FreePress 05-23-14

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FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014 VOL. 17, NO. 9 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.
FREEPRESS
See Sheriff on page 15A
See Incumbent on page 15A
See School on page 15A
FOLLOW THE MONEY
A series revealing purchases on county-issued P-Cards by DeKalb County Commissioners, ofcials and assistants.
From Smoothie King to iTunes
In DeKalb
We Trust?
See page 12A
Tuesday, May 20
ELECTION NIGHT
2014 PRIMARY RESULTS
by Andrew Cauthen
andrew@dekalbchamp.com
I think that were going to
win.
Thats what Super District
7 Commissioner Stan Watson
said late on May 20 after 112 of
189 precincts had been counted
in the May general primary and
special election.
Watson, a former state repre-
sentative, had a significant lead
over Gregory Adams, a pastor
and former DeKalb County
Police officer. Watson had 65.69
percent of the votes, while Ad-
ams brought in 34.31 percent.
It gives me a chance to con-
tinue some of the programs I
have in place for economic de-
velopment and jobs in DeKalb
County, Watson said before the
final results came in.
Watson said voters recog-
nized the work he does in the
county.
I have a tremendous
amount of events to allow
people to have access to com-
missioners, Watson said. I
do seven cleanups throughout
the year. I dont mind getting
my hands dirty. I recognize
our clergy, our seniors and our
youth.
by Daniel Beauregard
daniel@dekalbchamp.com
D
eKalb County Sheriff Jeff Mann was hop-
ing to avoid a runoff, but residents will
have to wait another two months for a
new sheriff.
A close may 20 race forced a runoff election
between Mann, the incumbent sheriff, and for-
mer DeKalb County CEO Vernon Jones.
By press time, with 112 out of 189 precincts
reporting, Mann led with 39 percent of the
overall vote with Jones trailing at 22 percent.
Atlanta Police sergeant Melvin Mitchell re-
ceived 14.84 percent of the vote.
Mann, who replaced former Sheriff Thomas
Brown after he resigned to run for Congress,
received approximately 12,765 votes, putting
him at 39.44 percent. Jones received 7,229 votes
and approximately 22.34 percent of the vote.
At press time, Mann told The Champion that
he remained optimistic in avoiding a runoff
but that he was extremely proud of the way his
campaign has been run.
In the event that there is a runoff we will
continue to put our message out there to make
sure that the [residents] of DeKalb County
know the excellence of the sheriff s office and
Jones Mann
Mann comes in ahead;
sheriffs race goes to runoff
Incumbents lead results in primary election
Watson
Johnson Millar Henson Parent
by Carla Parker
carla@dekalbchamp.com
For the second time in two years, Marshall
Orson has defeated Don McChesney for the
DeKalb County School Board District 2 seat.
Orson, the incumbent for District 2, received
60.95 percent of votes to McChesneys 30.95 per-
cent from 25 precincts. In 2012, Orson unseated
McChesney with 61.65 percent of the votes to
McChesneys 38.19 percent.
Orson, cofounder and partner in the consult-
ing firm Melbourne Partners, said he looks for-
ward to serving the residents of District 2 and all
of DeKalb for the next four years.
I think weve begun the process of reforming
the school system and these are great opportu-
nities to do wonderful things for our children,
Orson said.
In 2013, Gov. Nathan Deal suspended six
school board members and appointed new mem-
bers after the district was placed on accreditation
Three school board seats to be decided in runoff election
THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014 PAGE 2A
LOCAL NEWS
See Park on page 16A
Georgetown Park hosts
grand opening with fair
2,000 security cameras
you
Youre never alone when youre on
MARTA. Every station is under our
watchful eye. We could use your eyes,
too. If you see something thats not right,
call us. Well take it from there.
See
Say
something
something
If you
Use MARTAs See & Say App.
Txt MPD: (404) 334-5355
or
Call (404) 848-4911 if you see something out of the ordinary.
by Lauren Ramsdell
lauren@dekalbchamp.com
Dunwoodys newest park
opened with a party in the front
yards of dozens of people who
have bought property in the
Georgetown area.
Ground on Georgetown Park
was broken more than a year ago
on April 17, 2013. The grand
opening May 17 featured bands,
food trucks and kids activities.
But when the dust settles from the
celebration, the park is intended
to be another draw to Dunwoody
as it continues to expand its infra-
structure.
The park is part of the Project
Renaissance revival of the George-
town/North Shallowford area, a
part of the city previously under-
developed.
The original 16 acres was
originally zoned for just apartment
buildings, but the apartments
went belly-up in 2008, said Bob
Mullen, marketing and public re-
lations director for the city. The
city came into being in 2010 and
decided to use it for city ameni-
ties as town developed. In 2011
they came up with the idea for this
catalytic redevelopment with John
Weiland.
John Weiland Homes, a
Smyrna, Ga.-based real estate
developer, purchased lots on the
16-acre property off Shallowford
Road with the park, developed by
the city, serving as the neighbor-
hoods focal point. The park is
approximately 1.5 acres, featuring
a playground, sidewalks, an open
green, bocce courts and a covered
pavilion. A two-mile, multi-use
trail winds through the entire
property, including the residential
areas, with the eventual goal to
connect with Brook Run Park.
Its a public-private partner-
ship, and were enjoying the public
part of it today, said Dunwoody
Councilman Terry Nall at the
parks grand opening. The park
is open to everyone here in Dun-
woody, and you can see there are
lots of people here having tons of
The playground at Georgetown Park will continue to be a draw for families.
An ideas skyline was displayed in front of the retail-zoned land to enable residents to submit
ideas.
Kids play Frisbee on the bocce courts. Photos by Lauren Ramsdell
Crime Briefs
Occupy Our Homes Atlanta appears in court with veteran
Residents and advocates
gathered on the steps of the
DeKalb County courthouse
May 14 to protest what they
said was an unlawful fore-
closure on a DeKalb County
veterans home last year.
Approximately 30 people
gathered in front of the
courthouse to support U.S.
Army veteran Mark Har-
ris and other members of
Occupy Our Homes Atlanta
(OOHA), who were arrested
last year.
Lawyers argued that a
home defense rally and evic-
tion blockade held at Mr.
Harris home in late 2013
was nonviolently protected
by Stand Your Ground
laws and the First Amend-
ment, said Siraj Raheem,
a spokeswoman for OOHA.
Harris and four others
who were arrested all plead-
ed not guilty to criminal
trespassing charges due to
their assertion that because
mortgage-lending company
Fannie Mae is under fed-
eral control, it makes the
companys property public
property. Defendants also
asserted that housing is a
human right and with fve
vacant housing units for ev-
ery homeless person in At-
lanta no one should be made
homeless.
While our clients were
nonviolent, we believe that
they reasonably believed
they had a right to resist and
should be granted immunity
from prosecution. No mat-
ter what, we know we are
on the right side of history,
attorney Mawuli Mel Davis
said.
DeKalb County Superior
Court Judge Dax Lopez de-
nied the motion to dismiss
the case based on the Stand
Your Ground claim but has
yet to reach a decision on
whether the defendants
First Amendment rights
were violated.
According to a press
release, Lopez stated the
defendants did not meet
their burden of proof that
the eviction of Harris was
unlawful. Fannie Mae Vice
President Candy Lasher
has been subpoenaed to
provide testimony on the
structure and practices of the
company.
Lopez is scheduled to
hear further First Amend-
ment arguments June 16.
NOTICE OF PROPERTY TAX INCREASE

The Decatur City Commission has tentatively adopted a combined millage rate of 13.00 mills which will
require an increase in property taxes of 6.71% for fiscal year 2014-2015. This is the same millage rate
adopted for the current fiscal year 2013-2014 which generates revenue necessary to fund the City of
Decaturs general operations, bonded indebtedness, downtown development authority and capital
improvements. The millage rate is not increasing.
All concerned citizens are invited to the public hearing on this tax increase to be held at the City
Commission Meeting Room, Decatur City Hall, 509 N. McDonough Street, Decatur, on Monday, June 2,
2014 at 7:30 p.m. Times and places of additional public hearings on this tax increase are at Decatur City
Hall on June 9, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. and June 16, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. This tentative increase will result in a
millage rate of 13.00 mills, an increase of 0.817 mills over the rollback millage rate. Without this tentative
tax increase, the millage rate will be no more than 12.183 mills. The proposed tax increase for a home with
a fair market value of $290,000 is approximately $102 and the proposed tax increase for
commercial/nonhomestead property with a fair market value of $675,000 is approximately $276.
Members of Occupy Our Homes Atlanta rallied on the courthouse steps to protest the arrest of an army veteran whose home was foreclosed on last year. Photos by Daniel Beauregard
ONE MANS OPINION
LETTER TO EDITOR
Tell me what you are running for
Citizen involvement key to DeKalb government reform
Some free campaign advice from
a longtime observer, analyst and con-
sultant in the political arenaI know
that trash, rumors, lies and innuendo
will make their way to the voters,
but from you and your campaign...
could you please at least try and fo-
cus on your thoughts on the issues,
your plans for the position if elected
and why you are running in the first
place?When you sling the mud, it is
almost impossible not to get some on
yourself.When you get into that ring,
you cannot emerge unscathed.
First to the voters...
If you read or hear a story, see an
ad or receive an email or mail piece in
the waning hours of an election cycle,
viciously attacking or laying out a case
against a particular candidate, ask
yourself this simple question:If this
is at least half-way true, why didnt I
hear this at any time before today?
Second to the candidates...
I know that a team of consultants
may want you to stand on the roof-
top and shout what a creep your op-
ponent might be.Personally though,
I tend to support, and almost always
vote for the candidate or incumbent
with a proven and demonstrated track
record of leadership and results.We
live in troubling times.Our DeKalb
County sits at the edge of a dangerous
precipice.Selecting our best possible
leaders is our quickest path back to
higher and better ground.
You cant have it both ways...
Former State Rep. Elena Parent,
more recently a candidate for State
Senate District 42, was a solid and ef-
fective legislator, who represented her
constituents well. Our DeKalb Coun-
ty legislative delegation, one of the
states largest, is significantly divided
and seldom speaks with a unified
voice.Ms. Parent was always one of
the more reasonable voices, and when
redistricting maps drew her into the
same district as a peer and colleague,
State Rep. Scott Holcomb (D-81),
Ms. Parent decided to leave the body,
and allow her colleague a near clear
shot at retaining the seat.
I know less about her opponent,
Kyle Williams, but can tell you that
he represents himself well, has some
nice looking yard signs, is quite a
snappy dresser and appears regularly
at candidate forums.If elected, Mr.
Williams would also be the first open-
ly gay member of the State Senate.
I share this last fact for two rea-
sons, one, there are already several
gay members of the Georgia General
Assembly.There happens to only be
one other openly gay member, and
that is my State Rep. Karla Drenner
(D-85).Though we dont always agree
on every issue, I am proud to have
Karla represent us, have found her
to be consistently reasonable and re-
sponsive, attentive to the needs of her
constituents and always willing to lis-
ten to the various sides of any debate.
Rep. Drenner earlier endorsed her
former colleague, Ms. Parent, in a
race which became too close to call.
Rep. Drenner was only doing what
many activists in the LGBT commu-
nity would suggest we all do, which
is judge people on their merits, abili-
ties and actions...and not separate,
segregate or discriminate based upon
sexual preference.
And for taking this early position,
Rep. Drenner has been bombarded
with attacks for not supporting the
other openly gay candidate in the
race.And sadly, several of those gre-
nades are being fired from leadership
within the LGBT community.
Listen folks, you cant have this
both ways.You cannot seek non-bias
and Georgia voters treating everyone
fairly and equally and then suggest
that you may only vote for, support
or speak in favor of members of the
team.Treat others as you would pre-
fer to be treated...and that includes
your opponent.Whether carrying a
rainbow or the old Georgia flag, peo-
ple should be treated with courtesy,
dignity and respect until their choices
and actions demonstrate otherwise.
Having a special needs child, Im
well aware of how, unfortunately,
many less enlightened folks treat
someone not like everyone else.As
you read this, the voters will have
made their choice in the 42nd Senate
District.I cant and dont know in ad-
vance what that choice will be.From
what I have heard, either candidate
will passionately and seriously rep-
resent the district to the best of their
abilities.Id just like to be hearing
more about those abilities. And even
though she has no opponent in the
primary, or in the November general
election, Im with Rep. Karla Drenner
on this one.
Bill Crane also serves as a political
analyst and commentator for Channel
2s Action News, WSB-AM News/Talk
750 and now 95.5 FM, as well as a col-
umnist for The Champion, Champion
Free Press and Georgia Trend. Crane
is a DeKalb native and business owner,
living in Scottdale. You can reach him
or comment on a column at billcrane@
earthlink.net.
Bill Crane
Columnist
OPINION
by Allen Moye
The Georgia General Assembly has
gone home. We have no new cities for
DeKalb County, but we continue to face
nettlesome questions about governing
ourselves. No matter how many cities
we divide ourselves into, we cannot
secede from DeKalb County. Instead of
ignoring its problems, we must make
sure that it is operated efficiently and
honestly.
My own view is that despite recent
problems, DeKalb County govern-
ment has for the most part served us
well over the past 30 years. In 1998,
DeKalb was named an All American
County. I am probably biased. For al-
most ten years, from the mid-1970s to
the mid-80s, I was involved in that eras
reorganization effort. In 1979, I chaired
the charter commission known as the
DeKalb County Government Reorgani-
zation Commission.
Citizen involvement was essential
in that time. Despite the opposition of
elected county leaders, citizens took
control and designed a government
that separated the executive and leg-
islative functions, in part to stop the
commissioners from meddling in the
day-to-day operations of the county de-
partments. In 1982, citizens decisively
rejected the old commission-county
manager system, and replaced it with
the current system.
Despite that history, some commis-
sioners have suggested the return to a
commission-county manager form as
the tonic for current problems. They
claim the current form of government
fosters a culture of corruption, which
boiled to the surface with the indict-
ment of the CEO.
What we must realize is that good
government requires both a good form
of government and honest and dedi-
cated people to lead and manage that
government. In reality, our government
works in counties across the country,
and in cities in Georgia.
There is little contemporary evi-
dence that returning to the commis-
sion-county manager government
would eliminate corruption. Just ask
voters in Gwinnett or Fulton, where
that form of government exists. In
Gwinnett, one former commissioner
is in federal prison; another is under
indictment, and a former chair resigned
rather than face indictment. In Fulton,
the county manager hid information
about improper actions of sitting com-
missioners, for whom he works, until
after they were reelected in 2012.
Only if a new city completely elimi-
nates the need for county government
is the creation of that city a solution for
problems in the county. As a resident
of Decatur, I can attest to the benefits
of living in a city, but neither my city
government nor my city taxes has
eliminated reliance on DeKalb County
for some services. County services
are essential for every city, existing or
proposed. Even if a city government
can offer police services at a lower cost,
DeKalb County still provides the jail
and the court system. No city, exist-
ing or proposed, intends to replace
the Countys water and sewer services,
despite steadily climbing water and
sewer rates amid allegations of mis-
management and possible corruption.
Even if we create cities which cover all
of DeKalb County, the problems of the
county must be solved.
We now have a chance to step away
from rhetoric filled with vitriol and
hyperbole, to carefully and deliberately
consider causes and solutions for prob-
lems in county government. There is
time to ask hard questions of elected
officials and ourselves, rather than set-
tling for short- sighted solutions, which
only plant seeds of tomorrows prob-
lems.
Are the problems caused by the
form of government, or by the people
running that government? Will chang-
ing internal policies or procedures im-
prove the delivery of county services?
What impact will new cities have on
current and future needs and responsi-
bilities of county government? Would
the reduction in the size of commission
districts increase our sense of connec-
tion to the county? How willing are
we to pay for additional government
services, and, for that matter, for addi-
tional governments?
The future of our county merits and
demands thoughtful consideration of
these and other issues, and we as citi-
zens must claim a role in this process.
Wisely, interim DeKalb County CEO
Lee May and Commissioner Kathy
Gannon have begun that conversation,
and I strongly urge them to continue
and expand it. Especially if the push
for new cities continues, we need to
develop and implement a careful plan
for a diminished but still critical county
government. We cannot and should
not delegate that to elected leaders
alone. This process will take time and
be difficult, but the choice we face is to
define our own future or leave it to oth-
ers to do it for us. I for one dont want
to wake up following some future Gen-
eral Assembly or referendum and find
that we face even more problems than
we have today.
Allen Moye is a lifelong resident of
DeKalb County.
OPINION
Black clergy need to launch a prophetic political and social movement
Gene Walkerk
Columnist

Let Us Know What You Think!
THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS encourages opinions
from its readers. Please write to us and express your
views. Letters should be brief, typewritten and contain
the writers name, address and telephone number for
verifcation. All letters will be considered for publica-
tion.
Send Letters To Editor, The Champion Free Press, P. O. Box 1347,
Decatur, GA 30031-1347; Send email to Andrew@dekalbchamp.com
FAX To: (404) 370-3903 Phone: (404) 373-7779
Deadline for news releases and advertising: Thursday, one week
prior to publication date.
EDITORS NOTE: The opinions written by columnists and contribut-
ing editors do not necessarily refect the opinions of the editor or
publishers. The Publisher reserves the right to reject or cancel any
advertisement at any time. The Publisher is not responsible for
unsolicited manuscripts.
Publisher: John Hewitt
Chief Financial Of cer: Dr. Earl D. Glenn
Managing Editor: Andrew Cauthen
Production Manager: Kemesha Hunt
Photographer: Travis Hudgons
Staf Reporters: Daniel Beauregard
Carla Parker
Lauren Ramsdell
Advertising Sales: Louise Dyrenforth Acker
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
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FREEPRESS
STATEMENT FROM THE PUBLISHER
We sincerely appreciate the discussion
surrounding this and any issue of interest to
DeKalb County. The Champion was founded in
1991 expressly to provide a forum for discourse
for all community residents on all sides of an
issue. We have no desire to make the news
only to report news and opinions to effect a
more educated citizenry that will ultimately
move our community forward. We are happy
to present ideas for discussion; however, we
make every effort to avoid printing information
submitted to us that is known to be false and/or
assumptions penned as fact.
Drepwalker@yahoo.com
Dr. Cornel West, an American
philosopher and a specialist of re-
ligion, advises us that Black clergy
and the Black church are already
playing an important, even if not
sufficient, role in holding back the
meaninglessness and hopelessness
that impinges on large numbers of
Black people.
In support of this observation,
DeKalbs Black clergy and churches
shared information about some of
the work they are doing to support
Black youth during a meeting held
March 2 at Fairfield Baptist Church.
As the clergypersons who spoke
at the meeting said, we need to do
much, much more to make our com-
munities whole.
In the past, given Black op-
position to racial proscription in
any form, pursuits such as those
described by church leaders at Fair-
field could easily have implied ac-
commodating the status quo of ra-
cial discrimination and segregation.
Clearly, in these post-Jim Crow
days and the prevailing strong anti-
government sentiments, growing
numbers of Blacks see no inherent
moral problem with the pursuit of
race interest activities or programs.
Indeed, like many ethnic groups
that have maintained a high level of
group consciousness in their pursuit
of cultural, political, economic and
social values, many Blacks now feel
it necessary to do likewise.
Specifically, many Black church-
es are motivated by racial self-inter-
est in a new way, and no longer feel
they are betraying their ideal soci-
etal vision by working vigorously
for such racial goals as: political
determination, economic develop-
ment, preservation of predominately
Black schools (private and public),
construction of senior living com-
munities, working against voter
suppression, and encouraging entre-
preneurship and job creation.
In fact, noted historians and
theologianssuch as Michael Eric
Dyson, Manning Marable, Cornel
West and Robert M. Franklin
identify Rev. Jesse Jackson as
evidencing these tendencies and ap-
pealing to the same type of values in
his efforts to become the Democrat-
ic Partys candidate for president of
the United States in 1984 and 1988.
During each campaign, Jackson,
one of the most gifted public moral-
ists and intellectuals, crisscrossed
the nation using his rhetorical
eloquence and insight to address
minority issues and to challenge
Americans to support justice and
equality for all.
Consistent with Jacksons ef-
fort to forge coalitions and inspire
involvement in 1988, he selected
Mike Mears, then-mayor of
Decatur, and me, then a state sena-
tor, to serve as his campaign co-
chairmen for Georgia. We were
ably assisted with adequate human
and financial resources from Black
churches throughout the state via
the leadership of Revs. Cameron
Alexander, Jasper Williams Sr.
and William Smith, along with
many other very capable volunteers
who assisted in winning the Georgia
primary for Jackson.
Historically, Jackson has largely
lived up to Dr. Kings belief that
leaders be wise, in love with jus-
tice, strategic in their plans to affect
transformation, and place the inter-
est of the people over self-interest.
To be sure, Jackson has been
accused of unprincipled acts and
in 2001 it was revealed that he fa-
thered a child out of wedlock after
having an extramarital affair with an
aide.
Certainly, these indiscretions
raised difficult questions about lead-
ership and morality, and the belief
of many that a leader needs to be
pure to be effective.
Jacksons situation illustrates the
need to acknowledge that leaders
are not perfect and will occasion-
ally reveal their flaws. Likewise, be
aware that one does not have to be
pure to be effective. Nevertheless,
we must hold leaders accountable
for their actions and/or transgres-
sions. In this regard, Jackson ac-
knowledged his failure, sought for-
giveness from his family and sup-
porters, and took responsibility for
his daughter. The record shows that
he is willing to practice the same
type of moral accountability that he
preaches.
In spite of Jacksons human
weaknesses, more leaders like
him are neededwho have been
anointed as a pastor, possess politi-
cal skills, a broad moral vision and
willingness to be held account-
ableto move this country forward.
Clergy of DeKalb, in an effort
to halt the disintegration of family
and societal values, and combat the
harmful effects of materialism and
consumerism, Professor Cornel
West tells us that people are look-
ing for places where some value and
meaning can be found, outside of a
market-base conception of life, and
this is where a prophetic churcha
prophetic political movementcan
play a role.

COMMUNITY
Sammy Rosenberg,
assistant director of the
Marcus Jewish Community
Center of Atlantas
(MJCCA) Blonder Fam-
ily Department for Special
Needs, recently received
the Nobis Works Luminary
Award for Volunteer Advo-
cacy.
Rosenberg received the
award April 30 during a No-
bis Works awards luncheon.
To me it means that
Im doing the right thing
making people with special
needs have a better life, said
Rosenberg, who coordinates
volunteers and develops
programming for adults and
children with special needs.
Bobbie Knopf, cofound-
er of Nobis Works, said in a
statement, Sammy has frst-
hand experience with dis-
ability (Sammy has Tourette
syndrome himself, and is
the caretaker of his brother-
in-law with Prader-Willi
syndrome), and has worked
to overcome his disability
and to become a community
leader.
Sammy provides a fo-
rum to interact and partici-
pate in communal activities.
He allows for those with dis-
abilities to have a platform
to own their strengths and
skills to beneft the commu-
nity at large, Knopf said.
Originally from New-
port, R.I., Rosenberg has
been in metro Atlanta since
he was 2 years old. At age
11, he was diagnosed with
Tourette syndrome, a neuro-
logical disorder. Rosenberg
attended Curry College in
Massachusetts and graduat-
ed in 1987 with a bachelors
degrees in social work and
psychology.
In 1993, Rosenberg was
hired by Te Atlanta Jewish
Community Center, now
called the Marcus Jewish
Community Center of At-
lanta, as assistant director of
the developmental disabili-
ties department. Rosenberg
has been instrumental in
starting programs for indi-
viduals with special needs at
the MJCCA.
Rosenberg also has taken
groups with special needs
to the U.K., Israel, as well as
more than 40 group vaca-
tions throughout the U.S.
In 1999, Sammy married
Katie Alterman, they have
one son, Max, 7.
Susie Davidow, direc-
tor of the MJCCAs Blonder
Family Department for Spe-
cial Needs, said, Sammy is a
warm, loving, generous man
who enriches many lives
including mine.
In addition to coordinat-
ing volunteers, Rosenberg
volunteers by educating
churches and synagogues
and schools about not only
being nice to not just people
with disabilities, but in gen-
eral, he said.
People with special
needs need to be befriended
by wonderful, warm, kind-
hearted people and it makes
typical people more sensi-
tive to their needs, and more
sensitive to people in gen-
eral, Rosenberg said.
If you would like to nominate someone
to be considered as a future Champion
of the Week, please contact Andrew
Cauthen at andrew@dekalbchamp.com
or at (404) 373-7779, ext. 117.
SAMMY ROSENBERG
Champion
of
theWeek
Commissioners table YMCA vote

NOTICE OF PROPERTY TAX INCREASE

The Governing Authority of the City of Avondale Estates has tentatively adopted a millage rate which will require an increase in the property
taxes by 9.80 percent. All concerned citizens are invited to the public hearings on this tax increase to be held at City Hall, 21 North
Avondale Plaza, Avondale Estates, GA 30002 on Wednesday, June 4, 2014 at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 18, 2014 at 5:30 p.m. and
Thursday, June 26, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. This tentative increase will result in a millage rate of 11.20 mills, an increase of 1.0 mill. Without this
tentative tax increase, the millage rate will be no more than 10.20 mills. The proposed tax increase for a home with a fair market value of
$200,000.00 is approximately $80. The proposed increase on non-homestead property with a fair market value of $200,000 is
approximately $80. The proposed tax increase for a property with the county basic homestead exemption is $80.
CURRENT 2013 TAX DIGEST AND 5 YEAR HISTORY OF LEVY
CITY 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Real & Personal 157,621.535 157,295,925 158,471,976 133,021.745 141,146.248 149,130,779
Motor Vehicles 9,411.170 7,917.420 7,854.350 8,014.980 8,451,460 7,456,190
Mobile Homes
Timber - 100%
Heavy Duty
Equipment
Gross Digest 167,032.705 165,213,345 166,326,326 141,036,725 149,597,708 156,586,969
Less M& O
Exemptions 168,873 119,131 102,456 231,089 138,061 260,276
Net M & O Digest 166,863,832 165,094,214 166,223,870 140,805,636 149,459,647 156,326,693
State Forest Land
Assistance Grant
Value
Adjusted Net M&O
Digest 165,863,832 166,094.214 166,223,870 140,805,636 149,459,647 156,326,693
Gross M&O Millage 11.000 11.000 10.957 10.957 10.957 11.20
Less Rollbacks
Net M&O Millage 11.000 11.000 10.957 10.957 10.957 11.20
Net Taxes Levied $1,835.502 $1,816,036 $1,821,315 $1,542,807 $1,637,629 $1,750,859
Net Taxes $ Increase $123,755 -$19,466 $5,279 -$278,508 $94,822 $113,230
Net Taxes % Increase 7.29% -1.06% 0.29% -15.29% 6.15% 6.91%

DeKalb County commis-
sioners postponed a vote
May 13 on a proposed pub-
lic-private partnership with
the South DeKalb YMCA
that officials said could save
the county $50 million dur-
ing 50 years.
The vote on the partner-
ship will now take place in
June.
Commissioner Stan Wat-
son said although there is
support for the partnership,
he wanted to make sure that
all the questions stakeholders
had were answered before a
vote is made.
We have the opportunity
to make sure we work with
the key stakeholders, Wat-
son said.
According to county of-
ficials, the partnership in-
volves purchasing the YMCA
using approximately $5 mil-
lion in greenspace bonds,
which Commissioner Larry
Johnson said isnt unusual
because the funds would still
go toward improving health
and wellness in the county.
Weve gotten a lot of
great support, and weve
had a lot of meetings in the
community as well, Johnson
said. This proposal has been
talked about and worked
on since before I [became a
commissioner.]
Rev. Dexter Rowland,
pastor New Piney Grove
Missionary Baptist Church
across the street from the
YMCA, said the nonprofit
recreation center has been an
anchor in the community.
This is a very unique
[and] wonderful opportu-
nity for the county and the
YMCA, Rowland said. I
hope that you all will give
some serious consideration
to this because there is sup-
port, a lot of support, espe-
cially in that area.
Representatives from
the DeKalb NAACP also
expressed their support of
the partnership during the
public comments portion
of the meeting. However,
some residents such as Beth
Nathan were more skeptical
of the partnership and said
questions remained unan-
swered.
Nathan, who is a member
of both the countys Park
Bonds Citizens Advisory
Committee and the Parks
and Recreation Citizens
Advisory Board, said there
needs to be more public
discussion before a vote is
taken.
Im not speaking for
those boards today, Im
speaking for myself, Nathan
said. I ask you today to fur-
ther delay this proposal.
Mike Cooper, the com-
munity affairs officer of Lit-
tle Creek Farm Conservancy,
a 40-acre park in DeKalb
County, said the partnership
was simply a bad business
decision for DeKalb County.
Cooper said the pro-
posal would only benefit the
YMCAs members and other
DeKalb County taxpayers
would be left repaying the
bonds used for greenspace
acquisition.
This proposal makes it
clear that the parks depart-
ment will have absolutely no
control over what the South
DeKalb YMCA will do in the
future, Cooper said. How
can the county justify spend-
ing approximately $5 million
on a property appraised at
less than half of $1 million?
If passed, the YMCA
would be expected to im-
prove and maintain its facili-
ties without the support of
the county.
Community input ses-
sions will be held at the Por-
ter Sanford Arts Center on
May 31, at 9 a.m. and in the
Maloof Auditorium on June
5, at 6 p.m.
How can the county justify spending
approximately $5 million on a property
appraised at less than half of $1 million?
Mike Cooper

COMMUNITY
AROUND
DEKALB
Avondale Estates
City to hold fre safety class
The city of Avondale Estates and the DeKalb

County Fire Rescue Department are sponsoring
a fire safety class Thursday, May 22, from 6:30 to
7:30 p.m. at the Avondale Estates City Hall, 21
North Avondale Plaza.
The community is invited to learn about ba-
sic home fire safety and how to prepare for a fire
emergency. There also will be a question-and-
answer session with DeKalb County Fire Chief
Darnell Fullum. For more information, contact
the city of Avondale Estates at (404) 294-5400.
Volunteers and sponsors needed for citys 4th
of July celebration
Volunteers are needed for the Avondale Es-

tates annual 4th of July Parade which attracts
hundreds of families and friends.
On the morning of July 4, volunteers are need-
ed to blow up helium balloons, hand out items,
coordinate traffic and line-up the participants.
Float judges are also needed. Morning volunteers
still have plenty of time to participate in the pa-
rade or watch it. Breakfast will be provided.
Residents also can donate to the event by
writing a check payable to the City of Avondale
Estates, with the notation 4th of July Parade in
the memo section of the check.
All businesses, residents, streets and neigh-
borhood organizations are invited to enter a float
in the parade.
For more information and to volunteer or do-
nate, contact Karen Holmes at (404) 294-5400 or
kholmes@avondaleestates.org.
Brookhaven
City to host food truck roundup
Brookhaven will host its weekly food truck
roundup May 28 at Blackburn Park, 5-9 p.m.
The event will include live music, more than
12 food trucks, and activities for children. Pets
are welcome, but must be on a leash. The Food
Truck Roundup is hosted by the city in con-
junction with Fork in the Road, a joint venture
between food truck provider Happy Belly and
the Atlanta Street Food Coalition. The park is
located at 3493 Ashford Dunwoody Road. For
more information, visit www.facebook.com/
BrookhavenFTN?fref=ts.
Countywide
Juvenile court seeking volunteers
The DeKalb County Juvenile Court Judicial
Citizen Panel Review is seeking volunteers.
Participation in the panel program benefits
not only children and families, but volunteers
also gain useful experience and take pride in
knowing that they have helped improve the life of
a child, states an announcement about the panel.
Potential volunteers must complete an ap-
plication and undergo a background and refer-
ence check.There will be an orientation for new
volunteers July 24-25 at DeKalb County Juvenile
Court, 4309 Memorial Drive, Decatur.
Contact Teinika Lewis at (404) 294-2738 for
more information.
Decatur
History center to hold event about gourd-
making
The DeKalb History Center is hosting a
gourd-making demonstration June 20, from 11
a.m.- noon at the historic Swanton House, locat-
ed at 720 West Trinity Place in Decatur.
Actress and storyteller Cathy Kaemmer-
len will demonstrate and tell stories about how
gourds have been used throughout history, espe-
cially during the early pioneer days of Georgia.
Attendees will make a craft using gourds and
will be able to help do some old-timey chores
such as sweeping, doing laundry and hauling wa-
ter.
For more information visit www.dekalbhisto-
rycenter.org.
DeKalb History Center hosts storytelling
event
The DeKalb History Center will host a family
day June 7, from 10-11:30 a.m. at the Swanton
House, located at 720 W. Trinity Place in Decatur.
Storyteller LaDoris Davis will be at the his-
toric Biffle Cabin teaching 19th-century games.
Davis will also be sharing stories from the past
and talking about life in the mid-19th-century.
Attendees also will be able to make a 19th-centu-
ry game to take home.
For more information visit www.dekalbhis-
tory.org.
Dunwoody
Beerfest details released
The Dunwoody Beer Fest will be hosted May
31 from 2 to 6 p.m. at Brook Run Park. The event,
featuring live music and beer tastings, will benefit
the Dunwoody Nature Center. Breweries includ-
ing Terrapin, Sweetwater, and Monday Night
Brewing will be in attendance featuring at least
two craft beers.
It will be a small, intimate affair focusing on
Georgia breweries, sampling, and tasting, said
Alan Mother, executive director of the event.
We have many breweries here in Georgia that
many people have never heard about, and we
want to highlight them.
Only 350 tickets are available, and organizers
expect a sold-out event. Tickets can be purchased
for $30 in advance at http://www.dunwoodyna-
ture.org/beerfest.
Friends of the Dunwoody Library book sale
begins May 29
Friends of the Dunwoody Library is hosting
its tri-annual book sale beginning May 29 at the
Dunwoody library branch. The sale starts at 1
p.m. for Friends of the Dunwoody Library mem-
bers and at 4 p.m. for everyone, through 8 p.m.
The sale continues during hours of operation
May 30, 31 and June 2.
Lithonia
City to ofer amnesty program
The Lithonia Municipal Court is conducting
an amnesty period for the unpaid failure to ap-
pear warrants and citations. The amnesty period
will run from June 9 through Sept. 12. During
this period the warrant fee of $470 and the fail-
ure to appear fee of $160 will be waived for each
outstanding item paid. The Lithonia Municipal
Court will look for individuals who fail to take
advantage of the amnesty period by attempting to
execute the outstanding warrants at their homes
and businesses.
Cases that require a mandatory court appear-
ance will be rescheduled, and offenders must
come in during the amnesty period to receive a
new court date and take advantage of the amnes-
ty offer. Payments will need to be paid to Lithonia
Police Department, located at 6920 Main St. Cash
and money order will be accepted. For more in-
formation, call (770) 482-8947.
Stone Mountain
Citywide yard sale scheduled
The city of Stone Mountain will hold its city-
wide yard sale on Saturday, May 24, from 8:30
a.m. to 3 p.m. on the First Baptist Church lawn in
the center of town.
Set up begins at 7:30 a.m. on the day of the
sale; tables will not be provided. A limited num-
ber of 10 feet-by-10 feet spaces under the pavil-
ion are available at $20 each on a first-come, first-
served basis. Also, 10 feet-by-10 feet lawn spaces
can be rented for $10 each.
For more information, contact Susan Coletti
at (404) 444-5607 or city hall at (770) 498-8984.
The event will have no food vendors. There will
be no refunds and no rain date.
City to host Color Vibe run
The Stone Mountain Village will host the
Color Vibe 5k run May 31. Throughout the
course, participants run, walk, or dance their way
through color stations, where vibrant colored
powder is showered on runners and walkers.
When the run is over, everyone is invited to stick
around for dance party hosted by a professional
sound crew and DJ. A portion of the proceeds
will be donated to support the Stone Mountain
Village Visitors Center. For more information on
the Color Vibe event and registration, visit www.
thecolorvibe.com or send an email to support@
thecolorvibe.com.
LOCAL NEWS
Restaurant Health Inspections
Establishment Name: Los Bravos Mexican Restaurant
Address: 2895 North Decatur Road, Suite B
Current Score/Grade: 83/B
Inspecton Date: 05/08/2014
Observatons and Correctve Actons
Postage of an expired, revoked, or suspended food safety
certfcaton. (Certfcate expired on 01-09-14) COS- PIC advised to
register for a Certfed Food Safety Managers Exam immediately;
DeKalb CFSM Schedule provided. Corrected On-Site.
Observed employee drink from single use cup with no lid or straw
in wait staton, next to food equipment. Advised PIC that food can
only be consumed in approved designated areas separate from
food preparaton and serving areas, equipment or utensil washing
and storage. COS- Employee lef wait staton. Corrected On-Site.
Observed PIC handling food while wearing bracelets. PIC informed
all jewelry must be removed while preparing food, food employees
may not wear jewelry including medical informaton jewelry on
their arms and hands, except for a plain wedding band.
Upon arrival, most current inspecton report not posted. PIC
advised that inspecton report should be posted in public view
within 15 feet of the primary entrance, 5-7 feet above the foor,
and readable from one foot.
Observed porton of grill covered with foil. PIC advised to remove
foil. Facility has the opton of covering grill with a material that is
durable and cleanable.
Observed yellow rim of drink nozzle cover, exterior of lids on foods
in walk-in- cooler, and handles of warmer drawers in wait staton
not clean to sight and touch. PIC advised to clean immediately.
Observed back door not fully closed; also door is not tght ftng to
wall allowing light to come through botom of door. PIC advised to
repair immediately.
Establishment Name: Quality Inn Of Northlake (Breakfast Room)
Address: 2155 Ranchwood Drive
Bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods. PIC advised that
EXCEPT when washing fruits and vegetables there shall be no bare
hand contact with ready-to-eat foods; utensils such as deli tssue,
spatulas, tongs, single-use gloves, or dispensing equipment may be
used. Observed employee using bare hands to adjust bread before
reflling bread container; employee allowed customer to use bare
hands to retrieve bread from bulk container used to refll bread on
front food area. PIC discarded bread. Corrected On-Site
Cold-held potentally hazardous foods not maintained below 41F;
no tme controls/documentaton in place (see * at temp log). PIC
advised that proper cold hold temperature shall not exceed 41F.
Corrected On-Site.
Establishment Name: Jazzy Juice Cafe
Address: 6116-F Covington Highway
Items in prep top cooler not holding at or below 41F (see temp
log). Milk was frozen last night and was below 41F. PIC advised
that all PHF must be held at 41F or below. COS- food discarded,
milk relocated to freezer. PIC advised to store PHF in drink cooler
untl prep top cooler is repaired.
Establishment Name: Atl Deli
Address: 2000 Candler Road
Establishment Name: Wafe House #1600
Address: 2255 Panola Road
Establishment Name: Froyolo
Address: 545 North Mcdonough Street, Suite 102
Current Score/Grade: 91/A
Commissioners approve
East Metro DeKalb CID
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS ON THE
2014-2015 PROPOSED BUDGET
FOR THE CITY OF DECATUR, GEORGIA

There will be public hearings on the proposed 2014-2015 budget for the City of Decatur
at 7:30 p.m. on June 2, 2014, at 6:00 p.m. on June 9, 2014, and at 7:30 p.m. on June 16,
2014 in the City Commission Meeting Room at City Hall, 509 N. McDonough Street,
Decatur. The proposed budget is summarized below and is available in its entirety for
public inspection at Decatur City Hall and at the Decatur Library on Sycamore Street.
After May 21st, the budget will be available on the Citys website at
www.decaturga.com/budget. All citizens are invited to attend the public hearings, to
provide written and oral comments, and ask questions concerning the entire budget.

FY 2014-2015
PROPOSED GENERAL FUND REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES

REVENUES
Taxes 17,422,600
Licenses, Permits & Inspections 1,200,500
Penalties, Fines & Forfeitures 1,370,000
Interest 500
Charges for Current Services 1,670,800
Intergovernmental Revenues 464,300
Miscellaneous Revenue 240,000
Sale of Fixed Assets 10,000
Operating Transfers 222,170
Appropriation From (To) Fund Balance (767,930)

TOTAL REVENUES $21,830,940

EXPENDITURES
Governmental Control Department 203,000
General Government Department 1,429,870
Community & Economic Development Department 1,843,470
Administrative Services Department 3,119,030
Police Department 5,335,350
Fire & Rescue Department 3,607,720
Public Works Department 2,872,830
Design, Environment & Construction Division 1,672,650
Active Living Division 1,747,020

TOTAL EXPENDITURES $21,830,940
The DeKalb County
Board of Commission-
ers unanimously passed a
resolution May 13 to form
a new community improve-
ment district (CID) in East
DeKalb.
The East Metro DeKalb
CID encompasses more
than 200 property owners in
southeast DeKalb that repre-
sent 400 parcels of commer-
cial and industrial property
valued at more than $146
million. The CID spans
from Gresham Road on the
west, Covington Highway
on the north, Turner Hill
on the east and Flat Shoals
Parkway on the south.
A CID is a self-taxing
district that uses additional
property tax dollars to
implement beautifcation,
public safety and infrastruc-
ture projects to increase its
economic viability. Each
district is comprised of
private, non-exempt com-
mercial properties zoned as
offce/industrial and retail
properties. Each CID must
be approved by the DeKalb
County Board of Commis-
sioners.
The CID concept is a
proven economic develop-
ment tool that will garner
success and positive atten-
tion in this corridor. As a
resident of DeKalb County,
I am truly excited about the
possibilities of thiseffort
to improve our community,
said Doreen Carter, chair-
woman of the East Metro
DeKalb CID formation
committee and president of
the Greater Lithonia Cham-
ber of Commerce.
Carter said she frst got
engaged in the discussion of
a CID for the area in 2008.
She said there hasnt been
a successful vehicle in the
proposed area that would
allow the private sector to
participate in economic de-
velopment.
If you look at the devel-
opment that has transpired
in other communities that
have CIDs there has been
signifcant improvement in
economic development,
Carter said. This will be
the catalyst that will help
push us forward.
According to Carter, the
East Metro DeKalb CID
will be the frst formed in
metro Atlanta in a majority
minority community. It is
also the frst located south
of I-20 in a predominantly
non-industrial area.
The CID was formed out
of the efforts of a commit-
tee comprised of southeast
DeKalb commercial prop-
erty owners and community
leaders.
The East Metro DeKalb
CID will serve as a public-
private partnership that
aims to improve economic
development, increase prop-
erty value, revive business,
create jobs and enhance
the overall quality of life
in southeastern DeKalb, a
press release stated.
Additionally, the CID
will also serve as a tool to
leverage matching dollars
from local, state and federal
funding agencies to sup-
port projects such as public
safety, beautifcation and
transportation.
Raquel Obumba, East
Metro DeKalb CID project
manager, said the proposed
CID would generate more
than $2.5 million with a
millage rate of 5 mills. The
fnal millage rate would be
set only after the district is
approved by commissioners.
Representatives from
the various corridors will
form the CID board of di-
rectors, Obumba said.
The CID concept is a proven economic
development tool that will garner success
and positive attention in this corridor. As
a resident of DeKalb County, I am truly
excited about the possibilities of this
effort to improve our community.
Doreen Carter
LOCAL NEWS
MARTA makes changes to bus and rail services
MARTA has improved bus and rail services for riders as well as implemented a new fare evasion policy for bus riders.
General Fund Special Funds Nutrition Fund Capital Funds
ESTIMATED REVENUES
Local Taxes 27,617,827 $ 3,360,000 $
Local Other 2,570,860 939,964 $
State General 17,742,664
State Other 700,000 $ 37,000
Federal 1,680,322 570,500
Transfers from Other Funds 236,762
General Fund Balance Obligated 3,071,059
Capital Fund Balance Restricted 350,671
Total Revenues 51,002,410 $ 2,617,084 $ 1,547,464 $ 3,710,671 $
ESTIMATED EXPENDITURES
Instruction 34,004,357 $ 2,163,116 $
Pupil Services 1,390,660 37,988
Improvement of Instructional Services 1,345,760 248,717
Educational Media Services 1,311,092
Federal Grant Administration 111,382
General Administration 959,585 12,788
School Administration 3,812,106 966
Support Services - Business 392,322
Maintenance and Operation of Plant Services 4,386,501
Student Transportation Service 1,289,507 20,551
Support Services - Central 936,530
Other Support Services 7,000 21,576
School Nutrition Program 855,850 1,547,464 $
Community Services Operations 74,378
Facilities Acquisition and Construction Services 1,459,920 $
Transfers to Other Funds 236,762
Debt Service 2,250,751
Total Expenditures 51,002,410 $ 2,617,084 $ 1,547,464 $ 3,710,671 $
of the Central Office at 125 Electric Avenue.
City Schools of Decatur
Budget for Fiscal Year 2015
July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015
The Fiscal Year 2015 Tentative Budget will be considered for final adoption by the Board of Education at 6:30 PM
at the regular board meeting scheduled for Tuesday, June 10, 2014. The meeting will be held in the Board Room
by Carla Parker
MARTA riders may have
noticed buses and trains ar-
riving more frequently to
pick up riders recently as the
public transportation service
rolled out service improve-
ments.
MARTA officials an-
nounced that bus routes were
modified, which went into
effect May 17, to improve
service and on-time perfor-
mance. Rail changes also
went into effect May 19 on
the red and gold lines from
the airport to Lindbergh sta-
tions and on the blue and
green lines from Ashby to
Candler Park stations.
From 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.
and from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on
weekdays, wait times will be
reduced to five minutes on
the trunkbefore the lines
splitand 10-minute head-
ways on the branches, ac-
cording to MARTA officials.
MARTA also will run four-
car trains on the north and
south rail lines.
During the weekday from
9 a.m. to 3 p.m., trains will
run every 12 minutes on
each of the lines with a rate
of six minutes on the trunk.
The improvements are
being supported, in part, by
federal funding designated to
the transit system by the At-
lanta Regional Commission.
The metropolitan planning
organization allocated more
than $7 million over a multi-
year period to reduce traffic
congestion and improve air
quality in the Atlanta region,
according to MARTA of-
ficials.
Construction and infra-
structure improvements also
will begin soon on rail lines
to maintain a state of good
repair on equipment and
tracks. Work will take place
on weekends and trains will
operate every 20 minutes on
each line and every 24 min-
utes, when necessary, accord-
ing to MARTA officials.
Bus improvements in-
clude an additional 23 trips
each weekday, 99 trips on
Saturdays and 55 trips on
Sundays. Other bus routes
have schedule changes, and
five of the seven routes pre-
viously diverted due to the
Atlanta streetcar construc-
tion are returning to their
old routing, according to
MARTA officials. No chang-
es will be made to routes 99
and 186Rainbow Drive/
South DeKalb route, due to
an increase in ridership dur-
ing construction.
Along with service chang-
es, MARTA implemented
a new fare evasion policy,
which went into effect May
17. The policy bans riders
from boarding unattended
buses at rail station bus bays.
According to MARTA of-
ficials, bus riders will still be
allowed to pay their fares and
board at rail station bus bays
while the bus driver is pres-
ent. Under the new policy,
the doors will be secured
whenever a bus driver leaves
the vehicle for a break. Rid-
ers who have already paid
can remain aboard. However,
those waiting to pay their bus
fare and board the bus must
wait until the driver returns
in order for them to pay.
Edward Johnson, MAR-
TAs chief administrative of-
ficer, said the policy is about
basic fairness.
The vast majority of our
customers pay their fare and
have every right to expect
that everyone else is also
paying to ride the system, he
said. We realize this will be
an adjustment for our cus-
tomers, and were committed
to reviewing the policy to
ensure that its working as
intended.
Passengers caught par-
ticipating in or enabling fare
evasion will be penalized,
up to and including being
banned from riding MARTA,
according to MARTA of-
ficials.
LOCAL NEWS
Reduce Reuse Recycle Reduce Reuse
Sherifs Ofce touts savings
CITY OF DORAVILLE PUBLIC NOTICE
Fiscal Year 2015 Budget
NoticeisherebygiventhattheproposedbudgetfortheCityofDoravilleshallbeavailableforpublic
inspectionbeginningMay23,2014,intheCityClerksofficefrom8:30to4:30p.m.Mondaythrough
FridayatCityHall,3725ParkAvenue,Doraville,GA.
Apublichearingshallbeheldonthe2thdayofJuneat6:30p.m.atCityHall,3725ParkAvenue,
Doraville,GAbeforetheMayorandCounciloftheCityofDoravilleatwhichtimepubliccomment
pertainingtotheFiscalYear2015(July1,2014throughJune30,2015)budgetshallbesounded.All
citizensofDoravilleareinvitedtoattend.
Aspecialcalledmeetingshallbeheldonthe16thdayofJuneat6:30p.m.atCityHall,3725Park
Avenue,Doraville,GAbeforetheMayorandCounciloftheCityofDoravilleatwhichtimetheFiscalYear
2015(July1,2014throughJune30,2015)budgetshallbeapprovedandthebudgetordinanceadopted
inaccordancewithO.C.G.A.36815.AllcitizensofDoravilleareinvitedtoattend.
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Del
The DeKalb County
Sheriff s Office recently re-
leased its 2013 annual report
and touted major improve-
ments, such as a video visi-
tation system for prisoners
that will save the county
approximately $1.7 million
annually.
According to the report,
the office also came in under
budget for fiscal year 2013 at
$77.3 million.
Our officers face serious
challenges every day, from
serving warrants on offend-
ers to keeping the peace
within our courts to man-
aging a jail population the
size of a small city, DeKalb
County Sheriff Jeffrey
Mann said.
Last year, the DeKalb
County Jail housed more
than 3,000 inmates daily.
Mann replaced outgoing
Sheriff Thomas Brown, who
had served four terms as
sheriff. Brown left to run for
Congress against Rep. Hank
Johnson.
Mann, who faced several
sheriff candidates in The
including former DeKalb
County CEO Vernon Jones,
said in the future the sher-
iff s office is committed to
improved efficiency and
transparency; an increased
focus on recruitment, train-
ing and development; con-
tinued investment in tech-
nology; expansion of recidi-
vism programs and ongoing
community partnerships.
The report credits the
successful year to initia-
tives such as a cost-cutting
conversion of the jail sur-
veillance system to digital,
which also increases safety
for officers and inmates and
to its establishment of rela-
tionships with local medical
institutions and agencies
to address critical inmate
health care issues.
According to the re-
port, the total inmate court
transports in 2013 includ-
ing arrests was 30,433 and
approximately 1.5 million
court visitors were protected
by deputies from the sher-
iff s office.
In 2013, approximately
36,000 inmates were housed
in the DeKalb County Jail;
The average population was
2,623 with an average stay of
29 days.
The sheriff s office offers
vocational training, a GED
program, and work release
and substance abuse servic-
es. According to the report,
more than 2,000 inmates
have graduated from the
jails in-house GED program
since 2004.
The report also states that
the DeKalb County Sher-
iff s Office is accredited by
three nationwide bodies and
recently has maintained its
Triple Crown status from
the National Sheriff s Insti-
tute since 2008. The associa-
tion recognizes less than 40
sheriff s offices out of 3,500
throughout the country with
Triple Crown Status.
by Carla Parker
Brookhaven residents
911 fees will be transferred
from DeKalb County to the
city .
At its May 13 meeting,
the Brookhaven City Coun-
cil unanimously approved
the enhanced 911 charge on
cell phones, landline phones,
voice over internet protocol
(VoIP) connections and
prepaid cell phones within
Brookhaven city limits.
DeKalb County currently
imposes an enhanced 911
charge upon each active
cell phone account, land-
line phone, and voice over
internet protocol connec-
tion subscribed to by any,
subscribers whose billing
address or place of primary
use is within Brookhaven.
Those fees will now go to
Brookhaven.
The vote comes a month
after the city council voted
to enter into an intergov-
ernmental agreement with
Chattahoochee River 911
Authority (ChatComm).
Under the agreement,
all 911 calls made from a
cellphone or landline phone
in Brookhaven will be an-
swered by a ChatComm
emergency operator instead
of a DeKalb County dis-
patcher beginning Aug. 1.
According to the resolu-
tion, House Bill 256, which
was passed in 2011, local
governments are authorized
to impose a 911 charge at a
rate of up to $0.75 upon pre-
paid wireless service at the
retail point of sale for sales
occurring within the juris-
diction of the local govern-
ment. Brookhaven residents
will be charged up to $1.50
per month per wireless con-
nection, which the city will
impose, collect and deposit
beginning Aug. 1.
The city council was
scheduled to vote on the 911
charge April 15, but the vote
was deferred because a pub-
lic hearing was not held to
discuss the 911 charge. The
hearing was held during the
May 13 meeting.
Im excited about mov-
ing forward and continuing
to move the ball on getting
our own 911 services for the
benefit of our citizens and
public safety in general,
Brookhaven Mayor J. Max
Davis said.
Brookhaven approves
911 call charge
by Lauren Ramsdell
A person just released
from prison March 3 had his
first hearing for alleged new
crimes May 16.
Allen Lee Garner, 30,
stood with his head tilted
down while his charges were
read by Magistrate Judge
Curtis Miller. Garner is ac-
cused of criminal attempt,
burglary in the first degree,
rape and theft by taking.
On April 26, Garner al-
legedly broke a window in
a Chamblee home, using
the access to unlock a door.
Inside was the occupant, a
79-year-old woman.
Garner is charged with
raping the woman before
demanding to know where
money was kept. Accord-
ing to the warrant, Garner
was told there was money
in a drawer, took it, and
left after admonishing the
woman to not call police or
he would return to kill her.
The money amounted to ap-
proximately $200.
According to a news re-
lease from the Chamblee Po-
lice Department, Garner was
initially arrested for a related
burglary charge. He was
charged with the assault on
May 15, after DNA evidence
from the scene of the crime
matched his.
Garner recently finished
prison time for charges of
theft by taking, entering
auto and fleeing/attempting
to evade a police officer in
2012. His previous sentence
began March 21, 2013.
Leaving the judges
chamber, Garner waved to a
few members of the gallery.
His bond is currently posted
at $50,500.
Parolee accused of rape, burglary
weeks after prison release
LOCAL NEWS
A series revealing purchases on county-issued P-Cards by DeKalb County Commissioners, ofcials and assistants.
FOLLOW THE MONEY
TheChampionNewspaper.com
BOYER RADER
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ANN
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Art showcase gives glimpse into mental health recovery
by Lauren Ramsdell
In honor of Mental
Health Awareness Month,
the DeKalb Community Ser-
vice Board (CSB) put togeth-
er a showcase of its clients
art on May 15.
Psychosocial rehabilita-
tion, or PSR, is a service of-
fered by CSB that provides
day treatment to clients with
mental illnesses who need
assistance with life skills, in-
cluding money management,
coping skills, communica-
tion and job skills. A new
group in the program focus-
ing on art and expression is
helping clients uncover fresh
talents.
Research has shown that
creative expression helps cli-
ents with expressing internal
conflict, said Marianette
ReFour, director of the psy-
chosocial rehabilitation pro-
gram. People with anxiety,
depression and other prob-
lems can identify and change
negative thoughts and emo-
tions.
According to the Ameri-
can Art Therapy Association,
art therapy can improve at-
tention, focus on tasks and
self-esteem, among other
things.
A lot of the clients say
its a sense of relaxation for
them, it takes your mind
away from stress, from feel-
ing depressed, said Helen
Hogin, a therapist with CSB
and a creative expression in-
structor. It puts your mind
in a whole other mood.
The staff often lets the cli-
ents choose what they want
to create. Everything from
knit throws to beaded jew-
elry was displayed
Some of the canvas art
they do [expresses] their
feelings or what is going on
in their minds, Hogin said.
A lot of times we have medi-
tation music or relaxation
music, so it can be a nice
tranquil place for them.
Alice Robertson said she
found the CSB after moving
to Atlanta from Winston-
Salem, N.C., with her son.
She said she felt lonely, sad
and lost a lot of self-esteem.
She joined the creative ex-
pression group and found
that it helped her with those
thoughts.
It helped me by doing
drawing and art and mixing
with the people, she said. I
have made a lot of friends in
the program and helped a lot
of people.
Despite never having
tried it before, Robertson
made jewelrynecklaces and
braceletsthough they did
not make it to the showcase.
One of the things that we
have seen that was surprising
is there is usually some hesi-
tation because they think,
Oh, I am going to have to be
an artist,ReFour said. They
like doing it after the first
time. They see the way they
are thinking and changing
those thoughts.
Many clients reported
feelings of enjoyment and
pride when completing their
artworks.
PSR is a nice program
and its very encouraging,
Robertson said. Ive gained
a lot of knowledge from go-
ing there, and Ive become a
stronger person.
From left, Helen Hogin, creative expression instructor;
Marianette ReFour, psychosocial rehabilitation director;
and Angel Warren, creative expression instructor.
Some clients chose to build and paint wood
block fgures.
Nayati Richardson, pictured with
her illustration of the Tom and
Jerry cartoon characters, says
she likes drawing because its a
talent.
Chavanne Pippin holds a picture
he drew as a part of the creative
expression group.
I wanted to do something that was
creative, so I saw the Popsicle sticks
and I said, You know what? I want
to make a bridge out of it because
I think that would be really neat,
said Kenneth Pack, pictured with his
bridge.
A ower wreath made by a DeKalb Community Service client.
Clients are encouraged to express their inner
emotions on canvas, like this one.
LOCAL NEWS

Georgia Piedmont Technical College will hold its
Spring Commencement
Ceremony
Reverend Dr. C.T. Vivian
2013 Presidential
Medal of Freedom Recipient
Commencement Speaker
Come Celebrate With Us!
Saturday,
May 31, 2014
10:00 a.m.

at
The House of Hope
Atlanta
(formerly Greater Travelers Rest Baptist
Church)
4650 Flat Shoals Parkway
Decatur, Georgia 30034

www.gptc.edu
Commissioner says all county purchasing cards should be audited
Editors note: Te Champion
looks at the purchasing card
use of the DeKalb County
Board of Commissioners and
those of other select P-card
holders.
by Andrew Cauthen
An April 2010 internal
audit of the DeKalb County
Board of Commissioners
determined that fve of the
seven commissioners did
not fully comply with the
countys purchasing card
(P-card) policies and proce-
dures.
Twenty months later, in
November 2011, another
internal audit revealed that
three commissioners did
not comply with the P-card
policy. Among the three
commissioners making the
list in both audits was Com-
missioner Elaine Boyer.
In the 2010 audit, Boyer
was cited for transactions
at restaurants. According to
the audit, 12 of the 17 trans-
actions in a sample were for
restaurants.
As stated in the purchas-
ing card policy, the P-card
program allows designated
employees to purchase
business-related goods and
services, the audit stated.
P-card transactions from
restaurants could become
costly over a 12-month pe-
riod.
Fast forward to March
2014.
Boyer, and her chief of
staf, Bob Lundsten, came
under fre afer an investiga-
tive report by the Atlanta
Journal Constitution re-
vealed that between 2012
and 2013, Boyer and Lund-
sten together spent more
than $11,000 for restaurant
meals using their county-
issued P-cards.
According to records Te
Champion obtained afer an
Open Records Request, the
pair spent $5,958.93 in 2013
on food. In the frst three
months of 2014, Boyers
of ce spent $2,289.84 on
meals, including a $452.31
tab at McKendricks Steak-
house for a legislative
meeting in February and a
$190 meal at Seasons 52 for
DeKalb City Staf Budget.
Te purchasing card
policy, revised in March
2004, states that the DeKalb
County P-card program is
intended to be an alternative
method for the purchase of
small dollar value, miscel-
laneous expenses, including
materials and services.
Te P-Card is the prop-
erty of DeKalb County
and should only be used
for business purposes, the
policy states.
On May 20, Boyer told
Te Champion that she is
exhausted talking about
P-cards.
I dont have anything
new to say, Boyer said.
Te thing that is most
distressing is that there is no
focus on all the rest of the
P-cards, Boyer said, add-
ing that there are 70 people
with P-cards [who] dont fall
under the county CEOs
authority.
Tats a lot, Boyer said.
I know all of them. Ive
looked at them. Tey are
constitutional of cers or
they work for other elected
of cials.
In a March 25 statement,
Boyer said, Over the past
several years I have on occa-
sion purchased airfare and
related travel expenses using
my County P-Card which
is a debit card. Over that
same period I reimbursed
over 90 % of these charges.
Tere was no expense to the
County taxpayers.
A reporter brought to
my attention that I had not
reimbursed some of these
expenses for 2012 and 2013,
she stated. Tat was an
oversight for which I accept
responsibility and for that I
apologize.
Boyer added that she
immediately reimbursed
the expenses from that two
year time frame.
Boyer subsequently sus-
pended her use of the card
and said she was unaware
that she was in violation of
any county policy. An eth-
ics complaint has been fled
against Boyer and Lundsten.
In March 2013, four
$25 Starbucks gif cards for
Tucker Middle School were
charged to Lundstens card.
Lundsten purchased a
$750 of ce laptop from Best
Buy, according to an Oc-
tober 2013 receipt marked
OK per EB.
Te P-card policy states
that all Information Sys-
tems, Communications, and
Finance Special Approval
related purchases will be
coordinated/routed through
Information Systems, Com-
munications, and Finance
Special and will require a
requisition and purchase
order regardless of the dollar
amount.
In December 2013, Lund-
sten, Boyers chief of staf,
paid for two gif baskets at a
cost of $49.99 each and an-
other one costing $54.99 for
planning, purchasing and
water. On the same receipt
from Te Fresh Market in
Dunwoody are three Santa
pop-up cards at a cost of
$5.99 each.
Additionally, Lundsten
paid $12.88 in sales taxes,
even though the county is
not required to pay sales
tax to any supplier since the
county is exempt, according
to the countys P-card policy.
Also in December 2013,
Lundsten paid $50 for a
service order for Comcast
Internet hookup at 302 Pe-
rimeter Center North, Apt.
1208, Atlanta. Te address is
in the Gables Metropolitan
apartment complex.
Boyer said she is not fa-
miliar with that address, but
would check into it.
Boyer said there should
be an audit of all of the
countys P-cardholders.
Ive called for it; there
should be an audit on all of
it, she said. Ive said it a zil-
lion times; no one seems to
be doing it.
Im not throwing any-
body under the bus, but
[the policy] needs to get
clarifcation. I think [interim
DeKalb County CEO Lee
May] tried to do that with
his new policy.]
Research assistance by
Travis Hudgons and Donna
Turner
LOCAL NEWS
WEEK
PICTURES
In
Searching for Our Sons and Daughters:

For a programming guide, visit www.yourdekalb.com/dctv
Now showing on DCTV!
Finding DeKalb Countys Missing
Stories of our missing residents offer profound
insights and hope for a positive reunion.
DCTV Your Emmy Award-winning news source of DeKalb County news. Available on Comcast Cable Channel 23.
Photos brought to you by DCTV
Dawn-Breakers, a local Toastmasters Club, and The Youth Gavel Club recently donated 70 bottles of detergent to Ronald
McDonald House in Decatur in response to the houses urgent need. Photo provided
Petty Offcer 2nd Class Joseph D. Moses, a 2006 Redan
High School graduate, is serving aboard a U.S. Navy attack
submarine, the USS Hawaii. Photo provided
Mothers and their sons danced the night away May 16, at Stone Mill Elementary for its mother/son dance in Stone Mountain. Photo by Travis Hudgons
LOCAL NEWS
Students view 3D technology
at STEM center event
County receives
positive credit rating,
approves tax notes
DeKalb County has received the
highest credit rating available for its
$85.7 million tax anticipation notes,
which were approved by commis-
sioners May 20.
Each county collects taxes at
specific times throughout the year.
During some months while tax rev-
enue is not collected, some county
governments take out a low-interest
loan to cover their expenses.
Its an interim borrowing the
county has done for several years
borrowing money now for tax reve-
nue well collect later in the year. The
loan is to be paid back in December,
county attorney Thomas P. Lauth
said.
Moodys Investors Services has
assigned a MIG 1 rating to DeKalb
Countys tax anticipation notes. This
is the highest rating available for that
category.
The highest quality short-term
rating is based upon Moodys expec-
tation of sufficient projected cash
flow for note repayment and sound
legal provisions Moodys expects
that the county will have ample cash
balances to repay the notes at their
maturity in December 2014, a news
release stated.
Interim DeKalb County CEO Lee
May said the county has been under
scrutiny from the rating agency.
Moodys has had us under a mi-
croscope for years and continues to
scrutinize our ongoing efforts to re-
organize government, cut expenses,
and operate efficiently, May said.
Another rating company, Fitch
Ratings, assigned DeKalb County an
F1+ rating, the highest rating for
that category on the countys tax an-
ticipation notes.
Larry Johnson, presiding of-
ficer of DeKalb County Board of
Commissioners, said the board has
always made it a point to keep the
countys finances in order.
The good news for the people of
DeKalb is that this rating affords our
taxpayers the lowest interest charges
possible thanks to these ratings by
Moodys and Fitch, Johnson said.
Additionally, according to the
report released by Moodys, the
county maintained its positive rat-
ing on general obligation bonds and
appropriation-backed debt.
The stable outlook acknowl-
edges the countys improved finan-
cial position, which is projected to
remain below formal targeted levels
through fiscal 2016, and reflects
Moodys expectation that the coun-
tys financial position will continue
to improve, the report said.
by Andrew Cauthen
A few dozen students, some ac-
companied by parents, got to see a
3D printer in action May 19.
The demonstration was part of
a science, technology, engineer-
ing and math (STEM) open house
sponsored by DeKalb County
Commissioner Larry Johnson at
Exchange Park Intergenerational
Center in Decatur. During the
event, attendees also learned about
animation using an Xbox.
What we do in technology
impacts everythingfrom cars to
medicine to government to all the
things that make a difference in
our society, Johnson said. My
goal is to elevate DeKalb County
to a much higher height. I want to
make us the Silicon Valley of the
southeast.
I want to make sure [students]
are impacted by science, technolo-
gy, engineering and mathematics.
The guest presenter at the event
was Dhata Harris, executive
director of the Enitiative Group,
a nonproft organization with a
mission to empower minorities
and underprivileged youth with
greater earning potential and infor-
mational access through the use of
electronic media, the Internet, and
other technological resources,
according to the events announce-
ment.
Using the latest version of the
MakerBot 3D printer, Harris dem-
onstrated the four-year-old tech-
nology by 3D-printing a stretch-
able bracelet in approximately 12
minutes. He also demonstrated
how students can make games us-
ing Xbox Kinect.
Im a nerd, Harris told the
students, after entering the room
on a Segwaya two-wheeled, self-
balancing vehicle. I wish I had
sold out a lot earlier [and realized]
that being a nerd was not such
a bad thing. The message is that
nerds get paid.
Harris, a former professional
football player, presented a talk
called Your Life in 5D, referenc-
ing the next level in 3D technol-
ogy.
In the presentation, the 5D
represented:
Dream: Youve got to have
a dream, Harris said. If you
would just follow up on your
dream, thats the frst step.
Defne: Defne what you are
uniquely gifted to do, he said.
Decide: I have an idea for ev-
erything. You cant do everything
that you have an idea for. You
have to decide.
Develop: Youve got to develop
it so that its not just written on a
napkin somewhere, Harris said.
Deliver it: Youve got to de-
liver it. Youve got to package it.
Youve got to get in the homes of
everybody who can afford your
product.
Reminding the students that 5D
technology doesnt exist, Harris
said that one day it will and will
be the next level of robots that will
force students out of fast food and
other low-paying jobs.
That is why you need to have
a 5D mindset, Harris said.
Dhata Harris displays a plastic comb he made using a 3D printer.
Students crowd around a 3D printer as it makes a bracelet. Photos by Andrew Cauthen
Incumbent
Continued From Page 1A
Sheriff
School
THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014 PAGE 15A LOCAL NEWS
the work that weve accomplished in the past
14 years, Mann said.
For the last 14 years, Mann has served
under Brown as chief deputy and was re-
sponsible for administering the day-to-day
operations of the DeKalb County Jail, court
and administrative divisions.
Mann also reportedly played an integral
role in managing the offices approximately
$78 million budget for more than a decade.
Jones, who has lived in DeKalb County
for nearly 30 years, served as a legislator in
the Georgia House of Representatives for
eight years before serving two terms as CEO.
Jones could not be reached by press time.
Results for the others candidates in the
sheriff s race bypress time are as follows: re-
tired DeKalb County Sheriff s deputy Dale
Bernard Collins received 3.99 percent; re-
tired U.S. DEA agent Ted Golden received
4.46 percent; DeKalb County Police sergeant
R. Tony Hughes received 5.84 percent;
former Georgia Piedmont Technical Col-
lege Assistant Police Chief Melody Maddox
received 7.3 percent; and retired Atlanta Po-
lice officer, and GBI and FBI agent LaSalle
Smith received 1.79 percent of the vote.
People see that a person from the legislature
can be good in local government, Watson said.
People have seen that Ive learned how to be a
great local county commissioner.
Congressman Hank Johnson was winning
the Democratic primary for his seat late on May
20, fighting off former DeKalb County Sheriff
Thomas Brown.
At press time, Johnson had 55.40 percent of
the vote, while Brown had 44.60 percent.
In the race for State Senate District 40, incum-
bent Sen. Fran Millar was leading his Republi-
can contender Richard Anderson, 79.7 percent
to 20.83 percent. In the Democratic primary,
Tamara Johnson, had 70.84 percent, while Bene-
dict Truman III had 29.16 percent.
For State Senate District 41, incumbent Steve
Henson was unopposed in the Democratic pri-
mary and there were no Republicans seeking the
seat.
In the Democratic race for State Senate Dis-
trict 42, Elena Parent, a former state represen-
tative, was leading Kyle Williams. Parent had
65.67 percent of the votes, while Williams had
34.33 percent. On the Republican side, Greg Wil-
liams was the sole candidate for the seat.
State Sen. Ronald Ramsey was unopposed in
the Democratic primary for the District 43 seat.
Sen. Gail Davenport, who represents District
44, led contender Marcus Eugene Davis 81.43
percent to 18.57 percent, in the Democratic pri-
mary.
In the District 55 Democratic primary, in-
cumbent State Sen. Gloria Butler was ahead of
Mark A. Williams, 78.08 percent to 21.92 per-
cent.
For District 81, incumbent State Rep. Scott
Holcomb, a Democrat, and James Duffie, a Re-
publican, were unopposed in their partys prima-
ries.
State Rep. Michele Henson, who represents
District 86, was ahead of opponent Jacqueline
Adams, 72.76 percent to 27.24 percent.
In the race for the State Rep. District 91 seat,
Rep. Dee Dawkins-Haigler had 68.40 percent,
while Diane D. Adoma had 31.60 percent
At press time, State Rep. Earnest Coach
Williams of District 87 was leading opponent
Ivy Green 64.66 percent to 35.34 percent.
Ramsey Davenport Butler Holcomb Henson Haigler Williams
probation. Orson said the school board has made
significant strides in improving the district.
We also know that there is a lot more to do,
Orson said. So what we need is to be in partner-
ship with the rest of the community to ensure
that we have a clear vision.
In another highprofile race, District 5 in-
cumbent Thad Mayfield will face former school
board member Jesse Jay Cunningham in a
runoff July 22. Mayfield received 34.64 percent of
votes while Cunningham received 28.41 percent.
Mayfield was the school board member for
District 9, but his seat was one of two eliminated
by the state General Assembly. David Campbell,
who was the District 5 representative, chose not
to run. Mayfield was one of six school board
members appointed in 2013 by Deal. Cunning-
ham was also among the board members who
were suspended.
The District 4 seat also will be decided in a
runoff, as incumbent Jim McMahan will face
incumbent, Karen Carter. Carter led McMahan
35.98 percent to 27.29 percent at press time.
Carter was appointed to Super District 8 by the
governor, but the seat was one of two eliminated
by the state General Assembly.
McMahan said District 4 will be well repre-
sented, no matter who wins in the runoff elec-
tion.
We have wonderful leadership in our district,
a very involved and informed community and I
look forward to debating my challenger for the
runoff in July, McMahan said.
District 3 also will be decided on July 22. In-
cumbent Michael Erwin, appointed by Deal, re-
ceived 38.14 percent of votes. Challenger Atticus
LeBlanc received 19.93 percent of votes.
Incumbent Melvin Johnson, the school
boards chairman, was re-elected for his District
6 seat, defeating challenger Bridgeman Bolger
77.33 percent to 22.67 percent of votes.
In District 7, incumbent Joyce Morleyan-
other Deal appointeewas chosen by voters to
remain on the school board with 60.44 percent
of votes. Morley defeated challengers Kim Ault
(21.79 percent) and Lee V. Dukes (17.77 per-
cent).
Stan Jester won the District 1 seat uncon-
tested. The seat was formerly held by his wife,
Nancy Jester, who ran for state school superin-
tendent.
YOUR VOTE COUNTS
LOCAL NEWS
Park
COMBINED NOTICE
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT
AND NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC OF REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS
May 22, 2014
DeKalb County Human and Community Development Department
150 E. Ponce de Leon Avenue, Suite 330
Decatur, Georgia 30030
Telephone (404) 286-3308
TO ALL INTERESTED AGENCIES, GROUPS AND PERSONS:
Te DeKalb County Human and Community Development Department gives notice that it will submit a request for release of grant
funds and an environmental certifcation pertaining to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) 15 days
following this publication. Te request and certifcation relate to the following projects.
Project: Tobie Grant Manor Redevelopment Project

Location: 3128 Tobie Grant Circle, Scottdale GA 30079
Purpose: Te Housing Authority of DeKalb County (HADC) has been awarded HUD RAD funding and two Low Income
Housing Tax Credit awards in order to help fund the redevelopment of their existing 55 acre Tobie Grant Manor apartment develop-
ment. Tis redevelopment project will better serve the local community and will provide mixed income residential housing oppor-
tunities and quality housing choices for qualifying residents.
Te proposed project will begin with the demolition of all 104 existing residential structures, along with the removal of the existing
community building, located within the property owned by HADC. A total of 105 structures will be removed, as well as all existing
sidewalks and driveways.
Proposed new construction will consist of a phased Master Plan approach to construct senior apartments, multi-family units,
townhomes and single family residential lots.
Te initial phase of construction will include the installation of Master Infrastructure for the project. Tis infrastructure work will
include storm water detention areas, park areas, and roadway improvements to accommodate the overall project. Simultaneously,
as this master infrastructure is being installed, the frst and second phases of construction will commence. Phase One will be called
Te Reserve at Mills Creek, and will consist of 100-units of Senior Apartments. Phase Two will be called Mills Creek Crossing,
with plans for 200-units of Family Apartments. Phase Tree will be called Te Retreat at Mills Creek, and will consist of 80-units
of Senior Apartments. Phase Four will be called Mills Creek Estates and will consist of 114 units for homeownership, including 47
proposed single family lots and 67 proposed townhomes.
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT (FONSI)
It has been determined that such request for release of funds will not constitute an action signifcantly afecting the quality of the
human environment and, accordingly, DeKalb County has decided not to prepare Environmental Impact Statements under the Na-
tional Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (P.L. 91-190).
Te reasons for the decision not to prepare such Statements are as follows:
An Environmental Assessment has been made for the project which concludes that all adverse efects will be minor, short-term
impacts will be mitigated by either the requirements of the construction contract documents or by the requirements of applicable lo-
cal, state or federal permits and environmental ordinances. Te positive efects of providing mixed income housing and improving
environmental conditions for low and moderate-income families outweigh any potential negative impacts. Tis project is consistent
with the goals and objectives of DeKalb County Government and the Human and Community Development Department.
Te Environmental Review Record, respecting the proposed project, has been made by DeKalb County which documents the
environmental review of the project and fully sets forth the reasons why such Environmental Impact Statements are not required.
Te Environmental Review Record is on fle at the DeKalb County Human and Community Development Department, 150 E.
Ponce de Leon Avenue, Suite 330, Decatur, Georgia 30030 and is available for public examination and copying upon request between
the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
No further environmental reviews of the subject project are proposed to be conducted prior to the request for release of Federal
funds.
Public Comments on FONSI
All interested agencies, groups, and persons disagreeing with this decision are invited to submit written comments for consideration
by DeKalb County to the Human and Community Development Director. Written comments will be received at 150 E. Ponce de
Leon Avenue, Suite 330, Decatur, Georgia on or before June 6, 2014. All comments received will be considered and DeKalb County
will not request the release of Federal funds or take any administrative action on the proposed projects prior to the date specifed in
the preceding sentence.
NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS (NOI/RROF)
At least one day afer the termination of the public comment period for the FONSI, but not before comments on the FONSI have
been considered and resolved, DeKalb County will submit a Request for Release of Funds (RROF) and certifcation to HUD. By so
doing DeKalb County will ask HUD to allow it to commit funds to this project, certifying that (1) it has performed the environmen-
tal reviews prescribed by HUD regulations (Environmental Review Procedures for Title I Community Development Block Grant
Program - 24 CFR part 58), and (2) the Certifying Ofcer, Chris Morris, Director, DeKalb County Human and Community Devel-
opment Department, consents to accept and enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental reviews or resulting decision-
making and action. Te legal efect of the certifcation is that by approving it, HUD will have satisfed its responsibilities under the
National Environmental Act, thus allowing DeKalb County to commit CDBG funds to this project.
Objection to Release of Funds
HUD will accept objections to its approval of the release of funds and the certifcation only if it is on one of the following basis: (a)
that the certifcation was not in fact executed by the Certifying Ofcer; or (b) that the applicants Environmental Review Record for
the project indicated omission of a required decision, funding, or step applicable to the project in the environmental review process.
Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance to HUD at the Regional Environmental Branch, U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development, 40 Marietta Street N.W., 15th foor, Atlanta, Georgia 30303-9812.
Objections to the release of funds on basis other than those stated above will not be considered by HUD. No objection received
afer June 24, 2014 will be considered by HUD.
Chris H. Morris, Director
DeKalb County Community Development Department
150 E. Ponce de Leon Avenue, Suite 330, Decatur, Georgia 30030
Date of Publication and
Dissemination of Notice
May 22, 2014
fun and enjoying all the best
that Dunwoody has to of-
fer. Ive also met many of the
homeowners who have pur-
chased these homes and are
waiting for them to be built,
and they have said welcome
to our front yard.
Crews faced unforeseen
hurdles in completing con-
struction on time and on
budget. Originally due to be
completed in the fall of 2013,
the parks facilities were com-
pleted earlier this month. The
contract awarded to Geor-
gia Development Partners
provided a $1.7 million plus
a $50,000 contingency. In
August 2013, Brent Walker,
parks and recreation manag-
er, recommended a $120,000
increase in the contingency
to compensate for additional
costs such as unusable soil
under the park that went un-
noticed in the initial survey.
The total approved budget
was $1.7 million.
Mullen said that many of
the delays and added costs
could be attributed to the
sites former life as an apart-
ment complex that never ma-
terialized.
As you build a park or
any structure youre not sure
what would be undertaken,
he said. We wanted to be
sure we had everything in
place.
Another parcel of land has
been reserved for future com-
mercial development. Mullen
said no plans have been final-
ized for that location in order
to gain feedback from the
community, and in anticipa-
tion of further development.
A literal blank canvas was on
display at the grand opening
to give patrons a chance to
suggest uses for the plot.
The best is yet to come,
Nall said. We look forward
to one day having dinner,
having a drink on the patio,
overlooking the park.
Janet Ziffer and her
daughter Rachel live nearby,
and visited the park for its
grand opening.
We hadnt driven back
here so its been fun just to
see, Ziffer said. I didnt real-
ize they had that little covered
area and that there was so
much they were planning on
building here.
Its nice to see that theyre
doing something to keep
people here in Dunwoody in-
stead of driving up to Roswell
or into Virginia Highlands
or something, she added. I
think its great, personally.
BUSINESS
by Kathy Mitchell
kathym80@hotmail.com
One executive works in
Kentucky, another works
in North Carolina, and
they both had business that
brought them to the Atlanta
area for a day. Rather than
work from a hotel room,
the executives rented office
space at Decatur CoWorks.
This is an example of
the type of flexibility that
many people need today
and exactly the kind of
situation were set up to
accommodate, explained
co-owner Karla Finnegan
With todays technology,
many workers dont need a
traditional office, but they
occasionally need a space to
work or meet.
Decatur CoWorks offi-
cials describe the downtown
Decatur business as a place
for individuals or groups to
work, meet, share ideas and
resources and network. Its
owned by Karla Finnegan
and Kim Finnegan, who
also own next door Property
Works, a lease management
company for businesses
with multiple offices
The owners tell the story
of Decatur CoWorks on
their website, explaining
that early in 2013, the build-
ing next to theirs was of-
fered for sale.
Our business didnt
need an additional 8,000
square feet, but we didnt
want to pass up the oppor-
tunity to own the adjacent
property, They state so we
moved ahead with the pur-
chase and then started think-
ing about how we would
use the space. Somewhere
along the way, someone
mentioned a co-working
space. We had no idea what
co-working was so we
Googled it. The more we
learned, the more we were
convinced that this would be
a perfect solution. Our com-
pany could use extra space
when we needed it, wed
make a few dollars to help
pay the mortgage by offer-
ing work space to others,
and wed have the chance
to be more involved in our
awesome community.
Being involved in the
community, Karla ex-
plained, is important to De-
catur CoWorks. We want
to be thought of as a place
where small businesses and
nonprofits can get to know
one another, make connec-
tions and form collabora-
tions, she said, adding that
the company sometimes
makes space available for
nonprofit meetings free of
charge.
Decatur CoWorks of-
ficially introduced itself
to the community with a
grand opening open house
in late April. Decatur is a
perfect place for us, Karla
commented. It is the home
of lots of small businesses
and independent workers.
Our location is near a lot of
neat little restaurants where
people can go out to lunch
or get food to bring back to
our dining space.
Clients use their own
computers, but at Decatur
CoWorks they find Wi-Fi as
well as equipment to print,
fax, scan and copy. The
conference rooms have big
screen televisions that can
be used as monitors dur-
ing presentations, Karla
Finnegan said.
Typical clients are inde-
pendent contractors, small
businesses, nonprofits and
start-ups that prefer not
to sign long-term rental
agreements until they are
established, she said. Some,
she added, need a confer-
ence room or training space
from time to time. Also,
people who work at home
may need a place to meet
with clients, or they may
just need to get away from
distractions at home to focus
on a project.
Clients have choices that
range from renting space by
the day to being full-time
tenants with 24-hour-a-day,
seven-day-a-week access
with either a dedicated work
space or a private office
with several in-between op-
tions.
Some meeting areas
at Decatur CoWorks have
a stark all-business look;
other have a warm homey
feels. I know that this place
was a florist shop before
we bought it. Im not sure
what it was before, but this
part of Church Street was
once residential and many
of the buildings were private
homes years ago, Karla
said.
We can even envision
book clubs and small social
groups meeting here, she
said of the cozy living-
room-like space on the
Church Street side.

The Voice of Business in DeKalb County
DeKalb Chamber of Commerce
404.378.8000 www.DeKalbChamber.org
Two Decatur Town Center, 125 Clairemont Ave., Suite 235, Decatur, GA 30030
New downtown Decatur facility ofers occasional ofce options
STONE MOUNTAIN
VILLAGE
CITY-WIDE YARD SALE
922 Main St. behind Gazebo
Saturday, May 24
8:30 a.m. 3:00 p.m.
Setup begins 7:30 a.m. on
day of sale
For info call City Hall
770-498-8984
From left, Karla Finnegan greets guests at the April open house. Photos provided Visitors chat as they look over the newly available offce space.
Decatur CoWorks has open work stations, private offces, meeting and training rooms as
well as cozy meeting areas.
Potential clients mingle at Decatur CoWorks April open house.
EDUCATION
by Andrew Cauthen
Students at Indian Creek El-
ementary School were recognized
May 15 for playing games.
Its very serious math; dont let
the word game mislead you, said
Barbara Asteak, vice president of
Suntex International Inc., about the
students participation in First in
Math, an online, game-based math
program used by 1.5 million stu-
dents nationwide and 50,000 class-
rooms.
Children access the program
during their free time here at school,
from home, the public libraryany-
where they have Internet access,
Asteak said.
Kids start through a progression
of games and gradually build their
skills, Asteak said. They just push
themselves. The teachers are great
cheerleaders, but this is all effort-
based for the students.
Here in DeKalb County, the
children correctly solved over 93
million math problems on the First
in Math site, for an average of 1,665
problems per student.
Students cumulatively solved 4
million math problems in this lovely
little elementary school, for an aver-
age of 5,000 math problems per stu-
dents, Asteak said.
As a result, scores of students
received various awards May 15
during the schools year-end awards
program.
They are the No. 1 team in all of
Georgia, the No. 1 team out of over
8,500 classrooms around the state,
Asteak said. They are also the No.
4 team in the U.S.A. out of 58,000
teams. Its totally phenomenal.
The school also has the No. 2
fourth-grade team in Georgia.
Precieux Vangu was recognized
for being the No. 1 player in Georgia
and the No. 35 fifth-grade player
out of 225,000 fifth-graders in the
country.
Its absolutely astounding the
excellence thats going on in this
school, Asteak said. You might
drive past this school and you would
never even in a million years believe
the excellence thats going on here.
Joining Precieux in the Top 10
at the school are: Mee Meh, Jason
Lian, Prae Mo, Rachel (surname
not provided), Wille Lian, Zo Boi,
Ra Ju, Rozalind Boilu and Merdi
Mbuangi.
At Indian Creek Elementary,
which ranks No. 3 in the state, there
are 819 active students participat-
ing. This is the first year that Indian
Creek Elementary has used the pro-
gram, said Principal Dr. Antoinette
Campbell.
It has helped our students to
build math fluency and automatic-
ity, Campbell said. Our students
have really responded well to the
program. They really like it. They
are learning, but at the same time its
fun. I dont even think they realize
that they are actually learning at the
same time.
The competition is also a motiva-
tor for the students, Campbell said.
Theyre constantly talking about
how many points they have, she
said. Its a healthy competition be-
tween classes. This has been really
exciting for our students.
Math games add up to serious fun
NOTICE OF PROPERTY TAX HEARING

The Mayor and the Atlanta City Council will
adopt a millage rate which will require no tax
increase.
All concerned citizens are invited to the public
hearings to be held at the Atlanta City Hall
Complex, 55 Trinity Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia in
the City Council Chambers located on the
Second Floor on Thursday, May 29, 2014 at
11:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

See Wrestling on page 19A
Pet
of the
Week
Bishop
Bishop (ID#: 22549648) is a big, sweet boy who loves to rest his giant head on your knee. Most people who meet him
are immediately taken with his beautiful eyes - he has one brown and one blue. Bishop, however, is not just a pretty face.
He is also a smart boy who already knows how to sit on command and gets along with other dogs. Come meet him at the
shelter or for more information please call (404) 294-2165 or email adoption@dekalbanimalservices.com.
The adoptions number: (404) 294-2165 For adoption inquiries: adoption@dekalbanimalservices.com
For rescue inquiries: rescue@dekalbanimalservices.com
For volunteer and foster inquiries: volunteer@dekalbanimalservices.com
From left, Indian Creek Elementarys Top 5 math students (in descending order) include Rachel, Prae Mo, Jason Lian, Mee Meh and
Precieux Vangu. Photo by Andrew Cauthen
EDUCATION
A passion for science:
Four Ochiobi siblings graduate from GPC together
by Bill Roa
They are not quadruplets.
But when the graduate roll was
called on May 12, during Georgia
Perimeter Colleges (GPC) com-
mencement ceremony, the name
Ochiobi was said four times in a
row.
Thats because David, 26, Grace,
24, Darlene, 22 and Gift, 19, all
received an associate of science de-
gree from GPC. The four siblings all
majored in biology, and all gradu-
ated with honors. They all have
been accepted into the University of
Georgia.
Nigerian by birth, the four stu-
dents came to the United States in
2010 to be with their mother, who
lives in Marietta. They are all per-
manent residents of Georgia.
While they came to the U.S. for
a change of environment, the four
came to GPC because of its reputa-
tion as a good school where they
could get individualized attention
from the teachers, David said. They
took classes on the Clarkston cam-
pus.
Gift, the youngest sibling, had
not completed high school when
she came to the United States. That
didnt stop her, she said. After some
preliminary testing, she took the
GED, passing at age 16. She was
then able to join her brother and
two sisters when they enrolled at
Georgia Perimeter in 2011.
The foursome studied together
and often rode to school together
when their schedules allowed. And
like many siblings, they competed
with one anotherin their case, for
the highest GPA, which ranges from
3.5 to 3.8.
We had a friend who came here,
and we asked how long [our associ-
ate degree] should takeshe said
two years, and we said, OK, how
do we do this? Darlene said. We
sometimes have taken up to 22 cred-
it hours a semesterand 90 percent
of those classes were science. It was
crazy.
In between classes, the siblings
often tutored others in the colleges
math, engineering and science lab.
Grace also worked as a supplemen-
tal instructor for a chemistry course.
And they all became involved in the
National Science Foundation-fund-
ed Science, Technology, Engineering
and Mathematics Talent Expansion
Program, as well as the colleges
Math Engineering, Science Achieve-
ment program. These science-fo-
cused programs encourage students
to apply for undergraduate research
positions at four-year universities.
This summer the siblings will be
undergraduate researchers: Grace
and David will work at Georgia State
University, while Darlene and Gift
will do separate research projects at
Emory University.
While the Ochiobis did not have
anyone in their family involved in
a science field, their dedication to
science was inspired by the famous
physician, Dr. Ben Carson, David
said.
When youre from my place
[in Nigeria], there are not enough
family practitioners. There are fake
drugs and there is malaria. You
want to help; you wonder how you
can help, said David, who hopes to
pursue his medical degree after un-
dergraduate studies at UGA, as does
Gift. Grace and Darlene hope to
work in the pharmacology field.
From left, The Ochiobi siblingsDarlene, Gift, Grace and David (seated)graduated from Georgia Perimeter College on May 12 and are headed to the University of Georgia. Photo by Bill
Roa
LOCAL NEWS
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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 not bona-fide 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.
The Champion is not responsible for any damages resulting from advertisements. All sales fnal.
RATES: $30.00 for up to 40 words, each additional word $0.60.
All ads are prepaid! All Major credit cards accepted!
For Prices, Deadlines and Information
Visit www.championclassifeds.com
Classifieds
TheChampion
Ads Due By Friday - Noon
for next publication date.
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Hands on training for career opportunites in
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House for rent 3 bed/2
bath. $900 per month. Sec.
8 okay. Call 404-234-9145
LOST & FOUND
Please help find large
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SPORTS
Marist, St. Pius win
tennis state titles
REPORT OF STONE MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT
DISTRICT OF PROPOSED MILLAGE RATE

In compliance with O.C.G.A. 48-5, the Stone Mountain Community Improvement
District (CID) reports that at its meeting on June 10, 2014, beginning at 7:30 A.M. at
the Pierre Construction Group, 1677 Lewis Way, Stone Mountain, DeKalb County,
Georgia 30083, the Stone Mountain CID Board of Directors will vote upon a proposal to
levy an ad valorem taxation rate of 5 mills, and will set its millage rate for the lawful
purposes of the District for the current calendar year. Set forth below are the assessed
taxable values of the properties subject to taxes for the current year and the immediately
preceding three calendar years, the total dollar amount of ad valorem taxes proposed to
be levied for the current year and levied in the immediately preceding three calendar
years, as well as the percentage and dollar increases or decreases with respect to each
immediately preceding calendar year. All property levied upon is real property.
Because this CID was created in 2011, there are only three preceding years of assessed
taxable values, taxes, and changes to report.
Assessed Value Taxes Levied % Change $ Change
2011 $99,233,165 $496,165 100% $ 496,165

2012 $95,086,670 $475,433 - 4% - $20,732

2013 $125,777,273 $628,886 32% $ 153,453

2014proposed $133,865,607 $669,328 6% $ 40,442
J. Lynn Rainey, PC, 358 Roswell Street, Suite 1130, Marietta, Georgia 30060;
(770) 421-6040: Attorney for CID - State Bar No. 592350
by Carla Parker
It was a sweep for the
Marist tennis program as
both boys and girls teams
won the Class AAAA state
tennis title May 10.
Marist boys won their
14th state title in school
history with a 3-1 win
over River Ridge. The no.
2 doubles team of Eric
Thompson and Chris Ber-
tasi clinched the title for the
War Eagles with a 6-4, 4-7,
7-5 win over River Ridges
Gabe Mims and Matt Pol-
ley. Thompson said it was
the fans who helped him
and Bertasi get the win.
We got a lot of energy
from the crowd, Thomp-
sons said. They really
pumped us up.
Marist also got wins in
the No. 1 doubles as Chase
Krouskos and Grant Kelly
defeated Gray Chumley
and A.J. Joyner 6-0, 6-0;
and at No. 2 singles as Jef-
ferson Dockter knocked
off Clay McIntyre 6-2, 6-3.
River Ridges only match
win came in the No. 1 sin-
gles where Ben Van Hout
defeated Kyle Ferrer 6-3,
6-4.
The Marist Lady War
Eagles won their fourth
title in five years with a
3-0 win over Columbus.
Marists Jenna Kane de-
feated Columbus Madelyn
Bell 6-3, 6-0 in the No. 1
singles match, and Eliza-
beth Gould beat Columbus
Maddison Abell 6-0, 6-0 in
the No. 2 singles matchup.
Marist clinched the title
when the No. 2 doubles
team of Leigh Peters and
Anna Swensen defeated
Akshaya Shan and Kate
Mize of Columbus 6-0, 6-1.
St. Pius boys were cham-
pions as well after beating
Woodward 3-2 to claim the
Class AAA title. It was St.
Pius first title in 10 years
and fifth title in program
history.
by Carla Parker
St. Pius boys and girls soccer swept the
AAA championship for the second consecu-
tive season May 17.
No. 1-ranked St. Pius defeated Oconee
County 2-0 for the title. It is the third win in
the past four seasons for the Golden Lions.
The lady Golden Lions, who are also
ranked no. 1 in the state, won their fifth title
in six years after defeating Blessed Trinity
1-0.
The No. 1-ranked Marist girls soccer
team won its second consecutive AAAA
State Championship after defeating the Vet-
eran 3-0. The team finished the 2014 season
with a 22-0-1 record for retiring head coach
Sergio Stadler.
Golf
The Marist boys golf team won its third
consecutive AAAA state title May 19 by 10
strokes over second-place finisher Colum-
bus with a score of 296-306. The team was
led by tournament low medalist winner
Jack Larkin, who shot a 69. Other top 20
finishers included Will Chandler (5th73),
Will Duma (8th76) and Kevin Jackson
(17th78).
St. Pius golfer Christopher Harris
earned AAA golf state championship low
medalist honors with a score of 69, tying
his personal best. The St. Pius boys team
finished third overall with a score of 307,
five strokes behind state champions North
Oconee.
St. Pius sweeps, Marist
girls win soccer state title
The Champion chooses a male and female high school Athlete of the Week each week
throughout the school year. The choices are based on performance and nominations by coach-
es. Please email nominations to carla@dekalbchamp.com by Monday at noon.
MALE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Jack Larkin, Marist (golf): The senior shot a 69 to lead his team to its third consecutive
Class AAAA state golf title May 19. Larkin was also earned low medalist honors.
FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Grace May, St. Pius (soccer): The senior forward kicked the only goal in the champion-
ship game to lead her team to a 1-0 win over Blessed Trinity for the Class AAA girls soccer
state title.
Marist boys and girls tennis teams swept the Class AAAA tennis
championship.
St. Pius defeated Woodward 3-2 to claim the Class AAA title.
SPORTS
DeKalb alums sign with NFL teams
NOTICEOFPUBLICHEARING
TheMayorandCityCounciloftheCityofChamblee,Georgiawillholdapublichearingat6:00p.m.onThursday,
June12,2014attheChambleeCivicCenter,3540BroadStreet,Chamblee,GA30341toreceivepubliccomments
regardingthefollowingmatters:
MargaretTaylor,representingDryadsDancing,Inc.requestsvariancesfromthefollowingprovisionsoftheCityof
ChambleeCodeofOrdinances,AppendixA,ZoningOrdinanceinordertobuildaparkinglotonaparceloflandthatis
zonedLightIndustrial(I)consistingof0.65acrelocatedat5655PeachtreeRoadbeingTaxParcel1830903016:
Section902.A.:Publicsidewalksshallbelocatedalongbothsidesofallstreetsandshallhaveminimumwidthsas
specifiedinthestreettypedimensionstable.Sidewalksshallconsistoftwozones:alandscapezoneanda
sidewalkclearzone.
Section902.C.2.:Sidewalkclearzonerequirement.Saidzoneshallbehardscapeandshallbeunobstructedfora
minimumheightofeightfeet.Specialpavingwithinthesidewalkclearzoneshallbepermittedonlyasapproved
bythecityplanner.
Section902.D.1.:Streettreesarerequiredandshallbeplantedinthegroundamaximumofof50feetoncenter
orgrouped120feetoncenterwithinthelandscapezoneandspacedequaldistancebetweenstreetlights.
Section902.D.9.:Streetlightsorpedestrianlightsinthelandscapezoneshallbespacedequidistantbetweenall
requiredstreettrees.
Section1201.A.1.:Offstreetsurfaceparkingshallnotbebetweenabuildingandthestreetwithoutan
interveningbuilding.
Section1201.A.3.:Surfacing,drainageandlighting.Alloffstreetparkingspaces,accessandinteriordriveways
shallbeprovidedwithapaved,dustfreesurface.Iftheoffstreetparkingfacilitiesareusedatnight,theyshallbe
properlyilluminatedforthesafetyofpedestrians,vehiclesandforsecurity.
Section1203.D.:Thetotalnumberofpermittedparkingspacesshallnotexceed110percentoftheminimum
numberofoffstreetparkingspacesrequiredbytypeofpermitteduse.
Section1205.A.:Thereshallbeonelandscapeislandforeverytenparkingspacesandsuchislandshallbeplanted
withanoverstorytree.
Section1402.A.:Minimumlandscapestripdimensionsforfrontyardsalongthestreetfrontageforeachlotin
anyzoningdistrictshallbetenfeet.
Section1403.A.:Whereparkinglotsexceed15continuousspaces,aplanterislandmeetingthefollowingcriteria
isrequired.Theplantingislandsshallbelocatednofartherapartthaneverytenparkingspacesandatthe
terminusofallrowsofparking.
by Carla Parker
The NFL draft went
by May 8-10 without any
DeKalb County alumni be-
ing drafted by a team, but
a few players did sign with
teams as undrafted free
agents.
So far, five players from
DeKalb County schools have
signed as undrafted free
agents and have joined their
new teams for rookie camps,
which began May 15, to
compete for a roster spot.
Just as they usually do
during National Signing
Day, the Stephenson Jaguars
led the pack with three for-
mer players signing on with
NFL teams.
Kenny Ladler, a 2010
graduate, signed with the
Buffalo Bills.
Ladlera 6-foot-1,
205-pound safetyfinished
his college career at Vander-
bilt University with 183 solo
tackles, 277 total tackles, 11
tackles for loss, nine inter-
ceptions and seven forced
fumbles in 39 starts.
During his senior year, he
led the SEC, ranked among
NCAA leaders with five
forced fumbles, and ranked
third in the conference with
a team-high five intercep-
tions. Ladler also finished
the year third in the league
with 65 solo tackles and tied
for the team high with 91
total tackles.
During his senior year at
Stephenson, Ladler had 80
tackles, 45 solo tackles, four
interceptions and a forced
fumble. He also scored on
a punt return, an intercep-
tion return and on a blocked
punt.
Tyrone Cornelius, a 2010
Stephenson graduate, was
invited for a tryout with the
Washington Redskins dur-
ing their rookie camp.
The 6-foot-2, 225-pound
linebacker finished his se-
nior year at the University
of Miami (Fla.) with 41 total
tackles (27 solo), one sack
and one pass deflection.
Before the draft, Ste-
phenson alum Marcus Ball
signed a three-year contract
with the New Orleans Saints
April 2.
The 2006 graduate played
two seasons with the To-
ronto Argonauts of the Ca-
nadian Football League after
finishing his college career at
the University of Memphis.
In two seasons with Toronto,
he recorded 142 tackles, sev-
en sacks, four interceptions
(two returned for touch-
downs) and three fumble
recoveries. In 2013, Ball had
69 tackles, four sacks and
three interceptions.
The 6-foot-1, 209-pound
safety, recorded 66 tackles
(35 solo) and two intercep-
tions as a senior in 2010
with Memphis. Ball started
his career at Florida State
where he appeared in 13
games in 2006 and 2007 and
then transferred to Memphis
after playing the 2008 season
at Pearl River (Miss.) Com-
munity College.
Ball was joined by Tucker
alum Seantavius Jones, who
signed with New Orleans as
an undrafted free agent.
Jones, who graduated
from Tucker in 2010, fin-
ished his college career at
Valdosta State with 2,345 all-
purpose yards. The 6-foot-3,
200-pound wide receiver
finished his senior year with
55 receptions, 777 receiving
yards and 13 touchdowns.
He also had 75 yards on kick
returns.
Miller Grove 2009 gradu-
ate Kenneth Gilstrap ac-
cepted an invitation to the
Baltimore Ravens rookie
mini-camp May 11.
In his 46-game career
(28 starts) at Middle Ten-
nessee State, the 5-foot-9,
185-pound cornerback, re-
corded 125 tackles and three
interceptions. He led Middle
Tennessee State with seven
pass breakups as a senior.
Gilstrap was also a confer-
ence champion 55-meter
sprinter on the track team.
PUBLICNOTICE
TheDowntownDevelopmentAuthorityoftheCityof
ChambleewillmeetthefourthTuesdayofeachmonthat6:00
pm.
BeginningMay27,2014themeetingswillbeheldinthe
conferenceroomattheChambleeChamber,5382Peachtree
Road,Chamblee,GA30341.Meetingagendasandminutescan
befoundontheCityofChambleewebsiteat
www.chambleega.com.
Stop
bullying
now
stand up speak out
Ball
Ladler
Jones Gilstrap
SPORTS
Decatur Bulldogs
Cedar Grove improves depth
chart for 2014 football season
TUCKER TIGERS
by Carla Parker
The 2013 season for the
Cedar Grove Saints football
team ended on a higher
note than previous seasons
with the team winning its
first playoff game since
2010.
The team is heading
into its second season un-
der head coach Jermaine
Smith and after its spring
game on May 16, Smith saw
a few things from his team
that can help them improve
over last season.
The good thing is we
created a lot of depth,
Smith said. Last year we
didnt have as much depth
as we needed, but I think
the [players] did a good job
competing and improving.
The Saints finished last
season with a 7-5 record,
fourth in region 6-AAA,
and fell to Ringgold 37-12
in the second round of the
playoffs. The offense fin-
ished second in the county
last season with an average
of 377.9 yards per game.
Cedar Grove averaged
164.8 passing yards per
game, with James Harts-
field leading the team and
county with a 68.9 comple-
tion percentage. Hartsfield,
a returning senior, finished
last season with 1,800 pass-
ing yards, 17 touchdowns
and three interceptions.
Smith said his offense
will throw the ball around
a good bit next season.
The biggest thing to
me is to find what the other
teams weakness is and ex-
ploit it, he said. We have
to find what our strength is
and try to use it.
One of Cedar Groves
strengths last season was
running the ball. The Saints
were one of the top rushing
teams in the county with
213.1 rushing yards per
game and 8.1 yards per at-
tempt. Graduating senior
Deion Sellers led the coun-
ty in total yards (1,516) and
average yards per game
(151.6).
Smith said it will be
hard to replace a player
like Sellers, but he liked
what he saw in the group of
running backs during the
spring game.
They looked pretty
good, he said. Replacing
Deion is impossible but
weve got two good running
backs that can do some of
the things Deion can do.
Together theyll be alright.
Running back Labron
Morris, a returning junior,
finished the 2013 season
with 176 yards and three
touchdowns. Dennis
Miller, a returning senior,
had 50 total yards with 7.1
yards per rushing attempt
last season.
The Saints will have to
replace some starters on
defense as well, specifically
in the secondary. During
the spring game, some of
the defensive backs were
looking around too much
and not paying attention to
the play. Smith said that is
something that can be fixed
before the season starts, he
added.
Weve just got to keep
coaching them up, Smith
said. Weve got some good
athletes back there and they
are improving. I think we
just have to work on our
technique and continue to
work on it. Well be alright.
Cedar High School football fans got an opportunity to see what the 2014 football team will look like during
a spring game May 16. Photos by Carla Parker
The Tucker Tigers held their
spring football game May
17 at Fitzgerald Field in
Tucker. The Tigers face new
competition this season as
they move from Region 5A to
6A. Photos by Travis Hudgons
LOCAL NEWS

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