New foreclosure listings in the champion

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the DeKalb

FRIDAY, September 9, 2016 VOL. 19, NO. 22 FREE

Serving East Atlanta, Avondale Estates, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Clarkston, Decatur, Doraville, Dunwoody, Lithonia, Pine Lake, Tucker and Stone Mountain.

A PUBLICATION OF ACE III COMMUNICATIONS

by Horace Holloman
horace@dekalbchamp.com

aul Anka, described as a loveable and playful

pit bull, sat in an animal shelter in DeKalb
County for nine months.
Volunteers at the Lifeline Animal Project, which
manages shelters in DeKalb County and Fulton
County, said they couldnt figure out why Paul Anka
wasnt adopted.
Turns out, all Paul Anka needed was pajamas to
find puppy love in his forever home.
As part of a new initiative at Lifeline, the shelter
offered a doggy sleepover with Paul Anka as the
four-legged house guest.
Lifeline posted Paul Ankas sleepover opportunity
on social media and the response was amazing, said
Lifelines Public Relations Director Karen Hirsch.
Well were always dressing our dogs up anyway,
so we thought, why not dress some of our dogs
up in pajamas and ask if they wanted to have a
sleepover? Hirsch said. Paul Anka had been at our
shelter for nine months. We got a lot of responses
right away.
The first family to take Paul Anka for a sleepover
adopted him.
Hirsch said the father of Paul Ankas new home
initially had one requestno pit bulls. However, the
dogs pjs and charm won the family over.
They just fell head over heels. The next day we
got a call asking if they could keep him another night.
They called again the next day and asked if they
could keep him, Hirsch said. Hes a very loving dog
and an overall good dog.
The pajamas are specially made for dogs, Hirsch
said, so they can perform bodily functions without the
pjs being taken off.
Since Ankas successful sleepover, Lifeline has
fitted several other dogs for play dates and sleepovers
in pajamas.
For some reason, our pit bulls love to be dressed
up. Theyre all over it. Anything that gives them extra
attention they love it, Hirsch said.

See Pit Bulls on Page 5

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local

DEKALB FREE PRESS Friday, September 9, 2016 Page 2A

2016 Mobile Market Stops

CASH, CREDIT, AND SNAP/EBT CARDS ACCEPTED

Tuesdays

9AM - 11AM Exchange Recreation Center 2771 Columbia Dr. Decatur

12PM - 2PM South DeKalb YMCA

2565 Snapfinger Rd. Decatur

5PM - 7PM Mainstreet Community Association 5001 Mainstreet Park Dr. Stone Mountain

Wednesdays

9AM - 11AM Clifton Springs Health Center 3110 Clifton Springs Rd. Decatur
12PM - 2PM Austin Drive Senior Campus

1989 Austin Dr. Decatur

5PM - 7PM Taddas Fitness Center 2615 Park Central Blvd. Decatur

Thursdays

9AM - 11AM Spring Chase II Apartments 4947 Memorial Dr. Decatur

12PM - 2PM Lou Walker Senior Center 2538 Panola Rd. Lithonia
5PM - 7PM New Life Community Ministries 3592 Flat Shoals Rd. Decatur

Fridays

11AM - 1PM DeKalb County Extension 4380 Memorial Dr. Ste 200 Decatur
2PM - 4PM June 17th and Aug. 19 only @Candler Library 1917 Candler Rd. Decatur
July 15 and Sept. 16 only @Clarkston Library 951 N. Indian Creek Dr. Clarkston

Call (404) 298-4080 for more information.

local

DEKALB FREE PRESS Friday, September 9, 2016 Page 3A

AroundDekalb
Avondale Estates
City to host annual yard sale

Avondale Estates will host its annual citywide yard sale on Sept. 17,
from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The yard sale will take place throughout the city.
Registration for the yard sale ends Sept. 9. For more information, visit
www.avondaleestates.org.

Movie screening at Avondale church

The community is invited to view the 1963 black and white movie
classic Lillies of the Field on Sept. 16 at Avondale Pattillo United
Methodist Church. The screening will begin at 7 p.m. The movie runs 94
minutes and there will be a discussion following the screening. Admission
is free. The church is located at 3260 Covington Highway. For more
information, call (404) 294-4063.

BROOKHAVEN
Police department to host 5K

The Brookhaven Police Department will host its In the Hot Pursuit
5K and Tot Trot on Sept. 17. The race starts and ends on Dresden Drive
near Apple Valley Drive and DeKalb Fire Station No. 2. Parking will be in
the rear lot of the Brookhaven MARTA station at 3360 Peachtree Road.
Entry fee is $30 per runner if registered by Sept. 8; $35 if registered after
Sept. 8 and on race day. All proceeds will fund Brookhaven Police ShopWith-A-Badge program. For more information, visit www.hotpursuit5k.
itsyourrace.com.

clarkston

DeKalb Symphony Orchestra opens season with

violinist Justin Bruns
The DeKalb Symphony Orchestra will open its 2016-2017 concert
season on Sept. 27 with violinist Justin Bruns performing Symphonie
Espagnole by Lalo. Bruns is the assistant concertmaster with Atlanta
Symphony Orchestra, whih hes been a member of since 2006. As a
chamber musician Bruns has performed throughout the United States
and England. He was a performer on the Faculty Tuesdays Recital Series
at the University of Colorado, with the String in the Mountains Music
Festival, North Georgia Music Festival and Georgian Chamber Players.

Bruns has also performed cycles of the Brahms,

Beethoven, and late Mozart sonatas.
The season opening performance will be held
at 8 p.m. in the Marvin Cole Auditorium at Georgia
State University Perimeter College, Clarkston
Campus. The public is invited to meet the
conductor at a 7 p.m. pre-concert conversation.
To purchase tickets call (678) 891-3565 or visit
www.dekalbsymphony.org. Tickets may also be
purchased at the door.

dunwoody

City hosts Movie in the Meadow

The city of Dunwoody is set to begin its first Movie in the Meadow
event with a free screening of Zootopia at the Park at Pernoshal Court on
Sept. 9. Festivities will begin at 5 p.m. and last until approximately 9:45
p.m.
In addition to the screening, guests can expect food trucks and
games. Zootopia will start at dusk.
Attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket, fold-up chair or other
seating equipment. The Park at Pernoshal Court is located at 4575 North
Shallowford Road in Dunwoody.

First responders to perform 9/11 stair climb

Local fire rescue, police and emergency personnel will participate in
the 2016 Georgia 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb on Sept. 10.
At exactly 8:46 a.m.one minute after a plane hit the first tower of
the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001first-responders will climb the
equivalent of 110 stories at the Manhattan Condominium, located at 4561
Olde Perimeter Way in Dunwoody, to honor the FDNY firefighters, police
officers and EMS workers lost in the World Trade Center attacks.
Registration for the event will begin at 8 a.m. Participants may
register as individuals or a team. Virtual climbers can also register at
evets.firehero.org/Georgia. Proceeds from the event will benefit the
families of fallen first responders.

stone mountain
City to host music event

Gareth Asher will perform Sept. 16 at Stone Mountains Tunes

By The Tracks event in the municipal parking lot, next to the Gazebo.
Attendees can bring their lawn chairs. The two-hour concert begins at 7
p.m. For more information, visit www.stonemountaincity.org.

local

DEKALB FREE PRESS Friday, September 9, 2016 Page 4A

The DeKalb County Police Athletic League partnered with local teens for a
nine-week Midnight Basketball League over the summer. Photos provided

DeKalb County police

partner with youth
Tucker held an open house at its new city hall building, located at 4119 Adrian Street.
Photos by Carla Parker

Tucker officials
show off new home
by Carla Parker
carla@dekalbchamp.com

ucker residents got to tour the

citys first city hall located at
4119 Adrian Street during an
open house on Aug. 26.
We have a full staff for two of our
three servicescode enforcement
and zoning and planning, Mayor
Frank Auman said. We have
[geographic information system]
mapping in house, so were in those
businesses and its good.
Auman said the city has an openended lease for the building, which
gives city officials time to search for a
permanent location.
Itll likely be a midterm, maybe
a three-to-five-year plan and then
something more permanent when
were ready to do that, Auman said.
The idea was to be here a few
months and see how long itll take
us to find the next [location]. Were
working on a couple of options. We
may end up here a little longer than
we first planned.
City officials are looking for a
location that has enough room to hold
public meetings. Auman said the city
is also considering building a new hall.
I dont think we will any time
real soon, but ultimately thats the
plan, he said. We hope to use
whatever that turns out to be as kind
The city hall open house featured live
of a catalyst project maybe on a part
entertainment and refreshments.
of town that would help spur other
development and kind of open up
Were doing business licenses
some pieces of town where there is
right now, were doing code
not much traffic right now.
enforcement, so they come in and we
Auman said seeing city hall and
have customer service going and this
people coming in to do business has
is their city, he said. This is the place
made it a reality that the longtime
they come to now.
community is officially a city.

by Horace Holloman
horace@dekalbchamp.com
Officers with the DeKalb
County Police Athletic League
(PAL) used a nine-week
basketball program over the
summer to inspire teens to get
off the streets and become
productive.
Through PALs Midnight
Basketball League, teens
ages 15 -19 played basketball
and participated in workshops
designed to teach life skills.
Sonya Porter, executive
director of the PAL board, said
the league is a great way to
communicate with youth in the
area.
We know that basketball is
something most kids like to play,
and with basketball we wanted
to use that as a gateway and
give them some of our input
and insight, Porter said. We
talked about gangs and how to
deal with the police. The exciting
thing to me is you had kids in
different gang sets that were
able to come together.
Porter said the program
lasted from 9-11:30 p.m.
Members of PAL and the
DeKalb Workforce Development
taught hour-long workshops.
After a life skills workshop,
participants were able to play
basketball with local officers.
In the first week of the
program, Porter said, nine kids
participated, but by the end of
the nine weeks the program had
received nearly 85 participants.
As a part of the workshops,
Porter said participants were
taught how to enroll in a GED
program. Four participants also
received jobs.
Employment and senior
analyst with DeKalb Workforce
Developments youth
department Melfred Garrison,
offered training and employment
opportunities to participating

teens. Garrison shared

employment and training tips as
well as life skills advice.
Providing educational and
life skills training along with this
summer sports program is a winwin for DeKalb County and for
the participating youth, DeKalb
Interim CEO Lee May said in a
statement.
Porter said distrust from
local youth and police officers
comes from misinformation. She
said she made it a goal for the
teens to get to know the officers
they were interacting with on a
personal level.
A lot of things are about
communication. If we at least
take the time to listen to these
young Black men we can help.
Sometimes its not that they
have a bad experience [with
police] sometimes its what they
hear, Porter said. I wanted
everybody to work with a police
officer and get their name and
at least make contact and
say thats a person [I know]
over there. We need to find
these kids and start building a
relationship.
Khary Ricketts, a DeKalb
detective and member of PAL,
said he hopes the program
continues to grow in the
upcoming years.
We just want to continue to
build on it. The whole purpose
is to have an outreach to as
many juveniles as possible.
We just used basketball as a
tool to [bring] them in but now
theyre also getting life lessons
and being able to help their
community, Ricketts said.
Porter said she hopes PAL
will initiate a boxing program in
the future.
This gets them off the
streets and it makes them look
more responsible. We even had
parents that stayed for the entire
program, Porter said.

DEKALB FREE PRESS Friday, September 9, 2016

Pit bulls Continued From Page 1

Hirsch said the one-night sleepovers are
perfect alternatives for families considering
adoption but who cant commit to a week long
adoption trial phase.
Currently, the DeKalb animal shelter has 830
animals. Hirsch said with the overcrowding, onenight sleepovers may increase awareness for
animals in need of a permanent home.
Samantha, a 45-pound black and white
pit bull, will be the next dog to try a one-night
sleepover. Hirsch said Samantha loves kids and
loves to dress up, making her a perfect candidate
to spend the night.
Justin Sparks, a kennel manager at Lifeline
for more than a decade, said Samantha and
other pit bull breeds are generally viewed in a
negative way.
Dressing dogs up in costumes or pajamas will
soften their image, Sparks said.
Unfortunately it happens all the time. Some
people cant get past her looks, thats why shes
been with us for so long, Sparks said She was
really high energy when she first came so weve
had to work with her. Now when we take her to
events she just waits for people to come and pet
her. She knows how to play the part. Shes our
pit bull ambassador.
Sparks said once people can look past their
preconceived notions about pit bulls, they realize
the breed can be a loving family dog.
Most people are fearful about her being
around their children, but seeing that shes willing
to dress up and play helps soften their image.
They realize oh, she can do things with the
family, too.

local

Page 5

DEKALB FREE PRESS Friday, September 9, 2016

opinion

Page 6

The teenage years can be tough on all

Heredity is what sets the parents of
a teenager wondering about each other.
Laurence J. Peter
It is often said that the teen years
are among the most difficult years of
life. I concur. Not only are the teen years
difficult for teens, but also are difficult
for others who may be forced to interact
with them.
After having recently spent time with
several teenage family members and
being a bit disgusted with some of them,
it occurred to me that perhaps I should
be less judgmental of them. What I
saw as being lazy, aloof, self-absorbed,
inconsiderate, arrogant and pompous
may actually be outward manifestations
of their internal miseries.
Teenage boys often find themselves
with a body that is almost adult-like, but
a voice that sounds as if they have just
inhaled helium. Its likely that teenage
girls are physically and emotionally
uncomfortable as they begin to
experience menstrual cycles, hormonal
changes, and the pain and agony of
growing breasts.
We had a lakeside family gathering
at a campground where I had my
camper. When one family and teen
arrived, the teen displayed his sullen
behavior by hardly speaking and then
returning to the car to sit alone. Perhaps
it was too hot in the car for the young
jock; he later went inside my camper
and made himself quite comfortable on
my bed. When I saw this sweaty kid laid

raging teen hormones). My niecethe

teens mother explained that the teen
got angry with her friend when they
stopped for lunch.
When I was told of the outward
exhibition of anger by my great-niece,
I have always thought of as being
John Hewitt whom
mature, intelligent, kind and considerate,
johnh@dekalbchamp.com albeit a bit sarcasticI was shocked.
It seems that she got angry with her
boyfriend and put her fist through his
out on my bedwithout even asking if it
filet-o-fish sandwich. This girl is in
would be OKI wanted to jerk him out
accelerated classes, has an excellent
by his ear.
command of the English language and
Im not so old that I dont remember
appears to be a near-perfect teen.
thinking as a teen that my bedroom
As the afternoon progressed and
was my sanctuary and that no one
we were preparing for dinner, I decided
entered my sanctuary without explicit
that if I and the other adults were going
permission, and nobody dared lie on my to be busy with prep work, that the teens
bed without my permission. But here the should also pitch in and help. I believe
kid was, lying on my bed with his shoes
that if one reaps the benefits, one
on, phone plugged into the electrical
should also contribute if able.
outlet where my phone charger had
I looked for the teen creatures and
previously been, and oblivious to his
was told that they were all inside the
gross overstepping of boundaries. I bit
camper. In the bedroom were four lanky
my tongue and didnt say a word; but in
bodies precariously sprawled out on
my mind, he was being verbally raked
the two twin beds. Most of them were
over the proverbial coals.
interacting with their phones instead of
A bit later, the second group of
actually having a conversation. They all
relatives arrived with three teens in tow.
had their shoes on and were oblivious
The teens were two great-nieces and
to the fact that they were crushing my
one of their boyfriends. There was no
backpack and two favorite hats that
introduction of the boyfriend. Being the
I had placed on one of the beds in
crass old uncle at times, I sarcastically
an attempt to keep them from being
asked my great-niece if she could bother tampered with by the younger children.
herself to introduce us. There was an
I asked them to all come out and
introduction, but it was apparent that
help by wiping down the rain-soaked
there was a bit of emotional friction (AKA tablecloth. One of the girls graciously

offered to wipe the entire table, but

I insisted that they all participate. It
was comical watching one of the boys
continuously wiping in one spot in an
attempt to look busy.
After dinner the same boy who
was less than efficient in his efforts at
drying the table, left his plate, napkin
and cup sitting on the table as if he
was expecting a waiter to clear the
table. Of course, I called him out on this
and made him properly dispose of his
garbage. Oh, if looks could kill, I would
have been dead!
Assuming that the foursome had
left my beds in total disarray, I returned
inside to check. They had trashed the
place. I called them inside and told
them to make the beds look exactly
as they had before their invasion. The
same polite, intelligent young woman
who had earlier put her fist through her
boyfriends sandwich actually told me
that she does not know how to make
a bed! I responded, I think youre
intelligent enough to figure out what
needs to be done to make the beds look
neat again, and if you arent capable of
thatwe have a real problem.
I love all of these kids but Im
thinking that maybe next time we have
a family camping excursion; they need
to have their separate accommodations.
Perhaps these accommodations should
be on the other side of the lake and we
only allow them to visit for 10 minutes at
a time and never en masse!

DEKALB FREE PRESS Friday, September 9, 2016

opinion

Page 7

And the geeks shall inherit

Blessed are the meek, for
they will inherit the Earth.
Matthew 5:5, The Bible, New
Testament
As I sat watching a parade of
thousands of costumed greats
and not so greats endlessly
proceeding along Peachtree
Street, no sacrilege intended, I
smiled to myself noting that the
geeks have inherited Earth.And
that is a good thing.
Dragon Con returned to
Atlanta this Labor Day weekend
for its 30th celestial gathering of
fan boys, nerds, sci-fi and fantasy
celebrities and a surprisingly high
number of very attractive women
not wearing a lot of fabric.For a
moment I thought I had stumbled
through a Wormhole (Google
it) to the AVN convention in Las
Vegas.
Initially a modest nerd herd
at the former Pierremont Plaza
Hotel (now the Crowne Plaza/
StayBridge Suites Hotel) on West
Peachtree Street in Midtown in
1987, Dragon Con this year
brought an estimated 80,000
into downtown Atlanta over the
Labor Day weekend.The fourday, four-night fan and fantasy
extravaganza is planned,
designed, executed and staged
with the fans in mind.Celebrities
and science fiction stars aplenty,
but this is not the Hollywood
focused San Diego Comic
Conthis show is aimed at
the consumers, the folks who
provide the fuel, the cash and

One Mans
Opinion
Bill Crane

bill.csicrane@gmail.com

the bang that have super heroes

again commanding the box
office these days most every
summer.The convention offers
workshops, autograph sessions,
performances previews, gaming,
etc., with more than 3,000 hours
of programming, running for 96
hours and 24 hours each day.
And though the stars of the
galaxy were abundant this year
the original Captain Kirk, William
Shatner, to commemorate Star
Treks 50th anniversary, as well
as Gillian Anderson, X-Files,
and up-and-coming talents such
as Drew Powell,Gothamthe
real stars were the thousands of
cos-play, custom costumed super
heroes, zombies, vampires,
secret agents, droids, Ninja
Turtles, you get the picturejust
taking a leisurely stroll down
Peachtree or through the lobby of
the Hyatt Regency with virtually
no one batting an eye; with
the possible exception of the
nearly 1,000 different versions of
Batman.
I am reminded of high school
and the desires of adolescence
for acceptance, and the want of
popularity; the separating of the
popular from the unpopular, the

pretty people versus the not so

much.
Fantasy offers an escape
from that then and now, whether
reading or gaming or sharing
your passionsan exercise that
can be easily shared among
the masses.And as those high
school reunions come, go and roll
by, there begins to be a clearer
understanding of peaking earlyin
life.
High school was not a lot
of fun for me.I didnt top five
feet until my sophomore year.I
played soccer and ran crosscountry, participating in two state
championship teams; but I was
not the standout, the star or the
athlete folks came to see in either
sport.My brain and quick wit
always advanced me further than
my brawn.And so, reluctantly,
I will admit, though I would not
have self-labeled as such at the
time, in retrospect, and during
the on-air days of Happy Days;I
was a nerd.That is, by the way,
also where I first heard that
word.It was quite refreshing
this year to actually meet Henry
Winkler,the fictional Fonz,
Arthur Fonzarelli, who at least
seems to have coined that term,
admit unabashedly that he was
a dyslexic (though undiagnosed
until age 32) unpopular, short,
nerd in a New York City public
school, whose own parents
affectionately referred to as
dumb dogin German, though
not entirely understanding

of the nature of his learning

disability.Yes, even the Fonz
had to suffer through parents
who did not quite get him and
classmates who labeled him
something much less than what
Henry Winkler actually was.
As we look ahead to this
sometimes less than optimistic
world, I can see why and how
the geeks and the nerds are
most likely to inherit this planet,
people such as Windows nerd
Bill Gates.Curing cancer-hasnt
happened yet, but the fella/lady
with the syringe will be a science
nerd.Zombie apocalypse?Yes,
we will want and need sheriff
deputy Rick Grimes, but there
will also be thousands of nerds
who will already know what to
do.I could go on, but my point
is that there will always be more
of us than there will be the shiny,
beautiful peoplewho somehow
seem to fade a bit early, like
those aging yearbooks.And Im
good with that.
Live long and prosper, folks.
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.

Subscribe to The Champion Newspaper

To subscribe, visit TheChampionNewspaper.com or call 404.373.7779

FreePress
the DeKalb

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P. O. Box 1347, Decatur, GA 30031-1347;
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EDITORS NOTE: The opinions written by columnists and contributing editors do not necessarily reflect the opinions
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Publisher is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts.

Publisher:
John Hewitt

Photographer:
Travis Hudgons

Chief Financial Officer:

Dr. Earl D. Glenn

Staff Reporters:
Carla Parker
R. Scott Belzer
Horace Holloman

Production Manager:
Kemesha Wadley

The DeKalb Free Press is published each Friday

by ACE III Communications, Inc.,
114 New Street, Suite E, Decatur, GA. 30030
Phone (404) 373-7779.
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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

DEKALB FREE PRESS Friday, September 9, 2016 Page 8A

DeKalb anti-trafficking unit making impact

by Horace Holloman
horace@dekalbchamp.com
Dalia Racine, who
has worked with DeKalbs
District Attorneys office for
more than five years, said
DeKalbs Anti-Trafficking
and Exploitation Watch
Unit continues to grow.
The unit, which has
been called Racines
baby, started in January
of last year and was
created to curb sex
trafficking in the county.
In 2011 when Racine
started in DeKalbs D.A.s
office, she said the office
had two defendants
charged with sex
trafficking. Now, the office
has roughly 90 defendants
charged with sex trafficking
crimes.
Recently, Racines
baby took a big first

step as the unit got its

longest conviction since its
formation.
Robert Tate, 30,
was found guilty of rape,
two counts of trafficking
of persons for sexual
servitude, two counts of
pimping a person under
the age of 18, and two
counts of interference with
custody and he received a
life sentence Aug. 25.
Tate, a Lithonia
resident, sold two underaged girls for sex.
In March 2014, Tate
and Jamal King met a pair
of 16-year-old girls who
had run away from their
Macon foster homes.
The men used the
popular ad listing service
website Backpage to sell
the girls into prostitution.
Racine said Backpage
is the number one

METROPOLITAN ATLANTA RAPID TRANSIT AUTHORITY

Notice of Public Hearings

Notice is hereby given that the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit
Authority will hold public hearings for the purpose of considering the

Proposed Bus Service Modifications

for December 10, 2016

Proposed routing and/or adjustments and new service for the following bus routes:
Route 2: Ponce De Leon / Decatur; Route 16: Noble; Route 33: Briarcliff Road /
Lenox; Route 34: Second Avenue / Gresham Road /Clifton Springs; Route 47: I-85
Access Road / Briarwood Road; Route 67: West End / Dixie Hills; Route 102: Ponce
de Leon Avenue / Candler Park; Route 123: North DeKalb Mall / Belvedere; Route
165: Fairburn Road / Barge Road Park & Ride; Route 191: Justice Center / S.R. 85
-- Riverdale Road / Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal.

marketplace for sexual

exploitation of underage
children. King pleaded
guilty and was sentenced
to 13 years in prison, with
seven years on probation.
Racine, a mother of
three children, said the
conviction was personally
satisfying.
I am a mother and
I know how easy these
kids can be brought into
human trafficking, Racine
said. Im glad the jury
DeKalb County District Attorney
called this out for what
Robert James
it is. You try not to get
attached to these cases on victims.
a personal level, but it was
In 2014, one of the girls
rewarding.
became pregnant and Tate
Racine said pimps or
choked, physically abused
abusers will typically seek
and raped the teen. She
runaways.
later escaped to turn Tate
This man and his
in.
cohorts forced these girls
The girls were able to
into sexual slavery, said
testify during Tates trial,
DeKalb County District
something Racine said
Attorney Robert James in
took amazing courage.
a statement. Its because
I always commend
of people like Mr. Tate that the strength that they had
we formed the DeKalb
to come forward. A lot of
Anti-Trafficking and
times they normalize what
Exploitation Watch unit,
happened to them, Racine
and we wont stop going
said.
after human traffickers
During testimony,
until we eliminate this
one of the girls said it
scourge.
didnt take much to make
Racine said many
$1,000 in one night by
teens who are involved
sleeping with eight men.
with pimps come from
The man who
abusive situations, such
impregnated one of
as the case with Tates
the under-aged girls is

All route information, a video presentation & comment forms

are available at www.itsmarta.com

Mon, Sep. 19
Fulton County
Assembly Hall

141 Pryor St., SW Atlanta

30303

Community Exchange:
6-7 p.m.

HEARING: 7 p.m.

Riding MARTA: Bus Routes 32,

49, 55, 74, and 186.

Wed, Sep. 21
Maloof Auditorium
1300 Commerce Dr.,
Decatur 30030

Community Exchange:
6-7 p.m.

HEARING: 7 p.m.

Riding MARTA: Walk one block

west of Decatur Rail Station.

Thurs, Sep. 22
Clayton County
Commission
Chambers

HEARING: 7 p.m.

Riding MARTA: Shuttle service

provided from the Justice
Center.

Copies of the proposed Bus Service Modifications will also be available for public viewing at MARTAs Headquarters
Office of External Affairs, 2424 Piedmont Road, N.E. Atlanta, Georgia 30324 during regular business hours, Mon-Fri
8:30 am to 5 pm.
For formats (FREE of charge) in accordance with the ADA and Limited English Proficiency regulations contact,
(404) 848-4037. For those patrons requiring further accommodations, information can be obtained by calling the
Telephone Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 404 848-5665.
In addition, a sign language interpreter will be available at all hearings. If you cannot attend the hearings and
want to provide comments you may: (1) leave a message at (404) 848-5299; (2) write to MARTAs Office of External
Affairs, 2424 Piedmont Road, N.E. Atlanta, GA 30324-3330; (3) complete an online Comment Card at www.
itsmarta.com; (4) or fax your comments no later than Sept. 29, 2016 to (404) 848-4179.
All citizens of the City of Atlanta and the counties of Fulton, DeKalb, Clayton and Gwinnett whose interests are
affected by the subjects to be considered at these hearings are hereby notified and invited to appear at said times
and places and present such evidence, comment or objection as their interests require.

Keith T. Parker, AICP, General Manager/CEO

DeKalb County is proposing a substantial amendment to the 2014-2018 Consolidated Plan, including the 2015 Annual Action
Plan.
The purpose of this amendment is to revise the original 2015 CDBG Annual Action Plan Budget so that more funds can be utilized
in the completion of North DeKalb Senior Center. The proposed amendment will reallocate funds which were originally designated
for the following projects:

112 Smith Street

Jonesboro, GA 30236

Community Exchange:
6-7 p.m.

currently being held at

the DeKalb County Jail
awaiting trial on statutory
rape charges.
A lot of times we have
to deal with that and help
them understand that what
happened to them is not
OK, Racine said. Its not
OK for a 16-year-old girl
to sleep with eight men for
someone elses profit.
Racine said she hopes
her baby continues to
grow. She said the D.A.s
office has been supportive
of the units efforts.
Weve been fortunate
to have the D.A.s office
be on board with this issue
and develop community
partners with DeKalb
police officers, Racine
said.

Proposed Substantial Amendment to the 2014-2018

Consolidated Plan, including the 2015 Annual Action Plan

Mobility: Implementation of complementary ADA service for the above new and
extended routes to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

Robert Tate

1. Kensington LCI Development, I-20 East Transit Initiative,

Memorial Drive Redevelopment/Economic Development Initiative

$200,000

2. The Downtown Development Authority of the City of Chamblee

Small Business Incubator Initiative

$125,000

3. Economic Development Brownfield Loan Fund

4. Revolving Loan Fund for Small Business Initiative

DeKalb Enterprise Business Corporation

5. Fire Station #7 Phase 1 Land Acquisition

$500,000
$100,000

$100,000

TOTAL

$1,025,000

The County therefore proposes to amend the 2014 - 2018 Consolidated Plan including the 2015 Annual Action Plan. This
amendment will utilize additional CDBG funding in the amount of $1,025,000 originally allocated for the above projects in order to
increase funding for the North DeKalb Senior Center.
All citizens are invited to review the proposed substantial amendment to these programs from September 8, 2016 September
22, 2016 on the DeKalb County website, www.co.dekalb.ga.us, and at the locations identified below.
DeKalb County Community Development Department
330 W. Ponce de Leon Avenue, 6th Floor, Decatur, Georgia 30030
Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Chamblee Branch Library
Decatur Branch Library
4115 Clairmont Road, Chamblee
215 Sycamore Street, Decatur


(770-936-1380)



(404-370-3070)
Please contact the libraries for days and hours of operation.
Comment forms may be obtained and completed at each of the above listed locations. Comments may also be faxed
or emailed to the Community Development Department.
Fax: (404) 371-2742
Email: bhcamp@dekalbcountyga.gov

local

DEKALB FREE PRESS Friday, September 9, 2016 Page 9A

Dresden due for new sign

Chamblee commissions
new sign for city park
by R. Scott Belzer
sbelzer@dekalbchamp.com
Chamblee City Council
approved a $12,000
purchase for a new sign at
Dresden Park at their Aug.
16 meeting.
The purchase,
prepared and initiated
by Chamblee Parks and
Recreation Director Jodie
Gilfillan, will incorporate
Chamblees theme of
railroad tracks by including
train components,
mimicking other signs
throughout the Chamblee
community.
According to the
agenda item, ASI Sign
Innovations, A1 Signs,
Meridian Signs and Signs
by Tommorrow were
contacted by city officials
regarding the signs
development. Meridian
Signs and Signs by
Tomorrow declined due to
inexperience with working
with rail components and
A1 Signs was chosen.
The sign will utilize
the rail and stand out from
the rest of the signs with
a sleek design, reads the
agenda item.
Dresden Park was
acquired by Chamblee
from DeKalb County via
an intergovernmental
agreement in February.
The 25-acre park was
granted to Chamblee
at no cost under the
conditions the city keep
the park forever, the city
not repurpose the park and
the city keep it open to all
DeKalb County residents.
The park features
benches, a multi-purpose
field, picnic areas, a
playground, restrooms and
trails.
According to the
Dresden East Civic
Association (DECA), which
facilitates the Dresden
Park Revitalization Project,
the park has plenty of
potential that has yet to be
explored.
Chamblee has
incorporated the park
into its 10-year master
plan and officials say
this is the first of many

steps in revitalizing the

park and surrounding
neighborhoods.
Dresden Park is
located at 2301 Dresden
Drive in Chamblee. For
more information, contact
Gilfillan at (470) 395-2341.

Dresden Park in Chamblee is getting a $12,000 sign that will replace one previously placed
by the DeKalb County Parks and Recreation department.

The best DeKalb County Football

coverage each week for just

$25/year

Our multi-award-winning Sports section brings you the best in-depth

sideline coverage available. Dont miss an issue. Call our office today
for this limited offer.

If youre not reading

The Champion,
youre missing a lot!
Call 404.373.7779 X 100 to start your discounted subscription.

local

DEKALB FREE PRESS Friday, September 9, 2016 Page 10A

Tom Keating, who authored two of 500 suggestions sent to the Federal Nutrition
Service that became regulations in 2014, said regular and mandated community
engagement is the most significant.

On Aug. 29, the Federal Nutrition Service enacted new regulations on wellness in
schools, mandating districts market healthier foods, serve healthier foods at parties
and fundraisers, and engage community stakeholders on a regular basis.

Wellness policies strengthened by federal agency

School districts begin
revising nutrition,
health policies under
federal mandate
by R. Scott Belzer
sbelzer@dekalbchamp.com
On Aug. 29, school districts
throughout the United States began
facilitating changes two years in the
making.
Proposed changes to the
National School Lunch Program,
School Breakfast Program and local
school wellness calling for stronger
nutrition and wellness policies,
began on Aug. 29 courtesy of the
Federal Nutrition Service (FNS). An
implementation is required by June
30, 2017.
Changes include providing
healthier foods and beverages
during celebrations and
fundraisers, healthier food and

beverage marketing in school

hallways, written wellness policies
and documentation of public
involvement, according to the
proposals summary.
In addition, physical education
teachers, the general public, health
professionals, the school board
and school administrators will now
be able to be part of the process
of developing, implementing and
reviewing the school wellness
policy.
According to Tom Keating,
who authored two of 500 written
suggestions to FNS on behalf
of the DeKalb Health Coalition,
regular and mandated community
engagement is the most significant
regulation.
Keating, who regularly
advocates on behalf of school
wellness at City Schools of
Decatur and DeKalb County
School District meetings, said
wellness is composed of three main
components: better diets, more
exercise and other school-based
activities.
Im interested in that term,

other school-based activities,

because youre not going to fix
childhood obesity with a diet and
calisthenics, Keating said. Having
the conversation with the eight
[mandated] groups is a starting
point. No one wants to talk about
wellness as comprehensively as
they would like to, but to get at
that, you have to have laws and
regulations that allow you to explore
comprehensive aspects.
Specifically, Keating states
clean and accommodating restroom
facilities are good examples of
other school-based activities.
The federal register also states
districts are no longer required to
report school wellness policies
annually but are required to create a
public report every three years.
According to the federal
registers summary, the rule
requiring a policy on healthier foods
during celebrations and fundraisers
is simply that. FNS suggested
districts draft policies specific to
their communitys wants and needs.
Neither the proposed rule nor
this final rule would require schools to

apply competitive food standards to

foods and beverages that are simply
available but not sold in school during
the school day, states the summary.
Foods sold must meet competitive
foods and meal pattern requirements,
unless exempted under law or
regulations, but foods available for
classroom parties or provided as a
reward to students are not required
to meet those same standards.
[Districts] simply need to have a
policy in place that addresses foods
provided in school, but not made
available for sale.
FNS stressed promoting a
healthier option to students is a top
priority. School-owned or leased
vending machine exteriors, posters,
menu boards, coolers, trash cans,
cups and food equipment that
promote food and beverages must
promote healthier options.
City Schools of Decatur began
changing its current wellness
policy on Aug. 9 during a regularly
scheduled meeting. DeKalb County
School District has yet to announce
initiatives in changing its current
wellness policy.

IWantToBeRecycled.org

Goober (ID# 23831595) cant wait to be your

newest addition! This big, lanky boy is eager to please especially if treats are involved! He has a goofy smile and a love
for all humans. He gives the best hugs and can even rest his
paws on some peoples shoulders. Goober gets along great with
other dogs and may enjoy having a canine companion in his
forever home.
If you would like to expand your family by 4 furry little
feet; come meet Goober at the DeKalb Animal Shelter. If you
adopt Goober during September the adoption fee is waived
during our Welcome Home Your New MVP special;
which includes spay/neuter, vaccinations and microchip.
If you would like more information about Goober
please email adoption@dekalbanimalservices.com
or call (404) 294-2165. All potential adopters will
be screened to ensure Goober goes to a good home.

local

DEKALB FREE PRESS Friday, September 9, 2016 Page 11A

weekinpictures

DeKalb County commissioner Nancy Jester took pictures on Sept. 3 to report living conditions of Creekside Forest Apartments, located at 300 Ember Drive in Decatur.
Photos courtesy of Nancy Jester.

Teachers at Glennwood Elementary School in Decatur celebrated College Colors Day by wearing higher education school colors on Sept. 2.
Photo courtesy of City Schools of Decatur.

23

Druid Hills junior Ermais Tewolde ran the

fastest boys time of the day to lead the
Druid Hills Red Devils to a win at the cross
country meet at Arabia Mountain High
School on Aug. 30. Photo by Mark Brock

photos brought to you by dctv

DCTV Channel 23
@DCTVChannel23

Get your front row seat to all things DeKalb County

through your EMMY Award-winning station

DeKalb County Gov

Ustream.tv/channle/DCTV-Channel-23
VISIT US AT WWW.DCTVChannel23.tv

E-mail us at DCTV@DeKalbCountyGA.gov

local

DEKALB FREE PRESS Friday, September 9, 2016 Page 12A

Campaign started to rebuild burned Stone Mountain playground

by Carla Parker
carla@dekalbchamp.com
Stone Mountain residents have
come together to raise funds to
rebuild a playground that was set on
fire.
According to the DeKalb
County Fire Rescue Department,
firefighters responded to a fire at
the playground known as Jims
Place at McCurdy Park. When the
fire was out, Stone Mountain police
taped off the area as a crime scene
and a DeKalb fire investigator was
notified, according to the incident
report.
The report stated that a Stone
Mountain police detective reported
that a person of interest was seen
in the area starting or attempting to
start a fire. Captain Eric Jackson
of a DeKalb fire rescue said the
department is investigating the
playground fire as an intentionally
set fire.

Jims Place playground at McCurdy Park in Stone Mountain was set on fire,
according to the DeKalb County Fire Rescue Department.

Its still under investigation

right now, Jackson said. There is
talk of a person of interest, but we
dont have anything definitive at this
point.
The Stone Mountain Police
Department announced on its

Facebook page that a juvenile

suspect is in custody.
More arrests are expected,
the post stated. From information
gathered at this time, there appears
to be no racial or ethnic bias
involved in this arson case. We will

let you know more as it becomes

available.
A Go Fund Me page was
created to help fund the rebuilding
of the park. The page was started
by the Small Creek Alliance, a
community organization dedicated
to curbing violence in central and
south DeKalb through preventive
and non-punitive measures. The
group is trying to raise $50,000.
This playground has been dear
to the hearts of the Stone Mountain
Village Community for years, the
post reads. The community came
together to build the playground,
to maintain the playground and
now we will come together to
rebuild Jims Place. The incident
occurred a day prior to a community
organized revitalization party aimed
at improving nearby Medlock
Park. This campaign is dedicated
to the rebuilding of Jims Place at
McCurdy Park.

Dunwoody residents ask for more sports investment

by R. Scott Belzer
sbelzer@dekalbchamp.com
Every two weeks, Dunwoody
City Council hosts a public meeting
where the citys business, property
interests and concerns are
discussed.
Almost every two weeks, a
resident requests that the city
council do more for aspiring local
athletes, children and health
advocates.
Dunwoody High School football
coach Mike Nash is the most recent
resident to remind the council how
important athletic fields are to the
city. On Aug. 22, Nash quoted
a speech from retired football
coach Bill Curry to highlight the
importance of sports in American
culture.
The football huddle is a
metaphor for our culture, imperfect
like all metaphors, Nash said
quoting Curry. In that huddle are
a bunch of folks that are black,
brown, white, red, yellow, liberal,
conservative, Muslim, Jewish,
Christian, Buddhist and Hindu.
We are slim, fat, short, tall, fast
and slow The men who have
earned a place in the huddle have
experienced the miracle of team
We learn ever so slowly that our
differences do not matter in the
huddleMen who have been raised
to hate each others guts become
brothersOur players become
brothers for life. It is what America is
supposed to be, could be and might
be in our best dreams.
Resident Eric Oliver followed
Nash, highlighting the potential
economic impact of investing
in youth sports facilities and

Brook Run Park has been mentioned as an ideal candidate for sport facilities due
to its central location in Dunwoody.

Dunwoody High School football coach

Mike Nash spoke at an Aug. 22 city
council meeting calling for more sports
investment.

organizations. Oliver referenced

ESPNs Wide World of Sports in
Orlando as a worthwhile investment
that smaller communities can
explore with large returns.
In April 2016, the National
Association for Sports
Commissioners reported returns
on investment as high as 50 to 1,
Oliver said. Parents will spend $7
billion this year on just traveling
involved in youth sports. Families
will spend $300 per weekend.
On Aug. 8, Scott Farrow,
a 23-year resident and 17-year
coach at Murphey Candler Park in
Brookhaven, said team sports are
vital to the development of children.
You face the difficult task of
allocating and planning recreational
dollars with competing interests,
Farrow said to Dunwoodys city
council. One thing we could really
use is a multi-purpose indoor facility.

local health.
Every day, I see 14, 15 and
16-year-olds with hypertension and
high cholesterol, Mahle said. This
is largely a reflection of the lifestyle
our children lead this day and age.
Only 17 percent of kids in Georgia
meet the 60 minutes of playtime per
day. This is due to a lot of factors,
but mostly due to lack of access.
An option often brought up
by residents is Brook Run Park,
located at 4770 N. Peachtree Road
in Dunwoody. The city-owned
park is 102-acres of playgrounds,
trails, a skate park, a dog park,
a community garden and event
facilities.
Oliver, Mahle and Farrow all
spoke in favor of exploring Brook
Run Park as an option for private
local club sports as well as school
sports due to its central location
within the city.

Theres a real void in our area in

girls team sports. That needs to
be addressed when you do your
planning.
Dunwoody residents have
repeatedly asked for sports
amenities comparable to Murphey
Candler Park, which offers facilities
for football, baseball and softball.
Residents also have asked for
indoor facilities similar to Dynamo
Swim Center in Chamblee.
Currently, similar facilities
in Dunwoody for swimming or
basketball are available only at local
churches and YMCAs.
William Mahle, a pediatric
cardiologist and Dunwoody
resident, told city council on Aug. 8
that he observes the consequences
of a sedentary lifestyle at work on
a regular basis. Mahle said it is
necessary to invest in parks and
fields in order to make an impact on

local

DEKALB FREE PRESS Friday, September 9, 2016 Page 13A

Stevens receives downtown

development professional
designation

by Carla Parker
carla@dekalbchamp.com
Avondale Estates City
Planner Keri Stevens
completed the Georgia
Downtown Associations
Professional Development
Program level one review
and received the title
of Georgia Downtown
Development Professional.
The Georgia Downtown
Association supports
and promotes the
redevelopment of Georgias
traditional downtowns.
Stevens said Avondale
Estates has focused on
maintaining its original city
plan and is known as the
first planned city in the
southeast.
While most of the
original layout and buildings
remain, portions of the
business district have
suffered with design and
development which does
not follow the pedestrian
friendly, aesthetically
pleasing, well-planned
layout envisioned by city
founder George Willis,
Stevens said. Getting
involved in the Georgia
Downtown Association
and receiving the Georgia
Downtown Professional
Development designation
allows the city to utilize the
advocacy, education and
marketing efforts which
GDA promotes to focus the
publics attention on the
value of downtown.
In addition, the
designation highlights the
expertise of city staff to
assist developers, property
owners and businesses
which may be interested in
redevelopment or business
development/expansion in
the city, Stevens said.

She said the designation

recognizes her continued
dedication to professional
advancement and education
as well as her proficiency
in the field of downtown
development.
To encourage
redevelopment efforts
and business expansion,
Avondale Estates strives to
provide as many incentives
and programs as are
available with accessible
staff, she said. The city
benefits by having qualified
staff who have command
of resources needed
to stimulate downtown
revitalization efforts. The
designation validates this
expertise and the citys
name will be promoted
through a variety of
marketing efforts put forth
by the GDA.
To be eligible for
the level one review, a
candidate must have
at least two years of
experience in the field of
downtown development;
50 hours of documented
training class time; and two
letters of recommendation.
The review consists of
an oral presentation in
which the candidate
must document his or her
downtown organizational
and management success,
and a written exam covering
downtown development
issues, tools, and
resources.
Ann Arnold, chair
of the professional
development program said
in a released statement
that the program has
demonstrated a thorough
working knowledge in the
professional practice of
downtown development in
Georgia.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
DeKalb County 2014-2018 Consolidated Plan for HUD Programs to include the 2017
Annual Action Plan
GRANT APPLICATION PROCESS FOR
The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) 2017 FUNDS
On September 15, 2016 the DeKalb County Human and Community Development Department
will begin accepting applications from faith-based organizations, community organizations,
municipalities, non-profit agencies and other entities interested in applying for Community
Development Block Grant (CDBG), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), and HOME funds
for the Year 2017. All applications or requests are subject to future HUD funding for these
programs. CDBG and ESG applications and general information may be obtained beginning
September 15, 2016 at the DeKalb County website; www.dekalbcountyga.us. For more
information, please join us at the meetings or call (404) 371-2727.
Application/Information/Technical Assistance Workshop
Date/Time
Thursday, September 15, 2015
10:30 AM 12:30 PM

Location
Wesley Chapel Library
2861 Wesley Chapel Road
Decatur, Georgia 30034

Public Hearings
The DeKalb County Human and Community Development Department
is conducting two Public Hearings.
Date/Time
Date/Time
Thursday, September 29, 2016 at 6:30 PM
Thursday, January 12, 2016 at 6:30 PM
Community Needs
Proposed Budget/Annual Action Plan
Maloof Auditorium
Maloof Auditorium
1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur, GA
1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur, GA
The purpose of this public hearing is to solicit
We will present the proposed 2014-2018
input from the public regarding community
Consolidated Plan including the 2017
needs and priorities. We will discuss general
Annual Action Plan, proposed budget and
information concerning the 2014-2018
solicit public questions and/or comments.
Consolidated Plan including the 2017 Annual
Action Plan, application submission process,
and program updates.

ANUNCIO IMPORTANTE

EQUAL HOUSING
OPPORTUNITY

Condado de DeKalb 2014-2018 Plan Consolidado para HUD

Programas para incluir en Plan de Accin Anual 2017
PROCESO DE SOLICITUD DE SUBVENCION PARA
El Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano de los Estados Unidos (HUD)
2017 FUNDS
El 15 de septiembre de 2016, el Departamento de Desarrollo Humano y Comunitario
del Condado de DeKalb comenzar a aceptar solicitudes de organizaciones religiosas,
organizaciones comunitarias, municipios, agencias sin fines de lucro u otras entidades
interesadas en aplicar para Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Emergencia
Solutos Grant (ESG), y los fondos de HOME para el ao 2017. Todas las solicitudes o
peticiones seran objeto de financiamiento HUD en el futuro, para estos programas.
Las aplicaciones CDBG y ESG y la informacin general se pueden obtener a partir 15 de
septiembre en el sitio web del Condado de DeKalb, www.dekalbcountyga.us. Para obtener
ms informacin, por favor, nase a nuestras reuniones o llame al (404)371-2727.
Aplicacin/Informacin/Taller de Asistencia Tcnica
Fecha/Hora
Localidad
Jueves, 15 de septiembre, 2016
Wesley Chapel Library
10:30 AM 12:30 PM
2861 Wesley Chapel Road
Decatur, Georgia 30034
___________________________________________________________________________
Audiencias Pblicas
El Departamento de Desarrollo Humano y Comunitario del Condado de DeKalb est llevando a cabo dos
audiencias pblicas.
Fecha/Hora
Jueves, 29 de septiembre, 2016 a las 6:30 PM
Community Needs
Maloof Auditorium
1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur, GA
El propsito de esta audiencia pblica es
obtener la opinin del pblico sobre las
necesidades y prioridades de la comunidad.
Vamos a discutir la informacin general
sobre el Plan Consolidado 2014-2018
incluido el Plan de Accin Anual 2017, el
proceso de presentacin de solicitudes, y las
actualizaciones del programa.

Fecha/Hora
Jueves, 12 de enero, 2017 a las 6:30 PM
Proposed Budget/Annual Action Plan
Maloof Auditorium
1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur, GA
Vamos a presentar el proyecto de Plan
Consolidado 2014-2018 incluyendo la
2017 Anual Plan de accin, presupuesto y
solicitaremos preguntas y comentarios del
pblico.

EQUAL HOUSING
OPPORTUNITY

education

DEKALB FREE PRESS Friday, September 9, 2016 Page 14A

Three DeKalb students honored by state officials

Students
recognized for
achieving despite
language barrier
by R. Scott Belzer
sbelzer@dekalbchamp.com
Georgia State Superintendent
Richard Woods honored three
DeKalb County School District
(DCSD) graduates on Aug. 26.
Agnele Sylvia Sewa of Cross
Keys High School, Cung Nei Kim
of Stone Mountain High School and
Alice Cer Tin Mawi of Clarkston
High School were awarded the
Star English Learner award
from the Georgia Department of
Education.
The award is presented to
students who are recognized as
either valedictorian or salutatorian
in their graduating class while being
English as a second language
students.

A valedictorian is a student who

typically has the highest academic
achievement in a graduating class
while a salutatorian ranks second.
All three students honored at
the Excellence in Achievement
ceremony were salutatorians at
their respective schools.
Sewa, originally from Togo and
a DeKalb resident since 2007, will
attend Brandeis University near
Boston, Mass., as a biochemistry
major on a Posse Foundation
Scholarship. Kim, a Burma native,
will major in Christian ministry
and nursing at Bacone College in
Muskogee, Okla. Mawi, who has
been a DeKalb resident since 2011,
will major in social science at Agnes
Scott College in Decatur on a Gates
Millennium Scholarship.
We are very proud of this
recognition for our diverse
students, said Stephen Green,
superintendent of DCSD. Diversity
is a strength of the district and we
celebrate their contributions to our
schools.
According to DCSD officials,
students in the district speak an
estimated 140 languages and
represent more than 180 sovereign
nations with Clarkston, Cross Keys

From left, Alice Cer Tin Mawi of Clarkston High School, Agnele Sylvia Sewa of Cross
Keys High School and Cung Nei Kim of Stone Mountain High School were awarded
the Star English Learner award from the Georgia Department of Education on
Aug. 26. Photos courtesy of DeKalb County School District.

and Stone Mountain reporting the

greatest diversity.
Clarkston High School students
come from an estimated 54
countries and speak 47 languages.
As of 2014, Cross Keys High
Schools racial demographics
reported being 67 percent Hispanic,
16 percent Black, 13 percent Asian,

3 percent White and 1 percent from

other racial ethnicities, representing
65 native countries and 75
languages. Stone Mountain High
Schools supporting community
is 75 percent Black, 5 percent
Hispanic and 3 percent Asian,
according to the 2010 census.

County schools explore options to address overcrowding

Firm hears public
input on Cross
Keys Cluster
overcrowding,
E-SPLOST
projects

by R. Scott Belzer
sbelzer@dekalbchamp.com

ore than 500

students, parents,
teachers and
community
leaders gathered at Cross
Keys High School Aug. 25
to voice opinions on how
to address overcrowded
middle and high schools
in DeKalb County School
District (DCSD).
Officially titled the
Secondary Schools Facility
Planning & Feasibility
Study, the public meeting
featured representatives
from Education Planners,
a consultant firm collecting
data, opinions and

Hundreds of parents, teachers, students, leaders and community stakeholders attended public meetings at Cross Keys High School and
Clarkston High School on Aug. 23 and Aug. 25, respectively.

suggestions for DCSD.

A similar meeting
attracting 300 attendees
took place at Clarkston High
School on Aug. 23.
The Cross Keys

meeting marked the 21st

time Education Planners
representatives have
met with DeKalb County
residents to obtain
input on overcrowding,

renovation, capacity and

how to spend E-SPLOST
funds. The meetings were
commissioned by DCSD
in March 2016 and will
conclude September 27

with a final recommendation

to DCSD.
The meeting began with
an overall explanation about
See Overcrowding on Page 15A

education

DEKALB FREE PRESS Friday, September 9, 2016 Page 15A

overcrowding Continued From Page 14A

the Feasibility Study from James
Wilson, a consultant with Education
Planners. Following Wilsons
explanation, the attendees split into
classrooms and provided the firm
written and vocal feedback.
According to Wilson, Education
Planners was originally hired
in September 2015 to make
recommendations specifically
related to overcrowding in the
Cross Keys cluster. When it was
found that six other clusters
Dunwoody, Chamblee, Lakeside,
Tucker, Druid Hills and Clarkston
are also experiencing similar
issues, the study expanded to
include all regions in the district.
The desire is for all schools
to be within their capacity, Wilson
said. But we have to understand
the problem to find a solution.
Education Planners project
3,853 high school seats and 1,791
middle school seats will be needed
by the 2022-2023 school year. The
consultant firm said the district is
facing a projected shortage of 5,644
seats by the same year.
All of the schools are projected
to be overcrowded, Wilson said.
Many are overcrowded now.
Education Planners developed
three options for the public to
consider, discuss and provide
feedback on. Each option involves
repurposing the former Briarcliff
High School, located on North Druid
Hills Road.
Option A involves building a
new Sequoyah area high school
with 2,400 seats at a site yet to
be determined and a new Cross
Keys area middle school with
1,400 seats at the former Briarcliff
High School site. Additions to five
existing secondary schools are
also involved, creating 6,500 total
seats and costing $247 million. This
option keeps the feeder system
within the district.
Option B involves a new
2,500-seat Cross Keys High School
at the former Briarcliff High School
site and additions to five secondary
schools. In addition, the present
Cross Keys High School site will be
converted to a 1,500 seat middle
school. This plan, estimated to
create 4,950 seats, will also split
DeKalbs feeder schools between
Regions 1, 2 and 3, meaning
students who would typically attend
middle and high school together
will instead be split. Option B is
estimated to cost $163 million.
Option C involves a new
2,000-seat high school in the
Sequoyah area and a 1,400 seat
middle school at the former Briarcliff
High School site. Additions will
also be made to certain secondary
schools, amounting to a total of
6,928 seats and a $224 million
price tag. This option does not
split feeder schools but does move
the magnet program away from

Attendees were asked to provide vocal and written input regarding overcrowding issues in the northern DeKalb County region.

Chamblee Charter High School.

According to Wilson, where the
magnet program would relocate
remains unknown.
Attendees gave mixed input
when split into classrooms. Certain
participants felt strongly about
the Chamblee magnet program
remaining at Chamblee while others
felt freeing up seats at the facility
for Chamblee residents should be a
higher priority.
Chamblees achievement
will not go down just because the
magnet is no longer there, said a
DeKalb County teacher who wished
to remain unidentified. Thats so
unrealistic and misinformed. Every
school is dying to have students
sign up for [Advanced Placement]
classes. They want to look good.
Where were putting the
magnet school, you may as well
James Wilson of Education Planners provided an overall explanation of the
say were getting rid of the magnet
Secondary Schools Facility Planning & Feasibility Study at Cross Keys High School
school, said another attendee in
Aug. 25.
response. Those people are not
going to travel to a new place. Its a
con to move the magnet program.
Some attendees suggested
E-SPLOST money they can afford
Cross Keys High School
options such as creating a new high to go purchase 20 to 40 acres.
teacher Rebekah Morris said
school rather than a new middle
DeKalb County residents have
the magnet program has been
school at the Briarcliff High School
until Sept. 17 to complete Education
beneficial for Chamblee Charter but site due to the existing stadium.
Planners online survey. Access to
should be more accessible to the
Other attendees questioned
the survey can be found at https://
rest of the county.
where DCSD would find available
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQ
The magnet has not only
land in Brookhaven, Chamblee,
LSdmomF29DlfNrO1O9EoOqPRe
contributed to the revitalization of
Druid Hills and Briarcliff areas
XAeb6s-3Q5wGEBUdkBWIlpkvQ/
Chamblee Charter High School, but considered to be booming by
viewform?c=0&w=1.
it has also buoyed the community
district and county officials.
as a whole, Morris said. However,
Where are you going to find 20
now that the community is
to 40 acres? asked one attendee.
growing at an incredible rate, the
They need to use the resources
magnet is taking seats away from
and sites they have, unless
neighborhood kids.
they think they have so much

Classified

DEKALB FREE PRESS Friday, September 9, 2016 Page 16A

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business

DEKALB FREE PRESS Friday, September 9, 2016 Page 17A

Geoffrey Loften, program coordinator with the University of Georgia Small Business Development Centers DeKalb office, at a presentation at Stonecrest Library, offers
insights into what must be done to start a business and keep it going. Photo by Kathy Mitchell

Expert outlines steps to starting a business

By Kathy Mitchell

ore than half a million

small businesses open
each month in the United
States, according to
Forbes Magazines online site. Of
these, 30 percent close in the first
two years. At the end of five years,
half are gone. Approximately 25
percent are still in business at the
end of 15 years.
What does it take to create a
successful homegrown business?
Geoffrey Loften, program
coordinator with the University
of Georgia Small Business
Development Centers DeKalb
office, offered insights into what
must be done to start a business
and keep it going at his Aug. 29
presentation Entrepreneurship:
What It Takes at the Stonecrest
Library in Lithonia.
People often ask if they really
need a business plan. The answer
is yesnot yes, if, yes, Loften
said. First of all, any lending source
will require one. Even if youre not
borrowing money, you need to figure
out where youre going and how
youre going to get there.
He said business plans should
be detailed and well-thought out.
You cant do it on one page. Most
business plans are about 20 pages
although one of my colleagues said
the best business plan he ever saw
was 12 pages. Just tell people what

they need to know.

Before investing time, talent
and money in launching a business,
Loften said, entrepreneurs should
examine the potential business
from three perspectives: personal
feasibility, market feasibility and
financial feasibility.
Not everybody is cut out to run
a company, Loften said. It takes
long hoursespecially at firstand
requires discipline and a variety of
skills.
In determining whether there is
a market for the product or service
the new business would offer, there
are important questions to consider,
according to Loften. You need to
ask who your customers are and
why they will buy from you rather
than from your competitors, he
said, noting that the Small Business
Development Center (SBDC) can
help those launching a business with
marketing research.
Accessing financial feasibility
involves making a detailed budget
covering the first one to three years,
Loften said. You need to look at
what your start-up costs are and
how much working capital you
need. Where will this money come
from? Dont forget to include your
own salary. You still have the same
billsmortgage, food, clothes, the
childrens soccer feesthat you
had when you were drawing a
paycheck.
Most businesses require

borrowed money, Loften said, as

he explained how lenders evaluate
business loan requests. Lenders
look at what we call the five Cs
of credit. Character is the overall
impression you make as to your
trustworthiness to repay the loan.
Since youre new to business, they
will look at your personal credit
history as well as such matters as
your experience, education and
personal references.
Cash is the second C, Loften
said. How much capital or cash
are you putting into the business? If
youre not willing to invest your own
money in the venture, why would
you expect someone else to?
Those without a large cash
accumulation can use collateral in
securing a loan. Collateral consists
of specific assets that a legal lien
can be placed on. That simply
means that if the borrower is unable
to repay the loan, the assetoften
a home or other real estateis the
repayment source.
Conditionsthe state of the
economyalso factor into the ability
to get credit, Loften said. This is a
factor you have no control over, but
nonetheless it affects your ability to
get a loan. For example, eight years
ago when the economy was in a
deep slump it was very difficult to get
a business loan no matter how good
your proposal was.
Perhaps the most critical of the
five criteria, according to Loften, is

capacity, the ability to repay the loan.

The lender wants to be confident
that the money will be repaid. This
is why financial projections are a
must.
The mechanics of starting
a business are straightforward,
Loften said. They include getting a
business license, choosing a name
thats not already in use and creating
a legal structure. Businesses can
operate as a sole proprietor, a
partnership or various types of
incorporated firms.
Before you can sell anything or
collect taxes you must have a tax
identification number, Loften said.
Thats the easy part, he
continued. The hard part is staying
in business. Reasons businesses
fail include poor recordkeeping, not
keeping taxes current, insufficient
marketing and staff and neglecting
to stay current within the industry.
Also, some new business owners
burn out because they dont
delegate. They try to do everything
themselves and end up putting
in long hours that they just cant
sustain.
Loften said those who sincerely
want to become business owners
should never let possible negatives
stop them. When youre the owner,
success is in your hands and theres
no limit to how far you can go.
Besides, youre doing what you love;
youre following your dreams.

sports

DEKALB FREE PRESS Friday, September 9, 2016 Page 18A

Arabia Mountain quarterback Samad Noble takes an opening. Photos by Travis Hudgons

Arabia Mountain improves to a program best 3-0

by Carla Parker
carla@dekalbchamp.com

Arabia Mountain running back Brandon Snowball

rushed for 98 yards and scored two touchdowns.

The Arabia Mountain Rams made program

history Sept. 2 with their first 3-0 start after a
35-20 win over the Redan Raiders at Hallford
Stadium.
The Rams high-tempo spread offense has
garnered 119 points in three games. Arabia
Mountain coach Stanley Pritchett said one of the
teams goals is to have one of the best offenses in
the county.
We got a lot of guys who have been in the
program [for] three or four years now so they
understand the system, Pritchett said. Were just
trying to play with a lot of tempo to tire guys out
and score a lot of points.
The Rams established a 14-0 lead through the
first two quarters behind an 11-yard touchdown
pass from quarterback Samad Noble to wide
receiver Desmond Rocker in the first quarter,
and a 2-yard rushing touchdown by running back
Brandon Snowball in the second quarter.
Redan responded to Snowballs touchdown
on the following possession with a 70-yard
touchdown run by quarterback Cori Pritchett. A
missed extra point left the score at 14-6.
The Rams then responded to Pritchetts
touchdown on their following drive with a 25-yard
quarterback scrabble by Noble, giving the Rams a
21-6 lead.

The Rams offense continued their dominance

in the third quarter and running back Carl Wright
found the end zone on a 16-yard run, extending
the Rams lead to 28-6.
Redan scored late in the third quarter on a
quarterback sneak by Pritchett. The two-point
conversion attempt was no good, leaving the
score at 28-12. Redan got within eight points in
the fourth quarter on a 45-yard touchdown run
by Pritchett. A successful two-point conversion
brought the score to 28-20.
However, Arabia Mountain went on a 15-play,
69-yard drive which concluded with a Snowball
13-yard touchdown run to seal the 35-20 victory.
Coach Pritchett said he was impressed with
how his team responded after giving up the big
lead.
We fought adversity today, the coach said.
We needed a game like this. Our first two games
were blowouts. So we got a scrappy Redan team
that plays hard. We want to clean up the turnovers
on offense and the tackling on defense. We have
to get a little better.
Snowball finished with 98 yards rushing
and two touchdowns, and Noble finished with
146 passing yards, 40 rushing yards and two
touchdowns. Redans Pritchett led the Raiders
with 136 yards rushing and three touchdowns.
Arabia Mountain will try to improve to 4-0 on
Sept. 10 against Dacula (1-1) at Adams Stadium.
Redan (1-2) will have a bye week.

Weekend football scores

Sept. 2
Marist (1-1) 27, Belen Jesuit (Miami, Fla.) (0-1)
0; in Dublin, Ireland
Arabia Mountain (3-0) 35, Redan (1-2) 20
Luella (1-2) 20, Lithonia (0-3) 14
McNair (1-0) 49, Cross Keys (0-1) 0
Dunwoody (1-1) 43, Chamblee (0-3) 6

Stone Mountain (1-2) 47, Clarkston (0-3) 0

Dutchtown (1-1) 48, Columbia (1-2) 0
North Springs (1-1) 34, Towers (0-3) 18
M.L. King (2-1) 28, Miller Grove (2-1) 16
Creekside (2-0) 47, SW DeKalb (2-1) 14
Cedar Shoals (2-0) 35, Decatur (1-2) 17
Benedictine (2-0) 21, St. Pius X (0-2) 0

Sept. 3
Tucker (2-1) 21, Colquitt Co. (0-3) 20
Open:
Cedar Grove (1-1), Druid Hills (1-1), Lakeside
(1-1), Stephenson (0-2)

sports

DEKALB FREE PRESS Friday, September 9, 2016 Page 19A

Southwest DeKalb suffers first loss of season

by Carla Parker
carla@dekalbchamp.com
A close game in the first
half turned into a blowout in the
second half as the Southwest
DeKalb Panthers fell to the
Creekside Seminoles 47-14 on
Sept. 2 at Hallford Stadium.
It was the Panthers first
loss of the season.
Down 20-14 with 1:33
left in the second quarter, the
Panthers were on their way
to possibly tying the game
or taking a one-point before
halftime when Javeon Cody
fumbled the ball inside the fiveyard line, killing the momentum
for the Panthers.
No. 9-ranked Creekside
went on to score 27
unanswered points in the
second half to win the game.
The Panthers started
the game strong with a long
Southwest DeKalb fell to Creekside 24-14 at Hallford Stadium. Photos by Travis Hudgons
drive which ended in a 11yard touchdown pass from
quarterback Justin Tomlin to
slot receiver Jonathan Green,
giving the Panthers a 7-0 lead.
Creekside responded with
a 2-yard touchdown run by
quarterback Kahlil McClain.
A missed extra point left the
score at 7-6.
Creekside took the lead in
the second quarter on a 9-yard
touchdown pass from McClain
to tight end Drayton Barnard.
McClain connected with wide
receiver Kelvin Freeman on
the two-point conversion to
take a 14-7 lead.
The Panthers evened the
score on a 17-yard touchdown
pass from Tomlin to running
back Calvin Scott. Creekside
took a 20-14 lead late in the
second quarter on a 5-yard
touchdown run by running back
Rico Frye.
Creekside running back Rico Frye avoids a Southwest DeKalb
Creekside quarterback Kahlil McClain leaps over a Southwest
defender.
DeKalb defender into the end zone.
Creekside took a 2614 lead in the third quarter
on a 30-yard touchdown
run by running back Gino
Appleberry. Frye got his
second touchdown of the
game on a 1-yard rushing
touchdown, extending the
Seminoles lead to 34-14.
The Seminoles continued
to roll in the third quarter
on a 20-yard scramble for
a touchdown by McClain,
extending the score to 41-14.
With 33 seconds left in the third
quarter, Creekside free safety
Lewis Parker intercepted a
Tomlin pass and returned it
for a touchdown, bringing the
score to a final of 47-14.
Southwest DeKalb (2-1)
will try to rebound from the loss
on Sept. 9 against Stephenson
Southwest DeKalb receiver Devaughn Brown reaches to make the catch.
(0-2) at Hallford Stadium.

local

DEKALB FREE PRESS Friday, September 9, 2016 Page 20A

Bringing More
to the Table.

In order to give the gift of nourishment and hope to our communities

throughout the Southeast, Publix Super Markets Charities announces
a $5 million donation, more than three times the amount they have
previously given in any year, to the Feeding America network.

In a related effort, Publix Super Markets, Inc. has been recognized

as a Visionary Partner of Feeding America for its food donations
through its perishable recovery program.

publixcharities.org/more