FreePress 1-15-15

FreePress
FRIDAY, Jan. 16, 2015 VOL. 17, NO. 40 FREE
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A PUBLICATION OF ACE III COMMUNICATIONS
Contractors
vying for $200M
watershed project
GPC to merge
Little house in
Lithonia receives with UGA
laurels
local, 2A
local, 12A
education, 18A
Photos by Andrew Cauthen
First responders test skills
by Andrew Cauthen
andrew@dekalbchamp.com
ocal first responders

were called to a gas leak
in a Chamblee neighborhoods a cul-de-sac
Jan. 8, but it wasnt real.
It was a drill for representatives from Atlanta Gas
Light, DeKalb County Fire
Rescue Department, DeKalb
County Emergency Management Agency and the
Chamblee Police Department.
Early that morning, as
temperatures lingered in
the teens, Chamblee and
DeKalb County emergency
personnel responded a call
of a gas leak. A contractor
told 911 personnel that he
had hit a 24-inch gas line
with his mini excavator at
the Atlanta Gas Light Regulator Station at Shalimar
Drive in Chamblee.
When the personnel arrived, they learned that it
was a drill.
Todays exercise is a
simulation. We are out here
doing emergency scenario
training, said Kristie Benson, manager of public relations and media relations at
Atlanta Gas Light. We did
14 last year. This is an extension of our commitment to
safety to the communities
that we serve.
Patrick Flynn, manager
of crisis management for
AGL Resources Inc., explained the scenario to several residents who attended
the drill.
Im going to be making
a call to our leak line as a
neighbor letting them know
I smell gas, I hear a loud
noise, Flynn said. Theyre
going to ask me all the information. Theyre going
to provide me with safety
instructions and then theyre
going to dispatch one of our
guys.
Now Atlanta Gas
Lightthey dont know its
a drill, Flynn said. The responder is getting his call
like its a real event, like its
happening, sofrom this
point on, its playing out. He
will not know until he shows
up that this is a drill.
Theyre going to be
working an incident command just like they would
on any real event, Flynn
said.
Lt. Craig Medlin, deputy director of the DeKalb
Emergency Management
Agency (DEMA), said that
in the event of an actual
emergency, he would open
DeKalb Countys emergency operations center in
DeKalb, if necessary.
See Rescue on page 15A
championnewspaper
DeKalb County Fire Rescue, DeKalb Emergency Management Agency personnel and Chamblee Police officers
joined Atlanta Gas Light representatives in a mock gas leak training exercise Jan. 8.
championnews
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local
Page 2A The Champion Free Press, Friday, Jan. 16, 2015
Contractors vying for $200M watershed project

by Andrew Cauthen
This, No. 1, is a public works project for us in
DeKalb County.
Thats what interim
DeKalb County CEO Lee
May told approximately 200
local small, minority and
women-owned business
representatives who met
with county leaders Jan. 7
during a forum about subcontracting opportunities on
the Snapfinger Wastewater
Treatment Plant.
With a $200 million
price tag, the second phase
of the Snapfinger Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion is the biggest project of
DeKalbs $1.35 billion watershed capital improvement
project (CIP).
In 2010, the DeKalb
County Board of Commissioners approved billiondollar improvements to
DeKalbs water and sewer
system. At the time, county
officials said approximately
$20 million to $30 million
would be allocated to addressing requirements of
a consent decree in which
DeKalb County agreed to
pay a $453,000 penalty from
the federal Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) for
excessive sewage spills. The
county also agreed to implement a $600,000 stream
cleanup project, focusing on
debris removal from parts
of the South River, South
Fork Peachtree Creek and
Snapfinger Creek.
We have work to be
done to focus on our water
and wastewater sewer system. Weve got to get that
work done, May said. This
work is critical for us.
While we have this opportunity, we want to do
some good with literally the
billion dollars that we have
to procure here in DeKalb
County, May said. We
want to make sure that small
businesseshave an opportunity to put [their] skillsets
to work.
May said the county
also wants to make sure we
can have employment opportunities for residents in
DeKalb County.
The Snapfinger project
already has had its problems. In 2012, Desmear Systems was hired to grub and
clear land, excavate rock and
soil, and construct a retaining wall. The county later
terminated its $7.7 million
contract with Desmear, citing a structurally unsound
From left, Interim DeKalb County CEO Lee May; Ken Saunders, assistant watershed director; Morris Williams, deputy chief operating officer for
infrastructure; and Commissioner Stan Watson spoke to contractors interested in working on the countys Snapfinger Wastewater Treatment Plant
project. Photos by Andrew Cauthen
retaining wall, numerous

water violations and accidents at the construction
site. Residents near the

site complained of damage
caused by blasting.
This is our second

crack at it, May said about
the new Snapfinger phase.
Unfortunately, its our

second crack at it, but fortunately its also our second
See Snapfinger on page 6A
Georgia Power employees
CELEBRATING A DAY ON
AND NOT A DAY OFF
Georgia Power is proud to observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day a nationwide celebration
of service to mankind and community by encouraging its employees and customers
to use their time off to serve others.
On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, let us all come together to spend a day on by extending
a helping hand to help those who need it most.
Connect With Us
georgiapower.com/community
GPC-MLK-DekalbChampion.indd 1
1/12/15 4:20 PM
The Champion Free Press, Friday, Jan. 16, 2015
local
Chairman Melvin Johnson with board member Melvin Johnson with his family being sworn back into
Michael Erwin before being sworn in.
the Board of Education.
Page 3A
Michael Thurmond welcomes

guests and introduces the
new board.
Stan Jester sworn into the Board of Education
Background checks challenged

by Ashley Oglesby
ashley@dekalbchamp.com
A newly elected member of the DeKalb County

School Board refused to
submit a fingerprint and allow a background check by
the school district, accusing
the board chairman of bullying and saying he will only
agree to background checks
done by police.
It is a conflict of interest to be investigated by the
agency I was elected to oversee, Stan Jester said.
According to an email
chain between Jester and
Dr. Melvin Johnson,
DeKalb school board chairman, all district employees
and members of its Board
of Education undergo a
criminal background check,
which involves fingerprinting. Johnson told Channel
2 News that he was taken
aback when Jester told him
he would not submit to a
check by the district.
Jester said, In preparation for my service on the
Board of Education, I filled
out paperwork and participated in board orientation. The administration
asked their internal staff to
fingerprint me in order to
receive an ID badge. The
administration insisted I be
fingerprinted because they
considered me an employee
of the district. I researched
this and found that both
DeKalb BOE policy and
state law explicitly state that
BOE members are not employees.
Jester said after he
emailed Johnson informing him of the DeKalb BOE
policy and state law, Johnson emailed him with a new
rationale that he was concerned about ensuring a safe
environment for DeKalbs
students.
Jester emailed a statement to Channel 2 that read:
I do not object to a thorough background check or
being fingerprinted. In fact,
last week I sent the chair
a copy of my background
check completed by the
Dunwoody Police Department. Additionally, I have
already made arrangements
to have my fingerprints
taken by the DeKalb County
Police Department... I will
be putting my reports online and they will be made
available for anyone to see.
I challenge the rest of the
board members and administration to do the same.
He added, I do reject
the manner and rationale of
the board chair in dealing

with this issue. It has ranged
from inaccurate to intimidating. Our children deserve better. Rather than try
to bully or embarrass other
board members, I will take
great care to do what is in
the best interests of children
and taxpayers.
Jester posted a blog
titled Why is WSB Calling Me? on his factcheck.
com/stanjester website as
an attempt to get the facts
straight.
There are two things
that Jester highlighted in his
defense; he wrote There is
no requirement in DeKalb
policy or Georgia state law
that I provide my finger-
prints to the school district

and it is a bold conflict of
interest to be investigated by
the agency I am elected to
oversee.
On the blog Jester wrote,
Regarding the inaccurate
report this evening on WSB;
I am dedicated to transparency and disclosure. As the
parent of three precious
children that go to public
school in DeKalb County,
I am as concerned about
safety as any parent. So, I
take great umbrage from the
suggestion that I am doing
something that might impede safety.
According to Jester, he
completed a police background check before Christ-
mas, sent the report to the

board chairmen and posted
it on his website.
Jester had another background check conducted by
the DeKalb County Police
Department on Jan. 5, moments before being sworn
in to the board. He said, I
think all the board members
and administration should
put their background checks
online for all to see.
I look forward to working collaboratively with all
board members and staff
that are dedicated to providing the most effective
education to our children
and conservative financial
stewardship to our taxpayers, Jester said.
NOTICEOFSPECIALELECTION,QUALIFYINGREQUIREMENTS,ANDREGISTRATION
CITYOFAVONDALEESTATES,GEORGIA
Notice is hereby given that a Special Election for the City of Avondale Estates will be held on
Tuesday,March17,2015tofillthevacancyandunexpiredtermofMayor.Thepersonelectedtofillthis
unexpiredtermwillservethroughDecember31,2015.ThisseatwillbeupforreelectiononNovember
3,2015andthecandidateelectedinNovemberwillserveafour(4)yeartermbeginningJanuary1,2016.
VotingwilltakeplaceatAvondaleEstatesCityHall,21NorthAvondalePlaza,from7a.m.to7p.m.
AnypersonwhoisaresidentoftheCityofAvondaleEstatesandwhoisregisteredwithDeKalbCounty
Board of Registrations and Elections by February 17, 2015, as an elector within the City of Avondale
Estates,shallbeeligibletovoteinthiselection.
PersonswishingtoqualifyforthiselectionmayfileanoticeofcandidacywithCityClerkJulietteSims
OwensatCityHall,21NorthAvondalePlaza,from8:30a.m.to11:30a.m.and12:30p.m.to4:30p.m.
beginningMonday,January12,2015throughFriday,January16,2015.Thequalifyingfeeis$3.
Advance voting begins February 23, 2015, at the DeKalb County Elections Division, 4380 Memorial
Drive,Decatur,Georgia30032,4042984020.
The Champion Free Press, Friday Jan. 16, 2015
opinion
Page 4A
Make home fire safety a priority

As we head into the heart of winter, its a good
time to offer a reminder about something that so
many of us take for grantedkeeping ourselves
and our loved ones safe from fire at home.
Home fires occur routinely throughout the
year, but during colder weather with the use of
heating sources such as space heaters and fireplaces, the risks multiply.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), nationwide in 2013 there were
369,500 home fires that resulted in 2,759 deaths
and 12,200 injuries as well as $6.8 billion property damage. Closer to home, DeKalb County experienced 4,083 home fires in 2013. It was ranked
as the busiest department in Georgia in a 2013
Firehouse survey.
The end of 2014 brought an unbearable tragedy for a local family when five children were
home alone in Decatur when a fire broke out.
Three of the children died as a result of the in-
ferno. The mother has been charged with murder.

One of the best ways to reduce injury and loss
of life from fire at home is simple and inexpensivehaving a working smoke detector.
In a fire, seconds count, said DeKalb County
Fire Chief Darnell Fullum on the Fire Rescues
website. Roughly half of home fire deaths result
from fires reported at night between 11 p.m. and
7 a.m. when most people are asleep. Home smoke
alarms can alert people to a fire before it spreads,
giving everyone enough time to get out.
According to the NFPA research, working
smoke alarms cut the chance of dying in a home
fire by half and almost two-thirds of home fire
deaths resulted from fires in homes with no
smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
The American Red Cross, which estimates
that if a fire starts at home occupants may have
less than two minutes to escape, offers the following advice:
The most effective way to protect yourself and

your home from fire is to identify and remove
fire hazards. Sixty percent of house fire deaths
occur in homes with no working smoke alarms.
During a home fire, working smoke alarms and a
fire escape plan that has been practiced regularly
can save lives.
If a fire occurs in your home, get out, stay out
and call for help.
Install smoke alarms on every level of a home,
inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas.
Test smoke alarms once a month, if theyre not
working, change the batteries.
Talk with all household members about a fire
escape plan and practice the plan twice a year.
Lets start the new year by making sure our
homes are as safe as possible from fire and ensure
that in the event of a fire early detection from a
working smoke detector will be on our side.
opinion
Page 5A
One Mans Opinion
Thats the $45,000 question!

For reference, ownership of a personal seat license
(PSL) guarantees the rights
to a particular seat in a stadium. That is, owning a PSL
puts you first in line to purchase a ticket for any public
event at the stadium in your
particular seat - including
NFL Season tickets, Amelia
Ahlgren, blogger and contributor to The Bleacher Report (April 12, 2012).
Just a few football fields
away from our perfectly
good Georgia Dome, which
still has roughly $100 million in bonded debt, sits
the Georgia Aquarium, the
worlds largest aquarium
which was largely a selffinanced gift to Georgia
and Atlanta by Bernie
Marcus, philanthropist and
co-founder of The Home
Depot.Just a few more
hundred yards on the other
side of the Georgia World
Congress Center (GWCC)
will be the yet-unnamed
(naming rights pending)
new roost for our Atlanta
Falcons.Though the state
and GWCC will technically
own the new open air and
domed facility, all revenues
for events, parking, concessions, etc., will flow through
the Atlanta Falcon organi-
Bill Crane
bill.csicrane@gmail.com
Columnist
zation, owned by Arthur

Blank, the other cofounder
of The Home Depot.
The most coveted lowerlevel 50-yard line suites (not
the luxury sky-boxes, as yet
unpriced) are proposed at
a (PSL) price tag of $45,000
per seat.This would give the
owner of that PSL the first
right to purchase Falcon season tickets at roughly $350
per game.For the owner
of a pair of existing season
ticket holders this is an asking price of $90,000, for the
right to purchase season
tickets, and another $5,600
for the eight pairs of tickets
for the home game season
in 2017.Its not entirely clear
at this point if that comes
with parking or free game
programs.
Granted, there will be
thousands of less expensive
seats, but its safe to say that
most all of them will cost
considerably more than
existing seats in the Dome.
Fortunately, Atlanta is home
to more than its fair share
of successful folks, and that
is a good thing.But Im not
entirely sure that we have
enough millionaires who
also happen to be Falcon
fans.So lets consider a few
other options of what that
$90K could buy:
Roughly three years of outof-state tuition and related
expenses at several wellrespected neighboring universities such as Auburn
University, Clemson or Ole
Miss.
Complete purchase of a
matching pair of higher
end late model BMWs or
Mercedes automobiles.
A higher end wedding and
reception for the daughter
of your choosing.
The 20 percent down payment on a half-milliondollar vacation home,
in the mountains, at the
beach or on one of Georgias many great lakes.
It doesnt take a very
enterprising mind to come
up with other more productive ways to invest nearly

twice the average annual income of most metro Atlantans.This price tag is more
on par with purchasing a
real estate limited parternship, or even a higher end
time-share, but more like
the time share, only one party really makes any money
on the deal.
Dont get me wrong, Im
not about to join Occupy
Atlanta.I applaud success,
and believe in low tax rates
and getting government off
the backs of entrepreneurs
and particularly small business. My grandmother was
a season ticket holder from
the Falcons expansion season up through the year of
her passing in 1992.Her
seats were nosebleed and
50-yard line, in the top
back row of Atlanta-Fulton
County Stadium.Mary
Crane rarely missed a game
until her health prevented
her from attending.
That old stadium was
short on amenities and
charm, and a Peach Bowl in
the mid-80s remains probably the coldest outdoor
sporting event I have ever
attended.But Id sure be up
for trading and getting that
old stadium back.

At the end of each in a
long series of disappointing
seasons, the Smith organization and now Mr. Blank and
his management team tell
us that next year will be different.Things are about to
change and our Falcons will
soon Rise Up and be flying
high.There is also a small
codicil in the proposed
PSL deals which holds the
personal seat license holder
responsible for paying off
that seat even if our Falcons
should decide at some later
point in time to fly the coup
and relocate... Better get
started on those PSL savings
accounts for the kiddies at
home now. Wait til you see
next year!
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 bill.csicrane@
gmail.com.
F ree P ress
Let Us Know What You Think!
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 300311347; 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.
Publisher: John Hewitt

Chief Financial Officer: Dr. Earl D. Glenn
Managing Editor: Andrew Cauthen
Production Manager: Kemesha Hunt
Photographer: Travis Hudgons
Staff Reporters: Carla Parker, Ashley Oglesby
The Champion Free Press is published each Friday by ACE III
Communications, Inc., 114 New Street, Suite E, Decatur, GA.
30030 Phone (404) 373-7779.
www.championnewspaper.com
DISPLAY ADVERTISING (404) 373-7779 x 110
Statement from the publisher

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.
local
Betty J. Anderson
Betty J. Anderson says one reason she volunteers is because she
doesnt like babysitting.

Im not a good babysitter, said
Anderson, who volunteers at the
Lou Walker Senior Center in Lithonia.
My patience is short because I
had cancer, said the two-time cancer survivor.
At the senior center, Anderson
said, she does all kinds of volunteer
work.
I work the desk, said Anderson, who has lived in DeKalb County since she was 11. Im a receptionist from 2 to 5 [p.m.] four days a
week and from 4 to 5 [p.m.] one day
a week. I stuff letters, do mail outs. I
help in any capacity Im needed in.
For me, its just like having a
job, Anderson said.
I do whatever needs to be done.
If cleaning needs to be done, I help

clean, said the 74-year-old, who
also volunteers as a tour guide.
Not long after the center opened
in 2005, Anderson started volunteering in the cafeteria, serving
food. She learned of the volunteer
opportunity at Big Miller Grove
Missionary Baptist Church, where
she attends.
The Decatur resident called volunteering something to do other
than sitting home every day doing
nothing.
Andersons 47-year work history
includes jobs at Cutler-Hammer
Manufacturing Co. making electric
motor control devices; DeKalb Medical, Sealey Mattress and Georgia
Department of Labor.
Volunteering keeps me busy,
Anderson said. I was used to going

and doing things.
This will give you something to
do, Anderson said about volunteering. Its much better than sitting at
home doing nothing and watching
TV all day. Youve got plenty of time
to watch TV after you leave here. I
have plenty of time[to] do anything else I want to do.
Anderson said volunteering
doesnt stop me from doing anything. I go to Bible study still on
Wednesdays, then come here after I
leave Bible study.
I love it, she said about volunteering. I enjoy helping the people.
I answer a lot of questions around
here. I enjoy doing it. Thats why I
do it.
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.
Snapfinger Continued from page 2A
Several vendors and county agencies set up booths for contractors to visit
during the Snapfinger meeting. Photos by Andrew Cauthen
crack at it because we also realize after

our first go around that there were some
issues that we were made aware of. And
although this extends our time, we have
an opportunity now to address some of
those things.
Were looking for the winner, said
Morris Williams, deputy chief operating
officer for infrastructure. Were looking for the winner with the best price.
Were looking for the winner with the
best team. Were looking for the winner
thats going to be committed to our community.
The Snapfinger project, Williams told
contractors, means jobs to the community, stability to the wastewater system and
to some of yall, some money.
During a question-and-answer session during the forum, Brad Hubbard,
of the DeKalb NAACP urged prime contractors to be responsive and responsible to the DeKalb County citizens by
ensuring [that] the delivery of services
and goods [are] utilizing the demographics of the county.
From the NAACP standpoint, thats
what were going to be looking for, Hubbard said. If I have to go around to the
churches and beg for a dollar here and
there to file a lawsuitthats what Brad
Hubbards going to do.
Hubbard was talking about how
contractors adhere to the countys Local
Small Business Enterprise (LSBE) Ordinance.
LSBE [is a] very important part of
what the county does, said Scott Callan,
the countys chief procurement officer. It
provides a mechanism through which
we can provide the sharing of our contractual [dollars] right here in our back
yard.
For the Snapfinger project, a minimum of 20 percent of the contracts must
go to certified LSBE vendors.
Callan had a warning for prime contractors who are awarded contracts.
Abuse of the LSBE program, misrepresentation in your bid documents or
any other failure to deliver as contracted
simply is unacceptable and will be dealt
with, Callan said. Its a fair warning.
To LSBE contractors, Callan said,
Represent yourselves well and only
agree to do those things that you are
qualified to do. Nothing is worse for a
small and growing company than to hurt
your own reputation.
The taxpayers of DeKalb County
demand excellence and they deserve
excellence. Theyre going to be spending
a lot of money for this project, Callan
said.
DeKalb County Commissioner Stan
Watson told the contractors that everybodys watching how the county handles
this contract.
This is one of the largest projects
weve had in a number of years, Watson
said. Everybody around the country is
watching what we do, including those
who make sure we do the right thing.
The industry is watching and so we want
to make sure we take the time and make
sure everybody does the right thing.
DeKalb County Commissioner Larry
Johnson said, The main thing that were
striving for is that we make sure that
this projectis done in excellence, that
everybody is treated respectfully. The
people that youre working for are the
citizens of DeKalb County and we deserve the best.
local
AroundDeKalb
Avondale
Estates
Museum School to host open
house
The Museum School will host

open house events for the parents
of prospective students Jan. 16 at 9
a.m., and Jan. 24 at 10 a.m. Parents
will meet in the media center for a
comprehensive presentation about
The Museum School, followed by
self-guided school tours. Open
houses provide answers to questions
about the school and the enrollment
process for the 2015-2016 academic
year. The enrollment period is Jan.
30 through Feb. 13. Application
materials will be available at each
open house. The school is located at
923 Forrest Boulevard in Avondale
Estates. For more information, call
the school at 404-298-0320 or visit
www.themuseumschool.org.
Clarkston
DSO presents Peter and the Wolf
The DeKalb Symphony Orchestra
will be presenting its Annual Childrens Concert performing Serge
Prokofievs Peter and the Wolf. The
family-friendly performance is an opportunity for parents and grandparents to introduce their children and
grandchildren to live classical, orchestral music.
This event will take place on Jan.
25 at 3 p.m. in the gymnasium at
Georgia Perimeter College, Clarkston
campus. All tickets will be general
admission and are $5. For more information and to purchase tickets visit,
www.DeKalbSymphony.org, or call
(678) 891-3565. Tickets may also be
purchased at the door.
Decatur
Free paper shredding event set
DeKalb County residents can
have their unwanted documents
shredded at the fifth annual community shredding event on Saturday,
Jan. 24, from 9 a.m. to noon, and
Sunday, Jan. 25, from 1 to 4 p.m.
The event will be at 2800-A
North Druid Hills (across from
Dunkin Donuts at the corner of
North Druid Hills and Lavista
roads) at PalmerHouse Properties
Marshall Berch & Associates Real

Estate office.
If the truck fills up early, the
event will end earlier.
Residents are asked to bring
documents onlyno binders, folders
or clips, etc. The documents will be
shredded and destroyed by the Eco
Shredding truck onsite while residents watch. Residents can bring a
maximum of four boxes per vehicle.
For more information, contact
Joan Kaplan at (404) 281-4106 or
joan@joankaplan.com.
Annual MLK service project needs

volunteers
Decatur Preservation Alliance
(DPA) will hold its 13th annual Decatur Martin Luther King Jr. Service
ProjectJan. 17-19. Volunteers will
assist with home repairs and yard
work for senior residents.
The nonprofit organization celebrated 10 years of preserving Decaturs historic structures and green
spaces in 2010. The first DPA projects were saving Decaturs Historic
Train Depot and rescuing the circa
1870 Fraser building, currently located at the Church Street entrance
to Decatur Cemetery.
Those interested in volunteering
this year should sign up in advance.
Volunteers meet30 minutes beforethe start of each shift at the Solarium at the Community Center of
South Decatur, 321 W. Hill St. Donations of sandwiches and desserts
are also appreciated. All volunteers
must complete a waiver and release
which is available at www.mlkserviceproject.com.
Zumba fitness fundraiser

scheduled
On Jan. 24 from noon to 1:30
p.m., Project S.A.V.E. will host a
Zumba fundraising event to raise
money to supply Georgia schools
with lifesaving equipment. Project
S.A.V.E. educates and implements
automated external defibrillator programs as well as promote CPR education for staff and students. The
event will take place at North
DeKalb Mall, 2050 Lawrenceville
Highway.
Friends School to hold panel on

education integration as a public
good
On Saturday, Jan. 31, The
Friends School of Atlanta (FSA) will
hold its fifth annual Beloved Community Dialogue, featuring an in-
tergenerational panel discussion on

how a fully integrated education is
good for everyone.
To be moderated by Dr. Elizabeth DeBray, professor of education
at the University of Georgia, the
panel will also include Elizabeth
Wilson, mayor emeritus of Decatur
and longtime civil rights activist,
and Maurlia Upchurch, an FSA
alum and current junior at Duke
University, among others.
The conversation will focus on
how an integrated education is ultimately for the good of the individual
as well as the public, based in the
belief that access to and diversity in
education is critical to a thriving society and very much a civil rights issue, especially when our schools are
becoming alarmingly resegregated,
states an announcement about the
event.
The Beloved Community
Dialogue will be held at the FSA
campus at 862 Columbia Drive in
Decatur and is open to the public.
General admission is $10 per ticket.
Premium tickets are $100 each and
include invitation to a reception
with the panelists. The reception for
premium ticket holders begins at 5
p.m., and the panel discussion will
be 6 to 7:30 p.m.
For more information about
the event and purchasing tickets,
visit www.friendsschoolatlanta.org
or contact Nancy Bent, director of
advancement, at (404) 373-8746,
ext. 8135 or nancy.bent@friendsschoolatlanta.org.
Recreation center to hold annual

Seed and Scion Swap
Gardeners of all experience levels
are invited to celebrate National Seed
Swap Day with experts, members
and friends of Decaturs Wylde Center, Saturday, Jan. 24, at the Decatur
Recreation Center, 231 Sycamore
Street.
The free event is from 10:30 a.m.
to 1:30 p.m., and will be held in partnership with the city of Decatur, Park
Pride and Slow Food Atlanta.
Craig LeHoullier, one of the
countrys foremost heirloom tomato
experts and a member of the Seed
Savers Exchange Advisory Board,
will be the events featured speaker.
LeHoullier, a retired chemist, also
will sign and sell copies of his new
book, Epic Tomatoes.
At the event, seeds will be packaged in envelopes with labels listing
the name of the plant, cultivar, date
seeds were purchased or saved, planting instructions, days to maturity,
growth habits, special details and
contact information for the person
Page 7A
who provided the seeds. Those who

have not saved seeds to share are welcome to participate and may choose
to bring purchased seeds to add to
the assortment.
Experts will be on hand to talk
about how to save seeds and how to
graft cuttings. Participants will be
able to choose from heirloom seeds
and scions, seeds from local gardens
and even purchased seeds. Tables
will be set up for tomatoes, summer
vegetables, flowers, herbs, winter
vegetables, bulbs and miscellaneous
seeds and cuttings.
For more information visit go
to www.Facebook.com and search
for Seed and Scion Swap or visit
wyldecenter.org/events/seed-andscion-swap.
Stone
Mountain
Lutheran MLK day of service
scheduled
The public is invited to celebrate
the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday by
participating in Lutheran day of service on Jan. 19 at Rock of Ages Lutheran church, 5135 Memorial Drive,
Stone Mountain. The day of service
begins at 9 a.m. Volunteers will write
pen pal letters for immigrants in
detention, repackage rice into usable
packages that will be given to refugee
families in the Atlanta area and read
to groups of children.
Tucker
Community improvement district
to be discussed
On Jan. 22, join the TuckerNorthlake Community Improvement
District (CID) and Sizemore Group
in a discussion about a master planning study of the Tucker-Northlake
area. The three-month TuckerNorthlake CID study will provide
market based guidance for future
growth of the Tucker-Northlake area
to create mixed use centers that address this communitys needs.
The free community event will
be from 6 to 8 p.m. at Hampton
Inn, 3400 Northlake Parkway NE,
Atlanta.
local
Jewish education program expands

by Ashley Oglesby
The Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta adds more courses for adults.
There are no grades, exams or

homework at the Lisa F. Brill Institute
for Jewish Learning, but it has been
recognized as one of Atlantas largest
Jewish education programs and was the
recipient of the 2014 Florence Melton
Award for Outstanding Achievement.
The Marcus Jewish Community
Center of Atlanta (MJCCA) in Dunwoody has hosted the program for
about 20 years and in the past several
years the courses have been extended to
multiple venues around Atlanta.
Rabbi Brian Glusman, director of
outreach for the MJCCA, said, Our
program keeps growing each year, and
receives more recognition.
Glusman, who instructs several
classes within the program, added,
Our students typically come away
from these classes enriched and engaged, with a new thirst and passion for
learning that leads them to take class
after class.
The winter and spring semesters
feature new courses such as: Israeli
Literature as a Window into Israeli
Society; Uncovering Kabbalah: Secret
Knowledge in Judaism, Spirituality and
Jewish Ideology; Its Good to be King;
and Dramas of Jewish History.
The semesters first classes began Jan. 11, while other classes start
throughout January and February.
Classes are offered at the MJCCAs Zaban Park campus in Dunwoody as well
as other locations in metro Atlanta, including Emory University.
Daytime and evening options are
available and classes are open to the

community.
Dr. Shelley Buxbaum, director
of the Lisa F. Brill Institute for Jewish
Learning and the MJCCAs Florence
Melton Adult School of Jewish Learning, said, We have such an incredible
line-up of classes this semester, and we
are lucky to partner with such gifted
teachers and presenters, she said.
Our classes are really for people of
all ages and denominations. Adults of
any faith, who are interested in world
religion and how it shaped the past
and influences our lives today, will find
classes of interest.
We are constantly updating and
responding to the needs of our students
and looking ahead to where were going. Adult education is all about relevance and I try to come up with courses
that are relevant to their lives and thats
why this has been so successful, Buxbaum said.
Partnerships with such institutions
as Emory University, which hosts classes through its Osher Lifelong Learning
Institute, and Oglethorpe University,
which has hosted classes in the past,
enhance the program and open it up
to a more diverse audience, according
to Buxbaum, who added that this semester marks the return of one of the
programs most beloved instructors,
Rabbi Analia Bortz, who is leading two
classes. With an engaging personality and lively instruction, Rabbi Bortz
brings a unique voice and perspective
to learning, which has made her classes
some of our most popular, she said.
Adult education students study for group discussion.
Residents get help navigating healthcare choices

by Andrew Cauthen
On Jan. 8, Marilyn
Johnson of Clarkston went
to the library to do some
work on a computer and left
with health insurance.
While at the Clarkston
Library, Johnson talked to a
certified healthcare navigator with Georgia Watch, a
nonprofit consumer advocacy organization that is a
subcontractor providing
assistance with obtaining
affordable healthcare to
residents in DeKalb, Clayton
and Cobb counties.
I was curious about the
healthcare information because I had been informed
by someone from another
company and they had a
very large premium, Johnson said. Im a naturopathic
doctor. Im a health educa-
tor, so Im very interested in

not having to participate in
high insurance premiums.
Johnson said the healthcare navigators were very
kind and took their time
and with my low income,
they walked me through and
I found out I could get an
insurance premium that was
very inexpensive.
I was very happy about
that, Johnson said. Plus I
was able to get dental insurance as well. They took the
time and they were concerned to be able to help me
to achieve that goal.
Healthcare navigators
are tasked with helping
those interested in obtaining healthcare through the
Federal Healthcare Market,
which was initiated by President Barack Obama. The
Affordable Care Act requires
most people to maintain
health insurance.
Johnson said she has not
had health insurance in a
couple of years because of
the exorbitant expense.
Im an adjunct faculty
member at the Art Institute and they dont supply
[health insurance], Johnson
said. They stopped supplying that a few years back
because they felt you would
go through the healthcare
marketplace.
Had I had a preexisting condition or some other
problem, I would have really
been up the creek because in
addition to [my employer]
not providing any kind of
option for healthcare, they
also cut our hours, she said.
So healthcare gets on the
back burner.
Before talking with a
healthcare navigator at the
library, Johnson said she had
not tried to get healthcare

through the Affordable Care
Act.
I just felt I just had to
live without it, Johnson
said. Im a naturalist, so
whenever I have a problem,
I know what to do about it,
but its just nice to have it in
case theres a major emergency.
Prayan Rana, a licensed
healthcare navigator with
Georgia Watch, said navigators screen [applicants]
based on their family size
and their income and their
age. If they fulfill the age
and income criteria, they
may be eligible for affordable care where they get
subsidies.
The subsidies come in
the form of a premium tax
credit and a cost-sharing reduction, Rana said.
For those whose house-
hold incomes are too low,

Rana said, they still can
complete the application
and at the end theyll get an
eligibility notice saying that
they do not qualify for subsidies based on their income
but they are exempt from
penalties.
These applicants will
receive a penalty exemption
code which they can use
when they file taxes.
Johnson had a message
for others without medical
insurance.
At least fill out the application,because it really
opens your eyes to whats
available. People should really check it out, Johnson
said.
Georgia Watch representatives are scheduled to
be at Clarkston Library each
Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5
p.m., through Feb. 15.
local
Page 9A
DeKalb residents make magazines most influential Georgians list

by Andrew Cauthen
Strategic Planning Committee.

Chris Carr, a commissioner for the Georgia Department of Economic Development, of
When DeKalb County school Superintendent
Dunwoody. Carr plays a vital role in the develMichael Thurmond took the helm of the counopment and continued growth of the states busitys school district, he inherited a mess.
nesses, international trade and tourism, and arts,
He stabilized the troubled district, built a
film and music industries, according to Georgia
$30 million surplus, improved student achieveTrend.
ment and increased graduation rates, states an
John T. Fox, president and CEO of Emory
article in Georgia Trend Magazine, which has
Johnson
Williams
Thurmond Healthcare. Georgia Trend cites how, under
named Thurmond to its annual list of 100 Most
Foxs leadership, Emory Healthcare stepped
Influential Georgians. Along the way, he has eninto the national spotlight when it became the
hanced his reputation as a leader and public edufirst U.S. hospital to successfully treat patients
Others representing DeKalb on the list incation advocate.
with Ebola.
clude:
Thurmond, the only local public school
Donna W. Hyland, president and CEO of
State Rep. Stacey Abrams. She is the first
superintendent to be recognized, said, This is
Childrens
Healthcare of Atlanta, was recognized
African-American minority leader and the first
further evidence that the DeKalb County School
for
managing
one of the nations largest and best
woman to lead either party in the Georgia legDistrict has made significant progress in address- islature. In 2014, she launched the New Georgia
pediatric healthcare systems.
ing critical issues facing Georgia public education Project to drive voter registration among minoriJames W. Wagner, president of Emory Unifrom fiscal management, academic growth and
versity.
In addition to serving on several boards,
ties, adding more than 85,000 names to Georgias
achievement, school safety, diversity and poverty. voter rolls in time for Election Day, Georgia
Wagner continues to advocate for the value of
Fourth District Congressman Henry Hank Trend states.
a liberal arts education, while working to build
Johnson of Lithonia also is on the Georgia Trend
strong collaborations in the community and
Robert Brown, president and CEO of RL
list.
with Georgia Tech, according to Georgia Trend.
Brown & Associates, of Decatur. Georgia Trend
The magazine notes that Johnson, who serves states that Brown and his facilities design firm
Georgia Trend also has a list of most notable
on the House armed services and judiciary com- have left their mark all over Georgia and the
Georgians. Representing DeKalb County on
mittees, has supported legislation to address
Southeast, including the Ray Charles Performing that list are Dr. Tom Frieden, director, Centers
post-traumatic stress disorder and soldier suifor Disease Control and Prevention; Amy GlenArts Center at Morehouse and the Birmingham
cides and maintain veteran education benefits.
non, publisher, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution,
Civil Rights Institute. The magazine describes
Im humbled to be mentioned in the same
of Dunwoody; Mark Rosenberg president and
Brown as a proponent of civic leadership who
breath as my fellow awardees, Johnson said.
CEO, The Task Force for Global Health, Decatur;
serves on several boards, including the Metro
Serving the people of the Fourth District is a
and Yvonne D. Williams, president, Perimeter
Atlanta and Georgia chambers, and serves as
singular honor. As long as Im in office, I will give chairman of the Georgia Department of TransCommunity Improvement Districts.
citizens of the Fourth everything Ive got.
portations Statewide Transportation Planning/
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local
Janice Pettigrew, cofounder of Fresh Start For Women, teaches women

how to live successfully, free from domestic violence, sexual assault
and abuse.
Fresh Start For Women also provides services for girls ages 13-17 through its You Are A Precious Jewel
program. Photos provided
Domestic violence victims get Fresh Start

by Carla Parker
carla@dekalbchamp.com
In 2004, Janice Pettigrew wanted to do more
than just get up, go to work
and then go home.
She wanted to make a
difference in peoples lives,
especially women who have
experienced domestic abuse.
She and her husband, Oscar Pettigrew Jr., founded
Fresh Start For Women. The
organization helps guide
women to live successfully,
free from domestic violence,
sexual assault and abuse.
She made that her focus
because of her own experience with domestic abuse
and rape.
I was gang raped when
I was 13 years old and never
told a soul about what happened to me until I was
getting ready to start Fresh
Start For Women, she said.
My parents never knew,
and it was such a huge secret that when I knew I got
ready to share it with other
people I was going to have
to tell my mom.
I had also been in two
very abusive marriages,
and eventually after going
through the process of healing, and even understanding my role in the choices
I made, I decided I wanted
to do something more than
just going to work and coming home, she added.
Fresh Start For Women,
which celebrated its 10th
anniversary in September,
has helped more than 378
women and almost 80 teenage girls. The organization
provides counseling, workshops, seminars and career
assessment training.
When they first started,
Pettigrew said they did a
lot of word of mouth stuff
to let people know of Fresh

Start.
I definitely stay in the
faith community a lot, especially when I first started,
she said. Now, its trying
to make a difference where
the faith community is getting involved with that type
of issue. I ran across a lot of
women who were in church,
but that [need] was not answered. So, we became that
answer for them. Throughout the year, we conduct
several workshops, seminars, retreats and individual
and group counseling.
Fresh Start For Women
also provides services for
girls ages 13-17 through its
You Are A Precious Jewel
program. The program
helps them use the arts as a
way to express themselves.
Pettigrew said the program
went from a half-day workshop to a 12-week program
based off the situations the
girls were going through.
We want to try to
teach them how to be good
leaders and how not to get
caught up in that particular
cycle because it starts early
now, she said.
The organization does
not have a physical location,
but goes to women who are
in need. Pettigrew said she
has been all over Georgia
and has traveled to South
Carolina, Florida, Alabama
and Tennessee.
We take our program
wherever its needed, she
said. Im even getting calls
now to go further out, like
to Arizona and Michigan.
The need is there; its just
being able to answer that
call.
Fresh Start also has connections with local shelters
that can place women if
needed. She said the orga-
nization is all about helping

victims get back on their
feet.
I have connections
with a couple of people that
help us with getting clothing that they need for going
on proper interviews I have
a young lady who has been
volunteering with me for a
while now that helps them
with doing their resume
properly, she said
Fresh Start is an all-volunteer organization.
Nobody gets a paycheck, she said. Everything
that we do, any funds that
come inexcept for the
administration cost, everything else goes into us putting into our programs.
Pettigrew is office manager at Newfield in midtown
Atlanta. She said her employer has been supportive
of Fresh Start.
They are so supportive
of everything that I do, she
said. Anything that Im doingif they can help in any
way, volunteering or donating money, they do it. I feel
really blessed to have a job
that does that.
Pettigrew said she hopes
to find a location to host
meetings, workshops and
more. Fresh Starts main
goal is to find a transitional
facility that will provide
housing while helping women get back on their feet.
We want to be able to
offer the educational part
of things to train them so
that they can get better skills
and also training them on
how to make better choices
about their livesnot just
for themselves but for those
that have children as well,
she said. Our ideal situation is one in which women
are able to give back to other
women that come through
the program. We want to be

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local news
Page 11A
NAACP leader comments on civil rights progress

by Kathy Mitchell
The National Association for the Advancement of
Colored People (NAACP)
was only 20 years old when
Martin Luther King Jr. was
born on Jan. 15, 1929. The
venerable civil rights organization was started, according to its website, to secure
for all people the rights
guaranteed in the 13th, 14th,
and 15th Amendments to
the United States Constitution.
Those rights, which include equal protection of the
law as well as voting rights
without regard to race,
creed, color or previous
condition of servitude, are
also ones that King, before
his death in 1968, worked to
secure.
As Martin Luther King
Jr. Day Jan. 19 this year
approaches, John Evans,
current president of the
DeKalb branch of NAACP,
commented that many of
the issues that King battled
remain today.
In thinking of the progress Black Americans have
made, he said, We cant
just think in terms of what
Oprah [Winfrey] and
Whoopee [Goldberg] have
accomplished, we have to
think in terms of the masses.
In that regard, we still have
a long way to go. Electing
a Black president of the
United States is something
people can stick their chests
John Evans
out about, but it didnt mark

the end of Americas racial
strife.
Evans underscored economic empowerment as
an issue still needing attention. King once said, Let
us be dissatisfied until the
tragic walls that separate
the outer city of wealth and
comfort from the inner city
of poverty and despair shall
be crushed by the battering
rams of justice.
Weve made some economic progress, but its not
enough, Evans said. You
can put 50 cents worth of
fuel in an 18 wheeler and
it might start it up, but its
not going to go anywhere.
Our young people need the
training and inspiration to
be leaders in business and
industryto start their own

companies and have people
work for them instead of
them working for someone
else.
Evans said one of the
most important achievements in America since
Kings day was assuring all
adult Americans the right to
vote. Now, Evans added,
people have to use that
right and use it thoughtfully.
People have to register to
vote and pay careful attention to who theyre voting
for and what theyre voting
for.
Political power doesnt
just come with winning an
electionthats just participation, but its not necessarily power. You dont have
power until you figure out
where you want to go and
have a strategy for getting
there.
Evans said he feels many
of the problems in Ferguson,
Mo., and other communities struggling with racial
tension can be addressed at
the ballot box. People there
have the numbers to create
the kind of community they
want. They need organization. They need training.
They need voter registration.
Evans comments also
parallel a statement King
made in a sermon delivered
in Detroit in 1954. If we are
to go forward today, King
said, weve got to go back
and rediscover some mighty
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precious values that weve

left behind.
In some ways, weve
gone backwards, Evans
said, adding that families in
which parents spend time
talking with children about
moral values and the importance of education are
almost extinct.
I understand the pressures of earning a living
and the difficulty of getting children to understand
that they dont need every
new phone and gadget that
comes along, but the home
is where values start, said
Evans, who noted that he is
involved in the rearing of his
grandchildren.
Im fortunate to be able
to go to their schools when
Im needed. I understand
that not every parent can
take off from work every
time the school calls, he
said. The communitythe
churches, especiallyhave
to care about our young
people and help instill the
values they need to keep
moving us forward.
Dr. King laid the foundation and Im optimistic
that were going to make it.
Were going to solve our social problems, but we have
to stay concerned and stay
active to make it happen,
Evans said.
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local news
Page 12A
Little house in Lithonia receives laurels

by Andrew Cauthen
A historic Lithonia house has been
receiving accolades after being restored in
2013.
One of DeKalb Countys oldest houses,
the Housworth-Moseley farmhouse was
built around 1843 by the Housworth family which moved into the area in the 1820s
and owned the house for more than 160
years.
Keith Crosby and Scott Pluckhahn
heard about the house in 2010 and in 2012
purchased it through the Georgia Trust for
Historic Preservations Endangered Properties Revolving Fund program.
The house won the 2014 Chairmans
Award for Historic Preservation from the
Georgia Trust. It was also featured in This
Old House magazine in October as one of
the best before and after renovations of
the year.
The home two bedrooms, one bathroom, kitchen, dining room, living room
and family room. It also has two fireplaces
made of local stone, original hardwood
floors, wooden walls and ceilings.
Pluckhahn, a landscape architect, and
Crosby, a management consultant, have
made the home their permanent residence
and now call the seven-acre farm Shared
Plough.
The gentlemen farmers have a
1,000-square-foot vegetable garden and
are raising chickens for eggs. They intend
to build a barn and raise sheep for wool
and donkeys to protect the sheep. The pair
have also dabbled with pickling and canning and has planted apple trees.
On the property are several outbuildings dating from the mid-19th to early
20th centurya corn crib, grain shed,
smokehouse, sorghum evaporator and
livestock pen. A small creek runs at the
back of the property.
We did as little structural work as
we could, Pluckhahn said. We put all
new systems innew electrical, new airconditioning and heating, new plumbing,
insulation in the floors and ceiling. We
replaced about half the siding. We painted
the house. We restored the windowswe
had to replace about 14 of them to make
them match the one original we had.
The houses two chimneys are now
functional and the house was given a cedar shingle roof.
A new fence was installed for the owners dogs.
Pluckhahn and Crosby hired contractors to do most of the work but did a lot
of the landscaping themselves. It took approximately eight months to renovate the
1,400-square-feet house.
We didnt really have to change much
on the inside, Pluckhahn said. We tried
to just clean the existing woodwork. Keith
and I cleaned it ourselves.
The kitchen has probably changed the
mostand the bathroom. We had to make
it livable, Pluckhahn said.
Everything is pretty much like it was,
just a little cleaner, Pluckhahn said.
Scott Pluckhahn and Keith Crosby have been recognized for the renovations they did to an 1843 house in Lithonia. Photos by
Andrew Cauthen
In
WEEK
local
Page 13A
Pictures
DeKalb County workers responded to a water main break Jan. 7 on Candler Road. Photos by Andrew
Cauthen
Photos brought to you by DCTV
State
of the county
2015
January 22
Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Program starts at 7:00 p.m.
Maloof Auditorium
1300 Commerce Drive
Decatur, GA 30030
Interim CEO Lee May will present to

citizens, businesses, and other community
stakeholders a review of 2014 and his
outlook for 2015 during the State of the
County Address. The public is cordially
invited to attend.
Live broadcast provided by:
on Comcast Channel 23.

Live Stream available at:
www.DCTVChannel23.tv
local news
Page 14A
Two DeKalb commissioners vie for boards top job

by Andrew Cauthen
Because there were not
enough votes to decide on
a new presiding officer for
the DeKalb County Board of
Commissioners on Jan. 13,
Commissioner Larry Johnson remains in that role for
now.
Late last year, Commissioner Jeff Rader announced
his candidacy for the presiding officers position, which
is decided by the Board of
Commissioners (BOC).
Rader, the most senior
member of the board who
has not served in the boards
top position, told his fellow
commissioners that he has
been thinking a lot about
how to improve the operations of the commission to
make each of us more effective in our roles as policymakers.
I believe that leadership
in this important position
is critical to restoring the
BOCs capacity to serve the
public and provide for the
transparency needed to begin to restore trust in DeKalb
County government, Rader
said during the boards regular meeting Jan. 13.
Rader said the boards
staff has been decimated as
personnel have moved into
the administration, and he
would place a top priority on reinforcing our loyal
remaining staff with new
highly qualified professionals who will reestablish the
BOCs capacity to conduct
analysis and advance policy.
Rader also said he would
change slightly the committee structure and appointments on the committees.
The most immediate responsibility of the presiding
CityofChamblee
OccupationalTax
PublicHearing
TheMayorandCityCouncil
oftheCityofChambleewill
holdapublichearingatthe
ChambleeCivicCenter,3540
BroadStreet,Chamblee,GA
30341onTuesday,January21,
2015,at7:30pm.Thepurpose
ofthepublichearingwillbeto
invitecommentonthe
proposedamendmentstothe
occupationaltaxordinance
andbusinessprofitability
classifications.
officer is to appoint committees to handle BOCs business over the year, he said.
Our committees constitute
an important division of
responsibility and the BOC
has to rely on each members
expertise and interests in vetting legislation for action.
The establishment of an
independent audit committee would be a top priority
for Rader, he said.
This committee is the
only BOC committee that
is required by our Organizational Act, Rader said. I
would propose that the committee stand alone in recognition of that mandate and to
focus its efforts on two areas
of activity: the annual audit
and the office of the internal
auditor.
Im hoping that by setting up this independent
audit committee we can
finally move to appoint an
internal auditor that we have
developed code for in 2010,
Rader said. Over the past
five years now we have been
unable to even bring a candidate forward.
Rader said, Its time to
renew our capabilities to
serve the public interest.
Although he was not

nominated for the presiding
officers position during the
meeting, Commissioner Larry Johnson touted his work
in that position.
What Ive done is try
to be collaborative in my
leadership approach, said
Johnson, adding that he once
appointed Rader chairman of
the audit committee. When
I made him chair of the audit
committee that was an opportunity tomove forward
and talk about internal auditors.
If you look at who was
the presiding officer before
I became one,you had a
chance to talk about internal
auditorsway back in 2007
and 2008, Johnson said. It
wasnt popular back then because it wasnt politically in
the news then.
Johnson said he changed
the time when residents
could speak in board meetings.
We did not have public
comments at the beginning
of the meeting, Johnson
said. Now citizens can come
at the beginning of the meeting.
Johnson said, Its impor-
tant as we move forward

to have a board thats strong,
thats united, thats making
things happen.
As the presiding officer
its not our jobto push for
their own legislative priorities. Its up to the individual
commissioners to ensure that
that priority is the priority of
the whole board, Johnson
said.
Larry Johnson has not
been a person who didnt
want to be collaborative, he
said.
Although the boards
rules require commissioners
to vote on a new presiding
officer during the first meeting of the year, the vote was
not on the agenda. It was
added after a successful motion by newly elected Commissioner Nancy Jester.
In his comments, Johnson tied the vote for the presiding officer to the boards
inability to break a deadlock

in filling the District 5 seat
vacated when Lee May became the interim county
CEO.
In order for us to move
forward its important for us
to have a District 5 commissioner on board to vote for
an important position as presiding officer and also as we
look at the budget, Johnson
said.
Thats my reason for us
wanting to wait and make
sure we can have a District 5
commissioner, he said. This
is a democracy and taxation
without representation is
wrong.
Commissioner Kathie
Gannon said, I was wondering what we were going
to do today to stall this election and so now its out there:
were going to wait for a District 5 representative.
OBITUARY NOTICE:
EllisBarneyFreeman
State
of the county
2015
January 22
Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Program starts at 7:00 p.m.
Maloof Auditorium
1300 Commerce Drive
Decatur, GA 30030
Interim CEO Lee May will

present to citizens, businesses,
and other community
stakeholders a review of 2014
and his outlook for 2015 during
the State of the County Address.
The public is cordially invited to
attend.
EllisBarneyFreemanwasbornonJuly23,1911toRichardFreeman
andAlmaBrownFreemaninSpringfield,Missouri.EllisgrewupinSt.
Joseph,MOwherehegraduatedfromBartlettHighSchool.He
attendedMorehouseCollegeinAtlanta,butwasunabletofinishdue
tohardshipbroughtonbytheDepressionof1929.Uponreturningto
Missouri,Ellismarriedhisbeautifulwife,MaxineMcGeeFreemanon
December19,1935.
Ellisperseveredandworkedvariousjobsuntilhesecuredaposition
withtheUSPostalService.Heovercamenumerousracialobstacles
andbecameoneofthefirstAfricanAmericansappointedtothe
positionofCivilServiceExaminer.
Elliswasalwaysinvolvedinlocalcommunityactivities.InSt.Joseph,
hetaughtSundayschoolforover30yearsatTrinityBaptistChurch,
servedasvolunteerChairmanoftheYoungMensChristian
AssociationBranchBoardofDirectors,leadingcommunityyouth
programs.HewasanactivememberofthelocalNAACPandwasa
memberofseveralsocialclubs.Afterretirement,heearnedlicenses
tosellrealestateandpropertyinsurance.Healsobecamealicensed
taxpreparerandprovidedfreetaxservicestoseniors.
In1989,EllisandMaxinerelocatedtoStoneMountain,Georgia
whereEllisdedicatedanother15yearstoteachingSundayschoolat
WhiteOaksHillBaptistChurch.Eveninhis90sElliscontinued
receivingaccolades.HewashonoredatMorehouseColleges2008
SummerCommencementand2013SpringCommencement
ceremoniesastheoldestlivingmemberoftheclassof1933andwas
honorablyinductedintotheMorehouseCollegeAlumniSociety.
Asadynamicpair,EllisandhiswifeMaxinearealsobreakingrecords
withtheireverlastinglove.In2005,thecouplereceivedrecognition
fromtheDeKalbCountyCEOforreaching70yearsofmarriageandin
December2014celebrated79yearsofblissfulmarriage.
EllisFreemanpassedawayattheageof103onTuesday,January
6th,2015duetocomplicationsfromtheflu.Thankfully,hisfinaldays
werespentpeacefullyresting.Ellisissurvivedbyhis96yearoldwife
Maxine,hischildrenGregoryandRebecca,grandchildrenScott
andJasmine,andgreatgrandchildrenMarcusandNia.
Ifyouaremovedtosendcondolences,pleaseaddressthemtothe
followingaddressoremailJasmineLangevineat
jasmine_adams07@yahoo.com
MaxineFreeman
NorthlakeGardens(SeniorLivingFacility)
1300MontrealRoad,Room100, Tucker,GA30084
First responders brave freezing temperatures for a drill. Photos by

Andrew Cauthen
Rescue Continued From Page 1A

There is where all of the
emergency support functions come, Medlin said.
Thatll be someone from
fire, police, DEMA, water.
Were supporting them here
with whatever they need.
Temporary shelters in
recreation centers and hotels
also could be provided, he
told residents.
During the drill, Medlin
encouraged residents to
sign up for Code Red, a notification system that alerts
residents about emergency
situations in their area.
The system sends phone
calls, text messages and
emails to registrants.
It takes you all of two
minutes to sign up. You put
the phone numbers and
emails that you want to be
alerted on, so when we do
a reverse 911 you get [the
message], Medlin said. It
doesnt call yall a dime. You
can pick what you want to
be alerted for. It could be
a winter storm warnings.
It could be evacuations. It
could be active shooters. It
could be any type of those
major disasters.
Medlin said he could
polygon the message so
that it only goes out to the
affected areas, but if youre

not opted in, youre not going to get that call.
After the drill, responders analyzed their response
during a time for assessment
and debriefing.
In an email, DeKalb
County Commissioner Jeff
Rader said the drill was
scheduled in response to
consistent and continued
pressure from residents.
During the construction
of the new AGL high pressure transmission pipeline,
there was massive confusion
resulting from the rupture of
a very small existing gas line
by the construction crew,
he wrote. Area residents
were given contradictory
instructions about evacuation. Police and first responders were not properly
and immediately notified.
Even AGL employees and
the Georgia Public Service
Commission were not up to
speed on precautions and
actions necessary for such
an event.
Chamblee resident Cheryl Huvard, said she attended
the drill because the blast
radius for this facility is 500
feet and I live 150 feet from
it.
local news
Page 15A
local
2.
PUBLIC NOTICE
HUD Submission for 2015 Funding Annual Action Plan
Preliminary Budget and Plan
3.
PROPOSED UPDATE TO DEKALB COUNTYS 2014-2018

CONSOLIDATED PLAN, INCLUDING THE YEAR 2015
ANNUAL ACTION PLAN FOR THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT, HOME INVESTMENT
PARTNERSHIP AND EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS GRANTS
PROGRAMS
The DeKalb County Community Development Department is preparing its update of the 2014-2018 Consolidated Plan, which has
been extended to include the Year 2015 Annual Action Plan for
the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG), the
Home Investment Partnership Act (HOME), and the Emergency Solutions Grants Program (ESGP).
4.
5.
Projected CDBG Program Income
6.
2015 HOME Program Allocation
$ 1,748,808
Projected HOME Program Income
235,184
2015 Emergency Solutions Grant Program

Allocation (ESGP)
382,895
TOTAL
$ 7,121,277
PROGRAM POLICY for PROGRAM INCOME

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Twenty percent of CDBG Program Income will be used for

Planning and Administration. Up to 15% may be used for Public Services activities as outlined in the budget. The remaining
balance will be used for other eligible activities.
Ten percent of the HOME Program Income will be used for
Planning and Administration.
CDBG regulations require program income to be used before
Treasury funds are expended. Program income will be used
for any approved eligible activity as outlined in the 2014-2018
Consolidated Plan.
If more program income revenue is received than anticipated
for any activity, the additional funds will be appropriated to
activities indicated in this policy.
The DeKalb Enterprise Business Corporation (DEBCO) manages the Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund, and
may retain the program income for approved loans programs
for small businesses in DeKalb or return the funds to the County. The County must approve the loan fund programs that utilize County funds and Program income generated from repayment of loans that were made with County funds.
Program income funds generated from the Housing Rehab Revolving Loan Fund will be returned to the revolving loan fund
to be used for additional loans to eligible borrowers or other
eligible programs and activities as approved by the Community Development Director. Program income funds may also
be withdrawn and returned to the County for any other eligible
activities.
If we receive any recaptured HOME funds, they will be deposited into the Local HOME Trust Account and used for additional HOME eligible activities.
Program Income receipts may vary widely from amounts projected due to any number of unanticipated factors. Regardless
of the amount received, the Consolidated Plan will not need to
be amended unless the funds are used for activities not outlined
in the 2014-2018 Consolidated Plan or other approved eligible
activities.
YEAR 2015 CDBG PROPOSED ACTIVITIES

Below are preliminary recommendations. Please review the complete proposed recommendations to the 2014-2018 Consolidated
Plan, which has been extended to include the Year 2015 Annual Action Plan for details about the activities.
1.
PUBLIC FACILITIES IMPROVEMENTS ($1,051,000)

A. Fire Station #3 Under Construction ($300,000)
(See additional CDBG recommendation K)
B. Construction of a new Fire Station #7 Phase 1 Possible Acquisition, A&E - ($100,000)
C. Revitalization of Flowers Park in the City of
Doraville - ($331,000)
D. City of Stone Mountain Matching Funds for
Streetscape Improvements - ($100,000)
YEAR 2015 PROPOSED HOME ACTIVITIES

HOME Investment Partnerships Program ($1,748,808)
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ($1,125,455)
PUBLIC SERVICES $693,796

(15% Cap)
$ 4,625,313
129,077
LOAN/BOND REPAYMENT ($800,000)
A. Economic Development/Transit Oriented Development Initiatives Kensington LCI Development,

I-20 East Transit Initiative , Memorial Drive Redevelopment/Economic Development Initiative ($300,000)
B. City of Chamblee Small Business Incubator Initiative ($125,000)
C. Economic Development Brownfield Loan FundsDeKalb Development Authority - ($500,000)
D. Revolving Loan Fund for Small Business Initiative DeKalb Enterprise Business Corporation
($100,000)
E. DeKalb County Small Business Incubator Initiative
($100,455)
Anticipated Year 2015 Grant Awards and

Program Income:
2015 Community Development Block
Grant Allocation (CDBG)
mentation services.
A. HUD Section 108 Loan Repayment Estimated

annual repayment amount ($800,000) (See
additional CDBG recommendation G.)
Public Comments Invited
Written public comments will be received from

January 15, 2015 through February 13, 2015 and should be submitted to the DeKalb County Community Development Department, 330 W. Ponce de Leon Avenue, 6th Floor, Decatur, Georgia
30030.
E. Oakhurst Medical (See additional CDBG recommendation N) - ($220,000)
7.
8.
Africas Childrens Fund, Inc. ($21,916)

Provides case management, (including assessment and referral) to assist homeless and underserved households in DeKalb
County, as well as housing and supportive services that enable
those households to become self sufficient and avoid incidents
of homelessness.
Atlanta Legal Aid Society, Inc. ($40,000)
Prevention of predatory lending, consumer education, fraudulent mortgages and mortgage scams public awareness.
Atlanta Urban League, Inc. ($21,916)
Provide housing counseling and foreclosure prevention counselor.
Center for Pan Asian Community Services. ($21,916)
Home Education and Loss Prevention (HELP) program
that will help homeowners by providing foreclosure prevention
counseling to them.
Drug Court Transitional Housing ($54,116)
Provides housing assistance to participants in a judicially supervised drug treatment and alternative sentencing program.
9.
First Step Staffing, Inc. ($20,000)

The agency offers homeless persons assistance in getting access to SSI benefits and securing employment, along with supportive services such as uniforms, tools, transportation, and
counseling.
10. Furniture Bank of Metro Atlanta, Inc. ($15,500)
Provides free household furniture to people in need within
DeKalb County. The majority of clients impacted will be moving out of homelessness, are living with HIV/AIDS, or fleeing
domestic violence.
11. Jerusalem House, Inc. ($30,000)
Transitional housing and services for persons with HIV/AIDS.
12. Latin American Association, Inc. ($22,000)
Employment counseling and support services primarily for
Hispanic persons who are homeless or at risk.
13. Metro Fair Housing Services Inc. ($40,605)
Provides legal advice and referrals for housing
discrimination complaints.
14. Nicholas House, Inc. ($23,551)
Provides legal advice and referrals for housing discrimination
complainants.
15. Our House, Inc. ($74,119)
Daycare services for children of homeless families.
16. Refugee Family Services, Inc. ($21,916)
Financial literacy counseling and education for refugees
17. Scottdale Child Development and Family Resource Center, Inc. of Central DeKalb ($21,916)
Affordable childcare and family resource center.
18. The Sheltering Arms, Inc. ($21,916)
Affordable childcare and family resource center.
19. Homeless Access Point ($24,938)
Provides case management services for homeless individuals.
20. DeKalb Office of Senior Affairs ($35,000)
The DeKalb County Office of Senior Affairs will provide support
for the Golden Shuttle which serves as an alternate transportation option for seniors.
21. Youth Voucher Set-aside Program ($100,000)
Assistance for youth participating in recreational activities.
22. Crime Prevention Initiatives (Neighborhood)
($42,471)
23. Implementation of DSNI (Individual Clusters) ($40,000)
HOUSING ACTIVITIES
24. Tuscany Village Housing Services ($30,000)

CDBG funds not to exceed $30,000 per year (totaling
$300,000 for years 2009-2018 toward housing services).
PLANNING AND PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION

(20% CAP)
25. Community Development Administration ($925,062) General oversight, planning management, monitoring and Imple-
26. HOME Program Administration (10%) Set-aside ($174,880)

Funds to be used for direct administration and project implementation costs associated with the HOME program.
27. HOME/CHDO Projects (15%) Set-Aside ($263,321)
Funds will be provided to eligible organizations for cost associated with the development, sponsorship, or
ownership of affordable housing.
28. HOME CHDO Operating (5%) Set-Aside ($87,440) Funds
will be used to provide general operating assistance to CHDOs
that are receiving set-aside funds for an activity or activities.
32. HOME Eligible Projects ($1,223,167)
These are undesignated funds. The proposed activities being
considered are: Single-family owner-occupied rehab, Singlefamily homeownership new construction, Singlefamily rehab
(Rental), Multi-family (Rental), Single-family Homeownership (Down payment Assistance) Acquisition (including assistance to homebuyers), Tenant-based Rental Assistance, and
any other housing development activities considered eligible
under HOME Program regulations. Housing Initiative to leverage Neighborhood Stabilization Program Fund.
YEAR 2015 ESGP PROPOSED CATEGORIES OF
FUNDING ($382,895)
28. Emergency Shelter + Street Outreach - 60% Cap ($138,000)
29. Administrative Costs 7.5% Cap ($28,714)
NOTES SECTION
ADDITIONAL CDBG RECOMMENDATIONS
A. These projects are a part of the 2014-2018 Consolidated Plan.
If funds are available, these projects listed below will move
forward in accordance with the Countys priorities.

The Art Station Facility Replacement of the existing roof

on a County owned facility - $273,000
C
larkston Community Center, Inc Assist in the
completion of the renovation of the existing facility,
leveraging other funds $628,060. Consideration of
funding for the Clarkston Community Center facility
expansion is contingent upon the agencys leveraging of
$628,060 through private foundation contributions and/or
fundraising efforts. Based on the current funding level, we
do not anticipate any HUD funding for this project in the
immediate future.
R
enovation of DeKalb Atlanta Human Services Center
renovation of building to replace the elevator and create a
conference and learning center - $50,000 contingent upon
funding availability.
D
eKalb Atlanta Senior Center Parking expansion;
contingent upon funding availability.
The Salvation Army Improvements to an existing facility
located on Sherrydale Lane, Decatur, GA - $87,000.
Bruce Street Senior Center Assess needs for new center.
B. The Community Development Department Director may approve interchanging the use of HOME and CDBG funds, and
ESG and CDBG funds, for projects as long as all program eligibility standards are met.
C. Any additional funding received may be used to assist with further implementation of the strategies outlined in the Quality of
Life Plans (developed by the four clusters participating in the
DeKalb Sustainable Neighborhoods Initiative) and/or actions
that will focus on the five elements (Literacy, Job Readiness,
Housing, Transportation or other Social Services) as defined in
the PHLOTES report. Both initiatives will provide benefit to
low and moderate income families in these areas.
D. CDBG funds will be used for any approved eligible activity as
outlined in the 2014-2018 Consolidated Plan. Because CDBG
regulations require program income to be used before Treasury
funds are expended, flexibility is needed in order to comply
with the regulations.
E. The DeKalb County Community Development Department is
authorized to reallocate funding of prior year projects that are
no longer feasible or needed. Reallocating previously funded
projects will allow for other approved projects to utilize prior
year or current year funds. Through the reallocation process,
the Community Development Department is allowed to utilize/
reallocate funds immediately to ensure compliance with HUD
guidelines and regulations.
F. The DeKalb Performing Arts and Community Center was financed with bonds issued by The DeKalb Development Authority and other approved sources, including CDBG funds.
The primary resource for the repayment is the designated rental car tax revenue. CDBG and other County resources will be
utilized as backup resources if the rental car tax revenue is not
sufficient to pay the debt. There is no funding gap anticipated
for the 2015 payment. If there is a need, the CDBG funds will
be used to pay for a portion of the remaining balance of the
bond repayment up to the allowed maximum. The 2015 CDBG
funding gap is estimated to be approximately $200,000 pending the total generated by rental car tax revenues, subject to the
total rental car taxes received. Funds needed may also come
from the Public Facilities Improvements/Economic Development/Housing set-asides. The Community Development Di-
See DCD on page 17A
local
Page 17A
DCD continued from page 16A

rector will identify sources from eligible categories and transfer funds to the Finance Department to make the payments.
G. The funding for the construction of the North DeKalb Community Center, the South DeKalb Community Center, and the
Central DeKalb Senior Center is an approved HUD Section
108 Loan Guarantee and available CDBG resources, including prior years funding. The remaining Section 108 principle
loan amount is $11.6 Million with an amortization period
of 20 years (2011-2030), at an estimated interest rate of 2%.
The annual loan repayment amount will be approximately
$800,000.
H. The Community Development Department will work with the
Infrastructure Group to develop Fire Station #7. A new site
location will be explored once the site is confirmed/acquired;
the County will go through the RFP process for A&E services
and/or land acquisition. As additional funds become available
in 2015 and/or 2016, the Community Development Department would like to move forward to complete Fire Station #7.
I.
If funds are available in the Public Services Category, they may

be used to assist with providing services to fill the services gap
in the DeKalb Continuum of Care for the Homeless and meet
other needs in DeKalb neighborhoods. The DeKalb County
Community Development Department will collaborate with
DeKalb County Continuum of Care representatives and other
service providers to identify and prioritize service gaps.
J.
While adhering to the approved process for committing

HOME funds to multi-family projects in 2007, we committed $310,000 to the Tuscany Village Apartments project as part
of the projects tax credit application. We later determined
that a better funding approach was to use CDBG funding for
the housing services portion of the project and HOME funds
for the development of units. The County amended its commitment agreement and authorized the use of CDBG funds
not to exceed $30,000 per year (totaling $300,000 for years
2009 2018 toward housing services) and HOME funds (with
a one-time commitment of $10,000) for unit development.
These funds leveraged the affordable housing tax credits used
to rehabilitate the 144 unit development. The total cost of the
project was $14,790,000.
K. Fire Station #3 is currently under construction and approved

to utilize 2013 and 2014 CDBG funds. If approved by HUD,
additional funding will be obtained from residual Section 108
loan funds and approximately $300,000 of 2015 CDBG funds.
L. Economic Development the County is working with the
DeKalb Development Authority to develop projects and create jobs.
M. At the direction of the Community Development Department
Director, CDBG funds may be used to fulfill any eligible match
requirements that are associated with ESG and/or CoC funding.
N. Oakhurst Medical plans to provide additional services to their
community heath practice. CDBG funds will be used to outfit
16 medical exam rooms, add 2 dental chairs and install new
furniture and fixtures in the facility located at 5582 Memorial
Drive, Stone Mountain, GA 30083, as well as installation of a
security door at 1760 Candler Road, Decatur, GA 30032.
HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS
i. Currently, there are nine (9) DeKalb County Community
Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs): ANDP, Inc.,
Initiative for Affordable Housing, Inc., DeKalb Habitat Community Housing Development, LLC, Antioch AME Community Development Corporation, a faith-based nonprofit
affiliate of Antioch A.M.E Church, Partnership for Community Action, Inc., Neighborhood Works, Inc., The Alliance of
DeKalb, Inc., Piney Grove CDC, and the City of Hope Ministries, Inc., a faith-based nonprofit associated with Ray of
Hope Christian Church. The 2015 CHDO operating funds in
the amount not to exceed $87,440 is available to assist funded
CHDOs with their general administrative costs. If additional
CHDOs are approved by the County, we will consider providing funds on a case by case basis. Any funds not allocated
will be reprogrammed and used for other HOME-eligible
costs. We will accept applications from CHDOs during the
regular application process, but move forward to fund the recommended agencies throughout the year.
ii. In order to provide maximum flexibility in allocating HOME
funds, the County only includes eligible categories of funding in the 2014-2018 Consolidated Plan rather than specific
projects. The figures do not include prior year funds that may
be available for these projects or program income that was
received later in 2014 or in 2015. If there is an increase in the
HOME allocation and more CHDO funds are available, the
funds will be designated for eligible uses as determined by
the Community Development Department Director and the
approval of the Chief Executive Officer.
iii. The County works closely with the DeKalb Housing Authority in the administration of its CDBG, HOME, NSP1
and NSP3 Program activities related to the development and
implementation of affordable housing assistance programs
and projects. The Housing Authority acts as an agent and
sub-recipient on a number of HOME activities. Many of
these activities are undertaken through the Countys ongoing
contract with the Housing Authority and are developed and
implemented in accordance with the program descriptions executed by the Housing Authority Executive Director and the
Community Development Department Director. The County
may work with the DeKalb Housing Authority or other approved entities. The following is a listing of potential activities that may be undertaken by the County with HOME funds
in the upcoming program year and details outlining how they
may be administered.
Implementation services for single-family, owner occupied
housing rehabilitation projects may be provided by the Community Development Department, the Housing Authority
(through its contract with the County), or another for profit
or non-profit organization (through the contract process).
Unless otherwise approved, all multi-family projects will be
implemented under the Housing Authoritys contract with
the County following a competitive application process
and thorough review of the project for compliance with the
Countys underwriting guidelines as outlined in the HOME
application package. This includes multi-family developments
using CHDO funds. The Community Development Director
is authorized to commit funding amounts and determine loan
terms to these projects.
Tenant-based Rental Assistance programs may be administered
by the Housing Authority under its contract with the County
or other approved entities through separate agreements.
When the County pursues additional affordable housing initiatives in Scottdale and other communities, the County will
partner with other entities on development activities.
of newly released convicted felons and enhance their ability to remain crime free. Following an agency housing/services assessment
process, the Community Development Department will recommend
approval or disapproval for agencies wishing to provide housing
for this program. The final determination will be made by the Chief
Executive Officer.
iv. The Community Development Department Director may approve interchanging the use of CDBG, HOME, NSP 1 and
NSP 3 funds for projects as long as all program eligibility
standards are met.
THE PRELIMINARY 2014-2018 CONSOLIDATED PLAN

INCLUDING THE 2015 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN MAY BE
REVIEWED AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS:
Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. 5:00 p.m.
v. The County will consider Tenant-based Rental Assistance on

special initiatives consistent with the DeKalb Continuum of
Care.
The DeKalb County Housing Authority

750 Commerce Drive, Suite 201, Decatur
a.
b.
c.
d.
vi. The Community Development Department Director to provide comments and letters of support to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs regarding Tax Credit applications
or to other entities regarding potential funding for applicants.
DeKalb County Continuum of Care (COC)

In compliance with the HEARTH Act of 2012, the DeKalb Continuum of Care (CoC) has formed committees to develop an organizational structure, establish priorities, assess service gaps, and
implement a service delivery system. When completed, the delivery system description will include uniform requirements for the
provision of homeless programs and services in DeKalb County.
The delivery system will move away from the homeless shelter concept to a variation of the Housing First model of rapidly re-housing
homeless individuals and households.
The County has agreed to work as the Collaborative Applicant for
the DeKalb CoC. In this role, the County will receive the HUD
Planning Grant, HMIS, and other funds that support the work and
activities in the CoC. As the Collaborative Applicant, the county
may receive additional funds and may apply to become the Unified Funding Agent for the DeKalb CoC. At the direction of the
Community Development Department Director, CDBG funds may
be used to pay salaries for Department personnel performing CoC or
homelessness mitigation related work and fulfill any eligible match
requirements that are associated with CoC and/or ESG funding.
DeKalb Workforce Development Department

320 Church Street, Decatur
DeKalb County Community Development Department
330 W. Ponce de Leon Avenue, 6th Floor, Decatur
vii. The Community Development Department will work with

the County and community to identify and prioritize distressed multi-family properties in the County and develop
collaborative strategies to improve them.
Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
viii. In an effort to stabilize neighborhoods, prevent and/or reduce

blight, and increase the availability of standard, affordable
housing, the County may acquire, demolish, and/or redevelop
substandard apartment complexes or single family residences
using CDBG, HOME, NSP 1, NSP3, Program Income, and
other funds.
DeKalb/Atlanta Senior Citizens Center

25 Warren Street, S.E., Atlanta
ix. If funds are available in the Public Services category, they

may be used to assist in providing services to fill the services
gap in the DeKalb Continuum of Care for the Homeless. We
will collaborate with DeKalb CoC representatives and other
providers to determine areas of need.
EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS GRANTS PROGRAM
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS
A. HUD requires a 7.5% cap on the funds for Administration, and
a 60% cap on Emergency Shelter + Outreach. There is no cap
on any other component.
B. Representatives from the newly formed DeKalb County Continuum of Care (CoC) are assessing services to determine
gaps and establish new DeKalb County priorities for serving
the homeless population. The Community Development Department Director is authorized to make the required funding
changes to fill service gaps, align ESG funding with newly
formed priorities, and satisfy HUDs guidelines and regulations. Changes may include funding agencies that are not
shown in the 2015 allocation but have been recommended by
the DeKalb Continuum of Care.
South DeKalb Senior Citizens Center

1931 Candler Road, Decatur
Bruce Street/East DeKalb Senior Center

2484 Bruce Street, Lithonia
Lou Walker Senior Center
2538 Panola Rd., Lithonia
The Housing Authority of the City of Lithonia
6878 Max Cleland Blvd, Lithonia
Please contact the DeKalb County area public libraries listed
below for the hours of operation.
Chamblee Branch
4115 Clairmont Road, Chamblee
(770-936-1380)
Decatur Branch
215 Sycamore Street, Decatur
(404-370-3070)
Redan-Trotti Branch
1569 Wellborn Road, Redan
(770-482-3821)
Wesley Chapel-William C. Brown Branch
2861 Wesley Chapel Road, Decatur
(404-286-6980)
C. If for any reason and for any year Emergency Solutions Grants
funds have been received and service providers cannot utilize
the funds allocated, the fund will be considered for reprogramming to any of the approved ESGP service providers or providers who can fill a service gap in a manner that is identified by
the Community Development Department Director.
D. All approved ESGP funding will be contingent upon the agency being in compliance with all DeKalb County statutory regulations.
E. The Community Development Department Director will be
authorized to act on behalf of the County to provide certifications for non-profit agencies that request funding from the
Georgia Department of Community Affairs or other providers
in the County of DeKalb.
F. Any funds remaining from the previous year will be reprogrammed to agencies approved to receive FY 2015 ESGP
funding.
OTHER
Re-Entry Program
The State provides short term financial assistance ($700 per offender per month for three months) to help stabilize the re-entry process
A Public Hearing will be held on

January 21, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. at the Maloof
Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur,
Georgia 30030.
We encourage citizens to review this update to
the 2014-2018 Consolidated Plan including the
2015 Annual Action Plan. Written comments
should be submitted to the DeKalb County
Community Development Department, 330
W. Ponce de Leon Avenue, 6th Floor, Decatur,
Georgia 30030, no later than February 13,
2015.
Education
Page 18A
GPC to become part of states largest institution

by Ashley Oglesby
University System of Georgia
Chancellor Hank Huckabys recommendation for the consolidation of
Georgia State University (GSU) and
Georgia Perimeter College (GPC) has
been approved.
The Board of Regents approved
the proposal at its Jan. 5 meeting.
GSU and GPC will consolidate to
form a new institution to be named
Georgia State University.
Huckaby said, Georgia State is a
recognized national leader in improving student retention and graduation
rates and will be able to apply its best
practices.
Combining these attributes with
Georgia Perimeter Colleges leadership in providing access to students
across the metro area presents a major
opportunity to improve student success, Huckaby added.
The merger will be the sixth consolidation within the past two years
of schools within the states system of
public colleges and universities.

Huckaby first suggested mergers
in 2011, a few months after taking
over as chancellor, as part of a plan
to deal with declining state revenues.
The plan first went into effect early
last year, when the state Board of
Regents agreed to merge eight institutions into four new ones, which
shrank the systems school count from
35 to 31 colleges.
The fifth and most recent merger,
Kennesaw State University with
Southern Polytechnic State University,
was approved by regional accreditors
earlier this month.
The decision to consolidate GPC
and GSU institutions, whose combined enrollment for fall semester was
53,927 students, follows the guiding
principles for consolidation approved
by the board in Nov. 2011.
The GPC and GSU merge will
make the new institution the largest
within the states system of public colleges and universities.
Georgia Perimeter College Interim President Robb Watts said, Geor-
gia Perimeter College has always had

a close relationship with Georgia State
University. GPC is the number one
transfer institution to GSU.
He added, GPC students choose
GSU for its fine degree programs and
its broad array of other student activities. GPC is excited about the prospect of working with GSU to create
a new type of institution in the University System of Georgia: A research
university that also has an access mission. The consolidated institution will
provide GPC students with additional
pathways to success, in academics and
in life.
Georgia State President Mark
Becker will serve as the president of
the new institution.
The consolidation timeline calls
for the approval of the plan by the
board of the Southern Association of
Colleges and Schools Commission on
Colleges by the end of this year, followed by Board of Regents approval
of the new institution in early 2016.
An implementation team with
representatives from both institutions
to work out the details associated with

consolidating the two universities will
soon be formed. The implementation
team will also be responsible for submitting the required documents for
accreditation.
It is unclear what impact the consolidation could have on students,
faculty, degree programs or tuition
cost.
According to a questions-andanswer post on GPCs website, a
decrease in the number of jobs will
likely occur.
The merger makes room for GSU
to expand into downtown Atlanta.
GSU currently offers programs in
downtown, Buckhead and Alpharetta. GPC offers courses in Newton,
Clarkston, Dunwoody and the Alpharetta campus adjacent to Georgia
States Alpharetta campus.
Becker said, The consolidation
will give Georgia State students more
opportunities to access the universitys high-quality programs at additional locations.
GPC alumni finds temporary business home in Hawaii

by Kysa Anderson Daniels
As a teenager, Zach Klempf made a gutsy decision to
forgo his senior year at Atlanta
International Schoolopting
instead to get his GED and enroll as a freshman at Georgia
Perimeter College (GPC).
He remembers his counselors calling it a bad move,
while his parents trusted his
instincts and the research he
put behind choosing to jump
start college. Klempf blazed
through GPC, testing out of a
number of classes, while also
taking full advantage of online
courses.
It was a good use of my
time to do that, Klempf said.
Klempf, who is now 23,
transferred in 2011 to Emory
University where he majored
in film and media management, graduating in one and a
half years and earlier than his
classmates enrolled there.
Last summer, not even a
year after leaving Emory, Klempf made another bold move
and headed to Silicon Valley.
He and Joseph Dixsona
childhood friend and fellow
GPC studentlaunched A1
Software Group, which created Selly, a mobile app primarily used by automotive professionals to track vehicle sells.
If you want to do finance,
you go to New York; if you
want to be an actor you go
to Hollywood; if you want to
get into tech, being in Silicon
Valley is a really good experi-
ence, Klempf said of the journey west.

Not long after settling in
Silicon Valley, Klempf and
Dixson got the call to visit Hawaii for a four-month business
accelerator program sponsored by video game pioneer
Henk Rogers, the tech genius
behind mass distributing via
console the Tetris video game.
Rogers Blue Startups
company has invested $20,000
in startup funds for A1 Software. In exchange, the company will receive 6 percent
equity.
They are aggressive and
assertive in the right ways
and had already shown traction in the impressive number
of downloads of their mobile CRM application, Meli
James, Blue Startups program
manager, said of A1s selection
for the program.
Dixson calls it a dream of
a lifetime.
If you had told us, even
when we were in high school,
that we would be living in Hawaii building up our company,
I dont think either one of us
would have believed it, he
said. But now were doing it
and its very exciting.
Dixson, who transferred
after two years at GPC to
Georgia State University
(GSU), had planned to earn
both marketing and graphic
design degrees from GSU next
year. With current business responsibilities, he figures itll be
2016 before he can graduate.
Dixson currently is taking an

online macroeconomics class
through Georgia Perimeter to
keep earning credits.
Meantime, although in
Hawaii, Klempf and Dixson
say theyre short on downtime, something they dont
mind at all. Their days are
filled with business activities,
starting with early morning
calls to the East Coast.
Then we do development
on the app, making sure its
headed in the right direction
and ensuring the interface

looks good and the functionality is there, Dixson said.
There also are workshops
focused on topics such as
marketing strategies and financials, as well as mentor
meetings and impromptu
conversations with the nine
other cohorts in the business
incubator.
Its not quite the Google
life, but its along those lines
of being in a creative environment that fosters growth,
Dixson remarked.
Klempf and Dixson will
head back to Silicon Valley in
early 2015. Until then, they
say theyll continue putting in
16-hour days in the pursuit
of growth, development and
long-term success.
A lot of people say they
want to be in something, but
you really have to put in the
work, Klempf said.
Smoke Rise Prep to host open house

Smoke Rise Prep Cooperative School will host an
open House on Jan. 25, from
3 until 5 p.m. for families of
rising first through eighth
graders interested in learning
more about the school. The
event will be held at Smoke
Rise Prep, in the lower level of
Smoke Rise Baptist Church,
5901 Hugh Howell Road,
Stone Mountain.
An introduction to the
school and a to tour of the
classrooms will be available.
Teachers from each grade
level, as well as school administration and current parents,
will be present to welcome
visitors and answer questions.
Smoke Rise Prep Cooperative School was founded by
parents and teachers in 2011
as an alternative to traditional
public and private school options.
Maintaining its small class

size and parental involvement,
the school has as its primary
objective preparing students
academically and socially for
higher education and for life.
The schools goal is to inspire
learning in each child by applying challenging academics
through project-based learn-
ing experiences that emphasize personal responsibility

and problem solving.
Directors Kim Fong and
Lisa Khemani will host the
event to raise awareness of the
school. The traditional concept of school is in flux, and
parents and families are seeking alternative choices. We
want people to know who we
are and what we offer, Fong
said.
Khemani added, We welcome families who are considering the cooperative school
alternative to come meet our
amazing teachers and parent
community.
Smoke Rise Prep seeks to
enroll new students who are
self-directed, high-academic
achievers and welcomes
families who are specifically
interested in the cooperative
school alternative.
Education
Board Chairman Melvin Johnson
District 1 board member Stan Jester
Page 19A
Board representative for district 2 Marshall

Orson
District 4 representative Jim McMahan
Board undecided on search committee

by Ashley Oglesby
were willing to assist in the search.

Gevertz said, The idea was it would
be easier for the board to take the adWhen the DeKalb County School vice of Parents Councils United and
District was going through turmoil
appoint a committee if we came up
in 2013 associated with the replacewith names of people who said that
ment of board of education memthey would be willing to do it, that
bers, parent leaders mobilized.
way all the board would have to do
Parent advocates from all parts
is ask and know that they would be
of DeKalb began watching the school willing to step up.
board hearings and offering help in
The list of individuals, if recogthe process of finding a new school
nized by the DeKalb Board of Educasuperintendent.
tion, could potentially makeup an
Parent Councils United (PCU)
independent search committee and
representative Allyson Gevertz
help with the hiring of a new school
emailed members of the board on
superintendent.
Dec. 3 with a list of professionals
The recommendation provided
employed in education and business the board with 10 individuals for the
that she said are immediately ready selection committee and one advito help attract and select the top-tier sor to the committee, Ann Cramer
superintendent candidate that our
a former chairwoman of the Georgia
children deserve.
Partnership for Excellence in EducaPCU includes executive board
tion who served in the superintenmembers from Dunwoody Chamblee dent search committee for Atlanta
Parent Council, Emory LaVista ParPublic Schools.
ent Council, South DeKalb Parent
Gevertz said the process took
Council and Tucker Parent Council.
about month. She added, It wasnt
This school year, PCU hosted the that hard because people want to
Superintendents State of the System
help DeKalb County.
Address, worked to improve finanPCU came up with the idea of
cial transparency in DeKalb Schools
having an independent search comand are advocating for a transparent
mittee or a selection committee
superintendent search.
based on the process used in Atlanta
Gevertz worked with Ron Ausand Boston used to replace their sutin, vice president of Suntrust Bank,
perintendents.
to compile a list of candidates who
However, all board members are
not on board for a selection committee.

In a Dec. 8 board meeting, all
members of the board did not agree
to a selection committee and debated
whether a selection committee would
help with the search of the new superintendent.
As of the Jan. 12 board meeting,
the board had not taken action toward forming a selection committee
for the search.
Gevertz said she, doesnt feel
very optimistic that, thats going to
happen.
After the hiring on Dec. 17 of
Proact Search, the lone bidder on
the school districts contract, board
chairman Dr. Melvin Johnson said,
We want all stakeholders in the
community to be involved, but it
was not decided whether the board
would allow an independent selection committee.
Proact has, however, agreed to
collect and compile data from community forums and relay information
to the school board.
After receiving no official statement from the boards chairman,
PCU hosted a roundtable discussion with DeKalb Countys CEO Lee
May, DeKalb Legislative Delegation
Chair Howard Mosby, Johnson, and
Chamber of Commerce Chair-Elect
Al Edwards.
During the meeting, leaders discussed cityhood initiatives, annexation movements, transportation, the
Operations Task Force recommendations, county finances and DeKalb
Schools.
According to a recent PCU press
release, leaders pledged to stay involved in each others domains, to
share resources and to encourage
more frequent communication.
May spoke during the public
comments portion of the board
meeting and submitted a proposal
for the BOE to use a group of community leaders to assist with the superintendent search.
The board has not released an official statement on whether there will
be a selection committee, but Vice
Chairman Jim McMahan said that
he supports the committee.
I personally have never hired
a superintendent in my life. I dont
think anybody on our board has
hired a superintendent or been
through this process, said McMahan.
He added, My management
style is, if I dont have expertise in an
area, I consult with people who do
have expertise in the area and look
for best practices.
A lifetime of success,
not student loans.
visit gpc.edu
GPC provides a great education and rich college experience at the

lowest tuition within the University System of Georgia. With our fully
accredited courses and guaranteed transfer to dozens of public and
private colleges in Georgia and beyond, what are you waiting for?
Apply today.
A BETTER WAY FORWARD

The Champion Ad.indd 1
1/5/15 12:56 PM
business
Page 20A
Signs at the Decatur Souper Jenny urge customers to relax and enjoy their food. Keith Yaeger calls himself general manager, energizer, ambassador and lead moment capturer.
Soups on in Decatur and Brookhaven

by Kathy Mitchell
After years in the food service
industry, Keith Yaeger discovered a
Buckhead restaurant with a business
model that he wanted to be part of.
Yaeger recalled that he approached Jenny Levison, owner of
Souper Jenny, and said, If you ever
decide to expand, I want to be part
of that.
After 15 years in Buckhead,
Levison did decide to expand. She
called Yaeger and asked, Were you
serious? He was. Yaeger helped
Levison open a Souper Jenny in
downtown Decatur on Valentines
Day 2014 and one in Brookhavena
pop-up inside another storein
November of the same year.
Yaeger said he and Levison
searched downtown Decatur before
settling on a spot near the courthouse square as the site of the second Souper Jenny. Being part of a
neighborhood is important to us.
Like most of Decatur, this is a pedestrian-friendly area. We like that
people who live and work near here
can come by for lunch or to pick up
take out for dinner, he said, explaining that the restaurant is takeout
only the last hour or two its open.
Souper Jenny is normally open
until 5 p.m. each day, but the Decatur location stays open until 9 p.m.
on Thursdaysgrilled cheese night.
The event raises money for local
community organizations. Its not
much, $250 or $300, but it goes to
some group such as a local youth
sports team and it can be a big help
to them.
I like the product and I like
Jennys approach to business, said
Yaeger, whose business card identifies him as general manager, energizer, ambassador and lead moment
capturer.
She believes in treating employees and customers well. She wants
her restaurants to be a positive experience for everyone. She wants people to feel completely at home. I like
that. I knew this was where I want to
be, Yaeger said. Quotes and signs in
the dining room urge diners to slow
down, relax and enjoy a nourishing
meal. Putting cell phones away isnt a
suggestionits a rule.
Levison, whose background and

training are in the theater, explains
on her website how she became a
restaurateur: With very little money
and no specific plan, I (along with
my husband at the time) embarked
on an 18-month trip around the
world. This trip is where I truly
learned to cooknot from a school
or formal education, but from the
families in each country I visited.
When I was ready to open up shop,
I found myself looking for what I
thought Atlanta didnt have and what
could connect my experience of the
25 countries I had traveled to. Soup
was the answer. It was the one food
that each country connected to and I
had an abundance of soup recipes in
my head from the fabulous people I
had met around the globe.
The owners theater roots have
not been forgotten. When possible,
she hires local actors and performers
so they have an income when theyre
not in a current production. Dont
be surprised if you are greeted with
singing or interpretive dance moves,
the website states.
While soup is the cafeteria-style
The Voice of Business in DeKalb County
DeKalb Chamber of Commerce
Two Decatur Town Center, 125 Clairemont Ave., Suite 235, Decatur, GA 30030
404.378.8000
www.DeKalbChamber.org
restaurants featured offering, it also

has sandwiches, salads and desserts.
Yaerger said the demand is highest
for hot soups on cold days, but they
sell all year. And we have a variety
of cold soups, he added.
An executive chef creates recipes
for all three restaurants and chefs
at each prepare the foods using
fresh, natural ingredient. Typically,
Yaeger said, a daily menu offers six
soups, two sandwiches and three to
four salads. It changes every day, he
added. However, customers can buy
soups not on the days menu by the
quart from the cooler for takeout.
The website urges those who are disappointed that their favorite soup is
unavailable to use it as an opportunity to discover something new.
The recipes may be original, but
theyre no secret, Yaeger said. Jenny
loves to share. If people ask for a
recipe, we give it to them.
The restaurant also hosts cooking classes from time to time and
copies of Souper Jenny cookbooks
are on sale at all the stores.
TheChampion
classifieds
Page 21A
For Prices, Deadlines and Information
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Classifieds
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DISCLAIMER: We do not knowingly accept advertisements that discriminate, or
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subject to the fair housing act and we do not accept advertising that is in violation of
the law. The law prohibits discrimination based on color, religion, sex, nationalorigin,
handicap or familial status.
Sports
Page 22A
Emory Athletic Director Tom Downes will resign June 30.
Emory athletic director

announces resignation
Tim Downes, the director of athletics and recreation at Emory University
since 2007, has announced
his resignation effective June
30, 2015.
Downes will assume the
athletic director duties at
the Westminster Schools in
Atlanta.
During his tenure,
Emory athletic teams won
54 University Athletic Association championships as
well as eight NCAA Division III national titles. During the 2012-13 school year,
Emory finished No. 2 in the
Learfield Sports Directors
Cup, which recognizes the
best overall intercollegiate
athletic programs in the
nation within the various
divisions. Under Downes
watch, Emory recorded top10 finishes in the Directors
Cup six times.
One of four Division
III recipients for the 201314 Under Armour Athletic
Director of the Year Award,
Downes made a number
of infrastructural enhancements, including resurfacing of the Woodruff PE
Centers outdoor and indoor
tracks, construction of a
softball batting cage, installation of a wood floor
on the fourth floor of the
Woodpec, spectator seating
for tennis, resurfacing of the
indoor and outdoor tennis
courts, a drainage system at
Chappell Park and updated
scoreboards at the softball,
baseball, soccer and tennis
venues.
Its difficult to put into

words my appreciation for
Emory University and the
personal and professional
growth that Ive experienced
as being a part of this community, Downes said. Our
coaches, our staff and our
students embody everything
that is great and good about
intercollegiate athletics and
our scholar athletes have
inspired me on a daily basis
as the real-life example of
doing it all and doing it all
the best.
Prior to his arrival at
Emory, Downes had served
as the director of athletics
and recreation at Franklin
and Marshall from 20042007. Before Franklin and
Marshall, he was director of
athletics, physical education
and recreation at California Institute of Technology
(1999-2004).
While overseeing the
running of the athletic department and Emorys recreational services program,
Downes also served on the
Universitys Administrative
Council, the Campus Life
Executive Leadership Team
and the Student Hardship
Fund Committee.
As I step away from
college athletics, I want
to thank my colleagues at
Emory and in particular
Dr. John Ford, Dean Ajay
Nair and Dr. Jim Wagner
for their support and development of an environment
where great things can happen, Downes said.
Stop bullying now

stand up speak out
Presbyterian College sophomore and Southwest DeKalb graduate Kristen Peagler finished the 2014 season
with two goals and one assist.
Former Southwest DeKalb soccer stand-out

performing well at Presbyterian College
by Mark Brock
Southwest DeKalb 2013
graduate Kristen Peagler is
in her sophomore season as
a member of the Presbyterian College Lady Blue Hose
soccer team and is making
an impact.
Peagler, who set DeKalb
County scoring records of
50 and 55 goals in a season
and 157 overall in her career
at Southwest DeKalb, had
a big couple of weeks during the fall soccer season in
2014.
In a double overtime
game against South Carolina
State on Sept. 19, she took a
long pass and drove against
the goalie scoring the only
goal of the game with five
seconds to play to give her

team the 1-0 victory. She
was named the Hardees
5-Star Player of the Game
for her game-winning goal.
The following week she
was chosen as the Female

Athlete of the Week at Presbyterian for her play and
academic excellence.
Peagler finished the
3-10-3 season with two
goals and one assist, which
was good for fourth on the
team in points with five
while starting nine of the 16
games and playing in all 16.
She also had five points
in the 2013 season with two
goals and one assist while
starting in two games and
playing in all 18. She scored
in her collegiate debut on
Aug. 28, 2013 with a goal
against South Carolina State
and had the game winner
in a victory over Charleston
Southern on Oct. 2, 2013.
Miller Groves Lamont West (25) goes for two in inside

against Druid Hills Desham During (4).
Sports
Page 23A
Miller Groves Chrystal Ezechukwu (32) gets inside Druid

Hills Kayla Cato (3) for two of her 21 points.
Druid Hills Desham During (4) flies to the basket. Photos by

Mark Brock
Miller Grove defeats Druid Hills in region matchups

by Mark Brock
The No. 1 ranked Miller
Grove Wolverines jumped
out to a 16-0 lead in the 8029 victory over the Druid
Hills Red Devils to complete
the Region 6-4A sweep at
Druid Hills Jan. 9.
Lamont West scored the
first seven points of the game
and added a three-pointer
in the 16-0 run to open
the game for Miller Grove.
Gauman Boykin added a
pair of layups off turnovers in
the run, and Alterique Gilbert had a drive to the basket
to round out the big run.
Tim Jones got Druid
Hills on the board with 3:01
left in the first quarter, but
the Wolverines (15-3) would
finish the quarter with a 7-0
run on three-pointers from
Gilbert and Aidan Saunders
who finished with a gamehigh 17 points.
The Red Devils (6-11)
would get no closer than 17
points the rest of the way
as Dillan Hall hit a threepointer with 4:42 to play in
the first half.
Boykin, who had 14
points in the game, scored
seven points in an 11-0 run
by the Wolverines as they
continued to pull away in the
first half.
Matt Priester had a steal
and scored to end the half
and give Miller Grove a 44-12
lead at the half.
The Wolverines continued the balanced scoring in
the third period along with
their tough defense as the

lead increased to 66-24 on
Kendall Williams basket as
the quarter ended.
Joining Boykin and
Saunders in double figures
for Miller Grove was Gilbert
with 12, West with 12 and
Daeshon Street with 10.
Girls
Miller Grove 59, Druid Hills
43
The Miller Grove Lady
Wolverines used a strong inside game, pulling down 50
rebounds, to pull away from
the Druid Hills Lady Red
Devils for a 59-43 victory in
the girls matchup.
Druid Hills took its only
lead of the game on a Miracle
Davies steal and basket with
1:06 left in the first quarter to
complete a 7-0 run.
Miller Grove answered
with two free throws by Alexia Strong and a three-point
play by Chrystal Ezechukwu
on a drive to a basket with 12
seconds to play in the period
for a 13-11 lead heading in
the second.
Druid Hills Nicole
Mintz would tie the game
at 13-13 to start the second
quarter with an offensive rebound and basket.
Miller Grove began to
pull away at that point as
Imani Richardson nailed a
pair of three-pointers and
Ezechukwu, who had 22 rebounds to go with 21 points
in the game, added four more
points as the lead increased
to 27-17.
Arteria Bentons basket
with less than a minute to
play cut the Miller Grove lead
to 27-19 at the half.
Ezechukwu would hit the
boards again in the third period that lead to seven points
for her, including a rebound,
drive to the basket and a foul
for a three-point play to end
the period. Miller Grove (76) would take a 42-29 lead

into the final quarter of play.
Jatasha Hollinger cut
the lead to 46-36 on an assist from Benton with 4:18 to
play, but Ezechukwus 12th
offensive rebound of the
night would start a 12-7 run
to finish the game.
Richardson finished with
16 points to join Ezechukwu

in double figures while Kianna Muse would add 15
rebounds for the Lady Wolverines.
Davies finished with 10
points to lead Druid Hills
(5-10).
Athlete of
the Week
The Champion chooses a male
and female high school Athlete of the
Week each week throughout the school
year. The choices are based on performance and nominations by coaches.
Please e-mail nominations to carla@
dekalbchamp.com by Monday at noon.
Parker
Spencer
Diamond
Next Level
Each week The Champion spotlights former high
school players from the county who are succeeding in athletics on the college level.
MALE ATHLETE OF THE

WEEK
Tony Parker, UCLA (basketball): The junior forKevon Harris, M.L. King (basward
from Miller Grove scored 13 points and had eight
ketball): The senior forward had a
rebounds in the 73-54 win over California Jan. 11. Parker
double-double of 16 points and 1o
rebounds in the 62-44 win over Druid is averaging 10.6 points and 7.4 rebounds per game.
Hills Jan. 10.
Curtis Diamond, Georgia Southern (basketball):
The senior guard from Tucker had 19 points and five
FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE
rebounds in the 81-73 win over South Alabama Jan. 10.
WEEK
Diamond is averaging 8.5 points and 3.2 rebounds per
Chrystal Ezechukwu, Miller
Grove (basketball): The junior center game.
had a double-double with 21 points
Miah Spencer, North Carolina State (basketball):
and 22 rebounds in the 59-43 win
The sophomore guard from Columbia led the team with
over Druid Hills Jan. 9.
25 points and had eight rebounds and seven assists in the
75-50 win over Clemson Jan. 10. Spencer is averaging
14.5 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game.
local news
GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY

Means Giving Something Greater Than Yourself
Its respect for others. Its compassion for their needs. But more importantly, its giving hope. Whether donating to
a food drive or volunteering your time to help fight hunger, giving back can leave a lasting impression. And just like
the many selfless men and women who strive to make a difference in their neighborhoods, Publix also believes
in supporting the communities in which we serve. So this Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, why not make it a day of
service? One day can change a persons entire life. We all have something to give. How will you make a difference?
Publix celebrates the spirit of giving back on this MLK Day.
To find out how YOU can give back

please visit Publix.com/giveback
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FRIDAY, Jan. 16, 2015 VOL. 17, NO. 40 FREE

A PUBLICATION OF ACE III COMMUNICATIONS

Photos by Andrew Cauthen

First responders test skills

ocal first responders

See Rescue on page 15A

Page 2A The Champion Free Press, Friday, Jan. 16, 2015

Contractors vying for $200M watershed project

retaining wall, numerous

site. Residents near the

This is our second

Unfortunately, its our

See Snapfinger on page 6A

Georgia Power employees

The Champion Free Press, Friday, Jan. 16, 2015

Michael Thurmond welcomes

Stan Jester sworn into the Board of Education

Background checks challenged

A newly elected member of the DeKalb County

the board chair in dealing

prints to the school district

mas, sent the report to the

The Champion Free Press, Friday Jan. 16, 2015

Make home fire safety a priority

ferno. The mother has been charged with murder.

The most effective way to protect yourself and

The Champion Free Press, Friday, Jan. 16, 2015

One Mans Opinion

Thats the $45,000 question!

zation, owned by Arthur

up with other more productive ways to invest nearly

old stadium back.

Let Us Know What You Think!

THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS encourages opinions from its readers.

Publisher: John Hewitt

Statement from the publisher

Page 6A The Champion Free Press, Friday, Jan. 16, 2015

Betty J. Anderson says one reason she volunteers is because she

doesnt like babysitting.

If cleaning needs to be done, I help

Anderson said. I was used to going

Snapfinger Continued from page 2A

crack at it because we also realize after

The Champion Free Press, Friday, Jan. 16, 2015

The Museum School will host

Marshall Berch & Associates Real

Annual MLK service project needs

Zumba fitness fundraiser

Friends School to hold panel on

tergenerational panel discussion on

Recreation center to hold annual

who provided the seeds. Those who

Page 8A The Champion Free Press, Friday, Jan. 16, 2015

Jewish education program expands

There are no grades, exams or

available and classes are open to the

Adult education students study for group discussion.

Residents get help navigating healthcare choices

tor, so Im very interested in

not tried to get healthcare

hold incomes are too low,

The Champion Free Press, Friday, Jan. 16, 2015

DeKalb residents make magazines most influential Georgians list

Page 2A The Champion Free Press, Friday, Jan. 16, 2015

The Champion Free Press, Friday, Jan. 16, 2015

The Champion Free Press, Friday Jan. 16, 2015

The Champion Free Press, Friday, Jan. 16, 2015

Page 6A The Champion Free Press, Friday, Jan. 16, 2015

The Champion Free Press, Friday, Jan. 16, 2015

Page 8A The Champion Free Press, Friday, Jan. 16, 2015

The Champion Free Press, Friday, Jan. 16, 2015

The Champion Free Press, Friday, Jan. 16, 2015

The Champion Free Press, Friday, Jan. 16, 2015

The Champion Free Press, Friday, Jan. 16, 2015

The Champion Free Press, Friday, Jan. 16, 2015

The Champion Free Press, Friday, Jan. 16, 2015

The Art Station Facility Replacement of the existing roof

The Champion Free Press, Friday, Jan. 16, 2015