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    WWW.CHAMPIONNEWSPAPER.COM FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013 VOL. 16, NO. 26 FREE

    A PUBLICATION OF ACE III COMM UNICATIONS

    Serving East Atlanta, Avondale Estates, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Clarkston, Decatur, Doraville, Dunwoody, Lithonia, Pine Lake, Tucker and Stone Mountain.

    See Safety on Page 15A

    See Tattoos on Page 15A

    See Inside2013 NEWCOMERS GUIDE & DEKALB CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY

    championnewspaper championnewspaper champnewspaperchampionnews

    FREEPRESS

    County proposes new initiatives, pay raises for public safety personnely Daniel Beauregard

    [email protected]

    DeKalb County Interim CEO LeeMay said public safety personnel havenot gotten a raise or any type of cost-f-living adjustment since 2008 but that

    will change over the next three years.May told public safety personnel and

    irst-responders during a Sept. 11 addresshat over the past seven years as the costf living, health care costs and pensionosts increased, sworn public safetyersonnels paychecks have stayed theame, in some cases even diminished.

    There is not enough money in theworld to pay you what youre worth,May said. We know that there has noteen any type of merit increase or cost-f-living adjustment since 2008.

    During a Sept. 11 address, May an-nounced sweeping changes to the coun-tys public safety departments including

    bonuses for all sworn public safety per-sonnel, a tuition reimbursement program,promotional pay increases and an ag-gressive hiring plan.

    This is our tangible way of sayingyou are important to us, May said.

    May said he and his fellow commis-sioners understand that over the past fewyears, public safety departments haveexperienced shrinking staffing levels andpay checksdepartments have had to domuch more with less.

    Now let me be clear, we still havegreat men and women protecting ourcounty but we have not given them thetools and resources to realize the great-ness that is within, May said.

    by Daniel [email protected]

    Ryan Weaver, owner of KingdomTattoo in East Decatur Station, saidbeing in a band and getting tattoosseems to go hand-in-hand.

    When he had the opportunity tobegin an apprenticeship at one of hisfavorite tattoo shops, Weaver said, hejumped at the chance, even though a

    band he was in was gearing up for atour.

    The tattoo shop I was hanging outin a lot needed a replacement guy andthey asked me if I wanted to appren-tice. The more tattoos I got the more

    interested I became in the history andthe craft, Weaver said.

    In Weavers shop, located inDecatur off East College Avenue, thewalls are lined with neatly framedart. Some of the pieces depict boldlycolored eagles and ships, others showanchors, crowns and crosses fashionedin various styles.

    The pictures, also known as tat-too flash, are designs that have been

    painted by different tattoo artiststhroughout history. Much of the flashin Weavers shop has distinct stylisticcharacteristics reminiscent of the mid-century period, including the shopslogo.InkingDecaturin

    Ryan Weaver, owner of Kingdom Tattoo in Decatur, does some touch-up work on a regular cus-tomer. Weaver has been tattooing in the metro Atlanta area for nearly 15 years. Photos provided

    DeKalb County police and re ghters lined up during the pledge of allegianceSept. 11. Interim DeKalb County CEO Lee May announced new public safetyinitiatives during an address. Photo provided

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    Th Champi Fr Prss, Friday, Sptmbr 20, 2013 Pag 2AloCAl newS

    by Daniel [email protected]

    For residents living in thepart of Atlanta in DeKalbCounty, it might be a littleconfusing who to call ifheres an emergency: At-anta Police or the DeKalb

    County Police Depart-ment.

    Atlanta City Coun-cilwomen Natalyn Ar-chibong aims to change

    hat confusion by forminga multijurisdictional taskforce to address concernsaised by residents.

    Archibong hopes thecreation of the District5 Atlanta-in-DeKalbPolice Jurisdiction TaskForce will nd solutionso ensure that 911 calls

    are routed properly andemergency responders aredispatched more quickly.

    A recent 911 call inhe Atlanta-in-DeKalb

    area which resulted inboth Atlanta and DeKalb

    County police ofcersesponding, as well asconfusion over whichpolice department shouldactually handle the call,prompted me to establishhis taskforce, Archibongaid. Through the work

    of this taskforce, we hopeo conclusively resolve all

    barriers to our Atlanta-in-DeKalb citizens calls beingaccurately and properly han-dled by the 911 call center.

    The task force willconsist of 14 members,ncluding representatives

    for Atlanta MayorKasimReed, Atlanta City CouncilPresident Caesar Mitchell,DeKalb County Interim

    CEO Lee May, Chairmanof the Atlanta City CouncilPublic Safety Commit-tee Michael Julian Bond,DeKalb County District3 CommissionerLarryJohnson and the Atlantaand DeKalb County policedepartments.

    Archibong, who repre-sents areas in East Atlantaand Kirkwood, said con-fusion among 911 opera-tors and rst responders issomething that has been oc-curring for years. Recently,Archibong said a residentcalled 911 from DeKalbMemorial Park, located onthe border of Atlanta and

    DeKalb County, and rst-responders from both theAtlanta Police Departmentand the DeKalb County Po-

    lice Department arrived atthe scene.

    Then there was a discus-sion between the respondersof who should be the ones[responsible] for that area,Archibong said. It was anafrmation that the problemwas unresolved.

    Archibong said thecreation of the task forceisnt meant to imply thatthere havent alreadybeen multijurisdictional

    discussions among thecity, county and law en-forcement agencies inthe area.

    There have been alot of high-level con-versations recognizingthat we have to have acooperative approach,Archibong said.

    Additionally, repre-sentatives from GradyHospitals emergencyresponse unit and Ameri-can Medical Responseemergency vehicles willbe included on the task

    force.DeKalb County Po-lice ChiefCedric Al-exander said the issueis more complex thanit seems, especially in

    areas that are bordering thecounty and city line.

    Its interesting becausewe can respond to an ad-dress, and that address couldbe in the county, but if youcome out to the sidewalk,where the incident occurred,its in the city. We still havegot some work to do aroundthat because that has cer-

    tainly been a complex is-sue, Alexander said.

    Atlanta councilwoman forms task

    force to improve 911 calls

    Teen charged withkilling her 2-year-oldsister rejects plea deal

    County school districtreceives $300,000 grant

    Its interesting

    because we can

    respond to an

    address, and that

    address could be

    in the county, but if

    you come out to the

    sidewalk, where the

    incident occurred,

    its in the city.

    Natalyn Archibong

    by Carla [email protected]

    Lawyers for a 14-year-oldgirl facing murder chargesfor stabbing her 2-year-oldhalf-sister rejected a pleadeal Sept. 11, according toDeKalb District Attorneyspokesman Erik Burton.

    Prosecutors offeredTyAisa Jackson a dealthat could have preventedher from serving a lifesentence in prison ifconvicted. Jackson wouldhave served 10 years ofa 20-year sentence if she

    pleaded guilty to voluntarymanslaughter.

    Jackson is charged withmalice murder, two countsof felony murder, aggravatedassault, cruelty to children inthe rst degree and makingfalse statements for the

    Nov. 19 stabbing death ofher 2-year-old sisterSashaLamaya Ray.

    Under the deal, the teenwould have remained in the

    Regional Youth DetentionCenter, where she has been

    since her arrest, until her17th birthday when shewould have been turned overto the custody of the stateDepartment of Corrections,according to reports. Shewould have received creditfor all the time in custodysince her arrest.

    DeKalb County Policesaid the teen called her

    parents, saying Sasha wasmissing. When the parentsreturned home they begansearching for the 2-year-oldwith the teens help.

    Sasha was found by herfather, Shelton Ray, behindthe home located on NorthWaldrop Trail in Decatur.After the teen was taken tothe police station for furtherquestion, she called andconfessed to her stepfatherthat she was Sashas killer,according to reports.

    A trial date has not beenset.

    The DeKalb CountySchool District has receiveda $312,962 grant to provideservices to 150 refugee andimmigrant students to helpimprove their academicachievement in reading,language arts, math and sci-ence.

    The school board accept-ed the 21st Century Com-munity Learning Centers

    grant award during its Sept.9 meeting.The DeKalb County

    School District has estab-lished a partnership withRefugee Resettlement andImmigration Services of At-lanta (RRISA) to offer SafePlaces for Youth to Learnand Grow, an after-schooltutorial program designed tohelp refugee and immigrantyouth in DeKalb Countyadjust socially and academi-cally to the American schoolenvironment. DCSD certi-ed teachers, cultural spe-

    cialists from RRISA, service

    members from the Ameri-Corps program, volunteersand community partnerswork together to implementthis program in the threesites.

    The sites were selectedbased on the signicantnumber of refugee and im-migrant youth enrolled, lowacademic performance andhigh poverty rates. The pro-

    gram will serve high-needstudents and their families,50 students per site, help-ing to bridge the gap ineducation and achievementby providing intensive aca-demic support after schooland on select Saturdays fora minimum of 12 hours perweek during the school yearand up to four weeks in thesummer. Family literacywill be offered.

    The program will beavailable at The Interna-tional Student Center, DruidHills Middle School and

    Freedom Middle School.

    Atlanta City Councilwoman Natalyn Archibong has formed a task force including DeKalb County and othertakeholders to improve emergency response calls in the area of unincorporated DeKalb County located in

    Atlanta. Photo by Carla Parker

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    Th Champi Fr Prss, Friday, Sptmbr 20, 2013 Pag 3A

    by Carla [email protected]

    Judges, sheriffs, districtattorneys and police chiefs

    from DeKalb and Rockdaleounties spent the evening

    Sept. 11 at New Birth Mis-ionary Baptist Church ex-

    plaining the criminal justiceystem and their roles in theystem.

    The criminal justice fo-um was held to educatehe congregation and theommunity on the criminalustice system and how it

    works, according to churchpokesman Art Franklin.

    Many constituents donot know who their sittingSuperior Court judge is andwhat his or her function is,Franklin said. Further, inight of the Trayvon Martinase, we discovered from

    many media reports andocial media engagementhat many people do not un-

    derstand who the playersare in the criminal justiceystem and what their func-ion is from the sheriff allhe way up to the Superior

    Court judges. We hope tohed some light and bringnformation to our people

    and hopefully inspire them

    o stay engaged in the politi-al process.The forum panelists in-

    luded DeKalb Police ChiefCedric Alexander, SheriffThomas Brown, DeKalb

    Superior Court Judges Greg-ory Adams, Tangela Barrieand Asha Jackson. Rock-dale County SheriffEricLevett, District AttorneyRichard Read and JudgesDavid Irwin and RobertMumford were also on theforums panel.

    Each panelist explainedwhat he or she does on adaily basis and some of theaspects of his or her job andanswered questions from theaudience. One of the ques-tions addressed to Brownwas whether the SheriffsOfce plans to expand theDeKalb County jail. Brownsaid there are no plans of ex-

    pansion.Fortunately, we dont

    need expansion, Brownsaid. [The jail] is designedto hold 3,900 inmates. To-day, were probably averag-ing about 2,600 inmates. Sowe have room.

    Kathleen Neal fromDecatur said the forum wasvery informative.

    I learned quite a bit ofnew things about the Supe-rior Court system and thingsto just to be alert of, such asmy rights as a citizen, shesaid. Its good to be able tohave that knowledge to share

    with my community and alsomy family.New Birth pastor Bishop

    Eddie Long told attendeesthat it is important for themto understand how the justice

    system works so they canhelp those who get caught upin the system.

    People ask, Why arethere so many African Amer-

    icans caught up in the justicesystem? Well, because ofignorance, Long said. We

    dont understand it; we donthave the knowledge of it sowe get caught up in variousthings because of the lack ofinformation and the lack of

    concern.These ladies and gentle-

    men of these various profes-

    sions offer themselves togive information so we canhelp one another and makesure that we are helping oth-ers that have issues...and

    not getting caught up in thesystem.

    New Birth members receive education on the justice system

    DeKalb CountyDepartment of Watershed Management

    Public AdvisoryInterstate 85 & Oakcliff Industrial Court Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation

    September 5, 2013 October 5, 2013Advisory Issue Date Advisory Close Date

    This advisory is issued to inform the public of a receipt of an application for a variance submittedpursuant to a State Environmental Law. The Public is invited to comment during a 30 day period onthe proposed activity. Since the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) has no authority to

    zone property or determine land use, only those comments addressing environmental issues related toair, water and land protection will be considered in the application review process. Written commentsshould be submitted to: Program Manager, Non Point Source Program, Erosion and SedimentationControl, 4220 International Parkway, Suite 101, Atlanta, Georgia 30354.

    Type of Permit Application: Variance to encroach within the 25-foot Sate Waters Buffer.Applicable Law: Georgia Erosion and Sedimentation Act O.C.G.A. 12-7-1 ET seq.Applicable Rules: Erosion and Sedimentation Control Chapter 391-3-7.Basis under which variance shall be considered {391-3-7.05(2) (A-K)}: D

    Project Description & Reason for Initiating:The proposed project involves buffer encroachments necessary to rehabilitate an existing gravity sewerline. Three sections within the buffer will involve direct line replacement and will impact 676 linearfeet of buffer along an unnamed tributary to North Fork Creek. The project is located near OakcliffIndustrial Court and south to Interstate 85 in DeKalb County.

    Project Location:

    This project is located in land lot 314 and 318 of the 18th district of DeKalb County, beginning at terminus

    of Oak Cliff Industrial Court and running south to Interstate 85 and continuing south to the conuence ofthe North Fork of Peachtree Creek for a total distance of approximately one mile.The Public can review site plans at 1580 Roadhaven Drive Stone Mountain, Georgia 30083. Phone 770-621-7272.

    An estimated 100 people attended a criminal justice forum at New Birth church Sept. 11. Photos by Carla Parker

    New Birth Pastor Bishop Eddie Long thanks forum panelists, which included DeKalb County Sheriff Thomas Brown, Police Chief Cedric Alexander and Superior Court Judge Asha Jackson.

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    One Mans Opinion

    Id like to teach the world tosing in perfect harmony.renowned1971 Coca-Cola commercial jinglerefrain, sung by a couple of hundredyoung people from across the globe,gathered on a scenic hillside in Italy.

    If you have ever seen the Coca-Cola Companys Hilltop ad, mostlikely you remember it. For thosewho cant or havent, here is a link. It

    still makes me smilewww.youtube.com/watch?v=1VM2eLhvsSM.

    The ad was such a phenom-enon that Coke assembled most ofthe original cast, as well as theirchildren, atop the same hillside20 years later for a Super Bowlfollow upwww.youtube.com/watch?v=Wqd5K5goiIo.

    Growing up in Atlanta, I havealways been proud of our most vis-ible and admired global corporatecitizen. As former U.N. Ambassadorand Atlanta MayorAndrew Youngis fond of saying, Coca-Cola becameso successful by frequently simplydoing the right thing. At the outbreakof World War II, Coca-Cola wasalready being sold in 44 countries,on both sides of the conict. Coca-Cola Chairman Robert L. Woodruffwanted to assure a supply of the clas-

    sic 8-ounce bottles, at the price ofve cents, anywhere and everywhereG.I.s wanted the product, no matterwhat it cost the company.

    Cokes commitmentand theresulting expansions in product dis-tributionboosted troop morale, aswell as providing an active and dailydemonstration of Americas can doattitude. As a result, in June 1943,General Dwight Eisenhower (laterpresident), requested a shipment ofmaterials and equipment to constructan additional 10 bottling plants, and3 million more bottles of Coke, withan order for rell twice a month. Tomeet that demand, Coke establishedplants all across Europe and thePacic Rim. By wars end, Alliedmilitary personnel had consumed 5billion bottles of Coke.

    And American G. I. Joes andJanes werent the only fans of theproduct, once peacetime arrived mil-lions of locals from across the globehad also developed a taste for theconcoction shared with them on morethan one occasion by a friendlyG. I. To give the pause that refresh-es to our men and women overseaswith ease Coke created a global bot-tling network, and from the mid-40sthrough 1960, their number of bot-tling plants nearly doubled.

    No business is perfect, and thatincludes Coca-Cola, but then andnow the company has an established

    a pattern and history of giving back,setting an example and doing morefor its customers. More than 30 yearsago, Coca-Cola helped to estab-lish the Hispanic ScholarshipFund(HSF), which annually awards col-lege scholarship dollars to outstand-

    ing Hispanic graduating high schoolseniors to support their college stud-ies. The awards have grown in dollaramount and number, and in 2013,

    the HSF is distributing $300,000 ingrants to outstanding Latino scholarsnationwide.

    In major metro markets, in aneffort to reach more potential schol-ars, Coke selected distribution andapplication site partners and spon-sors. Here in North Georgia, that

    partner is the Atlanta Retailers As-sociation (ARA). The ARA is anindependent, faith-based trade asso-ciation, composed of more than 900individual members and their morethan 1,100 convenience stores andgas stations. The ARA, which formedin 1995, is composed of IsmailiaMuslims, predominantly originally

    from India, Pakistan and SoutheastAsia. The ARA was a logical andcomplimentary partner for Coke innding these outstanding scholars.

    In metro Atlanta this year, in ex-cess of 200 applications resulted inseven Latino scholars from across theregion receiving $20,000in scholar-ship assistance. The ARA hosted thescholarship awards ceremony at theirimpressive headquarters building inLawrenceville. Senior Coca-Colaexecutives and ARA board memberswere joined by State RepresentativePedro Pete Martin (D-Duluth)in presenting the scholarships and

    oversized checks to the beamingscholars, their parents and several oftheir teachers and mentors. It was aninspirational afternoon.

    There wasnt a cool breeze or acrane camera to pull-back for themoney shot, but on that sunny

    afternoon at the ARA HQ, watch-ing those students, their families andcommunity members mingle, nosh-ing on a seven-layer cake (one for

    each scholar) and sipping on manyof the ever expanding family of Cokeproducts, it felt a little bit like I actu-ally was up on that smiling hillsideback in the day.

    So I want to congratulate thoseyoung scholars for setting such a neexample for their student peers, thankthe Hispanic Scholarship Fund forbeing a good steward and selectingand recognizing many of our nationsbrightest and best students, commendthe ARA for stepping up, mixing inand creating 1,100 points of distribu-tion and collection for scholarshipapplications, and our own Coca-ColaCompany for once again putting the

    whole thing in motion nearly a gen-eration ago when race relations werehardly an easy topic to address or im-prove. And that entire topic can stillbe a hot mess. But thankfully, we canalmost always count on the Coca-Co-la Company and its ever growing listof local and global partners to do theright thing. And thats the real thing!

    Bill Crane also serves as a po-litical analyst and commentator forChannel 2s Action News, WSB-AM

    News/Talk 750 and now 95.5 FM, as

    well as a columnist forThe Cham-pion, Champion Free Press andGeorgia Trend. Crane is a DeKalbnative and business owner, livingin Scottdale. You can reach him orcomment on a column at [email protected].

    Id like to teach the world again

    Page 4A The Champion Free Press, Friday, September 20, 2013OPINION

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    Twelve years

    after the 9/11

    terrorist attackswere no safer

    but more of a

    police state.

    The 9/11 attacks comprise oneof those events that you rememberwhere you heard of it and how, likehe Japanese bombing of Pearl Har-

    bor was for old-timers and JFKsassassination was for middle-timers.

    I had recently retired (for thefirst time) and was sitting at anoutdoor caf in Bethesda, Md. Atranger came up and said: A plane

    has just crashed into the World

    Trade Center in New York.I immediately thought of that

    time decades before when a planehad plowed into an upper floor ofthe Empire State Building in a fog.This had to be some version of that.

    What a terrible thing, I said.I have a gift for understatement.

    As the morning wore on the badnews mounted. Another plane hitthe Trade Center. Thousands dead.The Pentagon itself hit. There werereports of a fourth hijacked plane,possibly on its way to Washington,that crashed in Pennsylvania.

    At the end of the day, althoughwe didnt realize it at the time, wehad become a different nation one less confident and more fearfulthan the one wed been on Sept. 10,2001.

    It was, as much as we hate to

    admit it, one of the greatest, mosteffective sneak attacks in the historyof modern warfare. A handful ofIslamic extremists armed with boxcutters box cutters! in oneswift strike had reduced to rubblethe reigning symbol of Americancapitalism, set ablaze the headquar-ters of our military establishment,and come oh so close to putting aflying bomb into our nations politi-cal heart.

    Our days as a fat, dumb, com-placent democracy were over.

    Within months wed gone to warin retaliation for the attack, eventhough the ghostly nature of our at-tackers made a coherent war onein which you were absolutely surewho your enemy was impossible.That was followed by another war,that one absolutely incomprehen-sible to many of us.

    In the meantime we subjectedourselves to an ever-increasing levelof surveillance redolent of EastGermany and a surrender of privacymore Orwellian than Jeffersonian.We became aware that modernwarfare now includes the tortureof prisoners and that the murder ofcivilians was part of its collateraldamage.

    And while there were protests,we as a nation accepted all of it.Which is where we sit right now, 12

    years on, no safer than we were butmore of a police state.

    I had been very much againstthe presidency ofGeorge W. Bush.He was the wrong man in the wrongplace at the wrong time. I washappy when, at long last, the publicpicked Barack Obama, a muchsmarter fellow, to replace him.

    Obama, alas, has been a disap-pointment. Rather than reverse thebellicose foreign policies of Bush-Cheney he has adopted a course Icall Bush Lite.

    Hes a master of the half-mea-sure. He repudiates wars but letsthem go on a while because theyare difficult to unwind. He tries tohelp friendly forces in the MiddleEast in their battles with oppressiveregimes but not too much because,after all, who knows how friendlythey really are?

    Most of all, he refuses to makehis case. Take his health care plan,for example. You have heard 100times more from the Republicansabout what a bad idea it is than youhave from Obama about its virtues.Most of what the Republicans aresaying about it is nonsense but hedoesnt take the trouble to point thatout.

    So now he finds himself out ona limb, virtually alone, trying to sellhis plan to punish Syrian strongman

    Bashar al-Assad for using poisongas except that I dont knowwhat the plan is. So far as I know,no one does.

    Hes reduced to reaching for arescuing hand from that loathsomeslug Vladimir Putin. Such is thelegacy of 9/11.

    OtherWords columnist DonaldKaul lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan.OtherWords.org

    Let Us Know What You Think!

    THE CHAMPION FREE PRESSencourages opinionsfrom its readers. Please write to us and express yourviews. Letters should be brief, typewritten and containthe writers name, address and telephone number forverification. All letters will be considered for publication.

    Send Letters To Editor, The Champion Free Press, P. O. Box 1347,Decatur, GA 30031-1347; Send E-Mail to [email protected] To: (404) 370-3903 Phone: (404) 373-7779Deadline for news releases and advertising: Thursday, one week prior topublication date.

    EDITORS NOTE: The opinions written by columnists and contributing edi-tors do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editor or publishers.ThePublisher reserves the right to reject or cancel any advertisement at anytime. The Publisher is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts.

    Publisher: John HewittChief Financial Officer Dr. Earl D. Glenn

    Managing Editor: Kathy Mitchell

    News Editor: Andrew Cauthen

    Production Manager: Kemesha HuntGraphic Designer: Travis Hudgons

    The Champion Free Press is published each

    Friday by ACE III Communications, Inc.,114 New Street, Suite E, Decatur, GA. 30030

    Phone (404) 373-7779.

    www.championnewspaper.com

    DISPLAY ADVERTISING (404) 373-7779 x 110

    FREEPRESS

    STATEMENT FROM THE PUBLISHER

    We sincerely appreciate the discussion surrounding this and anyissue of interest to DeKalb County. The Champion was founded in1991 expressly to provide a forum for discourse forallcommunityresidents onall sides of an issue. We have no desire to make thenews only to report news and opinions to effect a more educatedcitizenry that will ultimately move our community forward. We arehappy to present ideas for discussion; however, wemake everyeffort toavoid printing information submitted to usthat is known tobe false and/orassumptions penned as fact.

    The legacy of 9/11

    Printed on 100%post-consumerrecycled paper

    Donald Kaul

    Guest Columnist

    The Champion Free Press, Friday, September 20, 2013 Page 5AOPINION

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    Th Champ Fr Prss, Frday, Sptmbr 20, 2013 Pag 6ACoMMuniTY

    When RozalynTodd of DeKalbElementary Schoolof the Arts (DESA)needed a volunteerparent for a programat the school sheapproached GlennisFosterfor help.

    Im volunteeringhere today becauseMrs. Todd talked to melast week about herhoneybee programand it was veryinteresting to me,

    Foster said Sept. 11while volunteering atthe school. She toldme that she was goingto be bringing in abeekeeper and that shewould need some helpsetting up the honey forthe kids.

    While a beekeepertalked to the studentsabout the role ofbees and the work ofbeekeepers, Foster,who lives in DeKalbCounty near Emory

    University, spent theday quietly makingplates with bread andsamples of varioushoney for the studentsto try.

    The mother of a

    sixth-grader in theDiscovery program atDESA said this was herfrst time volunteeringat the school.

    This is mydaughters frst yearhere, so this is actuallymy frst volunteerexperience, Fostersaid. Im reallyenjoying it and the kidsare really excited.

    Foster said she alsolearned a lot aboutbees.

    I did not knowthat there were nomore wild bees andthe beekeeper saidno bees live in treesanymore because ofthe pesticides, so they

    keep all bees in hivesnow, she said. I didnot know that.

    Although she doesnot volunteer with anyother organizations,Foster said, What Iplan to do this year isto be more involvedwith the school andvolunteer because Ijust like to be a part ofthe kids learning andeducation.

    They are so excitedwhen they get to talk

    to someone who isactually engaging andseeing that the thingsthey are learning inthe classroom reallydo have real worldapplication, Fostersaid.

    Foster, a stay-at-home mother of two,said she enjoys readingmysteries and spendingtime with her childrenand family.

    She said her timevolunteering at the

    school is positive.It is a rich andrewarding experience,not only for you, butfor the children and itsalso a great help to theteachers, Foster said.

    Champion of the Week

    If you would like to nominate someone to be considered as a

    future Champion of the Week, please contact Kathy Mitchell at

    [email protected] or at (404) 373-7779, ext. 104.

    Former Decatur School

    system employee celebrates100th birthday

    Glennis Foster

    Family and friendscrowded the event room atMedlock Gardens retire-ment home in Decatur tocelebrate Gladys LouiseAbbotts 100th birthday onSept. 13. Abbott, a residentat Medlock Gardens, ap-peared to be having greatfun as queen for the day asvisitors greeted her in hercardboard tiara and a bannerproclaiming the end of her

    rst century.Born in Ft. Meade, Fla.,

    he yearWoodrow Wilsonwas sworn in as present ofhe United States and Ford

    Motor Company introducedhe moving assembly line,

    Abbott attended FloridaState College for Womenbefore attending businesschool in Macon. She didecretarial work for several

    businesses before becomingecretary to the principal at

    Decatur High School, a job

    she retired from approxi-mately 35 years ago.

    Pictures throughout theroom told the story of her100 years, more than half ofwhich were spent with Ger-ald Abbott, whom she mar-ried in 1936. Her daughter,Martha Post, recalled thather parents had a favoriteinn in the North Carolinamountains and enjoyed slip-ping away for a vacation as

    often as they could.The Abbotts reared their

    children in Decatur. Post re-called growing up in a lov-ing home where her parentswere both active in the Bap-tist Church. Gerald Abbottdied in 1997, but they didget to be together more than50 years, the daughter said.

    In addition to daughterPost, Abbott has a son, vegrandchildren, ve great-grandchildren and twogreat-great-grandchildren.

    Gladys Louise Abbott enjoys cards and visits at Medlock Gardens on her00th birthday. Photo by Kathy Mitchell

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    Th Champ Fr Prss, Frday, Sptmbr 20, 2013 Pag 7ACoMMuniTY

    ATLANTA

    Emory University Hospital winsnursing excellence award

    The American Association ofCritical-Care Nurses (AACN) hasawarded Emory University HospitalsNeurosciences Intensive Care Unitswith a Silver-level Beacon Award forxceptional nursing care through im-

    proved patient outcomes, as well as aupportive work environment.

    The Beacon Award for Excellences a signicant milestone for hospi-al units on the path to outstanding

    patient care through its nursing pro-grams, while providing healthy work

    ettings for its staff. Units that receivehis national recognition serve as rolemodels to other ICU hospital units.

    In 2010, the AACN updated theriteria for the Beacon Award to

    more closely align with the MagnetRecognition Program for nurses andhe Malcolm Baldrige National Qual-ty Award, by establishing varyingevels for the awardbronze, silver

    and gold. Silver-level recipientsdemonstrate continuous learning andffective systems to achieve optimal

    patient care.Emory University Hospitals

    Neurosciences ICUs have been ona journey over the past few years

    o achieve this level of excellencehrough great nursing care, said PamCosper, specialty director of criticalare at Emory University Hospital.This silver-level award just validates

    our commitment towards providinghe best care to our patients and their

    families.

    BROOKHAVEN

    City to add four more police officers

    The Brookhaven City Councilvoted unanimously Sept. 10 to amendts annual budget to hire four more

    police ofcers and set aside $1 millionn reserve with no additional tax

    burden.Additional revenue led the city

    o decrease the budget by more than$628,000.

    The council, with assistancefrom the city manager, has workedhard to maintain a lean budget bymplementing scally conservativepending practices, Brookhaven

    MayorJ. Max Davis said. Weeceived more revenue than we

    anticipated.Some of that revenue will be used

    o hire four additional police ofcersand three more Georgia Criminal

    nformation Center (GCIC) assistants.The GCIC team will allow the policedepartment to answer residents calls24 hours a day, in addition to runningriminal histories and collecting

    bonds.The city is also setting aside $1

    million in reserve, which will help thecity secure a healthy bond rating forfuture capital projects.

    In July, the council adopted anannual budget of $16,465,000 with amillage rate of 2.85 millsfar belowthe 3.35 mills cap established in thecity charter. The new adjusted budgetis $15,836,690.

    CLARKSTON

    Fall vegetable gardening classscheduled at library

    The Clarkston Librarywill host

    the presentation Fall VegetableGardeningTuesday, Sept. 24,6-7p.m. DeKalb Master GardenerCoordinatorSarah E. Smith Broddsays theres still plenty of timeto plant fall veggies and she willshow participants how its done. TheClarkston Library is located at 951N. Indian Creek Drive, Clarkston.For more information, call (404) 508-7175.

    Community meeting and openhouse to focus on safety

    The public is invited to learn aboutlocal injury prevention efforts during

    a community meeting and openhouse, Safety is No Accident, onFriday, Sept. 27, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Thelocation is theconference center atGeorgia Piedmont Technical College,495 North Indian Creek Drive inClarkston.

    From 10 - 11:30 a.m., the meetingwill highlight upcoming injuryprevention initiatives in schoolsand communities. An open housewill follow, offering networking,educational materials and acomplimentary lunch. Attendees willhave the opportunity to win a doorprize.

    The DeKalb County Board ofHealths Injury Prevention, withsupport from the Governors Ofceof Highway Safety, is hosting theevent. The organization reports thatinjuries have major consequencesfor DeKalb County residents. Forexample, motor vehicle crashes werethe leading cause of death amongpersons 1 to 34 years old between2002 and 2006, according to the 2010Status of Health in DeKalb Report.

    Registration is required by Sept.20 for the Safety is No Accident!community meeting and openhouse. To register, contact JessicaAnderson, health educator, Injury

    Prevention Program, DeKalb CountyBoard of Health, at [email protected] or (404) 508-7884.

    DECATUR

    Forever Pink Foundation to hostcotillion orientation

    The Forever Pink Foundation,Inc. will host a cotillion orientationfor its Prevue of Celestial Pearls29th Debutante Cotillion on Sept.22, 4-6 p.m. at Beulah MissionaryBaptist Church fellowship hall. Theorientation is open to all high schooljuniors and seniors. The second partof the orientation will be held Oct. 19,noon-3 p.m. at Beulah. The church islocated at 2340 Clifton Springs Roadin Decatur. For more information,visit www.leo-foundation.com or

    email [email protected].

    Business association to holdinaugural golf tournament

    The Decatur Business Association(DBA) has announced its inauguralgolf tournament, the 2013 DBAOpen, will take place on Monday,Sept. 30, at the Smoke Rise CountryClub in Stone Mountain with an 11a.m. shotgun start.

    After the tournament, there willbe a post party at The Solarium withbeer, wine, food, music, rafe and

    auction. The price of the party isincluded in the registration fee. Non-golfers are welcomed to attend for$25 each.

    The registration fee is $125 foreach player or $500 for a team of fourplayers. The deadline forregistrationis Sept. 20. To register, visit www.DecaturDBA.com.

    DORAVILLE

    MARTA structural rehabilitationwork under way

    In an ongoing effort to improve

    its stations, MARTA is undertakinga structural rehabilitation project atDoraville Station. The station will re-main open for revenue service duringthe project.

    To minimize customer impact, thework at the station concourse and itsparking deck will take place duringlate evening and early morning hours.Weather permitting, MARTA antici-pates completion of the project byJanuary 2014.

    During construction, some parkingmay be restricted and station accessmay be modied in sequences. Dur-ing portions of the project, select faregates and Breeze vending machines

    may be closed or inaccessible. Cus-tomers are asked to follow directionalsigns

    Volunteers needed for Nancy Creekcleanup

    DeKalb County is hosting a streamcleanup on Saturday, Sept. 21, from9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Chicopee Park, 2709Chicopee Drive, Doraville.

    Volunteers will assist in removingtrash and debris from tributaries ofNancy Creek, which ows into theChattahoochee River. Participantsshould be prepared to get in and out ofthe stream, wade in knee-deep water,and walk over rocks and logs. Closed-toe shoes are required. Hats, workgloves, bug repellent and old clothesare recommended. Anyone youngerthan the age of 18 must have a parentor guardian sign a permission slip.

    Children under the age of 16 musthave a parent or guardian present.

    For more information or to registerfor the cleanup, contact MichaelOShield, environmental educationspecialist, at (770) 724-1456 or byemail at [email protected].

    LITHONIA

    Laughter Yoga sessions to be heldat Stonecrest Library

    Stonecrest Library will hostLaughter Yoga sessions Thursdays,

    Sept. 26, Oct. 24 and Nov. 21.Whats so funny? Join us ascertified laughter yoga instructorsfacilitate this series on the physicaland emotional health benefits oflaughing, states an announcementfrom the library. Sessions will be10:30-11:30 a.m. All activities willbe done either standing or sittingin a chair (no yoga mat required).Participants are advised to dresscomfortably. The event is open to thefirst 25 participants. To register, callor visit branch. Stonecrest Libraryis located at 3123 Klondike Road,Lithonia. For more information, call

    (770) 482-3828.

    STONE MOUNTAIN

    Trinidad and Tobago Association tohold Family Fun Day

    Trinidad and Tobago Associationof GA Inc. will hold its annualFamily Fun Day Saturday, Sept. 21,2-8 p.m. at Wade Walker Park, 5585Rockbridge Road, Stone Mountain.Admission is free and there will befood and drinks for sale. The eventwill include music and races, games

    and contests for all ages.

    AROUNDDEKALB

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    DeKalb County remembers 9/11 victimsby Carla [email protected]

    DeKalb County police ofcers,reghters and elected ofcialsgathered around the 9/11 memorialn front of DeKalb County Public

    Safety Headquarters to honor therst responders and all those whoost their lives in the terrorist attack

    of Sept. 11, 2001.The county joined the nation in

    honoring the victims on the 12-yearanniversary of the attack by pausingfor a moment of silence 8:46 a.m. tomark the moment when American

    Airlines Flight 11 crashed into thenorth tower of the World TradeCenter.

    An estimated 3,000 peopleperished that day, as two hijackedplanes struck the World Trade Centerin New York, another plane hitthe Pentagon in Washington D.C.,and another crashed into a eld inShanksville, Penn.

    The ceremony included a wreathlaying at the memorial by membersof the DeKalb Federation of GardenClubs while a bugler played Taps.Police Captain N. Rutland sangAmerica the Beautiful before the

    closing of the ceremony.DeKalb Police ChiefCedric

    Alexander said the anniversary of9/11 means a lot to him not only asa law enforcement ofcer but as anAmerican citizen as well.

    Its important to recognize thelosses that took place on Sept. 11,2001 and to not ever forget thatin America when we came underattack, he said. Were still at war

    today as it relates to 9/11 so we haveto honor and never forget the 3,000

    people who lost their lives and themen and women in arms who wentto war and are still at war for this

    country.DeKalb CommissionerLarry

    Johnson said coming together toremember the fallen also brings

    back the sense of togetherness thatAmerica had in the aftermath of the9/11 attack.

    [The remembrance ceremony]shows the heart of America,Johnson said. It shows the heart ofsmall-town America and our urbancounties. A lot of love was [shownthat day], a lot of people connectedand Im hoping that those positivemoments that came out of 9/11 cancontinue.

    DeKalb County rst responders and elected ofcials remembered 9/11 victims at the 9/11 memorial in front of DeKalb County Public Safety Headquarters. Photos by Carla Parker

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    See Jolly on Page 12A

    School board tables Tapestry charter school vote

    Volunteers upgrade Jolly Elementarys library

    by Andrew [email protected]

    A proposed charter school for au-istic children in DeKalb County has

    sparked a debate about the relation-ship of public charter schools andheir school districts.

    The DeKalb County Board ofEducation tabled a vote Sept. 9 onhe proposed Tapestry Public Char-er School, but not before a lengthy

    debate.

    According to its website, Themission of Tapestry Public CharterSchool is to offer an inclusive, indi-vidualized learning environment thats academically engaging, both for

    neurotypical students and those onhe autism spectrum, and to create a

    positive school culture that empow-ers all students to take possession ofheir innate talents and become cre-

    ative builders of their own future.Much of the discussion centered

    on whether the school district hashe authority to cap enrollment at

    charter schools.School board memberKaren

    Carter said she understands theneed for a school such as Tapestrybut is concerned that when we sayyes to a charter school we need toknow what were saying yes to inerms of expenses.

    Carter questioned how the dis-trict determines the cost of the vari-ous services it provides to charterschools.

    Joyce Morley said she is con-cerned about rushing to decisionsinstead of taking a thorough lookatthe impact.

    It has nothing to do with Tap-estry but charter schools across the

    board, Morley said. They comein and agree to one thing and thengo over and above and beyond the

    number of enrolled students, thenthe system is required to make thatup.

    Thats not fair to parents whodont have a choice of enrollingtheir students in a charter school orto taxpayers, she said.

    Interim school SuperintendentMike Thurmond agreed that thedistrict needs to codify how it ap-

    proves charter schools and whattheir impact is on the school district.

    The district needs a broader vi-sion and a strategy and a process anda procedure to look at how chartersor any other institution or innovationwill impact, not just today, but thelong-term viability of the DeKalbCounty School District, Thurmondsaid.

    Currently, the district does nothave the capability of determining

    that impact or of conducting an ob-jective analysis, he said.

    This is unchartered territory,no pun intended, Thurmond said.Thats the way it is today, but itcannot be that way going forward.

    Some board members, as JohnColeman, voiced their support forTapestry.

    It really encouraging to see agroup of parents, community andstaff members come together to sup-

    port students in our school district

    with special needs like this, Cole-man said.Board memberMarshal Orson

    said, This is a population that isunderserved by us and other schooldistricts. Our middle schools andhigh schools really arent designedto accommodate students in a num-

    ber of categories.It will dene us as a leader and

    innovator in education, Orson said.It doesnt have to be everythingthat we do from the central ofce.We are prepared to embrace innova-tive ideas to ensure that every childdoes have an opportunity.

    Tapestry cofounderDevonChristopher said, The biggestthing that our school does that will

    be particularly engaging for ourtarget population is its signicantlysmaller.

    Students will not change class-rooms during the day and will haveindividualized focus. Each childwill be learning at their academiclevel, she said.

    As an example, my child isquite exceptional, Christopher said.Hes autistic but also exception-ally gifted. He could not walk intoHenderson Middle School. Theres

    just too many kids and the sensorystimulation from that buildingismore than he can take.

    Tapestry will provide her son,and others, with the necessary ac-commodations to reduce the impacton his education, she said.

    Each class will have 16 studentsand will be taught by a general edu-cation teacher and a special educa-tion instructor.

    The Tapestry school petitionsets the schools enrollment at 224through 12th grade but Christophersaid the enrollment may go up to250 students, recognizing that somestudents may have stay in school anextra year.

    The school board tabled action onthe Tapestry proposal until no laterthan the boards Oct. 7 regular meet-ing, to the school district ofcialstime to negotiate with Tapestry lead-ers on the charter schools contract.

    by Andrew [email protected]

    More than 60 FedEx vol-unteers teamed up with anonprot literacy advocacygroup to upgrade the libraryat Jolly Elementary School inClarkston Sept. 13.

    Theres nothing morempactful to a young personhan to be introduced to richiterature and to be able to

    get 200 new books in the me-dia center plus two to carryhomeis very, very impact-ful, said Jolly ElementaryPrincipal Bob Moseley.

    In addition to the donationof books, the volunteers cre-ated a reading corner in theibrary with comfortable fur-

    niture. The library was alsopainted and placards withhe school districts characterraits of the month, printedn English and various otheranguages, were hung aroundhe library. Volunteers also

    painted murals throughouthe school and beautied thentrance to the building.

    Students at Jolly Elementary School in Clarkston dressed up in their cultural garb to welcome FedEx volunteers who xed up the schools library.Photos by Andrew Cauthen

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    Tourism reps meet in Stone Mountain

    Atlanta Gas Light warns

    of fake utility employee

    DeKalb CountyDepartment of Watershed Management

    Public AdvisorySNAPFINGER WOODS SANITARY SEWER ACCESS ROADS

    September 5, 2013 October 5, 2013Advisory Issue Date Advisory Close Date

    This advisory is issued to inform the public of a receipt of an application for a variance submittedpursuant to a State Environmental Law. The Public is invited to comment during a 30 day period on theproposed activity. Since the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) has no authority to zoneproperty or determine land use, only those comments addressing environmental issues related to air,water and land protection will be considered in the application review process. Written comments shouldbe submitted to: Program Manager, Non Point Source Program, Erosion and Sedimentation Control,4220 International Parkway, Suite 101, Atlanta, Georgia 30354.

    Type of Permit Application: Variance to encroach within the 25-foot Sate Waters Buffer.Applicable Law: Georgia Erosion and Sedimentation Act O.C.G.A. 12-7-1 ET seq.Applicable Rules: Erosion and Sedimentation Control Chapter 391-3-7.Basis under which variance shall be considered {391-3-7.05(2) (A-K)}: A

    Project Location:

    The proposed project involves buffer encroachments necessary to improve existing sanitary sewermaintenance access roads and associated stream crossings. Articulated concrete block mats will beinstalled to improve ve existing dirt road stream crossings. The project is located near SnapngerWoods Drive in DeKalb County and will impact 184 linear feet of buffer along Snapnger Creek andunnamed tributaries to Snapnger Creek.

    Project Description:The proposed site conditions will include the installation of 16ft heavy duty gravel road inside of a 20proposed access easement. The surrounding site conditions will not be altered from the existing. Alldisturbed non-roadway areas and landscaping will be replaced in kind. Abandoned drives will be plantedwith approved materials and converted to wetland mitigation areas. County and state buffer encroachmentswill be required for sanitary sewer maintenance road access in order to gain access to different parts of theproperty that contain the overall sewer main. The Public can review site plans at 1580 Roadhaven DriveStone Mountain, Georgia 30083. Phone 770-621-7272.

    by Gale Horton Gay

    Tourism ofcials fromhroughout the state gath-

    ered at Stone Mountain Parkecently to learn how besto promote their locations,

    manage challenges andcommunicate with potentialvisitors.

    Some 500 representativesof convention and visitorsbureaus, attractions, accom-modations as well as ancil-ary businesses attended the

    Governors Tourism Confer-ence at the Evergreen Marri-ott Conference Resort Sept.0-12.

    I think continuing edu-cation is huge, said JulieFord Musselman, execu-

    ive director of Georgia As-ociation of Convention and

    Visitors Bureaus. For manyof those in this industry itsvery hard to nd the time todo it.

    Building Tourism on aSolid Rock Foundation washe theme of this years con-

    ference, which was hostedby the Georgia Department

    of Economic Developmentand the Georgia Associationof Convention & VisitorsBureaus.

    Its really important.There are so many changesin the way we market ourcommunities to the visitingpubic, Musselman said.

    Ofcials representingtourism in Warner Robbins,Macon and Bibb County,Dublin, Augusta as wellas Clayton, Gwinnett andDeKalb counties were in at-tendance. Musselman saidevery part of the state wasrepresented.

    Gov. Nathan Deal, thekeynote luncheon speakeron Sept. 11, said the statestourism industry is ranked

    seventh nationally andpraised it for the economicbenets tourism brings.

    For the rst time ever,the total economic impactof tourism in Georgia hasjumped above $51 billion,Deal said. Tourism growsour economy not only byproviding revenue and jobs,but also by creating an envi-

    ronment in which business-men and women want tolive and raise their families.

    Thats good for all ofus, said Deal, adding thata surge in tourism results inhiring and the addition ofmore jobs.

    On Sept. 12, Joel Man-by, president and chief ex-ecutive ofcer of HerschendFamily Entertainmentwhich runs the attractions atStone Mountain Park, wasthe Leadership Luncheonspeaker. At the opening ses-sion, Georgia Departmentof Economic DevelopmentDeputy KevinLangstonshared with the group Geor-gia tourism success storiesand talked about a new

    stage of a tourism advertis-ing campaign.

    During the conferencethe 2013 award recipients,nominated by the Georgiatourism industry, also wereannounced. The DeKalbConvention and Visitors Bu-reau received the Al BurrisAward for Creative Expres-sion for its partnership in

    the production ofWe AreDeKalb Magazine.

    Laurie Rowe, owner ofLaurie Rowe Communica-tions, received the LarryAllen Tourism LeadershipAward, given in memory ofthe late Larry Allen, gener-al manager of Stone Moun-tain Park. Rowes publicrelations rm was honoredfor championing Georgiadestinations.

    Other award recipientsinclude: Athens HistoricHouse Museum Associationrecognized for its annualHoliday Spirits MuseumTheater Tour and the GoldenIsles Convention and Visi-tors Bureau recognized withthe Paul Broun Award for

    Marketing Initiatives.Sandra Deal, Georgias

    rst lady, unveiled a newtraveling art exhibit calledInspired Georgia. The ex-hibit features the works of28 artists such as HowardFinster, Freddie Styles andRuth Laxson whose worksare part of Georgias stateart collection.

    The governor alsopraised the industry for itsemphasis on the arts.

    I thought it was com-mon sense, said Deal ofthe pairing of tourism andart. Eighty percent of ourtourists want some kind ofcultural experience.

    He added that art andculture play a role in eco-nomic development in at-tracting corporations tochoose Georgia for reloca-tion.

    They want to knowwhat are my employees andfamilies going to experienceif they come to this state,Deal said. Thats where thearts come into play.

    Marsha Priest Buzzell,

    executive director of War-ner Robins Convention andVisitors bureau, said shends tremendous benet inattending the conference.

    No matter how long youhave been in tourism, theresalways something else youcan learn, Buzzell said.

    Atlanta Gas Light (AGL)s warning customers of acam, currently occurring inhe Decatur and Marietta ar-

    eas, in which a person is re-portedly impersonating util-ty employees in an attempto obtain customers account

    and personal information.AGL has received reports

    from several customers whoaid a man claiming to be a

    company employee knockedon their doors and stated hecould lower their natural gas

    costs if they showed himheir gas bills.The man, described as

    a male between 25 and 30years old, was persistentand got irritated when cus-omers refused the request,

    according to a statementfrom the company.

    Atlanta Gas Light isworking with local authori-ies as they continue to in-

    vestigate these incidents,according to the statement.

    The company also is warn-ing residents to take the nec-essary precautions to ensuretheir personal safety andprotect their identity.

    According to the state-ment, AGL will never dis-patch a representative to aresidence to review a naturalgas bill and whenever aeld service representativeor contractor is conductingbusiness on behalf of Atlan-ta Gas Light, he or she willprovide ofcial company

    identication.Customers with concernsabout someone claiming tobe a utility representativeshould contact AGLs cus-tomer care center at 1 (800)427-5463 to conrm thatan AGL representative hasbeen scheduled to performwork at their premises.

    Customers who believethey are a victim of this typeof scam should contact theirlocal police departments.

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    NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

    he Mayor and City Council o the City o Chamblee, Georgia will hold a public hearing on Tursday,October 10, 2013, at the Chamblee Civic Center, 3540 Broad Street, Chamblee, GA 30341 at 6:00 p.m. toreceive public comments regarding the ollowing matters:1) ext amendment to the ollowing portions o Appendix A, Zoning Ordinance: Section203,Additionalapplicationrequirements; Section204,Stareviewandreport; Section205,Architecturaldesignreview;and Section207,Plannedunitdevelopmentprocedure.

    Te purposes o these amendments are to revise the denition o planned unit developments to includeproperties o 2 acres developed with 2 or more existing and/or new principal structures, to provide or theexpirationofapprovedPlannedUnitDevelopments,toclarifytheproceduresthatapplytoDevelopmentsofCommunityImpact;torevisestandardsforminormodicationsofpreviouslyapprovedPlannedUnitDevelopments,andtomakeothereditorialrevisions.

    2)TextamendmenttoAppendixA,ZoningOrdinance,Section902D.toprovidethatunderstorytreesmay be used or street trees where the proposed streetscape design conficts with state law or regulations.

    3)TextamendmenttoAppendixA,ZoningOrdinance,Sections1002.A.1toauthorizetheDevelopmentDirectortomakewritteninterpretationsofusespermittedwithinzoningdistricts.

    4)TextamendmenttotheAlcoholOrdinanceSection6-4Purchaseandsalesrecordstoverifycompli-ancewiththepercentagesalesrequirements.

    5)MinervaPropertiesproposestodevelopthesubjectproperty,PerimeterPark,locatedat4251NorthPeachtreeRoadand2215PerimeterParkDriveconsistingof20.1acreszonedCorridorCommercialpur-suanttoapreviouslyapprovedPlannedUnitDevelopmentconsistingofsingle-familyattachedresidences,commercialdevelopmentandamenityareas.ApplicantrequestsvariancestothefollowingsectionsoftheCityofChambleeZoningOrdinance:Section407(b)thatrequiresamaximumof15,000sq..ofdevelopment o either residential or nonresidential shall be permitted to be built beore the remaining useshallberequiredtobeconstructed.Residentialornonresidentialusesshallnotbepermittedtobebuiltinexcessof15,000sq..untilthesquarefootagesoftheremainingusesasrequiredaboveinsubsection

    A.areprovidedandacerticateofoccupancyhasbeenissued;andSection1005.C.1.thatrequiresopenspaceincludingbuers,setbacks,sidewalkclearzones,sidewalkzonesandopenspacesshallbefullyimplemented prior to occupancy

    6)TPA-Peachtree,LLCproposestodeveloppropertyconsistingof11.37acresat5070and5126PeachtreeBoulevardpursuanttoapreviouslyapprovedPlannedUnitDevelopmentzonedVillageCommercial(con-ditional),consistingofamixtureofresidential,oce,andcommercialdevelopment.ApplicantrequestsawaivertoDevelopmentRegulationsSection93.1(b)thatrequiresconcreteandsteelframingformultifam-ilyresidentialbuildingsof3storiesormore.ApplicantalsorequestsvariancestothefollowingsectionsoftheCityofChambleeZoningOrdinance:Section1007.D.thatrequiresmultifamilyresidentialusesintheVCdistricttobelocatedonlydirectlyabovenon-residentialuses;and1007.E.thatrequiresaminimumof80%oftheresidentialunitsinamultifamilydevelopmenttocontainatleast1,000sq..

    7)OakHallCompaniesproposestorezonepropertyfrontingonKeswickDrivewithtaxparcelID#s18-300-10-010and18-300-10-011,fromCorridorCommercial(CC)toNeighborhoodResidential-2(NR-2)andtaxparcelID#s18-300-10-013and18-300-10-047fromNeighborhoodResidential-1(NR-1)toNeighborhoodResidential-2(NR-2)forthepurposesofdeveloping10single-familydetachedresidences

    on3.381acres.ApplicantalsorequestsvariancestothefollowingsectionsoftheCityofChambleeZoningOrdinance:Section1004thatrequiresaminimumrearyardsetbackof30.forlots9and10;Section903.B.thatrequiresaminimumfrontyardsetbackof30.forlots6-10;Section513toallowprivatedrivesasthemeansofaccessforlots1-5;andawaiveroftheSubdivisionRegulations,Sect.4.3thatlimitsprivate driveways to serving two or ewer lots and states that private streets are not allowed in the City.

    Prosecutors dismissmurder charges after 12years in prison

    DeKalb County pros-

    cutors have dismissed theharges against David Per-alta, who has spent nearly2 years behind bars for arime prosecutors now say

    he didnt commit.Through subsequent in-

    vestigation, it was concludedhat Peralta was not guilty ofhe crime and that the victim

    was red upon by a rivalgang, ofcials from DistrictAttorney Robert James of-ce said.

    Additionally, two eyewit-nesses who placed Peralta athe scene of the crime haveince recanted.

    Stone Mountain CIDboard of directors addsnew member

    The Stone MountainCommunity Improve-ment District (CID) hasannounced the addition ofRebekah Coblentz as thenewest member of its boardof directors.

    Coblentz is a seniorproperty manager withAtlanta-based NAI BrannenGoddard, where she is re-

    ponsible for managing morehan two million square feet

    of metro industrial and of-ce service space, includingproperties in Tucker and thegreater Stone Mountain CIDarea.

    Coblentz, a Tucker resi-dent, was appointed to theCID board position by theDeKalb County Board ofCommissioners, replacingSteve Craine, who recentlyetired.

    CID President EmoryMorsberger said Coblentz

    adds to the organizationswealth of knowledge and ca-pabilities related to commer-ial real estate and has been

    a strong supporter of the

    CID, participating in manyof its community planningand input sessions.

    She has the resourcesthat we need to boost eco-nomic development efforts

    to attract hiring businessesto our available commercial,ofce and industrial spaces,Morsberger said. She ishighly skilled and well re-garded for her professionalabilities and leadership. Wegreatly appreciate Rebekahswillingness to serve on ourBoard of Directors.

    Prior to working for NAIBrannen Goddard, Coblentzserved in similar positionswith Monarch Realty, Fai-son and Childress Klein,all within the metro Atlanta

    market. In these roles, shemanaged retail, ofce, indus-trial and medical spaces.

    Coblentz is a certiedproperty manager (CPM).She received the CPM of theYear award in 2004 and wasCPM Candidate of the Yearin 2003.

    In addition to her prop-erty management experience,Coblentz is a licensed sales

    broker and is a past presidentof the Institute of Real Es-tate Managements Georgiachapter and a former ofcerfor the organization.

    DeKalb County seeking2014 Art Calendarcontest entries

    The DeKalb CountyDepartment of WatershedManagement is looking forartistic elementary studentsfrom across the county toenter the 2014 Art CalendarContest. The theme isWhatdo you know about H

    2O?

    This annual contest awards12 students in kindergartenthrough fth grade during

    a special ceremony to beheld at the Dec. 10 Boardof Commissioners meeting.Entries are due by Oct. 21.

    Artwork ideas could in-clude the water cycle; water/wastewater treatment; theuse of water in a personsdaily life; reducing pollution;and conserving water.

    Submitted artwork mustbe drawn horizontally on8.5-by-11-inch white paper.The artworks title, studentsname, school name, address,grade level, age, teachers

    name, teachers contact num-ber and teachers email ad-dress must be printed clearlyon the back of each entry.

    For complete rules or

    for more information, visitdekalbwatershed.com/educa-tion.html or contact MichaelOShield, environmentaleducation coordinator at(770) 724-1456 or by emailat [email protected].

    Interim CEO appointsnew deputy chiefoperating ofcer

    Morris Williams, whoserved a long stint as chief ofstaff for the DeKalb CountyBoard of Commissioners,was recently appointed by

    Interim CEO Lee May asdeputy chief operating of-cer.

    May said he appointedWilliams to unite the com-missioners and administra-tion.

    Williams is overseeing

    several departments andprojects, including the $1.35billion water and sewer over-haul.

    According to county of-cials, May has worked forthe county since 1997.

    neWs Briefs

    Coblentz

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    JollyContinued From Page 9ARobert Lewis, a senior

    manager at FedEx, said, AtFedEx we recognize that ourmpact is greater than the ser-

    vices we provide. We do thatby striving to make a positivedifference in the communitiesof our customers and teammembers. We recognize alsohat putting dollars to it is nothe only part of it. We also

    have to roll up our sleeves,dig in and get in and make adifference.

    Moseley said the studentsand faculty are so apprecia-ive of the work. Were very

    grateful. [The students] willemember this. Inserting im-

    pactful reading and literaturen their lives at a young ageeally can change the trajec-ory of a kids life.

    For the schools 816 stu-dents, John Flynn, vice pres-

    dent of the Heart of AmericaFoundations READesign,aid the volunteers created

    a new comfortable, soft seat-ng area with some wonder-

    ful bean bags, lounge sofa,reading chair and 200 brandnew library books with 50 ofthose books focused on thecultures of the students here.

    I dont think you couldput an exact dollar gureon all of the work and timeand energy thats gone intothis, Flynn said. We wouldconsider it a priceless invest-ment.

    Volunteers passed outbooks in the classrooms andread to the students.

    Judy Rosemond, JollyElementarys assistant prin-cipal, said, Reading is thefoundation that children willneed to take them to any levelthat they choose to go to. Itallows them the opportunityto be competitive in a globalsociety. You have no idea ofwhat this experience means

    to us as administrators, aseducators, as teachers in this

    building. The imprint thatyou are going to leave on thelives of our childrenthere

    is no money amount that youcould put to that.

    Emily Pelton, executivedirector of Refugee FamilyServices, called the volun-teers work an exciting, raremoment when we really seecommunity coming together.

    You can see today howexcited these kids are, Pel-ton said to the volunteers.Youve left this beautifullegacy of themselves andtheir culture here.

    Jacqueline Keeten, theschools librarian, said thevolunteers exemplied thedistricts character trait of themonth: respect.

    Our children told youwhat they wanted to see,said Keeten about the stu-dents from 35 languagegroups. They said theywanted to see themselves and

    their cultures in the booksand throughout the school.You came in an honored them

    by doing exactly that.

    Above, from left, FedEx manager Robert Lewis, Clarkston Mayor Emanuel Ransom, Jolly Elementary Principal Bob Moseley and school librarian Jacqueline Keeten cut the ribbon for theew reading corner donated by FedEx volunteers who also landscaped the schools entrance. Photos by Andrew Cauthen

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    Th Champo F Pss, Fday, Sptmb 20, 2013 Pag 13Aweek in PiCTureS

    Searching for Our Sons and Daughters:

    For a programming guide, visit www.yourdekalb.com/dctvNow showing on DCTV!

    Finding DeKalb Countys Missing

    Stories of our missing residents offer profoundinsights and hope for a positive reunion.

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

    This week in photos brought to you by DCTV

    Sept. 13. Hallford Stadium, Clarkston: Left, The Arabia Mountain Marching band performs during a football game while the Tucker Tigers mascot keeps the crowd entertained. Photos byravis Hudgons

    Sept. 13. Towers High School celebrated its annual Homecoming by parading down Columbia Drive with a full band and homecoming court. The Towers Titans faced off against theClarkston Angoras at Avondale Stadium winning 26-7. Photos by Donna Turner

    Sept. 13. Construction workers rehab a building in Kirkwood on the corner of Hosea L.Williams Drive and Howard Street. Photo by Daniel Beauregard

    Rockettes dancers Joanna Richardson whos originally from Decatur, left, and Alina Duncan,

    ight, show young DeKalb dance students Jessica Forsstrom and Francesca Herrera professionalmoves. Photo provided

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    The Diverging Dia-mond Interchange (DDI) atAshford Dunwoody Road

    and I-285 has been chosenas a nalists in the 2013Americas TransportationAwards competition held byhe American Association of

    State Highway and Trans-portation Ofcials (AAS-HTO), AAA and the U.S.Chamber of Commerce.

    The DDI, initiated byhe Perimeter Commu-

    nity Improvement DistrictsPCIDs), is among 10 nal-sts that received the highest

    number of overall pointsduring four regional con-ests representing each part

    of the country. The GeorgiaDepartment of Transporta-ion (GDOT), a partner inhe Ashford Dunwoody

    DDI, entered the project inhe regional competition

    where it was selected a win-ner in the Ahead of Sched-ule, Small Project category.

    Now the DDI is compet-ng for the grand prize andhe Peoples Choice Award.

    The grand prize will beawarded by a panel ofudges. The Peoples Choice

    Award will be decided by

    popular vote of the generalpublic. Online voting beganSept. 4 and will continuehrough Wednesday, Oct.

    2. Individuals are welcome

    to vote up to 10 times aday for their favorite proj-ects. To vote, to visit http://americastransportation-awards.org and click on thevote now button on theright side of the page.

    Were very pleased tosee national recognition forGeorgias rst DivergingDiamond Interchange, saidPCIDs President and CEOYvonne Williams. Wethank our DDI partners

    GDOT, the State Road andTollway Authority (SRTA),DeKalb County and the Cityof Dunwoodyfor joiningtogether with us to reducetrafc congestion in a cre-ative, cost-effective way.

    GDOT CommissionerKeith Golden called theAshford Dunwoody DDI agreat project.

    It was innovative andhas proven to be very effec-tive in relieving congestion

    in the very busy Perimetercorridor of north Metro At-lanta, Golden said. To getit done ahead of schedulewas a real benet to us andthe community as well.

    In 2009, the PCIDs in-vested $100,000 to hireengineering rm MorelandAltobelli Associates to ndan immediate, low-cost wayto improve safety and theextreme congestion at theI-285 and Ashford Dun-

    woody Road Interchange.The PCIDs secured thefunding from SRTA and

    DeKalb County for the en-gineering and design, whichwas completed by More-land Altobelli, and GDOTfunded the $4.6 million con-struction contract.

    Williams noted that pre-liminary before and afterdata shows that the traveltime for northbound peakmorning commutes hasdeclined nearly 30 percentand the southbound after-noon commute time has de-creased 22 percent.

    Safety has improved aswell for both motorists andcommuters, she added.

    Williams said the proj-ect was accomplished forapproximately $6 millioncompared to a complete re-conguration cost of $170million and the project wascompleted ahead of sched-ule.

    The winners of both thegrand prize and PeoplesChoice Award will receive$10,000 each, which mustbe donated by those stateDOTs to a charity or schol-arship of their choice. The

    awards will be presentedOct. 20 at the AASHTO An-nual Meeting in Denver.

    Dunwoody interchange named a nalistin transportation awards competition

    This aerial shot of Dunwoodys Diverging Diamond Interchange was taken in May. Photo provided

    Commissioners divided on how to streamline permitting processby Daniel [email protected]

    Interim CEO Lee May saidDeKalb County has been strugglingwith streamlining its permitting

    processes for nearly a decade andhe hopes that a new study will helpchange that.

    This is critical for our futuren terms of our competitiveness for

    business, retaining business andbeing a friendly environment fornew businesses, May said. Wehave been discussing this for over adecade so we want to see some re-olve to this.

    Some DeKalb County commis-ioners are hoping that a $285,275

    permitting improvement plan willhelp the countys Department ofPlanning and Sustainability make iteasier for businesses to relocate ortay in the county.

    However, CommissionerElaineBoyer expressed concern that thetudy is too expensive and said she

    cant justify spending that much

    money on what amounts to a nine-month study.

    Its something that I believe canbe done by management, Boyersaid. Im not going to wait ninemonths for this problemwhich is

    severeto be xed.Additionally, Boyer said she is

    disappointed in the DeKalb CountyChamber of Commerce and othersin the business community for notbeing more proactive in nding asolution to the permitting problems.

    Im disappointed that the busi-ness community has chosen, inmy opinion, to be somewhat weakabout this. I think that this is thewrong direction for DeKalb Coun-ty, Boyer said.

    May said that the plan will bemore than a study. During the rstpart of the nine-month period, hesaid, the vendor will analyze thecountys business processes. Thelatter part of the study will be dedi-cated to helping the county imple-ment best practices to streamline itspermitting processes.

    Commissioner Boyer men-tioned her unhappiness with certainorganizationsshe stated theirname I wontbut I would submitthat we have them be a critical partof the monitoring of this so that

    they can also provide their input interms of what is going on month-to-month, May said.

    Leonardo McClarty, presi-dent of the DeKalb Chamber ofCommerce, said he has been atthe chamber for nine years and thecountys permitting process is anongoing problem. He said the maincomplaint he hears from local busi-nesses is the amount of time it takesto have permits approved.

    I would say the number one is-sue has been time, McClarty said.It has just gotten to where com-plaints have increased.

    McClarty said the county has be-gun offering a permitting one-stop-shop once a month that has helpedbusinesses streamline the processto getting more basic permits butthere are still a lot of problems.

    Like May, McClarty said theplan is more than a study and calledit a process improvement plan.Additionally, he said Boyer is en-titled to her opinion but that thebusiness community has done a lot

    of work to try to improve its rela-tionship with the county.

    I think that the business com-munity has been a partner in thisprocess. McClarty said. The busi-ness community has done its part inthat it has verbalized to staff and tothe elected ofcials what they see asthe issues.

    May said in addition to the per-mitting plan, the county is workingto increase the number of staff andinspectors involved in the permit-ting process. Also, May said countyofcials are discussing the possibili-ty of allowing businesses to providetheir own inspections from qualiedprivate companies.

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    The Champion Free Press, Friday, September 13, 2013 Page 15ALOCAL NEWS

    SafetyContinued From Page 1A

    Tattoo Continued From Page 1A

    With the countys current attritionate, May said it is losing front-line

    personnel faster than it can hire. Asoon as a new class of recruitments

    comes in, he said DeKalb Countyoses an ever-increasing number outhe back door.

    According to county officials,over the past four years the countyhas hired 277 sworn police officerbut lost more than 400 during thatperiod of time through officers eitheretiring or taking jobs elsewhere.

    We have gone from 1,046 swornofficers in 2010 and project that wewill only have 892 officers at ourcurrent pace, May said.

    DeKalb County Fire and Rescues in the same predicament, Mayaid, and has lost more than 236 fire-

    fighters during that same period ofime. His new proposal will hire 480

    new police officers and 300 firefight-ers over the next three years.

    May said hiring the new person-nel will improve response times, givegreater support to first-responderswho may need backup and relieveome of the pressure public safety

    personnel experience from high callvolume.

    Another part of Mays new planhat affects only police officers is the

    proposal of take-home car policies,an area which he said the county hasagged behind in.

    Agencies all throughout the met-o area have adopted take-home car

    policies, May said.May said the county will also pur-

    chase 100 new vehicles each year forhe next three years and police offi-

    cers will be able to take theirs home.Having the cars at home, May

    aid, will help increase law enforce-ment visibility in the area, givepolice an increased presence whenhey are on or off duty and saves the

    officers money from the cost of driv-ng to work. Additionally, the policy

    will extend the life of the countyspolice vehicles because they will beused for only one shift, as opposed tohree.

    In 2014, May said the county will

    begin offering public safety person-nel up to $5,000 reimbursement inuition to create a well-trained and

    educated workforce. Employees in-erested in being reimbursed must

    have at least one year of service forhe county.

    Additionally, in 2013 sworn pub-ic safety personnel will also receive

    a one-time 3 percent bonus, whichMay said was introduced by Com-missionerLarry Johnson and ap-proved unanimously by the board ofcommissioners.

    This is an opportunity for us tomake things right. Its an opportunity

    for us to do whats right related toour people of DeKalb, related to ouremployees here in DeKalb, Mayaid. We recognize that you needhe resources to be successful.

    Weaver said his favorite period of tattoodesigns ranges from 1920 to 1960.

    Certainly tattoo pre-dates that timeperiod but its just where my mind goeswhen I think of tattoos, Weaver said.

    This year Weaver said he began paint-ing his own flash and so far has painted 10sheets of original designs.

    Certainly, being a tattoo artist Id liketo contribute and put my stamp on someartwork so people can see and know thatIm on the same level as everyone beforeme, Weaver said.

    In the 1920s, tattoos were still con-sidered somewhat taboo but Weaver saidthere was a large underground scene ofpeople and a tattoo culture even back then.In some cases men would get tattoos cov-ering their entire bodies that were able tobe covered up under their clothes, much

    like the tattoos the Japanese Yakuza hadthat looked much like a robe.Weaver was 24 when he began tattoo-

    ing almost 15 years ago. Before openingKingdom Tattoo he worked at TimelessTattoo in Atlanta for nearly 10 years. Oneof the biggest things that played a role inWeavers decision to open his own shop,he said, was having children.

    When his wife was pregnant withtwinsthey also have a 4-year-oldhedecided to spend more time at home.

    Its enabled me to be a better dad andhusband, and be more present with myfamily, Weaver said. I just didnt want tobe coming home at 10:30 every night. SoI close up here at eight oclock and I comeand go as I please.

    Additionally, Weaver said his wifeowns the salon Grow right next door andwas using the space as a boutique whenshe found out she was pregnant with thetwins.

    The week she opened she found outshe was pregnant with twins, so no morelifting furniture or painting furniture,Weaver said.

    The majority of Weavers customers arepeople he has worked on before or thosewho schedule appointments. However, hesaid he occasionally gets people coming into do something small or touch up a tattoosthey already have.

    Interim DeKalb County CEO Lee May announced several initiatives to improvepublic safety during a Sept. 11 address. Hundreds of rst-responders and countyofcials attended the address. Photos provided

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    Former Sperior Cortcadidate peads gity todefradig ivestors

    Michael Rothenberg, aformer candidate for a seat onhe DeKalb County Superior

    Court, pleaded guilty Sept. 11o a charge of defrauding the

    owners of WinterHawk En-rgy and Development Corpo-ation.

    This defendant stolefrom investors who trustedhis judgment, said U. S.Attorney Sally QuillianYates. His fraud is particu-arly egregious because he

    was involved in defraudingnvestors at the very time he

    was seeking to be elected as

    a DeKalb County SuperiorCourt judge, and because heused a portion of the illegalproceeds to fund his politi-al campaign. Ultimately, his

    fraud scheme was uncovered,and his quest to be electednded in failure.

    Mark F. Giuliano, specialagent in charge of the FBIAtlanta Field Ofce, stated,Investment fraud schemes

    often have at their core indi-viduals who appear very cred-ble. These schemes oftennd with those individuals

    being revealed as greedy and

    uncompassionate for thosedevastated investors whoserust they betrayed. Todays

    guilty plea will ensure thatMr. Rothenberg will be heldaccountable for his criminalactions.

    According to Yates, theharges and other information

    presented in court, Rothen-berg, 35, of DeKalb County,deceitfully persuaded theowners of WinterHawk intonvesting a total of $1.35 mil-ion. Rothenberg representedhat the invested money

    would be placed in a trust ac-

    ount he controlled and wouldbe used to fund the trading ofnotes by large nancial insti-utions. These notes, accord-ng to Rothenberg, would beplit into tranches, and a 10

    percent prot would be earnedach time a note or tranch

    was traded. Rothenberg toldhe investors that the invest-

    ment involved no risk.According to court docu-

    ments, no investment existedand Rothenberg used themoney paid by WinterHawko fund his political campaign

    for a seat on the DeKalbCounty Superior Court aswell as to pay personal ex-penses. Rothenberg ultimatelywas unsuccessful in his bidfor a judgeship. The charge of

    wire fraud in this case carriesa maximum sentence of 20years in prison and a ne ofup to $250,000. Sentencing isscheduled for Nov. 18.

    Taste of Chambleereturns Sept. 28

    The sixth annual Taste ofChamblee will bring togetherlocal and diverse restaurants,arts, live entertainment, chil-drens activities and morefor the entire family to en-joy. This free entry one-dayoutdoor festival will be heldSaturday, Sept. 28, from noonto 6 p.m. The event benetsthe Chamblee-based GeorgiaLions Lighthouse Foundation,a nonprot statewide provider

    of vision and hearing servicesfor underinsured Georgians.The event is in partnershipwith the Chamblee BusinessAssociation in conjunctionwith the city of Chamblee.

    The festivities will be heldon Chamblees Antique Rowin front of city hall, 5468Peachtree Road.

    Jim Ellis Auto Group At-lanta and DeKalb Convention& Visitors Bureau are amongthe sponsors of the festival,which will feature local fa-vorites The Mad Italian, HighRoad Craft Ice Cream, andMaison Robert Fine Choco-lates, along with more than 20of Chamblees diverse culi-nary offerings. Attendees canpurchase tickets for food andbeverages for $1 each. Partici-pating restaurants and vendors

    will serve sample-sized por-tions ranging from one to fourtickets per serving.

    New to the festival thisyear is beer garden sponsor

    Red Hare Brewing Companyof Marietta, featuring brewedbeer and malt beverages.While enjoying the offeringsof Red Hare, attendees canenjoy the performances ofthe Taste of Chamblee MainStage, packed with local tal-ent, including dance crews,rock bands, and culturalperformances displaying thediverse make-up of Chambleeand its surrounding areas.

    The festival also featuresa kids zone with interactivegames and inatables forkids of all ages; an Art Walk

    featuring local and regionalartists offering paintings, pho-tography, pottery, graphics,sculptures, jewelry and muchmore; and an antique car showdisplaying classic, antique andmodied cars for a cruise in at2 p.m.

    For more information, visitwww.tasteofchamblee.com.

    Scottdale ChildDeveopmet ad FamiyResource Center namesexecutive director

    The Scottdale Child Devel-opment and Family ResourceCenter (www.scottdale.org)has named Maryum C. Lewisas its executive director.

    In her new role, Lewis willdirect all operations, overseestaff, manage volunteers andstrategize fundraising ac-tivities for the award-winningearly childhood care andeducation organization basedin the historic Scottdale com-munity.

    We are delighted thatMaryum has agreed to bring

    her considerable experienceand talent to the center, saidKeith J. Blair, the centersboard chairman. She hasover a decade of success inAtlanta working in leadershippositions with organizationscommitted to high quality ear-ly childhood education. Sheis an accomplished fundraiserand understands how to in-

    volve the business communityin supporting education andenrichment programs for chil-dren and their families. Theboard conducted a thorough

    search and we are convincedshe is the right person to leadthe center into its next phaseof growth.

    Prior to accepting her posi-tion at the Scottdale center,Lewis served as director ofdevelopment at Quality Carefor Children, a statewidechildcare resource and refer-ral agency, and as directorof development for GenesisShelter, a transitional home-less program for families withnewborns that includes a fullylicensed child developmentcenter. She is a member of

    the boards of the InternationalCommunity School and Cha-ris Circle, and is also on theexecutive committee for theAtlanta chapter of the Asso-ciation of Fundraising Profes-sionals.

    Lewis is a 14-year resi-dent of DeKalb County andcurrently lives in AvondaleEstates.

    neWs Briefs

    CALL FOR A GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION

    CITY OF STONE MOUNTAIN

    Notice is hereby given that, in accordance with O.C.G.A 21-2-9(c), a general municipal

    election shall be held in the City ofStone Mountain, DeKalb County, on November 5,2013 to fill the office of Mayor and three (3) Council Member seats for four-year terms.

    All persons who are not registered to vote and who desire to register to vote in the

    general municipal election may register with the DeKalb County Board of Elections andVoter Registration, 4380 Memorial Drive, Suite 300, Decatur, GA 30032 through the

    close of business on Monday, October 7, 2013. Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. until

    7:00 p.m. on Election Day.

    BY AGE & SIZE

    CHOOSE CAR SEAT:

    VISIT SAFERCAR.GOV/THERIGHTSEAT

    KNOW FOR SUREIF YOUR CHILD IS IN THE RIGHT CAR SEAT.

    THE NUMBER

    OF PEOPLE

    THEY HAVE THEIR

    CHILD IN THE RIGHT

    SEAT.

    WHO THINK

    THE ONESWHOACTUALLY

    DO.

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    by Kathy [email protected]

    The pungent tang of bar-becue sauce and roasting

    meats has joined the bouquetof aromas along the strip ofHosea L. Williams Drivehats the heart of the Kirk-

    wood Business Districtwhat many in the neighbor-hood are calling the smallown in the big city.

    Atlanta City Council-woman Natalyn Archibongand DeKalb County Com-missionerSharon BarnesSutton were among thoseelebrating the grand opening

    of the communitys newestatery, Annas Bar-B-Que,

    Sept. 7.Im here because its im-

    portant to support new busi-nesses in DeKalb, Suttonaid. As presiding ofcer ofhe commission, I want to en-ourage development thats

    good for DeKalb County.Co-ownerLakesia

    Phelps, who grew up in theommunity, said she has long

    wanted to establish a busi-ness in the neighborhood shealls home.

    I know everyone hereand my entire family is stillhere, Phelps said, but most

    mportantly I always wantedo be an example for theyoung people around here. Iruly believe that life is what

    you make it. I want to inspireyoung people to follow theirdreams.

    The neighborhood appar-ntly also is embracing the

    new restaurant, which openedAug. 16 and already has reg-ulars, according to Phelps. Ihave four or ve people whoome in every day, she said,

    adding that there are otherswho come in often enough tobe familiar faces.

    The cozy dining area isdecorated with what havebecome conversation piecesamong customers waitingo be servedminiatures of

    antique vehicles from rerucks to motorcycles to pick-

    up trucks. I saw these anddecided they would be per-fect for the restaurant. Theyeally say neighborhood.

    People love them.Kirkwood is an example

    of the kind of vibrant com-

    munity we all want to liveinlivable, walkable, safe,Archibong commented. Thisis Atlanta at its best.

    Annas Bar-B-Que is acollaboration between twolongtime friends, Phelpssaid. Her business partner,Alexander Coates, grew upin Atlantas Techwood com-munity.

    Alexander always lovedto cook on the grill at everyevent he knew about. Everytime I would follow him justto taste test his food, she

    said. At the time, I workedas a personal trainer and Iknew that grilled foods werehealthy, so we cam


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