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CHAMPIONNEWSPAPER CHAMPIONNEWS CHAMPIONNEWSPAPER CHAMPIONNEWS

hechampionnewspaper.com F REE P RESS FRiDaY, apRil 22, 2016 • Vol. 19, no. 1 • 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 Jobs on Page 5A

See Victim on Page 5A

‘Jobs not jail’ isDA’s call to action

County agencies celebrate Crime Victim’s Rights Wee

by Andrew [email protected]

A recent graduate of DeKalbCounty’s Anti-Recidivism DiversionCourt said she is happy with herparticipation in the program.

“I’m so glad to be here and notin jail,” said Anaia Johnson April13 during DeKalb County District

Attorney Robert James ’ “Jobs Not Jail: A Call to Action” event.

Johnson said about events that ledto her run in with the law taught her

by R. Scott Belzer [email protected]

Two metro Atlanta individualseem to prove one never has to

be a victim of circumstance. As part of National Crime

Victims’ Rights Week, celebratedApril 10-16, the DeKalb CountySolicitor-General’s Of ce inpartnership with the DeKalbCounty Domestic ViolenceTask Force hosted a lunchtimediscussion in downtown Decatur.

The event’s two main speakerswere Michael Lash and ChristySims , victims of physical violencenvolving a home invasionhooting and domestic abuserime, respectively.

The purpose of the “ServingVictims, Building Trust, RestoringHope” event was to promotevictims’ rights and honor victimsof crimes as well as those whoadvocate on their behalf, saidSherry Boston , DeKalb Countyolicitor-general.

“Our speakers today areruly amazing individuals – the

de nition of the word survivor,”Boston said.

DeKalb County District Attorney Robert James wants local businesses togive a second chance to youth graduating from a jail diversion program.Photo by Andrew Cauthen

DeKalb County Domestic Violence Task Force co-chair-man Asher Burk joins Solicitor General Sherry Boston ina moment of silence.

More than 50 residents and government ofcials came to Decatur Square’s gazebo

to celebrate National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.

Crime victim and public speaker Christy Sims shared her story of survival atthe April 14 event. Photos by Travis Hudgons

DeKalb County Sheriff Jeff Mann was present at

a Crime Victims’ Rights ceremony to highlight thescope of crime in the county.

Business ................................20A Classied ...............................21A Education .........................18-19A Opinion ......................................7A Sports ...............................22-23A

QUICK FINDER

LOCAL, 12A

VOLUNTEERS PREPARETO-GO MEALS FORHOMELESS

LOCAL, 10A

CLARKSTONPROPOSES MARIJUANADECRIMINALIZATION

LOCAL, 8A

SUPER DISTRICTCOMMISSION SEATBEING CHALLENGED


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LOCAL The Champion FREE PRESS, Friday, April 22, 2016 • Page 2A

SATURDAY, APRIL 23RD9:00 am –12:00 pm

TOWERS HIGH SCHOOL3919 BROOKCREST CIRCLE,

DECATUR, GA 30032

DID YOU KNOW YOUR CHILD CAN BE CHARGED AS AN ADULT BEFORE THFIND OUT HOW THIS CAN HAPPEN TO YOUR CHILD AND HOW YOU CAN PRO

FREE EVENT FOR PARENTS AND CHILDREN. RSVP TO [email protected] BY

COMPLIMENTARY BREAKFAST

DeKalb County Schools Region V Superintendent Ralph Simpson

DeKalb Gang CulturePolice/Youth Encounters

Featur in g

Members of the DeKalb Special Local Option Sales Tax Citizen Advisory Committee are conductinga series of meetings to develop a suggested list of capital projects to be funded by the proposed tax.Photo by Andrew Cauthen


Approximately 45percent of DeKalb residentsurrently support a 1

percent sales tax to fundounty infrastructureprojects.

Those are the resultsof a recent survey of,000 residents who weresked various questionsbout whether they wouldupport a proposed special

purpose local option salesax (SPLOST) that would

be used to fund capitalprojects.

County of cials sayhe proposed 1 percent

SPLOST would generatemore than $540 millionover ve years countywide.Those funds would bedivided among DeKalbCounty and its cities,ccording to population.

During the surveypproximately 20 percenthanged their minds inavor of the SPLOST, said

Christine Lewis , directorof customer and employee

research studies at GeorgiaState University.

“With education andsome engagement thepercentage of voterswho will be comfortablesupporting this willincrease,” Lewis said.

“Without it, it looks like youhave 45 percent supportright now.

“What this suggestedis...as you provide moreeducation and moreinformation about this, alarger percentage of voters

are more likely to supportthe changes,” she said.

The subject of theproposed SPLOST “isgoing to be a topic that’sgoing to be dominatingthe news cycle...in DeKalbCounty between now and

the election, so there will bemore information available,”Lewis said.

The survey resultsshow that support for theSPLOST could increase

approximately 20 percentwere voters more informedabout the proposal.

According the surveythe top spending prioritieswere road resurfacingand maintenance with 34percent support, followedby public safety andthen transportationimprovements.

“So if you lookat transportationimprovements and roadresurfacing as being road ortransportation related, that’s50 percent, couple that withpublic safety, those threeitems are 70 percent,” Lewissaid.

Parks were at thebottom in terms of spendingpriorities, Lewis said.

Voters will have theopportunity to vote on theSPLOST referendum onTuesday, Nov. 8, during thegeneral election.

Less than half of voters support proposed tax


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AROUND DEKALBAVONDALE ESTATESCity to host prescription drug take back day

National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is designed to providea safe, convenient and responsible means for people to disposeof prescription drugs and learn about the potential for abuse ofmedications. Avondale Estates Police Department of cers will beoutside city hall’s rear entrance on April 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.collecting unused and unwanted prescription drugs and helpingresidents safely rid their homes of these medications. AEPD alsoaccepts pet medications and medical devices, including syringes. Cityhall is located at 21 North Avondale Plaza. For more information, visitwww.avondaleestates.org.

BROOKHAVENJunior pageant and talent show scheduled

Lynwood Park will host its annual Junior Miss Pageant April 30at Lynwood Community Center from 4 to 7 p.m. Children ages 4 to13 can participate. Refreshments and nger foods will be on hand.Participants will get to show off their favorite talent or skill for the chanceto win prizes and a trophy, and all participants will get to ride in theBrookhaven Community Day Parade the following week. The event costis $10 per entry. For more information, call (404) 637-0512.

CLARKSTONCity honors ofcer Nam Le

The city of Clarkston honored one of its police of cers during aregularly scheduled monthly meeting.

Clarkston Police Chief Christine Hudson and Assistant Chief T.D.

Brown presented of cer Nam Le with recognition of outstanding servicefollowing an incident in early March.On March 5, Le encountered a vehicle with an erratic driver. The

driver appeared to be nervous, dgety and altogether nervous aroundthe police of cer. Le conducted a plate check on the vehicle and foundthe driver wanted in DeKalb County on felony murder charges. A felonytraf c stop procedure was conducted and the warrant was appropriatelyserved.

“We’d like to honor of cer Le for his keen policing, ability to partnerwith other agencies, and overall, bring that family suffering through thatloss some sort of closure through an arrest,” Brown said. “Although thisis just one opportunity to recognize of cer Le, it’s important to note heperforms at this level consistently.”

In addition, Le was commended by DeKalb County for hisprofessionalism throughout the incident.

DECATURAnti-underage drug and alcohol meeting set

The Decatur Prevention Initiative will host a town hall style meeting April 28, 7 p.m., Ebster Recreation Center, 404 W Trinity Place,Decatur. The theme ‘How Do I Impact Underage Drinking and DrugUse?’ aims to promote a healthy Decatur community, free of thenegative effects of alcohol and other drugs on youth and families. Thepublic is invited along with local representation from law enforcement,schools and parents, to engage in a solution-focused discussion.For more information, contact Terrie Moore (770) 843-9698 or [email protected].

DORAVILLECity council and mayor host State of the City 2016

Those looking to engage with public of cials, hear news about theircommunity and give their own insight into the economic and social stateof Doraville should plan to beat Doraville City Hall on Thursday, April 21.

Beginning at 6:30 p.m., Mayor Donna Pittman will share last year’saccomplishments and discuss upcoming projects in Doraville. TheDunwoody High School color guard will present and demonstrate colorsfor the event while Frank Lisco provides entertainment. Pastries anddesserts will be provided by local businesses White Windmill and HongKong Bakery.

Doraville City Hall is located at 3725 Park Ave. in downtownDoraville.

DUNWOODYEarth Day activities scheduled

Dunwoody will be celebrate Earth Day on Friday, April 22, andSaturday, April 23, by opening the city’s newest park along NorthShallowford Road.

Beginning at 4 p.m., Dunwoody city council and mayor DenisShortal will host a ribbon cutting, bike-walk, soccer festivities,community yoga, star-gazing and public movie viewing at Park atPernoshal Court, located at 4575 North Shallowford Road. The eventwill last until approximately 10 p.m.

The following day, community members are invited to return tothe park at 9 a.m. for a stream cleanup at the Nancy Creek tributaryadjacent to the new park. The event will last until approximately 11 a.m.

Dunwoody Nature Center, in partnership with the Earth Day events,will also host a paint recycling event at 5343 Roberts Drive. This is thethird annual recycling event where old paint is recycled and used again.Residents will be charged $1 per gallon of paint.

For more information, contact Bob Mullen at (6 78) 382-6700.

LITHONIAOpportunity School District community eventscheduled

Marbut Traditional Theme and Arabia Mountain High SchoolPTA/PTSA Legislative Committees will host a stand for SomethingCommunity Empowerment Rally on Saturday, May 14, from 10 a.m. - 2p.m. This event is free and open to the public and will be held at MarbutElementary Traditional Theme School, 5776 Marbut Road, Lithonia. Anannouncement encourages the community to “come learn about theOpportunity School District and meet your local state representatives”.There will also be free health screenings, free concessions, give-a-

ways, a fun zone for kids, music, performances and more. Attendeeswill also have an opportunity to register to vote in the Novemberelection. For more information, to volunteer, or to become a vendor;send an email to [email protected] or call: (404) 981-3893.

Parent group to host family resource expo

DeKalb County School District Parent and Family Engagement andJoseph’s Network will host a free Family Resource Expo April 30 atMiller Grove High School from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will includerepresentatives from more than 40 agency providers and communityorganizations. The school is located at 2645 DeKalb Medical Parkway inLithonia. For more information, contact Tamesha Favors at (678) 676-3238 or email [email protected]; or contactDemetria Purkett Brown (678) 874-1842 or email Demetria_R_ [email protected].


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Jihad Ali

Jihad Ali

While in college, Jihad Ali sawhe positive effect that giving back

had on others and on him.“When I was a student athlete

at Georgia State we did a lotof mentoring and communityervice,” Ali said. “That’s when

really got a passion for it…ike ‘wow, I’m really making a

difference, putting a smile onpeople’s faces and things likehat.”

Ali, 26, who was a captainon the Georgia State Universitybasketball team, wanted tocontinue volunteering in thecommunity after college, sohe joined the Emerging 100 ofAtlanta. Emerging 100, the youngprofessional auxiliary of 100 Black

Men of Atlanta Inc. is composedof men ages 25-35 who serve the

Atlanta community.“We do a lot of volunteering,

a lot of mentoring at B.E.S.T. Academy in southwest Atlanta,” Alisaid. “We do a lot of giving backwhether it’s Comcast Cares Day…whether is planting or painting ata school or something like that.Giving back is really important.”

He also volunteers at eventsthat his friends host that focus ongiving back to the community.

“I de nitely try to pitch in,” hesaid.

Ali, a Decatur native andM.L. King Jr. High School alum,said giving back is important tohim because he was raised in a

community that gave to him andother youth.

“Someone else did it beforeme and it’s always good to payit forward for the next generationso that they can see you doingthings and feel that sense ofcommunity and want to give backwhen they get older or even whenthey’re young,” he said. “I think...our purpose in life is to give backand make things better than [theywere] when you found it.”

Ali said he believes everyoneshould do something to make thecommunity better.

“I think it goes a long way andyou’ll de nitely nd happinesswhen giving back to others,” hesaid.

Dunwoody OKs$129K inpedestrian improvementsby R. Scott Belzer [email protected]

Dunwoody city of cialsmoved forward on April 11with a project to improvepedestrian travel.

The city council ofDunwoody approved aequest for proposal for the

design of a “multiuse pathbetween Peeler Road andDunwoody Club Road,”long Winters Chapel Roadn March, according to city

documents.The city commissioned

study titled “PeachtreeCorners – Dunwoody WintersChapel Road Area Study” withts neighboring community of

Peachtree Corners in April

2015. The study outlinedvarious improvements for theorridor along Winters Chapel

Road; some of which arelready under construction.

The proposal, accordingo a memorandum prepared

by Capital Projects ManagerMindy Sanders , includes amultiuse path from PeelerRoad in Dunwoody toDunwoody Club Drive, whichinks Winters Chapel Roado Happy Hollow Road. The

design of the path, whichuns along Winters Chapel,

will continue to Dunwoody’sborder with Sandy Springs.The path will continue alongWinters Chapel until it hits

Spalding Drive.“In addition, the design

will include restriping plansfor several areas along thissection of Winters ChapelRoad,” reads the city’smemorandum.

The design team selectedfor the project, SprinkleConsultants, will charge thecity $129,537 for the project,which exceeds the $100,000set aside by Dunwoodyof cials in the 2016 budget.The city will also authorizean additional $15,000 incontingency.

The project memorandumalso states the project will“use excess funds from othersidewalk projects as they areavailable and will request

additional funding through afuture budget amendment forany remaining shortfall.”

Sprinkle Consultantswas chosen over ve othercompanies with pricesranging from $98,000 to$286,500.

“Six quali ed proposalswere received and reviewedby staff from the city ofDunwoody and the city ofPeachtree Corners,” readsthe city memorandum.“Based on factors includingproject understanding, scope,schedule, experience, andcost, Sprinkle Consultingwas identi ed as the highestranked rm for this project.”


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The Champion FREE PRESS, Friday, April 22, 2016 local Page 5A

JOBS Continued From Page 1A

VICTIM Continued From Page 1A

omething: “I knew that I couldnot be in jail. That was not aplace for me.”

After completing the county’sdiversion program Johnson isnow in the process of completingher application to law school.She plans to be a lawyer.

“There are attorneys whowant to help children,” she saidabout the program. “They arenot all out here just to lock us all

up and throw us in jail.” James’ “Jobs Not Jail”program is designed to helpyouth graduating from thediversion program to nd jobs inhe community.

Initiated in 2011, the Anti-Recidivism Diversion Court is “away to prevent young, nonviolentoffenders from committing morecrimes after their rst arrest,”according to a news releaseabout the program.

As part of the program,ames invited business and

community leaders to participaten the event to encourage themo provide jobs to graduates ofhe program.

“I want kids to get jobs,”

James said. “I want youngpeople who we’re providinga second chance, youngpeople who would otherwisebe incarcerated, who wouldotherwise be in prison—I wantto make sure that they getemployed.

“Why? Because we knowthat when young people areworking...the chances thatthey’re going to commit morecrimes or recidivate ...dropdramatically,” James said.

“This is not just somethingcute that we’re doing,” he

said. “It’s not just somethinghumanitarian that we’redoing. It is humanitarianbut ultimately this is a crimeprevention measure becausewhen somebody goes outand…commits more crimes,oftentimes they create morevictims.

“If you can give them a joband make them a taxpayerversus them being unemployedcommitting crimes living on thestate’s dime and becoming a taxeater, I’ll take the option of givingthem a job anytime,” James

said.James said he hosted the

event to “raise awareness.”“People need to be aware

of the problems we have withrecidivism...throughout the wholecountry,” James said. “We havealmost 2 million people that areincarcerated in this country.”

James said he also wantedto have “a call to action to bringpeople to the table who are

employers and supervisors sothat we can put a signi cant dentin this recidivism and this crimeproblem… by offering people abetter opportunity which is jobs.”

Darreous , another graduateof Anti-Recidivism DiversionCourt, said, “I got into thisprogram by messing my own lifeup.” He burglarized a home witha friend.

“The program cameand saved me, saved mylife,” Darreous said. “It sat medown for a second.

“I had a chance to sit downand think what I did wrong,” hesaid. “I have a second chance at[life]. It changed my life for thebetter.”

While the gathered crows may have beenxpecting tales lled with terror, woe andear, they instead received tales involving

perseverance, character and faith.On Aug. 16, 2015 Lash, his wife and their

wo children had just returned home from aFlorida vacation. The following day, he wasupposed to start a new job. After hearinghe doorbell ring, however, Lash and hisamily’s life changed drastically.

“I remember talking to my wife about ouraith, saying ‘God gives and he takes away,

he’s given us so much and we have to beeady for that time when he takes away

because that is when it really matters,’” Lashaid. “Little did we know about what was

going to happen.”Lash answered the door to nd two young

men whom he said looked “no more than 14or 15 years old.” After asking for help withheir car, one of the young men brandished arearm and demanded Lash get back inside

he house. Two more young men soonoined them.“I remember thinking ‘I cannot let these

guys in my house with my wife and kids,’”Lash said. “And that’s exactly what I toldhem.”

Lash stood in the doorway as theassailant counted down from 10. Uponeaching one, he shot Lash in the left leg.

When Lash stood back up, the youngman put another bullet in Lash’s right leg,hattering his femur and his ephemeral vein.

The assailants entered Lash’s house andontinued shooting at his wife and newborn

daughter but missed. They soon ed theresidence with a laptop and other electronicdevices.

During the time between Lash denyingentry to the invaders and the rst gunshot,Lash’s wife was able to call the AtlantaPolice Department, which saved his life.The of cers responded in three minutes andcreated a tourniquet. One of the of cers,Tyler Thomas , visited Lash in the hospital.

“I told him, ‘Thank you so much for savingmy life,’” Lash said. “And he told me, ‘Youwere the rst responder that day, you savedyour family’s life; I was just your backup.’”

Lash said being able to recover, moveback into his house, become a part of the

Atlanta community and accept his attackers’apologies made him a victor, not a victim.

“We completely forgive the four that werearrested and plead guilty to what they did,”Lash said. “There’s a bigger plan here. Wedon’t want division.”

Sims also shared a story involving victoryover adversity. On April 28, 2013, Sims’ ex-boyfriend threw sulfuric acid on her, resultingin third- and fourth-degree burns on 20percent of her body. For two months, Simswas in a sustained coma and underwent13 surgeries. She awoke with the resolveto prosecute her attacker and not let suchviolent circumstances de ne her life.

She has since become an advocatefor survivors of domestic abuse at theinternational level. She currently serves asa clinical mental health counselor. On April25, 2015, the Fulton County Commission

of cially named April 25 Christy Sims Day.Sims said her entire life changed in

an instant, resulting in a lost career andemotional distress for her family, but sherefuses to let the traumatic event de ne herlife.

“Yes, I guess you can call me a victim,”Sims said. “But I’m here to let you know I’mon the other side. I’m a victor. I’m here to tellyou yes, it is Crime Victims’ week, but I willnot be de ned by my circumstance. I madea decision early on in this process that Iwould de ne the crime that happened to me,it would not de ne me.”

Sims said the crime allowed her to pursueher passion of helping people in the eldof counseling. Sims said she needed tobe humbled, but is ready to help peopleby “telling her story until [she’s] blue in theface.”

“I get called ‘courageous’ a lot,’” Simssaid. “My way of surviving was to get out

there and say, ‘Listen, this is what happenedto me, do something about it,’ not just forme, but for everybody. April 28 was theworst day of my life and the best day of mylife. I know for certain my pretty face with thefreckles and dimples could not have savedthe number of lives I’ve saved.”

DeKalb County Sheriff Jeff Mann waspresent at the event to highlight the scope ofDeKalb County’s violent crime.

“In 2015 alone, we took in over 36,000individuals into our custody,” Mann said.“That means there were more than 36,000victims in DeKalb County.”

Local business leaders have the opportunity to provide jobs for participants in the county’sAnti-Recidivism Diversion Court. Photo by Andrew Cauthen


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The Champion FREE PRESS, Friday, April 22, 2016 opinion Page 6A

This week, in my country, considered byome of its more embarrassing denizenso be the “greatest country in the world,, an

outspoken Florida “gun rights” advocateeft a loaded .45 caliber handgun in the

back seat of her car and was promptly shotand wounded by her 4-year-old child. Trulya pinnacle of human potential, much likehe invention of paper in second-century

BC China, or Aristotle holding forth in theLyceum, or whoever rst pointed out thatFlorida looks like America’s penis.

What do you say about the outspokenFlorida “gun rights” advocate who left aoaded .45 caliber handgun in the backeat of her car and was promptly shot and

wounded by her 4-year-old child?I take no pleasure in violence and pain.

’m not happy that Jamie Gilt , 31—whohas built a thriving web presence on theargument that guns are not only perfectlyafe around kids, but necessary for their

protection—left a loaded handgun in reachof her 4-year-old son, who then picked it up,aimed it at his mother, and pulled the trigger.

I nd zero delight in the thought of Gilt’soddler’s almost certain panic and horrorn that moment, nor the guilt he may wellarry for the rest of his life (guilt that only

his mother deserves). I’m sure being shot inhe back really hurts—even more so whent comes with a side of nationwide liberalchadenfreude.

But I have no interest in letting Gilt offhe hook. Her child could just as easily

have shot himself, or a passerby, oromeone else’s child. With just a few

weaks of location and circumstance, heould have shot my child. Someone elsetill could, accidentally or with intention—t’s a possibility you have to consider in aountry with so many guns and so few laws

regulating them. That’s the macabre truth ofparenting in 21st-century America.

I grew up with the same persistent,low-grade fear of gun violence as any

American—my middle school was oncelocked down because of a shooting at thehigh school up the street, and I was a juniorat that same high school when we watchedthe Columbine massacre unfold on TV—butmy family didn’t have guns, and we lived ina liberal city so most of my friends’ parentsdidn’t either. Guns were scary, but for themost part they felt far away.

Growing up here myself didn’t prepareme for how distinctly, viscerally frightening itwould be to raise children in a gun-obsessednation. My stepdaughters go to school ina borderline-rural suburb, whereas I waseducated in central Seattle. They alreadyknow of at least one friend-of-a-friend whowas killed in a school shooting.

Many of their friends’ parents are gunowners. Not only that, but, over the pastfew decades, the National Ri e Associationhas been aggressively and successfullyrolling back rearm restrictions, makinggun ownership as quick and easy foranyone’s irresponsible, drunk cousin as theirmeticulous, gun-safety-trained dad. Whenwe send our kids to friends’ houses forsleepovers, it sometimes feels like a leap offaith.

In the United States in 2015, more peoplewere shot and killed by toddlers than byterrorist. In 2013, the New York Times reported on children shot by other children:“Children shot accidentally–usually by other

children–are collateral casualties of theaccessibility of guns in America, their deathsall the more devastating for being eminentlypreventable.”

And I’m supposed to believe that

frightened Syrian refugees—or whomeverbecomes the next rightwing scapegoat du

jour—are the real threat to my children? I’msupposed to be afraid of sharks? Heavymetal music? Violent video games? Horsemeat in my hamburger patties? Teenagerspouring vodka up their butts?

States with more guns have more gundeaths. Keeping a gun in your houseincreases your chances of accidental deathby shooting, but does not make you safer.

A woman’s chance of being murdered byan abusive partner increases vefold if thepartner has access to a gun. “Good guyswith guns” are a fantasy. How much longerwill we keep participating in this greatcollective lie that deadly weapons keep ussafe?

The accidental shooting of Jamie Giltis the object lesson that my absurd nationdeserves. When even supposed gun safetyexperts cannot keep themselves safe fromtheir own toddlers, we should take that asan unequivocal reminder that guns areinherently dangerous. They are explodingprojectile machines designed speci callyfor killing. And that’s not bleeding-hearthyperbole—it’s the explicit reason why manypeople are drawn to them. Cowboy games.Vigilante justice. Power.

America does not get to claim somehypercivilised global high ground when wefoster—legislatively and culturally—a systemin which incidents such as Gilt’s are not justpossible, but inevitable.

Lindy West is a Seattle-based writer,editor and performer whose work focuses on

pop culture, social justice, humour and bodyimage. She’s currently a culture writer forGQ Magazine and GQ.com, as well as thefounder and editor of I Believe You—It’s NotYour Fault , an advice blog for teens.

Toddlers kill more people in the U.S. than terrorists do

Chamblee takes one worry out of online shopping

Gale Horton [email protected]

Lifestyle Editor

I love it when a simple,ensible solution is foundo a problem, and whenhat solution is actuallymplemented without muchost and delay, that’s even

better.My hat’s off to the city

of Chamblee for coming upwith an answer to a 21stentury problem involvingransactions betweenndividuals who meet online

via services such as Ebaynd Craigslist.

While the vast majorityof online purchases takeplace without incidentnd buyer and seller walkway satis ed with each

receiving the item/paymentexpected, occasionallythat’s not the case. Crimeshave been committed in

some situations whereindividuals meet and anassault, robbery or evenmurder has taken place.Reports of these crimesmake many people wary ofengaging in a transactionthat begins at one of thesesites or similar ones.

Chamblee now hastwo Transaction ExchangeZones—both at the policedepartment (one in thelobby and one in theparking lot) where anyonecan come to exchangemerchandise and moneyunder the watchful eyesof the police. They’ll alsocheck items’ serial numbers

to ensure goods aren’tstolen. And a camerasystem is in place to recordit all. Chamblee police justask that individuals callthem rst before comingover so they are prepared.

Obviously this will detersome individuals with badintentions from taking ne-gotiations any further oncethe police department ismentioned as the meetingsite. Another bene t is thatshould disputes arise overamount to be paid or qualityof goods at the exchange,police personnel are righton site and the situation isless likely to escalate.

This is the type ofsimple and sensibleservice that other policedepartments shouldadopt and publicize. It’s atremendous bene t to thecommunity and shows thepolice department’ goodwilltoward those they serve.

While I haven’t madeany online purchases thatrequire meeting a strangerto exchange goods forcash, if I decide to do so,I’ll make a beeline to theChamblee Police Depart-ment. Thanks, Chamblee, Isure hope other municipali-ties follow your lead.


7/24

The United Straights of America?“From a distance,

Georgia Gov. NathanDeal and North CarolinaGov. Pat McCrory ap-ear to be similar. Both

are conservative gover-nors of Southern stateswhere religion plays atrong role in public andrivate lives.

They both live andgovern during timesof rapid change, par-icularly with the wayociety treats gay andransgender people. Buthe two–with so much inommon–have arrived at

different conclusions tohe same basic question.

Should people be allowedo discriminate againstheir neighbors based onheir sexual orientation or

gender identity?” Op-ed in the Charlotte

News & Observer , April2016

I grew up in DeKalbCounty, Georgia, dur-ng the 1960s, in the

midst of the Civil Rightsmovement. Though thebirthplace and cradleof that movement wasess than a dozen milesrom my home, and only

a couple of miles fromhe hospital of my birth,was largely unaware

of the drama and strifeof those dramatic andtressful times. The clos-st that world came to

mine was during numer-

ous days and occasionalevening encounters withthe worlds of two womenwho were near and dearto our family— Lillie MaeFleetwood and EloiseMorgan .

My grandmother wasour next door neighborgrowing up, and my par-ents and grandparentsboth worked in the familynewspaper business.

Lillie Mae worked formy grandparents, helping

to raise my aunt, her ownnine children and later mybrother, sisters and me.

Eloise worked for ourfamily from my days in el-ementary school throughlong after my graduationfrom UGA. These womenwere as much a part ofour family in my mind asmy cousins, aunts anduncles. We loved them,and they loved us.

The Atlanta businesscommunity and someprogressive state lead-ership (though not all),helped Atlanta to set adifferent example duringthe civil rights era.

The “City too busy tohate” experienced sit-ins,and more than the oc-casional protest, but norace riots or over-reactingpolice chiefs or sheriffswielding re hoses.

Thanks, I believe, tothe leadership and politi-cal courage of Georgia’scurrent governor, we areagain taking point, thelead and shining a light inthe right direction. Geor-gia can remain a conser-vative, Bible-quoting andeven gun-toting state,without becoming viewedor known as an intolerant,hypocritical place wherethe clock is being turnedback.

Knowing that this col-umn will elicit hate mail

from friends in Georgia’sfaith-based community, Iwill ask that they read, inits entirety, the proposedlaw that Gov. NathanDeal chose to veto. Onepassage outlines clearlythat faith-based non-pro ts (a category largerthan churches) would bewithin their legal right,and immune from litiga-tion for damages, if they

were to terminate theemployment of an em-ployee whom they sus-pected of being lesbianor gay. Georgia is alreadya right-to-work, “at will”employment state. Thislaw would be a license todiscriminate.

Weeks before Deal an-nounced his intentions,he held a press brie ngacknowledging his sup-port for the proposedPastor Protection Act andoffering that he would betroubled to sign any billthat he believed wouldlead to discrimination.

The battle is appar-ently not yet over. Geor-gia’s lieutenant governor,House speaker and nu-merous legislators saythey will be back nextyear with another bill.

Eloise Morgan helpedme become the personI am today. As she wasdying, ghting multipleailments while battling

cancer in the then non-air-conditioned tower ofGrady Hospital, I triedvisiting her at least oncea week. Though I hadonly been a child duringthe civil rights era, I keptwishing I had been anadult and in a position tospeak up, say somethingand do more in thosetimes. I could not helpor change Eloise’s life at

that point; all I could dowas let her know that weloved her, thank her andtry and help her son andbrother who survived herin the years ahead.

Well, I am a grownup now. And so clearlyis Governor NathanDeal. Our neighboringgovernors and somelegislatures may still bedreaming of “The UnitedStraights of America,” butthis son of the South ishoping that they wake upsoon. We have alreadybeen on the wrong sideof history two centuries ina row, and it’s now time tobe on the right side, andtreat others as we wouldwant for them to treatus. This one is for youEloise. Thanks again. Westill miss you.

Bill Crane also servesas a political analyst andcommentator for Channel2’s Action News, WSB-

AM News/Talk 750 andnow 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 [email protected]

Columnist

ONE MAN’S OPINION

The Champion FREE PRESS, Friday, April 15, 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 forverication. All letters will be considered for publica-tion.

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8/24


Super district commissionseat being challenged

Name : Kathie Gannon

Education:Masters of social work, University ofGeorgia; Masters certi cation, heritagepreservation, Georgia State University;B.A. political science, MarquetteUniversity, Milwaukee, Wisc.

Occupation:Retired, program & policy developmentocial work. Founded Georgia CASA—

Court Appointed Special Advocates andother programs for abused and neglectedhildren.

What political of ces have you held in

he past?DeKalb County Commission SuperDistrict 6.

Why are you seeking this of ce?To continue my effort to provide goodgovernment and quality of life for theitizens of DeKalb. The job is not done.

We need a new government blueprintof accountability, transparency andesponsiveness. I will continue to pushor public safety as a top priority in our

budget.

What expertise do you have that willhelp you ful ll the duties of this of ce?

have a record of 11 yearsepresenting you. We are a team withccomplishments in sustainability,conomic development, senior services. I

promote an open and inclusive decision-making process and a positive agendawhere your voice is at the table to focuson essential services, neighborhoodprotection, jobs.

Why should you be elected (or re-lected) to this of ce?

At times like these a commitment to goodgovernment is more important than ever.Accountability has to come rst with goalshat address the future of all of DeKalb, to

bring us back together as a county and a

ommunity.What is your campaign websiteddress?

www.kathiegannonlistens.com

Name : Warren F. Mosby

Education:Bachelor of electrical engineering,Georgia Tech Occupation :Consultant What political of ces have you held inthe past?None

Why are you seeking this of ce?Parity and justice. Warren Mosby willwork for all of the citizens of District6, not just for those who reside in the

northern parts of the county as myopponent does. Public service is justa continuation of my family’s 38-yearcalling to the people of DeKalb County. What expertise do you have thatwill help you ful ll the duties of thisof ce?My faith in God and expertise in workingwith His people. My engineering trainingbrings expertise in problem solving. Ihave served in leadership capacities inbusiness and community organizations,secular and religious. I have extensiveexpertise in nancial analysis andreporting and, I am an expert in DeKalbpolitics. Why should you be elected (or re-elected) to this of ce?I will ght for commercial developmentsin South DeKalb that will enhance ourcommunities as well as instill a truesense of ownership of our County. I willwork to insure that our Government islaser-focused on our issues to providemeaningful solutions to the needs of ourfamilies.

What is your campaign websiteaddress?www.DeKalbUnited.org

ompiled by Andrew [email protected]

A DeKalb County Super District commissioner is being challenged for her seat.Kathie Gannon has represented Super District 6, the western half of DeKalb

County, since 2005. She is being challenged by Warren Mosby , a consultant.They will face each other in the May 24 Democratic primary.Each candidate was given a questionnaire by The Champion with instructions to

imit answers to 50 words. Answers that were more than the limit were truncated.

National chess tournamentheld in Decatur

Decatur-based Unconditional Love for Children’sCheckMate Chess Academy (CMCA) hosted thecenter’s rst chess tournament by collaborating withorganizer Frank Johnson of Chess-Coach.net on

April 9 to present the 64 Squares Master Challenge 25tournament.

To participate, players were required to have aUnited States Chess Federation rating of 1,799 orabove. The event drew players from as far away asChicago to CMCA’s headquarters on Snap nger WoodsDr. in Decatur for four rounds of play.

CMCA director Barry Gray said Johnson’s “chessexpertise is matched by his technological uency.”For the rst time a CMCA event was broadcast liveonline. Gray described it as “a real tour-de-force oforganizational complexity for an event hosted at a newvenue.”

Gray continued with, “The assembled eld of sixnearly master-level players coped with the pressure of

playing for an international audience, but one copedbetter than the rest, Sedrick Prude of Chicago.” The44-year-old Prude won three games and concededone draw to outstrip the other competitors and take rstplace.

Johnson and Gray were pleased with theorganizational success of the tournament, with Johnsonsaying, “I’ve found an ideal partner [in] CMCA and will beoffering chess events at this venue in the future.”


9/24


STONE MOUNTAIN VILLAGE

CITY‐WIDE YARD SALE 922 Main St. behind Gazebo

Sat., April 23 8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

Setup begins 7:30 a.m. on day of sale

For info call City Hall (770) ‐498 ‐8984

Doraville council quiet in parking disputeby R. Scott Belzer [email protected]

Since mid-March,

esidents on and aroundRaymond Drive andWheeler Drive in Doravillehave voiced concernsegarding their overcrowdedtreets and alleged lack ofccessibility.

Tapestry Public CharterSchool, located at 3130Raymond Drive, accordingo residents, has been theause of double-parkingn front of houses as wells both sides of the street,aising questions regardingmergency vehicleccessibility.

Residents approachedity councilmen, the mayornd other of cials to pleadheir case in March. Tapestry

Public Charter has alsopproached the city for helpn addressing the issue.

On April 11, for theecond consecutive time,

Doraville of cials opted tonot make an of cial ruling.

The item at theApril 11 meeting wasitled “Discussion and

Consideration to approve noparking ordinance (resident

parking only) on WheelerDrive and Raymond Driveon both sides,” but was notvoted on.

Several people calledor a solution at the April

meeting.Anne Simonetti , a

Raymond Drive resident,aid street parking along

Raymond Drive had notbeen an issue until fall2015. Simonetti alleged thessue goes further because

Tapestry Public Charter alsoents its space for events.

“What we have todays both sides of the street

being used as parkingots for the Tapestry

School,” Simonetti said.[The school] needs to beccountable for the peoplehey lease their building to.t’s not OK for both sides of

the street to be blocked. Ifthere is ever an emergencyat my home, the emergencyvehicle will not be able to

pass.”Residents KennethWilliams , Vicki Grace , and Tim Snyder echoedSimonetti’s concerns andcalled for action.

“I ask you to enforce theparking ordinance and stoppeople from parking in frontof the school,” Williamssaid.

“The school has somuch land,” Grace said.“There’s more than enoughland to put parking on.When they bought thisproperty, they knew theordinances requiring themto have adequate parking.”

“We have a problem,”Snyder said. “It’s a healthand safety issue. There areobviously traf c problemsin having cars park on bothside of the street. It’s asafety and welfare issue.We have an ordinancethat says businesses mustcontain their parking. Yourproblem should not have tobe our problem.”

Candice Jordan ,director of development at

Tapestry Public Charter,was present to speak inthe school’s defense withPrincipal Barbara Boone .

Jordan recognizedparking as an issue inthe community but said“diminishing the abilityto maintain some levelof exibility” with parkingwould harm the school’smission. She also said it is“not fair to urge Tapestryto purchase parking thatwould inconveniencestaff, parents and visitorsto bene t [the school’s]immediate neighbors.” Still,Jordan said the schoolwould support an ordinancelimiting the street’s parkingopportunities to one side.

In addition, Boone saidthe school would be opento having a meeting with

residents to address theissue.

Regardless, Doraville’scity council did not move tosolve the issue other thansuggesting the two partiesmeet to discuss the issue.

“My suggestion is thatwe continue the discussionwith residents and theschool,” said CouncilwomanDawn O’Connor . “Thisshould be the beginningof a dialogue. We shouldset up a meeting where wecan come to an agreementresidents can live with. Thenext thing we should do is

have the school get withresidents to see what wouldbe a workable solution.”

City manager ShawnGillen said considerationshould be taken ineliminating parking on oneside of the street but rstrecommended speakingto more residents andthe school. He also saida “formal plan” should bewritten.

“To me, an easy solutionright away would be to limitparking to one side wherethey aren’t parking in frontof homes,” said Mayor

Donna Pittman .Pittman also suggested

school staff, parents andvisitors park in the nearbychurch parking lot until apermanent solution couldbe found. CouncilmanRobert Patrick said thecity should act as anintermediary betweenthe two parties whilecouncilman M.D. Naser advised the school to

nd parking on their ownproperty.

However, no of cialmotion was made to furtheraddress the issue.

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PETOF THE

WEEK

Double-parking issues in a residential neighborhood along Raymond Drive in Doraville has resi-dents requesting action from the city council. Photo by R. Scott Belzer


10/24


Clarkston proposes marijuana decriminalization

See DA on Page 11A


Clarkston Mayor Ted Terry old media outlets the city’s publicafety committee will review

making misdemeanor marijuanapossession of less than one ouncea ticket-only offense. If successful,Clarkston will be the rst city inGeorgia to do so.

“This is an idea sponsored byall of the public safety committeemembers,” Terry told The Champion on April 8. “It was introduced in aesolution to study the issue at theFebruary] council meeting.”

According to public record ofhat meeting, the resolution was

one of 15 items discussed in aegularly scheduled city council

work session. Councilmen Dean

Moore and Mario Williams ,who make up the public safetyommittee with Terry, were the

principal sponsors behind theesolution.

Currently, possession of lesshan an ounce of marijuana is a

misdemeanor crime in the state ofGeorgia. According to the GeorgiaCode, an offender has the option ofarguing for a conditional dischargeor diversion, meaning a judge can

refer the offender to probation andclear the marijuana charge from hisor her record.

If a conditional dischargeis not granted, the charge canland an offender in jail for up to ayear, a $1,000 ne or both. Thedrug charge will also stay on theoffender’s record.

At the February councilmeeting, Moore stated the unfairapplication of these punishmentswarranted the resolution. Thecouncilman also said Clarkstonseeks to eliminate marginalizationand unfair arrest records fromresidents.

“We’d like to look at thecircumstances and potential ofreducing the penalty in Clarkston,”Moore said at the meeting. “We’d

like to help with employment issuessurrounding political laws.”

The item was condensedand added as a block item to thecouncil’s formal meeting heldlater on in the meeting. It facedno further public discussion fromcouncilmen or the public.

Terry said the public safetycommittee’s meeting speci callyregarding the issue has a tentativedate of April 22. The mayor said heexpects it to be a lengthy affair.

“The committee will bring inexpert witnesses to speak on theissue,” Terry said. “The meetingcould last over two hours. If thecommittee has as favorable opinionthen it could be voted on as earlyas the May council meeting.”

The Clarkston mayor saidmost local residents have been

“fully supportive” of the measurewhile others are requesting moreinformation. City manager KeithBarker said there has not beenenough time to gauge a reactionfrom city employees such as police.

“This issue has just beenreferred to the public safetycommittee for review anddiscussion,” Barker said. “Thereis currently no policy or ordinancechange for staff to react to.

Generally, speaking, as staff, wetake our policy direction from thegoverning body; we will enforce theordinances as they appear on thebooks.”

Terry said Clarkston will arguethe ordinance on the grounds ofconcurrent jurisdiction. Accordingto georgiacourts.org, municipalitiessuch as Clarkston use concurrent

jurisdiction to enforce violationssuch as ordinance violations,shoplifting cases and misdemeanormarijuana possession. Otherfunctions such as the issuance ofcriminal warrants and conducting ofpreliminary hearings also fall underthe term’s umbrella.

However, Chuck Spahos ,executive director of theProsecuting Attorney’s Council ofGeorgia, recently told the Atlanta

Journal-Constitution that statelaw will always outweigh city-levelordinances.

“The only thing I can say aboutthat is no municipal governmenthas the authority to decriminalizeanything that the Georgia General

Assembly and federal governmentstill say is a crime,” Spahos said.“State law and federal law will stillapply to the citizens within themunicipality.”

040-385662 4/21, 5/5, 5/12, 5/19ADVERTISEMENT FOR INVITATION TO BID

GENERAL CONTRACTOR SERVICES

Sealed Bids will be received by the DeKalb County Board of Education (the “Owner”) at the Sam A. Moss Service Center, 1780 Montreal Road, Tucker, Georgia 30084, until 2:00 pm local time on Tuesday, May 31, 2016 for ITB No. 16‐752‐054 (Project No. 410‐422), for Druid Hills High School Capital Renewal ‐ Code Requirements. The Owner shall not consider late bids. SCOPE OF SERVICES

The DeKalb County School District invites qualified vendors (here and after called “Contractor”) licensed by the State of Georgia or authorized to transact business in the State of Georgia, to submit bids to provide upgrades and modifications to Druid Hills High School. The ITB document and will be available Thursday, March 17, 2015, and may be obtained from the DeKalb County School District website at: http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/solicitations MANDATORY PRE‐BID CONFERENCE & SITE VISIT

All prospective bidders are required to attend a mandatory pre ‐bid conference to be held Tuesday, May 10, 2016, 10:00 am at the Sam A. Moss Service Center, 1780 Montreal Road, Tucker, GA 30084. A mandatory project site visit is scheduled following the pre ‐bid conference. All attendees of the pre ‐bid conference will be required to register. Proper registration requires that the attendee has signed his or her name to the official roster and listed the name and address of the company he or she represents on the official roster no later than the designated start time of the pre ‐bid conference. Bids submitted by bidders who have not properly registered and attended the mandatory pre ‐bid conference shall be rejected as non ‐responsive. Bidders are advised to register early as anyone arriving after 10:15 am will not be allowed to participate in the bid

process.

SCHEDULE FOR SELECTION

Mandatory Pre‐Bid Conference* May 10, 2016 @10:00 am Mandatory Site Visit May 10, 2016 Following Pre‐bid Conference Final Questions Due May 18, 2016 not later than 2:00 pm Final Addendum Issued (if necessary) May 24, 2016 Bids Due May 31, 2016 not later than 2:00 pm Bids Opened* May 31, 2016 @ 2:00 pm Anticipated Board Review and Approval July 11, 2016

*OPEN TO PUBLIC ATTENDANCE* Sam A. Moss Service Center 1780 Montreal Road Tucker, GA 33404 As security , the bid must be accompanied by a BID BOND, in the form required by DCSD for an amount not less than five percent (5%) of the bid if the bid is $100,000 or more (including the base bid plus any possible combination of alternates that could result in an award of $100,000 or more). Except as expressly provided in, or permitted by, the Bid Documents, from the date of issuance of the ITB until final Owner action of approval of contract award, the Contractor submitting a Bid shall not initiate any communication or discussion concerning the Project, the ITB or the Contractor’s Bid or any part thereof with any employee, agent, or representative of the Owner. Any violation of this restriction may result in the rejection of the Contractor’s Bid. The Owner reserves the right to reject any or all bid, and to waive technicalities and informalities.

Clarkston Mayor Ted Terry . File Photo


Integrity was one of theissues discussed April 12when the two candidates fordistrict attorney faced eachother during a debate.

Solicitor-General SherryBoston , who is challengingDistrict Attorney Robertames , said that “in DeKalb

County there is a great concern

hat we have a district attorneywho breaks the law.“We have a district attorney

who has admitted to violatinghe law,” Boston said. “And

when that happens that driveshe entire system down andt makes people question...Is that system fair and do we

have a DA that is going toprosecute others where he hasailed himself?’”

James welcomed theopportunity to respond to theallegations which were truehat I didn’t le my election

paperwork on time.”James said that he didn’t

aise money for four years asdistrict attorney.

“And even if you don’t

raise money, the state saysyou’re supposed to go [online]and press a button to [saythe fundraising is] zero everyyear,” James said. “I didn’t doit and like hundreds of otherpoliticians around Georgia—like judges and even onegovernor we have had—[we]had to pay an administrative

ne.”James said that it was

irresponsible to allege that he

committed a crime because ofthat.Boston and James

participated in a candidates’forum for contested judicialof ces. With more than 150people in attendance, theforum held at Agnes ScottCollege was sponsored by theLeague of Women Voters of

Atlanta-Fulton County.In addition to the

district attorney candidates,candidates for State Court,Superior Court, solicitorgeneral and district attorneyfaced each other in the forum.

Boston said the county’sdistrict attorney must “operate

District attorney candidatesdiscuss integrity during debate


11/24


A packed Rebekah Scott Hall at Agnes Scott College l istened as candidates for contestedudicial races participated in a forum ahead of a March 24 primary. Photos by Andrew Cauthen

DeKalb DA Robert James, left, and Solicitor-General Sherry Boston, right,faced off in a forum organized by the League of Women Voters of Atlanta-Fulton County.

t the highest level ofntegrity” because theosition is “the highestrosecution of ce for thisounty.”

“Right now heren DeKalb we have aommunity that has lost trustwith many of its leaders,”he said. “We have to havedistrict attorney that is notnly trying the law but fairlypplying the law. And rightow this community has lostaith.”

James said he hasdone a good job” as districtttorney and has a “perfectrial record as DA.”

He told how he createdhe state’s rst humanraf cking task force,he county’s rst humanraf cking unit and rst elder

buse task force.James said he is runningor reelection because heoves DeKalb County.

“I have done everythingcould for the last 14 yearsf my life to protect theitizens,” James said.

James said he believesthe most expedient way

to effectuate change inthis society is throughgovernmental institutions.

“I can directly affectsomeone’s life whetherthey’re a survivor of amurder victim, or a rapevictim or a child molestationvictim or victim of humantraf cking,” James said.

Boston said she seekingthe DA’s position because“the opportunity to be avoice for victims, be acollaborative partner inthe community, speak forpeople that can’t speak forthemselves and save livesevery day by [removing]persons out of the criminal

justice system and back onthe right path is somethingthat I would do over and

over again everydayregardless of the hardshipsthat it takes to be in an of celike this.”

When asked whatrole the district attorney’sposition plays in restoringthe community’s trust ingovernment, Boston said,“Absolutely there is a crisis

of leadership right now andI don’t think we can ignorethat problem...in DeKalb.

“In order to changethat is one of the reason Idecided to run for districtattorney,” Boston said.“I could have remainedsolicitor general. It’s a well-oiled machine in my of ceand I’m very proud of myservice record. I made thevery dif cult decision to stepup because I felt our countywas crying out for ethicalleadership operating at thehighest level.”

James said the districtattorney’s “role is to seek

justice. It’s not a politicalof ce. My job is...to sitdown with someone, reviewthe evidence, make a

decision that’s based on theevidence.“I’ve heard several

media reports about severalof our public of cials and I’veinvestigated every one ofthose,” he said. “I don’t holda press conference everytime I investigate something.

“If we nd that the

evidence isn’t there to provea case beyond a reasonabledoubt we don’t seek anindictment irrespective ofthe opinions of journalists,”

James said. “I’m a lawyerand I seek justice in thecourtroom.”

The Democratic primaryis May 24.

DA Continued From Page 10A


12/24


Volunteers prepare to-go meals for homelessby Carla Parker [email protected]

Southwest DeKalb High Schoolalums and other volunteersgathered at the high schoolgymnasium April 9 to prepare to-

go care packages for the homeless.The event was hosted by Pass The

Love (PTL) Atlanta, an organization thatgives back to homeless people in metroAtlanta. PTL partnered with Trinity TableSoup Kitchen in Atlanta to prepare 225o-go bags with sandwiches, candy

bars, water, a hand wipe and crackerso give to the homeless. The bags were

distributed on April 10.India Ali , who organized the event,

aid she contacted Trinity Table to helpxpand services to the homeless and

hungry.“[They] told me that they have a big

vent in April and they’re going to needlarge group to help feed 300 peoplend they needed to-go meals as well,” Ali

aid. “So I said I would help with that.” Ali, who is a Southwest DeKalb

lum, needed a big space to preparehe bags and she wanted to do it in herommunity at her old high school.

“This is where I come from,” sheaid. “I go so hard for DeKalb. I love

DeKalb with all of my heart, so I reachedout to coach [ Kathy ] Walton and toldher that I needed a big space. I wantedt close to home and most of the people

here went to Southwest with me or arerom the area. I just wanted to keep it inhe community.”

Walton, the athletic liaison atSouthwest DeKalb, said she did nothesitate to allow Ali to use the gym forhe event.

“She’s an amazing individual whowants to give back,” Walton said.

Nearly 30 people came to thechool to prepare peanut butter andelly sandwiches and pack bags. Ali alsoeceived donations of bread, other foodtems and money. She was able to raise

nearly $500 to purchase food items andwater.

“I can’t say I didn’t expect it. It’s somuch love in DeKalb,” Ali said. “We’re allriends, we’ve known each other since

high school, and we keep in contact withach other and think everyone is on thatwave of giving back.

“We’re all blessed,” she added. “It’sour duty to help other people and I thinkhe idea of Pass The Love is somethinghat we should do every day, regardless

of if it’s volunteering or shooting a ‘goodmorning’ text to somebody to check andee how they’re doing.”

Devarick Webb , a SouthwestDeKalb alum, said giving back to thosen need was instilled in him and othertudents at the school.

“We always had different thingswhere we would either go to communitybeauti cation projects, going out

nd just helping the elderly with theirawns and things like that,” Webb said.I believe we have to serve othersnd when you serve others you get

blessings in return.”Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are prepared for the homeless.

Nearly 30 people prepare to-go bags for the homeless. Volunteers prepare 225 to-go bags for the homeless.


13/24


PHOTOS BROUGHT TO YOU BY DCTV

WEEK in PICTURES

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

Chamblee High School girls tennis, which was 9-1 in the regular season,laced second in the regional playoffs after losing to Marist April 15 i n a thirdebreaker match. Photo provided

From left, Natalia Carlson, Isabella Huelsbeck, Avery Lauber and Rebecca Solomon,members of the youth group at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church in Dunwoody, collectparking donations during Lemonade Days to raise money for their mission trip. Photo byTravis Hudgons

The Fernbank LINKS robotics team won the Engineering Inspiration award at the state championships in Athens April 14-16. The team will travel to St. Louis April 27-May 1or the world championships. Photo by Andrew Cauthen


14/24


by Carla Parker [email protected]

A third phase has beenproposed for the Decatur

Crossing development. According to a noticeent to DeKalb County

April 6 from the AtlantaRegional CommissionARC), the ARC reviewednd completed a

preliminary regional reviewof the proposed project,which was reviewed as aDevelopment of Regionalmpact (DRI).

The county sent theproposal to the ARC foreview.

Phases I and II ofDecatur Crossing, amixed-use development,re being constructed by

Fuqua Development at theix-legged intersection of

Scott Boulevard, MedlockRoad, and North DecaturRoad. According to thenotice, Phase I consistsof multi-family residentialpace with supportingommercial and amenitypace. Phases II and III are

mixed-use developments.“In total (Phases I, II

nd III), this DRI consistsof approximately 94,293

quare-feet of commercialpace; a 123,600-square-oot self-storage facility;4,118 square feet of of cepace, 964 apartments,nd 102 senior affordablepartments,” the noticetated.

The review noticetated that the planned

development of PhaseII triggered a DRIeview for the entireite per the ARC’s DRIules. Each phase has

different ownership, withone development rmdeveloping each siteeparately, according to the

notice. The development isprojected to be constructedn 2018.

In the preliminaryomment section of the

notice, the ARC stated thathe proposed developments located in the “maturing

neighborhoods” area of theegion.

“Maturingneighborhoods wereprimarily developedprior to 1970,” the ARC

tated. “These areas areypically adjacent to theegion’s core and regionalmployment corridors, andombined they encompass

49 percent of the region’s jobs and 18 percent of itspopulation.”

Recommended policiesfor maturing neighborhoodsinclude:

• Improve safety andquality of transit optionsby providing alternativesfor end-of-trip facilities(such as bicycle racks) andsidewalks and/ or sheltersadjacent to bus stops;

• Identify andremedy incidents of“food deserts” withinneighborhoods, particularlyin traditionally underservedneighborhoods andschools;

• Promote mixed-usewhere locally appropriate,speci cally in areas servedby existing or plannedtransit; and

• Develop policiesand establish designstandards to ensure newand in ll development iscompatible with existingneighborhoods.

The ARC said theproposed project “appearsto manifest” a majority ofthe policies for the area.

“In particular, the mixof uses, along with thesite’s proximity to bustransit, offers the potentialfor residents to work andshop on site and for visitorsto park once—or arriveby bicycle or transit—and conduct multipletrips on foot,” the ARCstated. “These conditionscan reduce or eliminate

dependency on cars forinternal site circulation andalso encourage visitorsto arrive via alternativetransportation modes.”

The ARC said theproposed project shouldpromote a functional,safe, clearly marked andcomfortable pedestrianexperience on all streets,paths and parking lotson the site, as well asall connections from theproject to neighboring

uses.“This is especially

important as uses atopposite ends of the sitewhich are separated fromeach other by surfaceparking lots and mainsite driveways,” the ARCstated. “The developmentteam is also encouragedto ensure that end-of-tripfacilities (bicycle racks,etc.) are provided for transitriding-residents and visitorsat key locations throughout

the site.”The ARC concluded

that the proposed projecthas the potential forconsiderable impact on theexisting road network.

“The developerand DeKalb Countyshould work togetherto identify and prioritizeenhancements that willmitigate the potentialimpacts of this project inthe context of area-widegrowth,” the notice said.

Decatur Crossing Phase III proposed

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The Atlanta Regional Commission reviewed and completed a preliminary regional review of the proposed third phase of the DecaturCrossing development.


15/24


Lithonia plaza steadily coming downby Carla Parker [email protected]

Demolition of the city-ownedportion of the Lithonia Plaza is

still ongoing, according to City Administrator Eddie Moody .“It is coming down in a timely

manner as promised by the generalcontractor,” Moody said. “Thingsare progressing very well.”

Demolition of the Plaza beganon March 14. Wendover HousingPartners will develop a $12 millionapartment complex that will include75 units consisting of 24 one-bedroom, 45 two-bedroom andsix three-bedroom apartments forresidents with incomes of up to$40,000 a year.

The development will includea pool, gazebo, computer room,community room and otheramenities.

Wendover received low-incomehousing tax credits from theDepartment of Community Affairs toconstruct the development.

Moody told the Lithonia CityCouncil on April 4 that the plazashould be demolished within

the 45-day period the generalcontractor set. The construction ofthe apartment complex is expectedto begin this summer and lastapproximately 12 to 18 months.

Moody said residents shouldhear announcements aboutapplying for an apartment unit by

April 2017.“We’re a year out,” Moody said.

Along with demolishing theplaza, the city will also have thepublic works building, located nextto the plaza, demolished. The cityplans to construct a new publicworks facility. Moody said his of ceis receiving bids to construct thenew facility.

“We got one in and we’regoing to be receiving some moreto get that project completed,”he said. “As fast as [the plaza] isgoing down we’ll probably get tothe demolition of the public worksbuilding pretty quickly. We’vemoved stuff out of the public worksbuilding to the hut over at the park.We’re moving as fast as we can toget their new home renovated andcomplete so that they can moveinto another facility.”Demolition of the city-owned portion of the Lithonia Plaza began on March 14. Photo

by Andrew Cauthen


16/24


Brookhaven approves bicycle, pedestrian and trail plan

North senior center to be completed in six months

by Carla Parker [email protected]

The Brookhaven City Council approvedApril 12 the city’s rst bicycle, pedestrian andrail plan.

The plan was passed unanimously bycouncil members. According to the city,he goal of the plan is to “develop a list ofmplementable policies and transportation

projects aimed at accommodating all activeransportation users through a combination ofechnical analysis, best practices in planning,

and engagement with the community.”In April 2015, the city awarded a contract

o Pond and Company worth more than$96,000 to develop a trail plan that willntegrate pedestrian, bicycle and multipurposerail facilities throughout the city.

The plan includes, 20.4 miles of newharrows (shared-lane marking), 6.9 miles of

new bicycle lanes or cycle tracks, 31.3 milesof new sidewalks and 38.7 miles of new multi-

use trails. According to the plan, all projects weredenti ed as being either short-term (possibleo implement in the next ve to 10 years), mid-

term (possible to implement in the next 10-20years), or long-term (likely to implement in20-plus years). Future changes in communitypreferences and speci c requests forindividual projects will likely require ongoingalteration, according to the city.

According to the plan, the costs of eachphase (in 2015 dollars) is $9.2 million in theshort-term phase, $25.2 million in the mid-term phase and $32.0 million in the long-termphase.

Before passing the plan, the city councilamended it to include the formation ofcommittees to help the city implement theplan. The city will also ask Pond to changethe sidewalks from 5 feet to 7 feet wide in theplan.

“I really see the value of trails; multi-usedtrails, including in Peachtree Creek Greenway,but other ones throughout our city,” MayorJohn Ernst said before the vote. “I know theyare labeled as long-term projects but I thinkthose are going to be the ones that are most

appreciated by the citizens. Going forward Ihope that we use our discretion in grants andother stuff to implement a multi-use trail policyas quick as we can.”


It has been plagued withproblems that delayed itsompletion but now construction

on the North DeKalb Senior Centern Chamblee is expected to beompleted in September.

The DeKalb County Board ofCommissioners voted April 12 toncrease the contract amount by

up to $1.62 million and extend untilDec. 31, 2017.

Construction on the center,ocated at 3393 Malone Drive, was

halted Feb. 19, 2015, by DeKalbCounty of cials and the county’sBoard of Commissioners voted toerminate the contract with Talbot

Construction Inc. The facilityoriginally was scheduled to open inAugust 2014.

“We had a vendor that couldnot perform,” said Zach Williams ,he county’s chief operating of cer.We had a number of unforeseenonditions in the soil. There was...ome cost that went into simply

paying to remediate and preparehe site for development. In many

ways that was funding that youust didn’t see in the above groundonstruction.”

County of cials said therewere groundwater issues andmultiple subcontractor issues. Annvironmental site inspection failedo turn up that there were largeoncrete pillars buried beneath theurface that had to be removed.

Williams said the county workedwith that contractor for a couple ofyears “trying to get them to a pointwhere we could be able to get this

facility built.”“At the end of the day, after

working with the contractorvigorously, we determined that we

just could not complete with thiscontractor,” Williams said.

Asurety Construction Servicesof Conyers, which completed thework at the South DeKalb SeniorCenter, was hired to complete thework at the north center.

A review by Asurety of “what

was the shell of the north seniorcenter” determined that there was“a lot of damage of the facility andwork that just had to be done justbecause of how the facility wasleft,” Williams said.

“It was not secured in a waythat we would have liked,” Williamssaid.

County of cials plan to pursue“litigation ...relative to the previouscontractor and the work that was or

was not performed,” Williams said.Once completed, the senior

center will be a 15,000-square-foot facility with amenitiesincluding community meetingrooms, a computer lab, a tnessarea and more. Additionally, thecenter will include classrooms toaccommodate the various activitiesrequested by the community and adining hall seating approximately120.

DeKalb County plans to seek legal action against a contractor that could not nish construction on the North DeKalb SeniorCenter. Photos by Andrew Cauthen

The Brookhaven City Council approved the city’s rstbicycle, pedestrian and trail plan.


17/24


Georgia House Rep. Taylor arrested for DUI

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The Mayor and City Council of the City of Chamblee, Georgia will hold a public hearing on Thursday, May 12, 2016, at the Chamblee Civic Center,3540 Broad Street, Chamblee, GA 30341 at 6:00 p.m. to receive public comments regarding the following matters:

Andrew Blakey, representing Broward PIB, LLC requests approval of a Development of Community Impact in accordance with City of ChambleeOrdinances, Appendix A, Unified Development Ordinance, Section 280-6 for the purpose of constructing a climate-controlled self-storage facilityconsisting of 600 units and 3,599 sq. ft. of other commercial space and parking for 35 cars on 1.28 acres of property located at 5208 PeachtreeBoulevard, Chamblee, GA, being DeKalb County Tax parcel 18-300-08-002.

Hennessey Cadillac, Inc. requests approval of an Amendment to the Official Zoning Map to rezone 79 tax parcels from Village Commercial(conditional) to Industrial Transitional (IT) including the following addresses: 0, 3413, 3436, 3408, 3360, 3401, 3390, 3326, 3294, 3316, 3412,3380, 3424, 3345, 3419, 3396, 3418, 3351, 3310, 3430, 3356, 3332, 3339, 3322, 3446, 3437, 3384, 3344, 3304, 3431, 3424, 3443, 3407, 3425,3402, 3298, 3370, 3338, and 3350 Catalina Drive; 3341, 3355, 3345, 3289, 3309, 3299, 3315, 3305, 3351, 3295, 3283, 3361, & 3319 Burk Dr.;3388, 3382, 3394, & 3398 Chamblee-Dunwoody Rd.; 0, 2208, & 2214 Chamblee-Tucker Rd.; 0, 2220, 2226, 2214, 2231, 2225, & 2232 CoronadoPl.; 3434 & 3428 Blackburn Way.

Hennessey Cadillac, Inc. requests approval of variances from the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) for 79 tax parcels including the followingaddresses: 0, 3413, 3436, 3408, 3360, 3401, 3390, 3326, 3294, 3316, 3412, 3380, 3424, 3345, 3419, 3396, 3418, 3351, 3310, 3430, 3356, 3332,3339, 3322, 3446, 3437, 3384, 3344, 3304, 3431, 3424, 3443, 3407, 3425, 3402, 3298, 3370, 3338, and 3350 Catalina Drive; 3341, 3355, 3345,3289, 3309, 3299, 3315, 3305, 3351, 3295, 3283, 3361, & 3319 Burk Dr.; 3388, 3382, 3394, & 3398 Chamblee-Dunwoody Rd.; 0, 2208, & 2214Chamblee-Tucker Rd.; 0, 2220, 2226, 2214, 2231, 2225, & 2232 Coronado Pl.; 3434 & 3428 Blackburn Way. Variances are requested from thefollowing provisions of the UDO:

Sec. 250-2(a)(4)b. All surface parking in excess of 100 percent of the minimum number of off-street parking spaces required by type ofpermitted use shall be “Grasscrete” or “Grasspave” or other pervious paving or grass paving systems and as approved by he DevelopmentDirector.

Sec. 250-7(a)(4)a. Developments where 30 or more parking spaces are provided shall be required to provide compact parking spaces. Sec. 300-17(c) Nonresidential and mixed-use developments with more than 600 feet of frontage along a single street shall be divided by

streets into blocks having a maximum length of 400 feet measured from street curb to street curb. Sec. 320-21(a) Interior landscaping for off-street parking areas shall be required for all surface parking lots designed for 20 or more spaces. Sec. 350-25. Utilities, including telephone, electric power and cable television in both public and private rights-of-way, shall be placed

underground for all new developments with total floor areas of 20,000 sq. ft. are feet or over. Sec. 250-7(a)(1) Off-street surface parking shall not be located between a building and the street without an intervening building except where

otherwise permitted by Section 230-6 and Section 240-13(d)(1). Sec, 350-2(c) To the maximum extent possible, sidewalks and parking lots serving adjacent lots shall be interconnected to provide continuous

driveway connections and pedestrian connections between adjoining lots and streets, except that this requirement shall not apply to lots zonedfor single family residential units. Where necessary, the City may require access easements be provided to ensure continuous access andegress routes connecting commercial, office, and multifamily lots.

Gary Matthews of Parkside Partners requests variances from the following provisions of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) for thepurpose of redeveloping an existing building for professional offices at 3453 Pierce Drive, Chamblee, GA being parcel 18-299-11-004, zonedVillage Commercial: Sec. 230-2(a) Space Dimensions Table to reduce the required 20 ft. rear building setback to 8.9 ft. to allow the existing building to remain in

place. Sec. 230-2(a) Space Dimensions Table that requires a maximum impervious surface coverage of 80% of the lot area. Sec. 230-2(a) Space Dimensions Table that requires a minimum of 20% of lot area to be open space. Sec. 230-6(a)(2) that prohibits automobile parking within the front yard. Sec.230-29(a)(1) that requires a building to have an entrance facing and accessible from the street. Sec. 230-33(a)(1) that requires building walls that exceed 100 ft. in length to use offsets such as projections, recesses and changes in floor

level to add architectural interest and variety; and requires parapets in building masses exceeding 100 continuous linear feet to be varied inheight and projection, and to use decorative elements such as crown moldings, dental, brick soldier courses, or similar detail.

Sec. 250-2(a)(5)e. that requires inter-parcel access with adjacent properties Sec. 250-7(a)(1) that prohibits parking located between the building and the street. Sec. 250-7(b)(5) that requires adjacent parking lots to be interconnected. Sec. 320-20(a) that requires a ten-foot wide landscape strip along all street frontages. Sec. 320-21 (a)(1) that requires parking lots to be landscaped with landscape islands located no farther apart than every ten parking spaces

and at the terminus of all rows of parking. Sec. 350-2(a)(1)e. that prohibits driveways between the building and the street except when perpendicular to the street. Sec. 350-2(a)(2)c. that allows only one driveway for each 400 ft. of property frontage on a Secondary Street. Sec. 350-2(a)(2)a. that requires a minimum spacing of 219 ft. between driveways located on the same side of the street.

Gary Matthews of Parkside Partners requests variances from the following provisions of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) for thepurpose of redeveloping an existing building for professional offices at 3467 Pierce Drive, Chamblee, GA being parcel 18-299-11-009, zonedVillage Commercial:

Sec. 350-2(a)(1)c. that limits the width of a driveway to 24 ft. Sec. 350-2(a)(1)f. that allows only one curb cut on the same street frontage with less than 400 feet of frontage. Sec. 350-2(a)(2)a. that requires a minimum spacing of 244 ft. between driveways located on the same side of the street.


Georgia House Rep.Tom Taylor , a Dunwoody

Republican, was arrestednd charged with drivingunder the in uence in northeastern Georgiaounty last week.

According to a reportled by of cer Michael

Bennett with the ClaytonPolice Department, Taylorwas booked on April 7 fordriving 72 mph in a 45mph zone and had a 0.225blood alcohol contentevel. Bennett also reports

Taylor was driving with fouruveni les as passengers.

Taylor’s arrest was rsteported by The Clayton

Tribune .Bennett reports being

tationed along Ga. 15 atpproximately 2:45 p.m.nd seeing a black 2016

Hyundai Santa Fe travelingt “a high rate of speed.”

“Of cer Bennetthecked the vehicle’speed at 72 mph in a 45

mph zone,” reads theeport. “Even after of cer

Bennett checked the

vehicle’s speed, it neverlowed below 68 mph.”When Bennett

ttempted to stop thevehicle it “ran over a curb”while pulling over. Taylorllegedly exited the vehicle

before being approachedby Bennett and admittedhe was in the possessionof a permitted rearm.

“Of cer Bennett couldmell an overwhelming

odor of alcohol whilepeaking with Mr. Taylor,”eads the report. “Of cer

Bennett asked how muchMr. Taylor had to drink. Mr.Taylor told of cer Bennetthat he had ‘none at all.’”

Bennett also reportsTaylor’s “face was veryed and his eyes were

bloodshot.” Bennett wasoined by Clayton Po liceDepartment sergeant JohnGrist as well as chiefAndy Strait and assistanthief Ryan Hamilton .

While searchingTaylor’s Hyundai, Grist

eportedly found an emptyDeer Park water bottlewhich smelled of alcoholic

beverage.” When Taylorook a breathalyzer, he

“blew positive for a highconcentration of alcohol …0.225.”

Taylor was arrestedfor speeding in excess of

maximum limits, drivingunder the in uence ofalcohol, and possession of

an open alcohol container.Taylor was elected

into the Georgia Houseof Representatives in2010. According to the

governing agency’swebsite, Taylor serves asa committee member in

Appropriations, EconomicDevelopment and Tourism,Governmental Affairs,Regulated Industries andthe Metropolitan Atlanta

Rapid Transit OverviewCommittee.

Taylor


18/24

EDUCATION The Champion FREE PRESS, Friday, April 22, 2016 • Page 18A

Cedar Grove parents petition school boardby R. Scott Belzer [email protected]

Agroup of DeKalb Countyparents is seeking to havetheir voices heard by thesuperintendent and schoolboard.

More than 130 individualsunder the username “Cedar GroveParents” have come together viachange.org to