Professional Documents
Culture Documents
FREEPRESS
From left, DeKalb Superior Court Judge Asha Jackson leads the swearing in ceremony of five of the six new DeKalb school board members: Thaddeus Mayfield, Michael Erwin, David Campbell, Karen Carter and John Coleman. Story on Page 10A. Photo by Andrew Cauthen
The mother of a 5-year-old student at Marbut Elementary School said she was overwhelmed by the help she received from the Chamblee-based Assistance League of Atlanta. I must say I was reluctant to ask the counselors at Marbut Elementary for help, the mother stated in a letter to the nonprofit. I just knew the items being donated would be used itemsto my surpriseit was a bag of brand new clothes. I am moved to tears because my 8-year-old has necessities and wants provided by his father and his mother but my 5-year-old is not so fortunate from his fathers side, she wrote. It reflected in his response, the feeling of having new clothes. Thank you, thank you for helping my family. In 1982, the Assistance League of Atlanta chapter (ALA) was formed by a group of 34 women. In the early years, ALA members sold crafts made by senior citizens at malls and outdoor markets. After 30 years, ALA has grown into an organization with more than 250 member volunteers who logged an estimated total of 180,000 volunteer hours in the past four years. The Atlanta chapter is housed in a 13,000-square-foot facility
HAPPY ?
Because she gets her news updates online from the The Champi completed in August 2000. The volAngeles in the early 1900s and today Its just a phenomenal organizashe gets herhas news updates onlinenationwide from the The unteers raised $1.3 Because million in three 26,000 members do-Champion. tion, said Ingrid Jarvis, president Because she gets her nating news updates online from the The Champion. years to pay for the building. more than 2.6 million volunof the Atlanta chapter. The national Assistance League teer hours and $36 million yearly to www.facebook.com/championnewspaper See Assistance on Page 15A organization was established in Los local communities.
Ingrid Jarvis, president of the Assistance League of Atlanta, shows off the nonprofits Attic Treasures Thrift Shop which raises funds to support various needs-based programs. Photo by Andrew Cauthen
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LOCAL NEWS
uavondale Estates
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breast exam education and a screening mammogram. Its The Journey Inc. is a charitable organization that serves Georgias breast cancer community by raising money and awareness for screening, early detection and support services through its 2-Day Walk and other events throughout the year. The Atlanta 2-Day Walk for Breast Cancer is a 30-mile, two-day walk to raise money and awareness for Georgia breast cancer programs. For 10 years, the 2-Day Walk has generated almost $9 million to fund 188 grants, assisting programs in Georgia that help provide breast cancer screening, awareness, education, diagnosis, treatment, and much more. This years walk will be held Oct. 5-6. To register for the 2-Day Walk, visit www.2daywalk.org.
PET WEEK
of the
Name: Brooklyn Adult Vaccinated & heartworm negative Spayed Has a $250 training package at Frogs to Dogs Brooklyn is a gorgeous, fun loving girl looking for someone ready to play! She knows her basic commands sit and touch and she would probably excel in agility classes; she is very smart. She has lots of puppy energy, but once she gets her wiggles out she is ready for cuddles - especially big sloppy kisses and tummy rubs. She is sponsored by the Paideia High School Homeless Pets Club. Please come see Brooklyn; she would love to be your forever companion and snuggle up with you.
Reserve your advertising space now to show support of 75 years of service to the business community of DeKalb.
Dekalb County Animal Shelter
If interested in adopting Brooklyn, send an email to both addresses below for a prompt reply
Deadline for ad placement and payment is Friday, April 19, 2013. Publication date is May 2013!
To place your ad, contact John or Louise at The Champion Newspaper!
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News Briefs
DeKalb County prosecutors and the public defender of a Decatur man charged with raping three women and assaulting two others in 2011 began selecting a jury March 18. Gary Mincey, 36, of Decatur, was indicted by a grand jury on three counts of rape, two counts of aggravated assault, four counts of armed robbery, five counts of false imprisonment, two counts of aggravated sexual battery and one count each of burglary, robbery and aggravated sodomy. Mincey allegedly stalked his victims at a Publix grocery store and at nightclubs, according to the county district attorneys office. According to the indict-
ment, Mincey assaulted or raped five women between Oct. 16 and Nov. 29, 2011, robbing them of money, jewelry, keys, cell phones and other electronics. Mincey allegedly used a knife, Taser or handgun in each of the crimes. At a bond hearing, DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Gail Flake said he posed a threat to the community and denied his bond. He has remained in DeKalb County jail since his arrest.
dated 16-count indictment. In the new indictment filed Feb. 19, Sneiderman is charged with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, hindering the apprehension of a criminal, concealment of material facts, four counts of making false statements and seven counts of perjury. Prosecutors allege Sneiderman and her former boss Hemy Neuman plotted to kill her husband, Rusty Sneiderman. Neuman later admitted to shooting Rusty Sneiderman in front of a Dunwoody day care center and was convicted of his murder; he is now serving life in prison without parole. According to prosecutors, Andrea Sneiderman was having an affair with Neuman. DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Gregory
Adams has set a date of July 29 to begin jury selection for Sneidermans trial, which is expected to last more than a month.
county, Strickland Luse was the chief of staff for Atlanta City Councilmember Aaron Watson; principal of J. Strickland Communications Co. and state press secretary for the Al Gore/Joe Lieberman presidential campaign in Pennsylvania. Strickland Luse began her career as a broadcast journalist. She was a television news assignment editor and radio news reporter in Atlanta and a news anchorwoman in Huntsville, Ala. Over the past six months, Ellis has made several leadership appointments including Police Chief Cedric Alexander, who starts April 1; Deputy Chief Operating Officer Luz Borrero; Chief of Staff Hakim Hilliard; Chief Information Officer John Matalski; and Chief Operating Officer Zachery Williams.
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The Newslady
OPINION
OPINION
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A fresh slate
carried virtually no debt as recently as a decade ago. We are far from there now. An impressive and wide range of experience and resumes comprise this new board. Ages from 31 to 61, spanning from Generation X to the Baby Boom, parents with current and former students in DeKalb schools, DCSD alumni The beginning is always and several previously active today.Mary Shelley (1797within their neighborhood schools 1851), English novelist, best or civic associations also working known for creating Frankenstein as to strengthen public education in well as being the wife of romantic DeKalb County. poet Percy Shelley. As a near lifelong resident of DeKalb, I was surprised to see Though its not exactly the and learn that I barely knew any dawn of a new era, our DeKalb of these volunteers putting their County School District (DCSD) shoulders up against such a chalstarts this week with a new and lenging grindstone. And though complete school board, as well as a this six largely matched the demofreshly minted, though experienced graphic composition of the group leader, serving as school system they replace, their experiences are superintendent. It has been awhile not identical. Degrees from Harsince many have felt able to say vard, multiple post-secondary and this, but with this fresh slate and a handful of Ph.Ds, a wealth of start, comes again, hope. business experience and the majorHope for focus on the classity have other gainful employment, room, hope for adults acting like and will not be living off of their adults and focusing on the busimodest wages from serving on this ness of educating our children, board. and hope for a new day in public Time will tell if this group can education instead of endless waitjell, and if along with the three ing for the next shoe to drop. And surviving and newly elected trio, given the nearly $1 billion in tax sworn in during January, if and resources collected annually by when they individually disagree, this system, hopefully tighter man- can they still be agreeable. In a agement will turn todays deficits high performing team, disagreeinto tomorrows surpluses. The ments and dissent still occurs, but DeKalb County School District the work and results of the collec-
tive typically outshine the results from individuals. Picture the Atlanta Falcons of 2012, versus the expansion Falcons of so many long and losing seasons. In interim Superintendent Michael Thurmond, this new board has a proven leader, with a track record of meeting challenging situations, finding a better path, and leading teams in the right direction. He did that with the Georgia Department of Family and Children Services and later at the Georgia Department of Labor, and he can do it again with the DCSD. There is no perfect governmental body, appointed or elected. Part of the beauty of our system is its built on an adversarial model, with separation of powers, multiple political parties and points of view and all formed on a bedrock of civility and the rule of law. High performing groups early on define their strategic mission, focus on their priorities and agreed group agenda, and work toward those critical missions. Individual board members may have individual concerns, and will certainly respond to constituents in their districts, but those interests should always be superseded by the desire to improve classroom performance and student outcomes first. For decades, the DeKalb school system led the state in standardized test scores, graduation rates, athletics and numerous other benchmarks
of excellence. That level of performance continued through the early 1990s, despite White flight, significant growth of private schools and the almost overnight explosion of the Gwinnett County school system, helmed by a former senior DeKalb schools administrator. Our greatest hope is to help the DeKalb County School District find its way back to being one of the highest performing school systems in the southeastern United States. That was still possible as late as the 1990s and it remains possible today, said Mark Elgart, president and CEO, AdvancEd, the parent organization of Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. I dont know about the rest of you, but lets get behind this new board and superintendent and help them retain our full system accreditation as well as build back excellence into the day-to-day reality of our DeKalb County Schools. Ill be looking for you at the next PTA meeting. Bill Crane also serves as a political analyst and commentator for Channel 2s Action News, WSBAM News/Talk 750 and now 95.5 FM, as well as a columnist 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.
FREEPRESS
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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 verication. All letters will be considered for publication.
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Publisher: Dr. Earl D. Glenn Managing Editor: Kathy Mitchell News Editor: Andrew Cauthen Production Manager: Kemesha Hunt Graphic Designer: Travis Hudgons The Champion Free Press is published each Friday by ACE III Communications, Inc., 114 New Street, Suite E, Decatur, GA. 30030 Phone (404) 373-7779.
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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.
COMMUNITY
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craig durkin
Community Church in Poncey-Highlands and theyve got a ton of Latino dudes and every time they get hot peppers the guys just love it, so we figured wed grow some peppers on the farm, Durkin said. Nearly five years ago, Durkin and Daniels founded Concrete Jungle, an organization that collects the forgotten fruit and vegetables in metro Atlanta and donates all of the produce picked on its excursions to local homeless shelters and food banks. Since its inception the organization has donated more than 10,000 pounds of fresh fruit and vegetables. Eight years ago, Durkin and his friends began holding a ciderfest each year after noticing the large amount of unused apples growing all over Atlanta. He and his friends would turn all of the unused apples into
Craig Durkin is an engineer who works for a nanotechnology company but on weekends he spends most of his time on the farm. Durkin, along with friends Aubrey Daniels, Katherine Kennedy and Robby Astrove have started Doghead Farms, located in the Sylvan Hills neighborhood of Southwest Atlanta, to serve the food needs of metro Atlanta homeless shelters and food banks. One of the places we donate a lot to is Mercy
fresh cider and throw a party outdoors. This years cider festival was held at the Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve. After several years of holding the festival, Durkin said the scale of fresh produce going to waste in Atlanta became apparent, and Concrete Jungle was born. Durkin said he and his friends began donating the produce to various places in Metro Atlanta during this time they realized all of the other fruits and vegetables growing in the city and going to waste. In addition to organizing picks and working on the farm, Concrete Jungle maintains a website that contains an updated map documenting food sources in metro Atlanta. The map contains edible plants on public and private property. We still find something new every year, Durkin said.
if you would like to nominate someone to be considered as a future champion of the week, please contact Kathy Mitchell at kathy@dekalbchamp.com or at (404) 373-7779, ext. 104.
COMMUNITY
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atLaNta
aRouNdDEKALB
Club. Awards will be given out for Best Costume, Best Owner/Dog Duo, Most Spirited/Enthusiastic, and Best Behaved. Onsite registration and check in is from 9:30-10:30 a.m. and the hour-long parade will begin at 10:45 a.m. For more information, contact Keri Stevens at (404) 294-5400 or kstevens@ avondaleestates.org. performances. The price to attend the conference is $50; for GPC students with ID, $5; students at other institutions, $15; and $20 for conference presenters. For more information, visit http://depts.gpc. edu/~gpcdiver/GeorgiaWomensConference.htm.
Community chorus to perform at Emory Collegium Vocale community chorus, under the direction of Kevin Hibbard, will perform Britten and Brogue, featuring Benjamin Brittens Festival Te Deum, songs of the British Isles, and more. Leanne Herrmann will accompany the chorus on piano. The performance will be held Saturday, March 23, at 8 p.m., at Glenn Memorial Auditorium, 1652 North Decatur Road, Atlanta, on the Emory University campus. Hibbard will give a pre-concert talk at 7:30 p.m. Special guests will be the Greater Atlanta Girls Choir, featuring Jenny Rawson, artistic and tour choir director; Eryn Sandhage, apprentice choir director; and Linda McKenzie, accompanist. Ticket prices are $20 for adults and $15 for seniors and students. Admission is free for children younger than 12. Tickets can be purchased at the door, or from chorus members at a discount before the performance. Collegium Vocale is a select nonprofit community chorus made up of approximately 65 experienced singers from throughout metro Atlanta. The group performs a variety of secular and sacred choral literature from the Renaissance to the 21st century. Repertoire ranges from short, a cappella pieces to major works with orchestra. For more information, visit www.cvchorus.org. Callanwolde Concert Band to perform Callanwolde Concert Band recently announced the third concert in the 41st season. The concert will be Sunday, March 24, at 3 p.m. at the Callanwolde Fine Arts Center. Raymond Handfield is the bands music director. Selections on this French-themed program include Scenes from the Louvre by Norman Dello Joio, Parisian Sketches by Martin Ellerby, and the Overture to Offenbachs operetta La Belle Helene, among other favorites with a French air. The band, a community organization for more than 40 years, is DeKalb Countys premier symphonic wind ensemble. Admission to this concert is $10; admission for students, seniors, and Atlanta Artscard and Atlanta Planit members is $5. Callanwolde Fine Arts Center is located at 980 Briarcliff Road, Atlanta. Further information about the band is available at its web site, www.calcb.org.
BRooKHaVeN
Extension expert to teach gardening in small spaces Sarah Brodd from the UGA Cooperative Extension will help kick off spring with gardening ideas at her seminar Container Gardening for Small Spaces at the Brookhaven Library. Do you love to garden, but dont have a large space? Gardening can be done in the smallest of places. All you need are some containers to grow your favorite vegetables, fruits and plants. You can turn your porch, deck, or small yard into the perfect gardening space. We will show you everything you need to get started, an announcement from the library states. The session is Wednesday, March 27, 3-4 p.m. The Brookhaven Library is located at 1242 N. Druid Hills Road, NE, Atlanta. For more information, call (404) 848-7140.
decatuR
Author to discuss book inspired by blog posts Those who enjoyed the Decatur Librarys program last spring with Austin Kleon and his book Steal Like An Artist may be interested in attending an upcoming session with the author of a book in the same vein. How To Be Interesting by illustrator and writer Jessica Hagy was inspired by a blog post that attracted 1.4 million viewers, according to the library. How To Be Interesting is a how-to book that combines quirky text with Hagys famous diagrams. Hagy is best known for her Webby Award-winning blog Indexed and cartoons that regularly appear in the The New York Times, the announcement from the library states. Hagy also writes a weekly blog for Smithsonian and an online column for Forbes. The event is Wednesday, March 27, 7:15-9 p.m. The Decatur Library is located at 215 Sycamore Street, Decatur. For more information, call (404) 370-3070. Class to focus on email basics A class in email basics will be taught at the Flat Shoals Library Tuesday, March 26, 2-3:30 p.m. Participants will be taught how to set up a web-based account, send messages and attachments. Mouse, typing skills and some internet experience required. Registration is required and is now under way. Flat Shoals Library is located at 4022 Flat Shoals Pkwy., Decatur. For more information, call (404) 244-4370. Creative writing group to meet A creative writing group will hold its March meeting Tuesday, March 26, 6:308:30 p.m., at the Wesley Chapel-William C. Brown Library. Aspiring writers have the opportunity to share their work and network. Sessions are held every other month on the last Tuesday, except on holidays. Wesley Chapel-William C. Brown Library is located at 2861 Wesley Chapel Road, Decatur. For more information, call (404) 286-6980. History Center to host annual meeting, silent auction The DeKalb History Center will host its annual meeting and silent auction Friday, March 22, 6-8 p.m. Attendees can enjoy an evening of wine, beer, hors doeuvres and music while bidding on items donated by local businesses. Silent auction packages may include event tickets, golf, dinner certificates, art, jewelry, hotel stays, special tours, books, professional services, childrens activities,
fitness opportunities and more. This annual fundraiser features food from Avenue Catering, Badda Bing, Black Tie Catering, Endive Fine Catering, LowCountry Barbecue, Sawickis, Soiree Catering, Sun in My Belly and Zest Atlanta. Dcor or services provided by After Five String Quartet, Alecia Lauren Photography, BASH Atlanta, Bloom Floral Design, Eagle Rock, One Sound and Entertainment, The Plant Peddler, PPi and Zest Atlanta. The fundraiser is free and open to the public and will be held at the Historic DeKalb Courthouse, 101 E. Court Square, Decatur. To donate to the silent auction, contact Leslie at borger@dekalbhistory. org. Lupus support group to host community forum Commissioner Larry Johnson and the Lupus And Community Empowering Support Group (LACES) will host a community forum Saturday, March 23, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Exchange Park Intergenerational Center located at 2771 Columbia Drive, Decatur. Currently 55,000 Georgians live with or are impacted by Lupus. Lupus is an unpredictable, misunderstood and potentially fatal autoimmune disease in which the immune system is out of balance, potentially causing damage to any organ system in the body. Lupus is difficult to diagnose, hard to live with and a challenge to treat. Lupus affects mostly women aged 18-45, but also men, children and women of all ages, according to a statement about the event. The forum guest speaker is Dr. Gary Botstein, a rheumatologist in DeKalb County. The forum is open to the public and is an opportunity to connect with others, learn healthy skills for living and coping with Lupus. For more information contact the Georgia Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America (770) 333-5930. LACES is a patient resource and advocacy organization that collaborates with other health organizations to promote lupus research, awareness and education, and serves the needs of people with lupus and their families. LACES was founded in 2003 by lupus patient Kim Schofield to empower other people living with lupus. LACES meets every second Tuesday of each month at the William C. Brown, Wesley Chapel Library, 2861 Wesley Chapel Rd, Decatur, from 7-8 p.m. For more information about LACES, email the group at info@laceslupus.com.
cLaRKstoN
Trinidad and Tobago Assn. to hold tea party The Trinidad and Tobago Association of Georgia Inc. will hold its second annual Tea Party, Tea with a Passion, Sunday, March 24, at Georgia Piedmont Technical College, 495 N Indian Creek Drive Clarkston. Table captains will compete for best table. For more information, call Joyce at (678) 602-2424 or Hazel at (678) 516-6923. GPC to host first-ever womens conference The Diversity Alliance at Georgia Perimeter College (GPC) will host the Georgia Womens Conference of 2013 on March 22 and 23 at the Clarkston Campus. The theme of the conference, which will offer educational workshops and networking opportunities, is The Female Perspective in Art, Scholarship and Politics. Workshop topics include womens health, fine arts, career advancement, international issues, financial advisement and more. Women make up 62 percent of the student population at GPC. We want to acknowledge and empower them, because that is our job as educators, said conference organizer Tiffany Delvalle. Diversity has always been the one thing that made GPC stand out from the crowd. We see this conference as an opportunity for our faculty, staff and students to come together and celebrate that diversity. In addition, the Diversity Alliance is teaming up with the Fine Arts Department and the Chattahoochee Review to provide a weeklong series of events, activities and
aVoNdaLe estates
City to host Easter egg hunt and dog parade Children ages 10 and under can hunt for eggs at the citys annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 30, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will be held at Lake Avondale, 59 Lakeshore Drive. The event will also include the annual dog parade in front of the Community
stoNe MouNtaiN
Book discussion announced A discussion of the book The Lifeboat by Charlotte Rogan will be held at the Hairston Crossing Library Tuesday, March 26, 7-8 p.m. The Hairston Crossing Library is located at 4911 Redan Road, Stone Mountain. For more information, call (404) 508-7170.
LOCAL NEWS
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Atlanta City Council approves use of the citys hotel/motel tax revenues for sports stadium
The Atlanta City Council approved an amended resolution March 18 authorizing the extension and use of the hotel/motel tax to partially fund a new state of the art, retractable roof sports stadium for the Atlanta Falcons. The resolution was approved by a vote of 11-4. Yeas were: Councilmembers Carla Smith, Ivory Lee Young Jr., Cleta Winslow, Natalyn Archibong, Yolanda Adrean, C.T. Martin, Keisha Lance Bottoms, Joyce Sheperd, Michael Julian Bond, Aaron Watson and H. Lamar Willis. Nays were: Councilmembers Kwanza Hall, Alex Wan, Howard Shook and Felicia Moore. The new stadium is estimated to cost approximately $1 billion. The citys development arm, Invest Atlanta, has agreed to issue its revenue bonds in the amount of $200 million as the publics contribution for the construction of the new stadium. Falcons owner Arthur Blank will contribute the remaining $800 million needed for the public-private partnership. From the beginning, I championed the need to make this a 360 degree deal that touches on the issues that are important to the community including infrastructure improvements, community investment and inclusion of local businesses during the construction of this new facility, said City Council President Ceasar C. Mitchell. We look forward to our partnership with the Atlanta Falcons to tackle the hard work as we move forward, Mitchell said. The resolution authorizes (1) the extension of the 39.3 percent hotel/motel tax to 2050, (2) approves a stadium funding agreement with Invest Atlanta and an operation and maintenance agreement with the Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA). Eightysix percent of the revenue generated by this tax comes from people living outside of Georgia. We are grateful for the councils vote of support today, Blank said. I would like to thank Council Finance Committee Chairwoman Moore and Council President Mitchell on their leadership in ensuring that this was a transparent process. Since February the Atlanta City Council has held a series of work sessions and public hearings on the proposal including an extensive meeting last week with academic, accounting, and legal experts on the financial and community impact of a new stadium in downtown Atlanta. The agreements approved today represent the fruits of more than two years of collaborative discussions leading to a solution that serves the best interests of all involved, including the neighborhoods surrounding the new stadium. The actions taken today are also a critical step toward the completion of final agreements necessary to move the new stadium forward, Blank said. The city of Atlanta and state of Georgia have a history of building strong public-private partnerships in areas that contribute to economic development. This project is no exception. We appreciate the spirit of collaboration demonstrated by the Mayors office, Atlanta City Council, Invest Atlanta, Georgia World Congress Center Authority and numerous community leaders in advancing a project that will benefit the city, region and state for many years to come, Blank said. The Atlanta Falcons are proud to represent this fine city and state, and we look forward to continuing to work together, as well as being a significant contributor to the new stadium.
Majette
a loan, Lawson offered to add her to the trial team of an estate litigation on behalf of Kells Rivers Faulkner, the granddaughter of the late Georgia Gov. Eurith Dickinson Rivers. Lawson had represented Faulkner since the mid-1980s, the report said. Lawson and Majette orally agreed that each would charge the client at the rate of $200 per hour for legal work on the estate litigation, Daniel wrote. Lawson immediately signed and delivered to Majette a check dated Sept. 2, 2009, in the amount of $2,000. Lawson was the lead attorney in the case and made assignments for Majette. From September 2009 through March 2010, Majette was paid $22,500, according to the report. The payment, which came in four installments, was made from Lawsons trust account and was considered by him to be an advance to be applied against fees earned, Daniel wrote. According to the report, Majette sent Lawson an email on Nov. 20, 2009, that included a time sheet describing her work on the estate litigation. Majette said she spent 46 hours on the case between Aug. 28, 2009 and Nov. 20, 2009. She calculated her fees at $200 per hour, reflected a credit of $6,000 and a balance due of $3,200, Daniel wrote. The time sheet also asked for an advance of $6,800. In total, Majette requested payment of $10,000.
LOCAL NEWS
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Trumpet player Joe Gransden takes a solo at Twains jazz jam, which is celebrating its sixth year. Photo by Susan Rosmarin
have a cover charge. The food is good, the vibe is good, theres no cover charge and free parking I think all those things put together really made for a successful time, Gransden said. Since it was started, Gransden said, there has
been a steady group of 10-12 people who havent missed a week, and actor Clint Eastwood has even attended. Famous jazz musicians such as pianist Johnny ONeal and guitarist Russell Malone have also stopped by to sit in on a few tunes. Gransdens backing band
consists of some of the citys top musicians, including pianist Kevin Bales, who taught at the University of North Florida for 10 years and has played with jazz greats such as Marcus Printup, Bunky Green and Bob Reynolds; Bassist Craig Shaw, who holds
See Twains on Page 12A
LOCAL NEWS
John Coleman District 1 Replaces Nancy Jester
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Coleman is a strategic planning manager at Invesco. Previously, he held various leadership roles at McKinsey & Company. An Atlanta resident, Coleman also serves on various nonprofit boards. Coleman has a masters in business administration from Harvard and a masters in public administration from the Harvard Kennedy School. Michael Erwin District 3 Replaces Sarah Copelin-Wood Erwin, a U.S. Navy veteran, has been a research assistant at Duke University Medical Center and the University of South Carolina. He has worked for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) FisheriesServices and is past chairman of the NOAAfisheries committees on fish species and fish diseases in Maine and South Carolina. In 2008, he earned a Ph.D. in biological science from the University of South Carolina. A Decatur resident, he has been a member of thefaculty at Georgia Gwinnett College since 2009 and teaches undergraduate students in biological science. He graduated from North Carolina Central University with a bachelors in biology and amasters in biological science. David Campbell District 5 Replaces Jesse Jay Cunningham Campbell is a senior manager with Georgia Power, where he supports the companys energy conservation efforts. A certified public accountant with managerial experience, Campbell received a degree in business administration from Albany State University. He is a former chairman of Leadership DeKalb, a member of theDeKalb 100 Black Men and an active member of St. Philips AME. He formerly served on the Stephenson High School Council and resides in Lithonia. Joyce Morley District 7 Replaces Donna Edler Morley is the CEO of Morley and Associates and is a nationally known public speaker and trainer. She is a certified counselor, a trained mediator and serves on several local and national governance boards. Morley has a doctorate in counseling, family and work life from the University of Rochester. She received her specialists and masters degrees in counseling education from the State University New York (SUNY) College at Brockport, and a bachelors degree in elementary education from the SUNY College at Genesco. A Stone Mountain resident, Morley has lived in DeKalb County for more than 22 years. Karen Carter District 8 Replaces Pamela Speaks Carter serves on the faculty of Georgia Perimeter College where she is chairwoman of the business and social science department. She received a bachelors degree in speech communications from Denison University and a law degree from Ohio State University. Carter has served as a classroom teacher and has held several senior administrative roles in the field of education. She is a graduate of Leadership DeKalb and is an active community volunteer and a PTSA member. Carter is a resident of the Lakeside community. Thaddeus Mayfield District 9 Replaces Eugene Gene Walker Mayfield is a senior partner with FOCOM Inc., a Georgia-based business development firm. He holds a masters degree in business administration from Mercer University and received a bachelors degree in political science from Tougaloo College. He co-chaired the successful Friends of DeKalb Education SPLOST IV Campaign and is an active member of several business and civic organizations in the metropolitan area. Mayfield is a resident of Lithonia.
From left, DeKalb Superior Court Judge Asha Jackson leads the swearing in ceremony of five of the six new DeKalb school board members: Thaddeus Mayfield, Michael Erwin, David Campbell, Karen Carter and John Coleman. Photo by Andrew Cauthen
LOCAL NEWS
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king of the England, following the death of his father, Edward VII, Harris lived most of her life in her native Wrens. She married Pete Harris in 1934 and taught for 35 years. She lived in her own home until she was 90, according to her daughter Jane Rox, who quipped that her mom beat the system since she taught 35 years and has been retired more than 40. The daughter said some of her mothers siblings lived past their 90th birthdays, but others died relatively young.
Lillian Harris on her 103rd birthday awaits the serving of her cake at Medlock Gardens assisted living home. Photo by Kathy Mitchell
DeKalb County Wants to Hear From You Regarding the Proposed Franchise Agreement Renewal with Comcast Cable Communications
Send your comments and/or concerns regarding Comcasts current performance under the current franchise agreement and/or the future cable-related needs and interests of your community to www.dekalbcountyga.gov.
Weather History
March 21, 1932 - A tornado swarm occurred in the Deep South. Between late afternoon and early the next morning, severe thunderstorms spawned 31 tornadoes in Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia and Tennessee. The tornadoes killed 334 people and injured 1,784. March 22, 1920 - A spectacular display of the Northern Lights was visible as far south as Bradenton, Fla., El Paso, Texas and Fresno, Calif. At Detroit, the display was said to be so brilliant as to blot out all stars below first magnitude.
Majette
Sunny High: 53 Low: 37 Scat'd Rain High: 50 Low: 40 Scat'd T-storms High: 51 Low: 42 Scat'd T-storms High: 57 Low: 41 Mostly Sunny High: 57 Low: 45 Mostly Sunny High: 58 Low: 42
THURSDAY
Answer: Some people get a rash after experiencing a sudden drop in temperature.
action for breach of contract for attorney fees and expenses that listed Faulkner as one of the petitioners. This led Faulkner to file a grievance with the State Bar of Georgia, where she alleged that Majette refused to account for the $24,500 in retainers paid to her, submitted inaccurate and fraudulent bills to clients, committed perjury or fraud on the court, submitted fee motions that exceeded hours and billing rates on a client billing statement, and committed client abandonment, the report said. The report stated that Majette did admit to not keeping detailed records, however, she repeatedly described the dispute with Faulkner as a fee dispute, saying the real issue here is that Mrs. Faulkner is refusing to pay me. In her filings in this proceeding and at the evidentiary hearing, Majette never conceded any possibility of error or mistake in her time sheets or billing statements, Daniel wrote. Majette has shown no remorse whatsoever, and she has steadfastly maintained that she is entitled to payment in full of the balance in her sworn response to notice of investigation.
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Partly Cloudy High: 54 Low: 41
Moonset 3:47 a.m. 4:26 a.m. 5:03 a.m. 5:39 a.m. 6:13 a.m. 6:48 a.m. 7:24 a.m.
Tonights Planets
New 4/10 First 4/18 Mercury Venus Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus Rise 6:34 a.m. 7:42 a.m. 7:59 a.m. 11:10 a.m. 10:46 p.m. 8:02 a.m. Set 5:50 p.m. 7:39 p.m. 8:16 p.m. 1:20 a.m. 9:45 a.m. 8:19 p.m.
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LOCAL NEWS
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Audit
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Twains
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important or very important. Survey respondents also expressed a desire for sidewalks throughout the city, and improved access to the business district and MARTA. Workshop participant Julie Feely, who also chairs the citys planning and zoning board, said, Participating in todays walking audit of Avondale Estates was an interesting exercise for everyone. Together, we learned a lot about how walkable access to services and activities helps local businesses to thrive, and also creates connectivity and a sense of place. Most helpfully, we were able to give input on how we can revitalize Avondale Estates downtown area. As a result of the workshop, Avondale Estates will create a 100day action plan for change, including a conducting a review of the citys zoning and housing codes to identify ways to update them to best support community project; striping and improving at least two crosswalks along U.S. 278 this summer; and hosting, with ARC, health and wellness programs to connect community members with needed services. City Manager Clai Brown said, The city of Avondale Estates is committed to enhancing our downtown for the benefit of all residents and businesses. We look forward with anticipation to mobilizing the whole community to take the next steps in this exciting process.
a masters degree in jazz studies from Georgia State University and has shared the stage with Dizzy Gillespie, Wynton Marsalis, Ellis Marsalis and George Benson; and bandleader and drummer Chris Burroughs, who has performed throughout the United States, Europe, Japan, and Australia with Lizz Wright, Ike Stubblefield and Russell Malone. Craig Shaw just lays it down and he can play all night and never get tired and he knows every tune in the booksame with Kevin Bales and of course Chris Burroughs really keeps it together those are my go-to guys for sure, Gransden said. Sometimes the level of musicianship can be so high for everyone who comes out that for somebody who is just starting out it can be extremely nerve racking. But, once they get up there and play, they realize that everybody is cool and friendly, and it can be a really great experience, especially for the youngsters. For those interested in attending, the jazz jam at Twains is held every Tuesday from 9-11 p.m.
Kevin Bales, the house piano player for Twains on Tuesday night, cheers on pianist Kenny Banks. Photo by Susan Rosmarin
coming before the Supreme Court. In this case, a group of Emory students collaborated with law students in a similar University of Florida program. The team conducted a recently released study that drew responses from 167 gay, lesbian and bisexual individuals, ages 13 to 26. It asked the respondents how laws banning same-sex marriage affect them. Five themes emerged from the responses: stigmatization by peers and society, hardship in defining their sexual identity, difficult life decisions, negative impact on identity and anxiety about the future of societys acceptance. One respondent, a 15-year-old girl, said she attends an incredibly liberal Long Island high school in which her peers either approve of same-sex marriage or do not oppose it. But she expressed deep anxiety that some of her teachers might unfairly punish her if they knew that she has a girl-
friend. A 22-year-old male commenting on DOMA said, It basically is saying I am a second-rate citizen. This leads me to feel as though my LGBTQ identity makes me unworthy of basic human rights in the eyes of the U.S. government. I feel alienated from my own country. This study seeks to give voice to the anguish young gays and lesbians experience. According to the brief, DOMA and other bans on same-sex marriage suggest to society that non-straight relationships are illegitimate and consequently contributes to an enduring stigma and a culture of ostracism and bullying. It highlights that these young people are four times more likely than heterosexual youth to attempt suicide. The rate doubles for gay and lesbian youth whose families reject their sexual orientation The brief also disputes the common argument that
having same-sex parents is harmful to children. It states: Decades of social science research confirms that children of LGBT parents have similar levels of psychological adjustment and are no more likely than their peers raised by heterosexual parents to report behavioral issues. Several studies have suggested that children raised by LGBT families are better adjusted psychologically than their peers. The brief was filed jointly with the Family Equality Council, Colage; Our Family Coalition; Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network; the Center on Children and Families; and Sarah Gogin, the 24-yearold daughter of two fathers in a longtime relationship and married in 2008. Woodhouse is co-counsel in the brief with several attorneys from Bryan Cave LLP and Emily Hecht-McGowan of the Family Equality Council.
Page 13A
To reduce its strain on the environment, DeKalb County is focusing on green initiatives such as reducing the countys fleet of garbage trucks. File Photo
NOTICEOFPUBLICHEARING TheMayorandCityCounciloftheCityofChamblee,Georgiawillholdapublichearingon Thursday,April11,2013,attheChambleeCivicCenter,3540BroadStreet,Chamblee,GA 30341at6:00p.m.toreceivepubliccommentsregardingthefollowingzoningmatters: AppendixA,ZoningOrdinance,Section207,Plannedunitdevelopmentprocedure. ThesubjectpropertyisCityFarmersMarket(fkaBufordHighwayFleaMarket),locatedat5000 BufordHighway.Theapplicantisrequestingtodevelopthepropertyasaplannedunit development. AppendixA,ZoningOrdinance,Section512,Singlefamilyresidentialdetached heightmeasurement.Thesubjectpropertyislocatedat3703SpringStreet(Lots25and26). Theapplicantisrequestingavariancetothefrontdoorthresholdofanewsinglefamily residence. AppendixA,ZoningOrdinance,Section908,SitedesignandSection1402, Landscapestrips.Thesubjectpropertyislocatedat5000PeachtreeBoulevard.The applicantisrequestingavariancetoallowvehicularservicessuchasacarwashbetweenthe buildingandstreet,andavarianceforrelieffromtherequired10landscapestrip.
LOCAL NEWS
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LOCAL NEWS
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Assistance
Its really a very rewarding thing to do, said Jarvis, who worked with the German Consulate for 37 years before retiring. Its amazing what we get accomplished. The all-volunteer organization has 263 women and a few good men, said Jarvis, in her fifth year volunteering with ALA. Through one of its philanthropic programs, Operation School Bell, ALA provides new clothing, uniforms, jackets, shoe vouchers and health kits for elementary school children in DeKalb, Atlanta and Fulton County. During the past academic year, ALA provided clothing for more than 8,000 school children. In DeKalb County, 3,030 children benetted from the program, including 330 homeless children and re victims. ALA does not give items directly to individuals. Instead, it works through social workers and school guidance counselors. Operation School Bell is the groups largest philanthropic program, said Debbie Baughman, who joined ALA in 2001. We touch where the needs are the most, Baughman said. We dont get involved with choosing who needs help. We pack up a weeks worth of clothing in some cases. The program takes most of ALAs budget, she said. Before joining ALA, Baughman did a lot of volunteering in schools and Girls Scouts. Then she read a newspaper article about the organization and decided to join it. At that point, I wanted to get out of the Girl Scouts and PTA world, said Baughman, who retired from the insurance industry. She currently co-chairs ALAs funds and grants committee and has helped bring in $66,000 this year. Approximately 80 percent of ALAs funding is raised through it Attic Treasures Thrift Shop, located in ALAs building, across from the Chamblee Post Ofce on Antique Row, at 3534 Broad Street, Chamblee. Attic Treasures is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday through Saturday with extended hours on Thursdays until 7 p.m. Jarvis said many of the donations to the organization come from consignment shops in metro Atlanta area that donate what they are unable to sell. Its kind of a more upscale thrift store, she said. We dont nd it beneath our dignity to take things home with us and wash them. Other programs ALA supports include Bears for Children, which provides new teddy bears to
Three volunteers from the Assistance League of Atlanta dress up a dummy to demonstrate the fashions of the nonprots thrift store. Photos by Andrew Cauthen
From left, Carole MacMullan processes clothes and Brenda McDonald shows the groups warehouse.
comfort children during crises; Links to Education, which provides scholarships to deserving college students pursuing post-secondary education at Georgia colleges and New Beginnings, a program that donates new household goods, clothing and personal care items to victims of abuse, domestic violence and homelessness, who are receiving treatment or short-term care at nine social agencies. ALA also supports the Shepherd Center by providing t-shirts, socks, bathing suits, and tear-
away pants appropriate for physical therapy. The group also delivers a bag of cookies, smiles, hugs, and a greeting card to patients celebrating birthdays whose families may be far away. During 2011-2012, Assistance League of Atlanta helped more than 600 patients. Baughman said, Its just wonderful to know that you get to help people out there, even though you dont get to see them. I feel blessed to be able to help people.
EDUCATION
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education Briefs
Dunwoody Elementary orchestra gets superior rating The Dunwoody Elementary School (DES) String Orchestra Ensemble, led by Natia Esartia, participated in the annual District 4 Orchestra Festival hosted by Lakeside High School March 7. The ensemble, made of all students from the fifth grade strings class at DES, received the Superior rating from all three judges. Decatur High School named an AP honor school The Georgia Department of Education recently announced that Decatur High School was named as one of the 2013 Georgia Advanced Placement (AP) Honor Schools. Dr. Phyllis Edwards, superintendent of City Schools of Decatur, said, Along with being a goal in the districts strategic plan, opening access to AP classes has increased the overall rigor at Decatur High School. Decatur High School was recognized in the following categories: AP Merit School: Schools with at least 20 percent of the student population taking AP exams and at least 50 percent of all AP exams earning scores of three (3) or higher. AP Challenge School: Schools of 900 or fewer students with students testing in four of the core areas (English, math, science, and social studies). AP STEM School: Schools with students testing in at least two (2) AP math courses and two (2) AP science courses (AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Statistics, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science, AP Physics B, AP Physics C, AP Computer Science). Decatur High uses AP classes as a strategy to curb drop outs and close the achievement gap, according to a media statement. The numbers of AP students increased from 289 in 2010-11 to 307 in 2011-12, while the number of students scoring a 3 or better on AP exams increased by 6 percent in 2011-12. In 2010, 37.9 percent of the graduating class had scored a 3 on at least one AP course. In 2012 that number grew to 54.4 percent. Decatur was one of 424 schools to receive the honor. For several years, the Decatur High School faculty and staff have worked to increase the numbers of students taking and succeeding in advanced content classes and this is well deserved recognition for their hard work, said Decatur High School Principal Lauri McKain.
From left, Fernbank LINKS Robotics team members Quinn Breedlove and John Amin carry the teams robot, Bellatrickz, to a competition. The team won the Rookie Inspiration Award and its coach, Debi Huffman, won a coachs award. Photos by Andrew Cauthen
since third grade. Its a lot of fun to work with all these people, especially people that I dont get to see very often because they dont go to my school, OlsonStrom said. Its just a lot of fun to work on the robot and to work on our business planas if we were a real company. Its really interesting to see how that all works and to be a part of it. These competitions are always really exciting and energetic and its really great to be here, she said. Its really cool to see all these other people my age who are so passionate about science and technology and thats not something I see every day at my school, said Katharine Walls, 17, who attends the Paideia School. Its really cool to find that community and really become more involved with the opportunities they have going into college and beyond, Walls said. I enjoy working with all my teammates. Its been a lot of fun learning more about the process of building a robot and building a brand. Debi Huffman, the teams founding sponsor, said the students take full ownership of the project. Its their project, Huffman said. If you ask me to do anything to the robot, I didnt do any of it. Ive never designed or built or programmed a robot. In addition to making a robot, the students make friends with common interests and it propels them to pursue careers that are going to be very meaningful and lucrative for them, Huffman said. To learn more about the Fernbank LINKS Robotics Team, visit the teams website atwww.fernbanklinks. com.
Business
Page 17A
Mudfire founders say art center is in good hands with new owner
by Kathy Mitchell Kathy@dekalbchamp.com After 10 years of operating the Decatur ceramic art center, MudFire Clayworks & Gallery founders Luba Sharapan and Erik Haagensen are stepping aside to allow MudFire to continue to grow and evolve under an infusion of new energy and ideas, they announced. Its been our baby for 10 years. We gave birth to it, raised it and nurtured it; now were completely confident in the new parent were turning it over to, Sharapan said. Deanna Ranlett, owner of Atlanta Clay, has acquired a controlling interest in MudFire with what she calls an ambitious plan for building on MudFires sterling reputation in the clay community. MudFire Clayworks is a community clay studio that uses a hands-on approach for students to learn the art of ceramics. Its equipped to provide hobbyists, students and professional potters and sculptors the opportunity to be creative on their own schedules. MudFire Gallery is a showcase for functional and sculptural pottery. Some people whove been coming here for a long time were a little scared when they heard there will be a change, but everything they love will still be here. Its just going to get bigger and better, Haagensen added. He and Sharapan plan to pursue their artwork and organic farming in rural Appalachia after an extended transition period at the art center. Then Deanna thinks shes rid of us, but well be keeping an eye on things, he said, adding that the founders will remain in an advisory role. Longtime members also may be pleased to learn that current staff, including resident artist Lori Buff, Atlanta marketeer Janet Carter, and ceramicist Daphne Dail, will remain. Among the changes Ranlett has planned are a new full-time artist residency program recruiting nationally; an on-site ceramic tools and supply boutique, Decaturs first; expanded online presence with videos, articles, and frequent posting; creation of an urban organic garden on the spacious sunny lawn; more ticketed workshops held in a dedicated workshop space on-site; frequent special-topic clinics for area ceramicists to visit and learn; continuation of the studio memberships program and the gallery exhibit schedule with increased local focus. Our main goal, with this purchase, is to strengthen and advance the clay community in Georgia and beyond. MudFire has been instrumental in building that connection and providing an exciting and inspirational place for people wanting to work in clay. We seek to bring in new clay enthusiasts to the center and serve as an educational resource to the public, Ranlett said. MudFire was founded in 2002 in a shopping center in Brookhaven, and within a few years underwent a major transformation and expansion while moving to Decatur. MudFire will remain at its current location but with a bigger operational team eager to launch a new and exciting phase in the studios evolution, fondly dubbed MudFire Version 3.0., Ranlett said. I am thrilled to be leaving our baby in such capable and caring hands, Sharapan said, This group has the deep knowledge and love of clay, art and business needed for MudFire to continue to thrive. We spoke with dozens of interested parties during the sales process, and chose to work exclusively with Deanna to realize this transition.
Luba Sharapan, left, one of the founders of Mudfire Clayworks & Gallery, gets a hug from new owner Deanna Ranlett, whom Sharapan says will allow Mudfire to continue to grow and evolve. Below, members work in the studio during the seamless change in ownership. Photos by Kathy Mitchell
Two Decatur Town Center, 125 Clairemont Ave., Suite 235, Decatur, GA 30030 404.378.8000 www.DeKalbChamber.org
SPORTS
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Henderson Middle School girls track and field team outscored Stephenson 97-48 to win the 2013 DeKalb County Middle School Track and Field Championship. Photo by Cherie Boyd
Cedar Grove boys, Henderson girls win Middle School Track titles
by Carla Parker carla@dekalbchamp.com Cedar Grove boys and Henderson girls track and field teams have bragging rights for the next year after winning the boys and girls titles at the 2013 DeKalb County Middle School Track and Field Championships at Panthersville Stadium on March 12. The Henderson girls outscored Stephenson 97-48, winning four gold medals and three silver medals to capture their first championship since the 2008 season. Henderson girls track coach Brett Ernst said it felt great to win another championship. Every girl on the team was in it for the long haul, he said. Their ultimate goal was to win the county championship and that is what they prepared for from the first day of practice. This is what made it fun. They were focused on their ultimate goal every practice which made my job very easy. Morgan Mihalis won the 1,600-meter run in a time of 5:38.49 to jump-start Henderson into a tie with defending champion Chamblee on the first day of competition. Syi Ojo clocked a time of 12.66 in the 100-meter dash to win gold on finals day as Henderson also swept the 4x400-meter relay (4:17.74) and the 800-sprint medley relay (1:57.57). Stephensons second place finish was the best over the past seven seasons for the Lady Jaguars. Joie Royer was the only individual to win two individual gold medals in the girls championship with wins in the 200 meter dash (25.80) and 400-meter dash (58.71). Champion Middle School finished third overall with 45 points led by the first- and second-place finish of LaShannon McCombs (35-10.25) and Ebony Upshaw (33-07.25) in the girls shot put. Chamblees Rachel Elder won the long jump with a leap of 17-00.50 to help Chamblee to its fourth place finish. Nina John took the 800-meter run with a time of 2:34.79 and Cedar Groves 4x100 relay team won the event with a time of 53.09 to round out the gold medal winners. Cedar Grove boys two gold medals and top three finishes in five of the seven individual events gave them 62 points to outscore Chamblee 86-58 for first place. Netori Johnson (45-09.00) and Jediah Johnson (41-02.00) took first and third, respectively, in the shot put and Rayquan Bonner took second in the long jump (18-10.25) in the opening day of competition to give Cedar Grove an early 24-20 lead. Zavier Anderson won the gold medal in the 100-meter dash with a time of 11.64 and the 4x100 meter relay team captured gold in a time of 46.59 as Cedar Grove began to pull away. A second- and sixth-place finish in the 800 sprint medley also built the Cedar Grove lead by collecting 11 points in the event. Berhane Johnsons win in the 200 meter dash with a time of 23.88 helped lead Chamblee to second place. Tucker finished third with 48 points and Dakari Brown finished with a 20-02.00 leap in the long jump, just three inches shy of the county meet record. Stephenson finished one point shy of third with 47 points behind a gold medal from Tyrell Brown in the 400-meter dash with a time of 53.48 and a time of 3:43.07 in the 4x400-meter relay for the gold. Stone Mountain won the 800 spring medley with a time of 1:44.70. Sam Ellis of Decaturs Renfroe Middle School won both the 1,600 meter run and the 800 meter run. He broke the county meet record of 2:06.79 set in 2010 by Lukie Teah of Tucker with a time of 2:05.61 in the 800. He finished with a time of 4:59.2 in the 1,600-meter run. It was Cedar Groves first track title since the 2007 season and second overall in the past seven years tying Chapel Hill (2009-2010) and one behind Henderson (2008, 2011-2012).
SPORTS
Page 19A
M. L. King baseball team off to a good start after a disappointing 2012 season
by Carla Parker carla@dekalbchamp.com The M. L. King, Jr. High School baseball team hasnt won more than 10 games in a season since 2009. The 2013 team has already won eight games, losing just one game and tying another. The hot start has given the M. L. King Lions a confidence boost that they hope to carry into their region schedule and then into a potential playoff run. Head coach Richard Gaines said the difference between this years team and the 2012 team is their baseball IQ. Theyre more aware about baseball, he said. Last year we had players that never played baseball. They now understand the game better and are playing well together. So far, the Lions have a .472 batting average, 114 runs scored, 79 hits, 10 triples and 80 RBIs. Their batting average is better than their 2012 average of .296 and they have exceeded their 2012 total of triples (9). Senior second baseman Freddie Martin said the team is playing better this year because they know each other and are more aware of each other on the field. We all have a good understanding of the game now, he said. We started our season off strong and we look to continue to play strong. I like our chances. I think we have a good group of individuals on our team.
After finishing the 2012 season with a 9-14 record, the M.L. King, Jr. High School baseball team is off to a good start in 2013 with a 8-1-1 record. Photo by Carla Parker
Junior centerfielder Marquis Cain also said the team is playing better as a unit and he credited the teams success to the upperclassmen being good leaders. We have players that were young last year that are stepping up and being leaders, he said. If someone strikes out we tell them dont worry about it and keep your head up.
Cain added that he believes the team has a shot at winning the 6-AAAAA region this year. The region includes Clarkston, Dunwoody, Mays, Miller Grove, North Atlanta, Southwest DeKalb, Stephenson, Tucker and playoff teams Arabia Mountain and Lakeside. I feel like we have a strong team and we can do a lot this year and go far in the state playoffs, Cain said.
We just have to take it one game at a time, Martin said. But at the end of the day we have one goal and thats a state championship. The Lions began their region schedule against Mays on March 19 and will conclude region play at Lakeside on April 18. They will compete for the region title at the tournament on April 24-25.
Each week The Champion spotlights former high school players from the county who are succeeding in athletics on the college level.
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 coaches. Please e-mail nominations to carla@dekalbchamp.com by Monday at noon. MALE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK Jacques Knolton, Stone Mountain (baseball): The senior third baseman had two RBIs and one home run in the 15-2 win over Clarkston on March 13. FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK Elisa Miller, Arabia Mountain (soccer): The forward scored two goals in the 5-3 win over Southwest DeKalb on March 14. She has scored nine goals on the season.
Trumon Jefferson, GPC (baseball): The sophomore outfielder from Decatur had a total of four hits, three RBIs and three runs scored in the double header sweep over Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College on March 16. Jefferson has a .333 batting average and has 18 runs scored, 13 stolen bases and nine RBIs on the season. Blake Stevens, Birmingham-Southern (baseball): The sophomore pitcher from Marist pitched nine strikeouts and had a 2.92 earned run average in the 11-4 win over Oglethorpe on March 15. He is 3-0 on the season with 32 total strikeouts and a 2.81 earned run average. Saadia Doyle, Howard (basketball): The senior guard from Columbia scored 27 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the 55-42 win over North Carolina A&T in the MEAC Womens tournament semifinals on March 15. She finished the season with 20.3 points and 8.6 rebounds per game.
LOCAL NEWS
more than 200 take transit back and forth each day, Spotts said. We love this area, said Clearwave Corporation CEO Gerard White.He and other panelists cited the availability of well educated talent as a result of universities such as Georgia Institute of Technology and University of Georgia and the ability to get anywhere in the country from HartsfieldJackson International Airport as advantages for Atlanta in attracting technology companies. Elementary. Segovis began his educational career 27 years ago, and in that time, has worked as a janitor, bus driver, paraprofessional, teacher, assistant principal and area assistant superintendent prior to serving as principal for two schools. Jackson has spent 17 of his 19 years of experience with DCSD. He started teaching at Jones County High prior to joining Tucker High. During his tenure, the Tucker High football team won the first state championship in school history. In addition, the school underwent a complete 2.5-year rebuild on the same site. Goodwin began his career as a teacher at Miller Grove Middle 27 years ago. In addition to his experiences as a teacher and assistant principal, Goodwin also served as Redans head baseball coach and in 2000, was the first Black and youngest coach to be inducted into the Georgia Baseball Hall of Fame. In 2012, he received the Horace Tate Leadership Award by the Emory University Educational Studies Department. Under Goodwins
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News Briefs
The technology industry has an annual $113.1 billion economic impact on Georgia and The Perimeter area of metro Atlanta is one areas where the industry is flourishing, a technology expert said recently. Technology now represents 17 percent of Georgias gross domestic product and by offering double the average salary, ramps up the economic impact on an area, noted Tino Mantella, president and CEO of the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG). His comments were at a March 15 Perimeter Business Alliance Centers of Excellence luncheon at the Ravinia Club in Dunwoody. Mantella said Georgia will see a lot more growth in the industry in the future. Other panelist at the event said the Perimeter area provides an especially attractive location for technology companies. MARTA is a secret weapon for Perimeter, said David Dabbiere, chief operating officer of AirWatch, a leading
provider of mobile device security and management software whose revenues are growing 40 percent quarter to quarter, according to Dabbiere.Of the companys 1,200 employees worldwide, 800 are located in Perimeter and Dabbiere said MARTA is especially desirable for retaining the companys young workforce. This is a great corridor for young people to move into, he said, also citing the many restaurants and Perimeter Mall near his companys location on Perimeter Center West. Perimeter is a very holistic community that will draw employees and more businesses, said David Spotts, director of facilities and corporate services for AutoTrader.com.Our employees want to live, work and play in an area and they can do that in Perimeter. Spotts said that AutoTrader. com, which has 1,600 employees in 450,000-square-feet of space on Summit Boulevard in Brookhaven just south of I-285, ran out of space last yearthe second year of its building lease. MARTa also is popular with his companys employees;
leadership, Redan High has been recognized three times out of the last six years by the U.S. News and World Report as one of the top public high schools in the nation. Like Goodwin, Amey also brings athletics into her leadership approach at Columbia High. Amey was inducted into the Hall of Fame for her outstanding contributions on the court as an All-American basketball player at Chamblee High. For 31 years, shes served as a teacher and administrator in DCSD. Under Turners direction at Murphey Candler Elementary, student performance on the Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests has grown each year, and the Mustangs have placed in the Academic Bowl, Science Olympiad, Social Studies Fair, Black History Bowl and Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl. The DCSD Regional Principals of the Year will be recognized at an employee appreciation event on May 17 at Lakeside High. In addition to naming the DCSD Principal of the Year, the DCSD Teacher of the Year also will be named.
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