FreePress 05-09-14

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Sunday, May 11
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FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014 VOL. 17, NO. 7 FREE
A PUBLICATION OF ACE III COMMUNICATIONS Serving East Atlanta, Avondale Estates, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Clarkston, Decatur, Doraville, Dunwoody, Lithonia, Pine Lake, Tucker and Stone Mountain.
FREEPRESS
DeKalb school employees get more money in proposed budget
Flying
High
just for the fun of it
by Gale Horton Gay
gale@dekalbchamp.com
C
all them grown-up boys with big boy
toys.
Members of the Stone Mountain
Radio Control Flyers club (SMRCF) possess a
collection of radio controlled aircraf that are
stunningly beautiful, amazingly fast and, in
the right hands, make awesome maneuvers.
Tese men take their hobby seriously.
Consider that many have invested countless
hours in workshops tinkering with their
planes and helicopters and also have made
signifcant fnancial investments (from
hundreds into the thousands) in the purchase
of the aircraf, controllers, batteries and
accessories.
On a slightly windy Sunday afernoon
in April, 10 guys gathered at the old Stone
Mountain Airport on Bermuda Road fying,
crashing and working on their aircraf.
Larry Maddox of Stone Mountain
tinkered with his red, white and blue Cadet
plane and talked about why hes become a fan.
See Flying on page 15A
See Budget on page 15A
Marc Shepard of Tucker, who owns
more than 20 radio-controlled
aircraft, stands with his Bill Hempel
Clip Wing Cub, which has a 12-foot
wingspan. Photo by Gale Horton Gay
by Andrew Cauthen
andrew@dekalbchamp.com
The DeKalb County School
Districts proposed 2014-15 budget
contains more money for employees.
There will be no more teacher
furlough days; its a thing of the
past, said Superintendent Michael
Thurmond on May 5 about the
elimination of the four remaining
furlough days.
The proposed school district
budget also contains a 1 percent
cost of living adjustment for every
employee, Thurmond said.
We recognize that does not solve
or correct all of the damage thats
been done, but what it is is a down
payment and its a signal to the
men and women that stuck with us
through the tough times.
Additionally, the proposed $800
million budget includes a general
fund balance or rainy day fund
of $20 million, reduction of class
sizes by hiring 90 new teachers, and
increased investments in school
safety and academic achievement.
Calling the proposed budget
enlightening and inspiring,
Thurmond asked board members
not to overlook where weve been
and the significant progress thats
been made to get to where we are.
There has been almost a
miraculousturnaround, in terms
of where we are as it relates to the
management of the dollars that we
receive, Thurmond said.
On May 6, of last year,the
entire senior staff spent most the
day secluded in a roomand
they were engaged in a process of
attempting to cut an additional
$24 million from our budget,
Thurmond said.
The school district faced a $14
million deficit, a fund balance of
less than $100,000, he said. School-
based employees had six furlough
days and had worked six years
without a pay raise. District budget
officers had projected an additional
$24 million dollar deficit when the
fiscal year ended on June 30, 2013.
THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014 PAGE 2A
LOCAL NEWS
Upcoming Seminars at DeKalb Medical
For a referral to a DeKalb Medical physician or to reserve
your space for these free seminars, please call 404.596.4772
Light refreshments will be served. Parking is free.
Doc Talks
www.dekalbmedical.org dekalbmedical
Healthy Sleep
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
6:007:00 p.m.
Community Room at DeKalb
Medical Hillandale campus
Join Massey Arrington, sleep
disorder specialist, and learn
the keys to proper diagnosis
and treatment of chronic
sleep problems.
Expert Advice on Strokes
Tursday, May 29, 2014
6:007:00 p.m.
Private Dining Room at DeKalb
Medical Hillandale campus
May is Stroke Awareness
Month and we have assembled
an expert panel to advise
you on preventing stroke,
recognizing possible signs
of stroke and available
treatment for strokes.
by Carla Parker
carla@dekalbchamp.com
The Lithonia City Coun-
cil approved a revised zon-
ing ordinance May 5 that
would allow the city to add
a form-based code to add
more development to the
city.
According to city of-
ficials, the Lithonia form-
based code will provide spe-
cific regulations to develop
a fully integrated, mixed-
use, pedestrian-oriented en-
vironment with traditional
residential neighborhoods
and a traditional downtown
with buildings containing
commercial, residential and
office space.
It will be easier to do
development under a form-
based code, said Lithonia
Mayor Deborah Jackson.
The form-based code was
established for the historic
area of Lithonia, the down-
town district and the perim-
eter, which is the transition
between the downtown and
the residential area that
makes up the rest of Litho-
nia. In the perimeter area,
the code will allow smaller
scale commercial develop-
ments and commercial de-
velopments in residentially
styled buildings to ease the
transition between the
single family houses and
downtown, according to city
officials.
City officials also said
the form-based district will
create a synergy of uses
within the downtown area,
supporting economic devel-
opment and redevelopment.
It will calm traffic, create a
more pedestrian-friendly
environment, and prevent
less driving in the area.
The code will allow the
city to regulate building
height and placement to
achieve appropriate scale
along streets, and establish
clear control on build-
ing form and placement
to frame a well-defined
public realm comprised of
human-scale streets, neigh-
borhoods and public spaces
according to officials.
Lithonia revises zoning ordinance
Congressman announces
2014 Congressional Arts
Competition winners
Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-
04) announced the winners of
his 2014 Congressional Arts
Competition and awarded four
college scholarships worth
$29,500 on April 26 at the Lou
Walker Senior Center.
More than 15 high school
students from DeKalb, Rock-
dale, Gwinnett and Newton
counties submitted artwork
competing for the four college
scholarships.
Bo Shi Shi, who attends
Clarkston High School, won
a $12,000 scholarship from
Savannah College of Art and
Design for Petrichor. Shi
Shi will travel to Washington,
D.C., in June to see his art dis-
played in the Capitol, where
it will hang with other award
winners for a year. Shi Shi also
won two roundtrip airline
tickets to Washington, D.C.,
for the national recognition
ceremony.
Iyana Isom from Miller
Grove High School won a
$10,000 scholarship to the Art
Institute of Atlanta with her
piece, Two Little Girls and
Umbrellas.
Since 2007, Congressman
Johnson has awarded more
than $250,000 in arts scholar-
ships to Fourth District stu-
dents.
New principal named for
International Community
School
Edgar Miranda has been
named principal of the Inter-
national Community School
in Decatur, a charter school
in DeKalb County for grades
K-5.
With more than 30 years
of experience as a teacher and
educational administrator,Mi-
randa was most recently
the principal of the Anglo-
American School of Sofia,
Bulgaria.He has also worked
as a principal in the Rochester
(N.Y.) City School District and
Hempstead (N.Y.) Union Free
School District.
Additionally, Miranda has
served as director of The Xe-
rox Center for Multicultural
Education, and director of
bilingual education for Roch-
ester (N.Y.) School District.
Not only does Edgar Mi-
randa have exceptional experi-
ence as a teacher and admin-
istrator for elementary school
children, but he has worked
extensively with non-English
speaking students, said Ange-
la Hale, chairman of the board
of International Community
School. Our students and
teachers will benefit greatly
from his insight, experience,
wisdom and leadership.
Civil Rights activist to
give address graduates at
Georgia Piedmont Technical
College
Rev. Dr. C.T. Vivian, a
2013 Presidential Medal of
Freedom award recipient and
Civil Rights activist, will give
the commencement address
during Georgia Piedmont
Technical Colleges (GPTC)
spring commencement cere-
mony May 31 at 10 a.m. at The
House of Hope Atlanta, 4650
Flat Shoals Parkway, Decatur.
We are honored to have
an American hero such as Dr.
Vivian give our commence-
ment address. There are few
who can as eloquently and
passionately inflame the hearts
and minds of our students as
they embark on the next phase
of their academic and profes-
sional careers, said Dr. Jabari
Simama, GPTCs president.
Vivian is best known as a
champion for civil and hu-
man rights, working alongside
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
during the Civil Rights Move-
ment.Vivian is also an advo-
cate for education and youth
leadership development.He
has served as national presi-
dent of the Southern Christian
Leadership Conference and
provided counsel to five U.S.
presidents.
More than 2,600 GPTC
students are expected to grad-
uate with a degree, diploma
or certificate during the cer-
emony.
See Wrestling on page 19A
Pet
of the
Week
Astro (ID# 22518575)
Astro is a 4 year old collie / shepherd mix. He has a gorgeous coat with striking marking, making him a very handsome
boy. His adoption fee is only $25 under our Spring into Adoption promotion. Come meet him at the shelter or for more
information please call (404) 294-2165 or email adoption@dekalbanimalservices.com.
The adoptions number: (404) 294-2165 For adoption inquiries: adoption@dekalbanimalservices.com
For rescue inquiries: rescue@dekalbanimalservices.com
For volunteer and foster inquiries: volunteer@dekalbanimalservices.com
Crime Briefs
Panel to select applicants to fll
vacant commission seat
by Daniel Beauregard
daniel@dekalbchamp.com
Interim DeKalb County CEO Lee May is
appointing a three-member panel to review
and select applicants to fill the vacant District 5
DeKalb County Board of Commissioners seat.
A bill passed during the last days of the
2013-14 legislative session allows for a county
governing authority to appoint a person to fill a
vacant post in public office.
According to an internal memo May sent to
commissioners, county attorney O.V. Brantley
stated, Whenever any law of this state requires
a county governing authority to appoint a per-
son to fill a post in any public office, such post
should be filled by a nomination by the CEO
and confirmation by the [Board of Commis-
sioners].
The District 5 seat was left vacant when May
was appointed to serve as interim CEO, replac-
ing Burrell Ellis who was suspended by Gov.
Nathan Deal as the result of a 14-count indict-
ment against him.
May has previously said he believes the con-
stituents of District 5 need a voting member
on the Board of Commissioners. Since his ap-
pointment to serve as interim CEO, May has
served in both capacities but has been a non-
voting member of the commission.
As our service to constituents often extends
beyond our district borders, I am sure you have
received a number of inquiries from our stake-
holders regarding an interim replacement for
District 5, May said in his memo to commis-
sioners. I believe we must act in a swift, thor-
ough and deliberate manner.
County spokesman Burke Brennan said
May has not yet appointed members to the
panel to review applicants, but he is expected to
in the next several weeks.
The bottom line is that the CEO doesnt
have to appoint a panel, but hes going to so he
can have a qualified group to review all the ap-
plications and make recommendations of the
best candidates qualified for the job, Brennan
said.
May said he will update commissioners dur-
ing a committee meeting as the process moves
forward.
Accused wife killer sentenced
to life
A DeKalb County man ac-
cused of shooting his wife and
her cousin after she informed
him she was filing for divorce
in 2012 has been sentenced to
life in prison without the pos-
sibility of parole.
According to the indict-
ment, Jason Bryant, 28, shot
and killed his wife Angelena
Bryant March 7, 2012. His
wife was on her way to obtain a
protective order against Bryant
when she and her cousin, Trina
Nwoke, were shot. Nwoke sur-
vived the alleged assault.
Before being sentenced by
Superior Court Judge Asha
Jackson, Bryant was found
guilty of malice murder, felony
murder, aggravated assault and
terroristic threats.
Teen sentenced in beating of
elderly Lithonia woman
A DeKalb County Superior
Court judge has sentenced an
18-year-old who admitted to
beating and robbing an elderly
woman to 20 years.
Judge Mark Scott ordered
Quiantae Collins to serve 15
years of his 20-year sentence
behind bars.
According to prosecutors,
Collins knocked on the vic-
tims door and asked to bor-
row laundry detergent for his
grandmother. When the vic-
tim opened the door, Collins
choked her and knocked her
to the floor, kicking her several
times in the chest.
Collins then reportedly stole
a check and the victims vehicle.
He was arrested by DeKalb
County Police officers and was
found to be in possession of the
stolen check.
Hopefully this sentence
sends a resounding message
to those who seek to prey on
vulnerable adults, District At-
torney Robert James said.
Deputy Chief Assistant At-
torney Jeanne Canavan served
as lead prosecutor on the case.
Son accused of stabbing
parents to death with sword
A DeKalb County man was
charged May 2 with killing
his two elderly parents with a
samurai sword.
According to police, Calvin
Ray Jr., 39, was charged with
two counts of murder for kill-
ing his 73- and 75-year-old
mother and father.
DeKalb County Police Chief
Cedric Alexander described
the scene as horrific and said
the bodies of Rays parents were
found after a relative visited
their house May 1.
One of the family mem-
bers came home, and when she
came inside the house, she saw
the two victims lying in the
bedroom, Alexander said.
Police said Ray was identi-
fied as a suspect and found
several hours later at a nearby
park. DeKalb County Police
spokeswoman Mekka Parish
said detectives believe the vic-
tims and their son may have
argued about money.
Ray waived his frst court
appearance. Parish said the in-
vestigation is ongoing.
The Associated Press con-
tributed to this article.
Man shot and killed at
Stone Mountain apartment
complex
A 29-year-old male was
shot at an apartment complex
in Stone Mountain, DeKalb
County Police said.
The incident occurred early
May 4 at the Mountain Lake
Apartment Homes, located at
1401 North Hairston Road.
DeKalb County Police Capt.
Steven Fore said the shooting
occurred outside the apart-
ment complex where there was
some type of gathering.
During the altercation, a
suspect fired several rounds
and one of them hit the vic-
tim, Fore said. The victim was
transported to Grady Hospital
where he later died.
Fore said detectives have
detained several people for
questioning but have yet to
identify a suspect.
The victims identity has not
yet been released.
ONE MANS OPINION
Behind the Star
Its about time law enforcement
became as organized as organized
crime, former NYC Mayor Rudy
Giuliani.
During the May 20 General
Primary Election, for the first time
since 2001, DeKalb voters will select
a new sheriff. DeKalbs sheriff man-
ages a nearly $75 million budget, the
nations third largest jail, and serves
as the countys chief law enforce-
ment officer by State Constitution.
On Dec. 15, 2000, while planning
his transition into office, DeKalbs
Sheriff-elect Derwin Brown was
gunned down in his own driveway.
In one of the darkest episodes of
DeKalbs checkered political history,
a jury of peers later found that in-
cumbent Sheriff Sidney Dorsey had
ordered the gangland-style hit on
his successor.
DeKalbs then-Public Safety
Commissioner Thomas Brown (no
relation) was appointed sheriff in
early 2001, and began the task of re-
building the embattled and demor-
alized department.Sheriff Brown
so ably served that DeKalb voters
handily re-elected him in 2004, 2008
and 2012.
Browns chief deputy and lead
jailer, Sheriff Jeff Mann, was ap-
pointed to fulfill his unexpired term.
Mann, a lawyer by training, joined
DeKalb County government follow-
ing an appointment by then-CEO
Liane Levetan.Mann is P.O.S.T.
certified and an impressive and solid
administrator, but admittedly has
little experience in line-of-duty law
enforcement. Challenged by a large
field of contenders, he will have a
harder time holding his seat than
Brown experienced in all of his races
combined.
Dale Collins, a longtime former
DeKalb sheriff s Deputy and more
recently with the MARTA Police
Department, is often critical of the
departments current morale and
operations.
Tony Hughes, another longtime
DeKalb County peace officer and
one-time entrepreneur, offers a fresh
face, as well as perspectives from law
enforcement and business from a
life-long resident of DeKalb.
Ted Golden is a recently retired
federal agent with the U.S. Drug En-
forcement Agency (28 years).Gold-
en has a combination of experience
in kicking in doors and making ar-
rests (local and federal) along with
the required management and ad-
ministrative background of oversee-
ing DEA investigations and opera-
tions across the southeast.Golden is
also a strong proponent of improv-
ing school safety by placing a deputy
or retired/trained law enforcement
professional in every DeKalb Coun-
ty public school.
Melody Maddox has an impres-
sive resume, with education and law
enforcement credentials. Maddox
most recently served as deputy chief
of the Georgia Piedmont Technical
College Police Department (previ-
ously DeKalb Tech).
Melvin Mitchell is a populist and
combative candidate with a long
tenure in the Atlanta Police Depart-
ment (APD).Mitchell, currently a
senior aide to APD Chief George
Turner, is a strong advocate for
unionizing the DeKalb Sheriff s Of-
fice.
LaSalle Smith, another DeKalb
native and senior member of this
field, has local and state law enforce-
ment creds and substantial com-
munity service including his current
role as a full-time pastor.
Former DeKalb County CEO
Vernon Jones completes this field.
Jones has the highest name I.D., a
ground organization honed by sev-
eral prior campaigns and a proven
ability to raise funds.But, during
earlier races for U.S. Senate and the
Fourth Congressional District, Jones
was highly critical when an incum-
bent or fellow candidate shunned
the forum circuit, all but intimat-
ing their cowardice.Now with that
shoe, or perhaps wearing that hat
himself, Jones is simply silent and
largely absent from the debates.In
addition to having no law enforce-
ment experience, Jones has taken to
wearing and/or utilizing a prop Stet-
son, prevalent on his website and
occasionally actually on his head.In
Texas, they have a saying for those
urban cowboys using their hats for
such an affectation. All hat and no
cattle. Fitting.
Though voter turnout is expected
to be low, this is a nonpartisan spe-
cial election, which will appear on
all primary and runoff ballots.The
field includes several who might
well find a place in the administra-
tion of the next sheriff, but only one
can be the next sheriff, and there
will most likely be a runoff election
on Tuesday, July 22.
DeKalb County voters really cant
go wrong if that choice is between
taking the Golden opportunity for
a new direction, or Manning up
with a proven administrator who
has a demonstrated track record.Ei-
ther former federal agent Ted
Golden or Sheriff Jeff Mann have
the best set of credentials, as well as
management and law enforcement
bona fides to offer the county con-
tinuing stability, innovation, integ-
rity and leadership by example from
our countys man or woman behind
the star.
Bill Crane also serves as a po-
litical 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 Cham-
pion, Champion Free Press and
Georgia Trend. Crane is a DeKalb
native and business owner, living
in Scottdale. You can reach him or
comment on a column at billcrane@
earthlink.net.
Bill Crane
Columnist
OPINION
Wise. Loving. Courageous. Pro-
tective. These are a few words to
describe the mothers that have in-
fluenced my life.
Mothers Day is the catalyst that
sharpens the focus of the aston-
ishing, glorious women who are
responsible for us all. My grand-
mother, my mother, my wife, my
mother-in-law, my daughter, my
daughters-in-law, my sisters-in-law
and all other marvelous mothers, I
salute you!
I have truly been blessed with a
dutiful, loving wife of 53 years, and
continue to cherish every moment
with her. She has been our familys
rock. She is, was and will always be
the apple of my eye.
Even so, I would not be the man I
am today if it were not for the stron-
gest of them all: Grandma Emma.
She was the one most responsible
for influencing my values and di-
recting my life. Indeed, her legacies
are many, but for me the instilling
of a strong sense of self and a solid
work ethic have been the most en-
during.
Born in Thomaston, I was raised
in what is called a shotgun house
and graduated from a colored
high school. Though my mother
was present, the one who inspired
and guided me most was Grandma
Emma. There was nothing better
in the world than dinner time with
Grandma Emmas greens, candied
yams, fatback and cornbread. It was
better than anything else I knew;
she provided me with security in the
form of a place to stay, good food
and unconditional love.
Her expectations were crystal
clear: get my lesson, never tell lies,
nor steal, nor be disrespectful to el-
ders. Grandma Emma was a woman
of average height, but could com-
mand giants. I towered over her at 6
feet 4 inches, but I never challenged
her and always gave her utmost re-
spect. Her unconditional love was
evident despite my bad choices. A
perfect balance of confidence and
grace, Grandma Emma spared no
rods!
Grandma had a way with words.
When I was teased for being flat-
footed, knock-kneed, pigeon-toed
and unattractivesometimes to the
point of tearsshe would tell me
how handsome and great I was and
how much she loved me. This is all
that mattered to me; I found my
strength in her love.
Consequently, my lifes goal as a
young man (with a narrow vision,
characteristic of youth) was to repay
the love and support she showed
me by taking care of her so that she
would not have to work so hard.
With no real plan, I just wanted to
get a job and use the money to help
with food or rent, or even buy her
a nicer house. I assumed she would
embrace this idea, but I was wrong.
When I graduated from high
school and began working at Ste-
phens Service Stationearning $25
a weekI could see no further than
that accomplishment, because it al-
lowed me to give my grandma mon-
ey each week. It just seemed like the
natural order of things as well as
what an honorable man would do.
One day while working, Coach
Epps, the basketball and football
coach from Clark College, stopped
by and offered me a full scholarship
if I agreed to get my lesson and play
football and basketball under him. I
thanked him, but let him knowin
no uncertain termsthat I did not
intend to leave my job. He said he
would stop by the next day, even
though I told him he was wasting
his time.
When I got home from work,
Grandma had prepared one of my
favorite meals, and to my surprise
she wanted to know what the man,
who visited my job, wanted. I ex-
plained he was from Clark College,
in Atlanta, offering to pay my way
through school if I enrolled, played
basketball, football and got my les-
son. Her next question was, When
are you going? I proudly let her
know that I turned him down, be-
cause I planned to continue working
at the station so that I could take
care of her. What she said next hurt
me deeply, You going with that
man to that school in Atlanta and do
what they want you to do, or youll
have to find another place to live.
I was crushed. Why doesnt she
want me here? What will she do
without me? Doesnt she need me
here? I wanted to question her and
argue my case, but thats just not
something you did with Grandma
Emma. Though I was hurt, I did
exactly what she told me to do. So,
when coach Epps returned the fol-
lowing day, I accepted his offer.
Contrary to what I saw at the
time, my grandma was able to view
life on a much larger scale which
is the never-ending role of parents.
My grandma died while I was away
at Clark College. However, I had
already begun to realize that her
forcing me to attend was really the
best thing that could have happened
to me. Without a doubt, she gave
me my wings and the courage to fly.
I was truly prepared to meet and
overcome my every challenge.
The greatest disappointment in
my life is that I never told her how
much I loved and appreciated her
before she died, and how grateful
I was for the moral compass and
sense of values she instilled in me.
Every opportunity I get, I share this
story to recognize women like her
who help people survive, succeed
and thrive because of their example
and fortitude.
Grandma Emma, and mothers
everywhere, I salute you!
OPINION
A Mothers Infuence
Gene Walkerk
Columnist

Let Us Know What You Think!
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FREEPRESS
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We sincerely appreciate the discussion
surrounding this and any issue of interest to
DeKalb County. The Champion was founded in
1991 expressly to provide a forum for discourse
for all community residents on all sides of an
issue. We have no desire to make the news
only to report news and opinions to effect a
more educated citizenry that will ultimately
move our community forward. We are happy
to present ideas for discussion; however, we
make every effort to avoid printing information
submitted to us that is known to be false and/or
assumptions penned as fact.

COMMUNITY
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RECYCLE
If you would like to nominate someone
to be considered as a future Champion
of the Week, please contact Andrew
Cauthen at andrew@dekalbchamp.com
or at (404) 373-7779, ext. 117.
ZACHARY PETTIGREW
Champion
of
theWeek
by Carla Parker
Teen violence and social media were
some of the talking points during a DeKalb
County teen summit at the Porter Sanford
III Performing Arts & Community Center
May 1.
The purpose of the summit, which was
attended by more than 100 teenagers, was to
engage the community to help adopt a com-
mitment to ending teen violence. The event
was held one week after two teenage girls
were shot during an unauthorized party on
Easter Sunday at Wade Walker Park in Stone
Mountain.
News of the party spread over social me-
dia and brought out thousands of teenagers.
Terrence Dunton, a 15-year-old student at
Towers High School, was at the party and
said the party was supposed to be a family
event.
But word got out and everybody came,
he said. It was a cool [party] until they
started drinking and smoking and thats
when things kind of got out of [control].
I was surprised to hear about the [under-
age drinking] because there were adults out
there.
So far, no arrests have been made in con-
nection with the party or the shooting.
Interim DeKalb County CEO Lee May
said the county had already planned to have
a teen summit before the party happened.
May said county officials wanted to have an
event where they could have a real dia-
logue with teens.
The event at Wade Walker Park just
highlighted the fact that we need to do it
now, May said. It really was an opportune
time for us to this, but we didnt just want
to a one-time event. We wanted to bring re-
sources to the table.
The event, which was hosted by V103
radio personality Greg Street, included col-
lege planning services, vendors from the
Porter Sanford Center, DeKalb County Po-
lice, the voters registration office, DeKalb
Workforce Development, DeKalb public
works and RGB Technologies Training Cen-
ter.
Dunton and his Towers classmate Jordan
Clark said they came to the event to learn
more about social media tips and job oppor-
tunities.
I want to learn how to be a responsible
Teens talk violence and social
media at county summit
See Summit on Page 13A
Zachary Pettigrew said
he frst became interested
in working with refugees
as an anthropology stu-
dent attending Emory
University.
I took a research-ori-
ented class where I had to
work with a refugee fam-
ily which was resettling in
Clarkston, Pettigrew said.
Tat kind of exposed me
to the refugee world and
those living in Clarkston.
Pettigrew soon began
volunteering as an intern
for the Refugee Resettle-
ment and Immigration
Services of Atlanta, located
in DeKalb County.
Last year, Pettigrew
participated in an aca-
demic summer enrich-
ment program, where
recently resettled children
could receive extra help on
classwork and learn about
the cultural aspects of liv-
ing in the United States.
Pettigrew said afer the
four-week course ended,
he continued to volunteer
in a similar afer-school
enrichment program.
I think its important
because we want to wel-
come people into the com-
munity, especially those
who need a lot more help
adjusting, Pettigrew said.
Academic enrichment
and education are impor-
tant to newly-resettled
children because, in some
cases, it has been years
since they have been in a
classroom, he said.
Tey could be dis-
placed from two or three
years, to 10 years, and
when theyre displaced
they dont have access to
educational materials, he
said.
Pettigrew will soon be
moving back to Houston,
his home town, to attend
medical school, he plans to
work with newly-arrived
immigrants in south Texas
who need medical atten-
tion and health care.
Interim DeKalb County CEO Lee May addresses teens before the Teen Summit discussion on violence and
social media.
The summit also included job and college vendors for teens. Photos by Carla Parker

COMMUNITY
AROUND
DEKALB
Atlanta
Fernbank Science Center
announces 2014 Astronomy Day
schedule
Fernbank Science Center will

host a celebration of National As-
tronomy Day on Saturday, May 10,
from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This event
is open to the public and geared
toward all ages. It will feature infor-
mational literature, family activities,
a chance to win a telescope and an
array of planetarium shows.
The highlight of Astronomy Day
will be a lecture by Cal Techs Dr.
Jean Paul Ampuero, a professor
of seismology, who will present a
lecture on Earths Cocktail Party:
Deciphering the Physics of Earth-
quakes with Networks of Seismic
Arrays. Ampuero will survey recent
developments on the use of seismic
arrays to provide unprecedented
imaging of the development, process
and effects of earthquakes. Am-
pueros lecture, in the Jim Cherry
Memorial Planetarium, will be free
with regular admission charged for
other planetarium shows.
The planetarium schedule for
May 10 is as follows: 11 a.m., The
Sky Tonight; noon, One World,
One Sky; 1 p.m., Ampueros lecture;
2 p.m., Molecularium; and 3 p.m.,
Mars Quest.
The Fernbank Science Center,
156 Heaton Park Drive, Atlanta.
Free concert and cookout planned
in East Atlanta
Join community members for a
free concert and cookout May 17,
from 3-9 p.m. on the front lawn of
the Edgewood Church, located at
1560 Memorial Drive in southeast
Atlanta.
There will an eclectic mix of
local bands that will be performing
on an outdoor stage, according to an
announcement.
Additionally, there will be games
and activities for children and free
pulled pork and chicken sandwich-
es.
Attendees are encouraged to
bring their own beer, lawn chairs
and blankets.
Chamblee
5K run and roll scheduled
Registration is underway for the
Chamblee 5K Run & Rotary Roll
scheduled for Saturday, May 10. The
5K Run and 1K Walk & Roll will start
and finish at DeKalb Peachtree Air-
port and participants have a choice
of a 5K route through Chamblees
downtown and mid-city district or a
1K route around the grounds of the
airport.
The race begins at 8 a.m.
All participants will receive a race
T-shirt and can enjoy a finish area
featuring expo booths, a moonwalk,
food, music and more.
Early registration is $20 and is
available at www.active.com. On the
day of the race the registration is $25.
For more information call (770)
986-5016 or email Joel Holmes at
jholmes@chambleega.com.
Countywide
Safe driving classes to be held for
young drivers
Safe driving classes for teens and
young adults will be held May 10 in
Decatur, Lithonia and Stone Moun-
tain.
The classes are hosted by the Mal-
colm Omari Hill Scholarship Fund.
The Lithonia class will be held at
Five Star Defensive Driving School,
2093 Rock Chapel Road, from 9 a.m.
to 4 p.m. The Stone Mountain class
will take place at 1st United Defen-
sive Driving School, 6181 Memorial
Drive, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and the
Decatur class will be held from 8:30
a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1 Just Right DUI
School, 2701 Candler Road, Suite H.
To register, call (404) 344-7110 or
visit www.omarischolarship.org.
Decatur
Author ofers inspiration to new
college graduates
Cassandra King will be speaking
and reading at the Decatur Library,
located at 215 Sycamore Street, May
19 from 7:15-9 p.m.
King will read from her work
The Same Sweet Girls Guide to Life,
which was originally delivered to a
graduating class at her alma mater,
Montevallo College. The work offers
inspiration and advice to new col-
lege graduates.
King is also the author of numer-
ous novels, collections of short fic-
tion and essays.
For more information visit www.
dekalblibrary.org.
Information course planned for
artists using social media
The Decatur Market and Gallery,
located at 153 Ponce de Leon Place
in Decatur, will host a free informa-
tion course May 14 at 6 p.m., for art-
ists using social media.
The course will be taught by local
author and editor of Atlanta Intown
Collin Kelley.
Kelley will show artists how to
maximize social media tools for
marketing to potential customers.
Additionally, he will discuss the
need for having websites, blogging,
posting online and more.
For more information visit www.
collinkelley.blogspot.com.
STEM open house to showcase 3-D
printing and animation
DeKalb County Commissioner
Larry Johnson will sponsor a to sci-
ence, technology, engineering and
math (STEM) open house on Mon-
day, May 19, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
at DeKalbs Exchange Park Inter-
generational Center, located at 2771
Columbia Drive in Decatur.
Technology professional Dhata
Harris will be featured during the
event that will allow attendees to
see a 3-D printing demonstration
and learn about animation using an
Xbox.
Harris is the founder of the non-
profit The Enitiative Group, which
has a mission to empower minority
and underprivileged youth through
the use of electronic media, the
Internet and other technological re-
sources.
He will be utilizing the lat-
est version of the MakerBot 3-D
printer, keeping him on the cutting
edge of the latest technological ad-
vancements, Johnson said. This
is an amazing benefit to our young
people. I look forward to seeing as
many of them as possible coning out
and taking advantage.
For more information, call (404)
371-2425.
Pastors coalition to host political
forum
Right Choices Pastors Coali-
tion of DeKalb County, a group of
14 pastors and churches in Dekalb
County, will host a political forum
on May 8 at 6 p.m.
The forum will be held at New
Life Church, 3592 Flat Shoals Road,
Decatur.
The forum will feature candi-
dates for Congress, state school
superintendent, Secretary of State,
sheriff; and county Board of Com-
missioners.
The forum will allow candidates
to answer questions by local media
representatives and the audience.
It is important that as leaders in
our community and churches, we
give the community an opportunity
to hear from the candidates, said
Marlin Harris, pastor of New Life
Church. The coalition is excited
about this forum, specifically be-
cause we have a focus on helping
at-risk youth, and we believe our
politicians have a direct effect on the
youth and their future.
Stone Mountain
Library to host movie screening
Best Man Holiday will be shown
for adults on May 10, 2-4 p.m. at
Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg Li-
brary. The rated R movie stars Ter-
rence Howard, Morris Chestnut,
Nia Long, Harold Perrineau, Sa-
naa Lathan and Taye Diggs. Stone
Mountain-Sue Kellogg Library is
located at 952 Leon St. For more in-
formation, call (770) 413-2020.
Lodge to hold annual barbecue
The annual barbecue for Stone
Mountain Masonic Lodge #449 will
be May 10, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The cost is $9 per plate. Quarts
of stew and meat will be available
while supplies last. Desserts will be
sold by Eastern Star Chapter #205.
To order whole cakes for pick up
during the barbecue, send an email
to tinyc@bellsouth.net or call Doris
at (678) 413-4799.
This event, which has been held
annually for more than 70 years, will
be at 840 VFW Drive, Stone Moun-
tain.
Tucker
Library to host book discussion
Room by Emma Donoghue will
be discussed May 12, from 7-8 p.m.
at the Tucker-Reid H. Cofer Library.
Copies of the book will be available
at the librarys front desk on a first-
come, first-served basis. Tucker-
Reid H. Cofer Library is located at
5234 LaVista Road. For more infor-
mation, call (770) 270-8234.
LOCAL NEWS
by Carla Parker
Two bills that would have
clarified the legal bound-
aries of Chamblee and
Brookhaven was vetoed by
Gov. Nathan Deal.
Deal vetoed House Bills
905 and 906 April 24 due
to the legal battle between
Chamblee and the property
owners of Century Center.
Currently, there is pend-
ing litigation involving the
property at issue in this leg-
islation, and this legislation
could preempt that process,
Deal said in a statement.
For this reason, I veto HB
905 and HB 906.
State Representatives
Scott Holcomb (D-81),
Mary Margaret Oliver (D-
82), Mike Jacobs (R-80)
and Tom Taylor (R-79) pre-
sented the bills to resolve the
legal battle between the city
and Century Center prop-
erty owners. Holcomb said
he is disappointed and sur-
prised with the governors
decision to veto the bills.
I am troubled by the
purported reason provided
by his office. His office
said that it favored allow-
ing the litigation involving
the Highwoods property
owner to continue instead
of affirming the will of the
people, Holcomb said.
Curiously, the governors
office also said that it would
entertain legislation similar
to these bills next year if
the property owner wins in
court. That makes no sense
since the only purpose of
this legislation was to end
the litigation now, enforce
the peoples vote and allow
Chamblee and Brookhaven
to move forward with plan-
ning their futures.
Chamblee Mayor Eric
Clarkson was also surprised
and troubled about the veto.
It was my hope that
through the actions of the
General Assembly, we could
get resolution to this issue,
saving the city of Chamblee
taxpayers unnecessary ex-
pense, and getting back to
working closely with the city
of Brookhaven to move our
county and our region for-
ward, Clarkson said.
Brookhaven Mayor J.
Max Davis was not as disap-
pointed with the veto.
Gov. Deal made a de-
cision which respects the
integrity of the judicial pro-
cess and allows the property
owners to have their day in
court. While Brookhaven
has removed itself from the
defense of the lawsuit filed
by Chamblee, I know both
of our cities look forward to
the final resolution of this
issue.
The legal battle centers
on the Chamblee annexa-
tion referendum, which was
passed by Chamblee voters
in November. Century Cen-
ter was schedule to be an-
nexed into Chamblee Dec.
30, 2013 along with 11,000
residents, who reside in the
newly expanded city bound-
aries.
However, Highwoods
Properties, owners of Cen-
tury Center, filed an emer-
gency motion for expedited
review, supersedeas and
injunction pending ap-
peal Dec. 17, 2013, to stop
Century Center from be-
ing annexed into the city.
Highwoods Properties is
fighting to be annexed into
Brookhaven. On Dec. 19,
2013, the Court of Appeals
granted in part and denied
in part the emergency mo-
tion.
The court granted High-
woods request for a stay
to prevent Chamblee from
proceeding with the annexa-
tion. However, the court de-
nied Highwoods request to
expedite the briefing sched-
ule and consideration of its
appeal before Chamblees
annexation took effect. The
appeal was heard last month
and a decision is expected to
come in the summer or fall.
This lawsuit has wasted
taxpayer dollars, and it also
leaves unresolved the bor-
ders of Chambleedespite
the will of the people as re-
flected in the referendum,
Holcomb said. Both House
Bills 905 and 906 passed
See Brookhaven on Page 13A
Restaurant Health Inspections
Establishment Name: Churchs Chicken
Address: 6102 Covington Highway
Current Score/Grade: 87/B
Inspecton Date: 04/30/2014
Observatons and Correctve Actons
Honey buter stored on the counter with no tme documenta-
ton in place. PIC advised that all PHF held using tme as a pub-
lic health control must have documentaton of tme food was
removed from temperature control. COS- tme stcker placed on
buter. Corrected on-site. New violaton.
Gasket on beverage air cooler in disrepair and handle of scoop
in four broken. PIC advised to have gasket and handle repaired/
replaced. New violaton.
Interior of warmer cabinet and side of fryer and equipment
around fryer unclean with food debris and grease residue. PIC
advised to maintain non food-contact surfaces clean. New Viola-
ton.
No hot water available during middle of inspecton. COS- PIC
restarted hot water heater. PIC advised that all sinks must have
contnuous hot water. Corrected On-Site. New violaton.
Dumpster missing lid. PIC advised to have lid replaced. New
violaton.
Floor and wall near fryer unclean with grease build-up. PIC ad-
vised to maintain facilites clean. New Violaton.
Establishment Name: Red Lobster #49
Address: 2522 Candler Road
Current Score/Grade: 90/A
Cold-held potentally hazardous foods not maintained below
41F; no tme controls/documentaton in place.
PIC advised that proper cold hold temperature shall not ex-
ceed 41F. COS- PHF at Dessert Cooler #2 and Ice Bath #1 were
discarded. Corrected on-site. New violaton.
Nonfood-contact surfaces of equipment not cleaned at a
frequency necessary to preclude accumulaton of soil residues.
Inside of Tall Victory Cooler at the botom of cooler and Victory
Warmer shelves are heavily soiled with food debris. PIC was ad-
vised to clean. New Violaton.
Establishment Name: Chaat House Restaurant & Grill
Address: 1850 Lawrenceville Highway, Suite 700
Current Score/Grade: 72/C
Violaton of Code: [.03(3)(a)-(d) ] Failure to complete, and pro-
vide proof of completon for, an approved food safety training. A
CFSM must be obtained within the next 60 days. New violaton.
Correct By: 06/30/2014
Observed three employees wash hands with no soap. PIC ad-
vised that employees should be washing hands with clean, warm
running water and/or soap. COS- Corrected employees to wash
hands with soap.
.03(5)(b) Corrected on-site. New violaton.
In Polar Cooler, raw chicken was stored over cooked chick-
en and raw beef. In walk in cooler raw chicken was stored over
cooked chicken and cooked beef. COS- Advised PIC that raw ani-
mal foods should be stored below or completely separate from
cooked and ready-to-eat foods and to separate diferent types of
raw animal foods from each other. COS- Foods re-arranged. Note
that two Just Store It signage posted in facility. Corrected on-site.
Repeat violaton.
Observed open employee plate stored on countertop. PIC ad-
vised to designate an area for employee use. COS- Plate re-locat-
ed. Corrected on-site. New violaton.
Observed back door and side door propped open upon arrival.
PIC informed outer openings of a food service establishment shall
be protected against the entry of insects and rodents. New Viola-
ton.
Establishment Name: Bufalo China
Address: 414 North Hairston Road, Suite 700
Establishment Name: New China Express
Address: 2402 Wesley Chapel Road
Governor vetoes Brookhaven and
Chamblee boundary bills
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Del
Gov. Nathan Deal vetoed a bill that would clarify the city borders for Chamblee and Brookhaven.
Photo by Travis Hudgons
LOCAL NEWS
Thousands of DeKalb voters
participate in early voting
by Carla Parker

More than 2,500 DeKalb
voters have already cast their
ballots for the May 20 pri-
mary election.
According to the DeKalb
Voter Registration and Elec-
tion office, 2,545 ballots
have been cast from April
28 through May 6, including
405 ballots that were mailed.
Early voting is held at three
locations across the county
at the election office on Me-
morial Drive in Decatur, the
South DeKalb Community
Achievement Center on Flat
Shoals Parkway in Decatur,
and the Tucker Recreation
Center on LaVista Road.
The election office had
the largest voter turnout
with 1,299 voters. The South
DeKalb Community Center
has had 588 voters and the
Tucker Recreation Center
has had 253 voters to cast
early ballots.
During the 2010 guber-
natorial election, early vot-
ing only lasted a week but
8,464 voters cast a ballot for
the primary election, ac-
cording to the DeKalb Voter
Registration and Election
office. This years high voter
turnout may be attributed to
a few high profile races on
the ballot, including the race
for governor, DeKalb sheriff
and the 4th Congressional
District seat.
Sen. Jason Carter is the
lone democratic nominee
for the race for governor,
while former DeKalb Coun-
ty commissioner Connie
Stokes is the democratic
nominee for lieutenant gov-
ernor.
Voters will have eight
candidate to choose from for
the sheriff seat, after Thom-
as Brown left the position to
challenge Hank Johnson for
the 4th Congressional Dis-
trict seat.
This years election ballot
also includes the races for
DeKalb school boards seats.
The primary includes a
special election to vote on
annexations into the city
of Clarkston, which will be
on ballots in four precincts
in unincorporated DeKalb.
The four precincts are In-
dian Creek Elementary,
Robert Shaw Elementary,
Idlewood Elementary and
Jolly Elementary. Voters
from those precincts will see
the annexation question on
their ballots.
Early voting runs
through May 16 with polls
open Monday through Fri-
day, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Polls
will also be open Saturday,
May 10 from 8 a.m. to 5
p.m.
Teacher with history of sexual
abuse is terminated
A teacher convicted of
sexually abusing one of his
students while teaching at
a Florida high school has
been terminated by the
DeKalb County School Dis-
trict (DCSD) after students
reported his history to of-
ficials.
Quinn Hudson, a
spokesman for DCSD, said
Horace Morris, who taught
at the DeKalb High School
of Technology South, is
no longer employed by the
school district.
Employed in January
2014, he was immediately
removed from the class-
room in March 2014 when
we learned of the media
coverage, Hudson said.
Morris was reportedly
arrested in 2005 for alleg-
edly forcing a 13-year-old
student to give him oral sex.
He later pleaded guilty to
child abuse in 2008 and was
ordered to serve five years
of probation. His teaching
certificate was also revoked.
Hudson said the students
at the high school informed
See Teacher on Page 13A
Stop bullying now
stand up speak out
LOCAL NEWS
Commissioners receive update for options on new shelter
Sheriff Mann is endorsed by
Former DeKalb Sheriff Tom Brown, Interim DeKalb CEO Lee May,
DeKalb Clerk of Superior Court Debra DeBerry, DeKalb District
Attorney Robert James, DeKalb Tax Commissioner Claudia Lawson,
DeKalb Solicitor General Sherry Boston, DeKalb Commissioners
Kathie Gannon and Jeff Rader, Avondale Estates Mayor Jim Rieger,
Brookhaven Mayor J. Max Davis, Chamblee Mayor Eric Clarkson,
Decatur Mayor Jim Baskett, Doraville Mayor Donna Pittman,
Dunwoody Mayor Mike Davis, Lithonia Mayor Deborah Jackson, Stone
Mountain Mayor Pat Wheeler, Clarkston Vice-Mayor Ahmed Hassan,
and Brookhaven District 1 Councilwoman Rebecca Chase Williams.
www.mann4sheriff.com
DeKalb County Chief Deputy Sheriff, 10 years
Graduate, University of Michigan Law School,
Ann Arbor

Veteran, U.S. Air Force
Jeff Mann
Uniquely Qualifed
To Be Our Sheriff
The DeKalb County Ani-
mal Enforcement, Opera-
tions and Advisory Board
presented its recommenda-
tions on building a new ani-
mal shelter to the Board of
Commissioners May 6.
Interim DeKalb County
CEO Lee May said the ad-
visory board presented four
options ranging from the
Taj Mahal of animal shelters
to the affordable housing
option.
I think weve gone into
the details for this much
more than with any other
request for proposal (RFP),
and we did that because we
want to get it right, May
said.
The advisory board ulti-
mately recommended that
commissioners approve a
proposed 41,000-square-
foot shelter located in
Chamblee adjacent to the
Peachtree DeKalb Airport.
According to county offi-
cials, if approved by com-
missioners, the new shelter
could cost approximately
$11 million. However, that
number is only an estimate
based on architectural data.
I think were safe
to say that [we should]
move forward with the
41,000-square-feet option,
May told commissioners.
The advisory board and
staff will now draft a docu-
ment outlining the scope of
the project that will be con-
sidered by commissioners at
the boards May 20 business
meeting.
Sonali Saindane, chair-
woman of the advisory
board, said each option
presented to commissioners
was evaluated using crite-
ria including total animal
capacity, housing area and
how reduction in animal
capacity would affect dog
euthanasia annually.
Saindane said the advi-
sory board chose not to rec-
ommend two of its options
because the limited capacity
of the proposed shelters
would drastically increase
the annual number of dogs
euthanized to create space
for animal intake.
Based on those reasons,
one of the options was not
a responsible option and
would leave us far worse
See Park on page 15A
Commissioners will fnalize the plans for DeKalb Countys new animal shelter over the next several weeks.
LOCAL NEWS
WEEK
PICTURES
In
Searching for Our Sons and Daughters:

For a programming guide, visit www.yourdekalb.com/dctv
Now showing on DCTV!
Finding DeKalb Countys Missing
Stories of our missing residents offer profound
insights and hope for a positive reunion.
DCTV Your Emmy Award-winning news source of DeKalb County news. Available on Comcast Cable Channel 23.
Photos brought to you by DCTV
Workers excavate the remains of a downed tree under the asphalt parking lot of East Decatur
Station offce complex. The deteriorating tree caused a large sinkhole. Photo by John Hewitt
A boy checks out the statue of the elderly couple in front of the old courthouse in
Decatur. Photo by Travis Hudgons
Sheriffs deputies stop a person they mistakenly thought was wanted. Photo by Andrew
Cauthen
The fre station in Avondale Estates is no more as crews demolish it. Photo by Travis
Hudgons
LOCAL NEWS
Avondale Estates Police to ofer
citizen patrol training
Launched in July 2013, the Avon-

dle Estates Citizen Patrol program
is a mobile neighborhood watch
patterned after programs through-
out the country. With 40 patrollers
on board, the program has staffed
approximately 560 two-hour, two-
person shifts during the past 10
months.
Statistics show that [the] citi-
zen patrol is making a difference,
states a news release from the city.
As crime rates in neighboring com-
munities rise, Avondale Estates has
seen a drop in its crime rate since
the programs inception. Essentially,
citizen patrollers serve as extra eyes
and ears for the Avondale Estates
Police Department in a purely non-
confrontational fashion.
Originally envisioned as a five-
day-per-week program, it has been
expanded to include weekend as
well as evening shifts to accom-
modate a variety of work schedules.
Every month, the program offers
150 two-hour shifts; three shifts per
volunteer per month are asked.
On June 5, 12 and 19, the Avon-
dale Estates Police Department, in
conjunction with the Citizen Patrol
program, will offer training that
qualifies participants to become citi-
zen patrollers.
Residents interested in attending
the class, which runs from 6:30 to
8:30 p.m. each night at the Avon-
dale Estates City Hall, should go to
city hall and pick up an application/
background check authorization
form, which must be completed and
returned no later than Friday, May
30. Class size is limited.
MARTA Red/Gold rail lines on
24-minute schedule, May 10-11
MARTA has scheduled track
maintenance May 1011, which will
result in longer than normal week-
end wait times. Riders are advised to
plan their trips accordingly.
Doraville trains will operate ev-
ery 24 minutes.An additional train
between the airport and Arts Center
station will operate every 12 min-
utes.Riders using the Red Line will
take a Gold Line Doraville train and
transfer at Lindbergh Center station,
as is standard practice during non-
peak service.
Riders are encouraged to listen
for announcements and pay atten-
tion to signage at the boarding plat-
forms from MARTA police and sta-
tion agents. Real-time train arrivals
will be available on the free MARTA
On The Go mobile application
available on Apple and Android
devices. Information also will be
posted at www.itsmarta.com.
The steel rails on which the
trains run are being changed due to
standard life cycle wear of the track.
Work to replace one side of the rails
will impact the track between Arts
Center and Lindbergh stations.
DeKalb County to host forum on
human trafcking
Interim DeKalb County CEO Lee
May, Commissioner Larry Johnson
and the DeKalb County Human
Services Department are organizing
another in a series of open forums
to educate the community about the
problem of human trafficking on
May 8, at 6 to 8 p.m. at Towers High
School, 3919 Brook Crest Circle,
Decatur.
Human trafficking is an under-
ground industry growing through-
out DeKalb. It is urgent that our
communities be aware of the signs
of its presence and understand how
cooperation and collaboration can
reverse its trends. I encourage any-
one who can make it to join us for
this, as it affects all of us in every
community, May said.
The entire metropolitan Atlanta
area is considered a major hub for
the interstate trafficking of vulner-
able individuals for sexual and other
exploitation, according to the news
release from the county. Partici-
pants in this forum will learn about
the nature of this criminal trend, its
visible signs and how individuals
may be able to help authorities con-
tain and prevent its growth.
The discussion panel includes lo-
cal law enforcement, county govern-
ment officials, policymakers, com-
munity organizers and non-profit
organizations.
Countys Senior Olympics
scheduled
The DeKalb County Recreation,
Parks & Cultural Affairs Depart-
ment is inviting residents ages 50
and older to participate in its Senior
Olympics which features individual
events and team sports.
The DeKalb Senior Olympics,
which began in 1986, are designed
to help promote healthy lifestyles for
senior adults. DeKalbs first Senior
Olympics hosted 50 athletes and
now hosts up to 300 male and fe-
male athletes.
The events will take place May
16-23. Registration ends May 9. The
registration fee is $10 per person
and includes opening and closing
events and a souvenir shirt.
For registration information, go
to www.dekalbcountyga.gov/parks/
pr-senior-olympics.html.
News Briefs
After more than two-
and-a-half years of fighting
to stop a Walmart from be-
ing built, the neighborhood
group Good Growth DeKalb
stated it has agreed not to
pursue any further legal ac-
tion against DeKalb County.
The group had opposed
the plans of Selig Enter-
prises, owner of Decaturs
Suburban Plaza, to bring a
Walmart superstore to the
struggling shopping center.
This was a difficult deci-
sion and a difficult process
and, while we continue to
believe a Walmart is wholly
unsuited to this location,
our legal battle is now over,
a press release stated.
Officials for the group
stated that in return for
some concessions made
after meeting with Selig
representatives, it will not
pursue any additional le-
gal action against DeKalb
County over the granting
of the business permit for
the 149,000-square-foot
Walmart supercenter slated
to be built at the intersection
of Scott Boulevard, Medlock
and North Decatur roads.
We were able to obtain
some relief for the individ-
ual plaintiffs whose homes
are adjacent to the plaza. We
also negotiateda commit-
ment from Selig to contrib-
ute a significant amount of
money for a sidewalk along
Medlock Road between
North Decatur Road and
Church Street, officials for
Good Growth DeKalb said.
Last year, after several
appeals, a DeKalb County
Superior Court judge gave
Selig the go-ahead to pro-
ceed with development.
Residents and group mem-
bers were concerned about
an increase in traffic, as well
as public safety and small
business viability.
Although the judge ul-
timately ruled in favor of
Selig, an order was issued
that stated in their appeal,
Good Growth DeKalb ap-
pealed to the wrong arm
of the county because the
proper department, the
technical board of appeals
was never staffed.
As a result of our legal
fight, DeKalb County has
confirmed that it has never
staffed or operated the Tech-
nical Board Appeals that the
county code of ordinances
establishes as the review
panel for many issues, in-
cluding building permits. It
is our hope that this admis-
sion will lead to better and
more efficient governance
and management of our
county in the future in ac-
cordance with our laws, a
press release stated.
The Walmart will be part
of an improved shopping
center, which will add 600-
800 jobs to the community
and spur redevelopment in
the corridor, according to
Selig representatives.
Good Growth DeKalb says: Our legal battle is now over
The advocacy organization that has fought against a new Walmart for more than two years said its legal
avenues have been exhausted. File photo
LOCAL NEWS
Copies of the proposed Operating and Capital budgets will also
be available for public viewing at MARTAs Ofce of External Affairs,
2424 Piedmont Road, N.E. Atlanta, Georgia 30324 during regular
business hours, Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
For formats (FREE of charge) in accordance with the ADA and
Limited English Prociency regulations contact (404) 848-4037.
For those patrons requiring further accommodations, information
can be obtained by calling the Telephone Device for the Deaf (TDD)
at 404 848-5665.
In addition, a sign language interpreter will be available at all
hearings. If you cannot attend the hearings and want to provide
comments you may: (1) leave a message at (404) 848-5299; (2)
write to MARTAs Ofce of External Affairs, 2424 Piedmont Road,
N.E. Atlanta, GA 30324-3330; (3) complete an online Comment
Card at www.itsmarta.com; (4) or fax your comments no later than
May 23, 2014 to (404) 848-4179.
All citizens of the City of Atlanta and the counties of Fulton,
DeKalb, Clayton and Gwinnett whose interests are affected by the
subjects to be considered at these hearings are hereby notied
and invited to appear at said times and places and present such
evidence, comment or objection as their interests require.
Keith T. Parker, AICP General Manager/CEO
METROPOLITAN ATLANTA RAPID TRANSIT AUTHORITY
Notice of Public Hearings: May 13, 14, 15, 2014
Notice is hereby given that the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA)
will hold public hearings for the purpose of considering
Proposed Fiscal Year 2015 Operating & Capital Budgets
Tues, May 13 Wed, May 14 Thurs, May 15
555 Trinity Ave. Atlanta, 30303
Atlanta City Hall
Council Chambers
Community Exchange: 6-7 P.M.
Hearing: 7:00 P.M.
Riding MARTA: Bus routes 32, 49,
55, 74 from Five Points Station.
231 Sycamore Street, Decatur 30030
Decatur
Recreation Center
Hearing: 7:00 P.M.
Riding MARTA: Walk two blocks east
of Decatur Station.
2424 Piedmont Road NE
Atlanta, 30324
MARTA
HQ BUILDING
Community Exchange:
2-3 P.M.
Hearing: 3:00 P.M.
Riding MARTA:
Lindbergh Center Station
Bus routes 5, 6, 27, 30, 39
3717 College St., College Park 30337
College Park
Public Safety Complex
Hearing: 7:00 P.M.
Riding MARTA: Bus routes172 from
College Park Rail Station.
7770 Roswell Rd, Sandy Springs 30350
North Springs
United Methodist Church
Hearing: 7:00 P.M.
Riding MARTA: Bus route 87
New Fare Media Promotional Program
Convention/Visitors
1 2 3 4 7
Qty of Day Day Day Day Day
Passes Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass
1-199 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
200-499 5% 5% 5% 5% 5%
500-999 6% 6% 6% 6% 6%
1,000-4,999 7% 7% 7% 7% 7%
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unanimously in the House
and Senate and these mea-
sures included language
stating that it was and is the
will of the General Assembly
that the entire territory ap-
proved by the voters in the
referendum be a part of the
city of Chamblee.
Holcomb wrote Deal a
letter April 1 to urge him to
sign the bills to prevent any
further waste of taxpayer
money.
This legislation made
the will of the General As-
sembly perfectly clear for
the courts and would have
ended the litigation, Hol-
comb said. In the end, the
governor opted to favor the
lawsuit over the will of the
people who live in the area.
These vetoes are a triumph
of frivolous litigation over
sound policy.
Holcomb said once the
litigation is resolved he will
bring the two bills back to
the table. He was told by
the governors office that if
Highwoods Properties loses
the case, then the governor
will entertain the bills next
year.
What kind of sense does
that make? If youre willing
to entertain these bills next
year why not sign them now
instead of having taxpayers
money be wasted, Holcomb
said. Why force Chamblee
and Brookhaven to put
their long-term planning on
hold?
Brookhaven Continued From Page 8A
Summit Continued From Page 6A
Teacher Continued From Page 9A
teen and how to get a job,
Clark said.
I hope to better myself
in the career I want to go in
and hopefully get employed
somewhere, Dunton said.
The event also included
an open dialog where teens
talked to a panel that fea-
tured other teens and suc-
cessful adults such as Judge
Terrinee Gundy and music
producer Brian Michael
Cox.
We want to put some
people before them that can
give them good examples
of what success looks like
and can have a conversation
about making wise choices
about life decisions, May
said.
May said he understands
that to reach all of DeKalb
Countys youth county offi-
cials have to go to them.
We cant expect them
to come to us, May said.
Weve got to go to them and
Greg Street can get to them
much better than Lee May
can. It really takes being cre-
ative and building opportu-
nities where we can engage
with them.
officials of Morris history
after seeing media coverage
of his alleged behavior while
working for the Jet Mann
Opportunity Center in Mi-
ami-Dade County, Florida.
On his application Mor-
ris stated he taught at an
Atlanta charter school when
applying for a job in DeKalb
County.
We want to thank the
students at DeKalb High
School of Technology
South, who reported the
media coverage of Mr. Mor-
ris alleged illegal behavior
at a school in Florida, Hud-
son said.
According to a statement
from DCSD, Morris was
terminated April 22. The
DeKalb County District At-
torneys Office has also been
notified of Morris alleged
probation violation.
Hudson said Morris
repeatedly lied on his job
application and the district
is determined that he will
not be allowed to teach any-
where again.
A standard security re-
port, which was made with
the two databases we use for
employees who are offered
employment, revealed his
arrests in Florida, Hudson
said.
The district is currently
conducting an internal in-
vestigation into why Mor-
ris was granted a teaching
certificate and why his al-
leged history wasnt flagged
by DCSD human resources
staff.
We are conducting an
internal investigation to find
out why the report by our
public safety department
was not shared with the hu-
man resources department
in a timely manner per the
employment process proto-
col, Hudson said.
LOCAL NEWS
The last good-bye to two loving souls
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CAREERS
Its just relaxing really, said Maddox, who has
three planes and has been into the hobby for two
years. It can be challenging, too.
Major Knight of Stone Mountain got into
radio control fying afer his girlfriend gave him a
toy helicopter and he stopped by the feld one day.
He now owns seven planes and comes out three to
four times a week. He said take-ofs and landings
are the most difcult aspects of learning to fy.
Tomas Bateman of Lilburn said he always
wanted a radio control airplane and decided
one day to buy one. Before fnding SMRCF,
he few his planes in places where folks didnt
always appreciate them. He got run out of Stone
Mountain Park and just got tired of landing them
on peoples houses.
Its therapy, said Bateman, a graphic designer
and portrait artist. Its relaxing.
Club president Ralph Knight said that since
getting permission from the Stone Mountain
Memorial Association to operate from the old
airport grounds, club members have built sheltered
work tables and starting stands. Te fenced-in, 63-
acre feld is mostly wooded, but the 500-foot-long
runway meets the clubs needs perfectly.
Here they fy a variety of aircraf ranging
from ducted fan, ultra micro, park, large scale,
aerobatics and 3-D fyers powered by electricity,
gasoline and glow fuel.
Its just a nice club, said Knight, adding that
its a family friendly group and spectators are
welcome. He said that on any fair weather day
members are out fying, helping each other and
just sitting in their lawn chairs watching the planes
in the sky.
Te club, which started with about 15
hobbyists in 2003 afer the old Stone Mountain
Airport closed, now has about 130 members.
Many of the retirees come out during the week and
the members with jobs tend to head to the feld on
weekends.
Chris Kaczkowski of Sandy Springs is an
engineer who used to fy line control airplanes in
his youth.
Im always interested in some technical stuf,
he said.
Kaczkowski said that although the planes look
like a breeze to fy, its harder than it looks.
Its not easy to learn, Kaczkowski said. To
operate the stick you have to change your brain.
Te pilot on the ground operates the planes
elevators, rudders, ailerons and throttle using a
multi-channel transmitter, however, Kaczkowski
and other pilots said newcomers have a lot to learn
about operating the transmitter, how the aircraf
handles, how weather conditionsparticularly
wind afects maneuvers and more.
Many of the pilots at the feld half-joked about
the aircraf theyve fown, crashed and repaired.
Kaczkowski admitted to crashing four planes.
Getting into the hobby requires at least an
initial investment of a couple of hundred dollars
for a starter plane and the radio controller and
receivers.
Adam Riles of Stone Mountain found an
inexpensive way to get into the hobby at a time
when money was tight.
Riles, who had been laid of from his job as an
engineer in 2008, said he bought foam board and
other parts from a dollar store and created his own
design from scratch, relying on some input from
the Internet.
He created a fying wing for about $3 that he
sells to anyone interested for $20. His clients have
to buy their own motors and other necessities. So
far hes sold about 45 of his wings.
Riles talked about the exhilaration he feels
when he brings a new craf to the feld.
Its the thrill that it gives memy heart is
pounding, hands are shakingwhen it does fy,
yeah. Its awesome, Riles said.
Marc Shepard of Tucker is among the
more dedicated hobbyists. He has more than 20
aircrafsix gas planes and 15 electrics.
His bright yellow and black Bill Hempel Clip
Wing Cub has a 12-foot wingspan and is scaled
at 40 percent of the full-size airplane, which is
designed for aerobatics. (A check online shows
that this radio controlled plane currently sells for
$1,850.)
I always wanted to fy these when I was
younger, said Shepard, an electronics engineer
who works in information technology. Tese have
a lot of electronics and you have to program them.
I also like motors [and], like working on these
motors.
Te group only hosts friendly competitions
such as their upcoming Spring Fun Fly in May.
Teres plenty of competition if you want to
get into it, both national and international, Knight
added of competitive events held elsewhere.
For more information on the club, go to www.
smrcf.com.
Budget Continued From Page 1A
Flying Continued From Page 1A
THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014 PAGE 15A LOCAL NEWS
This same district that
less than 12 months ago
had $100,000 in the fund
balance will end this fiscal
year with at least $20 million
in the fund balance. Thats
a 600 percent increase,
Thurmond said. You
cant talk about academic
achievement and you cant
talk about reducing salaries
and eliminating furlough
days without a strong and
viable fund balance.
The fiscal year 2015
proposed budget includes
$2.1 million for the hiring,
training and equipping of six
new school resource officers
who will be assigned to
patrol and monitor district
elementary schools.
The school shooting
at McNair taught us
something: that we have to
be diligent in protecting our
children and our students,
Thurmond said. Now were
living in an environment
where guns are everywhere.
Dont think that doesnt
impact how we protect our
children.
More than $23 million is
proposed for school-based
academic enhancements
which include $8 million
to add 100 new teachers
and support staff and $5.3
million for new textbooks
and rebinding of old
textbooks.
We are handling and
managing our affairs in a
much more professional
way, Thurmond said.
The board passed a
resolution that declares the
intent to set the millage rate
higher than the rollback
rate. School district finance
director Michael Bell said
the resolution preserves our
rights to keep the millage
rate at 23.98 if the digest
goes up. It doesnt say that
when were finished with the
process were going to be at
23.98.
During the May 5 school
board work session, board
member Thad Mayfield
asked for a written plan to
reduce the millage rate.
The DeKalb County
economic development
plan cites three weaknesses
that would be of concern:
the tax burden for the
county is falling in an ever-
increasing low income
demographic and the
county is not capturing high
regional growth. And of
course [it cites] poor county
leadership, Mayfield said.
This is not a request to
attempt to tamper with the
current millage rate, nor
is it an attempt to ask for
a specific reduction in the
millage rate, he said. What
it is is a request to access our
ability to determine if we
can reduce the millage rate,
and if so, how and when and
what might be the benefits
of it.
Board member Marshall
Orson said, I dont know
that anybody here disagrees
that part of our overall
goal has to be to lower
our millage rate. I think it
has to be a part of a larger
conversation.
Nobody is
unsympathetic to rolling
back the millage rate, but,
unlike previous boards,
we want to be prudent and
we want to responsible
stewards so that the long-
term health of the school
systemis protected, he
said. At the end of the day,
weve got build a financial
structure that supports what
were trying to do which is
to educate the children of
Larry Maddox works on his Cadet plane.
BUSINESS
Pampering moms brings a big boost to business
The Voice of Business in DeKalb County
DeKalb Chamber of Commerce
404.378.8000 www.DeKalbChamber.org
Two Decatur Town Center, 125 Clairemont Ave., Suite 235, Decatur, GA 30030
by Kathy Mitchell
kathy@dekalbchamp.com
After Anna Jarvis found-
ed Mothers Day more than
100 years ago, she fought
hard to keep it from becom-
ing a commercial holiday,
objecting even to the pur-
chasing of greeting cards. It
was a battle she ultimately
lost.
According to the Na-
tional Retail Federation
(NRF), Mothers Day is the
third biggest spending event
in the United States, topped
only by the winter holidays
and back-to-school spend-
ing.
NRFs 2014 survey indi-
cates Americans will spend
an average of $162.94 on
Mothers Day gifts this year,
down from a survey high
of $168.94 last year. Total
spending is expected to
reach $19.9 billion.
The mid-May spending is
not directed just toward ac-
tual mothers. While nearly
two-thirds (63.9 percent)
of those surveyed said they
will shop for their mothers
or stepmothers, 22.5 per-
cent indicated plans to shop
for their wives, 9.2 percent
had in mind gifts for their
daughters and 6.6 percent
said they will shop for their
grandmothers.
NRF President and
CEO Matthew Shay called
Mothers Day one of the
most universally celebrated
holidays and said it rounds
out one of the busiest retail
seasons of the year.
Consumers surveyed
indicated that 81.3 percent
will purchase a greeting card
for their mothers or some
other woman whos dear to
them. Two-thirds of those
celebrating said they plan
to buy flowers, spending
a total of $2.3 billion, and
33.5 percent will look for
apparel and accessory items,
spending a total of $1.7 bil-
lion. Other popular gifts in-
clude books and CDs ($480
million), housewares or
gardening tools ($812 mil-
lion), jewelry ($3.6 billion)
and special outings such as
brunch or dinner ($3.8 bil-
lion).
In addition to such tradi-
tional gifts as flowers, candy
and brunch, what NRF calls
personal experience gifts
are the choice for many.
This year, according to the
organizations annual survey,
approximately $1.5 billion
will be spent on gift spa
treatments associated with
Mothers Day.
Among the businesses
preparing to accommodate
those who want to pamper a
special woman in their lives
is Spa Sydell in Dunwoody.
The practice of giving spa
treatments as gifts is a grow-
ing trend, said Reina Ber-
mudez, CEO of Spa Sydell.
This is especially true
when the recipient is a wom-
an, Bermudez said, adding
that Mothers Day is among
Spa Sydells busiest seasons.
Its a great gift for a woman.
Women are always caring
for everybody else. This is
something just for her. If
you give her candy, she will
share it with everybody.
Flowers will be enjoyed by
everybody. Even a meal out
is for the whole family, but
a massage or a facial is just
for her.
Bermudez said Spa Sydell
offers more than 75 services
so theres something to fit
every mom.
For Mothers Day, Spa
Sydell offers a menu of spe-
cials and partners with local
restaurants where women
being honored can be taken
to brunch or dinner and
presented with a gift bag
that includes a gift card for
Spa Sydell. Its a way of hav-
ing the best of both worlds,
said Bermudez, herself the
mother of seven.
Spa Sydell has its own
line of treatment products so
customers can take the spa
experience home, said Ber-
mudez, who noted that staff
can put together custom
baskets to be given as gifts.
The 11,000-square foot
Spa Sydell at Dunwoodys
Park Place is one of the old-
est and largest of the Atlanta
chains spas, said Bermudez,
who took over the business
in 2007, pulling it back from
the brink of bankruptcy. I
had loved this place as a
customer for years. I knew it
was a sound business. There
was no way I was going to
let it fail, she said.
Reina Bermudez shows one of the beauty products made especially for Spa Sydell. Photo by Kathy Mitchell
The practice of giving
spa treatments as gifts
is a growing trend. Its a
great gift for a woman.
Women are always caring
for everybody else. This is
something just for her.
-Reina Bermudez
EDUCATION
by Andrew Cauthen
andrew@dekalbchamp.com
When 17-year-old Ashailyn Mc-
Gill attended a meeting with her
friend at the DeKalb County School
District offices earlier this year, she
didnt know what she was getting
into.
I just went to a meeting, said
Ashailyn, a junior at Miller Grove
High School. I didnt know what I
was coming for. I just went.
Ashailyn and her friend, 17-year-
old Miguel Mitchell, were among
40 students who produced The
Bridge!, a new teen series on PDS-
TV24, the school districts television
station.
Targeting an audience of ages 13-
25, The Bridge! features DeKalb
County high school students dis-
cussing topics ranging from video
gaming and college choices to fash-
ion tips and budgeting finances.
The teen series will also include
interviews of celebrity guests and
community leaders, as well as per-
formances of Local students ranging
from dance, singing, rapping, spo-
ken word and ballet.
The Bridge will begin airing
May 10, at 8 p.m. on PDS-TV24 and
will be available for viewing on the
DeKalb Schools YouTube channel.
The show has a theme of con-
necting students with pathways to
success, said Larry Steele, station
manager for PDS-TV24.
Were trying to create real world
connections so that students under-
stand the value of their education
and how that applies to what theyre
going to do next. And whether thats
college or trade school or just going
out into the work force or starting
their own businesses or going in to
the militaryno matter what path-
way they choose, this show sets out
to establish a connection between
the education they are experiencing
today and obtaining those goals in
the future.
The idea for the show developed
out of an interest by school district
personnel to get students more in-
volved creatively in the TV station
and to provide an outlet for student
voices to be heard, Steele said.
With The Bridge, we wanted
to go with something that was a little
more aggressive and hopefully a little
more entertaining, Steele said.
The program uses a morning
show format where there are lots of
different segments and lots of dif-
ferent things going on in the show,
Steele said. In the four episodes al-
ready produced there are segments
on entertainment, climate change,
parenting, fashion and travel.
The students recorded four epi-
sodes on April 5, which was an ex-
tremely aggressive schedule, Steele
said. The students were excellent,
and they really knuckled in and got
them all shot.
Steele said the school district
first identified a group of core stu-
dents that we wanted to work with.
Some were involved with production
in their schools, and others were
involved with entertainment and
writing.
The students decided what seg-
ments would go into the show, what
topics would be discussed and did
the bulk of the writing for the show,
Steele said.
We basically mapped up conver-
sations that we would have as teens
and problems that we have as teens
and we talk about the solutions and
outcome and how to approach cer-
tain situations, Ashailyn said.
In a segment called Whats the
move? students discussed, what
are you going to do after high
school? Are we going to go to col-
lege? Are we going to go to the work
force? Basically, whats the move?
Ashailyn said.
One of the fun [segments] was
fashion, she added. We talked
about different types of fashion, dif-
ferent varieties of clothing, whats
popular nowadays, what are people
wearing.
Miguel, a Miller Grove High
junior who is dual-enrolled at Geor-
gia Piedmont Technical College,
described the show as a connect-
ing TV show between people that I
would say are outdated compared to
people that are modernteens ver-
sus adults, basically.
The producers and the talent
were the actual tethers between
these two worlds, Miguel said.
I had a great experience inter-
acting with people [that] I plan on
working with in the future, Miguel
said. Working with students from
the other schools was different com-
pared to my everyday routine, but
its not different when were actu-
ally interacting with others. Its just
another day. We just have a lot of
different backgrounds, and when it
came together it was great.
Steele said the students did an
incredible amount of work in six
weeks.
They came together quickly.
Were talking about 40 students from
15 different high schools across the
district. They all came together, and
they met each other for the first time
in our meetings. They established
relationships outside of their nor-
mal social groups, and they worked
together as a team to create one
product that represents the district
very well, Steele said.
Its just the beginning of what
can be done and what we expect
from these young people, and I think
they did an amazing job, Steele said.
School district TV show bridges future for students
DeKalb County high school students interview Rashan Ali and school Superintendent Michael Thurmond during a production of The Bridge, a student-produced show debuting May 10
on PDS-TV24.
Students produced four episodes in one day after six weeks of planning. Photos provided
SPORTS
Four teams move on to Sweet
16 of state baseball playofs
by Carla Parker
Four baseball teams from DeKalb ad-
vanced to the Sweet 16 after winning their
first round series in the state playoffs.
Defending Class AAAA champions
Redan Raiders (21-6) went on the road to
Lumpkin County and swept the Indians
(19-9) to move on to the Sweet 16.
The Raiders and Lumpkin County
played seven innings in the first game with-
out a score and went into extra innings.
Redan scored three runs in the top of the
eighth to take a 3-0 lead as Lumpkin came
to bat.
Lumpkin County cut the lead to 3-2, but
the Raiders closed out the game to take a
1-0 lead in the series.
Redan defeated Lumpkin County in the
second game to close out the series with a
sweep following a 17-7 victory.
Redan was set to face Carrollton (19-9)
on the road with the doubleheader May 7 at
4:30 p.m. A third game, if necessary, is set
for 5:30 p.m. May 8.
Marist, which lost to Redan in the cham-
pionship game last season, advanced to the
Sweet 16 after sweeping Stephens County
(18-9). Both games were tight, with Marist
winning the first game 2-1 and the second
game 9-6.
Marist (24-3) was scheduled to host Al-
exander (19-7) May 7 with the first game
beginning at 4 p.m. A third game, if neces-
sary, is set for 5:30 p.m. May 8.
St. Pius (17-5) swept North Oconee
County (14-15) to advance to the second
round of the Class AAA state playoffs.
St. Pius won the first game in a 14-4
blowout and won the second game 5-4. The
Golden Lions planned to travel to Buford
to face the Wolves in a doubleheader May 7
beginning at 4:30 p.m. A third game, if nec-
essary, is set for 5:55 p.m. May 8.
The Stephenson Jaguars (21-6) advanced
to the second round of the Class AAAAA
state playoffs with a 2-1 home series win
over Heritage-Conyers (18-10).
The Jaguars opened the series with a
3-0 victory to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-
three playoff. Heritage bounced back in the
second for a 5-3 victory to push the series to
a third game on May 8.
Stephenson, hosting for the first time in
school history, closed out the series with a
4-0 win.
The Jaguars are in the second round for
the first time in program history and will
host No. 3 seed East Paulding (18-11). The
first game of the doubleheader between East
Paulding and Stephenson was set for 4 p.m.
May 7. A third game, if necessary, is set for
5:30 p.m. May 8 at Stephenson.
In other Class AAAAA first-round ac-
tion, No. 1 seed Dunwoody (15-8) dropped
two straight to Flowery Branch (18-8) to
end the Wildcats season.
Dunwoody had a 2-1 lead with one out
in the top of the seventh, but a bunt single
opened the gates for Flowery Branch as the
Falcons went on to score six runs in the in-
ning and shut down Dunwoody in the bot-
tom of the inning to take a 7-2 win in the
opener.
Flowery Branch built an 8-0 lead in the
second game and closed out the series with
an 8-2 victory to advance to the second
round.
Tucker (17-9) also ended its season in
the Class AAAAA playoffs first round with
a 2-0 series loss to Gainesville (22-6) by
scores of 7-4 and 12-1.
The Columbia Eagles (22-6) had their
season come to an end May 3 at Walnut
Grove with a third game 6-4 loss.
The Eagles had won the opening game
of the best-of-three Class AAAA series 7-2
to go up 1-0 in the series. Walnut Grove
won the second game 7-4 to force the third
game.
Decatur (14-14) saw its season end after
Hart County swept the Bulldogs with scores
of 6-1 and 7-3.
Eight teams advance in
state soccer playofs
by Carla Parker
The second round of the state soccer playoffs began
May 8 with eight teams from DeKalb moving closer to
their goal of a state title.
Chamblee, Lakeside and Marist girls teams were
the first group to advance to the second round after
winning their first round matchups April 30. In Class
AAAA, the Chamblee Lady Bulldogs defeated Region
8 No. 2 seed Johnson 4-1 to advance to the Sweet 16.
At press time, Chamblee, the No. 3 seed from Re-
gion 6-AAAA, was set to face No. 2 ranked Columbus
May 7.
No. 1 seed Marist defeated Chestatee 10-0 to ad-
vance to the Sweet 16 in the Class AAAA playoffs.
Marist was scheduled to host Carrollton, the No. 3
seed from Region 5, May 7.
Lakeside also had a shutout win, defeating No. 10
ranked Gainesville 5-0 in the first round of the Class
AAAAA state playoffs. Lakeside planned to travel to
Allatoona May 7 to take on the No. 1 seed from Re-
gion 5.
In other girls action, Decatur and St. Pius advanced
to the Sweet 16 with first-round wins on May 2 in the
Class AAA state playoffs. The No. 1 ranked St. Pius
Golden Lions shut out Morgan County 10-0. St. Pius
was set to host Dawson County May 7 in the second
round.
Decatur went on the road and won a tough 1-0 de-
cision against No. 4 ranked North Oconee to advance
to the second round. Decatur, the No. 3 ranked team,
planned to face No. 10 ranked Cartersville May 7 in
the second round.
For the boys, Lakeside, St. Pius and Stone Mountain
all advanced to the Sweet 16. Lakeside pulled out a
tough 1-0 win against Apalachee May 3 to move into
the second round of the Class AAAAA state playoffs.
The Vikings hosted Allatoona May 6 at Hallford Sta-
dium. The score was not available by press time.
Stone Mountain defeated No. 5 ranked Chestatee
1-0 May 3 to advance to the Sweet 16 in the Class
AAAA state playoffs. Stone Mountain traveled to No. 9
LaGrange May 6. The score was not available by press
time. It was Stone Mountains first second round play-
off appearance since 1993.
St. Pius shut out Jackson County 9-0 to advance to
the Sweet 16 in the Class AAA state playoffs. The No.
2 ranked St. Pius Golden Lions hosted Dawson Coun-
ty May 6. The score was not available by press time.
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 email nominations to carla@dekalbchamp.
com by Monday at noon.
MALE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Deanthony Baker, Redan (baseball): The junior catcher
had two hits, four RBIs and a .400 batting average in the
17-7 win over Lumpkin County in the second game of their
first round series matchup. Baker also had one run scored.
FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Miranda McNalley, Lakeside (soccer): The freshman
goalie made 14 saves and did not allow a goal in Lakesides
5-0 win over Gainesville in the first round of the playoffs.
Redan pitcher Coderius Dorsey prepares to throw
a pitch.
Dunwoodys Chase Hawkins (No. 1) slides to second base.
SPORTS
by Carla Parker
It was a first for Miller
Grove and a second con-
secutive for Marist as the
two track-and-field teams
brought home state champi-
onship trophies.
The Miller Grove Lady
Wolverines won their first
state title after outscoring
Pope by one point, 60-59,
to claim the 2014 Class
AAAAA Girls state title at
Hugh Mills Stadium in Al-
bany.
With Pope holding a
three-point lead and no
more events to compete in,
Miller Grove had one last
event, the 4x400-meter relay,
remaining to put it in the
top position.
The Miller Grove 4x400
relay team of Pauline
Arndt, Tatiyana Caffey,
Imani Calhoun and Alexia
King needed at least three
points to tie Pope and four
to win the title. The group
finished fifth with a time
of 3:56.20 to earn the four
points to capture the Class
AAAAA girls champion-
ship.
Miller Grove was led by
senior Tiffany Flynn, who
won three individual gold
medals. She opened the
meet by winning her second
consecutive state title in
the triple jump May 2 with
a new meet record of 47
feet, and and 11 inches (47-
11.00).
Flynn first broke the re-
cord on her third attempt
with a leap of 41-08.25 and
then broke the record again
on her fourth try. The previ-
ous record of 41-07.75 set by
Julienne McKee of Lassiter
in 2002. Last year, Flynn
won the event with a jump
of 40-07.00 for her first state
gold medal.
Later in the competition,
Flynn and Arndt finished
first and second, respective-
ly, in the long jump. Flynn
won the gold with a jump
of 18-08.75 and Arndt took
the silver with a jump of 18-
00.50 to pull Miller Grove
within two points heading
into the finals May 3.
Flynn also won the
100-meter hurdles for her
third gold medal of the
championships with a time
of 13.96.
Dunwoody senior Alex
Cameron led the defending
state champions Lady Wild-
cats to a ninth place finish as
she won her third consecu-
tive 1,600-meter run gold
medal with a time of 5:06.23.
Cameron finished her career
at Dunwoody with four gold
medals, including gold in
the 3,200-meter run last year
and the 2013 Class AAAAA
cross-country individual
title.
Cameron also owns
a bronze medal in the
3200-meter run in 2012 to
go with four cross-country
medals including one gold
(2012), one silver (2013) and
two bronze (2010-11). She
has finished in the top three
in state level competition
nine times during her career
at Dunwoody.
Tuckers Kiera Wash-
ington rounded out the
gold medal performances in
Class AAAAA by taking the
800-meter run title with a
time of 2:19.90 to lead Tuck-
er to a Top 15 finish with
a tie for 12th with Arabia
Mountain and Whitewater
with 13 points.
Arabia Mountain was led
by Joie Royer, who finished
second in the 400-meter
dash with a time of 52.73.
Arabias 4x400-meter relay
team also finished second
with a time of 3:52.73.
Miller Groves title gives
the DeKalb County School
District 31 girls track titles,
eight consecutive years with
a title and 10th in those
eight seasons. Miller Grove
is also the 13th different
team to win a girls state
track championship.
Class AAAA
Marist won its second
consecutive Class AAAA
girls state title with a score
of 96 points, outscoring sec-
ond place finisher Monroe
by 29 points.
Marist dominated in the
field events, winning med-
als in four out the six field
events. Bailey Weiland won
gold in the high jump with
a leap of 5-08.00 and Anne
Marie Simoneaux won gold
in the pole vault.
Bria Caesar finished
third place in the pole vault
and Kamryn Brinson got
third place finishes in the
discus and shot put.
Marist had a one-two
punch in the 1,600-meter
and 3,200-meter runs with
Morgan Ilse and Kendall
Nelson finishing first and
second, respectively in the
two races to help Marist
close out the second day
of competition with a state
title.
Redan ran to a third-
place finish in the state
championship meet with 62
points while Chamblee fin-
ished in a tie for 11th.
Promise Clark won gold
in the 400-meter dash for
Redan with a time of 56.34
and the 4x100 team won
gold with a time of 47.90.
The 4x400 relay team fin-
ished second with a time of
3:53.64.
Redans Miyah Golden
finished second in the
300-meter hurdles (44.52)
and SheQuilla McClain
took bronze in the 300-me-
ter hurdles (45.35) and the
100-meter hurdles (14.40).
Chamblees 11th-place
finish came up just two
points shy of a Top 10 fin-
ish as its 15 point total tied
with Richmond Academy
and Grady for 11th. Sydney
Holmes finished second
in the 100-meter hurdles
with a time of 14.20 to lead
Chamblee.
Class AAA
St. Pius fell five points
shy of Woodward Academy
for the Class AAA girls state
title. Woodward Academy
won the title with a total of
61 points.
Alexa Rashworth won a
silver medal for St. Pius in
the triple jump while Myia
Dorsey won silver in the
400-meter dash. Dorsey also
won bronze in the 200-me-
ter dash.
St. Pius also got bronze
medals in the high jump
(Martinique Edwards),
800-meter run (Rachel Py-
den) and the 4x400-meter
relay.
Decatur finished 12th
with 17 points, led by
Dominique Sullivan, who
finished second in the
100-meter hurdles. Decaturs
4x400-meter relay team also
won a silver medal. Defend-
ing state champions Cedar
Grove finished 16th with a
team score of 15.
Daimer Gordon led
Cedar Grove with a silver
medal in the discus with a
toss of 116-01.00.
Towers made the Top 20
with 12 points to tie Hart
County and Johnson-Savan-
nah for 20th overall. Aspen
McLains fourth-place finish
in the 100-meter hurdles
and fifth in the triple jump
accounted for nine of the 12
points for the Titans.
Marist, Miller Grove wins girls state track titles
The Marist girls track-and-feld team won its second consecutive Class AAAA state title.
The Miller Grove girls track-and-feld team won its frst Class AAAAA state title.
LOCAL NEWS
Two key witnesses in the corruption trial
against suspended DeKalb CEO Burrell El-
lis continue to receive their annual salary
although they have both reportedly admit-
ted to accepting bribes.
Kelvin Walton, the countys purchasing
director, and Ellis former administrative as-
sistant Nina Hall both reportedly testified
in front of a grand jury investigating alleged
corruption in the countys watershed de-
partment.
Walton is paid $153,000 annually and
Hall $75,756.
Walton and Halls testimony was then
used to build a case against then-CEO El-
lis, who was replaced with interim CEO Lee
May by Gov. Nathan Deal after Ellis was
indicted.
According to court documents, Walton
reportedly admitted to lying to the grand
jury and not paying a county vendor who
removed a tree from his yard. Hall admitted
to accepting cash from Walton she thought
had been obtained from county vendors.
DeKalb County spokesman Burke Bren-
nan said that although the allegations are
troubling, the county cant continue with its
internal investigation into Walton and Halls
alleged behavior until the criminal case
against Ellis runs its course.
The trouble is, we are only getting part
of the information from court motions,
Brennan said. Because the criminal trial
comes first, they cannot respond (i.e. defend
themselves) to our administrative investiga-
tion.
Brennan said that there may be evidence
that would put the allegations against the
two employees into proper perspective but
that evidence may only come out at trial.
Both Walton and Hall are key witnesses for
the prosecution.
Having said that, there have been some
issues that have been brought to our atten-
tion that led us to place them on adminis-
trative leave, until the trial is over and all of
the facts are in, Brennan said.
Meanwhile, both Walton and Hall will
continue to receive pay and legal representa-
tion from the county, as will Ellis.
Interim CEO May, who placed Walton
and Hall on paid administrative leave sev-
eral weeks ago, said the two had become a
distraction to the day-to-day operations of
DeKalb County.
With everything thats been going on
with the trial[Walton] and [Hall] being
both key witnesses in the trialthe distrac-
tions have become a little too much for us to
be able to move forward, May said.
Employees involved in Ellis
case continue to receive pay
than our current facility,
Saindane said.
Another option also has
major problems, Saindane
said. There are additional
costs related to having the
indoor/outdoor option that
has not been factored into
the countys estimate.
Additionally, Saindane
said, the city of Chamblee
will ultimately have to ap-
prove the new facility and
the advisory board was
unsure how dogs housed
outdoors would affect the
citys decision because of
noise ordinances.
The county expects to
have a proposal for the new
shelter finalized and begin
accepting RFPs by July.
Shelter Continued From Page 10A
The proposed animal shelter, recommended by the DeKalb County
Animal Enforcement, Operations and Advisory Board, will be able to
house approximately 375 dogs and 150 cats.

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