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FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014 VOL. 17, NO. 6 FREE

A PUBLICATION OF ACE III COMMUNICATIONS

SHERIFF CANDIDATES FACE OFF

LOCAL, 10A

Brian Egeston was an engineer but has achieved success as a novelist, playwright and script writer. Hes now senior writer for The Rickey Smiley Show.

With early start and perseverance, writer succeeds

by Nigel Roberts Perhaps, moms do, indeed, know best. While other kids spent summertime in sports camp, Brian Egestons mom sent him to reading and writing concentration camp. I hated it, he recalls. But my mom rys House of Payne, Meet the Browns and For Better or Worse. Hes now the senior writer of The Rickey Smiley Show. Getting a chance to audition as a scriptwriter for Tyler Perry was only half the battle. The bigger challenge to landing the coveted position was outshining his competitors. The audition was like Survivor (reality TV show) for writers, he said, recalling the intense competition. It was the most stressful experience and the biggest obstacle to getting where I am now. At that point in his writing career, Egeston was an experienced novelist (with six books on his resume) and a journalist. I had no idea how to pitch a TV showno idea, he said. But that didnt stop him from pitching script ideas to Perrywhich got shot down. All the other writers competing for the job flew to Atlanta from L.A. They were all veteran sitcom writers. Some had written for The Cosby Show and others for Living Single. There I was, just this local guy who wrote for The Champion, out of Decatur, he said of his David and Goliath situation. I didnt understand the dance they were do-

As a creative person, you constantly live with doubt. Youre only as good as your last script. Brian Egeston
planted a seed in me at an early age. And I gravitated toward wanting, passionately, to become a writer. Today, the Stone Mountain resident has achieved a level of success that most writers only dream of attaining. In less than three years, Egeston became head writer for Tyler Perry Studios, writing scripts for Tyler Per-

Egestons rst television writing credit was for an episode of Tyler Perrys House of Payne. Photos by Travis Hudgons

See Writer on page 15A

Rickey Smiley, left, and Brian Egeston, second from left , prepare for a new episode of The Rickey Smiley Show. Photos provided

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THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, fRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

by Marta Garcia marta@dekalbchamp.com

Red Cross volunteers receive awards

LOcAL NEWS

PAGE 2A

Three DeKalb residents were recognized for their volunteer efforts on behalf of the American Red Cross at the annual volunteer recognition ceremony on April 24. This event, held on the campus of Georgia Tech, coincided with National Volunteer Week, the largest celebration of volunteers and volunteerism in the United States. I have come to truly appreciate the power of the Red Cross mission, primarily the strength of volunteers and the generosity of donors, Kevin Keough, chairman of the metro Atlanta chapters historically all-volunteer board said.The Red Cross serves people in the greatest times of need and it does so consistently and reliably, thanks to wonderful people like this years award recipients. More than 90 percent of the American Red Cross workforce are volunteers, including more than 1,700 in metro Atlanta. Those selected for local recognition were nominated by their volunteer peers for outstanding contributions to the Red Cross mission. Stone Mountain resident Janis Martinez was recognized for her local fundraising work with the organization. Martinez volunteers for the Tiffany Circle women, a society of women leaders

Grenier

Mannion

Martinez

and philanthropists, and is also a board member, a disaster relief volunteer and blood donor. Raising money is not an easy task, but because the mission, which is providing compassionate care to those in need, is so pure it is not as hard as it [might be], Martinez said. This should be an award for the whole Tiffany Circle group because we all have worked so hard to raise money. This award is not for me; its for everybody involved in this amazing cause, she added. For Martinez one of the most remarkable moments with the Red Cross was helping a family in Decatur as a disaster action volunteer. A big tree fell on this young womans house destroying everything. Her husband was in Afghanistan serving the country, and she was by herself with three little girls all under the age

of 5. Giving her service and financial help, when she had nothing left, was an amazing experience. Martinez, who was named volunteer of the year for the Georgia region of Red Cross in 2011, said volunteers get a lot more from Red Cross than they can ever give out. I raise money for the Red Cross because, personally, I have been able to see where that money is going, to help all those people in need in our community. It fills your heart to know that everything goes in the right direction. Another Stone Mountain resident, John Mannion, received the disaster preparedness and response volunteer award among other nine people who work in his team. Mannion, who has been volunteering for the Red Cross for more than two and a half years, said the award

is a great way to keep pushing him to do more. Receiving this prize is a

terrific honor for me, Mannion said. The Red Cross is a great organization and it gives all the volunteers the opportunity to make exceptional things for other people. Francine Grenier, a Decatur resident, received a special citation for exceptional volunteer service. The registered nurse has been volunteering for the organization, for more than six years assisting with the volunteers medical records. I am very honored to receive this award. Its going to keep me working harder and harder for this great cause, Grenier said.

Sneiderman eligible for parole in several months

by Daniel Beauregard daniel@dekalbchamp.com Andrea Sneiderman, the Dunwoody widow convicted of lying under oath, may be out of jail in the next two months, according to the State Board of Pardons and Paroles. Sneiderman is currently serving a five-year sentence at the Arrendale State Prison after being convicted of perjury and hindering the investigation into the 2012 death of her husband Rusty Sneiderman. Hemy Neuman, Andrea sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Sneiderman was allegedly eligible for parole April 22. However, a spokesperson for the parole board stated that it followed the clemency guidelines that recommend serving 22 months prior to parole. After being arrested and charged for conspiring to kill her husband, Sneiderman spent a year under house arrest. Those charges were dropped several days before her trial began last year.

Sneiderman

Sneidermans former boss at General Electric, later admitted to shooting her husband and was convicted and

Stop bullying now

stand up speak out

THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, fRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

PAGE 3A

Residents and members of the DeKalb County Domestic Violence Task Force gathered to remember those who have fallen victim to violent crimes involving domestic violence. Superior Court Judge Clarence Seeliger (top right) and Solicitor General Sherry Boston (bottom right) spoke about the importance of reporting domestic violence. Photos by Daniel Beauregard

Task force remembers those killed as result of domestic violence

by Daniel Beauregard daniel@dekalbchamp.com Residents, domestic violence survivors and members of the DeKalb County Domestic Violence Task Force gathered by the gazebo in front of the old DeKalb County Courthouse to honor victims of domestic violence. Solicitor General Sherry Boston said since 2012, there have been 21 deaths as the result of domestic violence. Boston also said that those deaths have increased each year. There is a growing epidemic, especially here in DeKalb [County], Boston said. According to Boston, in 2013 DeKalb County Superior Court prosecuted more than 3,000 domestic violence cases and in 2012, the county had the most domestic violence-related deaths in the state. My goal is to stop domestic violence at the misdemeanor level before it escalates to a serious crime and before we lose another victim. Georgia currently ranks 12th in the nation for the number of women killed by men and the violence policy center also found that women almost always know the person who kills them, Boston said. Boston said domestic violence is the result of an ongoing cycle of violence and that in approximately 86 percent of domestic violence-related homicides, the perpetrators had a history of domestic violence. That means that many of these homicides could have been prevented if someone had intervenedif the victim had been able to get the help they so desperately needed before it was too late, Boston said. Sadly our children are often witnesses of this violence and are victims themselves and are taught that this behavior is normal. We must break the cycle of abuse that is often passed down from generation to generation, she said. Boston urged those who are witnesses of domestic violence to speak up for victims who might be afraid to do so on their own. As Boston spoke, 21 white balloons were passed among attendees representing 21 victims who died as a result of domestic violence since 2012. Superior Court Judge Clarence Seeliger, long considered a champion of domestic violence victims rights, spoke briefly about the history of domestic violence prosecution in the county and said there is still much work to be done. Additionally, Seeliger cautioned attendees that recent legislation regarding firearms could increase perpetrators of domestic violence.

THE CHAmPIoN FREE PRESS, fRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

oPINIoN

PAGE 4A

Bill Crane

Columnist
Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life, Chinese philosopher, Confuscius (551-479) When the federal income tax deadline passed in April, many remained unemployed, underemployed, perhaps even wishing that they were paying all those income and related taxes again.Our economy is finally beginning to thaw, and Georgias job growth engine is slowly coming back to life. As Georgias Gov. Nathan Deal has made economic development and job creation a hallmark of his administration, you can be sure that the person he chose to lead the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is in the drivers seat in terms of boosting Georgias economic growth. Chris Carr, Deals newly appointed commissioner, comes to this role well equipped. A Dunwoody native, Carr is also a double-Dawg from the University of Georgia, with degrees from the Terry College of Business and later the Lumpkin School of Law. Prior to joining GDEcD, Carr served as the longtime chief of staff for U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson.

Commissioner Carrs private sector experience also includes stints at Georgia-Pacific and Alston & Bird LLP, as well as serving as general counsel of the Georgia Public Policy Foundation. I have not spent my life in economic development, but my career in public policy allowed me to lead some great teams, Carr said. This department serves as the quarterback for economic development in Georgia. Carr said job creation often requires complex and coordinated efforts, involving Georgia Power, regional and local EMCs and chambers of commerce, as well as county development and industrial park authorities, all working in concert. The Deal administration tallies job creation totals well exceeding 200,000 on their watch, with 389 corporate relocations or major expansions by existing employers during 2013. Though it is the larger job announcements that receive the bulk of attention, those are not always the primary drivers of job growth in Georgia. We get 66 percent of our new job growth from existing industry and organic expansion by business already in Georgia, Carr says. Foreign direct investment, relocation project recruitment and trade projects will always be on our radar, but creating and maintaining an overall positive and integrated

In the drivers seat

ONE MANS OPINIoN

business climate remains at the top of our list. Carr refers to a new normal, a post-recession phrase often used by his longtime former boss, Isakson.This new focus incorporates a more integrated approach to outreach and project management, ranging from the pursuit of deepening the Port of Savannahs shipping channel and operating 11 international trade offices to doubling-down on existing industry strengths. During 2013, tourism was a $51-billion industry in Georgia. One of GDEcDs more recent successes is agritourism, which includes wineries, festivals and large public events with a green hook. This sub-sector of tourism is becoming one of the fastest-growing vertical segments in the industry. Georgia is increasingly becoming a destination, and that is the case for tourism, film production, economic development, and industry and employer relocations, Carr says. He points to the effectiveness of targeted tax policy, such as the film industry and production tax credits that have lured studio development by Pinewood Atlanta Studios in Fayette County, EUE/Screen Gems at the old Lakewood Fairgrounds and the always expanding production facilities of Tyler Perry. In Brooks County, the GDEcD worked with several state agencies

to enhance the regions tourism marketing, resulting in Destination Brooks, a thriving non-profit tourism organization. Their efforts include the Brooks County Skillet Festival, which features a Cast Iron Cooking Competition and 5K and won recognition by the Guinness Book of World Records for having the most folks 266 simultaneously toss an iron skillet. In Senoia, south of Atlanta, the once dying town has seen a resurgence, thanks in large part to the film production boom, and in particular AMCs The Walking Dead. Today there are 46 thriving shops, restaurants and tourismthemed enterprises, as well as a daily Walking Dead tour. Carr and his team of seasoned economic development and tourism professionals are making sure that visitors such as these sit down and stay a while, and whenever possible put down some roots and make the Peach State their new roost. Bill Crane also serves as a political analyst and commentator for Channel 2s Action News, WSB-AM News/Talk 750 and now 95.5 FM, as well as a columnist for The Champion, Champion Free Press and Georgia Trend. Crane is a DeKalb native and business owner, living in Scottdale. You can reach him or comment on a column at billcrane@ earthlink.net.

THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

Have a voice in the May primary election by voting

Gene Walkerk

OPINION

PAGE 5A

Columnist
Not much can be done about what some elected officials have already done, but by actively participating in the May primary, voters can certainly influence what will be done. Hopefully, during the May primary candidates running for office in DeKalb will draw large numbers of voters to affirm their worthiness for the office they seek. Indeed, history has taught us that we can be powerful agents of social change when we organize, agitate and, most importantly, vote. In voting, however, we should be politically informed about what we are up against; who both we and our allies are; and what we need to do in the May primary and future elections. In America, we are up against a Republican party whose sole desire is to discredit and demean President Barack Obama and to regain the presidency. Toward that end, the GOP has unleashed an assault on voting rights that has not been seen in America since the end of Reconstruction. But, most importantly, these right-wing Republicans are disciples of the ultra-conservative former President Ronald Reagan, who astutely and effectively appealed to the racial fears and concerns of the majority of White Americans, yet without resorting to overtly racist rhetoric. The Reagan Administrations

guiding political philosophy could be summarized in one single phrase: total, unconditional war against public institutions. Reagan repeatedly proclaimed that, Government is not the solution to our problems; government is the problem. Reagans extreme agenda of downsizing, if not completely abolishing, the public sector had the effect of increasing racial inequality throughout American society. This years Republican budget and the Republicans Congress 50-plus votes to repeal a law that has already passed and been upheld by the Supreme Courtthe Affordable Care Actare glaring examples of modern day Reaganism. In Georgia, the elected Republican leadership acts in the mode of Newt Gingrichs notion of American Exceptionalismsince we are the biggest and the strongest, we can do what we want regardless of the law or consequences. Example: Gov. Nathan Deal and the Legislature ignored Article 8, Section 5, of the Georgia Constitution which expressly mandates that all members of Georgias local school boards be elected, thereby ending the practice of appointing local school board members in the state. Without the citizens approval of a constitutional amendment, in 2010 the General Assembly passed a statute giving the governor authority to remove local school board members and appoint their replacements Locally, government is consumed with legal matters and pending ethics violation charges against some elected officials: DeKalbs chief executive officer has been removed from office pending

trial based on allegations of misconduct involving the solicitation of campaign contributions; A county commissioner whom the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported used a county purchasing card for personal purchases is awaiting a review by the county ethics board. Since some Republicans seek to weaken the governments efforts in promoting social progress and uplift as well as the challenges in state and local governance, Black Americans should especially bring to the May primary knowledge of their allies, their collective memory and identity of who they are. It is no wonder Right-wing Republicans support anti-government measures, because in the struggle for justice and equality, the national government has been Black Americas best friend. The national governmentwith the support of fair-minded, independent Whiteshas supported measures to eradicate discrimination and racism in an effort to create a fair and equitable society for all Americans. Equally important, African-Americans have been active participants in making America a more just and equitable country. In the May primary, Black voters should be sensitive and supportive of candidates who encourage collective empowerment and group development rather than thoselike Dr. Ben Carson and Justice Clarence Thomaswho only support upward mobility. Some of the things we can do to influence what will happen are: Have neighborhoods become or-

ganized around the expectations and the values of their respective communities and then collectively identify and support the candidate of their choice; Reach out to like-minded communities and collaborate to ensure larger bases of support for the candidates of their choice. Push for 100 percent of the churches eligible members to be registered and vote in the May Primary as well as future elections. Whether voting early or voting on May 20, we should vote for candidates willing to work to make government more efficient rather than those who want to destroy government. As President Obama says, Just as inequality feeds on injustice, opportunity requires justice, and justice requires the right to vote.

F REE P RESS
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THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS encourages opinions from its readers. Please write to us and express your views. Letters should be brief, typewritten and contain the writers name, address and telephone number for verification. All letters will be considered for publication.
Send Letters To Editor, The Champion Free Press, P. O. Box 1347, Decatur, GA 30031-1347; Send email to Andrew@dekalbchamp.com FAX To: (404) 370-3903 Phone: (404) 373-7779 Deadline for news releases and advertising: Thursday, one week prior to publication date. EDITORS NOTE: The opinions written by columnists and contributing editors do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editor or publishers. The Publisher reserves the right to reject or cancel any advertisement at any time. The Publisher is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts.

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

THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

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Champion of the Week

LOUISE JACKSON
Longtime Oakhurst resident Louise Jackson is a founding member of the Oakhurst Garden and was recently presented with the 2014 Sally Wylde Cultivating Life Award. Louise Jackson was instrumental in the founding of the Oakhurst Community Garden over 15 years ago, said Wylde Center Executive Director Stephanie Van Parys. It all began when some students from the nearby school carelessly kicked over a number of her fabulous flowers and plants when walking home from school. Determined to turn the situation into a positive learning experience, Mrs. Jackson discussed the incident with the schools principal and offered ideas for nurturing the children, rather than punishing them, Van Parys said. Over the course of the next year, she and the students planted and tended new plants and flowers together. The students learned a tremendous lesson about growth and cultivation, but even more importantly, they learned wisdom, compassion and friendship from a lady whose flowers they had once trampled. Building on the experience with the students, Jackson sought out the help of her friend Sally Wylde and together, the two women began to cultivate a larger vision for their community. Their goal was to obtain a small piece of property where local children could inter-

Advisory board to present animal shelter proposals to commissioners

by Daniel Beauregard daniel@dekalbchamp.com An advisory board comprised of DeKalb County residents and animal advocates has released an opinion urging the Board of Commissioners to approve a new shelter that will be sensitive to cost constraints and keeping capacity and animal care in mind. The DeKalb County Animal Services and Enforcement Advisory Board presented several options to interim DeKalb County CEO Lee May and the BOC April 8. In light of the fact that the current facility is literally falling apart and its design and capacity are grossly inadequate, we are grateful that both the CEO and commissioners are committed to building a new shelter by March 2015, the opinion states. According to an analysis cited by the advisory board, the new shelter needs the capacity to house 375 dogs and 150 cats to accommodate current and projected animal intake through 2025. Additionally, current best practices suggest that dogs be housed individually rather than in group kennels, which the current facility uses. The recommendations from the advisory board present county officials with four options for replacement shelters. The recommended option is a compromise, said Wardell Castles, an advocate who is on the board. Theres really an option one that we gently refer to as a Taj Mahal and each option gets progressively smalleroption four is even smaller than the one that is in operation today, Castles said. According to the first three options, which differ in size, the shelter would have to euthanize approximately 7 percent of the dogs it takes in each year. The last option, is smaller and would require the euthanization of approximately 1670 (30.6 percent) dogs each year. Additionally, the fourth option is actually smaller in square footage than the current facility, which advocates have stated is inadequate. Our concern is that the county is going to go with one of the cheaper options, Castles said. Ive been involved with this for at least two or three years and for them to build a shelter thats not going to meet the requirements is unconscionable. The advisory board will have a chance to present their recommendations to the Board of Commissioners during a May 7 committee of the whole meeting. Commissioners will then vote on the shelter at a later business meeting. I told Lee May, lets not be pennywise and pound foolishlets do it right and move on with our lives, Castles said.

Brookhaven police arrest burglary suspect

by Carla Parker carla@dekalbchamp.com Brookhaven police arrested and charged a Brookhaven woman with theft. Rebecca Turner, 40, was charged April 24 with four counts of theft by receiving stolen property. Major Brandon Gurley of the Brookhaven Police Department said police responded to a burglary report April 23 on Winding Lane. Officers met with the victim and documented a list of property stolen in the burglary, Gurley said. Officers then began canvassing the neighborhood for witnesses or other information. Gurley said police located the back door of the house next to the incident scene open. They made several announcements to see if anyone was inside, but they did not receive an answer, according to Gurley. Officers entered the residence to check the welfare of any occupants, he said. They located items matching the description of property that they just documented as stolen from next door inside the residence. They also located Turner hiding under a bed inside the residence. Police found stolen property in the house from an entering a car on Winding Lane on a previous day, according to Gurley. Police later determined that the residence with the open door belonged to Turner. Turner is currently being held in the DeKalb County Detention Center.

act with the earth, plants and each other. And so began the history of what is now the Wylde Center. The Sally Wylde Cultivating Life Award nomination for Louise Jackson read, in part: Thank you, Mrs. Jackson, for your courage, your wisdom, your insight, [and] your willingness to trust in the goodness of youth and for being a pillar of the community whose legacy continues to this day throughout the neighborhood and the city as a result of that original garden with Sally. Established in 2010 by the Oakhurst Community Garden Project and the City of Decatur, the Sally Wylde Cultivating Life Award recognizes an individual or organization in Decatur making an extraordinary contribution to the community and its natural environment.

If you would like to nominate someone to be considered as a future Champion of the Week, please contact Andrew Cauthen at andrew@dekalbchamp.com or at (404) 373-7779, ext. 117.

Atlanta

AROUNDDEKALB
The planetarium schedule for May 10 is as follows: 11 a.m., The Sky Tonight; noon, One World, One Sky; 1 p.m., Ampueros lecture; 2 p.m., Molecularium; and 3 p.m., Mars Quest. The Fernbank Science Center is located at 156 Heaton Park Drive, Atlanta.

THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

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School, 2701 Candler Road, Suite H. To register, call (404) 344-7110 or visit www.omarischolarship.org.

Druid Hills Tour of Homes set

From May 2-4, the Druid Hills Home & Garden Tour will celebrate its 46th year with seven homes that feature renovation, restoration and the work of master gardeners. During the tour, the Callanwolde Fine Arts Center will host the Artist & Pottery Market. The Callanwolde mansion, built in 1920 for an heir to the Coca-Cola fortune, also will be featured on the tour. For the first time this year, Emory Village will be a stop on the tour for lunch, shopping and tickets. Other events include Bar Talks and the Lullwater Conservation Garden Plant Sale. For more information, visit www. druidhillstour.org.

Decatur
Oak Groove Festival to feature local businesses, groups
The second annual Oak Groove Festival will take place Sunday, May 4, from 1-8 p.m. in the Vista Grove Shopping Center parking lot, 2836 LaVista Road, Decatur. The event is free and free parking with a shuttle will be provided at Oak Grove United Methodist Church, 1722 Oak Grove Road. The Oak Groove Festival is a neighborhood event featuring local businesses, restaurants, entertainers, artists and community organizations in the Oak Grove area and surrounding neighborhoods along the Briarcliff Road and LaVista Road corridor. The event will feature music, beer, nonalcoholic drinks and food for sale.The kids area will have a bounce house, giant slide, climbing wall, art activities and more. Vendors will have a variety of art, jewelry, handmade items and merchandise for sale. Oak Groove Festival Inc. is a nonprofit organization operated by volunteers.Proceeds from the event will support community projects in the area.

of the cyber world and how to protect children from inappropriate content. The class will be held at Dunwoody Court, 41 Perimeter Center East, suite 103 in Dunwoody. To register, visit www.cybersafety1.eventbrite.com.

Lithonia
New Birth church to host bilingual conference
The Kingdom and The Power of One Conference, organized by Bishop Eddie L. Long and Apostle Raul Avila, will open with a call for unity between Latin America and North America. The four-day unity event will be held May 15-18 at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, 6400 Woodrow Road, Lithonia. The conference is expected to draw approximately 2,500 attendees from as far away as Venezuela, Chile, other Latin nations, and throughout the United States. Conference organizers hope the event will bond Christians in Latin America with Christians in America, to mobilize and effect the culture of the world, according to an announcement. In addition to Long and Avila, keynote speakers include Bishop Renny Mclean, Pastor Paula White, Apostle Marcelino Sojo, Prophet Rony Chavez, and Pastor Raul David Avila. The conference will include Spanish translators who will translate live during each service. More details can be found at www. KingdomConference2014.com.

Brookhaven
City to host farmers market
The Brookhaven Farmers Market will be held May 3 from 9 a.m. to noon behind Brookhaven Baptist Church, 294 North Druid Hills Road NE. For more information, visit www. brookhavenga.gov.

Library to hold free pre-med, nursing seminar

The East Atlanta Library, located at 400 Flat Shoals Ave. SE, is hosting a free pre-med and nursing seminar May 3, from 1:30-3 p.m. Attendees will be able to get a head start on pre-med, pre-nursing, nursing and other medical programs with knowledge about how the brain learns, tips for memorization, and anatomy and medical terms. For more information contact yateslecture@gmail.com.

Chamblee
5K run and roll scheduled
Registration is underway for the Chamblee 5K Run & Rotary Roll scheduled for Saturday, May 10. The 5K Run and 1K Walk & Roll will start and finish at DeKalb Peachtree Airport and participants have a choice of a 5K route through Chamblees downtown and mid-city district or a 1K route around the grounds of the airport. The race begins at 8 a.m. All participants will receive a race T-shirt and can enjoy a finish area featuring expo booths, a moonwalk, food, music and more. Early registration is $20 and is available at www.active.com. On the day of the race the registration is $25. For more information call (770) 986-5016 or email Joel Holmes at jholmes@chambleega.com.

Fernbank Science Center announces 2014 Astronomy Day schedule

Information course planned for artists using social media

The Decatur Market and Gallery, located at 153 Ponce de Leon Place in Decatur, will host a free information course May 14 at 6 p.m., for artists using social media. The course will be taught by local author and editor of Atlanta Intown Collin Kelley. Kelley will show artists how to maximize social media tools for marketing to potential customers. Additionally, he will discuss the need for having websites, blogging, posting online and more. For more information visit www. collinkelley.blogspot.com.

Fernbank Science Center will host a celebration of National Astronomy Day on Saturday, May 10 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This event is open to the public and geared toward all ages. It will feature informational literature, family activities, a chance to win a telescope and an array of planetarium shows. The highlight of Astronomy Day will be a lecture by Cal Techs Dr. Jean Paul Ampuero, a professor of seismology, who will present a lecture on Earths Cocktail Party: Deciphering the Physics of Earthquakes with Networks of Seismic Arrays. Ampuero will survey recent developments on the use of seismic arrays to provide unprecedented imaging of the development, process, and effects of earthquakes. His talk will focus on implications for knowledge of how various planets work. Ampueros lecture, in the Jim Cherry Memorial Planetarium, will be free with regular admission charged for other planetarium shows.

County recreation department to hold Lyme disease prevention class

The DeKalb County Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs will host a public awareness class on Lyme disease prevention on Saturday, May 3, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Davidson-Arabia Nature Center, 3787 Klondike Road, Lithonia. The class will provide information on the basics of Lyme disease, how to reduce exposure and the solutions to keep safe. Participants are also welcomed to take a tour of the nature preserve. For additional information about the class, contact Robert Astrove, nature center manager, at (770) 4925220.

Countywide
Safe driving classes to be held for young drivers
Safe driving classes for teens and young adults will be held May 10 in Decatur, Lithonia and Stone Mountain. The classes are hosted by the Malcolm Omari Hill Scholarship Fund. The Lithonia class will be held at Five Star Defensive Driving School, 2093 Rock Chapel Road, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Stone Mountain class will take place at 1st United Defensive Driving School, 6181 Memorial Drive, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and the Decatur class will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1 Just Right DUI

Dunwoody
Police to host free cyber safety class
The Dunwoody Police Department will host a free cyber safety class May 20 at 6 p.m. The class will educate parents on the potential dangers

THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, fRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

LOcAL NEWS
The grants are part of more than nearly $1.6 billion to renew support for 7,100 local homeless housing and service programs across the country. Georgiabased organizations received $32 million under the program. Provided through HUDs Continuum of Care Program, the funding announced will ensure these local projects remain operating in the coming year, providing critically needed housing and support services to those persons and families experiencing homelessness.
Establishment Name: McDonalds Address: 4075 Memorial Drive Current Score/Grade: 92/A Inspection Date: 04/24/2014 Observations and Corrective Actions

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NEWS BRIEFS
DeKalb to host teen summit on youth violence and social media
DeKalb County Office of Youth Services and V103 will host the 2014 Youth Violence & Social Media Teen Summit on Thursday, May 1, from 7-9 p.m. at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts & Community Center, 3181 Rainbow Drive, Decatur. In light of recent events at Wade Walker Park, the summit will give our young people a voice at the table about teen violencea local and national issuethat we must address here in our own community, said interim DeKalb County CEO Lee May. We must invest in our youth and provide the tools to help them identify and prevent this destructive behavior. The summit will promote awareness, identify resources and encourage participants to commit to ending teen violence. DeKalb County high school students are invited to join DeKalb County officials, celebrities and community guests to share their thoughts and learn about youth violence. Students will also have the opportunity to speak with vendors about summer employment opportunities. Doors will open at 6 p.m. for this free event. Seating is limited and registration is encouraged. To register, visit http://bit.ly/1nDgI2B.

Restaurant Health Inspections

Congressman announces $3.2 million to help homeless

U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04) announced April 22 that three DeKalb County-area groups collectively have been awarded more than $3.2 million from the Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) to fight homelessness. Jerusalem House received $215,000, Project Open Arms received $450,000 and Caring Works received more than $600,000 to provide housing and support services for the homeless and their families. While Im pleased these grants have been made available to our local agencies fighting homelessness, sequestration has hampered our efforts to put the country on a path to end veterans and chronic homelessness as well as to end homelessness among children, family and youth, Johnson said. We must do more to help citizens get back on their feet.

Observed employee using personal cell phone during food prep (service line). Informed employee to not use personal phone during food prep and utilize break room or dining area. COS- employee put away cell phone. (-3 points) Corrected On-Site. New Violation. Observed ice scoop stored in ice machine with handle on ice. Advised PIC ice scoop handle is not to come in contact with ice. COS- PIC placed scoop in designated bin (- 1 point) New Violation. Observed pipe leaking under 3-compartment sink. Maintenance personnel present to repair leak. Repeat violation (-3 points) Corrected On-Site. Repeat Violation. Observed dumpster lid open. Dumpsters not equipped with drain plug. Advised PIC to consent DeKalb Sanitation to provide plug. COS- PIC closed dumpster. Corrected On-Site. New Violation. Observed wiping cloth being wrung in 3-compartment sink. Advised PIC to use washing machine in basement to launder wiping cloth. (-1 point) New Violation. Establishment Name: Stone Mountain Middle School Address: 4301 Sarr Parway Current Score/Grade: 96/A Inspection Date: 04/24/2014 Observations and Corrective Actions Live roach activity observed in facility. Advised to seek pest control and fax invoice to 404-508-7979 attn. Ashley Harvey. Repeat Violation. Establishment Name: Tucker Middle School Address: 2160 Idlewood Road Current Score/Grade: 90/A Inspection Date: 04/24/2014 Observations and Corrective Actions Upon arrival, observed no paper towels at hand sink. Informed PIC that paper towels must be provided at all hand sinks at all times. PIC provided paper towels. Corrected On-Site. New Violation. Hand sink used for activity other than handwashing. Observed employee filling sanitizer bucket at hand sink. Corrected to discontinue and to fill at sanitizer compartment of dish sink. Corrected On-Site. New Violation. Correctly date-marked potentially hazardous foods not discarded by the close of business on the 7th day. Sweet potatoes with prep date of 4/16/14 stored in walk in cooler. Instructed to discard. Corrected On-Site. New Violation. Upon arrival, no hot water available at hand sink. Employee manually turned hot water on. Advised to leave hot water on so that it can be accessible at all times. Corrected On-Site. New Violation. Establishment Name: College Heights Early Childhood Learning Center Address: 917 South Mcdonough Street Current Score/Grade: 99/A Inspection Date: 04/24/2014 Observations and Corrective Actions Dumpster not kept closed. Observed sliding doors to dumpster open. Advised to keep dumpster doors closed. Employee closed dumpster doors. Corrected On-Site. New Violation. Establishment Name: Famous Pub & Sports Palace Address: 2947 North Druid Hills Road Current Score/Grade: 71/C Inspection Date: 04/24/2014 Observations and Corrective Actions Observed employee temp potato salad without sanitizing probe of thermometer. PIC reminded that utensils and food-contact surfaces should be sanitized after cleaning, prior to use. COSPotato salad discarded due to temperature. Corrected On-Site. New Violation. Observed bar mechanical ware washing machine final rinse at 0ppm, Chlorine. PIC reminded at last inspection that Chlorine sanitizing concentration should be between 50-100ppm, Chlorine. Note that no sanitizer was in container. COS-Manger added new container of sanitizer. If out of compliance at next inspection, legal summons will be issued. Corrected On-Site. Repeat Violation.

CDF receives three-year grant from W.K. Kellogg Foundation

CDF: A Collective Action Initiative has received a three-year, family engagement and early learning grant for more than $400,000 from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation of Battle Creek, Mich. The grant will allow CDF, a nonprofit organization focused on community engagement in Clarkston, to expand its community engagement work through the Clarkston Families Decide Initiative.

See Briefs on Page 9A

DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management Public Advisory Johnson Ferry Sewer System Maintenance
April 10, 2014 Advisory Issue Date May 10, 2014 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 the 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, NonPoint Source Program, Erosion and Sedimentation Control, 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, S.W., Suite 1456, Atlanta, Georgia 30034. Type of Permit Application: Variance to encroach within the 25-foot State 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 Description and Location of Proposed Activity: The proposed project involves buffer encroachments necessary to construct temporary roads along sewer easements to provide access for vehicles required for maintenance inspections and activities. The project will also involve the removal of 12 trees and the installation of temporary BMPs necessary for maintenance activities. The project is located near London Road in the City of Chamblee and will result in 1,180 linear feet of buffer impacts along an unnamed tributary to Nancy Creek. The Public can review site plans at 1580 Roadhaven Drive, Stone Mountain, Georgia 30083. Phone 770-621-7200.

THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

Former DeKalb officer indicted on child molestation charges

by Carla Parker carla@dekalbchamp.com A grand jury has indicted a former DeKalb County police officer accused of molesting a 13-year-old girl. Manuel Williams was indicted on three counts of child molestation. According to the indictment, William kissed the victims neck, touched her breast and vaginal area with the intent to arouse and satisfy the sexual desires of himself. The indictment said the acts happened between May 1 and Dec. 1, 2012; the exact dates are unknown to the grand jury. Williams attorney Gerald Griggs said he is surprised by the indictment because he filed a motion to appear before the grand jury. But we plan to vigorously defend against these allegations, and we fully expect that the case will be resolved in his favor, Griggs said. Williams, an 18-year police veteran, was arrested at his home Oct. 23, 2013. He was released from jail on a $10,000 bond. After the arrest, then-police chief Cedric Alexander said the investigation into the case began when the father of the victim reported the crime to police Oct. 12, 2013. Alexander said Williams confessed to the charge and offered his resignation, but Williams and Griggs disputed that claim at an Oct. 25, 2013, press conference. There was never a full confession, Griggs said at the press conference. There was corroboration by a dedicated officer to tell the truth. Now how the police misconstrued and turned that around is up for questioning to them. But at no point did he confess to any child molestation. Griggs also said Williams was told he could choose to resign or be fired. Youre a dedicated officer, youre about to reach retirement age, and police level these types of allegations and using threats and profane languageyou would do your best to remove yourself from that situation, Griggs said. Griggs said April 18 that there are several witnesses, including Williams daughter, that will testify that no child molestation occurred. They were actually present in the home when these alleged acts were supposed to have taken place, Griggs said. It does not take much to get anything indicted in DeKalb County or in Georgia at all because its done in secret. Griggs said Williams, who is now working in security, is anxious to clear his name. He has moved on with his life, and hes looking forward to clearing his name and being vindicated, Griggs said.

New development slated to begin construction in Decatur

by Daniel Beauregard daniel@dekalbchamp.com The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners recently approved zoning applications submitted by Fuqua Development for a new 310-unit development to be built in the area of North Decatur Road and Scott Boulevard. Officials for Fuqua said the development will be mostly residential units, with the first phase of development beginning in the next several months. The second phase would include office and retail establishments. According to Commissioner Kathie Gannon, the communities surrounding the proposed development have been directly involved in the planning process. Several communities were involved in this very long-term negotiation on this project that included a number of neighborhoods along the North Decatur and Scott Boulevard area, Gannon said. She said the level of community involvement spurred on several additional zoning applicants who came forward and said that they wish this would be a model for how we move forward on zoning and land use changes in the county. Dennis Webb, an attorney for Fuqua Development, said the commissioners approved the final hurdles for the development at the boards April 8 meeting and the project is progressing. Gannon also said that DeKalb County Board of Commissioners Districts 2, 4 and 6 are working collaboratively on a Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) grant from the Atlanta Regional Commission to improve the area. The area, which consists of several vacant car lots in close proximity to DeKalb Medical Center and other hospital facilities, is being called Medline, according to Gannon.

LOCAL NEWS

PAGE 9A

The initiative is designed to engage families with children up to 8 years old in workshops and in a decision-making process to equip them to take actions as leaders, resulting in positive changes in early learning systems and in their community. Jeremy Lewis, CDFs executive director, said CDF is honored to be one of 30 organizations selected nationally. We look forward to our partnership with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and working alongside other grantees as we learn and

Briefs Continued From Page 8A

share our experience, Lewis said. Clarkston Families Decide will work with area families to plan and work toward a strong, multicultural early learning system that works collaboratively with schools. The initiative works through family engagement, a community early learning campaign and partnerships including the city of Clarkston, the Clarkston Early Learning Network, early learning and literacy programs and community organizations.

THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, fRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

LOcAL NEWS

PAGE 10A

Mitchell

Smith

Maddox

Collins

Hughes

Mann

Golden

Bill Crane moderated the forum.

Center left, The Champion Newspaper Publishers Carolyn Glenn and, bottom right, Earl Glenn join sheriffs deputies and residents as seven candidates tout their qualifications for the position. Photos by Travis Hudgons

Sheriff candidates participate in forum

Maddox, Sheriff Jeff Mann, Melvin Mitchell, and LaSalle Smith consisted of extensive and relative work experiences, family life and platforms. Platforms were mostly based on youth intervention and education, fiscal responsibility, personnel training and retention, interagency/ interoffice collaboration and greater community involvement. I am honored and humbled to have been working with the men and women of the sheriff s office for the last 14 yearsplease continue to support our efforts in moving forward, said Mann as he spoke of the achievements of his office. Smith said, DeKalb needs new blood. We cannot continue to elect the same people to office and expect different results; thats insanity. Each candidate took their turn describing what they would bring new to the table. The outstanding warrants that we have17,000is one change, said Mitchell as he explained his focus on capturing wanted, violent criminals. Its an administrative problem but it needs a law enforcement solution. Hughes said, We need more community engagement. We have to be engaged and involved with our communities through our churches, our schools and our other civic organizations. Responding to Cranes question about law enforcement working with youth, Golden said, One of my priorities when I become sheriff of DeKalb County is to make sure ev-

by Justin Beaudrot DeKalb County is abounding with debates, forums, meet-andgreets and other gathering ahead of the May 20 primary election. On April 28, The Champion Newspaper hosted its own forum for sheriff candidates. There are eight candidates vying for the sheriff s position in the upcoming special election to fill the seat vacated by Thomas Brown who is running for Congress. Seven of those candidates participated in the forum at the DeKalb History Center, moderated by political analyst and columnist for The Champion, Bill Crane. Introductions by Dale Collins, Ted Golden, Tony Hughes, Melody

ery schoolhouse has a cop in it. Maddox, however, said, I dont think we can overstep our boundaries with the school resource officers. What we need to do is work together. What I will do is communicate with them to make sure we are on the same page. Candidates were then given the chance to share their thoughts on the recent gun bill signed into law by Gov. Nathan Deal. Collins described the bill as over the top and absolutely absurd, while Maddox related it to the wild, wild west. Candidate Vernon Jones, a former DeKalb County CEO, previously confirmed he would not be able to attend.

THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

WEEK

In

LOCAL NEWS

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PICTURES

Sunday, April 29 was opening day for the Clarkston Farmers Market. Held in the parking lot of the Clarkston Community Center, the market offered cooking demonstrations, local food vendors, live music, a book sale and chickens. The market is open Sundays 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Photos by Travis Hudgons

As a result of heavy winds and storms on April 28, a massive tree fell across the front lawn of one unit of Windsor Apartments in Avondale Estates. The building appeared to be undamaged. Photos by John Hewitt

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THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, fRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

LOcAL NEWS
by Carla Parker carla@dekalbchamp.com Brookhaven city councilman Jim Eyre abruptly resigned from the council April 22. Ten minutes into the meeting, Eyre read a statement and then left the council meeting. In the statement, Eyre said, I have said to those closest to me that I will continue to Eyre serve my constituents as a District 2 councilmember until I felt I could no longer effectively represent the residents of District 2. Based on recent conversations I believe that time has come. Therefore, effective immediately, I am resigning my position as the District 2 city councilmember in the city of Brookhaven. I would like to thank the residents of my district for their support during my time in office. His resignation comes after he criticized recent reports that city taxpayers paid city manager Marie Garretts salary and consultants fee for more than a year. Garrett was interim city manager for Brookhaven before it officially became a city in December 2012. While she was in her interim position, the city

PAGE 12A

Brookhaven councilman resigns

agreed to pay Garrett $200 an hour. Following an Open Records request, city clerk and court administrator Susan Hiott emailed The Champion a copy of Garretts initial salary and current salary. Garrett was hired as city manager Feb. 26, 2013, with an initial salary of $170,000. However, for six months she worked as a consultant and made an additional $24,700. Eyre told a local news station that Garretts deal with the city was unethical. I think that is just plain wrong when its a deal thats allowing the city manager to bill for services through her consulting firm, Eyre said. In March, Garrett received a pay raise and her current salary is $214,000. Eyre was elected to represent District 2 in December 2012. He was re-elected to a second term in 2013 when he ran unopposed. Eyre, a partner in a commercial real estate development firm, has been a resident of Brookhavens Ashford Park neighborhood for more than 10 years. The city will call for a special election in August to fill the empty council seat.

County employees are partnering with the Stone Mountain Community Improvement District to beautify an area located off Highway 78 and Mountain Industrial Boulevard. Photo by Daniel Beauregard

Stone Mountain CID, county partner on beautification

by Daniel Beauregard daniel@dekalbchamp.com The Stone Mountain Community Improvement District (CID) and DeKalb County are partnering to implement landscape improvements and beautify the area as a DeKalb gateway. According to CID President Emory Morsberger, the upgrade is the only such beautification effort underway in DeKalb County that has significant contributions from local businesses. Morsberger said Stone Mountain Industrial Park and the Atlanta Industrial Park has partnered with the CID to move the project forward. Additionally, he said the CID has contributed approximately $20,000 in the past month to help pay for dump trucks to bring mulch to the interchange and hire contractors to till the mulch. The [county] provided the mulch and we provided the trucks and hired landscape contractors, Morsberger said. We also split the cost with the county to dig out all the grass where we are planting the flowers. DeKalb County is taking many of our ideas and employing them, Morsberger said. Currently, DeKalb County construction crews are in the early stages of installing new landscaping and signage at the interchange of Highway 78 and Mountain Industrial Boulevard. Morsberger said CID planning experts met with DeKalb County officials before the construction began. Additionally, CID staff met with contractors and officials from the Georgia Department of Transportation to collaborate on the beautification project. We are very appreciative that those creating the landscape plans accepted our recommendations, Morsberger said. Beyond the countys cost for materials and labor, , Morsberger said the CID is contributing $7,000 for removing old turf. When the beautification project is complete, Morsberger said the Stone Mountain CID will be responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the area. The upkeep will begin once a oneyear warranty for material installed by contractors has expired. Were the only group in the county that is doing thatso they know that it is always going to be maintained perfectly and our goal is to have the best looking interchange in the state, Morsberger said. That is our front doorwe want people to want to be in our buildings and businesses. Morsberger said the entire project will be completed in June. We want to be good partners and we appreciate all the help the county is giving, Morsberger said.

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THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, fRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

Judge hears arguments in former GPC students open records case

by Daniel Beauregard daniel@dekalbchamp.com A Fulton County Superior Court judge heard April 16-18, arguments from a former Georgia Perimeter College (GPC) student and attorneys representing the University System of Georgia (USG), which has been accused of violating the states Open Records Act. David Schick, now enrolled at the University of Georgia, has accused officials for the USGs Board of Regents of withholding documents and deliberately trying to scuttle his investigation into GPC financial records. Its almost Orwellian, Schick said of the USGs alleged tactics of withholding documents related to a scandal involving a $25 million budget shortfall at GPC in 2012 that resulted in a high number of layoffs and the firing of then President Anthony Tricoli. At the time of the financial scandal, Schick was editor of GPCs student newspaper The Collegian. He wanted to know how such a large budget deficit could go virtually unnoticed by university officials. Schick filed a civil action June 10, 2013, against the Board of Regents, stating that his requests for records have at every turn, been met with obstruction, delay, and at times outright misrepresentations. Ten months after Mr. Schick first requested the public records necessary for his reporting, the defendant the Board of Regents continues to without lawful justification to withhold records that indisputably are subject to timely production under the Georgia Open Records Act, the civil suit states. According to Schicks complaint, he requested items related to the deficit in August 2012 and was informed the items he requested would cost nearly $3,000. On prior occasions when Schick requested items he was allowed to receive them free of charge. On Schicks behalf, Frank LaMonte, executive director of the Student Press Law Center, sent a letter to USG Director of Media and Publications John Millsaps stating the monetary request was excessive. Millsaps responded, reducing the fee by several hundred dollars. Schick then hired a computer expert who testified under oath that the information he was seeking should cost no more than $50 and could be easily retrieved. This information was sent to Millsaps and the fee was eventually reduced to $291, approximately 10 percent of the original fee. To date, GPC and the Board of Regents have produced only a portion of the documents Schick has requested. Attorneys for the Board of Regents argued that there are exceptions they are granted as part of the law and arent required to turn over documents related to internal investigations. However, the law only allows such exceptions for law enforcement or agencies with prosecutorial powers. They never even told me or my lawyer what exemptions they were citing. It wasnt until a week before the lawsuit that I found out what exemptions they were invoking, Schick said. From the very beginning to the very end the Board of Regents failed to follow the law. Schick said the Board of Regents also withheld approximately 700 pages of documents he requested until several days after he filed his lawsuit. Their argument was basically, This was what weve always done, Schick said. Millsaps said the USG could not comment on any pending litigation. A ruling in the case is expected over the next several weeks.

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DEKALB COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION 2nd and 3rd PUBLIC BUDGET HEARINGS

FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2015 Monday, May 5, 2014

5:45 p.m.

TIME

J. David Williamson Board Room Administrative & Instructional Complex 1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd. Stone Mountain, GA 30083

LOCATION

Monday, June 2, 2014

5:45 p.m.

TIME

J. David Williamson Board Room Administrative & Instructional Complex 1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd. Stone Mountain, GA 30083

LOCATION

The DeKalb County Board of Education will hold the public budget hearings to solicit feedback from the public regarding the 2014-2015 school systems budget.
FOR INFORMATION, CALL THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AT 678-676-0069.

THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, fRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

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THE CHAmPIoN FREE PRESS, fRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

LocAL NEwS

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Writer Continued From Page 1A

ing. But I told myself that if I could just get to the writing part, Ill be OK. Finally, the writing phase of the audition came. I wrote a script that was amazing. And I got the gig, he said, with the excitement still fresh in his voice. Perry selected him as one of his three new writers. Getting there was quite a journey. Egeston was a creative writer from elementary school through college. Yet, when it came time to select a college major, he decided to study mechanical engineering. I didnt have the guts to do anything that involved starving or trials and tribulations, he admitted. I knew I would get an engineering job after graduating. An engineering job with Motorola brought the Little Rock, Ark., native to Atlanta. But writing was his heartbeat, and thats what he did faithfully, at nights and on weekends. When the plant closed in 2001, Egeston decided to take a leap of faithwith his wifes full support. He decided to become a full-time writer. He was doing well, self-publishing three novels. But things came unhinged when his mother died. The tragedy ended his workflow and ushered in a period of financial struggle for Egeston and his wife, Latise. A phone call from Ace III Communicationspublisher of The Champion Newspapercame just in time. He was offered the associate editor position with the companys lifestyle magazine, Atlanta Goodlife. He later became a reporter for the newspaper and its sports editor. He said, My years with Ace III were the most important for my career. He had two editors looking at his writing every day, instructing him and offering feedback. Egeston is currently on hiatus after writing seasons two and three of The Rickey Smiley Show. But hes not taking a vacation. Im always getting my work out there, said Egeston, who also had a stint as the publisher of Barbershop Digest, a local periodical for and about Black men, and has written and directed several plays for his church. During this break, hes writing pilots and pitching shows to networks. He recently traveled to Los Angeles to pitch to BET and the Oprah Winfrey Network. So far, hes been a comedy scriptwriter. But I would love, love to do a one-hour drama, like Breaking Bad and House of Cards. Hes taken the first steps toward that goal. Egeston recently released a web drama series titled Birth Right. With all his impressive accomplishments, one might think that Egeston feels that he has arrived. Not so. I doubted myself on the way home today, he admitted, when asked about his selfconfidence. As a creative person, you constantly live with doubt. Youre only as good as your last script. Egeston has reached far in his career, but hes still climbing the ladder. His eyes are focused on creating and airing at least two shows and writing no fewer than three feature-length films.

From left, Abita Saleem Jones and Lawrence Martin tell members of the District 4 Community Council about their plans for an Islamic school on Rowland Road in Stone Mountain. Right, Rowland Road area residents opposed the proposed school.

Residents oppose proposed Islamic school in neighborhood

by Andrew Cauthen andrew@dekalbchamp.com

Approximately 60 residents along Rowland Road in unincorporated Stone Mountain gathered to protest a proposed Islamic elementary school that some described as a religious community. Lawrence A. Martin, representing the Risala Institute, recently applied for a special land use permit to construct an 11,321-square-foot pri- The proposed school would be built on land cleared for a subdivision that was never vate elementary school. The school, constructed. Photos by Andrew Cauthen which would serve 100 students, would be located on 11.5 acres at terms of the farm and a large part of said. 832 Rowland Road, north of Ellis Beth Thompson recently purthe school because that facility used Road. chased property adjacent to the proto be a school. Martin and Abita Saleem Jones, posed schools property. Seeing a lot of the opposition Risala Institutes executive director, I really applaud what they are and not wanting to impact the appeared April 22 before the District neighborhood directly [or] impact doingbecause I think this is prob4 Community Council, an advisory ably a very much-needed service the neighborhood in a way that you group appointed by the DeKalb in DeKalb County, Im just really all are not comfortable with, we deCounty Board of Commissioners cided to have the majority of the op- concerned that it does not meet with that reviews applications for land use erations of the school and the farm the communitys standards that we map amendments and zoning apare trying to promote in our area, offsite, making this just a portion of plications. Thompson said. the school and the rest residential Citing watershed problems, inWhen we purchased the prophousing, Jones said. sufficient exits and the strength of erty we bought it knowing there was The current plans for the Rowcommunity opposition, the commu- land Road property include the vacant land next to it, with the idea nity council voted to recommend to school, 12 houses, an orchard and a that it would become [a subdivision] the Board of Commissioners that the small vegetable garden, Jones said. at some point, she said. We did not special land use permit be denied. Several residents spoke in opposi- ever think that it would become a Hearings on permit application school. tion to the proposed development. are scheduled before the planning Thompson said that from the I have lived in my house for 49 commission on May 6 and before description on the Risala Institutes years, said resident Shirley Brown. the Board of Commissioners on May This will be the fourth time weve website, the development would be 27. a religious community. fought [a development], and weve The proposed school would be We just put all of our savings been victorious in the first three and located on land that in 2004 was ap- were going to be victorious in this into this house that we bought and proved for a subdivision. The land were concerned about our property one. was cleared and some infrastructure From what Ive seen of the plans, value especially with modular installed, but the subdivision was this is a glorified trailer park, Brown buildings going next door, Thompnever developed. said. We are totally opposed to this. son said. When asked by the community After hearing the opposition, It does not fit in with the neighborcouncil, Martin described the proJones said plans for the proposed hood. Lets keep fighting against posed schools structure as a preschool would be halted. this. engineered building. When we first had the idea for Marshall Tobias is concerned Not pre-engineered metal, Mar- about the increased traffic the prothis project our intention was to try tin said. They are school buildings to do a project in the community posed school would bring. that are pre-engineered that we are that would bring benefit, Jones said. The traffic is already terrible, proposing to purchase and install. Tobias said. This is a collector road. I had no idea, to be honest, there After being prompted Martin would be this kind of opposition toIts supposed to transport cars from said the building would be modular one side of the community to the ward it. units. Im just going to tell you right other. Its not intended to be a thorWhen asked about plans on Risa- oughfare. now,knowing that theres this kind la Institutes website that, in addition of opposition toward it, theres no Tobias said previous, a plan to the school, include 11 homes, an way that we would want to bring to build a Seventh Day Adventist orchard, farm animals, honey bees, anything in that community that church on the road was denied. vegetable/herb garden and a swimwould make so many people upset, If were going to turn down ming pool, Jones said those plans Jones said. If this is the consensus a church that meets on Saturday had changed. onlythey dont meet much during of the community then, even though Thats old, he said. We are we spent a lot of money and a lot of the weekand youre going to let a right now in the process of getting time developing this project,we school go in thats going to increase another property at 811 Gordon St. the traffic by 200-300 cars a day, that have no intention of disrupting the where were planning to do a lot of in would be a huge mistake, Tobias community.

THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, fRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

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The Applebees in Dunwoody temporarily changed its name to VidaliaBees to celebrate the arrival of the Vidalia onion season. Photos by Kathy Mitchell

Decatur-hatched restaurant chain features unique Georgia product

our region. There are only 20 counties where they can be grown from approved seed. Then the product must meet tough agricultural standards to legally use the Vidalia name, she said, adding, Were proud of the fact that were seasonal. Vidalia onions are not available year-round. The first crop of the year comes on the market in late April, and theyre in stores into the fall. Waters said the committee also is proud that no Vidalia onions are grown on corporate farms. They are all grown on locally owned farms, where they are hand-planted and handpicked, she said. Brett McLain, an onion farmer who accompanied the group from south Georgia, said the size and abundance of Vidalia onions varies with weather conditions, which he said werent ideal this year. Id call it a mediocre year, he commented. Bob Stafford, director of the Vidalia Business Council, said Vidalia onions are big business for the state, bringing in $120 million to $150 million each year. He explained that the boost to the local economy came about by accident. In the 1930sduring the Great Depressionsouth Georgia farmers were looking for a cash crop and onions looked like a good bet. When the first ones were harvested, the farmers were disappointed. They didnt have the sharp, pungent flavor people associate with onions. They thought they had a failure. Then customers started asking for them. Theyd say, When are you going to have some of those sweet Vidalia onions? It was actually customers who gave the onion its name. South Georgias mild winters, frequent rainfall and low-sulfur soil create an onion unlike any other in the world, Stafford said. Some other places grow a sweet onion and compare it with the Vidalia onion, but theres really nothing like a Vidalia onion, he added. On April 25, the day of the first delivery of the vegetable, Applebees officials draped a temporary sign over the Dunwoody restaurants main sign, for the day renaming the eatery VidaliaBees. Replacing the word apple in the name with Vidalia is appropriate, according to Waters, because many Vidalia onion growers say their product is so sweet you can eat it like an apple. Smith said the dish featuring Vidalia onions is an example of the restaurant chains efforts to serve fresh farm-to-table products. Applebees chef Michael Slavin prepared demonstration plates of Grilled Vidalia Onion Sirloin, which will be offered May 5 through Aug. 17. This onion pairs beautifully with steak and a Hawaiian barbecue sauce we created just for this dish, Slavin said, noting that the offering is always popular. Although the VidaliaBees promotion was only at the Dunwoody restaurant, the menu selection will be available at all Applebees locations. The restaurant chain says when Grilled Vidalia Onion Sirloin is available it sells approximately 14,000 orders of the menu item a day, using more than 23,000 pounds of Vidalia onions.

by Kathy Mitchell kathym80@hotmail.com With blue lights flashing, a Dunwoody Police escort led a truck bringing the seasons first Vidalia onions into DeKalb County. The onions arrived at the Applebees restaurant in the Perimeter Mall area to introduce a seasonal menu item featuring an agricultural product unique to Georgia. The Dunwoody location was chosen because the first Applebees opened approximately 30 years ago in nearby Decatur, explained Applebees spokesman Dan Smith. Applebees now has 1,800 locations nationwide and bills itself as the worlds largest casual dining chain. Susan Waters of the Vidalia Onion Committee, an organization formed to promote the product and protect its integrity, was among those in the truck making the 6:30 a.m. delivery. She explained Vidalia onions, named for a town in the only area where the onion variety is grown, must meet rigid standards to legally bear the name. They are inherently special to

DeKalb Chamber of Commerce

The Voice of Business in DeKalb County

Two Decatur Town Center, 125 Clairemont Ave., Suite 235, Decatur, GA 30030 404.378.8000 www.DeKalbChamber.org

THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, fRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

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Two DeKalb schools lead state in test performance

DeKalb Early College Academy (DECA), a joint venture between Georgia Perimeter College (GPC) and DeKalb County School District outscored every school in the state on the latest College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI), according to the Georgia Department of Education (DOE). The DeKalb School of the Arts scored in the top five of Georgias 447 high schools on the reformulated CCRPI. The DOE released results April 21 for the 2013 CCRPI, with DECA scoring the states highest rating of 99.3 from 110 possible points. Comparatively, the CCRPI overall score for Georgia high schools is 72. For middle schools, the overall score was 75, and for elementary schools, it was 78.5. The performance index measures how well K-12 public schools fare in standardized test scores, academic progress, closing the achievement gap between different groups of students and graduation rates. Last year, the DOE cited DECA for having the highest graduation rate among high schools in DeKalb County based on 2012 data. DECA enables collegereadyhigh school students to spend their first two years of high school at the academy campus in Stone Mountain and their final two years of high school at Georgia Perimeter Colleges Clarkston campus. These students earn high school and college credits simultaneously through dual enrollment. Of this years 37 DECA high school graduates, 16 will also graduate from Georgia Perimeter College with associate degrees in May. I am proud of the partnership with GPC and DECA, said Kathryn Hall, GPCs DECA program coordinator. I am thankful to the GPC staff and professors who assist and inspire the students with not only the completion but also the level of success they achieve in their 11th and 12th grade years at GPC. The fact that DECA students are able to earn over 48 hours of college credits before graduating from high school is a huge benefit and contributing factor to the high score in the CCRPI. Three of DeKalbs elementary schoolsWadsworth, Austin and Kittredgeplaced in the top 25 of the states more than 2,000 elementary schools. Several other DeKalb schools showed improvements as the reformulated CCRPI placed greater emphasis on academic progress. Cedar Grove, a Title I high school with seven of 10 students from low-income families, posted significant gains, as did Clarkston High School and Cross Keys, which have high percentages of English language learners. We are encouraged that DeKalb is the only district in the state to have two high schools in the top five, said Superintendent Michael Thurmond. We have planted the seeds for far more academic growth and achievement throughout our school systemand we expect for them to bear fruit in coming years in this and other critical measurements. The DeKalb County School District is placing a greater emphasis on academic growth and achievementjust as the state has recalibrated its performance index to do the same, Thurmond said. We are proud of students, parents, teachers and staffand were confident that our progress will continue.

DeKalb school board chairman Melvin Johnson visits DeKalb Early College Academy. Photo by Andrew Cauthen

Mark Eister, director of military outreach at GPC. A painting of fallen soldier Jamaal Addison stands watch over a reception in his honor.

A soldiers sacrifice remembered

by Justin Beaudrot On March 23, 2003, Specialist Jamaal R. Addison drove his HEMTT (Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck) through the town of An Nasiriyah, Iraq. his convoy, the 507th Maintenance Company, by Iraqi military forces and irregulars. Early that morning, was ambushed. That ambush claimed the lives of Addison and 10 others and saw the capture of seven soldiers. Retired Col. Robert Knowles, professor of communications at Georgia Perimeter College (GPC), said, Addison was driving the lead truck he was killed almost instantly. On April 26, GPCs Student Veterans Association established the Specialist Jamaal R. Addison Memorial Scholarship during a reception at the GPC Decatur campus. Special attendees include Patricia Roberts, Addisons mother and Jamaal Addison II, Addisons son. Addison was the first Georgian killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was also a student at the college. [Addison] joined the Army because he wanted the experience, but he wanted the education so that he would be able to help others, Roberts said, Educationthat was something that was very important to him. The Student Veterans Association collaborated with the GPC Foundation to plan and develop the scholarship to provide one STEM-major student-veteran maintaining a 3.0 GPA with at least $1,000 for one year. Vicki Carew, executive director of institutional advancement attending the reception on behalf of the GPC Foundation, said, This is a movement; its not a moment. The moment in this instance is announcing the establishment of this scholarship, but this is a lifelong movement. The Student Veterans Association at GPC has been in operation for the past three semesters and members realized that Addisons legacy should be memorialized. With a near-nonexistent budget, students worked hard to attain this goal. Lorretta Arrington, former president of the Student Veteran Association, read poem by author Cynthia Gibbs and said, The Student Veteran Association of Georgia Perimeter College strives to develop camaraderie amongst its members, creating a veteran based peer-to-peer supportive environment, encouraging all members that are navigating their academic challenges and celebrate their successes. Jarrad Turner of GPCs Student Veterans Association, who emceed the ceremony, said, Whether youre here or whether youre gone we really will never forget you. So part of our creed, part of our motto, is to never leave a fallen comrade. So as soldiers, sailors, marines, coasties, its all in everybodys creed, everybodys motto. So we felt that this had to be done. This scholarship will assist members GPCs growing veteran population which currently sits at 828 students. The plan to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan later this year combined with the ongoing military draw down were experiencing today means that we will continue to see a growing number of veterans on our college campuses, said Mark Eister, director of military outreach at GPC. Donations were accepted at the reception to begin supplying the funds for the scholarship to reach its goal of a $20,000 minimum. Specialist Addison is also memorialized in Lithonia with the Jamaal RaShard Addison Post Office Building.

Vicki Carew, executive director for Patricia Roberts, Addisons mother, is overjoyed by the overwhelming Institutional Advancement for GPC Foundation. support of attendees. Photos by Justin Beaudrot

THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, fRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

SPORtS
CARLAS CORNER

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NBA makes right decision by banning Donald Sterling

Carla Parker
carla@dekalbchamp.com

Sports Reporter
Well done, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. Silver did something that should have happened 10 years ago; he was banned Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling from the NBA. Sliver announced the lifetime ban April 29 and fined Sterling $2.5 million. The NBA will also immediately begin working to try to force Sterling to sell the team. The news came three days after TMZ.com released audio of Sterling making racist comments to his girlfriend V. Stiviano during an argument on April 9. The argument occurred after Stiviano posted a photo on Instagram of her posing with NBA legend Magic Johnson. Sterling can be heard on the tape telling his girlfriend that he does not want her bringing Black people

to his games, including Johnson. Sterling degrades Stiviano, who is half-Black and Mexican, for letting the public see her with a Black person. It bothers me a lot that you want to broadcast that youre associating with Black people. Do you have to? Sterling said on the tape. Other comments on the tape include:  You can sleep with [Black people]. You can bring them in, you can do whatever you want. The little I ask you is not to promote it and not to bring them to my games.  Im just saying, in your lousy f******* Instagrams, you dont have to have yourself walking with Black people.  Dont put him [Magic] on an Instagram for the world to have to see so they have to call me. And dont bring him to my games. More audio was released April

27 by Deadspin.com, in which Sterling tells his girlfriend that he gives his Black players food, clothes, cars and houses. Sterling has received a lot of criticism from people around the league such as Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Johnson, who tweeted that he and his wife will never attend another Clippers game as long as Sterling is owner. Although these comments surprised many, it did not surprise men and those who have known of Sterlings racist tendencies for years. Sterlings true colors were revealed not too long ago. In 2006, the U.S. Department of Justice sued a property owner for housing discrimination, claiming he refused to rent apartments he owned to Blacks, Hispanics and families with children. According to that lawsuit, the property owner once said he did not like to rent to Hispanics because they smoke, drink and just hang around the building, and that Black tenants smell and attract vermin. The property owner

agreed to pay a fine of $2.73 million. In February 2009, former longtime Clippers executive Elgin Baylor sued Sterling for employment discrimination. The lawsuit alleged Sterling told Baylor that he wanted to fill his team with poor Black boys from the South and a White head coach. It was no secret what type of person Sterling is, but because of money, the NBA has allowed this man to continue to be the face of a major franchise. During the April 29 press conference, Silver was asked why Sterling is just now being punished for his behavior. Silver, who is in his first year as commissioner, said that the NBA was acting now because they had concrete evidence. To me, that was Translation: Dont ask me, ask former commissioner David Stern. Stern should be brought in the fire, too, in this matter, but for now, let us all applaud Silver for taking a strong stance against a man who is nothing but a hateful human being.

Stephenson athlete receives Foot Locker scholarship

by Carla Parker carla@dekalbchamp.com Before she started her senior year at Stephenson High School, Nadaysia Brooks knew she wanted to go to college, but she did not know how she was going to pay for it. Brooks, who plays basketball and volleyball, began researching scholarships and found an application for the Foot Locker Scholar Athlete scholarship. I saw that this one fit me best and I filled out the application, she said. Months later, Brooks received a $20,000 scholarship from Foot Locker April 17. allowed me to breathe so to speak, she said. It feels good. Im excited about it. Brooks has a couple of schools she is considering but has not made a decision yet. Im weighing some options and considering some things before I decide, she said. She is also being looked at by some basketball programs and said she is currently calling coaches to see which schools will offer her a scholarship. Brooks has been playing basketball since she was 8 years old and started playing volleyball in the eighth grade. Although she loves basketball, Brooks said she found volleyball to be a lot easier than basketball. Volleyball has helped me with basketball because it helped with my jumping abilities and my timing, she said. I can time a rebound and be able to get higher to get it. During her high school career, Brooks has maintained a 4.0 or better while being captain of both teams, president of the beta club, treasurer of the student council, track trainer, and a community volunteer. She plans to study accounting in college.

Senior Nadaysia Brooks was awarded a $20,000 scholarship from Foot Locker.

She was one of 20 students to receive a scholarship the from Foot Locker. Brooks

said receiving scholarship was a stress reliever. I think the scholarship

Arabia Mountain wins county JV baseball title

The Arabia Mountain Rams made more school history April 26 winning its first junior varsity baseball title at Lakeside High School. The Rams swept Decatur and Dunwoody on its way to claiming the Randy Case DeKalb County Junior Varsity Baseball Tournament title. Arabia Mountain knocked off regular season Blue Division champion Decatur in the semifinals 12-5 and went on to face Dunwoody in the championship game. Dunwoody, the regular season Red Division, advanced to the title game with a 6-3 win over defending champions Stephenson Jaguars.

CITY OF BROOKHAVEN PUBLIC HEARING

See Baseball on page 19A

CITY OF BROOKHAVEN NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING: MAY 13, 2014 AT 7:00 PM, CITY HALL, 4362 Peachtree Road, Brookhaven, GA 30319. The Mayor and Council of the City of Brookhaven, Georgia will conduct a public hearing considering the imposition of monthly 9-1-1 charge pursuant to O.C.G.A. 46-5-133.

THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, fRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

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Casey Arnold (No. 16) hit 3-of-3 including a double and Junior Ashley Monsrud at first base. scored two runs and two RBIs.

Agnes Scott wins GSAC Championship

The Agnes Scott softball team won the Great South Athletic Conference Championship (GSAC) April 27 with a 14-9 win over Finlandia University. The Scotties entered the doubleelimination tournament as the No. 1 seed and started with an 8-0 win over Wesleyan April 25 and a 3-2 win over Finlandia April 26. Agnes Scott started the championship game with six runs in the first inning and had a 7-3 lead in the bottom of the third inning. Finlandia pulled ahead in the top of the fourth with five runs to take an 8-7 lead. The Scotties took the lead again in the bottom of the fourth with three runs to take a 10-8 lead and held Finlandia to zero hits and zero runs in the top of the fifth. The Scotties scored three more runs in the bottom of the fifth to pull ahead 13-8. Finlandia and Agnes Scott each scored one run in the sixth. Agnes Scott kept Finlandia from scoring in the seventh and clinched the win 14-9. GSAC Freshman of the Year Alliyah Williams was named tournament MVP. In the championship game, Williams hit for the cycle with a triple in the first and a home run in the second followed by a single in the fourth and a double in the fifth inning. She also led the Scotties with five RBIs. Williams currently leads the Scotties with a .432 batting average, 15 doubles and four homeruns and is tied with junior Kat Riale with 30 RBIs. All-Conference infielder Casey Arnold hit 3-of-3 including a double and scored two runs and two RBIs. All-Conference infielder Ashley Monsrud hit 2-of-3 including a double and scored three runs and two RBIs. All-Conference outfielder Aimee McKibbin hit 3-of-5 with one run and one RBI. On the field, the final out was a fielders choice, shortstop Megan Snipes threw to Tiffany Cain to get Finlandia out at third. On the mound, GSAC Pitcher of the Year Holly Jones pitched 3.2 innings and allowed two hits, one run and struck out five batters. Arnold pitched two innings and allowed one hit, one run, one walk and struck out one. Over the three games of the tournament, Williams hit a .700. She had seven hits in 10 at bats with five runs, two doubles, a triple, a home run and six RBIs. McKibbin batted .500 with five hits in 10 at bats along with three runs, two triples and two RBIs. She also had one stolen base, her 25th of the season. Arnold hit .444 with four hits in nine at bats with three runs a double and two RBIs. Monsrud hit .429 (37) and tied with Williams with five runs and two doubles. All-Confer-

Holly Jones got the win in the championship game against Finlandia. Jones pitched 3.2 innings and allowed two hits, one run and struck out five.

ence outfielder Alyssa Millikin got her 18th stolen base of the season and All Conference catcher Kat Riale got her 30th RBI. Head Coach Talya DiGirolamo got her 23rd win of the season setting a new Agnes Scott softball record for most wins in a season breaking her own record of 19. The win also marks the first time Agnes Scott has won a conference tournament for softball earning a trip to the NCAA tournament for the first time. With the win, the Scotties advance to the NCAA Regional. The location and opponent will be announced later this week.

Baseball

Continued From Page 18A

The Arabia Mountain junior varsity baseball team won its first county championship after defeating Dunwoody.

Arabia Mountain got off to a hot start in the title game with an 11-2 lead and won 11-6 over Dunwoody. Arabia Mountain finished second to Stephenson in the final regular season White Division standings with a 5-1-1 record. The Rams also got wins over Redan (112) April 22 and Tucker (10-3) April 23 in first round action of the tournament in advancing out of the Tucker site pool play. Arabia Mountain scored 44 runs and allowed only 16 over four total games in capturing the first county junior varsity baseball championship in school history.

Soccer state playoffs underway

by Carla Parker carla@dekalbchamp.com Seventeen soccer teams from DeKalb County are vying for a state championship as the state playoffs are underway. The first round began April 29 with Druid Hills boys, who hosted Hillgrove in the Class AAAAAA state playoffs at Hallford Stadium. In Class AAAAA, Tucker boys traveled to Gainesville and Dunwoody traveled to Clark Central. Region 6-AAAA champions Chamblee Bulldogs hosted Lumpkin County at Adams stadium and Marist traveled to Johnson-Gainesville. Scores were not available at press time. On the girls side, Druid Hills will host Marietta at Adams Stadium in the Class AAAAAA matchup. In Class AAAAA, Dunwoody will host Loganville at North DeKalb Stadium, while Lakeside travels to Gainesville and Tucker travels to Heritage in Conyers in Class AAAAA girls first round matchups. The girls from Class AAAA will also begin action April 30 with Region 6 champions Marist hosting Chestatee in the first round and Chamblee traveling to Johnson-Gainesville. In Class AAA, St. Pius boys will host Jackson County May 1 and Cross Keys will travel to Oconee County. Region 6-AAA girls champions St. Pius will host Morgan County May 2 and Decatur will travel to North Oconee. Region 6-AAAAAA champions and No. 1 seed Lakeside Vikings will host Apalachee at HallThe Soccer state playoffs began this week. Lakesides ford Stadium May 3 and Stone Diego Gonzalez (no. 15) will help lead Lakeside to a state Mountain will travel to Chestatee. championship.

THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, fRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

Vacant Doraville GM plant slated for new development

by Daniel Beauregard daniel@dekalbchamp.com Doraville Mayor Donna Pittman announced during her April 28 state of the city address that the General Motors (GM) plant that has sat vacant for nearly six years will be transformed into a transit-oriented, mixed-use development in the coming years. When the plant closed, Pittman said, the city lost approximately 10 percent of its revenue base overnight and 36 percent of its total employment base. The closure, coupled with the great recession, was devastating, Pittman said. Pittman said the deal with development firm Macauley/Schmit is expected to be finalized in August. In the meantime, Pittman said the city will be fine-tuning aspects of the contract. From the creation of a tax allocation district to coordination with county and state entities, our long-range goal is to create a livable, mixed-use, transit-oriented development that will be beneficial to Doraville residents and businesses, Pittman said. In her speech Pittman also touted Doravilles successful small business development. She said in the last two years, the city has added more than 300 small businesses to its boundaries. In anticipation of the redevelopment of

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Kroger donates more than $2,900 to pet rescue organization

by Carla Parker carla@dekalbchamp.com through the program. They have over 1,000 members shopping with us Angels Among Us Pet across Atlanta, Wiggs said. Rescue, a nonprofit orgaLance White, CEO of nization that rescues dogs Angels Among Us, said the and cats from high-kill organization is excited to be shelters in Georgia, was the involved with the program. recipient of $2901.92 from This is our first quarter Kroger April 26. that weve actually been inThe donation is part of volved with Kroger and to the Kroger Community come out on top to be the Rewards program, an initia- No. 1 charitable group and tive that supports schools get that kind of money is and community organizagreat, White said. tions. White said the money Kroger Plus Card cuswill be used to spay and tomers in the Atlanta neuter animals and to pay Divisionwhich includes vet bills. Georgia, South Carolina Our biggest expense is and Eastern Alabamaenvetting because were an allroll online to earn funds foster base organization, for their favorite school or White said, so this is going charity. Every time enrolled to do wonders for us. customers shop using their Since its inauguration in Kroger Plus Card, they help late 2013, Kroger customtheir chosen organization ers have earned more than earn money. $374,000 for their selected Brookhaven Kroger store organizationsincluding manager Zeaford Wiggs more than $7,683 donated said Angels Among Us to pet-focused groups from earned the largest amount January through March. of money that was given

the GM site, Doraville has also obtained assistance from the Atlanta Regional Commission to develop a Livable Communities Code. The code will be a model for zoning regulation surrounding the Doraville MARTA station and GM property. The benefits of thisinclude creating a variety of housing choices, fostering walkability and promoting economic development without compromising quality design, Pittman said. Additionally, Pittman said Doraville has developed a five-year capital improvement plan that addresses everything from facility renovations to street resurfacing. During this years past legislative session two annexation bills involving Doraville passed, which will allow the city to expand its boundaries and increase both its commercial, and residential tax base. With the expansion of the city tax base will come enhanced service levels for the areas of unincorporated DeKalb County that border our current city limits. Coupled with our expanded code enforcement efforts and an expanded police presence, we can continue to reduce crime and guide the development of the city, Pittman said. Pittman said the city has reduced crime more than 40 percent since 2008. Most recently, Doraville was named one of Georgias safest communities by Safewise.