Center Mall Court

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17 18Sign-UpAtlanta

• Tax credits may be availableto help lower the cost ofhealth insurance

• A licensed agent can help youmake the right choice for youand your family

• Get personal advice for FREE!

Friday April 17 • 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Saturday April 18 • 12 p.m.- 5 p.m.

Wade WalkerEaster Egg Hunt

Hundreds participate in Wade Walker Park Family YMCA’s annualEaster egg hunt. In addition to the egg hunt, there were family-friendly activities such as face painting, musical chairs, arts andcrafts, and dancing. Photos by Travis Hudgons

8/9/2019 FreePress 4-10-15


The Champion Free Press, Friday, April 10, 2015 Page 3ALOCAL

by Ashley Oglesby [email protected]

Metro Atlanta’s newest movietudio will be the first major proj-

ect at the site of the former GeneralMotors (GM) plant in Doraville — adevelopment that will be known ashe “Assembly.”

The Integral Group, which ac-quired the GM site last year, part-nered with Capstone South Proper-ies to develop Third Rail Studios

on a six-acre section of the 165-acredevelopment.

The first phase of constructionwill be an adaptive reuse of an exist-ng 130,000-square-foot building to

accommodate 60,000 square feet ofound stages, 20,000 square feet of

production support plus mill shops,elated vendor spaces and adminis-rative offices.

Doraville Mayor Donna Pitt-man said residents are excited andhave provided positive feedback.

She said, “We look forward tocreating a public realm and atmo-

sphere from a service and infra-structure standpoint that maximizestheir success.”

Planning commission chairmanJason Jones said, “This was quite along arduous process.”

The development has the po-tential to be the largest project thatIntegral CEO Egbert Perry , whohas overseen the transformation ofseveral Atlanta public housing com-plexes into mixed-income commu-

nities, has ever led.The completed media complex

will be a 270,000-square-foot facil-

ity.“We could not have asked for

better partners than the City ofDoraville, their mayor Donna Pitt-man and DeKalb County who haveactively provided the support nec-essary to promote an environmentat the site to attract jobs and busi-nesses that will begin to transform

the area,” Integral’s Project ExecutiveEric Pinckney said in an April 3news release.

The studios will anchor theYards District portion of the rede-

velopment. Officials have discusseda walkable and transit-connectedresidential and business hub almost30 acres larger than Atlantic Stationthat could bring new parks, restau-rants and other amenities.

The design for Third Rail Stu-dios is led by Janson Tsai, a divisionof Perkins Eastman. Previous workincludes design of Kaufman/AstoriaFilm Studios and Steiner Film Stu-dios in New York, as well as projectswith Imagine Films, CBS Television,NBC Universal, ESPN, Disney andSony–among others.

Third Rail Studios first phase isprojected to be completed duringthe fourth quarter of 2015.

For more information on ThirdRail Studios and up-to-date news onthe latest developments, visit www.thirdrailfilm.com.

“We could not have asked for better partners…who have actively provided the support… toattract jobs and businesses that will begin totransform the area.” -Eric Pinckney

Film studio to be first business on GM SiteDemolition images from the former General Motors site exhibit where vendor spaces and ofces like Third Rail Studios will be located.

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8/9/2019 FreePress 4-10-15


OPINIONThe Champion Free Press, Friday, April 10, 2015 Page 5A

l us Know Wha Yo think!

THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS encour-ages opinions from its readers. Pleasewrite to us and express your views. Lettersshould be brief, typewritten 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 emailto [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 Hwi Chief Financial Ocer:Dr. ear D. GnnManaging Editor:Andrw cahnProduction Manager:Kemesha Hunt Photographer:travis HdgonsSta Reporters:cara parkr, Ashy Ogsby

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

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F REE P RESS

STATEMENT FROM THE

PUBLISHERW sinry aria hdisssion srronding his and anyiss of inrs o DKab cony.The Champion was fondd in 1991xrssy o rovid a form fordisors for a ommniy rsidnson a sids of an iss. W hav nodsir o mak h nws ony oror nws and oinions o ff

a mor dad iiznry ha wiimay mov or ommniyforward. W ar hay o rsnidas for disssion; howvr,w mak vry ffor o avoidrining informaion sbmid os ha is known o b fas and/orassmions nnd as fa.

ONE MAN’S OPINION

“We’re making progress.f we continue fighting , we’re

going to end up winning,” Ju-ia Antonio, a McDonald’sestaurant franchise em-

ployee, as reported by TheNew York Times on Monday,April 6, 2015.

I have long held thathe best gift one can give is

a job, the opportunity forgainful employment and allof the benefits which fol-ow. Not every job is equal,

nor are the benefits evenimilar, but each is an op-

portunity, offered in themarketplace, to performwork or services, in ex-change for compensation.

Most of you are likelyaware of the ongoing discus-ion of raising the minimum

wage to as much as $15 anhour. The “Fight for Fifteen,”argely financed by labor

unions and paid activists,has led to protests and res-aurant walkouts, primarilyn big cities and strong labor

union markets.Though the battle to raise

he minimum wage has re-ceived significant nationalmedia attention, and evenupport, comparatively little

discussion or attention isgiven when major employ-ers raise their wage floorvoluntarily and of their ownvolition.

A bit over a month ago,Walmart, our nation’s larg-est employer, announcedt will be raising its start-

ing and minimum wage forWalmart associates to $9 anhour. And though Walmart’shome is the right-to-work

state of Arkansas, you havenot yet seen a market followmove by other retail giantsincluding Sears/K-Mart(Chicago), Target (Dayton,Oh.), or Federated Depart-ment Stores (Cincinnati,Oh.), each based in strongmidwestern Union states.

Chicago-based McDon-ald’s did announce that itwill raise the starting salaryfor employees at all of its1,500 company-owned andoperated locations, to $10 anhour. This potentially anddirectly impacts 90,000 Mc-Donald’s employees, but notyet affects the other 750,000full- and part-time employ-ees of 3,100 franchisees whooperate 12,500 locations inthe United States. Both ofthese voluntary wage hikesare major market moves

and will cause upward wagepressure on competitors aswell as from franchisees.

Though both companiesare well-run enterprisesand longtime members ofthe Dow Jones Index, I willmake the case that this ismuch less in response tothe protests and “Fight forFifteen,” and more about thethawing recession, qualifiedand trained labor shortagesand a tightening and im-proving job markets.

Though McDonald’sand Walmart are generallygenerous and excellent cor-porate citizens, this move isless about largesse and doing

social good, and more aboutwanting to hire, train andemploy, as well as build bet-ter career paths, for the topproducers in the retail andrestaurant industries.

Walmart, the more often villified of this pair, also re-cently flexed its significantpolitical muscle at home inArkansas, publicly urgingthe state’s governor to rejectproposed religious freedomlegislation which it believedmight result in discrimina-tion against gay men andwomen. No peeps so far asof Easter weekend from oth-er major retailers, who alsohave a significant presencein that same state.

And yet, short of cel-ebrating these spring boun-ties and potential increasesfor hundreds of thousands

of Walmart and McDonald’sworkers, instead most of theprotest community retorted,“too little, too late,” “we goafter more hours next” and/or “and now we seek im-proved fulltime benefits.”

Life is not always “fair”or equal in terms of the op-portunities we are given,but I do believe it is incum-bent upon the individualto try and make the mostand best of what is offeredand afforded. Walmart andMcDonald’s both took alead, in a direction whichmarket forces are calling forand support. Outside forcesmandating a doubling or tri-

pling of base wages, with noreality considering cash flowor the facts of operating thatenterprise, will simply shut-ter restaurants, reduce newhires and likely eliminate the“Dollar Menu.” Doublingor tripling the largest singleexpense (labor) for any en-terprise will have a signifi-cant and upward impact onprices...moving many menuitems out of reach of thoseless fortunate.

In the real world, choicesand actions have costs andconsequences. Like, loveor loathe them, McDon-ald’s and Walmart both getthat. And as those two deci-sions will cost billions to im-plement and hopefully raisethe standard of living fordozens of thousands of theiremployees, instead of asking,

Bill Crane

[email protected]

Columnist

What have you done for me lately?“What have you done for melately?” how about if eventhe protest crowd puts theirplacards down for a momentand puts their hands to-gether? You deserve a breaktoday, and a thank you, andso does this pair.

Bill Crane also serves as a political analyst and commen-tator for Channel 2’s ActionNews, WSB-AM News/Talk750 and now 95.5 FM, as wellas a columnist for

The Cham-pion, Champion Free Pressand Georgia Trend. Crane isa DeKalb native and businessowner, living in Scottdale. Youcan reach him or comment

on a column at bill.csicrane@ gmail.com.

8/9/2019 FreePress 4-10-15



LOCAL

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

JACK KOVALSKI

by Kathy Mitchell

According to the Centers forDisease Control and PreventionCDC), approximately 25 percent of

deaths among Americans are causedby heart disease. Instances of heartdisease and other cardiovascular

llnesses are especially high in theSouth, the federal agency states.The CDC also reports that high

blood pressure, high LDL cholester-ol and smoking are key risk factorsor heart disease along with excess

weight, physical inactivity and poordiet. Thus the risk of heart diseaseand strokes can often be loweredwith lifestyle changes.

These facts are among the rea-ons the Lambda Epsilon Omega

chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha So-ority Inc. has chosen health educa-ion as a community service initia-ive. Program Committee Chair-

woman Racquel Jackson said the

orority will be hosting a series ofactivities throughout the year aimedat promoting community health.

The women of Lambda EpsilonOmega arranged for Arizona’s, a

Stonecrest area restaurant, to offera special healthy heart menu on theafternoon of March 28. Membersserved as hostesses and encouragedpatrons to select from among suchlow sodium/low calorie items asgrilled lobster tail, vegetable plate,grilled lemon pepper chicken with

a micro green salad, grilled salmonatop Mediterranean salad and lumpcrab cake with sautéed spinach. Tenpercent of the proceeds from thesale of items on the special menuwere donated to the American Heartand Stroke associations.

Jackson noted that lifestylechanges also can lower the risk forother diseases such as Alzheimer’sand cancer. “Besides,” she added,“people who are in good health en-

joy an overall higher quality of life.”She said the DeKalb County-basedchapter has been focused on com-munity service since its founding in1976. “We want to show our com-

munity that we care.”Jackson said her sorority is

taking a multifaceted approach toimproving community health. “Wewant to educate people to the dan-

gers of a poor diet and a sedentarylifestyle. At the same time, we wantto show them that changes are do-able. They can eat a healthy dietwithout exceeding the family budgetas they eat meals that are enjoyableand easy to prepare,” she said, add-ing that the restaurant lunch event

was to show that healthful choicescan be made from a restaurantmenu.

“When you educate a personabout lifestyle choices you don’t

just impact that person,” Jacksonsaid. “The person takes what he orshe learns to the rest of the family.Parents start teaching their childrenfrom an early age to enjoy healthfulfoods and make smart choices. Hab-its that may be generations old arebroken. The person who grew upgrabbing a soda and a bag of chipswhen they were hungry may out ofhabit select the same snack for theirchildren, but if they learn the value

of choosing fresh fruit or vegetablesor other nutrient-rich foods insteadthey help create better habits fortheir children who in turn will passgood health habits on to their chil-

dren.”She said the same principle ap-

plies to an active lifestyle. “Childrenwho see their parents walking, exer-cising and engaging in sports will beencouraged to come from in front ofthe television and become physicallyactive.”

“It’s awesome that the chapteris doing this,” said Jackie Epps, aLithonia educator who attended theMarch 28 lunch event. “It’s not easyfor people to change their eatinghabits—we like what we like and wedon’t want to give those things up.By showing us that healthy alter-natives can also be tasty they helpus rethink those habits. It’s nice toknow that eating healthier doesn’tmean eating the same old thing dayafter day—there’s lots of variety.”

Jackson said throughout theyear the chapter will sponsor suchactivities as health fairs and walksto raise money for health organiza-

tions while encouraging people tobe more active.

Sorority efforts encourage good health habits

After he was injured inan accident in June 1998,Jack Kovalski said he “didn’tdo anything for about 10years.”

“I wasn’t doing nothingbut sitting in front of theTV or the computer all day,”said Kovalski, 66. “I wasgetting…more and more de-pressed. My health was notthat great, so I figured I’d bebetter off if I got busy.”

A friend suggested thathe check volunteer oppor-tunities at Friends of Dis-abled Adults and Children,a Stone Mountain-basednonprofit organization thatprovides refurbished homemedical equipment and

home modifications to therecipients at little or no cost.

Kovalski visited FODACand determined that theorganization was “a goodmatch” for him, he said. Hehas been volunteering with

the group since the fall of2008.

At FODAC, he does“just about anything theywant me to, but mostlyI work in the thrift storeand I go through all theelectronics that’s donated,”Kovalski said. “If it doesn’twork, it doesn’t go out. If it’snot safe it doesn’t go out.”

Kovalski also does someof FODAC’s videographyand photography.

“The most fun is repre-senting them at trade showsand health fairs,” Kovalskisaid.

At the shows and fairs,“we’ll have a table set upand I’ll hand out our infor-

mation and just try to tellpeople about FODAC—justtry to spread the word,” hesaid. “Sometimes I still thinkFODAC is the best kept se-cret in Atlanta.”

Kovalski said he felt“very comfortable” when hefirst visited FODAC.

“I’m also, I guess, con-sidered disabled,” Kovalskisaid. “I walk with leg bracesand crutches and I also havea wheelchair, so I can feelsome empathy for a lot ofthose folks [at FODAC].”

Because he wasn’t able towork a full day, “volunteer-ing seemed perfect,” saidKovalski, who occasion-

ally volunteers at RooseveltWarm Springs Institute forRehabilitation, where he hashelped establish a museum.

“It’s like a family there,”he said about FODAC. “Wecan use just about any skillthat you might have frombeing a wheelchair mechan-ic to someone who worksin the thrift store to clericaland administrative work.

“It’s just really a niceplace with nice people,”Kovalski said.

ump crab cake with sautéed spinach, photo at left, was among the heart-healthy entrees offered at the AKA lunch event. Jackie Epps, second photo from left, chose a grilled chickenalad and tness expert Jackie Madison, second photo from right, chose the crab cake. In the extreme right photo, chapter President Betty Stuckey, left, and program chairwomanaquel Jackson show a shrimp cocktail appetizer offered at the event.

8/9/2019 FreePress 4-10-15



Avondale EstatesPolice to offer ‘operation pill drop’

The Avondale Estates Police Departmentwill host an “Operation Pill Drop” April 11. Theevent allows residents to dispose of surplus, out-dated and unwanted medications in a safe man-ner, thus keeping them out of the wrong handsand out of the water supply. All types of medica-ions will be accepted. The police department

also accepts unwanted medications year-roundor the community’s convenience. The event will

be held behind Avondale Estates City Hall, 21North Avondale Plaza. For more information,contact Sgt. Jason Browen at (404) 294-5400 or

email [email protected].

Second Century Avondale to host meeting

Avondale Estates residents are invited toattend a meeting of the citizen group SecondCentury Avondale April 11 at Avondale PizzaCafé, 2823 East College Avenue. After a shortpresentation, discussion will focus on the role ofand need for green space in urban developmentand, more specifically, in downtown AvondaleEstates. For more information, contact [email protected].

DecaturTeen summit to address healthy relationships On April 18, teens will gather in Decatur for

traight talk about relationships. This free teen healthy relationship educa-

ion event is planned by PEERsuaders, a groupof teens who are part of a youth developmentprogram of More Than Conquerors Inc.

The purpose is to help other teens develophealthy relationships and understand what anormal relationship is. Topics such as datingviolence, money, sex abuse, communication, andelf-respect will be presented using board gamehemes. Highlights of the day will include special

performances, music, prizes and gifts.The summit is open to teens ages 13-19 and

will be held at New Life Church & CommunityCenter, 3592 Flat Shoals Road, Decatur, from 9a.m. to 4 p.m. Free breakfast and lunch is includ-ed. Youth groups are welcome. Register online atmtci-teensummit2015.eventbrite.com.

For more information regarding the sum-mit, contact MTCI at (770) 483-3299 or [email protected].

Dunwoody

Local organizations arrange summer dog jog

On May 2 VetHeart of Georgia and CanineCompanions for Independence will present the28th annual Atlanta dog jog at Brook Run Dog Parkn Dunwoody, 4770 Georgia Way S.

The community event will feature a 5K at

8:30 a.m., and a one-mile run or walk with dogsat 8 a.m. Packet pick-up and on-site check-in orsame day registration will be from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.Registration prices range from $20-$40.

Last year’s Atlanta dog jog was the biggest in its28-year history and attracted TV, print and radioexposure, and it is expected that this year it will beeven bigger.

The event has become a tradition for hundredsof dogs and their owners to meet, run or walk andto help charities that support pet wellness and thosewho can most benefit from the companionship andcare that specially trained dogs can provide.

Proceeds of the 2015 event wil l benefit VetHeartof Georgia (formerly the Georgia VeterinaryMedical Association Foundation) and CanineCompanions for Independence.

Lithonia

Wellness center to offer free workshop

The Healing Art and Wellness Center willoffer free mind, body and soul workshops everyfirst Saturday in April from 10 a.m. to noon.

During the workshops, participants canlearn about meditation, fasting, detoxing, nutri-tion and stress relief. Workshops will include aquestion-and-answer session followed by spokenword and poetry. Organic coffee, herbal tea andpastries will be available during the sessions.

The workshops will be at the Healing Artand Wellness Center , 6984 Main Street, Litho-nia.

The center will also hold a Leading Ladies,Rebirth and Resurrection Conference, April 20from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Monastery of HolySpirit, 2625 GA-212, Conyers.

The speaker is Pastor Dr. Debra B. Morton.For more information, contact Dr. Nancy J.

Williams at (770) 484-4745.

Stone Mountain

Citywide yard sale announced

The city of Stone Mountain will hold itsannual citywide yard sale on Saturday, April25, 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. on the First BaptistChurch, 5301 Mimosa Drive.

Set up begins at 7:30 a.m. on the day of thesale. Tables will not be provided. A limited num-ber of 10-foot by 10-foot spaces under the pavil-ion are available at $20 each on a first come, firstserved basis or 10-foot by 10-foot lawn spacesmay be rented for $10 each.

For a fee of $5 city residents may have private yard sales and be listed on the yard sale trailmap. A list of trail participants will be given toshoppers who visit the pavilion and lawn on theday of the sale. For more information, contact

Susan Coletti at (404) 444-5607 or City Hall at(770) 498-8984. No food vendors, no refundsand no rain date.

Granite Grasshopper Festival has something

for everyone

The City of Stone Mountain DowntownDevelopment Authority (DDA) along with thecity of Stone Mountain is sponsoring the GraniteGrasshopper Festival on Saturday, April 18, inStone Mountain Village. The festival begins at8:30 a.m. with the Granite Grasshopper 5K andFun Run. Music begins on the festival stage at10:45 a.m. and continues until 9:30 p.m. Artsand crafts vendors and food trucks will be onhand along with children’s activities.

Registration is available online at active.com.To register, search Granite Grasshopper 5K. Ap-plications are also available on the Stone Moun-tain website.

Music genres range from Latin jazz to R&Bto beach music. The music line-up includes TitoGato (formerly Wild Rice), Nancy Gerber &Friends, JugTime Rag Band, Seminole Jackson,Kerri Hill Band, Pullin’ Strings, Tommy Talton,and headliner, The Gold Standard Band.

The mission of the DDA is to foster an envi-ronment that sustains current businesses and en-courages future growth and development whileenhancing the historic character of the city us-ing the Main Street approach.

For more information, contact MechelMcKinley by phone at (770) 498-8984, x137,or (678) 357-5202, or by email at [email protected].

CountywideRecreation department acceptingregistrations for youth flag football

Youth flag football registration is being helduntil April 11.

The program is designed to instill skill development and maintain an interest in physicalfitness.

Youth flag football is for ages 5–10 and in-cludes six games with a culminating single elimi-nation tournament play. Registration is $40 perchild. Participants must present a birth certifi-cate at registration.

To register online, visit www.dekalbcoun-tyga.gov/parks and click the “Register Now” but-ton on the department’s homepage or register atnflflag.com/form/player.

For more information, call the athletics’ of-fice at (770) 414-2113.

AROUNDDEKALB

8/9/2019 FreePress 4-10-15



LOCAL

County plans to fill 1,100 potholesby Andrew Cauthen

[email protected] County is look-

ng for potholes to fill.As part of National

County Government Month,DeKalb County kicked offts annual month-long Pot-

hole Palooza on April 1.During last year’s Pot-

hole Palooza, DeKalb’sannual intensive road in-frastructure improvementcampaign, the county filledapproximately 1,074 pot-holes.

“We expect to do even

more this year,” said interimDeKalb County CEO Lee May .

“For us, there is noth-ng really as important as…

our infrastructure here in

DeKalb County,” said Mayas workers filled a potholeon Carter Road near Memo-rial Drive.

As employees worked, aresident driving by stoppedto get information to reportother potholes.

“There are literallythousands of people justlike that—wanting to gettheir streets repaved, to getpotholes fil led,” May said.“In DeKalb County we areabout 400 miles behind inrepaving roads because we

just don’t have the funding

stream to handle that.“Fortunately this Gen-

eral Assembly just passed apiece of legislation last nightthat will allow us eventually

to move forward with a 1

percent sales tax to addressthat,” May said. “That wouldyield about $100 million[a year] for us in DeKalbCounty.”

That tax revenue wouldbe used to fund the repavingof roads, filling potholes andfor capital infrastructureneeds. The bill for catch-ing up on the repaving inthe county is approximately$125 million, May said.

A benefit of improvedroads is economic develop-ment, May said.

“We’ve been very ag-

gressive with economicdevelopment here,” he said.“Economic development isclosely connected to trans-portation and our infra-

structure needs. We have

been very proactive in ad-dressing our infrastructureneeds. We believe that willtranslate into corporationswanting to make DeKalbCounty home.”

DeKalb County Com-missioner Nancy Jester,who attended the kickoff,said, “Pothole Palooza ishuge because one of thebiggest complaints we getis ….potholes that damagecars and basically make yourcommute around DeKalbuncomfortable.

“I get lots of calls from

constituents about the con-cerns with road safety dueto potholes,” she said. “Ev-eryone pays taxes and theywant their roads fixed.

“We all have commutes,”

Jester said. “We go to work,we go to school, and it’s verydisruptive to have to avoidpotholes and damage yourcar when you drive throughthem.

“It’s a quality of life issue,and I hope the citizens ofDeKalb see it as dedicationto the effort of improvingthe roads in DeKalb Coun-ty,” she said. “This is themonth where we are takingseriously the concerns andsafety issues regarding pot-holes and marshalling theresources of the [roads and

drainage] department to fixthem. I’m looking forwardto us having smoother com-mutes.”

Peggy Allen, associate director of the roads and drainage division,nterim DeKalb County CEO Lee May, and Commissioner Nancy Jesterook on as a pothole is lled on Carter Road.

William Brown, a general foreman for the county’s asphalt crew, lls a pothole. Photos by Andrew Cauthen

On April 1, DeKalb County ofcials kicked off Pothole Palooza, a monthlong campaign to ll at least 1,100 potholes.

8/9/2019 FreePress 4-10-15



METROPOLITAN ATLANTA RAPID TRANSIT AUTHORITY

Notice of Public Hearings: April 13, 14 & 16, 2015Notice is hereby given that the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) will hold public hearings for the purpose of considering

Proposed Bus Service Modifications for August 8, 2015Proposed routing and/or adjustments for the following bus routes:

Copies of the proposed bus service modifications will also beavailable at MARTA’s Office of External Affairs, 2424 PiedmontRoad, N.E. Atlanta, Georgia 30324 during regular business hours,Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

For formats (FREE of charge) in accordance with the ADA andLimited English Proficiency regulations contact (404) 848-4037.For those patrons requiring further accommodations, informationcan be obtained by calling the Telephone Device for the Deaf (TDD)at 404 848-5665.

In addition, a sign language interpreter will be availableat all hearings. If you cannot attend the hearings and want toprovide comments you may: (1) leave a message at (404)848-5299; (2) write to MARTA’s Office of External Affairs,

2424 Piedmont Road, N.E. Atlanta, GA 30324-3330; (3)complete an online Comment Card at www.itsmarta.com;(4) or fax your comments no later than April 21, 2015 to (404)848-4179.

All citizens of the City of Atlanta and the counties of Fulton,DeKalb, Clayton and Gwinnett whose interests are affected by thesubjects to be considered at these hearings are hereby notifiedand invited to appear at said times and places and present such

evidence, comment or objection as their interests require. Keith T. Parker, AICP General Manager/CEO

Monday April 13

374 Valley Hill Road SW,

Riverdale, 30274Living Waters

International Church7:00 p.m.

Community Exchange: 6-7 P .M .

Staff available to discuss MARTA initiatives.

Riding MARTA: Bus Route 196

231 Sycamore Street,

Decatur, 30030Decatur

Recreation Center7:00 p.m.



Riding MARTA: Walk one block eastof Decatur Station.

2424 Piedmont Road NE

Atlanta, 30324MARTA

Headquarters 7:00 p.m.



Riding MARTA: Across the street from north endof the Lindbergh Center Rail Station.

7741 Roswell Rd,

Sandy Springs, 30350North Fulton

Service Center7:00 p.m.



Riding MARTA: Bus Route 87from Dunwoody or North Springs

Rail Stations.

Tuesday, April 14 Thursday, April 16

Route 8 North Druid Hills: Add Sunday service. Route proposed to operate seven (7)days a week.

Route 21-Memorial Drive

Route 21 service will be extended along Memorial Drive to Capitol Ave. inbound and out-bound to GA State Station. The inbound routing will maintain current routing to Hill Street,then continue Memorial Drive, Right-Capitol Ave., continue Piedmont Ave. then continuecurrent routing along Piedmont Ave., Gilmer Street, and Jesse Hill Jr. Dr. to designated busbay. The outbound routing to King Memorial Station will operate via continue Jesse Hill Jr.Dr., Left-M.L.King Jr. Dr., Left-Washington St., Left-Capitol Square, Right-Capitol Ave., Left-Memorial Dr., Left-Grant St., Right-Decatur St. into King Memorial Station. The segmentsalong Hill and Decatur Streets will be discontinued. The routing to/from King MemorialStation to Kensington Station remains unchanged.

Route 74-Flat ShoalsRoute 74 Whites Mill Rd. segment will be realigned to operate via Lloyd Rd. inbound andoutbound from Five Points. The outbound routing from Five Points will maintain currentrouting to Whites Mill and Lloyd Roads then Right-Lloyd Rd., Left-Flat Shoals, Left-CandlerRd., Right-Ember Dr., Left-Rainbow Way to current terminus location. The Inbound routingwill operate via Left-Candler Rd., Right-Flat Shoals Rd., Right-Lloyd Rd., Left-Whites Mill Rd.then continue current routing to Five Points (Pryor & Wall Streets). The segment along H. F.Shepard Dr. will be discontinued.

Route 75 Tucker: Add Sunday service. Route proposed to operate seven (7) days a week.

Route 148 Medical Center/Riveredge Parkwy:

Route 148 will be realigned to operate from MARTA’s Sandy Spring Station to RiveredgePkwy., instead of Medical Center Station, to improve schedule adherence. Route 148 willoperate from Sandy Springs station via: Right- Perimeter Center West, Left-Mt. Vernon Hwy.,Left-Roswell Rd., Right-Mt. Vernon Hwy., Right-Powers Ferry Rd., continue Powers Ferry Rd.,Right-New Northside Dr., Left-Interstate North Pkwy., Right-Riveredge Pkwy., Right-NorthsideDr., Left-Powers Ferry Rd., Left-Mt. Vernon Hwy., then continue routing to return to SandySprings Station. Route 148 will be renamed 148-Sandy Springs/Riveredge Pkwy.

Route 191-SR 85-Riverdale Road/ Forest Parkway/Justice Center

Route 191 will operate from the Clayton County Justice Center to Hartsfield-Jackson AtlantaInternational Airport (International Terminal) via: Left-Tara Blvd., alternating trips (every othertrip) between Flint River Rd. and GA-138 (North Ave.), Right-SR-85, Right-Lamar Hutcheson

Pkwy., Into GRTA/XPRESS Park & Ride, continue Right-Lamar Hutcheson Pkwy., Left-ValleyHill Rd., Bear Left at fork to continue Valley Hill Rd., Continue across SR 85, continue MainStreet (SR 139), Right-Church Street, continue Riverdale Rd. (SR 139), Right-Garden WalkBlvd., Left-SR 85, Right-Forest Pkwy., Left-Old Dixie Rd., Left-Old Dixie Hwy., Left-CharlesW. Grant Pkwy., Continue into Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (InternationalTerminal along Maynard H. Jackson Jr. Blvd.)

Route 193-Jonesboro Road/ Forest Parkway/Justice Center

Route 193 will operate from the Clayton County Justice Center to East Point Station via: Left-Tara Blvd., alternating trips (every other trip)between Smith & N. Main Streets and BattleCreek Rd., Jonesboro Rd. (SR 54), service Clayton State University, continue Jonesboro Rd.(SR 54), Left-Forest Parkway, Right-Old Dixie Rd., Left-Old Dixie Hwy., continue Porsche Ave.,continue S. Central Ave., continue Central Ave., Left-Irene Kidd Pkwy., Left-Main Street intoEast Point Station.

Route 195 Forest Parkway/Rosevelt Highway

Route 195 will operate from College Park Station North Bus Bay to Anvil Block Rd. &Lunsford Drive via Left-Harvard Ave., Left-E. Main Street, Right-Lee Street, Left-Main Street,continue Roosevelt Highway, Right-Herschel Rd., Left-Old National Highway, continue OldNational Highway, Left-Godby Rd., continue S. Hampton Rd., Right- W. Fayetteville Rd. (SR314), Left-Phoenix Blvd., continue Forest Parkway, Left-Bouldercrest Rd., Left-Anvil Block Rd.to Lunsford Dr. which will be the terminus. Inbound to College Park Route 195 will operatevia I-675 South to Forest Parkway Exit then continue regular route.

Lovejoy/Justice Center Flex Route

This service will be operated utilizing a smaller vehicle (30 foot with 15-24 seat capacity de-pending upon wheelchair accommodations) along a fixed route alignment between ClaytonCounty Justice Center and the City of Lovejoy. The proposed fixed route alignment will oper-ate via Tara Blvd., Left-McDonough Rd., continue straight onto Hastings Bridge Rd., service

the Lovejoy Community Center, Right-Hastings Bridge Rd., continue straight onto McDonoughRd., Left- Tara Blvd, Left-Lovejoy Rd., Right-Talmadge Rd., service Lovejoy City Hall, continueTalmadge Rd., Right-Tara Blvd., Left-Lovejoy Rd., Right-Panhandle Rd., Right-McDonough Rd.,Left-Tara Blvd. to Justice Center. This service may deviate up ¾ miles of proposed fixed routeservice upon request.

Mobility:

Implement complementary ADA service for the above new and extended routes to complywith the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

nterim directorakes over watershed

departmentDeKalb County has a new

acting director of watershedmanagement.

Charles Lambert as-umed the role immediately,

according to an April 3 memoby Zachary Williams, theounty’s chief operating of-icer.

Lambert is a longtimemployee of the division and

has served as the assistantdirector for several years.He takes over for JamesChansler, who retired March

20.“A nationwide search

or a replacement director isunder way and in the interimMr. Lambert will be handlinghe day-to-day operations ofhe watershed division, in-luding oversight of the Capi-al Improvement Program/

Consent Decree Program,”tated Williams in a lettero county commissioners,

department heads and em-ployees.

Former DeKalb andGeorgia World CongressCenter official pleadsguilty to corruption

Patrick Jackson, a formeranitorial services manageror DeKalb County and Geor-

gia World Congress CenterGWCC), has pleaded guiltyo conspiracy to commit hon-st services fraud, admittinghat he used his position as a

public official to obtain ben-fits for himself.

“Jackson abused his po-

ition as a public official byaccepting a bribe in exchangeor helping a company attain

and maintain governmentontracts at both the Georgia

World Congress Center andDeKalb County,” said act-ng U.S. Attorney John A.

Horn. “This dishonest con-duct threatens to underminehe integrity of the contract-ng system and the quality

of the goods and servicesproduced pursuant to thoseontracts. Today Jackson ad-

mitted his wrongdoing.”According to Acting U.S.

Attorney Horn, the charges,he plea agreement, and othernformation presented in

NEWSBRIEFS

See Briefs on page 24A

8/9/2019 FreePress 4-10-15



LOCAL

Seniorapartments openon ColumbiaDriveby Andrew [email protected]

Development officials, community and DeKalbCounty leaders convened on Columbia Drive April 1 forhe official opening of an 80-unit senior living develop-

ment.Columbia Senior Residences at Forrest Hills, located

at 1048 Columbia Drive, Decatur, is one of the threehousing developments in DeKalb County approved byhe Georgia Department of Community Affairs.

The apartments, for seniors 62 and older, featurepacious floor plans, 9-foot ceilings, fully equipped

kitchens, walk-in closets and wheelchair accessiblehowers. Forrest Hills also has a community garden, fit-

ness center, community room, dining room, computerab and theater, and mail room.

Noel Khalil, CEO of Columbia Residential, said athe ribbon-cutting event, “This is something that is very

emotional for me, to be able to come back to where youtarted.” “And to continue to improve the communitieshat you invest in. What we have tried to do as a com-

pany is focus primarily on the quality of our work.”Khalil said his company bought the previous apart-

ment complex more than 24 years ago, redeveloped itand transferred it to a nonprofit to operate it.

About three years ago it had fallen into a blightedcondition,” Khalil said. “We approached the nonprofitabout taking control of the property and forging an alli-ance with the state and the county on a redevelopmentplan.

“We came up with the vision of doing a senior hous-

ng development,” he said. “We’ve been working on thatfor the last three years and it has now come to fruition.” Before moving to the complex approximately three

weeks ago, Mary Ramsey was living with her daughtern Atlanta. Looking for a residence, she found Columbia

Senior Residences during a web search.“I love it. I fell in love with it,” Ramsey said. “It’s con-

venient. It’s luxury, affordable and the staff [are] verypleasant people.”

Commissioner Larry Johnson said the developmentepresents “the type of expectation we need to have inerms of senior living.

“I’m excited about this. This is the first of many thatwe can expect to have in the district,” he said.

Residents in surrounding neighbors also are pleasedwith the development, according to Michele Ritan,president of Forrest Hills Neighborhood Association.

“Before Columbia Residential acquired this propertyt was a blight on our neighborhood,” Ritan said. “It had

fallen into disrepair and was a haven for drug dealersand the scene of gun violence.”

She added, “We are proud of this development thatadds so much to the beauty of our community.”

Interim DeKalb County CEO Lee May said the de-velopment is the “outgrowth of a wonderful relationship”between federal, state and county governments.

“It is exciting to be a part of something like this. It’sabout people and adding value to their lives,” May said.

With more that 25 percent of the county’s populationbeing senior citizens, May said, “we have to do some-hing right now to make sure that we have affordable

developments that our seniors—our crown jewels—canake advantage of.”

“After 30 to 40 years of waking up at 4 and 5 o’clockn the morning, and working hard and paying their tax-es” seniors can “come and live in a place like this and dot with dignity and respect,” May said.

The recently opened Columbia Senior Residences at Forrest Hills in Decatur is already 60 percent lled.

County and community leaders participated in a ribbon-cutting eventwith developers April 1.

DeKalb Commissioner Larry Johnson

The complex has an organic community garden with a gazebo. Interim DeKalb CEO Lee May

Residents enjoy their community room. Photos by Andrew Cauthen

8/9/2019 FreePress 4-10-15



Saturday, April 25, 201511:00AM to 5:00PM

Support. Share. Savor.

For tickets visitwww.jldekalb.org/tok

April 19-25 is Crime Victims’ Rights Week

Sherry BostonDEKALB COUNTY SOLICITOR-GENERAL dekalbsolicitorgeneral.org 404.371.2201

MAKING DEKALB SAFER FOR ALL

THIS PROJECT IS SUPPORTED BY A NATIONAL CRIME VICTIMS’ RIGHT WEEK COMMUNITY AWARENESS PROJECT SUBGRANT AWARDED BY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF VOCA ASSISTANCE ADMINISTRATORS UNDER A VICTIMS OF CRIME ACT ( VOCA) GRANT FROM THE OFFICE FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME, OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.

Please Join Us for Our Crime Victims’ Rights Week Ceremony:

ENGAGING COMMUNITIES, EMPOWERING VICTIMS

Tuesday, April 21, 2015 n 12:30 p.m.

Gazebo on the Square, 101 East Court Square, Decatur, Georgia


Underage drinking hasbecome a problem in Deca-ur and an organization is

addressing it.

Decatur Preventionnitiative (DPI) held a townhall meeting April 2 tobring awareness to underagedrinking. The meeting in-cluded guest speakers TerrieMoore of DPI, Sgt. Jenni-fer Ross of Decatur Police,Wendy Jefferson fromEmory University School ofMedicine, and Diane Hill of Juvenile Court of DeKalbCounty.

According to a poll DPIdid among Decatur teens,

6 percent of Decatur youthbetween the ages of 9 and 17

eported drinking in the last30 days.

“Even though a lot ofimes the other drugs get aittle bit more media atten-ion, alcohol still remainshe biggest problem among

our youth,” Moore said.That’s why we have focusedo much on alcohol.”

According to the Centersor Disease Control and Pre-

vention (CDC), alcohol useby people younger than age21 is a major public healthproblem. Alcohol is the most

commonly used and abuseddrug among youth in theUnited States, more than to-bacco and illicit drugs, ands responsible for more than

4,300 annual deaths among

underage youth, accordingto the CDC.

Moore said most of De-catur teens reported drink-ing at weekend parties, at afriends’ house at night or ifthe parents did not know, athome and parents knew, andafter school events.

“Teen drinking contin-ues to increase,” she said.“Unfortunately, if you wouldwalk into any liquor you willsee that there is so muchalcohol that is focused to-wards tasting good, tastingsweet. There is so much stuff

that is pushing our youth to-ward drinking.”

Although underagedrinking is illegal, peopleages 12 to 20 years drink 11percent of all alcohol con-

sumed in the United States,according to the CDC. Morethan 90 percent is consumedin the form of binge drink-ing. On average, underagedrinkers consume moredrinks per drinking occa-sion than adult drinkers, ac-cording to the CDC.

In 2010, there were ap-proximately 189,000 emer-gency rooms visits by per-sons younger than age 21 forinjuries and other conditionslinked to alcohol, accordingto the CDC.

Moore said more than

50 percent of Decatur teensfind it acceptable for personsto drink at family events and16 percent of Decatur adultsagree. Fifty-five percent ofDecatur teens also believe

Decatur organization brings awareness to underage drinking

there are parents in thecommunity who allow alco-hol at parties.

“Most of our youth inDecatur are getting theiralcohol through nontradi-tional sources. They’re not

going to buy it,” she said.“They’re getting it throughfamily, friends. Maybe theirfamilies don’t know thatthey are stealing it fromtheir liquor cabinet, butsome families do provideit. So, we’re doing a com-munity wide [approach] tochange the environment.”

DPI will have anothertown hall meeting April 23,6:30 to 8 p.m. at Church atDecatur Heights.

Diane Hill of Juvenile Court of DeKalb County explainsthe laws for underage drinking. Photos by Carla Parker

Wendy Jefferson from Emory University School ofMedicine talks about fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

8/9/2019 FreePress 4-10-15



LOCAL

Because money doesnot grow on trees.

I saved money by instal l ing the the rmostat myself . I a lso qual i f ied for the ful l $100 Georgia Power rebate.By fol lowing just a few of the easy, money-saving t ips on Georgia Power ’s website, I ’ve been abl e to reapsome great cash rewards. For more information on tips and other rebates, visit georgiapower.com/save .

Georgia Power customers may be eligible to receive a rebate of 50% of the installed cost up to $100 for upgrading from a standard to a programmable thermostat. Certain preconditions

and requirements must be met in order to qualify for this rebate. Rebate available through December 2014. Application and receipt/invoice must be submitted within 60 days of purchase

or installation. ©2014. Georgia Power Company. All rights reserved.

That’s why I installed a programmable thermostatand got a $100 rebate.

BrookhavenEaster

Egg HuntNearly 100 children rushed the eldof Blackburn Park to collect eggsduring Brookhaven’s rst EasterEgg Hunt April 4. The event includ-ed a bounce house, face paintingand a visit from the Easter Bunny.Photos by Carla Parker

8/9/2019 FreePress 4-10-15



WEEKPICTURESIn

Photos brought to you by DCTV

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

he annual Antique Car Parade was held in Avondale Estates April 5, featuring severalozen vintage automobiles such as Model A Fords, Cadillacs, Buicks, MGs, Woodies and

Rolls Royces. The Sunday drivers cruised through Avondale Estates residential streetsefore settling at Willis Park. Photo by Travis Hudgons.

Members of the Allgood Road United Methodist Church gather for a friendly spades tourna-

ment. Photos by Travis Hudgons

Allgood Road UMC Senior Pastor Tariq Cumming and elder church member Mattie Hudgons.

A massive puddle of pollen accumulated after heavy rains. Photo by John Hewitt

Ayanna Habeel of Decatur was honored April 1 as the January 2015 APIVEO Player ofhe Month sponsored by Zaxby’s. Habeel helped Zaxby’s donate $1,000 in her honor to

Sporty Girls Inc., a nonprot organization that gives young minority girls the opportu-nity to participate in nontraditional sports.

8/9/2019 FreePress 4-10-15



LOCAL

404.373.7779TheChampionNewspaper.com.

Enjoymentfor All AgesFind it in our

Lifestyle sectionevery week. Get abreakdown of theweek’s events, plusa sneak peek ofwhat’s to come.

Students at RowlandElementary School had theopportunity to learn aboutthe real world as parentsand volunteers visited the

school to tell them aboutvarious careers. Studentswere allowed to get insidea cherry picker’s boom andwalk through a re truckas part of the school’sannual career day. Somestudents practiced animpromptu commercialwith radio personality Reecof Hot 107.9 FM. Photos byAndrew Cauthen

Rowland Elementary Career Day

8/9/2019 FreePress 4-10-15



Map Continued From Page 1A

House Continued From Page 1A

community that we can all be proud of,” Penkava said. “Weare heartbroken that many of you find yourselves removedfrom the Tucker map. Remember you will always be a partof the greater Tucker community – city boundaries willnever change that.”

“We haven’t crossed the finish line yet - there remains atremendous amount of work to be done between now andthe referendum to educate neighbors and friends about thebenefits of cityhood for Tucker,” Penkava added.

Mary Kay Woodworth, LaVista Hills YES co-chair, saidher group is that an agreement was made.

“We appreciate the unwavering support of Representa-tives Tom Taylor and Scott Holcomb and Sen. Fran Mil-lar, and the strong bi-partisan support from our local legis-lators,” Woodworth said. “We are excited about the prospectof improving local government for our community in

DeKalb County and look forward to winning a referendumin November.”

According to a post on LaVista Hills YES Facebook page,they will have an updated feasibility study from the CarlVinson Institute to include the final boundaries.

he property; the cost of the demolition isplaced as a lien on the property.

Kellum said April 3 that the demolition

represents the combination of efforts andcollaboration throughout the departmentsof DeKalb County to help fight the blight inhe community.

“This is the beginning of an incredibleopportunity for us to address the issues thatyou the residents have been working with inhe communities and living with,” Kellumaid. “What we have here is the beginning of

a new way of dealing with these issues thatare blight in the community.”

The county’s sanitation departmenthas been knocking down residential andcommercial properties since 2000, said BillyMalone, sanitation director.

“All of them have been county ownedproperties. This is the first private propertyhat we will be tearing down,” Malone said,

adding that there are a dozen more housespending demolition by the county.

Retiree Karen Hackley-Cole has lived inhe subdivision since 2006 when it opened.

“When we toured the neighborhood Iwas impressed with lake and the walkingtrails and just the beautiful neighborhood,”

Hackley-Cole said.After moving to the community,Hackley-Cole said she “welcomed allthe young people, encouraged them andembraced them and they’ve all maintainedtheir homes and their properties and they’rehardworking people.”

Then approximately four years ago, afire reduced the home a “burned out shell,”Hackley-Cole said.

“It was just an eyesore,” she said. “It was ablemish on our community.”

Residents said they emailed and metwith county officials until the house wasdemolished.

“It has been just a long time coming. Wewere discouraged, but we were diligent. Wewere persistent. Today to see it go down sofast is a wonderful blessing,” Hackley-Colesaid as the house was being knocked down.“Today is a wonderful day for us.”

Stone Mountain Fish FryStone Mill Elementary held its Family andFriends Fish Fry April 3. According principalDr. Marchell Boston II, it was an opportunityto bring parents and partners in educationstogether to fellowship. Events such as thisencourage parental involvement, Boston said.Photos by Travis Hudgons

8/9/2019 FreePress 4-10-15



LOCAL


Clarkston’s annexationbill was the only successfulannexation bill in DeKalbCounty.

House Bill 661 passed

he Georgia General As-embly April 2. The Senate

passed the bill 44-4, andhe House passed it 162-0.

Clarkston Mayor Ted Terry aid the annexation allows

Clarkston to control thewestern gateway into thecity.

“The annexation thatpassed last year helped uscontrol the gateway to theeastern part of Clarkston,and this new annexationhelps us control the westernpart,” he said. “It’s also go-

ng to provide a lot moreeconomic opportunities. Wehave thousands of peoplewho live in Clarkston whohave to go elsewhere forobs; they have to leave

Clarkston for work. Withhe additions of the indus-

trial area and more com-mercial area we’re going tobe able to work with busi-ness owners and propertyowners, who need moreeconomical opportunities,to hopefully bring in newbusinesses—new light man-

ufacturing, hopefully—toClarkston, that would pro-

vide jobs.”Clarkston’s annexation

map includes two sections.One section of the map is acharter change, which goesinto effect Jan. 1, 2016. Thatsection includes a car washon Church Street and areaacross I-285 to North Deca-tur Road.

The other section ofthe map includes a residen-tial area north of the traintracks, between I-285 and

Mell Avenue. Residents inthat area will vote in No- vember on whether to beannexed into the city.

Terry said state legisla-tors advised the city to dotheir due diligence with resi-dents, property owners and

business owners in that area.“The vast majority

agreed and wanted to be apart of Clarkston,” Terrysaid. “That was key becauseif you have people who don’twant to be a part of a citythen you ought to get their

approval first. We were ableto secure support of theproperty owners and resi-dents.”

Opposition to annexa-tion is what killed the Avon-dale Estates and Decaturannexation bills.

Avondale Estates’ an-nexation plan was resistedby some commercial prop-erty owners, including YourDeKalb Farmers Market,and the bill passed withoutthe commercial property,according to reports. The

city decided to pull the bill.Despite the bill’s failureto pass the General Assem-bly, Avondale Estates MayorJonathan Elmore said theannexation plan will “serveas a placeholder for renewedefforts next year.”

“I will continue to sup-port annexation because itwill enrich our communitywith new citizens and busi-nesses as well as diversifyingand increasing our tax basefor improvements,” Elmoresaid. “I would like to thank

our Board, City ManagerClai Brown, our city staff,and especially Rep. KarlaDrenner and Sen. ElenaParent for all their hardwork and dedication to thiseffort.”

Decatur Mayor Jim Bas-kett also thanked Drennerand Parent for the DecaturAnnexation efforts to movethe bill forward.

“Regretfully, HB 663 wasnot successful during their2015 legislative session,”Baskett said in a released

statement. “It is our under-standing that oppositionfrom neighborhoods in thecity of Atlanta annexationplan and concerns aboutpotential lost revenue to theDeKalb County school sys-tem resulted in the bill not

receiving consideration inthe Georgia Senate. Duringthe remainder of 2015, theDecatur City Commissionwill assess how, or if, wewant to move forward onannexation issues in 2016.”

Baskett also said the De-

catur City Commission sup-ported legislation to increasehomestead exemptions forDecatur taxes, which failedto pass.

“We are highly disap-pointed that property taxrelief for our taxpayers, par-ticularly for low and moder-ate income seniors was de-feated in the Georgia Houseof Representatives,” he said.“Adoption of the proposedlegislation would have madea real difference in the livesof our seniors by providing

over $1,100 of annual taxsavings. The Decatur CityCommission will try againin 2016 to secure reconsid-eration of the legislation bythe General Assembly.”

Clarkston annexation bill passes, Avondale and Decatur bills fail

NOTICE OFNONDISCRIMINATORY

POLICY AS TOSTUDENTS

The Sudbury School of Atlanta

admits students of any race, color,

naonal and ethnic origin to all the

rights, privileges, programs and

acvies generally accorded or

made available to students at the

school. It does not discriminate on

the basis of race, color, naonal

and ethnic origin in administraon

of its educaonal policies,admissions policies, scholarship

and loan programs, and athlec

and other school administered

programs.

www.sudburyschoolofatlanta.org


The Georgia NativePlant Society is a nonprofitorganization that aims topromote stewardship andconservation of Georgia’snative plants and their habi-ats.

On April 1, city ofClarkston officials an-nounced that the city’smembership with the so-ciety had been approved,making Clarkston the first

municipal governmentmember.Clarkston Mayor Ted

Terry said he was pleasedo hear that the city had be-

come a part of the society.“Clarkston and the state

of Georgia boast some of themost beautiful native plantpecies in the western hemi-phere. Our city is proudo join with the Georgia

Native Plant Society, as itsirst municipal government

member. We look forwardo working with GNPS in

cultivating respect, apprecia-

ion and conservation forour native plant species inhe Clarkston community,”

he said.Council member and

volunteer caretaker forFriendship Forest, WarrenHadlock said he looks for-ward to the partnership.

“We want to publicizeClarkston as a city that’s

very much in the forefrontof municipalities that arecommitted to environmentalconservation and improve-ment,” Hadlock said.

Friendship Forest Na-ture Preserve was deededto Clarkston from DeKalbCounty in 1981. The re-serve is approximately 15

acres located in the heart ofClarkston that officials aim

to manage as a native forestand floodplain habitat.

Peachtree Creek, f lowsthrough Friendship Forest.Hadlock said as a result, city

Clarkston joins GeorgiaNative Plant Society

See Clarkston on page 24A

8/9/2019 FreePress 4-10-15


The Champion Free Press, Friday, April 10, 2015 Page 17ABUSINESS

The Voice of Business in DeKalb CountyDeKalb Chamber of Commerce

404.378.8000 www.DeKalbChamber.org

Two Decatur Town Center, 125 Clairemont Ave., Suite 235, Decatur, GA 30030

Rebranded spa opens

first DeKalb locationby Kathy Mitchell

The Planet Beach Spa thatopened recently in DunwoodyVillage is the first in DeKalbCounty and the first Atlanta-areaversion of the rebranded interna-ional chain.

Founded originally in NewOrleans in the mid-1990s as aanning salon, Planet Beach wasebranded in 2005 after founder

Stephen Smith had what he de-cribes on the business’s website

as “a moment of inspiration.”Although “the first tanning

pa–and the spas that followed–were an overnight success,” ac-ording to website, with healthxperts questioning the safety ofven sunless tanning, the com-

pany shifted its emphasis fromanning to health and wellness spaervices. The name Planet Beach

was chosen “to represent the de-ire to escape to the beach and

have an otherworldly and relaxingxperience.”

“Our industry was changing:demand for tanning was dimin-shing and demand for day spaervices was increasing. It became

very clear to me that we needed toeposition our brand to become a

more successful franchise and to

better serve our customers,” Smiths quoted on the website as say-ng. He states that with automatedpa services he has broken into anuntapped niche” that he predicts

will be the wave of the future.“There are a couple of other

Planet Beach locations in the At-anta area,” explained Adrianne

Grant, who does marketing forhe Dunwoody location, “but

we’re excited to be the first in thearea to open under the new mod-l.” The Dunwoody spa is among

more than 250 franchise units in36 states and six foreign countries.

Grant said owner DeliciaSmalls explored several metroareas before settling on the Dun-woody location. “The demo-graphics here are right,” she said.Dunwoody is a thriving, growingity with great schools and activeamilies. Many moms like to comeor a spa visit after dropping their

kids off at school.” Most clients,according to Grant, are womenbut there are men members. Theocation, which opened in early

March, has been enrolling mem-

bers since October of 2014, shesaid.

The “fully automated” concepthas to be seen to be understood,Grant said. Clients are taken toa private room where machinescontrolled by the client providesuch services as massage andoxygen therapy. A services consul-tant, who escorts the client to theappropriate room, familiarizes heror him with the equipment andanswers any questions the clientmight have. The client is left inprivacy to receive the automatedservice.

A massage, for example, can—instead of being performed byhuman hands—be provided bya DreamWave Chair that adjuststo body size and provides move-ments designed to relieve painand tension. A client can climbinto the “slim capsule,” where“heat and steam work together toburn calories, eliminate waste anddeep clean pores.”

“It’s nothing like the old steamcabinets of the 1950s; this iscompletely different technology,”Grant explained.

Planet Beach does still offerboth UV and UV-free tanning,Grant said, but the emphasis is onhealth and wellness. Services, she

said, are available on an a la cartebasis, but “membership is by farthe more economical way to go.”Automation, Planet Beach’s mate-rials state, allows clients to receivetraditional spa results in less timeand at a lower price than theytypically find at conventional spas.

“With a membership the cli-ent has unlimited access to ourservices. I’ve seen clients comein and spend hours having oneservice after another—reallytreating themselves to a spa day,”said Grant, who added that stressreduction is a major reason cli-ents have spa treatments. “Peoplecome for anti-aging treatments,weight management and cosmetictreatments, but most clients wantto leave feeling healthy and re-freshed. That’s our goal with ev-eryone who comes in. Our sloganis ‘relax, glow, renew.’”

She said the spa offers a line ofall-natural professional productsto accompany and enhance thespa services. Plant Beach also sellsmeal replacement shakes for thosetrying to lose weight.

Delicia Smalls owns one of the 250 Planet Beach franchises units in 36 states and six for-eign countries. Photos by Kathy Mitchell

Planet Beach offers a line of products to accompany and enhance the spa services.

8/9/2019 FreePress 4-10-15


8/9/2019 FreePress 4-10-15


The Champion, Thursday, April 9 - 15, 2015 PAGE 18AEDUCATION

GPC student receivesGoldwater scholarship

Discover your passion.Attend a GPC Open House.

A BETTER WAY FORWARD

#OpenGPC* Advance sign up and student attendance are required to receive

fee waiver. Fee waivers must be used by July 1, 2015. Limit one

fee waiver per household.

March 26 – May 2 • GPC application fee waiver – a $20 savings!*

• Meet GPC faculty, staff and students • Take a campus tour and enjoy refreshments

RSVP online at openhouse.gpc.edu


Sheena Vasquez, chem-istry major at Georgia Pe-rimeter College, is one offour Georgia college studentsand 260 undergraduates na-tionwide to receive the BarryGoldwater Scholarship.

The one- and two-yearscholarships will cover thecost of tuition, fees, books,and room and board up to amaximum of $7,500 per year.

“I am very grateful tohave the opportunity to beawarded this year,” Vasquessaid. “It validates that whatI’m doing is working.”

She added, “I have astrong support system be-hind me, people that contin-ue to motivate me and adviseme correctly between familyand mentors that I’ve devel-oped. I am more motivatedto continue my passion forresearch and the sciences andsee what becomes of it.”

The Decatur resident in-tends to study and researchcompounds in plants thatcan further pharmaceuti-cal drug development, orresearch compounds in bio-

luminescent plants whichwill provide a cheaper al-ternative to energy sources.She is currently awaiting heracceptance status at severaluniversities.

A STEM (science, tech-nology, engineering, mathe-matics) scholar, Georgia Stateresearch lab volunteer andhonor student, Vasquez com-pleted a 10-week researchinternship at the Whitehead

Institute of Biomedical Re-search in 2014. The researchinstitute is affiliated withthe Massachusetts Instituteof Technology. During thatinternship, she worked withresearch scientists to explore,an enzyme associated withplant color.

“I plan on achievingthese goals by first finish-ing my undergraduate andgraduate studies in biochem-istry to ultimately becomea researcher in academia orindustry,” she said.

The Goldwater Scholarswere selected on the basisof academic merit from afield of 1,206 mathematics,science, and engineering stu-dents who were nominatedby the faculties of collegesand universities nationwide.

Thirty-four scholars aremathematics majors, 154 arescience and related majors,68 are majoring in engineer-ing and four are computer

science majors. Many of thescholars have dual majors ina variety of mathematics, sci-ence, engineering and com-puter disciplines.

The Barry GoldwaterScholarship and Excellencein Education Program wasestablished by Congress in1986 to honor Sen. BarryGoldwater, who served hiscountry for 56 years as a sol-dier and statesman, including30 years of service in the U.S.Senate.

The foundation’s purposeis to provide a continuingsource of qualified scientists,mathematicians and engi-neers by awarding scholar-ships to college students whointend to pursue careers inmathematics, natural sci-ences and engineering.

Since its first award in1989, the foundation hasbestowed 7,428 scholarshipsworth approximately $48million.

DeKalb school district

receives digital schoolsurvey award

DeKalb County School District was among the top 10winners of the 2014-2015 Digital School Districts SurveyAward. The district received ninth place in the Center forDigital Education’s and National School Boards Associa-ion’s 10th anniversary Digital School Districts Survey forhe use of innovative technologies and fully implementingechnology benchmarks in the evolution of digital educa-ion. All U.S. public school districts were eligible to partici-

pate in the survey.The district was recognized for its BYOD (Bring Your

Own Device), STEM curriculum, flipped classroom in-

truction and the mobile app. The mobile app, free to alltakeholders, launched in January 2014, and enables par-nts to stay up-to-date on district news, calendars, weatherlerts, lunch menus, social media updates, Infinite Campusparent portal) and more.

All DeKalb schools are 100 percent wireless and aim tomprove digital communication with students, parents andommunity, and improve the learning environment and dis-rict operations.

Sheena Vasquez completed an internship at a research institute afli-ated with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Photo by Bill Roa

Gary Brantley, the school district’s chief information ofcer, acceptsward on behalf of DeKalb County School District from Alan Cox, theirector of the Center for Digital Education.

The Champion Free Press, Friday, April 10, 2015 Page 19AEDITORIAL

8/9/2019 FreePress 4-10-15


The Champion Free Press, Friday, April 10, 2015 Page 20ACLASSIFIEDS

DISCLAIMER: We do not knowingly accept advertisements that discriminate, or intend to discriminate, on any illegal basis. Nor do we knowingly accept employment advertisements that are notbona-de job offers. All real estate advertisements are subject to the fair housing act and we do not accept advertising that is in violation of the law. The law prohibits discrimination based on color,religion, sex, national origin, handicap or familial status.

Te Champion is not responsible for any damages resulting from advertisements. All sales final.

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The Champion Free Press, Friday, April 10, 2015 Page 21ASPORTS

Chamblee girls, SWD boys win

county track championshipsby Carla [email protected]

It was a long time coming, buthe Chamblee girls’ track-and-fieldeam raced its way to its first ever

DeKalb County Track and FieldChampionship, March 30.

The Lady Bulldogs outscoredRedan 102-96.5. Defending champi-ons Miller Grove finished third with83.5 points. Chamblee coach CurtisMattrir said it felt “great knowinghat the girls made a commitment tohe program.”

“It’s always good to see thekids—when they put in the time,he energy and the effort—to see it

come to fruition,” he said. “We talk-ed about [winning] in the beginningof the season. We had high hopesfor the year, and I was telling them,You all have a chance to win it.’ Andbecause we’ve never won it, [it was]kind of hard to convince some ofhem, but I think after days of work

and going to track meets week afterweek and them actually placing inhe top three or four they started to

believe it. To come out today and

actually win the title in DeKalbCounty, knowing how tough DeKalbCounty is, it feels great.”

Chamblee’s success began earlyn the field events March 28 with

four medals. Chamblee took goldand silver in the long jump withsophomore Rachel Edler placingfirst (17-05.00) and junior ElenaBrown-Solar coming in second (17-01.00).

Brown-Solar won gold in thehigh jump with a 5-04.00 jump.Junior Sydney Holmes roundedout the field medals for Chambleewith a silver medal in the pole vault.Dunwoody’s Amy Last won gold (8-00.00) in the pole vault.

Redan senior Promise Clarkwon gold in the triple jump (36-03.50), and teammate Tanzanie’Brown tied for second in the high

jump with Miller Grove’s Sarai Blis-sett with a 5-02.00 jump. Redan’sShequilla McClain placed thirdin the discus throw behind CedarGrove’s Amani Taylor and DruidHills Airian Riddick , who placedfirst and second, respectively.

Stephenson junior TimberlyMolden won gold in the shot put(39-02.50).

Venida Fagan led Chamblee onthe second day in the track eventswith two individual gold medals.

She won the 100-meter dash (12.22),and the 200-meter (24.88).Clark won gold in the 400-meter

dash (57.84), and McClain won goldin the 100-meter and 300-meter

hurdles. Redan picked up gold inthe 4x400-meter relay (3:51.99) andMiller Grove won gold in the 4x100-meter relay.

Tucker’s Kiera Washington wonthe 800-meter run, and Dunwoody’sAnsley Heavern won gold in the1600-meter and 3200-meter run.

Boys

Southwest DeKalb’s boys’ trackteam won its first county title since2010, and its 13th overall. The Pan-thers outscored defending champi-ons Stephenson 98-88.5 to claim thetitle. Lakeside placed third with 64points.

The title was special for coachNapoleon Cobb, who is retiring af-ter the season.

“This is my farewell tour; thisis it for me,” Cobb said. “This is my50th year. It’s real special. I’m gladto go out winning another countychampionship. That’s great and it’sreal pleasing.”

Cobb said he was surprised histeam won the title.

“They performed a little bit bet-

ter than we expected, but it’s good,”he said. “We didn’t think this teamhad enough depth to win the coun-ty, but it’s good.”

Southwest DeKalb brought

home seven gold medals with soph-omore twins Terry and TerryonConwell leading the way. The twinswere part of the relay teams thatwon the 4x100 and 4x400-meter re-lays. They also picked up individualgold medals with Terry winning the400-meter dash and Terryon win-ning the 100-meter dash.

The Conwells had a one-twofinish in the 200-meter dash withTerryon (21.71) winning and Terry(21.87) finishing second.

Senior Montavius Coleman won gold in the discus throw (149-02) for Southwest DeKalb and histeammate Tariq Bradford won goldin the high jump (6-00.00). Bradfordalso picked up a silver medal in thetriple jump.

Redan’s Chris McBride wongold in the triple jump (44-08.00)and the long jump (23-04.00).

Junior Denzel Harper led Ste-phenson with gold medals in the110-meter (14.81) and 300-meterhurdles (30.59). He also won silverin the long jump.

Other gold medalists includedClarkston’s Abbas Abbkar, who won

the 800-meter and 1600-meter run.Lakeside’s Davis Stockwell won the3200-meter run, Druid Hills’ JavierLee won the shot put and Cham-blee’s Will West won the pole vault.

Chamblee girls’ track-and-eld team won its rst DeKalb County title in program history.

Southwest DeKalb’s boys’ track team won its rst county title since 2010, and its 13th overall.

Terryon Conwell won the 100-meter dash.

Chamblee’s Venida Fagan won the 100-meter dash.

8/9/2019 FreePress 4-10-15



Saints hoping to come together as a team for playoffs

420‐368694 4/9,4/16,4/23,4/30

NOTICE OF SALE UNDER POWER

By virtue of the power of sale contained in a Deed to Secure Debt from Jerrold D. Winford to First Franklin Financial Corporation

filed in Deed Book 14356, Page 405, DeKalb County, Georgia records, conveying the after described property to secure a Note in the

original principal amount of $86,800.00, last transferred to Raul Sandoval by assignment recorded January 27, 2015 in Deed Book

24758, Page 681, DeKalb County, Georgia records with interest thereon as set forth therein, there will be sold at a public outcry to the

highest bidder for cash before the Courthouse door of DeKalb County, Georgia, between the legal hours of sale on the first Tuesday in

May, 2015, by Raul Sandoval as Attorney‐in‐Fact for Jerrold D. Winford the following property to‐wit:

All that certain piece, parcel or lot of land with improvements thereon, lying and being in Land Lot 40 of the 18th Land District, DeKalb

County, State of Georgia shown and designated as Lot 17, Monticello Subdivision as per plat filed in Plat Book 80, page 124, DeKalb

County, Georgia

records

which

plat

is

incorporated

herein

by

reference

and

made

a part

hereof.

Being

property

commonly

known

as

4618 Thomas Jefferson Court, Stone Mountain, Georgia 30083

The above described property is also known as 4816 Thomas Jefferson Court, Stone Mountain, GA 30083; however please rely only on

the above legal description for location of the property. If the property contains multiple lots or parcels, the undersigned reserves the

right to sell the property or any portion thereof in separate lots, parcels or as a whole.

The indebtedness secured by said Deed to Secure Debt having been declared due and payable because of among other possible

events of default, failure to pay indebtedness as and when due pursuant to said Deed to Secure Debt and Note. The debt remaining in

default, this sale will be made for the purposes of paying the same and all expenses of sale, including attorney’s fees, if applicable.

The property will be sold as the property of Jerrold D. Winford subject to the following: all prior restrictive covenants, easements,

rights‐of ‐way, security deeds or other encumbrances of record; all valid zoning ordinances; matters which would be disclosed by an

accurate survey of the property or by any inspection of the property; all outstanding taxes, assessments, unpaid bills, charges and

expenses that are a lien against the property whether due and payable or not yet due and payable.

This sale will be conducted subject to (1) confirmation that the sale is not prohibited under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and (2) to final

confirmation and audit as to the amount and status of the loan with the holder of the Security Deed.

Pursuant to O.C.G.A. Sec. 44‐14‐162.2, the name, address and telephone number of the individual or entity who shall have the full

authority to negotiate, amend or modify all terms of the above described mortgage is as follows: Raul Sandoval, 5245 Hurt Bridge,

Cumming, GA 30028. 770‐843‐9352

The foregoing notwithstanding, nothing in O.C.G.A. Sec. 44‐14‐162.2 shall be construed to require Raul Sandoval to negotiate, amend

or modify the terms of the Deed to Secure Debt described herein.

Raul Sandoval,

As

Attorney

‐in

‐Fact

for

Jerrold

D.Winford,

O’KELLEY

&

SOROHAN

ATTORNEYS

AT

LAW,

LLC,

Brian

S.

Goldberg,

2170

Satellite Blvd., Ste. 375, Duluth, GA 30097 (770) 622‐2662

File No. L007877 THIS COMMUNICATION IS FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT; ANY INFORMATION

OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. HOWEVER, IF THE DEBT IS IN ACTIVE BANKRUPTCY OR HAS BEEN DISCHARGED

THROUGH BANKRUPTCY, THIS COMMUNICATION IS NOT INTENDED AS AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A

DEBT.


The regular season hasended for the Cedar GroveSaints baseball team, and itwill be heading into a toughRegion 4-AAA tournamentApril 14.

The Saints (6-3 regionecord, 9-7 overall record)

currently sit fourth in theegion standings behind No.

ranked Blessed Trinity11-0, 15-2), Westminster10-1, 13-5) and Decatur (9-

2, 16-4). Cedar Grove is 0-3overall against those threeeams, but head coach Lava-o Byrd hopes his team can

come together to take downhese teams in the regionournament.

“Basically [we haveo] start thinking playoff

baseball,” Byrd said. “Ourbaseball IQ is there, but weust have to play as a team.think sometimes when we

play the powerhouses weplay as individuals ratherhan a team.”

The Saints will enterhe region tournament on

a high note after defeatingWashington 15-1 in fournnings in a region regulareason game April 3. Pitcher

Corey Robinson played wellwith three strikeouts allow-ng only four hits and oneun.

Although a number oferrors by Washington aidedhe Saints’ offense, Cedar

Grove still played well of-

ensively with nine hits. Ju-nior Jaquarious Glover hadhe biggest hit of the gamen the second inning with

an infield home run that

sent two other base runnershome.

Glover is leading theteam with a .475 battingaverage as of March 30 andleads the county in hits (19).He also has 15 RBIs, 10runs, 4 doubles and 1 triple.Sophomore pitcher JenardMorris is leading the countyin pitching with a 0.00 ERA.He has a 2-1 record and hasthrown 23 strikeouts in 17

innings.Senior James Hartsfield

is leading the county in sto-len bases (19) as of March30. Byrd described the sea-son as “ugly” and “beautiful”but said the team is rightwhere he wants them to be.

“We didn’t start theseason the way I wanted tostart the season,” he said.“I returned the majority ofmy team [from last season],but we started out a littlesluggish—a lot of it could bedue to the weather. But once

we got three or four gamesunder our belts and [were]able to play consistently, wegot hot.”

Byrd believes his teamhas the talent to get into thestate playoffs.

“I think we could eitherget the No. 2, 3 or 4 seed,”he said. “I’m not going to beSuperman and say we canget the No. 1 [seed] in thestate. Even though I thinkwe played [Blessed Trinity,Westminster and Decatur]a good game in the regularseason, but I have to be hon-

est. We’ll have to make ahuge step that I think theseguys can do, but we all haveto believe.”

edar Grove pitcher Corey Robinson had two RBIs and threw three strikeouts, allowing only four hits and one run against Washington.

Senior James Hartseld is leading the county in stolen bases (19) as of March 30.

8/9/2019 FreePress 4-10-15



Panthersville Stadium renamed to honor Godfrey

by Carla Parker [email protected]

Former SouthwestDeKalb HighSchool footballcoach William“Buck” Godfrey

won many games atPanthersville Stadium.

The next time he enters

he facility, the stadium willdisplay his name—WilliamBuck Godfrey Stadium. TheDeKalb County Board ofEducation voted April 1 toename Panthersville Stadium

after the legendary coach.Godfrey’s family, friendsand former players were athe school board meeting to

celebrate his latest honor.Godfrey, who began his

coaching career in 1974 asa baseball coach, said thehought of having a stadium

named after him nevercrossed his mind during his

coaching days.“You really don’t think

beyond the next game, anddidn’t,” he said. “Whencame into the county it

was a little rough from thetandpoint of some of thehings you had to face from

a racial standpoint—with theeferees. You have to explainome things to your kids thathould never have happened,

and we would have to do thatweek in and week out.

“But through it all wemaintained the integrity, the

dignity and the charactero be successful,” Godfreyadded. “After a while, theags they were throwinghey didn’t throw anymore

because this team is doingthings like it’s supposed todo. I think we cleared theway for a lot of guys rightnow, and I think that’s thegreatest legacy we got.”

Godfrey coached baseballand swimming in DeKalb

before he was hired to coach

football at Southwest DeKalbin 1983.

“I never intended to bea football coach. In fact, Ididn’t intend to be a coachat all, but I was good in

baseball,” he said. “So, whenI came down here, I coached

baseball and I thought thatwas going to be it for me.”

Godfrey said he had tostudy football to understandthe game, and after he washired by Southwest DeKalbhe got the hang of it.

“Not without tripping

a little bit, but I got it, andinherited some guys whoweren’t used to havinga Black coach,” he said.“None of the players were

coached by a Black coach atall, and that was one hurdleright there. Black playersare against you becausethey gured you don’t know[anything]. Once we clearedthat hurdle it became a

program that was the envy ofeveryone.”

During his 30 yearsat Southwest DeKalb,Godfrey won 273 games (thewinningest football coachin DeKalb), won the 1995Class AAAA Georgia HighSchool Association statechampionship, 13 regiontitles, and helped hundreds of

players earn scholarships tocollege. Godfrey never hada losing record at SouthwestDeKalb and missed the

postseason just three times.Godfrey has received

many honors, including his

induction in the 2010 AtlantaSports Hall of Fame classand in the 2014 class of theGeorgia Athletic CoachesAssociation (GACA) Hall

of Fame. Godfrey said it ishard to rank the naming ofthe stadium with his otheraccomplishments.

“Where it’s ranked?Right now, I won’t know

for another 10 years,” hesaid. “But right now I got tosay it’s right along with theGACA and all the rest of [thehonors]. When you do things

genuinely out of the lovefrom your heart for stuff thatyou’ve work on, it means alot from the standpoint.”

Although he has not beenin Panthersville Stadium as

much since his retirement,he plans to be at the newlynamed stadium more often.

“I will do as many as Ican,” he said.

What’s in a name?

ormer Southwest DeKalb High School football coach William “Buck” Godfrey smileso the crowd after the Board of Education voted to rename Panthersville Stadiumfter him. Photos by Travis Hudgons

Some of Godfrey’s former players and supporters were at the school board meeting to celebrate hislatest honor.

Godfrey with his family. From left, Godfrey is congratulated by DeKalb County School DistrictAthletics Director Horace Dunson, Superintendent Michael Thurmond,and Board of Education Chairman Dr. Melvin Johnson.

Godfrey is congratulated by former Southwest DeKalb Principal Gilbert“Doc” Turman.

8/9/2019 FreePress 4-10-15



LOCAL

Briefs Continued From Page 9A ClarkstonContinued From Page 16A ourt, Jackson simultaneously worked

or two governmental entities: DeKalbCounty and GWCC from 2006 through2012. He served as the manager of jani-orial services for both entities withouthe knowledge of either entity.

In court, Jackson admitted to usinghis position as a public official to obtain

avors from a company that providedanitorial services to both DeKalb Coun-y and GWCC. Jackson worked for theompany before he began working forhe governmental entities.

While employed by the two entities,ackson lived in a luxury apartment in

Atlanta that the company furnished andpaid for. In exchange, Jackson used hisposition as a public official to benefit theompany a in its business dealings with

DeKalb County and GWCC. During thatime, the company obtained governmentontracts in excess of $1 million with thentities.

County’s recreation department tohold Camp FUNtastic registration

Camp FUNtastic Summer Campegistration is now open at Mason Mill

Recreation Center.Camp FUNtastic is a summer day

amp designed older for children ages0 and up with mild to moderate dis-

abilities. Summer camp will run June 8o July 24 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondayhrough Friday, at a charge of $75 per

week.Participants must bring their own

breakfast and lunch. An individualizededucation program must be providedupon registration.

To access online registration, visitwww.dekalbcountyga.gov/parks andclick the “Register Online” button on

the department’s homepage, or go to theMason Mill Recreation Center to registerin person.

For more information, contact Gen-try Buchanon, recreation center direc-tor, at (404) 679-1349.

Public meeting scheduled forproposed 46-acre park

DeKalb County CommissionerLarry Johnson, in partnership withDeKalb County Recreation, Parks andCultural Affairs, will host a public com-munity meeting on Tuesday, April 21, at6:30 p.m. at Narvie Harris Elementary

School.This meeting will be the third in-stallment of public meetings to discussa proposed 46-acre park in the CountyLine and Ellenwood communities. Facil-itated by Johnson and the DeKalb parksand recreation department, in conjunc-tion with the consultants and architectsfor this project, stakeholders have dis-cussed uses for this space that are saidto align with the community’s vision forthe land.

Narvie Harris Elementary School islocated at 3981 McGill Drive, Decatur.

Walking groups encouraged toregister for Walk Healthy DeKalb

The Live Healthy DeKalb PhysicalActivity Team is working to identify

walking groups in DeKalb County. Theteam would like to know the walkinggroup’s schedule and average attendance.

The information will be used todevelop baseline data to determinehow many individuals and/or groups inDeKalb County are walking. The groupinformation also will be included in theLive Healthy DeKalb Community Re-source Guide. All groups that registerwill be entered in a drawing to win aspecial Walk Healthy DeKalb prize.

Groups are asked to send their in-formation to [email protected] by April 30 to be included in theCommunity Resource Guide. Include

the name of the walking group, day andtime, location of meetings, average num-ber of walkers and contact person.

Live Healthy DeKalb is a coalition ofindividuals, community and faith-basedorganizations, healthy professionals,educators, businesses and others work-ing to promote healthy people living inhealthy communities. For more infor-mation on LHD visit www.dekalbhealth.net/office-of-chronic-disease-preven-tion/live-healthy-dekalb.

officials “feel very stronglythat we have a certain own-ership with maintaining thatand trying to improve theconditions through our citywith that creek.”

He added, “FriendshipForest has such a diversityof habitats. We’re movingforward with trying to erad-icate a lot of non-native spe-cies and unfortunately thereis a lot of that in FriendshipForest.”

The nature preserve hasbeen a place where localschool groups and youth or-ganizations work to expandthe nature trails and createsignage.

Hadlock said that he an-ticipates more volunteerismfrom residents to assist in

rescuing plants and addingmore native species to thepreserve.

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