the DeKalb FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2018 • VOL.

23, NO 45 • FREE

Serving East Atlanta, Avondale Estates, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Clarkston, Decatur, Doraville, Dunwoody, Lithonia, Pine Lake, Stone Mountain, Stonecrest and Tucker • A PUBLICATION OF ACE III COMMUNICATIONS

Businesses, police prepare

for final holiday rush
BY HORACE HOLLOMAN
horace@dekalbchamp.com

According to the National Retail

Federation, 40 percent of yearly sales for small
and mid-sized retailers take place within the
last two months of the year and retailers,
shoppers and police officials are getting ready
for the rush.
Terry Young, store manager of Macy’s at
the Gallery at South DeKalb, said the holiday
season is a hectic time. Despite the added
stress, Young said it’s her favorite time of the
year.
“It’s very, very busy. I’m going back and
forth,” Young said, who also manages a store in
Macon. “We want to make sure our customers
have a great holiday experience. Even though
behind the scenes we’re a little bit frenzied and
stressed trying to get the new merchandise out
and making sure it looks good, we make sure
we keep the store looking good.”
Young said the store has promotional
events throughout December and also gives
back to the community by partnering with
local organizations and community leaders
such as DeKalb County Commissioner Larry
Johnson, the Decatur Chapter of Delta Sigma
Theta and the Heart of South DeKalb Festival.
The store also hosts a Believe event. Macy’s
donated $2 for every letter written in the store
to Santa to the Make a Wish Foundation.
“Every year we donate to the local homeless
shelter, we give out bookbags, sheets and
towels,” Young said. “We want people to
shop with us, but South DeKalb Macy’s also
cares about the community. We’re part of this
community and this is our family here.”
In Decatur and Avondale Estates, city
officials are urging customers to shop local
stores. Throughout the month of November
and December, Decatur’s blog, decaturminute.
com has featured local shops. Every Thursday
in December, until Dec. 20, Decatur will give
shoppers added discounts at participating local

SEE SHOP ON PAGE 5

Shoppers at Macy’s in the Gallery at South DeKalb Mall pick up items during the holiday shopping season.

Visit www.thechampionnewspaper.com for local, real DeKalb County news.

LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2018 • Page 2

COUNTYWIDE

Booting regulations approved

BY HORACE HOLLOMAN
horace@dekalbchamp.com
For the first time in his
career as a DeKalb County
commissioner, Steve
Bradshaw said he was
unsure what to do after the
commission couldn’t decide
whether to regulate booting or
ban the practice.
DeKalb officials had to
notify the county’s CEO,
who wasn’t present at the
meeting at the time, to
deliver the final vote after
commissioners voted 3-3
on an ordinance intended to
regulate booting practices in
unincorporated DeKalb.
Approximately an hour
after the item was put on hold
by commissioners, Thurmond
voted in support of the
regulations.
Commissioners Jeff
Rader, Bradshaw and Mereda
Davis-Johnson voted to
approve the ordinance while
commissioners Nancy Jester,
Larry Johnson and Kathie
Gannon voted against the
item. Commissioner Gregory
Adams was not present during
the Dec. 4 meeting.
The purpose of the
ordinance is to establish
regulations for companies
that boot and immobilize
private vehicles deemed to
be in violation of parking
restrictions.
According to county
officials, some booting
companies in DeKalb County
charge as much as $650
to $800 to remove a boot.
Booting companies also had no
obligation to remove boots in a
timely manner.
Regulations included in
the new ordinance will require
signage that informs drivers
that their vehicle is subject
to booting, a maximum $85
fine for booting passenger
vehicles, a maximum $150
fine for tractor trailers and
semi-trucks and booting
devices must be removed from
a vehicle no more than one
hour after initial request and
receipt of payment. If a boot
is not removed within one
hour of contact with a booting
company representative, fees
shall be waived.
Parking lot management
companies must also wait
at least 20 minutes before
booting can occur. According
to the ordinance, just cause for
booting a vehicle parked for
more than 20 minutes must be
proven by two time-stamped
photographs that clearly depict
the parking space, the parked
vehicle and license plate of the
parked vehicle.
Davis-Johnson said
the ordinance is the best
compromise for everyone
involved.
“We spoke with the
public, booting companies,
public safety [officials] and
people from the trucking
industry…and they resolved
their differences in each
group and we came up with a
compromise,” Davis-Johnson
said. “I think we took all the
precautions we could.”
Gannon, who initially
sponsored the ordinance, said
she changed her mind and
wanted to completely ban the
practice of booting.
“During the course of
[discussing the ordinance]
I have totally changed my
mind,” Gannon said. “I’m
voting no. I’ve come to the DeKalb County officials voted 4-3 to approve an ordinance to further regulate booting
conclusion that booting is practices in unincorporated DeKalb County.
predatory and it’s problematic.
I think there are other ways to county’s police force. In defense.
deal with this and I think we
northwest Atlanta, two men “I think we need to ban
should outlaw [booting].” face criminal charges after a [booting],” Jester said.
Jester said the booting
booting company employee “There’s so much at risk. We
ordinance could be shot a man over a parking need more officers on the
troublesome and put an
dispute. The shooter claims street as it is. I think regulating
additional burden on the he fired his weapon in self- this will be too much.”

Preparing for possibility of Police utilizing patrols to

extreme winter weather
BY TAYLOR ROBINS
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com
With cold weather and possible
snow heading for Georgia this
winter season, the DeKalb County
Emergency Management Agency
(DEMA) is giving tips on how to
endure possible sleet and snow.
Before severe weather begins,
DEMA recommends developing a
communications plan with family
members, in case all family members
are not together when unsafe weather
strikes. Included in the plan should
be a familiar and easy to find meeting
place.
DEMA also recommends a
“ready kit” to be made prior to severe
weather which includes: water,
non-perishable food items, a can
opener, radio, batteries and chargers,
flashlight, first-aid kit, face masks,
wet wipes for personal hygiene and
maps. Other items can be added to
the ready kit based on specific family
needs, such as infant formula or
prescription medication.
DEMA advises drivers to slow
down, avoid stopping on hills or
making abrupt steering maneuvers.
The agency suggests dripping faucets
to avoid freezing of pipes. DEMA
also recommends that ovens not be
used as heaters and to use flashlights
instead of candles to avoid fires at
home.
The organization also advises that
residents become familiar with winter
weather terminology such as winter
storm watch, winter weather advisory
and winter storm warning─ which is
the most significant of the three.
More about winter weather safety
can be found at http://ready.ga.gov/.
catch holiday thieves
BY TAYLOR ROBINS
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com
The Grinch will not steal
Brookhaven’s Christmas this season.
Brookhaven police are warning
residents that the number of stolen
packages increases during the holiday
season and are reminding residents
that precautions can be taken to
prevent “porch pirates” from striking.
Brookhaven also will have increased
police presence for the season.
thieves take the delivery. Residents are
“Residents are strongly encouraged encouraged by the police to call 9-1-1 to
to report a package theft to police so
report suspicious vehicles.
that we know when and where these Brookhaven police also are
incidents occur,” Major Brandon
encouraging residents to provide specific
Gurley said. “We set up extra patrols instructions for delivery companies
in areas where there are package thefts.
on where to leave packages or to have
Reporting these crimes will help in packages delivered to workplaces, with
better deployment of our patrols.”
employer permission.
According to a Brookhaven press “Remember, if we make this easy for
release, thieves follow delivery trucks the Grinch, he will continue to steal our
and once a package is delivered Christmas,” Gurley said.  
OPINION
It’s been a rough time for wallets
everywhere considering the frenzy of
spending on Black Friday followed by
the push to make purchases locally
on Small Business Saturday and the
intensity of enticing deals on Cyber
Monday.
Hopefully consumers didn’t
overlook the significance of Giving
Tuesday when charities worldwide
appealed for donations so they can
carry on their work.
Giving Tuesday, which was Nov. 27
this year, resulted in 2.5 million online
gifts totaling $300 million from 150
countries, according to givingtuesday.
org. The site states that Giving
Tuesday, in its seventh year in 2018,
is an international movement “fueled
by the power of social media and
collaboration.”
Charitable giving has grown in
Georgia can lead again on criminal justice reform
BY J TOM MORGAN
In an age of hyper-partisanship,
one area of agreement that has
emerged is the need to reform our
criminal justice system. Our country
locks up too many people, for too
long, at great human and financial
cost. Maddeningly, we do this with
no demonstrable benefit to public
safety. In Georgia, Governor Deal
led the way on criminal justice
reform, implementing changes that
reduced incarceration and increased
public safety. Now, at the federal
level, Georgia can lead again.  our borders. On his watch, the
I spent years on the front lines of
the War on Drugs. As a prosecutor,
I helped put away my fair share of
people who were a danger to society.
Whenever I worked small-time
drug cases, I had a nagging feeling
that I wasn’t making my community
any safer. I prosecuted low-level
drug sellers, many of whom sold
drugs to feed their own addiction,
or joined gangs as children for
their own safety. Many of these
people received harsh mandatory
minimum sentences. Mandatory
minimums force judges to give long
sentences without considering the
unique circumstances of each case.
These one-size-fits-all minimum
Giving beyond Tuesday
Gale Horton Gay
gale@dekalbchamp.com
2016 and 2017 with Americans giving
$410 billion to charities in 2017, up 5
percent from the previous, according to
nonprofitsource.co.
How donation numbers will shake
out for 2018 is yet to be determined,
but let’s hope our generosity continues
as the needs are great in some many
areas.
The holiday season is a good
time for each of us to reflect on our
personal situation and the situation of
our neighbors and the community at
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
sentences are arbitrarily chosen by
powerful politicians who don’t live
in the community. Each ten-year
sentence costs taxpayers around a
million dollars.
 With the election of Governor
Deal, I saw how we could
reform our justice system to
reflect the American values of
freedom, prosperity, and personal
responsibility. He did not like the
fact that the United States has 5
percent of the world population,
but 25 percent of the world
population behind bars is within
state legislature passed bills that
reduced prison sentences for drug
possession, reformed the cash bail
system, and gave judges back more
authority to choose appropriate
sentences. He also increased access
to drug treatment because he
recognized that incarceration is
not the answer to the opioid crisis.
Recidivism declined by 19 percent,
an important signal that those
reentering society used their second
chance to put their lives on track.
 Communities of color–those
who bear the brunt of harsh drug
sentence–saw improvements in the
criminal justice system as a result of
Deal’s work. To date, there has been
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2018 • Page 3
large. Changes in employment, health,
housing, relationships and emergencies
that couldn’t be anticipated leave many
families vulnerable.
Often our donations to charitable
organizations are what make the
difference to people and situations that
are on the brink. We may never know
who we help or exactly how we’ve
helped, but someone or something
benefits because we were thoughtful
enough to give.
The beauty of giving is that there
is a charitable organization to match
just about every interest—whether
it’s the environment, high-risk youth,
creatures great and small, research,
education, families in crisis and on and
on.
During the holiday season there
will be no shortage of opportunities
to give—from the red Salvation Army
a 30% reduction in the number of
Black men in prison and an almost
40 percent reduction in the number
of Black women in prison.
 As Deal leaves office, the rest
of the country is poised to follow
Georgia’s leadership. President
Trump stands behind criminal
justice reform. After awarding
clemency to Alice Johnson, serving
a life sentence for a first-time
drug offense, Trump turned his
attention to broader reform. Jared
Kushner, the President’s son-in-
law, has played a key role in the
push. Kushner’s father spent time in
prison, so this issue is personal for
him.
Kushner and Trump have backed
a package that would reform the
prison system and reduce sentences
for certain non-violent drug
offenses. A recent study by the
Federal Sentencing Project found
that the recidivism rate, 37 percent,
was the same for drug offenders
who got early release compared
with those who served their entire
sentence. Keeping them in prison
longer did not prevent future
criminal behavior. Even though
there are only a few legislative days
left this year, Senate leader Mitch
McConnell has given his word that
kettles in front of grocery stores to
solicitations by mail to requests for
canned goods and gifts to be placed
beneath Christmas trees.
Another aspect that is often
overlooked is the benefit we can be to
others and causes through giving of our
time and talent. Money is important to
just about any endeavor, but hands and
minds are also invaluable in making a
difference.
Giving Tuesday is over until next
year but giving from the heart should
be a year-round activity. I challenge
each of us to find ways to get involved
and stay involved in giving what
we can, when we can this year and
throughout the new year.
this deal will get a vote.
 Our eyes, therefore, are on
Georgia’s federal representatives,
especially Senators Perdue and
Isakson. Perdue was sent to the
Senate as a solutions-oriented
outsider, initially supporting broad
sentencing reform. He should
embrace this opportunity to provide
real change. Isakson has shown
compassion on public health
solutions to the overdose crisis.
Hopefully he also recognizes that
harsh sentences do nothing to keep
people addicted to drugs alive long
enough to recover.
 Georgia’s progress on criminal
justice reform is setting an example
for the rest of the country. It’s time
for Congress to follow suit and
demonstrate that we truly are a
nation of justice for all.
 
J Tom Morgan served as District
Attorney for DeKalb County. He is
a speaker for the Law Enforcement
Action Partnership (LEAP), a
nonprofit group of police, judges, and
prosecutors who support criminal
justice solutions that will improve
public safety.
 
 
OPINION
Atlanta’s professional sports
franchise history began with the
transplantation of the Milwaukee
Braves in 1966, followed by the
start-up Atlanta Falcons and
later relocation of the Atlanta
Hawks. Atlanta’s Chiefs brought
soccer, but the fan base wasn’t ready
quite yet, nor for the later indoor
arena club. Hockey came, got hot,
melted and left with the Atlanta
Flames leaving for more northern
climes, and lights were out on the
Atlanta Knights only a few seasons
after they were lit.
 Atlanta’s first major league
soccer franchise, the Atlanta Chiefs,
won the National Soccer League
(NSL) Championship in 1968.
Georgia’s capital city would then go
for 27 years before “America’s Team”
and then Ted Turner’s Atlanta
Braves won their first World Series
in 1995, and now, 23 years later,
our Atlanta United has just won
the Major League Soccer (MLS)
Championship Cup. Our Atlanta
“Loserville” curse is finally officially
lifted.
 Now a top 10 metropolitan
statistical area, Atlanta is not the
city or market with the longest
losing streak, nor the longest streak
of non-championship winning;
but the Loserville label has stuck
and stung over time, as combining
all the seasons, playoffs, pennant
series and titles attempted by the
Braves, Falcons, Hawks, Flames and
Knights, Atlanta realized only one
national championship out of 175
seasons.
 And the challenge was further
aggravated by our Atlanta Falcons
painful NFL Super Bowl loss, as
well as back-to-back clincher losses
to another “Big A” team hailing
though from Alabama, taking on
and taking down the SEC’s Georgia
Bulldogs. Though not officially an
Atlanta team, the Bulldog Nation’s
fan base of nearly 100,000 metro
Atlanta alumni almost makes them
so.
 Atlanta United team owner,
Arthur Blank began looking into
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DEKALB FREE PRESS • DECEMBER 14, 2018 • Page 4
A curse is lifted
champs, the Braves were welcomed team captain, 34-year old Michael
‘One Man’s home after beating back a strong Parkhurst, has also not yet had his
challenge by the Cleveland Indians, contract renewed for next season,
Opinion’ with a massive parade down though negotiations with the team
Peachtree Street, a perfect stage continue.
Bill Crane setter for the Centennial Olympic  Whether a one-time wonder,
bill.csicrane@gmail.com Games yet to come. The United or the beginning of an MLS team
also had a champion’s parade dynasty remains to be seen, but for
an MLS soccer franchise in 2014 down Peachtree, followed by a fan now, let’s just all celebrate the glow
before finishing construction on celebration in the Home Depot and the end of the curse. A pretty
his showplace, Mercedes Benz Backyard, adjacent to the Georgia nice holiday gift to wrap up the year
Stadium. Atlanta United was World Congress Center and MB in a town more than once compared
supposed to open the stadium, stadium, attended by dignitaries to Mudville.
however construction delays moved including Georgia Governor Nathan
roughly half of their inaugural Deal and Atlanta Mayor Keisha
season in 2017 to Georgia Tech’s Lance-Bottoms.  Bill Crane also serves as a political
Bobby Dodd Stadium. I have to  Savor these moments. United analyst and commentator for Channel
mention that Bobby Dodd had coach Gerardo Martino is 2’s Action News, WSB-AM News/Talk
never looked quite so grand, with its departing the team, MLS League 750 and now 95.5 FM, as well as a
stands filled to capacity and every MVP Josef Martinez, also the columnist for The Champion, DeKalb
level and concourse draped in red league’s leading scorer and mid- Free Press and Georgia Trend. Crane
and black.  fielder and the team’s "Charlie is a DeKalb native and business owner,
Our Five Stripes fast built Hustle" and sometimes hot dog, living in Scottdale. You can reach
out a large family following. An Miguel Almiron, will reportedly him or comment on a column at bill.
MLS soccer gameday outing is not be returning. American, and csicrane@gmail.com.
comparatively affordable, at a
small fraction of the cost of every
other major league franchise. And
Blank’s acquisition of the MLS team
originally had as much to do with
18 more home game days and the
resulting parking, concession and
merchandising revenues as it did
with bringing soccer back to the
ATL.
 Surprising most, including
the team’s owner, within only a
few home games, Atlanta United
jerseys, colors and fanatic groups
like the Footie Mob, Terminus and
others made each home game a
spectacle with the electric energy
of a long-established franchise on
a winning streak. The talent of the
team certainly helped, as the young
crew of 18 is a small United Nations,
with most players hailing from other
countries. Yet at each game there is
a surprisingly strong and patriotic
moment, as the players, most of
whom speak English as their second
language, all stand with their
hands on their hearts at attention
during performance of our national
anthem.
 As with our 1995 World Series
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LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2018 • Page 5

SHOP Continued From Page 1

retail stores and restaurants.    
Avondale Estates hosted its annual holiday
market Dec. 9 featuring local vendors selling
crafts, jewelry and gourmet foods.
Whether residents shop at larger retailers or
local businesses, police are warning customers to
be attentive.
According to DeKalb County Police
Department officials, crime generally picks
up throughout the county during the holiday
shopping season.
According to Sgt. J.D. Spencer, the most
common crimes during the holiday season are
robberies, burglaries, vehicle thefts and vehicle
break-ins.
“During the holiday season, the DeKalb
County Police Department operates under a
strategic holiday plan that is prepared each year
using historical crime data, Spencer said. “For
the current holiday season, the DeKalb County A sign at Avondale Estates business Mama Bath and Body encourages customers to shop locally.
Police Department will track, analyze and compile
information on crime trends, and prepare and
execute specific operational plans to combat
holiday crime. The police department also will use
all available overtime for officers to work special
details in retail areas.”
Spencer suggests last-minute shoppers park in
well-lighted parking spaces, lock car doors, pay
with a credit card or check to avoid carrying large
amounts of cash and keep purses close to the body.
Wallets should be put in a front pants pocket or
inside a coat.
“The DeKalb County Police Department public
education specialists will provide training and
awareness through neighborhood and community
meetings and social media posts to help DeKalb
residents stay safe during the holiday shopping
season,” Spencer said.

Various soaps on display at Mama Bath and Body in Avondale Estates.

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LOCAL
DECATUR
Decatur gives city manager surprise send off
BY HORACE HOLLOMAN
horace@dekalbchamp.com
After 35 years with the
city of Decatur, long-time
city manager Peggy Merriss
is scheduled to retire at the
end of the year. During a
Dec. 4 Decatur Business
Association meeting, Decatur
officials wished Merriss a happy
retirement in their own special
way.
At the end of the DBA
meeting, held at Courtyard
Decatur's conference center,
several community members,
Decatur city workers,
commission members and
Mayor Patti Garrett celebrated
“Peggypalooza” in honor of
Merriss.
Merriss joined Decatur’s
staff in 1983 as the personnel
director. She held that position
Friends and coworkers of Decatur City Manager Peggy Merriss helped celebrate PeggyPalooza
following a Decatur Business Association meeting at Decatur Conference Center.   “The city commission
for six years and was named
assistant city manager in 1989.
In 1993 she was named city
manager and celebrated 25
years as Decatur’s city manager
in June.
Garrett said Merriss has
contributed greatly to the city’s
art community and put the city
in a strong financial position.
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2018 • Page 6
During Merriss’ tenure she
oversaw Decatur’s purchase of
under used parking lots that
were redeveloped to residential
housing units and the purchase
of the former United Methodist
Children’s Home with its 77
acres of green space.
“I’m speechless. Not
something that’s normally
attributed to me,” Merriss said.
“I just want to say thank you
to the city commission and a
special thanks to the Decatur
Business Association.”
Merriss also received the
Thomas O. Davis Award, an
award given to a city worker
who helps strengthen the bond
between government and the
community, serves as a role
model for others in public
service and contributes to the
well-being of the community.
nominated a very special
employee this year. Someone
who served the city of Decatur
for more than 35 years. She
fully exemplifies this award in
every way,” Garrett said.
Merriss said she knew
Thomas O. Davis, for whom
the award is named, on a
personal level. He was the city
attorney while Merriss served as
the city manager.
“I always choke up a bit
when I talk about Mr. Davis.
He was around when the city
made the decision to hire a
32-year-old young woman as
the city manager. I think a part
of the reason they did it was
because they knew Mr. Davis
was around to help me,” Merriss
said, crying. “For those of you
who didn’t get a chance to meet
him, he was such an amazing
man.”
After Merriss concluded
her award acceptance speech,
those present began to parade
into the ballroom to celebrate
PeggyPalooza. A video montage
of Decatur officials giving
Merriss well wishes also played
on a projection screen.
Merriss’ retirement is
effective Dec. 31. She said she
plans to explore roles that will
continue her passion for local
government.
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2018 • Page 7

WEEK in PICTURES

DeKalb Chief Magistrate Judge Berryl A. Anderson, back, awarded 47 “diplomas” to the first graduating class of the newly implemented People’s Law School. Photo provided

Dunwoody Public Works staff made a tribute to the Beatles Abbey Road iconic photo at the new crosswalk on North Peachtree at Barclay Drive Nov. 30. (Dunwoody Twitter Page)

Briarlake Elementary fifth grade Jr. Beta Team placed in six events at the State Convention in
Santa arrives by helicopter during Brookhaven’s “Light up Brookhaven” holiday event Nov. 29. Savannah.

Have you created programming you’d like to air on TV?

Do you have an interest in Public Access TV in DeKalb County?
Submit your show to DeKalb County’s Public Access channel, DeKalb 25.
Drop off DVD or USB copies to the Manuel J. Maloof Center at
1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur, GA 30030, or upload your content via the internet.

(404) 371-2325 DeKalb25@outlook.com DeKalb25.com

LOCAL
ATLANTA
Joyce M. Gilliard, left, Tiffany Hasbourne, center, and Ben Cory Jones, right, spoke to college students Dec. 5. Photo by Taylor
Robins
Boomerang panel inspires
with personal stories
BY TAYLOR ROBINS
taylor@dekalbchamp.com
The Art Institute of Atlanta
students Dec. 5 heard about the
journey to success from three
creatives who are helping to
bring the new television show
Boomerang to BET.
The panel featured Ben
Cory Jones, showrunner and
executive producer, Tiffany
Hasbourne, head costume
designer and 1997 Art Institute
of Atlanta graduate, and Joyce
M. Gilliard, head hairstylist for
the show.
“This panel discussion gives
our students a unique look into
the creation and production
of a series, while it is taking
place,” said Newton Myvett,
institutional president for The
Art Institute of Atlanta. “It
provides insight for them as
they prepare to enter creative
industries themselves.”
Panelist talked about
their career journeys and the
adversities they faced perusing
creative careers─the same
careers the students will soon
pursue.
Jones, a Morehouse college
graduate, who originally started
an investment banker career on
Wall Street describes himself as
“always attracted to the written
word.”
After the market crash of
2008 Jones was out of a job in
New York City.
“Those are the moments in
your life that you really have
to figure out what you want to
do,” Jones said.
After taking a TV writing
class at New York University,
Jones moved to Los Angeles
to pursue a television writing
career. He worked his way
up from production assistant
to writer for the HBO show
Insecure.
“I’ll be honest,” Jones
said. “Being a Black man and
moving to Los Angeles and
working in television was not
an easy thing because there’s
not a lot of people who look
like me that do what I do.
“You don’t always have to
know exactly what you want
to do,” Jones said. “Just have a
keen eye for the opportunities
that present themselves.”
Hasbourne, who has a
degree in computer animation
from the Dunwoody school, is a
well-known stylist and costume
designer. She said the degree
helps her because she visualizes
people and color differently.
After graduating and
realizing she wanted to be a
stylist, Hasbourne moved back
to her home state of New York
to pursue her dream.
“[The students] have access
to television shows and music
being [in the Atlanta area],”
Hasbourne said. “Atlanta is
such a rebirth of creativity.
We didn’t have [the same
opportunities] when I was
[going to school] here.”
Styling for music videos
and football players, Hasbourne
decided she wanted to style
for television shows. With
no experience as a costume
designer, Hasbourne got
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2018 • Page 8
a job as an assistant costume
designer for the HBO show
Ballers.
“Somebody posted that they
needed an ACD,” she said. “I
didn’t even know what that
stood for.”
Before getting the job,
Hasbourne said she was honest
about her lack of television
experience. She also said that
she believed the job was “her
job” and that helped during
the interview process with
the costume designer and
executive producer of the
show. Hasbourne also admitted
that she didn’t know what an
executive producer does.
“Now when I think back
on it, being naïve about the
situation is what helped me,”
Hasbourne said. “I didn’t know
to be that nervous. I just knew
that was my job.
“If you feel in your gut that
something is yours just claim it
and go after it,” she said.
The stylist has also worked
on Shooter and Atlanta.
Gilliard’s experience as a
hair stylist started at the age of
5 in her grandmother’s South
Carolina hair salon. Although
she felt a “calling” as a hair
stylist early on and planned to
go to college, Gilliard’s plans
were halted when she became a
single mother at 17 years old.
Gilliard said while working
at “every” fast-food restaurant,
she continued to “do hair on the
side.”
Gilliard married and became
a military wife causing her to
leave salons when her family
See Panel on Page 9
Education Briefs
BY TAYLOR ROBINS • taylor@dekalbchamp.com
REACH scholars recognized
Four Renfroe Middle School eighth graders
were recently awarded a REACH Scholarship. Jada
Chester, Jayden Coer, Dylan Elder and Gabriell
Smith are this year’s recipients.
Realizing Educational Achievement Can
Happen (REACH) is Georgia’s first public-private
school scholarship program. The mission of REACH
is to provide Georgia’s academically promising
students with the academic, social and financial
support needed to graduate from high school and
college prepared for work. City Schools of Decatur
wishes to thank our partner The Decatur Education
Foundation for their financial support of the
REACH program and scholars.
County school district receives $40,000
for STEM-based education
The DeKalb County School District’s commitment
to providing the best science, technology, engineering
and mathematics (STEM) education was recently
reaffirmed by a national foundation.
DCSD was recently awarded $40,000 by the Bosch
Community Fund for the purpose of providing STEM/
STEAM projects to schools throughout the district. The
funds will be used to enhance existing activities that
support project-based learning, support teacher efficacy
through professional development, and provide for new
experiences for students.
“The recent grant funding from the Bosch
Community Fund is further proof that DeKalb
County School District is poised to reach a new level
of education, one that is truly unprecedented in the
metro Atlanta area,” said DCSD superintendent Dr. R.
Stephen Green. “These funds will support projects that
reinforce problem-solving skills and new technologies,
aiding our mission of developing future-minded
students. With such support from our community,
their futures are made brighter and abundant with
opportunity.”
Notice of Availability
DeKalb County 2019
Executive Budget Recommendation
The Chief Executive Officer of DeKalb County
will present the 2019 Executive Budget
Recommendation to the DeKalb County Board of
Commissioners on December 14, 2018 for their
consideration.
A copy of the entire Executive Budget
Recommendation will be available for public
inspection in the Office of Management & Budget,
6th Floor, Maloof Center during normal business
hours. The Executive Budget Recommendation
will also be available electronically at www.
dekalbcountyga.gov and will be available at DeKalb
County Library locations.
The DeKalb County Chief Executive Officer and
Board of Commissioners will hold Public Hearings
on the 2019 Executive Budget Recommendation at
times and places to be announced later.
LOCAL
DUNWOODY
Artist and bookstore owner hopes
to bring communities together
BY KATHY MITCHELL
FREELANCE REPORTER
R. Gregory Christie said
he wants patrons to think
of his Perimeter Mall shop,
GAS-Art Gifts Children’s
Bookstore, primarily as a
bookstore although he said it’s
much more. “It’s an art shop
and studio as well, but my goal
is to help people see art and
books in a new way. I want to
bring the community together
through art and literacy.”
Christie is an award-
winning artist who has
illustrated more than 60
children’s books and continues
to illustrate at a rate of two
to three books a year. He has
received such recognitions as
the NAACP Image Award and
his art was selected by the U.S.
Postal Service for its Kwanzaa
stamp.
“My art is for everyone,”
Christie said, “but I think
it’s especially important
for children of color to see
illustrations of people who
look like them. The largest
segment of my customer base
is Black grandmothers. They
are so excited to see books
with positive images of Black
children. They remember when
the Dick and Jane books that
featured only White children
were the standard. Many of
them say they had a hard time
finding books with children of
color when they were children
or even when they were raising
PANEL Continued From Page 8
had to move around. While in
New York, Gilliard’s husband
was deployed and she opened
her own hair salon and also
became a salon consultant.
Networking as a salon
consultant led Gilliard to
become the hair stylist for the
television show Run’s House.
Gilliard’s family moved
back to South Carolina after her
husband’s retirement. However,
Army Wives was filming in
Gilliard’s home state at the
time. Gilliard came to the set as
a background artist and asked
the producer if she could style
hair for the show.
their children. Now they’re
truly delighted to find them for
their grandchildren. “
Christie opened his shop
in 2012 in North DeKalb Mall
and moved earlier this year to
Perimeter Mall. “I just wasn’t
getting the volume of foot
traffic I need at North DeKalb
Mall. Art and books are often
impulse purchases. People
usually don’t wake up in the
morning thinking ‘I’m going to
go looking for some art today’
or ‘I think I’ll look for a book
today.’ They see something they
like and decide to buy it,” he
said.
Because the Perimeter Mall
store has not been as busy as
Christie had hoped, another
move is planned for 2019.
“Some changes are being made
at Stonecrest with a focus on
sports and attracting families.
I think that might be the right
place for me,” Christie said,
adding that he plans to open
there in February. He said if
that store fails to bring the
volume of business he needs,
he may conclude that Georgia
is wrong place for his concept.
“It’s a sound concept,”
Christie said, explaining
that he believes interesting
illustrations will get children
interested in reading. “I want
them to pick something up
because it’s visually appealing
then become interested in the
story. Children today need
more quiet activities such
as reading and painting,” he
added.
Soon after, Gilliard
became the first Black person
to become part of the hair
and makeup union in South
Carolina. She still remains
the only person of color in the
South Carolina union.
Even when Gilliard was
struck by a train in 2014
while on the set of Midnight
Rider─breaking her arm in
half─ she continued to do hair
with eight screws holding her
arm together.
“The doctors told me I’d
never do hair again,” she said.
“They weren’t going to tell me
what I was going to do. This is
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2018 • Page 9
Although R. Gregory Christie says he wants his Perimeter Mall shop seen primarily as a bookstore, it offers framed and unframed
art created by him and his wife.
The GAS in the store name
was a whim, Christie said.
A fellow artist called him
gregarious, “so it could be
gregarious art statements or
great art statements or great
art store,” he suggested with a
laugh.
The books Christie
illustrated are available in
his store along with other
judiciously chosen selections.
“I am careful about what I
choose for my store. I want to
be careful about the subject
matter. I don’t choose on a
political basis, but I think of
this as a specialty store with a
focus on history and culture,”
my life and my passion.”
Gilliard wrote her first book
The Little Book About Toxic
Friends, while recovering.
When word got out that she
wanted to work again, Gilliard
received 18 calls in two weeks
to work on sets in Atlanta.
The television series is
loosely based on the ‘90s film
Boomerang that stars Eddie
Murphy and Halle Berry. The
television series being filmed
in the Atlanta area is co-created
by Emmy winner and executive
producer Lena Waithe and
Jones, with Berry also serving
as executive producer.
he said. All his books are from GAS-Art Gifts Children’s
traditional publishers, he Bookstore offers art, framed
noted. “People ask me to carry and unframed. All the store’s
their self-published books on art is Christie's work or that
consignment, but that would of his wife, who is also an
make me a different kind of artist. Many are pieces that
store. That’s not what I want to have illustrated books. “One
do right now.” day we may sell the work of
Although he doesn’t guest artists, but that’s after
sell self-published books, I become a bigger business.
workshops for people wanting You have to crawl before you
to create and bind their own walk,” Christie said. He said
books are among his shop’s by featuring his own work he
services along one-on-one controls the prices. “I want the
art instruction and painting art to be affordable,” he said. “I
classes, including sip and paint want children to be able to pick
sessions. Christie said he caters something they like and for the
to all ages and skill levels. parents to be able to buy it for
In addition to books, the child’s wall.”
CITY OF STONE MOUNTAIN
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
The City of Stone Mountain hereby gives notice that a
Public Hearing will be held to receive public comment
on a Text Amendment application to Appendix A,
Zoning, Article V. District Regulations, Sec. 5-8. – Office
Professional Institutional District of the City of Stone
Mountain Code of Ordinances for the property located
at 6804 James B Rivers Memorial Dr, Stone Mountain,
Parcel #18-126-07-012.
The Mayor and City Council will hold a Public Hearing
on this matter on Tuesday, January 8, 2019 at City Hall
located at 875 Main Street, Stone Mountain, GA at 6:30
P.M. Anyone wishing to attend the public hearing may do
so and be heard relative thereto.
 DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2018 • Page 10

AROUNDDEKALB
CLARKSTON
Library offers social benefits and
employment assistance
Residents who need assistance with
applications for social benefits can meet
with a caseworker from International Rescue
Committee Dec. 21 at Clarkston Library
from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. A caseworker will
assist residents on a first-come, first-served
basis. An employment specialist will also
provide employment assistance. The library is
located at 951 North Indian Creek Drive. For
information, call (404) 508-7175.
DJ playing favorite dance hits. Admission
includes appetizers from Gotta Have It
Catering, two drink tickets, a dance floor with
DJ, sodas, a champagne toast at midnight and
holiday party favors.
Admission is $45 for History Center
members or $60 for non-members. For guests
younger than 21, the cost is $15. Group rates
are available. To purchase advance tickets and
save 10 percent, visit squareup.com/store/
dekalb-history-center. Enter code DHD18
during checkout for 10 percent off.
LITHONIA
Coats wanted for clothing drive
at one of the recreational facilities during
normal operating hours. The Lucious Sanders
Recreation Center is located at 2484 Bruce
Street.
STONE MOUNTAIN
Library to host holiday craft activities
Crafters can make ornaments at Stone
Mountain-Sue Kellogg Library Dec. 18 from
1 to 3 p.m. The event is open to the first six
participants. The library is located at 952 Leon
Street. For more information, call (770) 413-
2020.

DECATUR DeKalb County Department of Recreation, COUNTYWIDE

New Year’s Eve event announced
“Ring in the New Year with the best party in
Decatur,” states a release from DeKalb History
Center announcing the organization’s holiday
extravaganza. It features a professional
Parks & Cultural Affairs is accepting new or
gently used coats for its first coat drive now
until Dec. 21 at Lucious Sanders Recreation
Center in Lithonia. As the temperature starts
to drop, the Department of Recreation
Parks & Cultural Affairs is working to provide
some comfort to those in need. Residents
are encouraged to drop off coat donations
DeKalb schools take holiday break
City Schools of Decatur and DeKalb County
School District will take a holiday break from
Dec. 24 to Jan. 4 in observance of Christmas
and New Year’s. The districts will start the
second semester of school Jan. 7.

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SPORTS DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2018 • Page 11

Soccer player Allie Berk signed with University of Alabama. Sebastian Thomas signed a baseball scholarship to Auburn University.

Runner Kathleen Maley signed with the University of Tennessee. Baseball player James MacCallum signed with Mercer University.

Golfer Matthew Larkin signed a scholarship to Wofford College. Katie Goldberg signed a softball scholarship to the University of Virginia.

Six Marist athletes sign on the dotted line

BY CARLA PARKER
carla@dekalbchamp.com
Six student athletes from Marist will
be student athletes at the college level
next year.
Seniors Allie Berk (soccer), Katie
Goldberg (softball), Matthew Larkin
(golf), James MacCallum (baseball),
Kathleen Maley (cross country/track)
and Sebastian Thomas (baseball)
recently signed letters-of-intent in front
of family and friends.
Berk signed with the University of
Alabama. She led Marist to two state
runner-up titles (2016, 2017), and she
plays for Top Hat Soccer Club.
Goldberg signed with the University
of Virginia. She was an infielder and
team captain for Marist and earned
Most Valuable Player honors. She was
named the Region Player of the Year
and was a First Team All-State selection
as a junior.
Larkin signed a golf scholarship to
Wofford College. He helped lead Marist
to a third-place finish at the Class
AAAA state tournament last May.
MacCallum signed a baseball
scholarship to Mercer University, and
his teammate, Thomas, signed with
Auburn University. Both were members
of Marist’s 2017 state championship
team.
Maley signed with the University
of Tennessee. She finished first in the
individual standings at the Class AAAA
cross country meet this year, leading
Marist to its 19th girls’ cross country
state title. She was named to the 2017
All-Metro Cross Country 1st Team by
the Atlanta Track Club.

DECATUR
Fifteen recognized as hometown heroes
BY HORACE HOLLOMAN
horace@dekalbchamp.com
Since its inception in 1996,
Decatur officials have handed
out hundreds of hometown
hero awards to deserving
volunteers in the community.
This year, Decatur
recognized 15 individuals with
the Hometown Hero Award
at the December meeting of
Decatur Business Association
at the Decatur Conference
Center.
“These hometown heroes,
they make a huge difference in
the community,” said Decatur
Mayor Patti Garrett.
According to city officials,
the hometown heroes program
was created in 1996 at the
close of the Hometown to the
World Festival held during the
Atlanta Olympic Games that
year. Officials said the 14-day
festival was a success because
of the hundreds of volunteers.
At the close of the festival, the
Decatur City Commission
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2018 • Page 12
honored the volunteers, and
since then, the Hometown
Heroes Awards have been
presented annually.
This year’s winners
included Mike Barcik, who
volunteers with the MLK Jr.
Service Project Weatherization
Program; Emily Berg, founder
of the Mead Road Mardi
Gras Parade; Beth Byrnes,
founder and president of
the Clairemont Gateway
Association; Anne Clarke,
operator for the Oakhurst Jazz
Night series; Joyce Cohrs,
volunteer for The Friends Decatur city officials honored 15 hometown heroes during a December Decatur Business Association meeting.
of Decatur Library; Kristin
Ebersold, community leader Amina Mohamad, a leader “This was such a big photo placed in the “Wall of
and volunteer; Quonisha in the Somali community and surprise when I got the letter Heroes” in the Decatur City
Jackson, Middle Georgia Decatur Housing Authority in the mail from the city Hall where the names of all
Bears Elite football coach and apartment neighborhood; saying that I was a Hometown past Hometown Heroes can be
student tutor; Linda Lael, Beate Sass, creator of the I Am Hero,” Martin said. “Being a found.
longtime AARP tax aide and Decatur photo project; Sara past president of the Decatur “I was shocked. I had no
volunteer income tax counselor Shay Sullivan and Christy Business Association, I used to idea [I would win this award],”
at Decatur Recreation Center; Amador, former co-chairs of emcee this event and I always Clarke said. “It was really
Tim Martin, Decatur Business the Better Together Advisory wondered what it would be like great. I have lots of community
Association volunteer; Ellyn Board and Anna Summerlin, to be a Hometown Hero and support. The community has
Mathys, founder of the volunteer with A Season of now I get my chance. This was been great, and I couldn’t do
Oakhurst Pollinator Garden Giving/Christmas Decatur. great.” what I do without the support
at the Oakhurst Dog Park; Winners also have their of the community.”
publix: homeless