Free Press 4-13-12

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WWW.CHAMPIONNEWSPAPER.COM FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 2012 VOL. 15, NO. 3 FREE
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Occupy Atlanta occupies south DeKalb home

by Andrew Cauthen andrew@dekalbchamp.com Members of the Occupy Atlanta activist group held a barbecue at the home of a south DeKalb woman to celebrate the failure on March 29 of a bill to pass the General Assembly. The bill would have would made protesting on private property an aggravated misdemeanor with a penalty of up to two years in prison. It would have put a hole in the First Amendment, said 62-year-old Christine Frazer, who had a personal interest in the proposed legislation. Occupy Atlanta members are camping out at the south DeKalb home Frazer shares with her mother, 85; daughter, 25; and grandson, 3. Frazer and her family are facing foreclosure and eviction after 18 years of home ownership. The plan is to have a non-violent sit-in, said Cai Otee, with Occupy Atlanta, which has been at Frazers home since March 4. Were going to try to delay it as much as we can. Were pretty much waiting for the marshals to show, said Leila Abadir, with Occupy Atlanta. Were going to defend this home. Hopefully, if we get enough people here, [the marshals] will be intimidated and push back their schedule, Abadir said. The goal is to save the home. Abadir said that a writ of possession notice was signed on March 7, giving marshals the authority to remove the occupants from the home. Frazers financial misfortunes began in 2002 when her husband Leroy passed away. Members of Occupy Atlanta, an activists group, The couple owned a ladies clothare camping at the home of Christine Frazer ing store and a moving company in in south DeKalb. The group wants to stop the foreclosure of Frazers home. Photos by Andrew Atlanta. They were successful enough Cauthen to have nine employees and to be able to purchase a second house used for workers and to house the business. Frazer continued to operate the moving company for a year after Lecompanys no-fault tardiness policy after be- interest, late fees and court costs, she said. roys death. ing late for work when her car broke down. The most recent appraisal of the house was She has filed for Chapter 13 bankSince then, Frazer has been looking for a $45,000. ruptcy several times. job so she could afford her mortgage payments. The banks got their bailout, Frazer said. I was trying to keep my house, Im a victim of the economy, Frazer said. Wheres my justice? Wheres my bailout? Frazer said. Trying to hold onto her house, Frazer has When she turned to her lender, she was After selling her moving company unsuccessfully sought help from the Neighbor- told that if she gets her make three mortgage in 2004 to a buyer who defaulted on Because she gets her news updates online from the The Champion. Because shecouldnews updates online from the The Champion. hood Assistance Corporation of America. payments the contract, Frazer went to work for Because she gets her news updates online from the The Champion. on time, they would consider a loan And you can too! She was unable to The balance on Frazers mortgage is modification, Frazer said. Follow us. Orkin Pest Control in March 2007. She $145,000, plus approximately $25,000 in make the payments, but six months later she was fired in July 2009 for violating the www.facebook.com/championnewspaper
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See Occupy on Page 15A
Page 2A
The Champion Free Press, Friday, April 13, 2012
From the intersection of Moreland Avenue and Cedar Grove Many area residents hope to attract a wider variety of retail The south end of Moreland Avenue has been the roads, drivers have easy access to several busy thoroughfares. stores than are currently in Bouldercrest Plaza, near Boul- site of a number of landfills. Photos by Kathy dercrest Road and I-285. Mitchell
Southwest corner of county in final stages of becoming overlay district

by Kathy Mitchell kathy@dekalbchamp.com With a popular golf course, easy access to interstates 285, 75 and 675 and to Hartsfield Jackson Airport, the Bouldercrest, Moreland, Cedar Grove area is seen by many who live there as having a good deal of potential but many obstacles to overcome. The community, located in the southwest corner of DeKalb County, has grown in population faster than the county as a whole, but with little planning. Since 2007, community residents and business owners have held a series of meetings with county commissioners Kathie Gannon and Lee May and consultants in an effort to change that. Stakeholders have discussed their vision for the community, identified what they see as its strengths and opportunities and developed a plan to promote economic development and redevelopment. The result is a proposed overlay district to create local zoning ordinances within the community that would establish orderly and consistent guidelines for the design, construction and maintenance of public and private improvements. At a meeting held April 5 at a church on Bouldercrest Road, community residents reviewed the latest, and possibly final, version of the plan, now outlined in detaildown to what types of signs businesses and subdivisions may construct to which trees, shrubs and groundcover may be usedin a 38-page document. The next step, Gannon explained, is to have lawyers go over the proposal for the overlay, which creates within the district five tiersthree mixed-use commercial, one industrial and one single-family residential. The proposal must then be approved by the full board of commissioners. Among the concerns that surfaced during community meetings
are crime, an uncoordinated mix of residential, commercial and industrial areas along with too many of some types of businesses such as gas stations and small discount stores, and not enough of others such as major chain grocery stores, restaurants and drug stores. The proposed overlay district is defined roughly by Bouldercrest Road on the east side and on the west side past Moreland Avenue to the county line. Interstate 285 largely defines the north side and to the south it goes past Cedar Grove Road to the county line. At present, the area is a hodge-podge of single-family homes, subdivisions,
See County on Page 3A
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Page 3A
School officials find solution for projected shortfall

by Daniel Beauregard daniel@dekalbchamp.com The DeKalb County School District has found a way to avoid a projected budget shortfall of nearly $40 million for SPLOST III and IV construction projects, school officials announced at an April 9 Board of Education meeting. Additionally, officials said the district will be able to fully fund the Chamblee High School replacement project, which was found to be $10 million over budget earlier this year. March 12 the board approved moving SPLOST III projects into SPLOST IV as allowed by law in order to enable [the district] to complete all of our projects as promised. I can report that the legal counsel has advised us that we may move forward with [this], Superintendent Cheryl Atkinson said. Atkinson and officials originally proposed a plan halting 35 construction projects from SPLOST III. Officials said by moving some of those 35 projects onto the SPLOST IV project list and paying for others with cash on hand, the district will be able to complete all SPLOST III and IV projects. Were going to pay as we go. That will allow us to reallocate the $11 million we had previously scheduled for debt service; well move that money because we wont be [taking out] a bond for SPLOST IV, Chief Operations Officer Stephen Wilkins said. That will be the largest savings measure the district will take to fund the projects. Others include transferring approximately $20 million from SPLOST III to SPLOST IV, saving $5 million by
See Budget on Page 13A
I T II S PLO & S IV ST O SPL
County Continued From Page 2A

trucking companies and free standing businesses, peppered with churches and undeveloped wooded areas. There is no uniformity of landscaping, architectural design, outdoor lighting and furnishing, and business signage. In September 2011, residents of a Bouldercrest Road subdivision learned that a small-box discount retailer would be constructing a store at the entranceway to the subdivision. David Amakor, president of the Cedar Grove Neighborhood Association, reported that 75 to 100 community members attended a meeting at nearby Church of Christ at Bouldercrest. Every one of them was against it, he said. They are putting in a business thats out of synch with our vision for the community. Because the property had been zoned commercial for many years, there was nothing area residents could do. The proposed overlay would empower the community to assure that new development be of a consistently high design character. The area also lacks a sense of place, according to the consultants report. It doesnt have an identity or brand similar to that of well-defined communities such as Tucker, Brookhaven, East Lake or Oakhurst. One resident at the April 5 meeting suggested calling the area Sugar Creek, drawing on the name of the golf course. Consultants said they expect the process to be completed by the end of the year.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
DeKalb County 2008-2013 Consolidated Plan for HUD Programs to include the 2013 Annual Action Plan GRANT APPLICATION PROCESS FOR The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) 2013 FUNDS
On April 26, 2012, the DeKalb County Human and Community Development Department will begin accepting applications from faith-based organizations, community organizations, municipalities, non-profit agencies and other entities interested in applying for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), and HOME funds for the Year 2013. All applications or requests are subject to future HUD funding for these programs. CDBG and ESG applications and general information may be obtained beginning April 26, 2012 at the DeKalb County website; www.dekalbcountyga.us. _________________________________________________________________ Date/Time Thursday, April 26, 2012 10:30 AM 12:30 PM
Application/Information/Technical Assistance Workshop

Location Wesley Chapel Library 2861 Wesley Chapel Road Decatur, Georgia 30034 This meeting is very important given the funding reductions in the various programs!
The DeKalb County Human and Community Development Department is conducting two Public Hearings.
Public Hearings
Date/Time Thursday, May 3, 2012 at 6:30 PM Community Needs Maloof Auditorium
Date/Time Thursday, August 23, 2012 at 6:30 PM Proposed Budget/Annual Action Plan Maloof Auditorium 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur, GA We will present the proposed 2013 Annual Action Plan, proposed budget and solicit public questions and/or comments.
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70290
1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur, GA The purpose of this public hearing is to solicit input from the public regarding community needs and priorities. We will discuss general information concerning the 2013 Annual Action Plan submission process as well as HUD updates and changes.
Georgia battleground for stand your ground?

remain free in the slaying of Florida teen Trayvon Martin. Martin, unarmed and wearing a hoodie for protection from the rain, was gunned down on his way home from the store to get iced tea and Skittles candy. His slaying sparked protest rallies around the country and stoked the fires of racial tension. Thousands of people from all walks of life donned hoodies in a symbolic show of sympathy and protest. But more than iced tea, Skittles and hoodies, these laws must be amended and or repealed. Hutchins with his federal court challenge is on the right track. In a news release, Hutchins said his lawsuit will seek to strike down the contentious elements of the Georgia law. Georgia and more than 20 other states have some version of these short-sighted, ambiguous laws which are seemingly fueling the vigilante, pro-violence and wild-west mentality of already unstable zealots like Mr. Zimmerman, said Hutchins. The law itself breeds biasbased killings in that it merely requires that one only have reasonable fear in order to deprive another of his or her life without giving any statutory definition of what is reasonable and it does so without any duty to retreat from confrontation, added Hutchins. Americans of every race, class and generation must recognize what Trayvons death really means and stand in solidarity all over the nation to ensure massive scrutiny of this public policy. So that the outrage over Trayvon Martins death is more a movement than a moment, it is necessary to move past rallies, hoodies, cans of iced tea and Skittles. Trayvons family including close relatives here in DeKalb, Pat White and son William Tommy White, are keeping the pressure on and keeping the issue before the public. Rev. Hutchins is taking the next logical step, which is to challenge the law in the courts. In addition, voter registration has to be a priority and voters must be educated as to why it is so important to vote no matter how bleak the outlook. Legislatures enact these laws and as long as the legislatures are imbalanced with one party over another, the majority partys agenda takes precedence. It is a political reality. Hutchins is the lead plaintiff in the federal court challenge to Georgias stand your ground law. Other right-thinking people should join him not just here in Georgia but around the country in each of the states where these wild, wild West statutes exist. Untrained civilians have more lawful ability to shoot to kill with immunity from prosecution than highly trained, skilled police officers. It was a scary proposition in 2006 when Georgia enacted its stand your ground law and its scarier now that our fears of open season with a license to kill have been realized. No more Trayvon Martins. The courts and legislative chambers are the new battlegrounds for stand your ground. Steen Miles, The Newslady, is a retired journalist and former Georgia state senator. Contact Steen Milies at Steen@dekalbchamp.com.
Opinion The Newslady
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Civil rights activist Rev. Markel Hutchins has fired the opening volley to make Georgia the battleground state for challenges to stand your ground laws around the nation. Hutchins announced plans to file suit Monday, April 9, in U.S. District Court challenging Georgias version of the law on grounds of civil and constitutional rights. Georgia followed Texas and Florida with so-called meet force with force or castle doctrines, which do not require an individual to retreat in the face of perceived threats to their person or property. You can shoot to kill without fear of prosecution. Its the kind of law that allows George Zimmerman to
Book itThe writing is on the wall

mission have had to set priorities. Do taxpayers equally value their safety, police and fire protection and infrastructure maintenance (roads, bridges, etc.) as they value libraries and parks? All things are not equal, and the mandatory comes in ahead of the very nice to have. Credit is already due to management of the DeKalb Library System for doing more with less, re-shuffling resources, staff and reconfiguring office hours to service and maintain a wide array of facilities with solid geographic dispersal county-wide. However, a majority of libraries are still stuck with a retail operating business model9 a.m. - 6 p.m. with limited weekend hours, and services primarily geared toward consumers coming to these brick and mortar buildings. With the business day starting earlier and ending later, and families having more free time available on evenings and weekends, should some of our libraries perhaps open at noon and close at 10 p.m.; have full Saturday and Sunday hours, while closing on other weekdays?; promote more e-learning and checking out titles online instead of the hard bound print edition?; make significantly greater use of volunteers, interns, retirees and students in running these branches day to day? My answer to all those questions would be yes. There are literally hundreds of non-profit, civic, community and church-based organizations across this county, most all in support of education in some form or fashion. Whenever I speak to a Rotary Club, they almost invariably donate a book in my name to a local library. Has anyone asked the Rotary to provide lending library volunteers, or to help staff the mobile library units?; to teach courses at the library on computer use?; county history?; or simply to provide docent and monitor services to any of the many meetings rooms and spaces available to the public?; I doubt it. As the beautiful new Stonecrest Library branch sat un-opened last year, though fully constructed and well-stocked, the library system realigned staffing and cut hours elsewhere to eventually open Stonecrest. But the original target for staffing that branch was 18 full-time employees. That would have been overkill, and in my humble opinion that model is flawed and no longer viable. What about a library model that places a premium on e-learning and electronic services, which sets and then maintains branch hours driven by community needs and surveysmorning hours for some, evening and weekend hours for others, with greater and more frequent use of auditoriums and meeting space by other government agencies and community organizations? Residents are already familiar with health fairs and job fairs. What about having other county agenciesthe tax commissioner, voter registration, business licensing, code enforcement, etc.come to the libraries on a planned and preannounced annual and rotating calendar to help better serve the public? Reward non-profits, clubs and organizations providing free staff resources with meeting space and other library system benefits. Create a higher tier system of benefits for residents willing to pay an annual $50 or $100 library membership fee. Those options might include use of reserved meeting space, longer check out period for hard bound titles, unlimited downloads of movies and other electronic offerings, etc. We no longer teach our children in little red school houses. You wont see much chalk or many chalk boards if you visit most DeKalb school campuses anymore. Our libraries have done a lot with a little, but with a greater embrace and partnership by the larger community of users, we can do more while still taxing ourselves less. 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 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.
Opinion One Mans Opinion
Page 5A
At some point in the future, it would be theoretically possible to store all 16 million volumes in the Library of Congress on a disk the size of a penny, Paul M. Horn, IBM senior vice president for research, as paraphrased by William Grime for The New York Times, April 29, 1996. As we conclude National Library Week, we may need to turn a page on the way we operate libraries in these modern and constrained financial times. DeKalb County operates 23 libraries, funded primarily by property taxes. Significant bond funding in recent years has built shining new facilities, as well as stocked library shelves, but does not help with day-to-day operating expenses. The combination of the real estate recession, foreclosures and declining property values removed more than $1 billion from DeKalb Countys tax digest. Cuts have been made most everywhere, and the DeKalb County CEO and Com-
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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.
Send Letters To Editor, The Champion Free Press, P. O. Box 1347, Decatur, GA 30031-1347; Send E-Mail to Kathy@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 contributing editors do not necessarily reect 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: Dr. Earl D. Glenn Managing Editor: Kathy Mitchell News Editor: Robert Naddra 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.
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Opinion
Page 6A
Chairman of the con man committee

It's hard to take Rep. Paul Ryan's proposal seriously.
valid and specious, and ready cash. They dont always get their way, but theyve got a terrific batting average. In the third place, Congress is always going to have trouble creating a fair tax structure, partly because lawmakers cant agree on what fair is. Is it a progressive system in which the well-off pay more than the not-so-well-off because theyve benefitted from the system more? You can make that case, as the Bible does in the Apocrypha: If thou hast abundance, give alms according; if thou have but little, be not afraid to give according to that little. But you can also make a case, as flat-tax advocates do, that real fairness demands that everybody pays an equal share of his or her income to support society. If the federal government tried to institute a true flat tax, however, it would have a revolution on its hands. Such a tax would not merely require a uniform tax rate for rich and poor; it would eliminate all deductions and subsidies, without exception. For example, consider what would happen if the government were to eliminate the deduction of home mortgage interest. Homeowners would be outraged and the entire real estate industry would be howling as home sales plummeted. If deductions for business meals were no longer deductible on the theory that if you want to do business you can use your office and eat on your own nickel the National Restaurant Associations lobbyists and leaders would surround the Capitol, armed with pitchforks. And if lawmakers were to take away deductions for charitable contributions, the nations do-gooders would rise up as one to smite every member of Congress. Loc al and state governments would be up in arms if Washington tried to take away the federal deduction for the taxes they levy. And on and on and on. Its hard to tell whether Ryan is a dreamer or a con man at this point. If we wanted a dreamer, Ralph Nader would be president. OtherWords columnist Donald Kaul lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan. otherwords.org
Call me a cynic, but its been my experience that when politicians say theyre going to lower your taxes, its not your taxes theyre talking about. Take, for example, House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryans new (actually recycled) tax plan. The Wisconsin Republican proposes cutting federal income taxes, bringing down top rates from their current 35 percent to 25 percent. The lowest brackets would drop to 10 percent from 15. Hes also suggesting lowering corporate taxes in various ways and has rejected raising the paltry capital gains tax. Hes not just for cutting, of course. He also wants to boost military spending. When asked how hes going to make up for the hole in the budget his plan would open, he becomes vague. You cant go out there with a detailed formula until theres a consensus that we need to broaden the base and reduce rates, he told The New York Times. We need hearings in the light of day, with no back-room dealings. If we cant afford to retain certain tax breaks, then lets have a debate about it. Right. A consensus in Congress. That shouldnt be too hard to get. He would make up for the trillions in lost revenue by trimming some frivolous government programs such as Medicare and education for example, and get the rest by closing loopholes. Who is this guy, Candide? Its hard to take Ryans proposal seriously. In the first place, virtually the entire Republican membership of the House has taken a blood oath never to raise taxes. Theyve actually signed a document promising not to. And you cant close loopholes without, by definition, raising taxes. In the second place, Washington is home to a huge, well-paid army of lobbyists whose job it is to get subsidies, favorable regulations and tax breaks for their clients. Theyre good at their job. Whenever their clients interests are in danger, they swarm to the Capitol armed with arguments,
The following comments are pulled straight from our website and are not edited for content or grammar.
The night East Atlanta Village changed

II too share the same feelings as David. I bought my house in East Atlanta back in 2004. I also remember the days of the random gun shots and unfortunately, my house has been burglarized a few times as well. As soon as I started to loose faith in my community wonderful businesses like; East Atlanta Thia & Sushi, The Glenwood, The Earl, Midway Pub, the new OMG!!! Cup & Cakes, and my all time favorite Joes Coffee Shop has showed up. I can truly say my little hipster community is starting to grow some wings and Im glad to be able to call it home. Daniel, thank you so much for writing such a great piece and capturing the essence of East Atlanta Village. I truly hope we continue to attract businesses with staying power and even better neighbors. Peace, Mike. Mike posted this on 4/7/12 at 03:02 p.m. I bought my house on Brownwood Ave in 1981...for $36,000. There were at least two crack houses on my block and after a few burglaries, I was ready to leave. One night the Madison Theater, then a mattress storage facility, caught fire and flames could be seen across Brownwood Park. A couple of friends and I walked into the park for a closer look. I saw other on-lookers whom I recognized: What are you doing here? I live here. Youre kidding, so do I. Because there were almost no open businesses in the village, we had not seen each other around the area. Those days are gone... the days we could hear bullets whizzing by on weekends. Im happy to say Im still in the same house and that I live in this vibrant village community. I dont often use my car on the weekends as I enjoy walks to the village to have coffee with the neighbors, eat at one of the many fine restaurants, go to the library, do my banking, etc. Not many people, anywhere in the city, can enjoy a walkable community such as ours. Long live EAV. David posted this on 4/7/12 at 08:48 a.m.
Local News
Page 7A
Lithonia boosts police department with reserve officers

by Andrew Cauthen andrew@dekalbchamp.com cers because they are able to demand a minimum $25 per hour officers pay when they The Lithonia Police Dework security guard jobs, partment has grown from Varnum said. five officers to 13 and it did Varnum said he is trying not cost the city a penny. to ensure that the city has The city has signed on two to three officers patroleight reserve officers to assist ling at any given time. the police departments five Working with one officer fulltime ofon the street is a big ficers. liability, Varnum We will said. be more visVarnum said Reserve officers are a way ible, said he believes that acting Police there have been of addressing the public Chief Washtimes when a false ington Varcrime has been resafety needs that we have num. ported on one side This of the city to lure without having a significant will provide the officer on patrol additional away from the other financial impact. coverage part of town where for the city an actual crime is in and increase progress. - Deborah Jackson the presence The reserve ofof police ficers will help as a way of us better patrol the expanding city, Varnum said. public safety to the commuAll of the officers have The officers will be in nity, said Lithonia Mayor their Peace Officers Stanplace before the usual sumDeborah Jackson. dards and Training (POST) mer spike in crime, Varnum Jackson said the city certification and will work said. would consider increasing at least 16 hours per month, Crime is going to inthe number of fulltime police Varnum said. crease through the roof once officers if the citys revenue Reserve officers are not kids get out of school, Varincreases. paid, Varnum said. num said. Its sad, but its Reserve officers are a Most work as reserve offi- true. way of addressing the public safety needs that we have without having a significant financial impact, Jackson said. The reserve officers have prior experience at police departments in DeKalb, East Point, Pine Lake and Doraville.
Ramaiseya Parham
help them get support to make good decisions that will lead to a better life, she said. Recalling her own experiences as a pregnant high school student, Parham said, I was a child myself. I felt very scared sometimes. The babys father was in and out of my life and some of my friends didnt want to associate with me any more. She said the organization oers emotional support for young mothers whose families and former friends might not be understanding of their situations. Maybe they just need to vent. Maybe they need to talk with someone late at night when theyre tired and feeling overwhelmed by the demands of caring for a baby, she said. The organization sponsors regular outings, cooking classes, meetings, a newsletter and retreats that provide opportunities for young mothers to meet others who face the same challenges and to hear from speakers, many of whom built successful lives while they were still young, single mothers. Parham, who now has a bachelors degree in mass communications, in addition to pursuing projects in lm, television and radio, has launched two clothing lines, Moaccha Mode Inc. for women, and a childrens line, KaMoo Inc., dedicated to her daughter Karmyn. Parham said most of the organizations current support comes from her and her mother, but we hope other people will see what were doing and help sponsor some of our activities, she said.
Champion of the Week
Ramaiseya Parham gave birth to a daughter when she was 17 and a student at Miller Grove High School. Still, she graduated on time with a 4.02 grade-point average and was accepted to Clark Atlanta University, where during her freshman year, she earned a 4.00 GPA. Although with family nancial and emotional support she did ne, Parham said she realized that many young women in her situation need many types of help. Now 22, Parham has launched Buttery Roses Inc., a nonprot to empower and benet single mothers. Through the organization, she said, she hopes to help other young, single mothers achieve their life goals. Whether they want to get back in school, get a jobwhatever they need to get their lives back on trackthats what Buttery Roses wants to help them with, she said. Parham said that too many young single mothers accept the negative baby mama image that society often has of such women. I want them to see that while having a baby so young was not the best course they can still bounce back and pursue their dreams. I want to
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.
Local News
Page 8A
A sign at Wade Walker Park advertises DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis One DeKalb Works initiative, which has been described as a job stimulus plan incorporating the countys billion-dollar watershed improvement project. Some county commissioners say One DeKalb Works has nothing to do with the construction of a new YMCA facility at Wade Walker Park. Photo by Andrew Cauthen
Unknowns surround countys job stimulus plan

by Andrew Cauthen andrew@dekalbchamp.com We havent received all of the particulars about the project yet, Smith said. We are waiting to hear Representatives of the colleges from the county about when this is that are supposed to be working going to start. We havent been conon DeKalb Countys billion-dollar tacted as for as training yet. job stimulus plan dont know much While the county is expected about it. to issue a request for proposals for In late March, a DeKalb official a program management team this told a Board of Commissioners month, Smith said there are many committee that the county is workunknowns. ing with DeVry Institute, Georgia I think the county has identified Perimeter College and Georgia Pied- the different jobs, Smith said. I mont Technical College to prepare think DeKalb Workforce Developresidents for the estimated 4,000 jobs ment is going to be the manager on that will be created to fix the countys that. The school may be a subconaging watershed system. tractor. I dont know how that works CurrentlyDeKalb county resi- yet. I dont know how that sequence dents [are] being trained at DeVry is going to fall out yet. [and] Georgia Perimeter [for jobs] DeKalb Workforce Development such as pipefitter, Kelvin Walton, is a county division that provides director of the countys purchasing education, training and employment and contracting department, told programs for job seekers and workcommissioners March 29. force development services to busiRepresentatives from Georgia nesses. Qualified county residents go Piedmont Technical College say they through the division and can be apare not exactly clear what the colproved to attend various colleges for leges role will be in One DeKalb a career development. Works, the job stimulus plan anSmith said that once the planning nounced by DeKalb CEO Burrell is complete, it would take a week to Ellis in November 2011. get the customized program impleWeve been asked to partner with mented. them, said Cory Thompson, the We can turn it around pretty colleges public relations and inforquick, Smith said. mation director. In just four weeks, a person can But that is all the college knows, receive a certification for operating he said, about One DeKalb Works heavy equipment or get training for until a meeting with county officials a commercial drivers license, Smith this week to hammer out the details said. The school can also train workabout the relationship between the ers to operate bulldozers, backhoes two entities. and excavation equipment. Richard Smith, the vice president You can go from zero to operator of economic development at Georin one month, Smith said. Within a gia Piedmont, said the college has month people are going to be ready a longstanding relationship with to work. DeKalb County government and has Sheryl Chapman, director of worked with the watershed departDeKalb Workforce Development, ment to train employees. said Georgia Piedmont is training But no training for the watershed people for the watershed project but capital improvement project has may not realize it. started, Smith said. In preparation for the capital improvement project (CIP), people have been trained, Chapman said. People are currently being trained. We train people for the CIP as well as for any other employee, Chapman said. When we send people more than [to Georgia Piedmont], we dont say this is only for the CIP. Chapman said the countys First Source registry, a database of qualified residents available to work on county contracts, has more than 1,300 DeKalb residents with skills that could be used in the watershed project. We have people that are unemployed or underemployed who are ready to go to work now, she said. Georgia Perimeter, another college mentioned in a commissioners meeting but not in the One DeKalb Works brochure, is not equipped to train the kind of workers needed for the watershed project, said Wallace Weihe, director of the Center for Organizational Development at Georgia Perimeter. How are we involved? Weihe asked. Its not a fit for the college. We dont do anything in the blue collar arena. One DeKalb Works is really something were not too involved with, Weihe said. Georgia Perimeter works with DeKalb Workforce Development, but the colleges program is for outof-work white-collar people, Weihe said. Chapman said Georgia Perimeter has not been approached to be an active One DeKalb Works partner, but her division is not limited to its main partners. Well use any school that can train our citizens, Chapman said. Weve opened this up to any of the schoolsas long as it is a legitimate program. Because of the scope of the watershed project, contractors may need additional people with office automation and management, business and administrative skills, Chapman said. These skills could be learned at Georgia Perimeter, she said. Commissioner Stan Watson said his fellow commissioners want to know the effectiveness of One DeKalb Works. We need to know the number of [people] that have been trained, Watson said. Who have we trained? How many of them have a hammer ready to go? Commissioner Sharon Barnes Sutton has also asked the administration for specifics about One DeKalb Works and the training that has occurred. I need to know whats coming down the pipe in terms of employment, Sutton said. Sutton said One DeKalb Works is just a publicity thing. One DeKalb Works is not a department, Sutton said. Its just a slogan created by the administration. In reality, these jobs are coming because of our federally mandated consent decree. Is there some substance and not just words? Chapman said One DeKalb Works is Ellis holistic plan for addressing the employment needs of DeKalb residents. That is the name of the CIP, Chapman said. This is similar to a stimulus program for DeKalb. DeKalb residents will be working in their home area, Chapman said. Its a win-win. Through One DeKalb Works, the county is actively working and preparing DeKalb residents for the CIP, Chapman said. We are ready and prepared for the CIP. County says One DeKalb Works is training new workers. See Page 9A
Local News
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County:
One DeKalb Works working to train workers

by Andrew Cauthen andrew@dekalbchamp.com DeKalb County officials say they are getting ready to put DeKalb residents in some of the 4,000 jobs expected to be created by its watershed improvement project over the next several years. The county will use its First Source ordinance to ensure that many of the jobs go to DeKalb residents, according to Sheryl Chapman, director of DeKalb Workforce Development (DWD). The First Source ordinance is a public regulation that requires contractors and beneficiaries to make a good faith effort to hire 50 percent of all jobs using the First Source Registry candidate database, according to the countys website. In accordance with the ordinance, recipients of county revitalization grants and contracts of $50,000 or more are required to use DeKalb residents, Chapman said. That compliance statement is part of the contract. Fifty percent of any new hiring must come from the First Source registry, Chapman said. DeKalb Workforce Development pre-screens applicants, markets open positions and conducts job fairs. Contractors are required to provide job descriptions for all open positions which, in turn, are required to be posted on DWDs First Source Registry candidate database. We do screening and recruitingbut the contractor has all hiring authority, Chapman said. Through the First Source ordinance, the county will perform strong monitoring of the contractors hiring. If a contractor cannot find enough workers from the registry, he must say why, Chapman said. If DWD sends a list of qualified, screened potential employees to a contractor, and he says he cannot find good candidates, that would raise a red flag, Chapman said. We would need to know why, she said. In addition to recruiting and screening potential employees, DWD provides short-term occupational skills training. For example, DWD provides welding certification. Someone may have experience and need to get that credential, Chapman said. DWD then sends the person to one of its approved schools such as Georgia Piedmont Technical College. Weve asked them to customize training specifically for this project, Chapman said. Chapman said the county will also be working with Goodwill Industries NEW Choices for Women program that helps low-income women get hands-on training program in the construction industry. Since November, approximately 2,800 people have registered or updated their First Source profiles, Chapman said. More than 100 people have received occupational skills training at various schools. Some are in preparation for the CIP and some are just for employment, she said. In addition to various construction jobs, Chapman said she also expects administrative and payroll positions to be available in the watershed project. The CIP should allow various people to find jobs, Chapman. Its a business. You need all types of people.
State, county leaders say metro Atlanta must act as region for transportation
by Andrew Cauthen andrew@dekalbchamp.com State and local leaders say the 10 counties in the Atlanta metro area must act together to address the regions transportation problems. We are all cousins, said Eldrin Bell, chairman of the Clayton County Board of Commissioners. This is about the region. This is about the people. On July 31, voters in the metro area will decide whether they want to pay a regional penny sales tax to fund various transportation projects, including transit, roadway safety, bicycle and pedestrian improvements. Proposed projects in DeKalb County include a $7 million Clifton corridor rail transit system and $225 million for a transit system along I-20 from the Indian Creek MARTA station to Stonecrest Mall. This is a very, very critical conversation for us to have, said DeKalb Commissioner Lee May on April 7 during the monthly breakfast sponsored by Commissioner Stan Watson. Its critical because we are having a conversation about really, truly acting as a region. DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis said the transportation vote is a tremendous opportunity for the region. Between now and 2040 we have the opportunity to create 200,000 jobs, Ellis said. The penny sales tax would provide an opportunity to put a $225 million down payment right here in south DeKalb for rail and $1.3 billion in DeKalb County as a whole, Ellis said. We dont get too many opportunities like that. Although no county will be able to fund all of its proposed projects, Ellis said, If DeKalb County can make the investment now and move rail along, chances are when we go back to the table again 10 years from now, we can extend that rail system into Rockdale County. Rockdale County CEO Richard Oden agreed with Ellis support of the sales tax. What happens in DeKalb County has a tremendous impact in Rockdale County, Oden
Moms, work at home with us!
said. We have a very high stake here. Robert L. Brown, a board member of the Georgia Department of Transportation representing DeKalb County, said if voters decide against the transportation tax, they must decide what the Plan B is for transportation improvements. Plan B is to continue to trickle along the way we always have, Brown said, adding that 70 percent of GDOTs current budget is used for maintenance. We do not actually have a Plan B, Brown said. If we do not pass the TIA [Transportation Investment Act], where will we get the funding to continue to build a world-class transportation system in our community? We need the funding to continue the economic prosperity in our community so we can be vibrant [and] so that we can lead the region in job growth, Brown said. If you can figure out what Plan B is, let me know.
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Local News
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CrimE BriEFS
Rape suspect to be arraigned April 19 A man described by the countys District Attorneys Office as a serial rapist will face a judge on April 19. Gary Wendale Mincey, 35, of Decatur will be arraigned before Judge Gail Flake on charges that he raped four women in late 2011. Detectives have said they believe that on Nov. 29, Mincey 2011, Mincey followed a woman, in her 20s, from the Publix grocery store at 3649 Flakes Mill Road to her home in the Columbia Drive area. According to investigators, as the victim unloaded her groceries from the car, Mincey entered the victims home through the garage area, sexually assaulted her and stole various items including a cellphone and laptop. On Nov. 30, 2011, detectives were following up on leads and saw Minceys car near Flakes Mill Road. After a brief pursuit, Mincey was arrested and charged with rape, armed robbery, burglary and false imprisonment. Decatur radiation oncology practice settles false claims act investigation The U.S. Attorneys Office announced April 3 that it has reached a settlement with Radiotherapy Clinics of Georgia (RCOG), LLC, a radiation oncology practice in Decatur, and its affiliates RCOG Cancer Centers LLC, Physician Oncology Services Management Company, LLC, Dr. Frank A. Critz and PhyCritz sician Oncology Services. RCOG agreed to pay $3.8 million to settle claims that they violated the federal False Claims Act by billing Medicare for medical treatment that it provided to prostate cancer patients in excess of those permitted by Medicare rules and for billing for services that were not medically necessary. Sally Quillian Yates, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia, said, This settlement demonstrates our offices continued commitment to stop Medicare fraud. Unfortunately, otherwise legitimate businesses continue to take advantage of federal healthcare programs for their private profit, Yates said. We will not ignore these violations. The civil settlement resolves complaints filed by two whistleblowers, who both worked for RCOG. The whistleblowers, R. Jeffrey Wertz and Dr. Rebecca S. Tarlton, will receive $646,000 as their share of the proceeds. The government alleged that RCOG overbilled Medicare for X-ray images of the treatment area and for simulations. Additionally, it was alleged that the practice overbilled Medicare for the production of complete consultative reports for an individual patient and for pre-plans ordered by Critz that were not medically necessary and/or never reviewed by the doctor. The claims settled by the April 2 agreement are allegations only; there has been no determination of liability, according to the U.S. Attorneys office. DeKalb County engineering supervisor pleads guilty to extortion Fidelis Ogbu, 59, of DeKalb County pleaded guilty to extortion April 4 for operating what officials called a pay-to-play scheme. U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said Ogbu, an engineering supervisor for the DeKalb County Department of Public Works, extorted money from a private construction contractor who was working with law enforcement as a confidential source. Ogbu compelled the contractor to pay him off for the contractor to complete the project and to gain future work. A federal grand jury indicted Ogbu March 6, charging him with extortion and bribery. The extortion charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. A sentencing date has not been set. Stolen East Point Police officers gun found in Dunwoody apartment Dunwoody Police responding to a domestic altercation April 7 found a stolen police officers gun. Police were called to Two Block Apartments, located at 4000 Dunwoody Park, at 2 p.m. to respond to an assault in progress, according to Sgt. Mike Carlson, Dunwoody Police spokesman. When officers entered the apartment, they noticed a Glock pistol in plain sight, Carlson said. After checking the guns registration, police learned that it was reported stolen by an East Point police officer. Twannez Newton, a 28-year-old female, and Davveonta Ponds, an 18-year-old male, were charged with simple battery, obstruction, and theft by receiving a stolen firearm.
Watershed employees arrested for stealing time

we have completed our investigation, Rhinehart said. We have isolated the handful of people Four county watershed depart- that were obviously doing somement employees are out of jobs thing illegal. The district attorney and are under is handling it from there. investigation According to Burke Brenfor a fraudunan, the countys chief comlent timekeep- munications officer, and court ing scheme. records, the watershed employees Accordwho were allegedly involved ing to Ted in the scheme include Cynthia Rhinehart, Hall, 49, of Norcross. the countys Hall was the senior payroll deputy chief personnel technician involved in operating the scheme. Hall was arrested on officer over Feb. 9 and charged with rackeLee infrastructure teering, theft by taking, computer departments, trespass, computer forgery and a county timekeeper in the waviolating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations tershed department was caught (RICO) Act. charging out Hall was released Feb. 14 on a more overtime $50,000 bond. than a few of Jarvis Dion Foster, 35, of the employees Tucker, was charged with theft had actually by taking for the offense that ocworked. curred in December 2011. The timeA $3,000 bond was set for keeper alFoster, who was arrested Dec. 31 legedly [reand released on his own recogniceived] money zance that same day. Foster, a seback from the nior crew worker, was terminated Foster Feb. 15. employees Anthony Quinn Lee, 34, of who were inDecatur, was arrested March 13 volved, Rhinehart said. and charged with theft by taking. It is my understanding that Lee, a senior crew worker, is out the police of jail on a $5,000 bond. He resigned on Feb. 20. are pressA fourth employee implicated ing charges in the scheme, Andre Cofer, a [and] that they senior crew supervisor, was terhave enough minated on April 5. evidence, Nicole Marchand, the Rhinehart countys chief assistant district said. attorney, would not release any The two information about the arrests. or three emI can only confirm that there ployees that is an ongoing, general investiHall were engaged gation of the watershed departin that proment, Marchand wrote in an cess, I believe, have also been ar- e-mail to The Champion. This rested, Rhinehart said. Theyve is a pending investigation and we all been terminated. will not release any information Thats been dealt with and regarding it. by Andrew Cauthen andrew@dekalbchamp.com
Local News
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Construction is finished on the new pool in Clarkston. Officials are currently looking for a company to provide concessions and operational staff. The pool is tentatively scheduled to open Memorial Day weekend. Photos by Daniel Beauregard
Clarkston gets ready for summer with new pool, park renovations
by Daniel Beauregard daniel@dekalbchamp.com With summer approaching, Clarkston City Manager Keith Barker said the new pool at Milam Park will be open for business on Memorial Day weekend if all goes as planned. Construction is now completed on the new pool, which has a capacity of approximately 400 people. Clarkston is soliciting bids for swimming pool management services and since it has no parks and recreation service, the city is looking for a company able to provide concessions and operational staff in addition to pool management. Theres also the issue of whether were going to just operate a pool, or offer programming such as swimming [lessons] and water safety certification classes as well, Barker said. Our idea was to contract with a company that would provide the whole suite of services. Barker said the city will interview contractors through mid-April and plans to have a contract finalized to bring before the Clarkston City Council on May 2. Although the pool is completed, Barker said the city has yet to decide on a fee for residents and non-residents. However, he did say that the fee for Clarkston residents would be less than that for non-residents. I purposely didnt specify a fee because my idea was for the vendor to propose a business modelI wanted to give them the ability to The pool, located at the front of Milam Park off Norman Road, has been closed for four years for renovation. Barker said with the reopening, coupled with the hot summer and the number of children living in the area, the city expects the pool to stay fairly crowded. Then couple those facts with the other improvements we plan on doing in the park, Barker said. The city has proposed a facelift to the park, estimated to cost approximately $300,000. Barker said he hopes to bring the park construction contract before the city council at the May 2 business meeting as well. Were trying to do this without closing the park and were paying for the construction with funds we have on hand, Barker said. I would have loved to have done this over the winter but the timing didnt work out. The list of proposed projects includes turning both of the parks baseball fields into multi-use fields and replacing all of the old playground equipment with new, safer equipment. Additionally, the city plans to build new restroom facilities and install fencing along the fields to replace rusted chain-link fences. This work has needed to be done for quite some time so I want to strike while the iron is hot, Barker said. The city hopes to complete the park renovations by late July or early August.
Clarkston City Manager Keith Barker points to an aerial picture of Milam Park, which is scheduled to begin approximately $300,000 of construction work over the next several months.
propose fees, hours of operation and special programs, Barker said.
Local News
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Davids Produce & Specialties, located of LaVista Road, has been selling fresh produce and specialty food items to DeKalb residents for the past 17 years. It was first opened by current owner David Glenns grandparents in 1933 as a stand near Atlantas City Hall East, which sold strictly produce. Photos by John Hewitt
Small store offers residents a taste of country life

by Daniel Beauregard daniel@dekalbchamp.com On a gray April afternoon three large steel pots sit by the side of the road, steam rising into the air as the smell of boiling peanuts makes its way across the dirt parking lot off busy LaVista Road. Behind the pots stand Davids Produce & Specialties, a small, modestly painted wooden store filled with produce. An array of different flowers sit on display and ferns hang from the ceiling of the wooden porch, which is covered in hand-painted signs listing various fruits and vegetables. To the left of the building fresh watermelons, some sliced and some whole, are piled high underneath a canopy . The store looks like what one might expect to find on the side of the road in Dahlonega or Jasper. Davids has been serving costomers for nearly 17 years at its current location. The business began in 1933 and was started by David Glenns grandparents. It was located at a market in the area of what is now City Hall East on Ponce de Leon Avenue in Atlanta and only sold produce. It was called Robert Donaldson Produce, Glenn said. We moved to a market located off Edgewood after thatI kind of grew up working at the Edgewood market. When Robert Donaldson Produce moved to its current location in 1995 the name changed to Davids Produce & Specialties, and the business fell into Glenns hands. The store then began to sell gourmet and specialty food items. However, he said produce remains the core of the business, especially the fresh tomatoes, or tmaters as signs all over the store refer to them. It became almost a different business. We sell a lot of specialty products. In fact, theres one right here that Im thinking about putting in, Glenn said as he reached behind the counter and grabbed a mason jar. This is a customer who has just made an almond butter and he lives right here in Atlanta. Glenn said his store competes with large grocery stores such as Kroger and Publix by offering customers things they wouldnt see
See Market on Page 13A
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Local News
there will be projects going on simultaneously but I dont want those SPLOST III people to feel like theyre being shut out. I hope we look at that, b oard member Don McChesney said. Atkinson assured members the priority is to do those as quickly as possible because they were promised first. Board Chairman Eugene Walker commended Atkinson and her team for finding a timely solution to the projected shortfall, but urged board members and staff to take another look at how the district will pay for the projects. One of the issues that we had is we borrowed $300 million to jumpstart SPLOST III and we had to pay some interest on that we were collecting the inter-
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Market
Continued From Page 12A
Budget Continued From Page 3A

using a standard design for building seven new elementary schools and reallocating $5 million from the districts program management expenses. Several school board members were concerned that moving the SPLOST III projects into the SPLOST IV program would affect the timeline of some of the projects. I do understand the fact est off the money we had. Things were going good until the bottom fell out, Walker said. Walker said he thinks borrowing the money to jumpstart projects is a good idea if timed correctly, and there are plenty of opportunities for federal bonds the district should consider.
every day. Locally made honey and homemade peanut butter are just a couple of the products not available in larger storeshe also visits the state farmers market three times a week and handpicks the veggies that go into the store. I open the box of just about every piece of produce I buy and look inside. Larger stores just call up and say, Send me a box, but I have to be more careful because I need people coming back, Glenn said. It takes a long time to figure out what your location can sell. You could move two miles in either direction and your whole clientele may change. At the register, Mary Ellen Sheehan is waiting in line to purchase a jar of honey. Its the first time shes been inside Davids Produce & Specialties. Ive driven past here every day for around 12 years but its the first time Ive been in the shop, Sheehan said. Glenn asked Sheehan why it had taken her so long to stop into the store. She said, life, raising children. Im glad I finally came now. I lived in Milwaukee last year and there were a lot of small stores like this, which I loved walking to. We need more of these, Sheehan said. Sheehan said she is working with Burmese refugees and starting a small farm in Clarkston, and one of the reason she stopped in was to see how the store is run and what it has to offer. Sheehan said she was going to grow organic produce but Glenn said if he sold organic produce it would put him out of business. Organic is not really organic anyways, they still use pesticides just different ones, and the price doubles and triples. I couldnt sell organic here because its too expensivepeople wouldnt pay for it, Glenn said. Glenn said Davids is gearing up for a busy summer. He walked to the front of the store, then outside, and began scooping peanuts into a plastic bag. He said there arent very many places in town that still sell fresh, hot-boiled peanuts. People tell us that we have some of the best you can get anywhere, Glenn said.
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.
The Champion Weather

Seven Day Forecast THURSDAY
Sunny High: 66 Low: 43
April 12, 2012

Today's Regional Map Weather History
April 12, 1989 - Twenty-two cities in the south central and eastern United States reported record low temperatures for the date, including Elkins, W.Va. with a low of 15 degrees and Baton Rouge, La. with a reading of 37 degrees. April 13, 1986 - A major spring storm quickly intensified, bringing blizzard conditions to much of the Northern Plains region. Up to 18 inches of snow was reported in North Dakota. In South Dakota, winds gusting to 90 mph whipped snow into drifts 15 feet high. Dunwoody 64/42 Lilburn Smyrna Doraville 65/43 65/43 65/43 Snellville Decatur 66/43 Atlanta 66/43 66/43 Lithonia College Park 67/43 67/43 Morrow 67/43 Union City 67/43 Hampton 68/44
In-Depth Local Forecast

Today we will see sunny skies with a high temperature of 66, humidity of 27%. North wind 5 to 15 mph. The record high temperature for today is 86 set in 1981. Expect mostly clear skies tonight with an overnight low of 43. The record low for tonight is 32 set in 1940.
FRIDAY
Sunny High: 73 Low: 49
*Last Weeks Almanac

Date Hi Lo Normals Precip Tuesday 86 62 70/47 0.67" Wednesday 83 60 70/48 0.61" Thursday 78 61 70/48 0.01" Friday 66 52 71/48 0.00" Saturday 72 45 71/48 0.00" Sunday 77 49 71/48 0.00" Monday 78 51 71/49 0.00" Rainfall . . . . . . .1.29" Average temp . .65.7 Normal rainfall . .0.92" Average normal 59.3 Departure . . . . .+0.37" Departure . . . . .+6.4
*Data as reported from De Kalb-Peachtree Airport
SATURDAY
Mostly Sunny High: 76 Low: 55
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
Partly Cloudy High: 77 Low: 54 Last 4/13
Local Sun/Moon Chart This Week

Day Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Sunrise 7:09 a.m. 7:08 a.m. 7:07 a.m. 7:06 a.m. 7:05 a.m. 7:03 a.m. 7:02 a.m. Sunset 8:07 p.m. 8:07 p.m. 8:08 p.m. 8:09 p.m. 8:10 p.m. 8:11 p.m. 8:11 p.m. Moonrise 1:44 a.m. 2:31 a.m. 3:12 a.m. 3:48 a.m. 4:21 a.m. 4:52 a.m. 5:21 a.m. Moonset 12:14 p.m. 1:16 p.m. 2:18 p.m. 3:17 p.m. 4:14 p.m. 5:11 p.m. 6:06 p.m. First 4/29
Tonight's Planets
Mercury Venus Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus Rise Set 6:08 a.m. 5:57 p.m. 9:15 a.m. 11:52 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 5:18 a.m. 8:21 a.m. 9:52 p.m. 8:10 p.m. 7:37 a.m. 6:28 a.m. 6:40 p.m.
WEDNESDAY
Mostly Sunny High: 78 Low: 52 New 4/21
Full 5/5
Local UV Index
National Weather Summary This Week

The Northeast will see mostly clear to partly cloudy skies with a few showers today, mostly clear skies Friday, partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated thunderstorms Saturday, with the highest temperature of 66 in Boscobel, Wis. The Southeast will see mostly clear skies today through Saturday, with the highest temperature of 84 in Marathon Key, Fla. The Northwest will see scattered showers today through Saturday, with the highest temperature of 72 in Torrington, Wyo. The Southwest will see mostly clear to partly cloudy skies today, scattered showers Friday and Saturday, with the highest temperature of 91 in Artesia, N.M.
Weather Trivia
What is the driest spot in the United States?
0 - 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11+
UV Index 0-2: Low, 3-5: Moderate, 6-7: High, 8-10: Very High 11+: Extreme Exposure
Answer: Death Valley, California, with an average of 1.63 inches of rain per year.
www.WhatsOurWeather.com
StarWatch By Gary Becker - Titanic Disaster was Unavoidable

Next week marks the centennial observance of the sinking of the Titanic. The White Star Lines flag ship was on her maiden voyage from Southampton to New York when it struck an iceberg, April 14, shortly after 11:40 p.m. Just under three hours later, Titanics broken stern slipped into the 28-31 degree waters of the North Atlantic. Deaths totaled 1517. Less than half of that number lived (710). The last Titanic survivor died in 2009. Even though the night was moonless, lookouts Frederick Fleet and Reginald Lee should have been able to spot the iceberg from a greater distance then they did. They may have been fooled by a mirage that helped to obscure the ice until it was too late. The night was radiantly clear, the ocean calm with almost a glass like quality. Titanic was sailing under an immense dome of high pressure, having recently passed from the warmer Gulf Stream into the much colder Labrador Current. When the air becomes warmer with altitude, called an inversion, a mirage can occur that creates a false horizon, lifting it higher than the true horizon. The effect would have obscured the nearer ice against this hazy false horizon, rendering it invisible until Titanic was close enough to make the iceberg appear higher than the false horizon. By that time, 11:40 p.m., maneuvering the cumbersome ocean liner from its path of collision had come and gone. Other atmospheric high jinks may also have occurred. The SS California, about one hour away, spotted a distant Titanic lifted above the true horizon by the super refraction of the atmosphere. Because it appeared too small, it was not deemed to be the great ocean liner. The atmospheric inversion also garbled Morse lamp messages between the two ships, keeping the California from understanding the true nature of the disaster until well after the Titanic had sunk into the frigid Atlantic. www.astronomy.org
Health
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Emory, Oglethorpe and mercer first campuses in DeKalb to go tobacco-free

Board of Health partners with local universities on health initiative
The DeKalb County Board of Health recently announced a partnership with three local universitiesEmory University, Oglethorpe University and Mercer Universityto create tobacco-free campuses. The three schools are the first four-year universities in DeKalb to take the step to eliminate on-campus tobacco use. The initiative is designed to reduce tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure among students, faculty and staff on the campuses. The tobacco-free campus initiative is being supported by the DeKalb County Board of Healths DeKalb Putting Prevention to Work program. The Board of Health is supporting the colleges by providing resources and support to initiate 100 percent tobacco-free campus policies, including producing posters to help prepare the campuses for the upcoming changes. These specially designed Picture DeKalb Healthy posters encourage campus residents to imagine a healthier, tobacco-free environment. The DeKalb County Board of Healths partnership with the colleges is one component of a multi-pronged approach to reduce secondhand smoke exposure and help residents live tobacco-free. We are excited to be among the first universities in DeKalb County to take this important step, said Linda Johns, R.N., assistant manager of student health and Tobacco Task Force member at Mercer University. This initiative not only creates a healthier environment for all who visit our campuses, but it also further aligns Mercer with its commitment to health and well-being. Emory, Oglethorpe and Mercer aim to be tobaccofree by fall 2012. The three schools will join more than 252 other colleges and universities nationwide in implementing 100 percent tobacco-free campus policies. The selected universities will conduct a variety of activities to become tobaccofree, including creating a tobacco task force, developing a campus-wide tobacco action plan and creating an implementation guide documenting the tobacco-free campus policy process. The schools will also offer smoking cessation classes and other resources to help lems, including cancer, heart spiratory and ear infections students and staff kick the disease, asthma attacks, reand tooth and gum diseases. habit in preparation for their new tobacco-free environments. We are conducting awareness activities to educate employees and students about the dangers of tobacco use and cessation reDeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis recently joined sources, said Cathy Grote, Kathy Kuzava, president of the Georgia Food Industry R.N., director of the Health Association; Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA) Service Department and ToBoard Chair Dr. James R. Gavin; and CBS Atlanta news bacco Task Force member at anchor Stephany Fisher at Emory University to discuss Oglethorpe University. We childhood obesity and access to healthy, affordable food. realize that this change canPHA, which works with honorary chair first lady not happen overnight and Michelle Obama and the private sector to end the childhood we will need to provide peoobesity epidemic within a generation, and Family Circle ple with the tools to make magazine, which is dedicated to offering moms of tweens this transition successful. and teens practical advice on appealing weeknight meal Partnerships that reach ideas, hosted the eventthe first in a series of roundtable college students with indiscussions about the childhood obesity crisis. novative health intervenAccess to jobs and a living wage are key to being able tions help them to adopt to afford nutritious foods and having time and leisure to healthy behaviors that last devote to physical and mental health, Ellis said. Residents a lifetime. These behaviors must have access to grocery stores, cooperative vegetable contribute significantly to markets, parks with trails, and strong partnerships with the nations goal of building public safety officials to ensure a healthier lifestyle. a healthier workforce, said Moderated by Linda Fears, editor in chief of Family S. Elizabeth Ford, M.D., Circle magazine, the panel discussion focused on the link M.B.A., district health dibetween childhood obesity rates and access to healthy, rector of the DeKalb County affordable food choices. Board of Health. In Georgia, approximately 40 percent of children are Tobacco use is the leadeither obese or overweight, and according to the USDA, ing preventable cause of approximately 6.5 million children in the United States live death in the United States, in low-income areas that lack stores likely to sell healthy according to Board of and affordable foods. Studies also show when there is an health officials. Smoking increase in access to better, more affordable food choices, and smokeless tobacco can individuals will be more likely to have healthier diets and cause numerous health probbe at a lower risk for obesity.
Ellis, experts kick off childhood obesity roundtables
The Champion Free Press, Friday, April 13 , 2012
by Gale Horton Gay
or anyone who has dined in Decatur and thought Im glad everyone doesnt know how great the cuisine is here, the jig is up. The treasures of Decaturs dining scene now have a bright spotlight shining on them, thanks to Southern Living magazine. The publication selected Decatur as one of the Souths Tastiest Towns and has featured it in its April issue. The magazine show-
The secrets out:
Local News
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Decatur named one of top tastiest towns in the South

sual to fine dining) shows that chefs and restauranteurs respect the integrity and expectation of their audience. If youre not going to give 110 percent to your own neighbors, then who else? Quality also tends to indicate a shared sensibility for good (and even sustainable) living, which ultimately means a great lifestyle. A fancy way of saying it makes people happy! Variety of restaurants often reects the diverse palette of people that create a community, and when a broad spectrum of bellies can be filled by diverse avors (and some variation of their mothers cooking), then everyone is more fortified. Linda Harris, Decaturs assistant director of community and economic development, described the recognition as awesome. We are very excited about this. Its quite an honor, said Harris. She pointed out that Decatur is the smallest of the 10 cities on the list, yet it received more than 10,000 votes. And we only have 20,000 people in the city, she said. I think it acknowledges what we have become. The folks that live here and come to the restaurants know it. Just having that acknowledgement is a real plus. Harris said Decatur plans to mention its culinary distinction in all its marketing materials and via social media for the remainder of the year. Leonardo McClarty, president of the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce, acknowledged that Decaturs Tastiest Town designation is positive for the city and the county, however, this best-kept secret is now out. I think its definitely something thats really great for the city of Decatur and also great for DeKalb County as well, said McClarty. As people start making their travel arrangements, I hope it will lend itself to people patronizing the restaurants in the city of Decatur, whether they are passing through or staying on the outskirts. Southern Living editors chose the Top 10 Tastiest Towns in the South based on the following criteria: Food as a cultural identity Growth of a culinary-minded community
cases Decaturs tastemakers and chefs and recommends the perfect eating day in town. The magazine launched its first Tastiest Towns competition to celebrate the many distinct hometown avors that define todays Southern cuisine. Southern Living chose the top 10 and let consumers decide the winner. According to the publication, more than a half-million votes were cast. While Lafayette, La., took home the top award, Decatur is honored for its laid-back spots writes Senior Editor Paula Disbrowe. Other cities that made the cut are: Baltimore, Md.; Birmingham, Ala.; Charleston, S.C.; Charlottesville, Va.; Houston, Texas; Louisville, Ky.; New Orleans, La., and Raleigh, N.C. Each town is profiled in the current issue. Asked what distinguishes Decatur, Disbrowe shared in an e-mail, Two thingsthe first is that its a suburb, a progressive little community outside Atlanta, a culinary powerhouse in its own right, and yet Decatur has established its own distinct identity. The second factor is that its unabashedly laid back and welcomingfolks there have sophisticated tastes and they want to eat very well (as in good local and/or sustainable ingredients) but they want to enjoy the food in a laid back setting. They dont need a ashy or pretentious shrine to fine diningthey are happy to have a great burger or pizza with a killer bottle of wine. Disbrowe, who is based in Austin, Texas, said she hasnt visited Decatur, however, through industry events shes become a fan of locals such as Billy Allin for his culinary sensibilities. And Disbrowe heard rave reviews from Southern Living staffers who have dined in Decatur. The magazine specifically cited Decaturs Cakes & Ale, Farm Burger, Brick Store Pub, No.
246 and Your DeKalb Farmers Market as being part of the citys culinary standouts. We are very proud of Decatur, said Cakes & Ale co-owner Kristin Allin, who along with husband chef Billy are featured in a photograph in the magazine. Living here, loving Decatur. Its a very innovative place. Allin said they are honored to be recognized by Southern Living. We are just enjoying it. Our friends and guests get calls from all around the South. It creates a feeling of pride for people who live here, she said. Four-year-old Cakes & Ale moved to its current location on the Decatur Square in August and added a bakery. Allin said the response to the addition has been very positive and a new pastry chef, Eric Wolitzky, from New York joined them in March. We are attracting this type of talent, said Kristin Allin of Wolitzky who has competed on the TV show Top Chef: Just Desserts. Disbrowe also explained that the significance of a communitys restaurants quality and variety is immeasurable. Quality on all levels (from ca-
Occupy Continued From Page 1A

was told she needed to come up with $20,000 before they would consider a loan modification. In January 2012, Frazer heard about Occupy Atlantas home defense effort and contacted the organization. Theyve really been fantastic in bringing attention to my situation, Frazer said. The Occupy Atlanta group also put Frazer in touch with an attorney, Joshua Davis, who has filed a lawsuit against Investors One Corporation, the company that claims to own the loan and is attempting to evict the family from the home. Frazers attorney is challenging the assignment of the mortgage to Investors One after the mortgage changed companies three times in six months. This lawsuit will hopefully help prevent an eviction, Frazer said. Until that is settled, Occupy Atlanta is being a blessing, Frazer said. Theres always somebody on the lookout, Frazer said. Somebody is always standing guard.
Occupy Atlanta activists have helped Christine Frazer le a lawsuit against her mortgage lender to keep her home from being foreclosed. Photos by Andrew Cauthen
Education
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Decatur High School senior Cecilia Kuehnel speaks to students at Renfroe Middle School about her week living as a traditional Muslim woman for her senior project. Photo by Daniel Beauregard
Decatur High student spends week living as muslim woman

by Daniel Beauregard daniel@dekalbchamp.com For an entire week Decatur High School senior Cecilia Kuehnel wore a hijab, a headscarf worn by Muslim women that covers everything but the eyes. She also awoke at 5 a.m. each morning to pray. I was praying with hundreds of thousands of people at the same time. Its really empowering to know that we were all saying the same words with the same message, Kuehnel said. She also refrained from eating pork and different types of meatbut she isnt Muslim. Kuehnel, who has been studying Arabic for the past two years, said she considers herself a Christian. However, for her senior project she decided to live as a conservative Muslim woman for a week, as a social experiment. I realized that I cant learn the language if I dont know the culture. The senior project opened up this whole opportunity for mea period of time where I could do anything as long as it benefited the community, Kuehnel said. Part of Kuehnels project was to give a presentation to a class of seventh graders at Renfroe Middle School about her week masquerading as a Muslim woman. She said she wanted to spread awareness of Muslim culture to the children. Nowadays you cant really afford to be ignorant and you need to know different cultures and ways of life, especially in Decatur, Kuehnel said. The students sat quietly in the library at Renfroe Middle, occasionally raising their hands to ask Kuehnel a question about her week. One student asked why she didnt eat meat. Because in the Koran it says Muslims are forbidden to eat animals with hooves, she told him. Kuehnel told the students that during her week wearing the hijab, every day was like studying for a test because each time she made a mistake saying a prayer in Arabic, she had to start all over. One time I was praying and I had my prayer rug facing meccayoure not allowed to have cats or dogs in the same room while youre praying because its considered unclean, Kuehnel told the students. Before I knew it my cat had laid in front of me on my prayer rug. I had to wash the rug, my hands and my face, before I could pray. I missed about two cycles of prayer and had to redo them later in the day. One student asked Kuehnel what she would do differently if she could live her week wearing the hijab over again. She told him that she would surround herself with Muslims. Originally, Kuehnel wanted to wear the hijab for an entire month but her teachers and parents thought that was too extreme. Even after I had sat down all of the Muslim students at my school and had them approve it, everyone thought it was too radical so I shortened it to a week, Kuehnel said. I guess the people who felt most uncomfortable with the project were mostly White Christians. Kuehnel said the majority of her time spent in public wearing the hijab was pleasant and many Muslim women came up to her and spoke to her in Arabic, which she was thrilled about. Kuehnel said the experience opened her eyes and her religious beliefs are now a hybrid of Islamic and Christian values. In September, Kuehnel will be moving to Morocco for a year to study. She said her week spent living as a conservative Muslim woman has made her feel more prepared for what she will encounter during her stay in Morocco. Im also more excited about learning the language than I ever have been before. Ill be living with a host family in Morocco and every seventh day well be going on a field trip. I think the first one well be going on is a camel ride, Kuehnel said.
Cecilia Kuehnel gets ready to go out in a hijab, a headscarf worn by Muslim women. Photos by Leela Goshorn
Page 17A The event featured a Bollywood dance performance by students as well as a performance by a local Peruvian band. Students also performed multilingual songs and played instruments native to different countries around the world. After the performances, attendees were able to sample traditional ethnic cuisine and learn about the many cultures and communities Chamblee High serves. Art Institute student wins design award Joe Ragsdale, a student in graphic design program at The Art Institute of Atlanta in Decatur, received the Best in Show award in the student category for this years Atlanta ADDY awards. The award was presented at the Atlanta Ad Clubs celebration of the best in advertising. Ragsdales award is the result of a quarter-long project in his advanced typography class. New charter school opening in DeKalb The DeKalb Preparatory Academy recently received approvals from the Georgia Board of Education and DeKalb County School District to open its doors for the 2012-13 school year. The academy will be located in the former Glen Haven Elementary building at the intersection of I-285 and Covington Highway. It will be tuition-free and serve kindergarten through fourth grades, adding a grade per year up to eighth grade. Unlike many schools in DeKalb County, the academy will have a seven-and-a-half hour extended day and a 192-day calendar year. The Academy will host parent information sessions; those interested should visit www.dekalbprep.org or e-mail enroll@ dekalbprep.org.
Schools bring locally grown, fresh foods to cafeteria

by Daniel Beauregard daniel@dekalbchamp.com the Georgia Department of Agriculture and the Georgia Department of Health. During April, the feaWe started with two intured vegetable of the dividual schools five years month is carrots according ago. Now, we are working to DeKalb County School with districts all over the District (DCSD) Nutrition state, said Alice Rolls, exDirector Joyce Wimberly. ecutive director of Georgia This year DCSD Organics. Its a great stratlaunched a series of district- egy to improve the health wide nutrition initiatives of Georgias children and aimed at getting students to economy. eat healthier. Wimberly said Allison Goodman, the the initiatives will also teach school nutrition director students about the fruits and at City Schools of Decatur vegetables served in their (CSD), said the farm-tolunches, and where the food school idea is based on a comes from. national movement. We wanted to increase Goodman said each class the students understanding at CSD has a small garden of how the food gets from where students grow food. farm to plate, and educate She said having students children about better food plant fruits and vegetables choices, Wimberly said. that coincide with the feaWe also wanted to introtured food of the month is duce some students to some a good way to get them exfruits and vegetables they cited about what was being might not have exposure served in the cafeteria. to. Goodman said when the In addition to DCSD, program first began school other school districts includ- officials were worried it ing those in Decatur, Atlanta would be difficult to find and Cobb and Gwinnett locally grown produce. counties, are serving and However, she said once highlighting locally grown CSD began to look it found food each month this year. a wealth of local farmers I think even nationally, willing to support the small all of us nutrition directors school systems needs. are trying to find innovative Like DCSD, The Cooks ways to introduce students Warehouse gives the CSD to different fruits and vegnutrition staff farm-to-table etableswe try to couple training. that with nutrition educaThey bring local chefs tion, Wimberly said. together and teach my staff Each month, the school how to deal with fresh fruits cafeteria features a different and vegetables, Goodman vegetable such as carrots, said. spinach or green beans. StuIt has really been a big dents are encouraged to go community effort to make online to DCSDs website the whole farm-to-school and learn about the vegthing work, and it really has etable of the month, where to be, she said. it came from and why its Although it is more exhealthy for them. pensive for CSD to feature We also have farmlocally grown food, Goodto-school training for our man predicts it will pay off school nutrition managers in the long run by reducing and partner with The Cooks childhood obesity and getWarehouse in Decatur, who ting children outside in the offer training for our cafete- garden. ria staff, Wimberly said. These days, children are The farm-to-school effort sitting in front of a computis being led in part by Geor- er all day. Its really making gia Organics, a nonprofit the cafeteria one more step organization whose mission in the educational process is to connect locally grown and exposing them to foods food with families through- theyre unfamiliar with that out Georgia. Also involved they end up really liking, in the effort is the Georgia she said. Department of Education,
Chamblee Charter High students, families and faculty members celebrated the schools international community with food, culture and music in late March. Photos provided
Chamblee High celebrates international community Students, families and faculty came together recently to celebrate the international community at Chamblee Charter High School.
DeKalb County School District 2012 Certified Teacher Career Fair

Lithonia High School 2440 Phillips Road Lithonia, GA 30058 May 5, 2012 9 a.m. 1 p.m.
The DeKalb County School District is seeking Highly Qualified CERTIFIED Teachers. This Certified Teacher Career Fair is open to those individuals who meet the following requirements Individuals who hold a professional teaching certificate in specified content areas
Early Childhood Early Childhood (P-5) Gifted Endorsement
Middle Grades Math (4-8) Science (4-8)
High School Math (6-12) Science (6-12) Family & Con. Science (6-12) Tech. Ed. (6-12)
K-12 Art ESOL Music Spanish Special Ed (w/content)
Individuals who are completing a teacher preparation program by August 1, 2012 and have passed all GACE assessment tests Individuals who hold dual/multiple teaching content certifications (i.e. Middle Grades L/A and Social Studies) District-wide pre-screening interviews will only be offered to certified teachers who meet the above requirements. Please bring copies of your resume, official transcripts, GACE scores, and/or a copy of your professional certificate. YOU MUST HAVE A COPY OF YOUR DOCUMENTS TO INTERVIEW. If you attended a previous job fair in Spring, 2012 and received a pre-screening interview, you do not need to attend this Certified Teacher Career Fair.
Business
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BUSiNESS BriEFS
County to host jobs fair In celebration of National County Government Month, DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis and the department of Workforce Development will host the DeKalb County Jobs Fair on Saturday, April 14, 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Manuel Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur. The event offers job seekers the opportunity to meet with representatives from various departments and companies, including ONE DeKalb Works contractors and private-sector employers. During the fair, job seekers can participate in self-help workshops, complete and submit applications and receive valuable information on resources and services available to citizens looking for gainful employment. The jobs fair is one of several events planned throughout April to commemorate NCGM. Registration for the DeKalb County Jobs Fair is encouraged. For more information, including registration, visit www. dekalbworkforce.org. Business expo announced The 2012 Greater Perimeter Business Expo will be held Friday, June 1, at the Westin Atlanta Perimeter North, 7 Concourse Parkway, Atlanta. The expo, a collaboration of the Dunwoody Chamber of Commerce and the Sandy Springs/Perimeter Chamber of Commerce, will kick off with a breakfast seminar, 8 to 9:30 a.m. Wendy Kinney of PowerCore will Kinney give a seminar on Power Networking, Ready, Set GO Make Money. The cost to attend the breakfast is $20. The luncheon keynote speaker is Alan J. Dabbiere, chairman of AirWatch, a mobile device and WLAN management Dabbiere solutions business. The cost to attend the luncheon is $50. Advance registration is required for both events. This business-to-business and consumer event is presented in a tradeshow-like environment and will feature more than 100 exhibitors from around the Greater Perimeter area. Attendees may visit the exhibit floor free 10 a.m. 4 p.m. For more information contact either the Dunwoody Chamber at (678) 244-9700 or the Sandy Springs/Perimeter Chamber at (678) 443-2990. Small Business Week Summit free for business owners State Representative Darshun Kendrick will be hosting the second annual National Small Business Week Summit free to business owners. The event will be held Thursday, May 24, 7 a.m. 1 p.m. at the Georgia International Horse Park, 1996 Centennial Olympic Pkwy., Conyers. The DeKalb, Conyers-Rockdale and Gwinnett chambers of commerce are among the sponsors. The event is free and 150 of the 300 available slots will be reserved for those in House District 94 (DeKalb and Rockdale counties) and District 93 (DeKalb and Gwinnett counties). Slots must be reserved by May 10 at www.2012nsbw.eventbrite.com. The National Small Business Week Summit was created to highlight and inspire local and statewide small businesses by providing business presentations and educational resources, according to Kendrick. Last year, more than 200 business owners gathered in Lithonia for a half day of panelists, speakers and information to help grow their businesses. More than $1,500 was raised for various DeKalb and Rockdale charities. This years theme is Being Inspired through our Communities and the keynote speakers will be David Moody of Moody Construction, Robin May of Virtue Speaks and Marsha Bomar of Stantec. Chamber to host Coffee and Conversation The DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce has announced that it is hosting Coffee and Conversation, a newly formed program where potential members are invited to listen to the benefits of becoming a member of the chamber. At the one-hour meetings, interested persons can hear firsthand from board members and staff how the DeKalb Chamber can be beneficial to local businesses. The program will be Friday, April 13, 8:30 9:30 a.m. The program is free and those planning to attend are asked to RSVP to www. dekalbchamber.org by April 12. The DeKalb Chamber of Commerce is located at Two Decatur Town Center, 125 Clairemont Ave., Suite 235, Decatur.
Local college to launch China business series

Those interested will have the opportunity to take a close look at Chinas economic growth and its influence on U.S. markets when Georgia Perimeter College launches The China Business Series, this week at Georgia Perimeter Colleges Dunwoody campus. The first seminar in the series, which is free and open to the public, will be Friday, April 13, at 11 a.m. It will feature guest speakers Scott Ellyson, CEO of East West Manufacturing, Li Zheng, president of Techtop and Henry Yu, senior vice president of East West Bank. The seminar is sponsored by the National Association of Chinese Americans, the GPC Foundation and the GPC Chinese Club, and hosted by Steven Gu, director of U.S. China Practice Southeast for KPMG. This is the beginning of an educational and informative series on China and we expect to have more events in this series next fall, said Fred Bounds, GPC professor of economics and faculty advisor to the Chinese Club on the Dunwoody campus. Bounds said that trade today is definitely becoming more global. He said he anticipates that economics students and business students will especially benefit from the series, but added that all interested persons are welcome. He said the lecture series is not being offered specifically to stimulate trade with China, but to make information available to students and the community at large. If those who attend find themselves doing business in China in the future, they should have a better understanding of things to watch for. Mr. Yu, who is also a GPC Foundation board member, is very much committed to business education so this was perfect for our Chinese Club, which wants to share knowledge of all aspects of China, said Bounds, who added that learning to do business within a culture different from ones own requires understanding that culture. Bounds said Ellyson is the head of a company that started in the United States and Zheng runs a subsidiary of a company started in China. Theyre going to give insight into what its like to engage in commerce here and in China, Bounds said. Yu will talk about the role of the Chinese banking sector on international banking, and the increasing internationalization of the RMB. I think the community and guests will leave with a better understanding of the nature of the commercial relationship between the United States and China, and with a little better understanding of Chinese culture, Bounds added. Culture colors the way we do business. The seminar is expected to end at 12:30 p.m., including a question and answer session. All events in The China Business Series will be held on the Dunwoody campus. Bounds said the lectures will be offered from time to time, but there is no firm schedule. The Georgia Perimeter College Foundation would like to express our sincere appreciation for the outstanding support given our students by this highly qualified group of presenters, the National Association of Chinese Americans and the Chinese Club for their invaluable efforts to bring this series to our campus, said Bill Covington, development officer, GPC Institutional Advancement.
Eggs & Issues to focus on transportation tax referendum Leadership DeKalb has announced that it is hosting an Eggs & Issues meeting on the transportation tax referendum that will appear on the July 31 ballot. Panelists will include Todd Long, deputy commissioner for the Georgia Department of Transportation, Beverly Scott, CEO and general manager of MARTA, Burrell Ellis, CEO of DeKalb County and Ted Rhinehart, deputy COO of infrastructure for DeKalb County. Local television journalist Sally Sears will serve as moderator. The event will be May 3, 7:30 - 9:30 a.m. at the Courtyard Marriott in Downtown Decatur, 130 Clairemont Ave. The cost is $25 for active members and $35 for inactive members and guests.
The Voice of Business in DeKalb County

Two Decatur Town Center, 125 Clairemont Ave., Suite 235, Decatur, GA 30030
DeKalb Chamber of Commerce

404-378-8000 www.DeKalbChamber.org
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AROUND DEKALB
Callanwolde Clay Guild to participate in Artist Market
ATLANTA
will create an engaging, interactive tour experience.
Artists of the Callanwolde Fine Arts Center Clay Guild have been invited to participate in the Artist Market of the Druid Hills Home and Garden Tour April 20, 21 and 22. The Artist Market will be at St. Johns Lutheran Church, 1410 Ponce De Leon Ave., NE, Atlanta in Druid Hills, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. Works are created by Callanwolde pottery students with three to 25 years of experience in hand building and wheel throwing. A portion of the proceeds will benet the Callanwolde Pottery Program at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center. For more information call (404) 219-0872. Druid Hills Tour of Homes announced The Druid Hills Civic Association recently announced that the 2012 Druid Hills Tour of Homes and Gardens & Artist Market Druid Hills: The Second Centurywill be April 20-22. The tour celebrates the beauty, tradition and future of the Druid Hills neighborhood. This years tour features ve homes and a collectors garden. Three of the homes are celebrating a centennial. 794 Springdale Dr. Doug Bremner and Dr. Viola Vaccarino 804 Springdale Dr. William and Sandra Sexson 812 Springdale Krista Brewer and Gary Flack 1156 Springdale Dr. Janet McNicholl and Dr. Robert Linkins 1130 Springdale Dr. Phil Edwards and Judi Edwards 857 Oakdale M. Evan Lindsay and Dr. Nancy Cox The event takes place Friday, April 20,10 a.m. 5 p.m., Saturday, April 21, 10 a.m. 5 p.m. and Sunday, April 22, 1 5 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in advance on the website: www.druidhillstour.org. Proceeds from the tour and the market benet the Druid Hills neighborhood, Frederick Law Olmsteds preserved residential suburb, by supporting all aspects of historic preservation, including contributing to the preservation and development of green spaces in this renowned National Register district. We hope to inspire a new generation to learn about Druid Hills and build momentum for the ongoing preservation of one of Atlantas oldest neighborhoods, said Claudia Keenan, chair of the Druid Hills Homes & Gardens Committee. The homes feature a variety of architectural styles and interior designs that
GPC to host Community Fun Day Georgia Perimeter College Decatur Campus will host Community Fun Day, 4 to 8 p.m., Saturday, April 14, on the Decatur campus lawn. All events are free and open to the public. We think this will be a great day for the community to come out, have fun, learn about GPC and see what a good neighbor we are, said Tjazha Mazhani, Decatur Campus student life programs coordinator. Events include a cookout, blitz ball, air brush tattoos, extreme air line, air brush T-shirts, inatable twister, carnival prizes, photo booth and more. Not only will there be free games, food and entertainment, but well also have recruitment materials available for those who want to walk away with information about attending GPC, Mazhani said. This is part of our Spring Fling, and its always fun when the community and our students get together. Guests must bring valid identication, and children must be accompanied by legal parent or guardian. GPCs Decatur campus is located at 3251 Panthersville Road, Decatur. Program to help with reading problems The Decatur Library is holding a IDA-GA Outreach Meeting April 14 to discuss ways adults and older teens can remove frustrations and roadblocks. Attendees may start checking in at 12:30 p.m. Program begins at 1 p.m. Presenters will demonstrate features of products and programs. Attendees can then visit tables where they can watch additional demonstrations, ask questions, and experiment with the technology. Attendee s are encouraged to share products and apps they have discovered are helpful to an individual with dyslexia. Attendees are welcome to bring personal devices. Decatur Library is located at 215 Sycamore St. For more information call, (404) 256-1232 or go online at info@idaga.org.
DECATUR
the second annual Purple Warriors 6K Walk. The Purple Warrior Survivors walk is designed to raise awareness in the community surrounding child sexual abuse and child exploitation. This walk symbolizes a survivors long, painful, healing journey to shed the shame, while encouraging lawmakers to support sexual abuse centers/ victims and prevent future abuse. The community is invited to be a part of the Purple Warriors 6K Walk to Benefit Child Sexual Abuse Survivors and Advocates on Saturday, April 28, at Arabia Mountain in Lithonia. Registration is available via mail or e-mail. Registration deadline is April 19. No onsite registration will be available. Virtual walkers are welcome to join for the fee of $20. For more information, contact DeQuanda Sanders, founder and CEO of SOCAF Inc., at (678) 487-7901 or dequanda@savingourchildrenandfamilies.org. Countys job bus coming to Lithonia DeKalb Countys Mobile Career Center, also known as the jobs bus, will be stationed at two locations in Lithonia in April. On April 16,10 a.m. - 4 p.m., the jobs bus will be at Salem Panola Library, located at 5137 Salem Road. The bus will be at the Redan-Trotti Library, 1569 Wellborn Road, Lithonia, on April 19, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. The mobile center is designed to help residents find employment by providing job search assistance, adult workshops and training, resume writing and interviewing tips. Businesses are also able to use the mobile unit for recruiting, preemployment screenings, interviewing and training. Prom dresses available for $10 Against All Odds Youth Connection will be giving away prom, formal and special occasion attire for a $10 donation on Saturday, April 14, 10 a.m. 4 p.m. at Exousia Lighthouse International Christian Ministries, 2562 Bond St., Lithonia. For more information, call (770) 808-6551. Amphibian monitoring workshop planned at Arabia Mountain DeKalb Countys Adopt-A-Stream program is hosting an amphibian monitoring workshop April 13, 6-9 p.m. at Arabia Mountain Preserve, 3787 Klondike Road, Lithonia. There is no charge for the workshop and it is open to participants ages 14 and up. During the workshop, attendees will be taught about the world of amphibians and the helpful information they reveal about the environment as water quality indicators. The workshop includes an indoor
presentation highlighting frogs and salamanders that are found in and around local streams and wetlands. Participants will then be led along a stream and wetland area viewing and identifying frogs. At the conclusion of the workshop, participants will receive an instruction manual and a color ID key. To register or for more information, contact Michael OShield, public education specialist, at (770) 7241456 or msoshield@dekalbcountyga. gov.
STONE MOUNTAIN
Church to hold musical program The Chancel Choir of Eastminster Presbyterian Church will present Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs on Sunday, April 22, at 6 p.m. in the sanctuary. The program will include works by John Rutter, Johannes Brahms, Thomas Dorsey, John Ireland and Craig Courtney as well as arrangements by William Dawson and Gilbert Martin. The program is free and open to the public. Childcare is provided for toddlers. Those bringing children are asked to contact the church office in advance. Eastminster Presbyterian Church is located at 5801 Hugh Howell Road, Stone Mountain. For more information, call the church office at (770) 469-4881. Electronics recycling event to benefit charity Boy Scouts will be on hand at Stone Mountain Park on April 14, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., to collect old electronics for charity. The scouts, along with the Stone Mountain Rotary Club, will collect cell phones, telephones, microwaves, computers, CPUs, stereos, laptops, copiers, printers, iPods, alarm clocks, remote controls, MP3 players, camcorders, floppy drives, faxes, speakers, microphones, CD players, toasters and other small appliances to be recycled. Televisions and computer monitors can be recycled for a $5 charge. No item may exceed 40 pounds. The electronics will be collected at the east gate entrance to Stone Mountain Park. Donors receive free parking in the park. Proceeds will benefit the Tommy Nobis Center, a nonprofit agency that provides job training, employment and vocational support for youth and adults with disabilities and other barriers to employment. For more information, call Donna Jensen, (404) 433-6509 or Durl Jensen, (404) 433-0498.
Walk to raise awareness of child abuse Saving Our Children and Families (SOCAF) Inc. with hosts Commissioners Lee May (District 5) and Stan Watson (District 7) has announced
LITHONIA
Sports
Page 21A
Next in line?
by Robert Naddra robert@dekalbchamp.com
Redans Jones working to continue programs legacy
Wesley Jones knows what it takes. He has seen it over and over. The Redan junior watched last year as former teammate Deion Williams set an example on and off the field for his younger teammates. He watched a few years ago as Redans most famous baseball alum, Brandon Phillips, returned to field ground balls at a practice. Williams, the latest in a long line of Redan players to be selected in the Major League Baseball draft, was taken by the Washington Nationals in 2011. Phillips was drafted by the Montreal Expos in 1999 and now is one of the games top infielders with the Cincinnati Reds. He has won three Gold Glove awards and has been twice selected as a National League All-Star. [The program] is bigger than me, said Jones, who is Redans top pitcher and hitter this season. Ive had a chance to meet Brandon Phillips, and I saw what Deion did. It made me want it more. It pumped me up and got me motivated to work harder in class and help my teammates. Jones work ethic is the main thing that stands out for Raiders coach Marvin Pruitt. His best attribute is his work habit. Hes constantly on the field, Pruitt said. Jones is batting .511 with 20 RBIs and is 3-1 as a starting pitcher with an earned run average of less than 2.0 for the 10-4 Raiders. His first loss came against Dunwoody when three first-inning errors led to four Wildcat runs in a 4-0 loss. Jones allowed two earned runs in that game. A three-year starter, Jones started his high school career as a third baseman but has been switched to shortstop this season. He also plays shortstop for his summer league team, the East Cobb Astros. While Jones is off to a good start, Pruitt sees even more potential in the 6-foot-2 left-hander. This years hes everything for us. He
Wesley Jones pitches and plays shortstop for Redan. Photo Illustration by Travis Hudgons
[The program] is bigger than me. Ive had a chance to meet Brandon Phillips, and I saw what Deion did. It made me want it more.
Wesley Jones can handle it. He is used to the brand of baseball we require. He can be successful at any level as a third baseman. His hitting is strong and once he gets used to the new bats, hes going to be even better. Jones has verbally committed to a scholarship to the University of Georgia, but Pruitt believes his star junior has the potential to become a solid MLB draft pick next summer. I really see him getting drafted and taking that option, Pruitt said. Pruitt saw former players Brandon Phillips, P.J. Phillips and Chris Nelson verbally commit to Georgia, but all three chose to forgo college after being drafted. I think Wesley will do the same thing when the opportunity comes up, Pruitt said. Both Jones and his coach know there is plenty of work to be done before that may happen. Ive always wanted to be someone people look up to, Jones said. I like to talk the team up, help them from my understanding of how the game works. I go over different situations and set an example on and off the field. Pruitt has seen the effect Jones has on his teammates and is hopeful he will continue to mature. Hes getting there, Pruitt said. Its something he needs to work on. Hes the closest thing we have to a leader right now. We have six seniors but he has more credibility on the team than any of the seniors because of his ability and his time on the varsity. While Pruitt said he sees Jones as a third basemen in college or in the major leagues, Jones said he is comfortable as a shortstop. Jones said he is constantly working on his defense and trying to get to ground balls quicker. I want to make the hard plays look easy, he said. Regardless of what position he plays in the future, Jones knows his chance wont come without more dedication to the sport. Theres always something more to learn about the game, Jones said. I saw Brandon Phillips a while back come back here and take ground balls. It would be real hard living up to something like that. It made me set my goals to be successful at the next level.
Sports
Page 22A
DeKalb High School Sports Highlights

BASEBALL
Arabia Mountain: The Rams have won four games in a row, including defeating Lithonia 5-3, Stephenson 10-4 and Miller Grove 10-0 in games April 6-7. Alfred Francis went 8 for 11 with eight RBIs in the three games. He had three hits and six RBIs and was the winning pitcher against Miller Grove, and was 4 for 4 with two RBIs in the win over Stephenson. Against Lithonia, Kenzel Bryant was the winning pitcher and had a no-hitter with five strikeouts through five innings. Offensively, Bryant had two hits and three RBIs while Tevin Martin also had two hits. Against Stephenson, Kendrick Elder was 3 for 4 with an RBI, Jordan Scott had two hits and three stolen bases, and Bryant had two hits and drove in two runs. Also, Zachary Hayden had a hit and two RBIs. T.J. Card and Scott each had two hits in the win over Miller Grove. Dunwoody: The Wildcats went 2-2 April 2-4 against teams in Florida. Jared Martin, Chris Hale and Will Hudgins each had two hits and an RBI in a 14-1 win over McArthur. The Wildcats broke open the game with four runs in the fifth inning and six more in the sixth. James Cunningham earned the win, going four innings and allowing no earned runs and one hit while striking out four. Eric Yost pitched two innings and struck out five. Martin went 3 for 3, including a home run, with two RBIs in an 11-1 win over Hollywood Hills. James Farnell earned the win, allowing three hits and no earned runs while striking out five in four innings. The Wildcats loss to West Broward 6-4 and nationally ranked Nova 5-0. Charlie Madden, Zach Tonner and Farnell each had two hits in the loss to West Broward. in two runs in the loss. Marist (8-9) fell behind 6-0 after three innings. St. Pius: The Golden Lions swept Westminster 12-5 and 13-4 in a non-region double-header on March 31. Chad Mabini went 5 for 8 with five RBIs in the two games. Will Robertson had two hits and two RBIS, and was the winning pitcher in the opener. He pitched six innings and allowed two earned runs and a walk, and struck out seven. Aaron Avant added two hits and two RBIs in the second game. The Golden Lions were off during spring break and resumed their Region 5-AAA schedule on April 11 against Washington. The Golden Lions are 16-2-1 overall and in second place in the region at 8-1.
Marlon Joyner (shot put, 45-9). GirlsChamblee: Alyssa Felton (long jump, 1-6). Decatur: 4x400 relay. Middle Georgia Invitational, Barnesville Redan and Southwest DeKalb combined for 15 first-place finishes in the boys and girls meets. Redan placed second to Spalding, 167-132, and Southwest was fourth among six teams in the girls meet while Redan finished third and Southwest fourth in the boys event. Here are countys first-place finishers. Boys Southwest DeKalb: Malik Wheeler (800, 2:00.05; 1,600, 4:36.07); Christopher Morris (110 hurdles, 15.0). Also, Jacques Williams placed second in both the 800 and 1,600 for Southwest. Redan: Jamar Sims (300 hurdles, 40.17; long jump, 21-5); Deion Reid (discus, 123-7); 4x400 relay. GirlsRedan: India Hammond placed first in the 100 hurdles (15.01), the 300 hurdles (45.47) and the long jump (35-9). Crystal Gray won the 400 (58.32). The Raiders also won the 4x100 and 4x400 relays, and Nikkia Jefferson was second in both the 100 and 300 hurdles. Southwest DeKalb: Greciana Cooper won the 800 (2:18.01) and 1,600 (5:11.95).
Redan: The Raiders defeated Cedar Grove 16-1 on April 7 in a non-region game. Brandon Baker pitched one inning and Kaderius Dorsey went two innings in the three-inning game. The Raiders improved to 12-5 overall. Chamblee: Drew Henry pitched two innings of scoreless relief in a 4-3 loss to M.L. King. The Bulldogs trailed 4-0 after four innings but scored three runs in the fifth. Henry allowed one hit and struck out three. Marist: The War Eagles lost to Mill Creek 9-6 on April 2 and did not play again until facing Douglass on April 9. Steven Taylor had three hits and Jackson Armstrong drove
TRACK & FIELD

Peachtree Ridge Invitational, Suwanee County athletes won seven individual and team events with the Decatur girls placing third among 14 teams. Miller Grove was the top county team in the boys meet, placing seventh among 14 teams. The countys first-place finishers are. BoysMiller Grove: Devante Provost, (high jump, 6-2); Ezkiel Lee (100 meters, 11.04; 200, 22.14); 4x100 relay. Decatur:
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 robert@ dekalbchamp.com by Monday at noon. MALE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK Alfred Francis, Arabia Mountain (baseball): The junior went 8 for 11 with eight RBIs as the Rams defeated Lithonia 5-3, Stephenson 10-4 and Miller Grove 10-0. Against Miller Grove, he had three hits and six RBIs, and was the winning pitcher with four strikeouts in five innings. FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK India Hammond, Redan (track): The senior won three events at the Middle Georgia Invitational to help the Raiders place second in the team standings. Hammond won the 100 and 300 meter hurdles with times of 15.01 and 45.47 seconds, respectively. She also won the triple jump.
2012 All-County Basketball Team

State champions well represented among areas best
BOYS
F Devin Bellamy, Chamblee, 6-5, Jr. The junior emerged as one of the top all-around players in the area. He averaged 13.8 points and showed he was not afraid to mix it up against bigger players with an average of 9.9 rebounds per game. He also shot 59 percent from the field. C William Goodwin, Southwest DeKalb, 6-8, Jr. The University of Memphis signee can run the floor like a guard and pull up for a 3-pointer when needed. Goodwin, also a McDonalds All-American, led the county in scoring (21.2 points per game) and field goal percentage (74 percent). He also averaged 12.3 rebounds per game. G Tivius Guthrie, M.L. King, 5-7, Sr.. The spark that made the Lions go, Guthrie helped them to their best finish in school history21-10 and a trip to the AAAAA Elite Eight. The Grambling State signee averaged 13 points and 6.5 assists per game. He led the county in 3-point shooting at 52 percent. F Brandon Morris, Miller Grove, 6-7, Sr. The University of Georgia signee showed the ability to be a clutch performer in big games. He averaged 10.9 points and 8.1 rebounds per game and helped the Wolverines win four straight Class AAAA state titles. G Keenan Palmore, Paideia, 6-2, Sr. The Old Dominion University signee showed his versatility this season by becoming the first Python to record a triple-double. He also set the single-game school record for points with 45 against Tech High in January. Palmore helped the Pythons to four straight state playoff appearances.
Sports
Page 23A
by Robert Naddra robert@dekalbchamp.com istoric accomplishments, state championships and college scholarships are some of the things The Champions 2012 all-county basketball team is noted for. Eight players were part of state championship teams, two were named McDonalds All-Americans and several have signed scholarships to continue their education and basketball careers in college. There are several underclassmen who made invaluable contributions to their teams as well. Here is a look at The Champions top boys and girls basketball players for 2011-12.
G Tahj Shamsid-Deen, Columbia, 5-8, Jr. A coach on the floor for the Eagles, the point guard helped the Eagles to their third straight state title. Shamsid-Deen led his team with 12.7 points per game and was tops in the county in assists with 303, which was more than 100 more than the second-highest total. F Quinton Stephens, Marist, 6-8, Jr. The combo forward already has several offers, including Georgia Tech, Tennessee, Auburn and Clemson. Stephens helped the War Eagles advance to the Class AAAA Elite Eight and averaged 19 points, five rebounds and four blocks per game. F DeAires Tate, M.L. King, 6-7, Sr. The Grambling State University signee was a force close to the basket and helped the Lions to their best season with a trip to the Elite Eight in the Class AAAAA state tournament. Tate averaged 10.7 points and 9.6 rebounds per game, and shot 63 percent from the field. F Jhaustin Thomas, Columbia, 6-7, Sr. Thomas, who will attend the University of South Carolina on a football scholarship, was a physical leader for the Eagles under the basket. He averaged 11.1 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. Thomas also had 93 blocks on the season. Honorable mention: Greg King, M.L. King, Jarmal Reid, Columbia, Chris Horton, Columbia; Justin Colvin, Miller Grove; Quincy Tiller, Towers.
tireless worker, the McDonalds All- American went through his entire high school career without losing a state playoff game to help the Wolverines win four straight state titles. Parker, who has not made his college choice, is one of the top recruits in the country. He averaged 16.8 points and 11 rebounds per game.
Player of the Year: C Tony Parker, Miller Grove, 6-8 Sr.
G Jordan Price, Southwest DeKalb, 6-5, Sr. A solid shooter who has the ability to take control of a game, Price signed with Auburn University over several other offers. He averaged 19.3 points per game and scored 17 points in March in the Panthers first trip to the state championship game.
Page 24A
GIRLS
F Queen Alford, Decatur, 5-8, Sr. The University of Jacksonville signee leaves Decatur as one of the most prolific scorers and hardest workers in school history. She can score driving to the basket or shooting jumpers. She scored at least 24 points seven times. G Danielle Clark, Stone Mountain, 5-8, Jr. Clark reached the 1,000-point milestone as a junior and averaged 15.4 points per game. She led the county in assists (5.9 per game) and steals (5.8 per game). Her 49 3-pointers made was third-best in the county. G Zuri Frost, Columbia, 5-3, Sr. A floor leader in every sense. Her ball handling skills, defense, ability to see open passing lanes and her shooting touch make Frost one of the top point guards in the state. She averaged 11.2 points and 5.2 steals per game. C Erykah Davenport, Tucker, 6-2, Soph. Davenport became more of a scoring threat in her second season as a starter. She averaged 16 points per game, including a season-high of 25 against Shiloh, to go along with 8.7 rebounds per game. F Tabitha Fudge, Miller Grove, 5-11, Sr. One of the emotional and statistical leaders for the Wolverines. Fudge, who has signed a scholarship to attend High Point University in North Carolina, shot 52 percent from the field and helped the Wolverines win their first state title with 11 points and 10 rebounds in the title game. F Nicole Martin, Southwest DeKalb, 5-9, Fr. The freshman was instrumental in helping the Panthers advance to the AAAA championship game. Martin led all freshmen in the county in scoring (9.9 per game) and rebounding (8.6), and shot 71 percent from the free throw line. F Bre McDonald, Chamblee, 6-0, Sr. The Georgia Tech signee combined with Mason to form one of the best scoring combos in the state. McDonald averaged 18.3 points per game and scored more than 30 points twice. She averaged 10.7 rebounds per game and had a single-game high of 20. F Kaliyah Mitchell, Stephenson, 6-1, Jr. The second-year starter came into her own this year. Mitchell helped the Jaguars to their 11th straight 20plus win season. Mitchell, who is equally effective close to the basket or out on the wing, averaged 12.9 points and 8.3 rebounds per game this season. G Miah Spencer, Columbia, 5-7, Jr. Spencer became one of the best shooters in the area this season, making 63 percent (131 of 208) of her field goal attempts to lead the county. She also shot 36 percent from 3-point range and was a solid complement to Frost in the backcourt. G Tashi Thompson, Miller Grove, 5-7 Jr. Reliable shooter who took advantage of teams who paid too much attention to the Wolverines post players Klarissa Weaver and Tabitha Fudge. She had a season-high 27 points against Redan and scored at least 20 points six times. Honorable mention: Klarissa Weaver, Miller Grove; Asia Durr, St. Pius; Charra Reeves, Stone Mountain; Tenisha Wallace, M.L. King; Erica Fontaine, Marist
Player of the Year

he countys leading scorer, at 19.6 points per game, is also a tough defender and unselfish on offense. She averaged four steals and 4.7 assists per game, both among the top in the county. Her 39 points against Osborne tied for ninth all-time in the county.
G Lucy Mason, Chamblee, 5-6, Sr.
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The Champion Free Press, Friday, April 13, 2012

Lithonia boosts police department with reserve officers

Champion of the Week

The Champion Free Press, Friday, April 13, 2012

Unknowns surround countys job stimulus plan

The Champion Free Press, Friday, April 13, 2012

One DeKalb Works working to train workers

DeKalbInsuranceAgency SeekingQualifiedCandidates: LicensedP&CAgent andCSRwithAMSexperience. Faxresumeto 6785786964

The Champion Free Press, Friday, April 13, 2012

Watershed employees arrested for stealing time

The Champion Free Press, Friday, April 13, 2012

propose fees, hours of operation and special programs, Barker said.

The Champion Free Press, Friday, April 13, 2012

Small store offers residents a taste of country life

The Champion Free Press, Friday, April 13, 2012

Budget Continued From Page 3A

The Champion Weather

April 12, 2012

In-Depth Local Forecast

*Last Weeks Almanac

Local Sun/Moon Chart This Week

National Weather Summary This Week