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C HA MP IO NN EW SPA PE R C HA MP IO NN EW S CHAMPIONNEWSPAPER CHAMPIONNEWS

thechampionnewspaper.com F REE P RESS FRiDaY, MaY 13, 2016 • Vol. 19, no. 4 • 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.

CHAMPION The

See Brannon Hill on Page 5ASee White on Page 5A

by Andrew [email protected]

Approximately 150 peo-ple—politicians, communityactivists, religious leaders,students and residents—banned together May 7 tobegin the cleanup of severe-ly dilapidated Brannon HillCondominium complex.

Located off of MemorialDrive and a few hundred feetfrom the Clarkston campus

of Georgia State University,Brannon Hill has been calledDeKalb County’s worstneighborhood by some.

To Clarkston businessowner Manna Samuels, theBrannon Hill Condominiumcomplex looks “very sad.”

“This looks like a thirdworld [country] where we justcame from,” said Samuels,an Eritrea native and ownerof Merhaba Shawarma res-taurant. “It shouldn’t look likethis.”

Samuels closed her res-taurant for a few hours tohelp “to show the communi-ty my support because mostof my friends lived here andlive here. I just want to showmy support.”

At the complex, severalbuildings are either burnedor boarded up, and, in somecases, boards have beenremoved and units are oc-cupied by homeless people.Multiple abandoned cars,

some of which look lived in,ll parking spaces through-out Brannon Hill.

“There have been a lotof problems at Brannon Hillso we are trying to revitalizethis community and bringeverybody together. Thisis a beginning,” said OmarShekhey, president of So-mali American CommunityCenter.

Shekhey said the nextsteps include addressingsafety concerns, removing

Community helps

Brannon Hill clean-up

Coach leaving MillerGrove for GeorgiaState Universityby Carla Parker [email protected]

The most winning coach in MillerGrove High School history is mov-ing up to the college level.

Boys’ basketball coach SharmanWhite is leaving Miller Grove to be anassistant coach with coach Ron Hunt-er ’s Georgia State University men’sbasketball staff. During the last fewweeks, White’s name has been linkedo a couple of college assistant coach-ng jobs from Georgia Tech to GeorgiaState.

White said he felt Georgia State washe best opportunity for him to transitiono the college level.

“It was about hitching myself to theght wagon when that right opportunityame,” White said. “That had a lot too with me transitioning to college. It

wasn’t so much about just trying to getnto college, but I wanted to be able toet into a situation where I feel like Ian thrive and work with someone whos doing it the right way and doing a lotof great things, and Coach Hunter de-

itely has that going.”White said he will be doing “every-

hing” in his new role from coaching toecruiting.

“[Hunter] told me that I am a basket-ball coach and that’s what he hired me

Volunteers join hands with Brannon Hill residents after hours of cleaning up the condominium complex located near Clarkston.Photo by Travis Hudgons

Two boys were among more than 150 peoplewho helped clean up Brannon Hill. Photo byAndrew Cauthen

DeKalb County Commissioner Sharon Barnes

Sutton works on a community garden in Bran-non Hill. Photo by Travis Hudgons

Sharman White, who led Miller Grove to seven statetles in eight seasons, is leaving the program to ben assistant coach at Georgia State. Photo by Travis

Hudgons

Business .................................17A

Classified ..............................20A

ducation.........................18-19A

Opinion ......................................7A Sports ............................... 21-23A

QUICK FINDER

EDUCATION, 18A

DEKALB SCHOOLSIMPROVE IN RECENTCOLLEGE PREP SCORES

LOCAL, 9A

COUNTY CEO POSITIONUP FOR GRABS

LOCAL, 2A

CLARKSTON MAY CRACKDOWN ON SMOKE


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LOCAL The Champion FREE PRESS, Friday, May 13, 2016 • Page 3A

AROUNDDEKALBAVONDALE ESTATESCity to celebrate national police week

Avondale Estates will celebrate National Police Week May 15-21, to

honor and remember law enforcement ofcers and the family members,friends and fellow ofcers they left behind. For more information aboutsimilar events throughout the United States visit the National LawEnforcement Ofcers Memorial Fund website.

BROOKHAVEN‘Parent’s Night Out’ scheduled

Brookhaven will host Parent’s Night Out on May 20, from 6:30 to 9p.m. at Lynwood Community Center. The event allows parents to dropoff their children on a Friday and get some time to themselves. Theevent will include dinner, games, activities and options to keep childrenentertained. Pre-registration is required and pick-up is promptly at 9 p.m.Cost is $15 per child; ages: 5-12. For more information call(404) 637-0512.

City to host 5K race

The Brookhaven Bolt 5K will take place May 21. The race wascreated by Bill Sluben in 2007 with about 200 runners the rst year.Since then the Brookhaven Bolt Community Association has raisedmore than $250,000 for Ashford Park Elementary and now hosts morethan 1,800 runners annually. One hundred percent of the proceeds willbe donated to Ashford Park Elementary School. The race course isUSATF certied. The 2016 Brookhaven Bolt is presented by the Jim Ellis

Automotive Group. Visit www.brookhavenbolt.com for more informationand to sign up.

CHAMBLEECity hosts summer concert series

For four Saturdays in four months, one Chamblee park will transforminto a concert venue.

Beginning in May, the rst Saturday of each month will be the dateof the performance at Peachtree Park, located at 5468 Peachtree Road,as part of Chamblee’s Summer Concert Series.

Groups will perform from 6:30 to 10 p.m. and will includeSupernatural, a Santana tribute band on May 6; Face to Face, a Billy Joel and Elton John tribute show on June 3; Departure, a Journeytribute band on July 4; and the Molly Ringwalds, an ‘80s tribute band on

Aug. 5.Food and beverages–including beer and wine–will be available to

attendees onsite.For more information on Chamblee’s Summer Concert Series, visit

www.chambleega.com.

CLARKSTONFourth annual reading festival planned

Those looking for The Cat in the Hat in person, a day lled with artsand crafts, and three hours’ of cultural literacy may want to be at theClarkston Community Center on May 21.

The Clarkston Early Learning Network and Clarkston DevelopmentFoundation are partnering to host the 4th Annual Clarkston “Tell Me aStory!” Cultural Literacy and Language Festival. From 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.,children of all ages will be able to see their favorite characters broughtto life, hear stories and participate in book themed arts and crafts.

For more information on “Tell Me a Story!” contact the ClarkstonDevelopment Foundation by visiting www.cdfaction.org or calling(404) 736-6602.

Community center to host first-ever workshop openhouse

The Clarkston Community Center, which serves more than 40,000

adults and children annually, will hold its rst Workshop Open House,according to Cindy Bowden, the new executive director of the nonprotorganization.

Scheduled for Sunday May 15 from 3 to 5 p.m., the free eventwill include light refreshments and will feature performances anddemonstrations including computer skills, dance, photography, music,

drumming, cake-decorating and more.Guests will be able to try some of the activities, talk to the leadersand learn when the actual workshops will take place. “Whether you wantto improve an existing skill or try something new, we hope you will takeadvantage of what we have to offer,” Bowden said.

The activities will take place in the center’s newly renovated specialevent space, Angora Hall, 3701 College Ave., Clarkston.

For a list of worships to be showcased, visitwww.clarkstoncommunitycenter.org.

DECATURClerk of Court to host annual mental health andwellness fair

DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk Debra DeBerry is inviting thecommunity to a day of changing the look of mental healthcare in DeKalbon Saturday, May 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The second annual Mental Health and Wellness Fair will featurepresentations by behavioral health care providers, information sessions,access to new and innovative therapy methods, numerous resourcesand representatives from DeKalb CSB, Behavioral Health Link, NAMIDeKalb, DeKalb County Jail, Veterans Affairs and local communitybehavioral health agencies and providers.

The event is free and open to the public and will be held at theManuel J. Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur.

For more information on the Mental Health & Wellness Fair, callDana Patterson at (404) 687-4076.

LITHONIA

Community soup kitchen begins serviceDecatur Bible Chapel Soup Kitchen in Lithonia serves a “hot hearty

meal” every second and fourth Tuesday from 3 to 6:30 p.m., accordingto a news release.

The community is welcome and the meal is free.Decatur Bible Chapel is located at 3355 Snapnger Road in

Lithonia.For additional information call (770) 322-1495 or visit

soupkitchenatdbc.com.

STONE MOUNTIANChurch to hold candidates’ forum

The Victory for the World Church, 1170 North Hairston Road, Stone

Mountain, will host its 2016 candidates’ forum on May 17, from 7 to 8:30p.m.The forum will feature candidates running for CEO, sheriff and tax

commissioner ofces.

TUCKERCounty commissioner urges residents to supportfirefighters

DeKalb County Commissioner Nancy Jester is asking residents tosupport the re stations in District One.

Jester requested that community residents and businesses to “showour appreciation for these hard working heroes by helping to stock thepantry at our stations,” states an announcement about the events.

Food items such as sugar, salad dressing, seasonings, cereal,snacks, coffee, tea, sodas, and sports drinks will be collected for FireStation 5, 4013 Lawrenceville Highway, Tucker, on Saturday, May 21,from 9 to 11 a.m.

Children are invited to come see the trucks and equipment.


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Zerita Buchanan

VAPE Continued From Page 2A

Zerita Buchanan

As Dr. Zerita Buchanan wenthrough her journey of becoming

a dentist, she had a mentor—aellow dentist—who took Buchanan

under her wing and helped guideher through undergraduate andmedical school.

The impact Buchanan’s mentorhad on her life led her to want tohave the same impact on collegestudents working their way into thedentistry eld as well.

Buchanan, 28, practicesdentistry at her family’s practice—Dental Dreams LLC in Lithonia—alongside her father Dr. BrianBuchanan.

Buchanan graduated fromPaideia School in Atlanta, SpelmanCollege and the University of NorthCarolina at Chapel Hill where sheearned her doctorate of dental

surgery.It was at North Carolina

where she was introduced to thencreasing Diversity in DentistryIDID) program. The program

mentors underrepresented minoritystudents attending college forcareers as dental professionals.

When she moved back to Atlanta, Buchanan got involvedwith the IDID at the AtlantaUniversity Center, and now servesas the associate director for theprogram.

“Since the program startedwe’ve had maybe 10 to 15students successfully gain entryinto dental school and other post-grad programs,” Buchanan said.“It’s a really great program. Wehave about 25 students...fromMorehouse, Spelman, GeorgiaState and a few students fromHoward University. We basicallytry to create a pipeline to get theminto dental school.”

Buchanan also is actively

involved at Spelman through theSister2Sister mentoring program,which allows alumnae to mentorcurrent students.

“We meet once a month

and we’re paired with a currentstudent in our major. I was abiology major so I was pairedwith a junior biology major,” shesaid. We meet once a month totalk about different things in termsof getting ready for your careereld, but also she comes out tomy ofce, she shadows me andwe meet for dinner. [The program]is really more of a big sister, littlesister [relationship] but focused ongetting those students into theircareer path.”

Buchanan also volunteersat Arabia Mountain High Schoolthrough its annual sciencetechnology fair and the STEMwarsafter school competition. Shesaid she gives back to youngpeople because of the doorsthat were opened for her through

mentorship.“I feel obligated to keep those

doors open for other people,” shesaid. “I met a mentor who nishedSpelman and she went on the

University of North Carolina atChapel Hill for dental school andshe took me under her wing. I feel

like she is the real reason why Iattended Carolina. I feel obligatedto give back because I wouldn’tbe where I am if I [hadn’t had] amentor myself.”

from industrial meddling.“I employ 30 people in my company

and these are 30 families; we operateas a family,” Dollar said. “If a ban goesthrough here, for electronic cigarettes,it could infect into Atlanta, it could movesouth to Macon and it could move

south to Albany.”Councilwoman Burks asked Dollarhow Clarkston would directly affect the30 families under his employ. Dollarsaid putting up any sort of mandateddeterrent over allowing businessowners to choose could set certainprecedents.

“If there’s a ban put in place …you’ll have county commissionersin other counties saying ‘Well, let’spropose a ban here,’” Dollar said.

Dollar said he could not operatea shop if people could not sampleavors indoors and experience whatvapor, and smoking reduction, is allabout. The business owner said vaporis made up of four compounds asopposed to 6,000 chemicals.

John O’Connor , the owner of threee-cigarette stores in northwest Georgia,encouraged any smoker looking to quitto visit their local vapor store and askworkers about improving their health.

An admitted former smoker,Joe Smith, said more than 8,000businesses have been formed due tothe vaping industry and cited 40,000

jobs created in the process. Smith saidthe purpose of these businesses is todiscourage cigarette use.

If Clarkston’s smoking banordinance were to pass, it will not apply

to “businesses operating at its currentlocation or pursuant to a valid businesslicense,” on or before April 1, 2016.

by R. Scott Belzer [email protected]

Doraville unveiled anew city website onMay 2, intendingto demonstrateuser-friendliness,

unctionality and connectivity foresidents.

“We have come a veryong way,” said Mayor DonnaPittman. “[We’ve gone from]where we have nothing toputting some things togetherand growing.”

The website was presented

to the Doraville City Councilduring its regularly scheduledbiweekly meeting on May 2.Council members and theattending public were impressedwith how far the city has comein terms of transparency andaccess to information.

Doraville’s new websitefeatures a collection ofpictures from city events andrecognizable locations. Fourboxes welcome online visitorsto an agenda page, a forms andapplication page, an interactivemaps page, and a contact page.

The city’s current website

has a simple beige backgroundwith a map of Georgiahighlighting Doraville’s location.

City manager Shawn Gillensaid the new website was putinto the budget with the intentionof making it user friendly forresidents and city workers.Gillen said it should take fewerthan three clicks to accomplishsuch goals as paying bills,contacting the appropriatecity contact and updatinginformation.

“The old system was

New digital Doraville debuts

See Doraville on Page 8A


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The Champion FREE PRESS, Friday, May 13, 2016 local Page 5A

WHITE Continued From Page 1A

BRANNON HILL Continued From Page 1A

the debris of burned buildings and improv-ing the effectiveness of the homeownersassociation.

“We are trying to show the world thatwe have pride in our community,” Shekheysaid. “We are working hard to better ourcommunity.”

DeKalb County Commissioner SharonBarnes Sutton, in whose district BrannonHill is located, said the community eventwas organized “as part of the agreementwith DeKalb County and it has to do withour [lawsuit] against the homeowners as-sociation.”

The DeKalb County Board of Commis-sioners voted unanimously Jan. 26 to flea lawsuit against the complex’s condo-minium owners association to declare it apublic health nuisance.

Sutton said, “We came to an agree-ment that we would allow them to workand clean up as much as they can then wewould go back to another hearing and thenthe judge would decide if the county needsto come in and take over because it’s apublic nuisance.”

“We’re here today to...assist the com-

munity,” said La’Die Mansfeld, who de-scribed herself as a friend of the commu-nity. “We are here...because the board andthe residents here on this property askedfor a community cleanup day and celebra-tion.

“The community has answered that calland showed up,” she said.

“I’m so pleased and impressed with theturnout here today. It’s a wonderful thing,”said Judy Marx, executive director of In-terfaith Community Initiatives, “a collabora-tion of faith leaders that work together tomake the world a better place.”

“People live here and want to stay living

here so, as a greater community, it’s ourobligation to help them out,” Marx said.

“Today is a great thing,” said Dowlay Mohamed, a Brannon Hill resident since2005. “I’m very, very excited. Many people

are standing with us—students, volunteers[and] friends.”

Mohamed, who immigrated from Africa,said Brannon Hill “was a great, great com-munity and was nice. Everything was OK.”

Many of the residents, particularly theelderly and disabled, don’t want to movefrom the community, Mohamed said. “Weare a great community that loves eachother and we help each other.

She added, “If people want to tear downthis place, we’re not letting them.”

Jonathan Austin of the Church of Je-sus Christ of Latter Day Saints said he“brought a little army of missionaries tocome help…out.

“We believe that when you are in theservice of your fellow man you’re in theservice of God,” Austin said. “We just lovethe opportunity to serve and get to knowpeople and see where there’s a needwhere we might be of help.”

DeKalb County Commissioner NancyJester , who has been outspoken in theneed to clean up Brannon Hill, said, “Lotsof folks are here to help this community, sothat’s great. I’m very proud of the DeKalb

community for coming out here.“Trash is being picked up and things are

being weed-wacked,” Jester said. “We’repicking up bottles. We’ve picked up a lot ofglass.”

Despite the community cleanup day,Jester said “the big problems are still goingto be remaining,” citing the “big dumps oftires, furniture and all kinds of things anddebris,” collapsed buildings and a “terriblesinkhole” on a road in the community.

“So there’s real big structural health is-sues I’m concerned about,” Jester said.

“This is a health hazard,” Jester said.“We can clean it up. We can cut the grass

and all that, but it’s still going to havethese...structural problems that are devas-tating here. The saga continues in Bran-non Hills.”

for,” White said. “That includes improving the prac-tice planning, the workouts, everything.”

White has been the leader of the Miller Groveboys’ basketball program for 10 years, and inMarch, led Miller Grove to its seventh state bas-ketball championship in eight years with a 30-2record.

Many of White’s players have gone on to playon the college level and two Tony Parker (2012)and Alterique Gilbert (2016)–were selected asMcDonald’s All-Americans.

White, who coached at Carver High School be-fore moving to Miller Grove, has an overall recordof 372-90 during his 20-year coaching tenure. Hewas named the National High School Coaches As-sociation’s National High School Boys’ BasketballCoach of the Year for 2016.

White was also named the USA TODAY All-USA Coach of the Year in 2014 and was recentlynamed as an assistant coach for the 2016 USABasketball Men’s U17 World Championship. White

won a gold medal with the USA Basketball Men’sU16 National Team as an assistant coach in 2015.

White said being able to stay in metro Atlantawas a bonus in his decision, although it was notthe determining factor for him.

“Being able to stay home and not having to relo-cate was defnitely big,” he said.

White has had conversations with his playersand coaching staff about the move and he said theconversations went well.

“I just told them [that with] as much success [as]we’ve had it was going to happen at some point,we just didn’t know when,” he said. “I think theytook it very well. I told them the program was builtby players, it was maintained by players and it will

continue to be sustained by players.” As far as who the next coach will be, White said

he will give his two cents to the administration onwho he [would] like to see lead the program.

“I am going to have a little bit of say, but I don’tknow which direction [they’ll take] exactly yet,” hesaid. “I’m pretty sure they’ll be thorough—gettingsomebody that has a pedigree of success and be-ng able to come in and try to continue the culturethat we have established already.”

White will leave Miller Grove with good memo-ries, including seven state championships, but hesaid it is the people of the Miller Grove communityhe will miss the most.

“Not just the players, but the parents, the

coaches, the community—I’m going to miss allthe people that make up Miller Grove,” he said.“It’s not just the players and coaches. It’s the fac-ulty and staff, the administration, people at largearound the country who know who we are [and]the alumni. It’s so many parts to this machine…and it makes it bitter sweet, but everybody is excit-ed for me. It’s a great opportunity and I’m excited.”

White said he has no doubt that the programwill continue to be successful after he leaves.

“The players have to make sure they under-stand that this program, again, was built by play-ers, made by players and it has to be maintainedby players,” he said. “Yeah, I was the forefront andthe leader, but I think they are [the] nuts and boltsthat make it happen. I don’t think this program willtake a downfall. I think it will continue to be one ofthe forces in high school basketball. The faces willbe just a little different on the bench.”

DeKalb County Commissioner Nancy Jester picks up trash in the neighborhood she has concerns about. Photo byAndrew Cauthen


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The Champion FREE PRESS, Friday, May 13, 2016 opinion Page 6A

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Georgia needs more licensedclinical social workers

New restroom

ordinance in effectby Gayle Cruz and Kandyce Johnson

Symptoms of mental illness inseniors can include confusion, anxiety,depression, delusions, memory problemsand/or substance abuse issues.Seniors are among the most vulnerablepopulations but are many timesoverlooked or forgotten. Families struggleo get appointments for their loved ones

with Medicare providers; oftentimes thewait is too long and the ongoing serviceshey require are not easily obtained.

Professionals in the geriatric workforceare struggling to provide services andkeep up with the high demand of clients.Getting adequate access to mental healthservices is a challenge due to a shortageof trained mental health professionals ingeriatric services that opt into Medicare.

The Georgia in Perspective 2013eport by the Governor’s Budget and

Planning states that Georgia’s olderpopulation has increased and thosewho are older than 65 account for 10.7percent of the population, which is anncrease of 31.4 percent since 2000. It

urther states that Georgia’s public mentalhealth system currently provides serviceso only 21 percent of the adults who live

with serious mental illnesses in the state.What about the other 79 percent? Howcan services be provided to the higherpopulation of mental health patients? Wecan start by getting a proposed policypassed.

The Improving Access to MentalHealth Act of 2015 was created tomprove access to the interventions andassessments that licensed clinical socialworkers (LCSWs) provide for Medicareecipients, particularly those living in

skilled nursing homes, as well as leveling

he reimbursement rates between clinicalsocial workers and other mental healthprofessionals from 75 percent to 85percent.

Authors T. Nuygen and N. Count eported that Georgia is ranked seventh

nationally on the top 10 list with the lowestneed for mental health services, which isdentied to be related to the prevalenceof mental health issues within the state.There are a total of 7 million residents inGeorgia and out of that number 349,000adults live with mental health issues.

The National Alliance of Mentalllness (NAMI) states that 12.3 percent

of persons in the state of Georgia havecommitted suicide, which puts the state

n the No. 1 spot. The 923 deaths werecontributed to the lack of proper mentalhealth treatment. Jonathan Bor , authorof Health Affairs: Among the Elderly ,states that many mental illnesses go

undiagnosed, and that in the majorityof cases the issue is that their mentalhealth illness is going left untreated orundiagnosed due to the lack of trainedprofessionals in the specialized eld.

LCSWs are not authorized to perform(or be reimbursed for) evaluations andmanagement services, or health/behaviorassessments and interventions, but bynature, both are identied as services

provided by LCSWs. LCSWs are amongthe three mental health professions thatare permitted to provide psychotherapyservices to Medicare beneciaries. Theexception to this is when patients are in ahospital, a hospital-like setting, or a skillednursing facility, when reimbursementsbecome bundled with the facility. LCSWsare not listed as providers alongsidequalied psychological professionals.

The process for a mental healthprovider to opt into Medicare services isvery tedious and could cause one to strayaway from opting in. The exposure to thenew amendment and the benets for theclients and the LCSWs could be viewedas an incentive. The incentive for more

LCSWs is the increase in reimbursementfrom 75 percent to 85 percent and theincentive for mental health patients is thatthey will have an array of providers theycan chose from.

The actual amendment is beingproposed to provide better treatment.LCSWs are known for providing a holisticstyle of treatment that not only addressesthe mental health issues but the personwithin his or her environment, communityand as an individual with the hopes ofmaintaining stability in all areas of one’slife. With the increase in population that isexpected in Georgia in the next couple ofyears the state of Georgia, it is important

that policies such as this be brought tothe forefront for change to take place. As a community, we have the

responsibility to advocate for the mostvulnerable and we can do so by urgingour elected ofcials to support theproposed policy. Improving Access toMental Health Act of 2015 will expandthe access to mental health services toseniors in our communities, helping themlive longer, healthier and more meaningfullives.

Kandyce Johnson, a resident ofMcDonough, and Gayle Cruz, an Atlantaresident, are both second-semestergraduate students in the University ofSouthern California’s Virtual Masters of

Social Work Program.

As anyone knows who has been in thehome of a sharecropper in Toomsboro, Ga,or worked in the state Capitol: “laws arelike sausages; you should never see themmade.”

A restroom ordinance, which received aunanimous vote by the DeKalb County Com-mission Nov. 10, 2015, added an elementof toilet taboo to the famous saying, yet thisparticular ordinance really helps all citizensof DeKalb.

The ordinance declares that “… facilitiesthat include public restrooms are regulated in

order to prevent the nuisance of public rest-room facilities in bad repair.”In short, throughout unincorporated

DeKalb, though not its 11 cities, DeKalbCounty buildings, such as the Manual Maloofbuilding, county parks such as Redan, andplaces such as QT, CVS and corner con-venience locations, which are businesses,stores or ofces where goods and servicesare sold, may not indenitely leave a toilet,urinal or sink with a black garbage bag overthe xture.

Patrons are encouraged to discuss withmanagement plans to repair restroom x-tures. If no improvements are made DeKalbresidents should report the violation of Sec-tion 16-211 through 16-215 to the Ofce ofCode Enforcement, now located at 1897 S.Candler Road, (404) 687-3700 or send amessage to [email protected].

The facility owners in violation of Section16-214(d) may be subject to a minimum pen-alty $250.

Denitions of important terms are foundin Section 16-212 and no facility may allowa state of bad repair during regular businesshours.

Furthermore, a provision requiring theBoard of Health to inspect the two schoolrestrooms closest to the cafeteria has alsobeen implemented.

Consider that the “restaurant” for studentsis the school cafeteria, and that the “patrons”

of that eating establishment – the students – need restrooms for washing their handsbefore eating and for bodily functions afterlunch.

Board of Health inspections of handwash-ing (2D), functional plumbing (16A), and ad-equate supplies in a clean setting (17A) arenow being implemented and scored for therst time. These health inspections apply tothe two most important restrooms in all pub-lic elementary, middle and high schools.

With new buildings being built by thecounty and district, with constant renova-tions, and with a growing demographic, thisrestroom ordinance reminds DeKalb resi-dents that cleanliness is next to godliness,and that sanitation is part of citizenship.

Dr. Tom Keating, educator, is founder ofThe Center of Sanitation and Citizenshipand coordinator of Project CLEAN (Citizens,Learners, and Educators Against Neglect).


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“ We don’t tell youwhat to think. We tell youwhat to think about”–vet-

eran broadcast journalistSander Vanocur , dur-ng remarks to the now-defunct Georgia Asso-ciation of Newscasters inSavannah. Vanocur wasan NBC White House andpolitical correspondentor most of the 1960s

and ‘70s, and later a cor-espondent for ABC and

PBS.

I have lived most of myfe in DeKalb County, and

when the time comes,my ashes will be spreadhere; this is my home. Asriends and family have

moved elsewhere, andour county has sufferedgreatly through a periodof signicant reputationdecline, I remain, amongmany, who know we canurn things around, andhat with the right leader-

ship team, anything re-mains possible.

So after several elec-

ion cycles of scrollingdown ballots that readmore like the lapse andall list of the DeKalb and

state ethics committeeactive investigations; andwitnessing charges, trialsand convictions of thoseholding our highest posi-ions of trust, more than aew silver linings are nal-y poking through those

dark clouds.I have had the plea-

sure of moderating

many a candidate forum,and have already earlyvoted. Balloting beganon Monday, May 2, andcontinues up through theweek of May 16.

From the ofce of CEOand most every countycommission district, tosheriff, district attorney,solicitor, state Houseand Senate and the longlist of judicial elections,DeKalb County actuallyhas a wealth of highlyqualied, talented andworthy candidates seek-ing to lead.

Several candidates areincumbents, many arenoted challengers withrelevant experience, mostat least bring with thempure intent and a desireto serve, versus self-ser-vice and lining their ownpockets.

Especially in top of

the ticket races suchas president, senatorand governor, I am sad-

dened by how frequentlyI hear folks saying, “I’mchoosing the lessor oftwo evils.” Or, “I voted forthe person who I thoughtwould do less damage.” Ivoted in this primary, andwill subsequently vote inthe runoff where the ac-tion is. In DeKalb County,the bulk of those ofcesand candidates will bedecided in the Democrat-ic primary and runoff.

And I can easily say

for ofces including sher-iff, several legislators,

judges and a majorityof the DeKalb commis-sion, it was easy for meto proudly vote to returnthe existing ofce-holdersto the seats which theynow hold. That said, thereare also more than a fewwhose records are eitherclouded or undeservingand even a few who war-rant a stiff kick out thedoor. But as Mr. Vanocur

suggested above, I’m go-ing to try and leave thosedecisions on the “who” toyou.

Ask around. Seek theopinions of your com-munity and neighborhoodleadership. Ask yourpastor. Talk to those whohave experienced gov-ernment service challeng-es, who has helped them,

how and when? Whichelected ofcials botherto show up for candidate

forums? Who returnsphone calls, regardless ofthe race or circumstancesof the citizen/voter?

These are simplequestions, and yet theanswers for many in-cumbents in particular,I nd astonishing, giventhat their ofce, salaryand more than occasion-ally abused expense ac-counts are all taxpayerfunded.

Voting for president–

given the candidatesremaining in the eld–willbe a real challenge forme this fall. But thosewho know where I callhome will note there is noshortage of candidatescovering our modest frontlawn.

Do some researchand a bit of your ownGoogling. Avoid candi-dates encumbered withphrases such as “ongoingethics investigation,” “re-

peatedly refused to returnphone calls” or “againdeclined to give votersthe opportunity to askquestions at candidateforums.” These are warn-ing signs.

Our DeKalb Countycan be great once again,and viewed as a modelfor others to follow, onlythis time with a more di-

verse and expansive eldof leaders with provenbackgrounds and experi-

ence.We cannot expect our

problems or lack of so-lutions to change if were-elect those who didnot deliver in their priorterm. Simply being theincumbent is not sufcientfor re-election. Look attheir records; don’t onlylisten to the candidates.Read the paper; do yourhomework. As with ourkids in school, this is tooimportant to skip class

and the heavy lifting. And if you really want

to know who I think youshould consider votingfor – just drive throughScottdale, and look forthe sea of yard signs.Youcan’t miss it. But who-ever you decide to votefor. Please vote.

Bill Crane also servesas a political analyst andcommentator for Channel2’s Action News, WSB- AM News/Talk 750 and

now 95.5 FM, as well as acolumnist for The Cham-pion, Champion FreePress and Georgia Trend.Crane is a DeKalb nativeand business owner, liv-ing in Scottdale. You canreach him or comment ona column at [email protected].

Bill Crane

[email protected]

Columnist

ONE MAN’S OPINION

The Champion FREE PRESS, Friday, May 13, 2016 opinion Page 7A

THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS encourages opinionsfrom its readers. Please write to us and express yourviews. Letters should be brief, typewritten and containthe writer’s name, address and telephone number for

verification. All letters will be considered for publica-tion.

STATEMENT FROM THE

PUBLISHERWe sincerely appreciate thediscussion surrounding this and anyissue of interest to DeKalb County.The Champion was founded in 1991expressly to provide a forum fordiscourse for all community residentson all sides of an issue. We have nodesire to make the news only toreport news and opinions to effect

a more educated citizenry that willultimately move our communityforward. We are happy to presentideas for discussion; however,we make every effort to avoidprinting information submitted tous that is known to be false and/orassumptions penned as fact.

F REE P RESS CHAMPION The

Publisher: John Hewitt

Chief Financial Officer:Dr. Er D. Ge

Managing Editor:adrew cuthe

Production Manager:Kemesh Hut

Photographer: Trvs Hudgs

Staff Reporters:cr prkerR. Stt Bezer

The Champion Free Press is published each Fridayby ACE III Communications, Inc.,114 New Street, Suite E, Decatur, GA. 30030Phone (404) 373-7779.www.championnewspaper.com

DISPLAY ADVERTISING (404) 373-7779 x 110

EDiToR’S noTE: The opinions written by columnists and contributing editors do not necessarily reflect the opinionsof the editor or publishers. The Publisher reserves the right to reject or cancel any advertisement at any time. ThePublisher is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts.

let Us Kw Wht Yu Thk!SEnD lETTERS To EDiToR,The Champion Free Press,P. O. Box 1347, Decatur, GA 30031-1347;Send email to [email protected] To: (404) 370-3903; Phone: (404) 373-7779.Deadline for news releases and advertising:

Thursday, one week prior to publication date.

To subscribe, visit TheChampionNewspaper.com or call 404.373.7779

SUBSCRIBE to The Champion and get a new, taste-testedrecipe each week in our award-winning Lifestyle section.

Now only $25 for 52 weeks

Thankfully, some very good choices


8/24


DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management Public Advisory

Interstate 85 & Oakcliff Industrial Court Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation

May 6, 2016 June 6, 2016

Advisory Issue Date Advisory Close Date

This advisory is issued to inform the public of a receipt of an application for a variance submitted

pursuant to a State Environmental Law. The Public is invited to comment during a 30‐day period on the

proposed activity. Since the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) has no authority to zone

property

or

determine

land

use,

only

those

comments

addressing

environmental

issues

related

to

air,

water and land protection will be considered in the application review process. Written comments should

be submitted to: Program Manager, Non‐Point Source Program, Erosion and Sedimentation Control, 4220

International Parkway, Suite 101, Atlanta, Georgia 30354.

Type of Permit Application: Variance to encroach within the 25‐foot Sate Waters Buffer.

Applicable Law: Georgia Erosion and Sedimentation Act O.C.G.A. 12‐7‐1 ET seq.

Applicable Rules: Erosion and Sedimentation Control Chapter 391‐3‐7.

Basis under which variance shall be considered {391‐3‐7.05(2) (A‐K)}: A

Project Description & Reason for Initiating:

I‐85 and Oakcliff Industrial Ct. Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project is a rehabilitation project of an

existing sanitary sewer located between the North Fork of Peachtree Creek and just northwest of Oakcliff

Industrial Ct. in the City of Doraville, GA. Specifically, the site is located in land lot 314 & 318 of the 18th

district in DeKalb County, GA. The proposed construction will include the rehabilitation of approximately

2,275 linear feet of 10", 12", and 15" sewer pipe. The project is needed due to the numerous sewer spills

along the existing sewer outfall.

Project Location:

This project is located in land lot 314 and 318 of the 18th

district of DeKalb County. Beginning at terminus

of

Oak

Cliff

Industrial

Court

and

running

south

to

Interstate

85

and

continuing

south

to

the

confluence

of the North Fork of Peachtree Creek for a total distance of approximately one mile.

The Public can review site plans at 1580 Roadhaven Drive Stone Mountain, Georgia 30083. Phone: 770‐

724‐1450.

cumbersome and took hours of training to learn how touse,” Gillen said. “This one is not that way: it’s easier toupload photos; it’s easier to update content; it’s easierto keep it fresh.”

Doraville staff member Lisa Ferguson said thenew website will eventually feature pages for events,elections and other new topics but the primary goal

beforehand was to make sure the content from thecity’s old website makes a smooth transition.

Ferguson said the new website will be “completelycustomizable,” and that her favorite improvement thusfar is the contact page.

“There is nothing that I hate worse than going to awebsite and not being able to nd a phone number oremail address,” Ferguson said. “We have a button righton the front page. It’s going to continue to evolve.”

The new website also has interactive maps.The maps are capable of lters showing stormwatermanagement, acreage, zoning, district and zip codefor every parcel of land within city limits. The mapsalso show bus routes and train routes from Doraville toHartseld-Jackson Airport.

Pittman said the concern she hears the most from

residents about Doraville’s website is attempting towatch city council meetings and nding agendas. Shesubsequently suggested making access easier forvisitors.

Doraville resident Susan Fraysse said she washappy to hear of the new website and looks forward tousing it. Fraysse remembers using city hall’s physicalbulletin board to hear about city events in 2004 andenjoys Doraville’s currently level of connectivity.

“I have watched us evolve,” Fraysse said. “It tookyears and years. Luke Howe is to be commended forhis early work on the website. It’s never going to beperfect, and it’s going to continue to evolve and evolve.”

Fraysse said having a functioning website isimportant, valuable and accurate, especially forresidents who cannot make it to meetings. She alsorequested “as many newsletters as possible” to

increase government transparency.The website is live at www.doravillega.us.

DORAVILLE Continued From Page 4A


A15-person commis-sion soon will be es-tablished to study thecounty’s form of gov-

ernment and make recom-mendations about whether itshould be changed.

On April 25, interimDeKalb County CEO LeeMay signed an executiveorder creating a charter re-view commission to studyhe county’s form of govern-ment.

“I am very much in sup-port of changing our form ofgovernment to be more likehe other 158 counties inhe state,” said May, who foryears has been vocal abouthis support for a countymanager form of govern-ment.

“But ultimately it’s not my

decision alone,” said May,who will be leaving ofce athe end of the year. “It’s adecision that the people—he voters of DeKalb Coun-y—have to make. But wedon’t want them to make adecision in a vacuum.”

Under the executiveorder, the commission willbe comprised of one ap-pointee by each member ofhe Board of CommissionersMay will make the appoint-

ment for the vacant District7 seat); and one member

each appointed by theDeKalb House delegation,DeKalb Board of Education,DeKalb Chamber of Com-merce, Georgia Municipal

Association, Association ofCounty Commissioners ofGeorgia, and two additionalmembers—who will serveas co-chairs—appointed byMay.

County ofcials askedthe state legislature to passa measure establishing thecharter review commission,

but that legislation “unfor-tunately” fell through, Maysaid.

“My preference wouldhave been the legislatureto do it, but we been downthis road before,” May said.“We have asked them to putforward various legislativeopportunities that would helpus in DeKalb County. Whenthey have failed to do that,we’ve taken action into ourown hands.”

May said he expects itto take at least a year for thecommission “to bring forward

their litany of recommenda-tions” to the CEO and Boardof Commissioners, who willin turn give those recom-mendations to the statelegislators that representDeKalb County.

The commission willhave a budget of $150,000for technical assistance.

Per the executive order,the commission must holdits rst meeting no later thanJune 30 and submit its nalrecommendations no laterthan June 30, 2017, to the

Board of Commissionersand CEO and to “each mem-ber of the General Assemblyfrom DeKalb County, thegovernor, the lieutenant gov-

ernor, speaker of the houseand chairpersons of the Sen-ate state and local govern-mental operations committeeand the House governmentalaffairs committee.”

“We believe this is a lo-cal issue and this is a localcounty making a decision onwhat’s the most appropriate

form of government,” Maysaid. “This is a decision thatthe citizens and residentsof DeKalb County ought tomake.”

Group to study county government structure

nterim DeKalb County CEO Lee May signs the executive order creating the DeKalb Charter ReviewCommission. Photo provided


9/24


compiled by Andrew [email protected]

Two former stateawmakers, a frequent

political candidate anda retired businessmanwant to be elected asDeKalb County’s next chiefexecutive ofcer.

Former state senatorConnie Stokes andormer representative Mike

Thurmond join automotiveservices business ownerJoe Bembry in theDemocratic primary for theCEO’s position.

The winner of thiscontest will face Republicanretired businessman Jack

Lovelace in November.They will face eachother in the May 24Democratic primary. Thewinner of the Novemberelection will replace LeeMay, who has been interimDeKalb County CEO sinceJune 2013 when he wasappointed to the interimposition after countyCEO Burrell Ellis wassuspended by the governorafter being indicted onmultiple felony chargesncluding extortion.

Each candidate was

given a questionnaireby The Champion withnstructions to limit answerso 50 words. Answers that

were more than the limitwere truncated.

The Champion wasunable to get in contact withLovelace.

Name: Joe Bembry

Education: Studied atDeKalb College Occupation: Manager ofautomotive services What political officeshave you held in thepast? I have not held anyofcial ofce. I have beena “community advocate” formore than 40 years. I leadthe focus when it came tocorruption in our county.

Why are you seeking thisoffice? We need at leastone good choice in thiselection. I am concernedabout the current state ofDeKalb County as it relatesto corruption in our politicalsystem, crimes in ourcommunities and loss ofbusinesses. I am committedand dedicated to positiveimprovements in the county. What expertise do youhave that will help youfulfill the duties of thisoffice? My ability to listen

and communicate withpeople on all levels, whichis a gift from our maker,and my understanding ofbusiness principles willassist me in the duties

of this ofce. I haveinteracted with many countydepartments and will strivefor a more customer-focused environment.

Why should you beelected (or re-elected) tothis office? I am a 43-yearresident of DeKalb County.I really care about the stateof the county. Again, I amcommitted and dedicatedto overall improvements.Since I have not held ofce,you may consider me anoutsider, who will workfor all citizens of DeKalbCounty.

What is your campaignwebsite address? Pleasefeel free to contact me at

(678) 754-2424.

Name: Connie Stokes

Education: Master’s publicadministration (MPA),

Bachelor’s businessadministration (BBA)

Occupation: Real estatebroker/consultant

What political officeshave you held in thepast? State senator (10years) and Super Districtcommissioner (six years)

Why are you seeking thisoffice? I am running forCEO to be the change weneed to get the results wewant in improvements in jobopportunity, public safety,

pot holes, senior and youthservices, equal pay forwomen, and small businessinitiatives.

County CEO position up for grabs

The next generation of leadership for DeKalb County

ScotForDeKalb.com

All Voters: Special Elecon to fulll unexpired term of Claudia Lawson (rered)

Democrac Primary: Tax Commissioner 4-year term to begin January 2017

Two Elections MAY 24

Integrity

Innovaon

Accessibility

METROPOLITAN ATLANTA RAPID TRANSIT AUTHORITY

Notice of Public Hearings May 16 & 19, 2016Notice is hereby given that the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit

Authority will hold public hearings for the purpose of considering the

Proposed Fiscal Year 2017Operating and Capital Budgets

Including Elimination of the Holiday Group Fare One-Day Tickets andProposed Bus Service Modifications for Aug. 6, 2016for the following routes:

Route 3: Martin Luther King Jr. Drive / Auburn Avenue; Route 4: Thomasville /

Moreland Avenue / MTC; Route 13: Fair Street / Mozley Park; Route 15: Can-

dler Road / South DeKalb; Route 51: Joseph E. Boone; Route 117: Rockbridge

Road / Panola Road; Route 125: Clarkston / Northlake; Route 181: Buffington

Road / South Fulton P/R; and Route 191: Justice Center / Hartsfield International.

All route information, a video with Hearing information andcomment forms are available at www.itsmarta.com

Mon, May 16 Mon, May 16 Thurs, May 19Clayton County Govt.Office Board Room

112 Smith StreetJonesboro, GA 30236

Community Exchange: 6-7 P .M .

HEARING: 7 P.M.Riding MARTA: Bus routes 191, 192,

193 &194 from the Justice Center exitat Tara Blvd and Smith Street for a 0.5mile walk due to construction closure of

Smith Street.

MaloofAuditorium

1300 Commerce DriveDecatur, GA 30030

Community Exchange:

6-7 P .M .

HEARING: 7 P.M.Riding MARTA: Walk one blockwest of Decatur Rail Station.

Fulton CountyGovt. Center

Conference Room141 Pryor StreetAtlanta, GA 30303

Community Exchange:

6-7 P .M .

HEARING: 7 P.M.Riding MARTA: Routes 32,

49, 55, 74 & 186.

Copies of the proposed Budget and Bus Service Modifications will also be available for public viewing at MARTA’s Headquar-ters Office of External Affairs, 2424 Piedmont Road, N.E. Atlanta, Georgia 30324 during regular business hours, Mon-Fri8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For formats (FREE of charge) in accordance with the ADA and Limited English Proficiency regulations contact, (404)848-4037. For those patrons requiring further accommodations, information can be obtained by calling the TelephoneDevice 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 toprovide comments you may: (1) leave a message at (404) 848-5299; (2) write to MARTA’s Office of External Affairs, 2424Piedmont Road, N.E. Atlanta, GA 30324-3330; (3) complete an online Comment Card at www.itsmarta.com; (4) or faxyour comments no later than May 26, 2016 to (404) 848-4179.

All citizens of the City of Atlanta and the counties of Fulton, DeKalb, Clayton and Gwinnett whose interests are affectedby the subjects to be considered at these hearings are hereby notified 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

Joe Bembry Connie Stokes Mike Thurmond

See CEO race on Page 10A


10/24


What expertise do youhave that will help youulfill the duties of this

office? Leading thebudgetary process andworking with departmentson issues including senior,braries, parks, and roadmprovements. Serving

as state senator workingwith federal, state, andocal ofcials. A master’sdegree (MPA) in publicmanagement. Receivinghe gender justice award forssues like domestic abuseand equal pay for women.

Why should you beelected (or re-elected) tohis office? The leadership

experience of balancing bigbudgets, as a commissionerchairing the budgetcommittee and a senatorserving on appropriationsand scal affairs. I haveexperience as an advocatespeaking out for womenand children. Leadershipas state director of Women

in Government. Nationalpresident of the Women’sCouncil.

What is your campaignwebsite address?www.conniestokes.com

Name: Mike Thurmond

Education: Paine Collegewith a bachelor’s degreein philosophy and religion,Juris doctorate fromthe University of SouthCarolina’s School of Law

Occupation: Attorney

What political offices haveyou held in the past?• Served as superintendent

of the DeKalb CountySchool District, the thirdlargest district in the stateof Georgia, 2013-2015.

• Georgia LaborCommissioner, 1998-2010

• Served in the GeorgiaLegislature, 1987-1992

Why are you seekingthis office? DeKalbCounty desperately needsan experienced, provenleader who will work torebuild trust between thecounty government and thecitizens of DeKalb. We musthave a government that is

transparent, honest andfocused on providing highquality taxpayer nancedservices.

What expertise do youhave that will helpyou fulfill the duties of

this office? I have heldleadership positions withprivate and public agencies:The 9,000-employeeDivision of Family andChildren Services, 1994-1997; the 4,000-employeeGeorgia Department ofLabor, 1998-2010; and the

13,000-employee DeKalbCounty School District,2013-2015.

Why should you beelected (or re-elected) tothis office? My primaryfocus will be building an

inclusive, holistic visionfor DeKalb County. Hardwork, integrity, transparencyand service will be thecornerstones of theThurmond administration.Working with DeKalb’sleaders and all citizens and residents we will transform

our current frustrations anddisappointments into boldand exciting opportunities.

What is your campaignwebsite address?www.electmikethurmond.com

NOTICE

OF

PROPERTY

TAX

HEARING

The Mayor and the Atlanta City Council will adopt a millage rate which will

require no tax increase.

All

concerned

citizens

are

invited

to

the

public

hearing

to

be

held

at

the

Atlanta

City Hall Complex, 55 Trinity Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia in the City Council

Chambers located on the Second Floor on Tuesday, May 17, 2016 at 6:00 p.m.

CEO RACE Continued From Page 9A

by Carla Parker [email protected]

The Avondale Estates Board ofMayor and Commissioners had awork session May 4 to discuss the

development agreement betweenhe city and South City Partners,LLC.

South City owns 3.18 acres atSams Crossing and East CollegeAvenue and plans to redevelophe property, according to theagreement. South City proposed tobuild a mixed-use development tobe Sam’s Crossing, which featuresapartments with a parking deck andetail shops. The plans also include

a small park.During the meeting, city

manager Clai Brown said thedevelopment agreement is beingdone based on the site plan.

“On that site plan is where thevariances don’t t our zoning,”Brown said. “On March 25, thearchitectural review board (ARB)approved the exterior plans for thedevelopment. It then went to theplanning and zoning board on April8, which struck a timeline for themo come up with a recommendationo give back to the board.”

Brown said the planning andzoning board are in a 60-dayperiod, where at the end of theperiod—June 17—the board willhave to make a recommendation tohe mayor and commissioners.

“They have a hearing on May6 to go through their process,along with a meeting to come

up with a recommendationto the [board of mayor andcommissioners],” Brown said.

The board discussed changesthey would like to see made to thedesign. Brown said all of the plansare subject to change and SouthCity is working on minor changes tothe design.

“We won’t know [about SouthCity changes] until we get thoseplans back,” Brown said. “They

might have to go back in front ofthe ARB, but that really won’t haveanything to do with zoning unless

[the issue is] the height. They’renot planning to change the height;mainly just exterior changes.”

Brown said his staff added tothe design the similar streetscape—light xtures—that are already inthe city, going all the way downSams Crossing to make it lookuniform.

Some residents suggestedadding more trees, more publicparking and a path to the park area.

Mayor Jonathan Elmore said apath to the park is a good idea.“I think it’s completely

achievable,” Elmore said. “Eventhough they’re going to hold on tothe park, it’s in the developmentagreement that we have to havefree access at all times. I think it’snow or never. We have to ask themto consider these things.”

Commissioner Adela Yelton said she thinks the project is a greatopportunity for the city.

“If we have the chance to startintroducing some things to the

conversation, let’s take advantageof it,” she said.

Avondale Estates commission discusses proposed development agreement

South City proposed to build a mixed-use development named Sam’s Crossing, which features apartments with a parking deckand retail shops. The plans also include a small park.


11/24


New vendor to provide lifeguards at Browns Mill pool

New Practice, Same Great CareDeKalb Medical Physicians Group welcomes Carmen Echols, M.D., and associates Susan

Lee, FNP and Ebonique Pillot, PA, to Lithonia Primary Care. Formerly Kendrick Family

Practice, Dr. Echols and medical staff offer over 50 years combined healthcare experience

and will continue to provide the same great service to their community. To schedule yourappointment, visit www.lithoniaprimarycare.com or call 770.400.9274 today.

TO FIND A PHYSICIAN IN YOUR NE IGHBORHOOD

www.dmpg.org404.501.MYDR

W E S L E Y C H A P E L R D

P A N O L A R D

D E K A L B

M E D I C A L

P A

R K W A Y

S NA P F I NG E R

WOO D S D R

278

20

HILLANDALE DR

LITHONIA

PRIMARY CARE

5910 HILLANDALE DRIVE

SUITE 301

LITHONIA, GA 30058

770.400.9274

www.lithoniaprimarycare.com

Susan Lee, FNP-BC Carmen Echols, M.D. Ebonique Pillot, PA-C


A new contractor hasbeen chosen to providelifeguard services at a DeKalb

County-owned aquatic facilitythat came under scrutiny lastyear after a near drowning.

On April 26 theDeKalb County Board ofCommissioners approvedthe contract for Stand GuardAquatics of Alpharetta toprovide lifeguard and poolservices at Browns MillFamily Aquatic Facility. Theamount of the contract is upto $177,000.

“There were problemswith the...contract forthe lifeguards last year,”said DeKalb County

Commissioner MeredaJohnson, in whose districtthe Browns Mill facility islocated.

An investigation by TheChampion revealed thatthe county did not havecertications on le for sevenof the contracted lifeguardsworking at Browns Mill onthe day of a near drowningin June 2015. The county’scontract with the vendor, USAManagement LLC, requiredthese to be kept onsite at alltimes.

Approximately one monthafter the near drowning, theBoard of Commissionersvoted to terminatethe contract with USAManagement because “we

learned that they did not havecertications for the guardsthat they hired,” Roy Wilson,the county’s parks director,said at the time.

In April, Wilson told

commissioners that the newvendor “is not associated withthe vender that we had lastyear.”

“If you will recall therewere some issues last yearwhere we had to terminatethe contract,” Wilson said.“And we had a vendor to stepin and rescue us so that wewould be able to get throughlast season, which we didsuccessfully.”

Wilson said Browns Millis a “busy facility,” with morethan 66,000 visitors in 2015.

“It is important to us that

every visitor that comesto the Browns Mill Family

Aquatic Center has a safeexperience,” Wilson toldcommissioners. “The newvendor...will ensure that everyvisitor will have that safeexperience.

“We think that theselected vendor will do agreat job,” he said.

In addition to selecting anew vendor for the aquaticsfacility, the county has hiredan “aquatics professionalwhose job is to only focus

on aquatics and to ensurethat all of the terms of thecontract—all of the scope ofservice that is listed in thecontract—are met,” Wilsonsaid.

A worker posts a “facility closed” sign as Browns Mill Aquatic Center in July 2015. The center wasclosed for a few days after staffing problems. Photo by Andrew Cauthen

IWantToBeRecycled.org


12/24


Roderick Bridges Dax E. Lopez

compiled by Andrew [email protected]

A former trafc andState Court judge wants to

unseat an incumbent StateCourt judge who has beenon the bench for six years.

Roderick Bridges, anattorney and former StateCourt judge, is runningagainst State Court judgeDax Lopez. The two willace each other in the May24 Democratic primary.

Each candidate wasgiven a questionnaire by TheChampion with instructionso limit answers to 50 words.Answers that were morehan the limit were truncated.

Name: Roderick Bridges

Education: Saint LouisUniversity School of Law,

998, Juris Doctorate;Tulane University School ofPublic Health and TropicalMedicine, 1995, Mastersof Public Health; XavierUniversity of New Orleans,991, Bachelor of Science

n chemistry

Occupation: Attorney/udicial candidate

What political offices haveyou held in the past? none

Why are you seeking thisoffice? DeKalb County,Georgia, is a great place

to live, and deserves aState Court judge that willensure that anyone whocomes before the court istreated with dignity andrespect regardless of theirrace, religion, gender,age, nationality, social oreconomic standing.

What expertise do youhave that will help youfulfill the duties of thisoffice? I am a resident ofDeKalb County, 18 yearsand counting. In addition to

my experience as a trafc/state court judge, I amexperienced in criminal/civil litigation. I encompassintegrity and a commitmentto justice that enable me to

make sound legal decisionbased on the law and facts.

Why should you beelected (or re-elected)to this office? I have hadthe honor and privilege ofserving the citizens of theDeKalb Community as atrafc/state court judge for13 years. I am dedicatedto the improvementof the judicial system,enhancement of safetyin the community, andincreasing the efciency

and effectiveness within thestate court system.

What is your campaignwebsite address?

www.yourjudgebridges.com

Name: Dax E. Lopez

Education: B.S.,Vanderbilt University(political science) cumLaude; J.D., cum laude,Vanderbilt Law School

Occupation: Formerattorney, incumbent StateCourt judge of DeKalbCounty, Division 6. What political offices have

you held in the past? I amentering my sixth year as aState Court judge here inDeKalb County.

Why are you seekingthis office? I amseeking re-election to myposition to ensure thatour communities receivefairness and justice. As your

judge, I preside over severalthousand criminal andcivil cases annually. Myrulings have consistentlybeen afrmed by the higher

courts, which reectsmy commitment to fairlyapplying the law.

What expertise do you

have that will help youfulfill the duties of thisoffice? The State Courthears criminal and civilcases. I have extensiveexperience in both, havingserved in private practiceand as a clerk to a federal

judge prior to becomingthe incumbent State Court

judge in 2010. Additionally,I operate the only Spanishspeaking DUI court in themetro area….(answertruncated)

Why should you beelected (or re-elected) tothis office? It is a privilegeto be one of your judges.For nearly six years I haveworked to honor the trustthat you place in me as amember of one of the mostdiverse benches in Georgia.I am committed to ensuring

justice through fairness forour DeKalb community.

What is your campaignwebsite address? www.dax4dekalb.com

by Carla Parker [email protected]

Brookhaven announced May 6 thatChristian Sigman is the nalist to behe city’s second city manager.

Sigman will succeed former citymanager Marie Garrett, who resigned inanuary and reached a settlement withhe city. Sigman will be responsible forhe day-to-day operation of the city andhe management and direction of its 150

employees.Sigman worked in local governmentadministration for more than 20 years,according to the city. He recentlyserved as the county administratoror Hamilton County, Ohio. During hisenure as county administrator and

assistant county administrator, he leda government with more than 4,000employees and an annual budget of $1billion.

Sigman also helped lead thedevelopment of the “Banks Project,”creating a residential, work andentertainment district surrounding thestadiums for the Cincinnati Reds and theCincinnati Bengals, which revitalized thedowntown area.

Sigman previously served as budgetdirector for Cincinnati. He also workedn several local governments in themetropolitan Washington, D.C., area.

“In addition to Mr. Sigman’sdistinguished career, his compassionateleadership style, his budgetary prowessand his visionary approach to ‘right-sizing’ development for the communitymake him the ideal candidate to leadBrookhaven as the city’s second chiefoperating ofcer,” Brookhaven MayorJohn Ernst said.

Sigman is a graduate of IndianaUniversity where he earned a bachelorof science degree and a master’s

degree in public nancial management.He is also a credentialed member of theInternational City/County Management

Association.Sigman said in a statement that

he is excited to serve as the next citymanager for Brookhaven.

“Brookhaven enjoys a high qualityof life and I look forward to embracingthe vision for Brookhaven as a premiercommunity in the Atlanta metro region,”he said. “I am particularly interestedin executing the city’s high-qualityplanning efforts related to expandingand protecting park space as well asmanaged development activities tomitigate trafc congestion. I look forward

to being an active participant in thecommunity.”

The city council will formally vote onSigman to be the new city manager atits May 24 meeting.

Ex-judge tries to unseat incumbent State Court judge

Brookhaven announces finalist for city manager

Christian Sigman is the finalist to be Brookhaven’s city manager.


13/24


PHOTOS BROUGHT TO YOU BY DCTV

WEEK inPICTURES

DeKalb County implements changes to garbage and recycling container requirements and collection

procedures April 18, 2016.

Only county-provided garbage and recycling containers are approved for sanitation collection service.

For more info, call or visit:

(404) 294-2900

www.rollingforwardtoone.com

A DeKalb fireman stands guard by the casket of fireman Jason Blalock. Photos by Andrew CauthenA wreath displays fireman Jason Blalock’snickname.

A bell is rung signaling the end of Jason Blalock’s watch.Fire rescue personnel line a road at First Baptist Church in Atlanta as a fire engine drives bycarrying the body of DeKalb firefighter Jason Blalock.

A large sinkhole at Brannon Hill condominiumcomplex is filled with tires and debris to keep carsand children away. Photos by Andrew Cauthen

Two boys help take bagged trash to a pickup truckduring Brannon Hill’s cleanup day May 7.

Two drummers begin a community celebrationafter the cleanup.

Children pick up trash between dilapidated buildings at BrannonHill.


14/24


MoneyTalks

If you aren’t reading the legal notices

in The Champion you’re missing out

on great ways to boost your investment

portfolio or gain new customers:

Foreclosure listings

Tax Sales

Ads for bid

Notices of Incorporation

Subscribe now for only$25

Call 404.373.7779 X 100 or visit TheChampionNewspaper.com to start your discounted subscription.

by Kathy Mitchell

[email protected]

Now customers shop-ping for milk, eggsand bread can renewtheir automobile tags

n the same grocery store.Some Georgia Kroger stores,ncluding those at Embry Vil-age and on North DecaturRoad, have partnered withhe DeKalb County Tax Com-missioner’s Ofce to provideself-service tag renewal ki-osks inside the stores.

“These are ideal for thosewho need to renew their tags

at times when our ofces areclosed—people whose workschedules don’t permit themo get away from the ofceduring the day,” commentedDeKalb Tax Commissionerrvin J. Johnson, who wason hand for the ribbon cuttingat the North Decatur Roadstore.

“It will also be a greatme saver for those who

have simple renewals. Theydo not have to stand in linebehind those who have morecomplicated business with

he tag ofce. It can be aquick lunch-hour errand; it’spossible to be nished in aew minutes. That’s perfector people who have smallchildren or who are caring forother family members anddon’t have a lot of free time,”Johnson said.

Only tag renewals can becompleted using the kiosks,but according to the Geor-gia Department of Revenuewebsite, other services maybe added later.

At the kiosks, which wererst introduced at an Ellen-

wood Kroger store, usersenter their tag number, VINor driver’s license number toetrieve registrations. Users

of the self-service system

must live in a participating

county, have a Georgia driv-er’s license or renewal noticewith the owner’s correct ad-dress, and, where applicable,have proof of insurance andvehicle emissions inspectionon le. Seventeen Georgiacounties currently participate.

Johnson said Georgiadrivers in any participatingcounty can use any kiosks—not just those in their owncounty. “If a DeKalb Countydriver is on the way to Floridafor a vacation with the grand-kids and suddenly remem-bers that his tag will come up

for renewal while he’s gone,he can stop at a kiosk in BibbCounty and take care of it.”

Currently, there is a con-venience fee in addition tothe registration fee and tax-es, but Johnson said, “We’reworking on that. The kioskssave the county money be-cause we need less spaceand fewer staff members. Wemay eventually be able to doaway with the conveniencefee, which is only a few dol-lars and worth it to manypeople because of the time

they save.”Taxes and fees can bepaid with a debit or creditcard and some kiosks acceptcash. Users see the total be-fore nalizing the transaction.

Glynn Jenkins, direc-tor of communications andpublic relations for Kroger’s Atlanta Division, called themachines, which are only inparticipating Kroger stores,a “great addition to DeKalbCounty Kroger stores.”

“This is something wewere able to negotiate withKroger,” Johnson explained.

“If other retailers show aninterest in the future, we willcertainly give it consider-ation.”

Some Kroger stores now have self-service tag renewal

Kroger and county officials cut the ribbon, officially opening the kiosk at the North Decatur RoadKroger.

DeKalb Tax Commissioner Irvin J. Johnson introduces a kiosk thatallows county taxpayers to renew their automobile tags at participat-ng Kroger stores.


15/24


Doraville to spend $152K on signage

Welcoming signs

by R. Scott Belzer [email protected]

Those driving in Doravillecan expect to see new citysignage within the next fewweeks.

Doraville’s city councilecently approved a $152,100

purchase for 10 new welcomesigns. Six of the signs willbe stone columns while theemaining four will be aluminum.

“This is something that’sbeen worked on for quite someme,” said Mayor Donna

Pittman at the council’s

May 2 meeting. “The counciland citizens voted on theirpreference for the sign. We’reexcited to nally get new signs.”

The 10 new signs willeplace eight existing signs and

add two more to the city. According to the quote

dated April 12 from A1 Signs,each of the six stone columnss priced at $13,845 whilenstallation is $3,175, bringinghe total to $102,120. The

stone columns will standapproximately 12 feet high andeature a 5 feet wide sign.

The same quote lists theour aluminum signs at $9,495each with installation costing$2,875. Doraville will pay$49,480 total for the aluminum

signage. The aluminum signswill stand approximately 12 feethigh and also sport a 5 feetwide sign.

Another $500 fee wason the quote for “structuralengineer drawings for each signtype.”

The signs were createdby Doraville resident MichaelHalbert, who drew up manydesigns before arriving upon thenal product.

Parks, Recreation andPublic Works Director RipRobertson said the stonesigns will be stationed alongBuford Highway at the I-285interchange, along ChestnutDrive, Tilly Mill Road, Winter’s

Chapel Road and PeachtreeIndustrial.The aluminum sign locations

were not disclosed at themeeting.

City Manager Shawn Gillen said A1 Signs submitted theonly bid on the project and the$152,000 was the exact budgetset aside for signage.

“We wanted ve; we got intouch with ve companies, butonly got one,” Gillen said. “Theothers said they did not want to[participate]. They said it was avery involved process.”

Pittman asked Gillen about

park signs following discussionswith residents who felt a needto welcome visitors to variousparks throughout the city. Thecity manager explained that thewelcome signs would be a goodstarting point for the rest ofDoraville’s signage.

“We can take these typesof concepts and develop aconsistent look for each ofour parks,” Gillen said. “Acitizen came to me with these[welcome sign designs] anddiscussed changing the emblemto a park emblem. That will be

Phase II of this.”The city councilunanimously approved A1Signs’ quote and moved forwardwith the project.

Mayor Donna Pittman


16/24


420-385904 5/12,5/19,5/26,6/2jbNOTICE OF SALE UNDER POWERGEORGIA, DEKALB COUNTYUnder and by virtue of the Power of Sale contained in a Security Deed from MARIO ANTONIO PAYNE and CHRYSTINA E. ROBBINS, NKA CHRYSTINA E. PAYNE to MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC. ASNOMINEE FOR MORTGAGE INVESTORS CORPORATION dated FEBRUARY 24, 2010, and recorded on MARCH 5, 2010, in DEED BOOK 21879, PAGE 453, of the DEKALB County, Georgia Records; as last assigned to GREEN PLANETSERVICING, LLC N/K/A PLANET HOME LENDING, LLC, by Assignment dated DECEMBER 13, 2013, and recorded on DECEMBER 18, 2013, recorded at DEED BOOK 24178, PAGE 251, aforesaid records; conveying the aer-describedproperty to secure a Note in the original principal amount of ONE HUNDRED TWELVE THOUSAND, NINE HUNDRED SIX Dollars and 00/100 ($112,906.00) with interest thereon as set forth therein, there will be sold at publicoutcry to the highest bidder for cash before the courthouse door of DEKALB County, Georgia, within the l egal hours of sale on the rst TUESDAY in JUNE, 2016 the following described property:ALL THAT TRACT OR PARCEL OF LAND LYING AND BEING IN LAND LOT 125 OF THE 15TH DISTRICT, DEKALB COUNTY, GEORGIA, BEING LOT 21, BLOCK B, UNIT III OF RAINBOW DRI VE SUBDIVISION, AS PER PLAT THEREOF RECORDEDIN PLAT BOOK 91, PAGE 54, DEKALB COUNTY, GEORGIA RECORDS, WHICH RECORDED PLAT IS INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE AND MADE A PART OF THIS DESCRIPTI ON.The indebtedness secured by said Security Deed has been and is hereby declared due and payable because of, among other possible events of default, non-payment of the monthly installments as required by said Note and Se-curity Deed. The debt remaining in default, this sale will be made for the purpose of paying the same and all expenses of this sale, as provided in the Security Deed and by l aw, including aorney’s fees (noce of intent to collectaorney’s fees having been given) and all other payments provided for under the terms of the Security Deed and Note.Said property will be sold subject to any outstanding ad valorem taxes (including taxes which are a lien, but not yet due and payable), any maers which might be disclosed by an accurate survey and inspecon of the property,any assessments, liens, encumbrances, zoning ordinances, restricons, covenants, and maers of record superior to the Security Deed rst set out above.

The sale will be conducted subject (1) to conrmaon that the sale is not prohibited under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and (2) to nal conrmaon and audit of the status of the loan with the holder of the security deed.The enty that has full authority to negoate, amend, and modify all terms of the mortgage with the debtor is: Planet Home Lending, LLC f/k/a Green Planet Servicing LLC, 321 Research Parkway, Suite 303, Meriden, CT 06450,(866) 882-8187. To the best of the undersigned’s knowledge and belief, said property is also known as 2565 Cloud Lane, Decatur, Georgia, 30034 , and the pares in possession of the property are Mario Antonio Payne andChrysna E. Robbins, nka Chrysna E. Payne or a tenant or tenants of said property.PLANET HOME LENDING, LLC, F/K/A, GREEN PLANET SERVICING, LLC, As Aorney-in-Fact for MARIO ANTONIO PAYNE and CHRYSTINA E. ROBBINS, NKA CHRYSTINA E. PAYNEKenney & Medina, P.C., 3302 McGinnis Ferry Road, Suite 100, Suwanee, Georgia 30024,(770) 564-1600

THE LAW FIRM IS ACTING AS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE.

Veteran prosecutor named to DA’s gang unitCareer criminal prosecutor Lance Cross is joining the

DeKalb County District Attorney’s Ofce to work with theorganized crime unit, according to a news release.

“In nine years as an assistant district attorney with theFulton County District Attorney’s Ofce, Cross made a name forhimself prosecuting and convicting deadly murderers and gangmembers,” the news release states.

Among Cross’ noteworthy cases in Fulton are the deathpenalty trial of De’Kelvin Martin, who was convicted formurdering his girlfriend’s grandparents and 12-year-old son; the30 Deep gang robbery and murder that resulted in the January2009 death of Atlanta bartender John Henderson, and the trialor the Jack Boys robbing crew that led a murderous month-longcrime spree through Atlanta in 2010.

“We’re pleased to add a prosecutor of Lance’s caliber to ouranks,” DeKalb District Attorney Robert James stated.

Cross is a graduate of Georgia State University Law Schooland Hawaii Pacic University where he earned a degree inpolitical science, and he was a prosecutor in Paulding and Cobbcounties before moving to Fulton County.

Cross replaces Antonio Veal, whose work in the gang unithelped build cases against, among others, members of the

Georgia H.A.T.E. Committee of the Gangster Disciples andmembers of the Rollin’ 60s Bloods. Veal recently left to join anational private law rm.

“I look forward to working with DA James and helping him tobuild the best gang unit in the nation,” Cross said.

County parks and recreation departmentto open new Brookside Park

The DeKalb County Department of Recreation, Parksand Cultural Affairs will hold a dedication and ribbon cuttingceremony Saturday, May 21, at 10 a.m. for the new BrooksidePark, located at 3661 North Decatur Road in Decatur.

The new seven-acre park will feature a playground, pavilion,

walking trails and a community garden, with a dog park areacoming this summer. The public is invited to this free event toearn more about the features and coming attractions of thisnewly created neighborhood park.

For more information, contact LaShanda Davis, public


17/24

BUSINESS The Champion FREE PRESS, Friday, May 13, 2016 • Page 17A

by Kathy [email protected]

Jamba Juice in April heldgrand openings at ve area stores,marking the brand’s expansionnto the Atlanta market. Among thestores celebrating on April 23 washe store on North Decatur Road.

Ernie Young, operationsdirector for the store—one ofseveral operated by Aimee andJulian Peterson of For Pete’sSake LLC—said the California-based brand chose Atlanta as agood match for the prole for itshealth and wellness brand.

“I’m not sure what is included in

he prole, but the city of Decatur’stness initiative and the closenesso Emory University and Emory

Hospital were probably factors inchoosing the Decatur location,”

Young said.During the grand opening,

customers were offered freesamples of the store’s signatureoffering—fruit smoothies. “Theseare all made from natural, straightfrom the Earth ingredients andneed no added sweeteners totaste delicious,” Young said. “Manyof our customers choose ourproducts because they’re healthful,but some just like the taste.”

The menu also includes thewide variety of fresh juices thatthe brand originated with. Whilewaiting for their orders, customerscan watch a see-through machineslice and squeeze fresh fruit.

“Boosts,” upping the caffeine,vitamins, minerals or proteincontent, can be added to drinksand smoothies. “These areall natural, created with such

ingredients as soy protein, ginsengand green tea,” Young explained.“We never use chemicals, articialcolors or preservatives.

“Everything we offer is a better-for-you alternative to what you ndat traditional fast-food restaurants. At Jamba Juice you can grab aquick bite to eat when you’re onthe go without sacricing nutrition,”Young said.

Jamba Juice also offersoatmeal, available topped withfresh fruit; energy bowls madewith such ingredients as freshfruit, yogurt, granola and honey;baked goods, including artisanatbreads; breakfast wraps and

bistro sandwiches.The company was startedin 1990 by California residentKirk Perron, who liked havinghealthful snacks after exercising

and reasoned that others would aswell, Young explained. Unable toconvince banks the idea could beparlayed into a protable business,Perron borrowed money from hismother to open a business he rstcalled The Juice Club.

The Jamba Juice websitereports that the new businesshad 2,600 customers duringits rst weekend—and keptgrowing. Perron then decided thebusiness needed a name thatbetter “reected the fun, healthyatmosphere that had cultivatedinside our walls.” The companynow has more than 800 locationsworldwide—some are corporate

owned and others, including theNorth Decatur Road store, arefranchises.

Jamba Juice offers nutrition-oriented fast food


18/24

EDUCATION The Champion FREE PRESS, Friday, May 13, 2016 • Page 18A

County schools improve in recent college prep scoresby R. Scott Belzer [email protected]

The DeKalb CountySchool District

(DCSD) has shownimprovement incollege preparedness ina scoresheet released byhe Georgia Department of

Education (DOE).On May 3, the DOE

eleased College andCareer Ready Performancendex (CCRPI) scores forhe 2014-2015 school year.

The CCRPI score is madeup of progress points,achievement points andachievement gap points.The three types of pointsadd up to 100.

DCSD’s elementary,middle and high schoolsall showed at least 34progress points,” orpercentage of students

earning typical or highgrowth in performance onstatewide assessmentselative to students with

similar past achievement,”according to the DOE.

In Georgia, schoolscan earn a maximum of 40progress points.

Achievement pointsecord student performance

on state assessments,high school graduationates, and “[engagement]n opportunities to preparehem for college and

careers,” according to DOE.DCSD high schools earned28 of 50 achievementpoints.

Achievement gappoints, which are denedby “the progress theowest-achieving quarterof students are making”when compared to thestate average, can also beearned by schools. Out of a

possible 10, DCSD earned6.7 at both the middle andhigh school level and 5.8 athe elementary level.

Schools can also earnup to 10 challenge pointsgauging the performance ofeconomically challenged,disabled or English learningstudents. Challengepoints can also be earnedby implementing “otherpractices to preparestudents for college andcareers,” according to DOE.

“Our students

demonstrated signicantacademic growth,” saidSuperintendent StephenGreen. “Learning comesrom mastering content and

our students are provingthey are making progress.”

At the high school level,DCSD earned 36 progresspoints, 28 achievementpoints, 1.1 challenge pointsand 6.7 achievement gappoints for a total score of

71.8 out of a possible 100.Ten of the district’s

27 high schools showeddouble-digit growth

Documents

Champion FreePree 5-13-16