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FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014 • VOL. 16, NO. 51 • FREE

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The streak continues for DeKalb County basketball as four teams‒Miller Grove boys, Tucker girls, St. Pius girls and Redan girls‒were crowned state basketball champions. Miller Grove made state history with its sixth consecutive state title, Tucker won its first title, St. Pius won its second consecutive title and Redan won its second title in program history. Photos by Travis Hudgons. See special coverage on pages 11-16.

DeKalb Dominates

Forty-one candidates qualify for 13 county races
by Andrew Cauthen [email protected] races. Twenty-two people are competing for the DeKalb County Board

Photo by Carla Parker

E

lection qualifying ended March 7 with more than 40 people entering 13 county

of Education’s seven seats. That’s a decrease by two seats, after the Georgia General Assembly voted to eliminate the super districts seats. Eight people have entered the sheriff ’s race and voters will elect three county commissioners, two state court judges and a soil and water commissioner.

The District 1 seat is the only uncontested school board race, with Stan Jester being the only candidate. Jester, an education blogger and information technology professional, is running for the seat formerly held by his wife, Nancy Jester, who is running for state school superintendent. Currently, the District 1 seat is

held by John Coleman. In the District 2 race, former school board Don McChesney will try to regain the seat from school board member Marshall Orson. McChesney, a retired educator, lost to Orson, cofounder and partner in the consulting firm Melbourne Partners, in 2012 after serving four

See Election on page 17A

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THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014

Dunwoody is five and growing
by Marta Garcia [email protected] The city of Dunwoody celebrated its fifth birthday with the annual State of the City address on March 6, at the Crowne Plaza Ravinia, located off Ashford Dunwoody Road. Mayor Michael Davis focused on goals and opportunities for 2014, smart growth, fiscal responsibility, education, economic development and the key milestones and projects expected to take shape in the coming year. “We started in 2008 with a lot of hard work and dedicated citizens. We created this city and the effort was to keep our taxes low. The businesses we have in Dunwoody and the businesses we attracted are what keep our taxes lower and keep the services high,” Davis said. At the ceremony, State Farm’s Insurance Co. operations vice president Julie Bolton talked about the national operations center the company is building in Dunwoody, on a nearly 4-acre site at Hammond Drive and Perimeter Center Parkway, across from the Dunwoody MARTA station. “Why Dunwoody? Because this city offers many amenities and people want to live here and work here. That means we can hire the right people and we are talking about hiring 2,600 people over the next several years,” Bolton said. Davis said of Dunwoody “it’s a place to be” and that’s why it’s attracting some big companies like Krystal, the fast-food company that had moved its headquarters from Chattanooga, and Computer Generated Solutions, among others. About infrastructure, Davis said the city will repave the sidewalks and he will work on fixing the traffic issues the area has. “Traffic is bad. The governor is working pretty hard with us to recreate the junction I- 285 and Georgia 400. We are working on making a better commute for people but the reality is that what used to be a half hour commute is now an hour and a half for a lot of people,” Davis said. The mayor of Dunwoody talked about education and said that the system in Georgia is very “county centric.” According to Davis in a lot of ways “cities are second class citizens to the county” and that’s why he asked state representative Tom Taylor to get Dunwoody its own school system. “This is going to be a hard task to get through but we will try every year. We know we deserve better and we can do better. The graduation rate for DeKalb county schools is 58 percent and, in any scale, that’s failure. We want to be better than has been given to us by the county school system. I say to my citizens that at least the Dunwoody schools bring DeKalb schools up to mediocre.” Davis said that he will support and work with the nonprofit organizations in the city to help them reach their goals and congratulated Dunwoody police for their work keeping the city safe. “This Dunwoody that we have been dreaming about and talking about for so long is becoming real before our eyes. This is happening. And we’re doing all of this. Just think about what we have accomplished together. Think of what we might do next,” concluded the mayor.

LOCAL NEWS

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Dunwoody Mayor Michael Davis speaks during the fifth annual State of the City celebrated on March 6 at the Crowne Plaza Ravinia, located off Ashford Dunwoody Road. Photo by Marta Garcia

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PAGE 3A

Congressman Hank Johnson is joined by Congressman John Lewis in Lithonia Feb. 22 as Johnson announces his re-election bid. Photos provided

Flanked by his wife Mereda Davis Johnson and mother Christine Callier at the Georgia State Capitol, Congressman Hank Johnson formally filed to run for re-election March 3.  “I am confident that when the voters look at my record as a strong and effective voice for the Fourth District–fighting for small businesses, consumers and middle-class and working people–they will know that they can count on me to work for them, not big corporations or lobbyists and Washington power brokers who would like to call the

Congressman Johnson seeks re-election
shots in Congress,” Johnson said. “They will realize that I am the person who can keep bringing the type of improvement to the district that results in good paying jobs and a better quality of life for all our citizens,” he said. Johnson, who is seeking his fifth term, is a member of the House judiciary and armed services committees and is the ranking member on the House judiciary subcommittee on regulatory reform, commercial and antitrust. “Since 2007, Rep. Johnson has helped bring more than $250 million to the district for schools, roads and police,” according to a news release from his office. “From his main district office in Lithonia, he has worked to help secure more than $32 million for constituents seeking help with specific federal agencies.” “I am proud of my strong record in Congress and look forward to meeting new voters and constituents and continuing to work for the people of Georgia’s Fourth Congressional District,” Johnson said. Georgia’s Fourth Congressional District includes portions of DeKalb, Gwinnett and Newton counties and all of Rockdale County. Johnson, who has represented the Fourth District since 2007, is focusing his campaign on the economic issues facing families of the Fourth District. When Johnson opened his Lithonia campaign office Feb. 22, hundreds of supporters, including his children, union representatives, community leaders and Congressman John Lewis, joined him. “We need someone who will vote for the people,”

Lewis said. “He’s the only one who I can count on to vote with me on just about every issue. This young man believes in saving and protecting our environment– that we have a right to know what is in our food, what is in the water we drink and the air we breathe. “Don’t be fooled–go out and tell everyone–we need to support Hank Johnson,” Lewis said. Johnson is facing former DeKalb County Sheriff Thomas Brown.

THE CHAmPIoN FREE PRESS, fRIDAY, mARcH 14, 2014

oPINIoN
ONE MAN’S OPINIoN

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It’s time again for an upgrade!
himself to serve the 4th District, and to replace the incumbent congressman. Sheriff Brown recently retired after 29 years of public service in DeKalb County, as a fireman, fire Columnist chief, public safety commissioner, and since 2001, as our sheriff. It can take a bit of memory straining, “It has truly been an honor representing our community in Congress but in 2001, the Sheriff-elect Derwin Brown (no relation), had been these last seven years, and I hope that I am afforded the opportunity to murdered in a gangland style drivecontinue my service to you.”—Con- by shooting at his home. Though not the triggerman, the responsible gressman Hank Johnson (D-4th party was later determined to be District). the incumbent sheriff, Sid Dorsey. Dorsey continues to serve a life I want to begin this column prison sentence. by thanking Congressman Hank Sheriff Thomas Brown moved Johnson for his past seven years of into the office via appointment, service in Congress, the years prior and then was returned by the votto that on the DeKalb County Comers to that same office three more mission, and for having the political times. Brown found a jail and and personal courage in 2006 to department in disarray, while the challenge then incumbent member FBI, GBI and other law enforceof Congress Cynthia McKinney.  ment agencies were sifting through Johnson felt that the citizens of the debris, sorting out the Derwin the 4th District wanted and deserved Brown murder investigation.  better representation, and he offered Brown rebuilt the department, that choice. We took it, and I want streamlined and improved operato thank him for giving us that uptions at the third largest jail in the grade. nation, and routinely became known This campaign is Congressas a prudent manager, who annually man Johnson’s fifth to hold this returns $1 million or more in unseat. Though I rarely agree with his spent taxpayer funds to the DeKalb positions on most issues, I respect County Board of Commissioners. the man as well as the office which “We improved security and spent he holds—but very similar to the money to upgrade our computer needs of this district in 2006—it’s network. We put video systems for time again for an upgrade. safety and security through the jail Former DeKalb County Sheriff and county courthouse… And we Thomas Brown is also offering did all that without spending one

Bill Crane

dime of taxpayer funds...we used confiscated drug money,” Brown said at his recent retirement ceremony hosted by the DeKalb County commission. Congressman John Lewis (D-5th District) in adjacent Atlanta, is known for his passionate championing of civil rights issues and concerns, including the most recent re-authorization of the Voting Rights Act. Congressman David Scott (D-13th District), on the metro region’s south side, is known for his huge annual job fair as well as his work expanding the H.A.R.P. Re-Financing Program, which has allowed thousands of Georgians to re-finance their upside down mortgages and stay in their homes.  Johnson, in some respects like McKinney during her later years in Congress, is better known for comments he made in jest—such as an assertion that the heavy presence by the U.S. Navy and military might “capsize” the island nation of Guam, or another very sensitive analogy involving a cage fight between giants and midgets (his words).  Johnson is not particularly wellknown for his legislative successes, committee leadership or even serving as a congressional expert on a particular set of issues—but he unabashedly will tout the pork he has brought home to his district. Black incumbents rarely lose in DeKalb County, but as Congressman Johnson himself has previ-

ously proven, this district, as well as DeKalb voters, are capable of making a comparison, and seeing when the other choice may be equal or better. Tom Brown is not perfect, but he has nearly 30 years of demonstrated results and a proven track record, as well as an ability to lead and work with people of all stripes and backgrounds. The Georgia Congressional delegation will lose its senior senator and three senior House members this fall, due to a retirement and candidacies for that same seat. Georgia’s delegation dean is leaving the House Appropriations Committee, and on the Senate side, Senator Chambliss holds significant leadership positions on the Senate Armed Services & Intelligence and Agriculture committees. Georgia’s Congressional delegation will in aggregate lose significant clout and seniority on Capitol Hill in 2015, so as we chose our leaders, we need to factor in selecting members of Congress ready to lead, and not just follow. Bill Crane also serves as a political analyst and commentator for Channel 2’s 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 [email protected]. 

THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014

OPINION
nating much of the nation north of us has been more like an angry polar bear. Many of us learned a new term—polar vortex. Across two-thirds of the nation during the week March came to greet us temperatures averaged 15 to 30 degrees below normal, according to the National Weather Service. That old polar jet stream bringing stinging cold air directly from the Arctic Ocean was at it again. The weekend that welcomed March brought our neighbors to the north what Accuweather.com predicts will be a “long-duration snow event,” developing in the central United States and moving slowly eastward. Forecasters are saying that wintry conditions are likely to keep a grip east of the Rocky Mountains until the third week in March, when the nation will see “a chilly spring

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Lions, lambs and other weather critters come to visit
Kathy Mitchell
[email protected]

Editor
March is known for its erratic weather, but if February is a sample, this year we’re in for a weather ride unlike any we’ve had for a while. I don’t personally recall a year in recent history in this part of the country in which we had two separate shut-the-city-down weather events in the same winter. The old saying is that if March comes in like a lion—which is to say with harsh weather—it will go out like a lamb with pleasant weather. Conversely, if March comes in like a

lamb, it will, according to the adage, go out like a lion. The weather around here has been so changeable recently that a day may begin with the lamb only to have the lion show up in time for afternoon rush hour. We may go to bed with the lion raging and wake to find the lamb grazing peacefully with the dawn. Our local groundhog on Feb. 2 saw his shadow and called for six more weeks of winter. If he’s on target, spring weather should show up just in time to coincide with the start of spring on the calendar—and in time to have the proverbial lamb usher March into history. While in our part of the country we’ve had brief visits from the lamb, the king of the jungle has ruled most of the country in recent weeks. Actually, the beast that’s been domi-

weather pattern.” It’s a good thing there’s a late Easter this year; no one enjoys a white Easter. In the meantime, we’re likely to see more delicate blossoms peeking from trees only to be dashed to the ground by rough winds or withered by chilly temperatures. We’re likely to see many of those around us sniffling and sneezing from allergies brought on by a rollercoaster of weather their poor bodies are unable to cope with. All we can do is keep a jacket handy, dress in layers and pay close attention to weather forecasts—sometimes they’re even right. By the way, here’s a riddle for you: what comes in like a fox? The answer is daylight-saving time. It seemed to slip in without warning on March 9 this year.

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

Publisher: John Hewitt Chief Financial Officer Dr. Earl D. Glenn Managing Editor: Kathy Mitchell News Editor: Andrew Cauthen Production Manager: Kemesha Hunt Photographer: Travis Hudgons The Champion Free Press is published each Friday by ACE III Communications, Inc., 114 New Street, Suite E, Decatur, GA. 30030 Phone (404) 373-7779.

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

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COMMUNITY
“ in

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Champion of the Week
PATTY CLARK

“I have waited all of my career for this moment,” said Tarnisha Dent, an instructional coach at Atlanta Public Schools, who has entered the race for state school superintendent. Photo by Andrew Cauthen

State school superintendent candidate wants to focus on equity
by Andrew Cauthen [email protected] Tarnisha Dent, an instructional coach in the Atlanta Public School system, joined the crowded race for state school superintendent March 10. “I stand before you today nervous but ready—ready to advocate for the students of Georgia, for the teachers of Georgia, and for equity in Georgia,” she told supporters who gathered at the Community Achievement Center in Decatur. “I have waited all of my career for this moment,” Dent said. “I have worked hard. I have been challenged. I have had some successes, but I have a plan for the children of Georgia. “I want each district to have the resources that they need to support our students,” she said. “I want an evaluation system in place that’s there to help our teachers with growth to support good practice.” A product of Atlanta Public Schools, Dent majored in biology at Alabama State University, and earned a master of science in education at Troy State University Atlanta. She also earned an education specialist degree in curriculum and instruction K-12 from Argosy University Atlanta. Dent has worked in several metro Atlanta school districts. Dent said she is running “not because it’s another job to me, but this has been my life’s dream. Every position that I have had has prepared me.” Dent said she believes she can win the election because she is “in the trenches.” “I know what students need. I know what support teachers needs,” she said. Her jobs in education have given her “insight to a group of students that may fall behind,” said Dent, who works in an alternative school. As the state school superintendent, Dent said one of her priorities would be “more equity in Georgia.” “I want us to pay more attention to the group of pre-K students that we’re missing that don’t get in a lottery,” she said. The state needs to look “at our pre-K students that we’re missing as they enter kindergarten to make sure that we have things in place where they’re not behind,” Dent said. “I’m a little concerned about pre-K because right now a large number of our children are not entering pre-K,” Dent said they’re entering kindergarten without the necessary skills. One problem in the state education system is the equity of support. “Some districts have money and technology and some districts don’t,” Dent said. “The teacher evaluation system is a problem—making sure our teachers are understanding what’s going on with their evaluations and that the evaluations are being used to evaluate and not to eliminate,” she said. “I’m a student advocate, a teacher advocate and an equity advocate and I hope to serve the students of Georgia,” Dent said.

Patty Clark has always believed in helping others; that’s one reason she became a registered nurse. After two of her five children were born with physical and mental disabilities, she became especially interested in helping those with special needs. When her sons Jeffery and Christopher were children she volunteered at their DeKalb County schools. She now volunteers at the day program for those with developmental disability at the DeKalb Services Center in Brookhaven. For more than 30 years she has been a volunteer at the center and a member of the Parents’ Auxiliary, going in at least twice a week to do what she can “to make things better for everyone.” “Paid staff who work with children and adults with special needs usually have a heavy workload and aren’t paid a lot for what they do. Many have second jobs. That’s one reason volunteers are so vital to this work,” Clark said. She recalled that when her oldest son was born and found to have special needs, support from other parents, staff and volunteers made a tremendous difference in their lives. Now retired from her nursing career and from her work as a substitute teacher, Clark said she helps however she can—with much of her volunteer work being done through the Parents Auxiliary. “I’ve held several offices in the organization including secretary

and president,” she said. “Right now I’m serving as the treasurer.” Clark explained that the Parents’ Auxiliary focuses on getting clients what they need. “It might be physical therapy equipment or simply comfortable chairs. We have parties for the clients about once a month. The idea is to create an environment that’s as educational and enjoyable as possible.” The auxiliary has been instrumental in the purchase of four houses to be used as group homes. Many of the adult clients, including Clark’s sons, live in group homes that house four or five disabled adults. Clark also has over the years helped to maintain the homes. Clark sometimes volunteers in other community programs, including giving injections to preschoolers. The program Clark’s sons are in is administered through the DeKalb County Community Service Board. “I can’t praise them enough,” she commented. “It’s a wonderful organization. Without them so many families who have family members with disabilities would be left out of the loop.”

If you would like to nominate someone to be considered as a future Champion of the Week, please contact Kathy Mitchell at [email protected] or at (404) 373-7779, ext. 104.

DeKalb History Center hosts Champion lunch and learn

starting at the Porter Sanford Performing Arts and Community Center, 3181 Rainbow Drive, Decatur. Cost for an individual is $20 and $25 for The DeKalb History Center, located in Decatur teams with five or more participants. The race takes place March 29. To register go to www.acsquare at the old courthouse, will host a “Lunch tive.com/decatur-ga/running/distance-runningand Learn” March 18 with Carolyn Glenn, coowner and publisher of The Champion Newspaper. races/second-annual-porter-sanford-race-for-thearts-5k-walk-run-2014. The free event begins at noon and attendees are encouraged to bring their lunch. Free tax assistance and preparation available Glenn will tell the story behind the newspaper she publishes with her husband Earl Glenn, This service, available for low- and moderatewhich over the past 20 years has grown from a publication created to spotlight the achievements income taxpayers, is available from AARP Foundation Tax-Aide from through April 15. You do of south DeKalb’s Black community to the counnot need to be a member of AARP or a retiree ty’s newspaper of record. For more information contact the DeKalb His- to use this service. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers, trained in cooperation with the Intertory Center at (404) 373-1088. nal Revenue Service, will offer help with personal income tax returns at various locations around Clarkston hosts monthly movie night Georgia. Last year, AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers in the United States helped more than On the first Friday of each month, Clarkston’s 2 million people file their federal, state and local K.D. Moore Community Development Center, tax returns. The program is offered at many sites located at 4007 Church Street, will host a movie in Georgia, including senior centers, libraries and night. All movies will be family-friendly and popcorn other convenient location. Call the toll-free numand drinks will be sold. The schedule is as follows: ber, 1-888-AARPNOW (1-888-227-7669) or visit www.aarp.org/taxaide during this tax season, to April 4, The Blind Side; May 2, The Smurfs; and locate an AARP Foundation Tax-Aide site. June 6, Monsters University. For more information contact Christin Taylor at (404) 292-5686 ext. 248 or email ctaylor@clark- Stone Mountain church to hold prayer, praise event stonfbc.org.

AROUNDDEKALB

THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014

COMMUNITY

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more. Please contact Nicole at carmolingo@ dekalbhistory.org to donate to the silent auction. This fundraiser is free and open to the public and will be held at the historic DeKalb courthouse, 101 E. Court Square, Decatur. Decatur spring electronics recycling The city of Decatur will host an electronics recycling day March 22 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Decatur Public Works facility, located at 2635 Talley Street. Additionally, residents can also recycle shredded paper and Styrofoam. For a list of acceptable items to recycle visit www.decaturga.com or contact Sean Woodson at (678) 898-8562. Health Mart Healthy Living Tour to make stop in Tucker

The Health Mart Healthy Living Tour will make a stop in Tucker to recognize community pharmacists for the role they play. Aboard the Health Mart Healthy Living Tour’s 40-foot health screening unit, tour staff will provide complimentary health screenings for risks associated with high blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol and obesity. Attendees will also take home a sample bag. The tour will stop at Tracy’s Medicine Center of Atlanta, 3171 Tucker Norcross, Tucker, Road Grace Presbyterian Church is inviting the com- on March 25, from 9 a.m. to noon. Dunwoody United Methodist Church hosts munity to “An Evening of Praise and Prayer” on Burt Bacharach concerts ‘Sawbones’ play ‘Jawbones’ for charity Sunday, March 23, 6:30-8:00 p.m. “Come prepared to lift your voice in song and The performing arts group of Dunwoody UnitA benefit basketball game, “Jawbones vs Sawed Methodist Church, located at 1548 Mt. Vernon to pray for our families, communities and nation,” bones, ” pits prominent physicians (Sawbones) states an announcement from the church. The Road, will perform the music of Burt Bacharach against prominent lawyers (Jawbones) at the Dechurch’s worship team will lead the service. March 21-22 at 7 p.m. and March 23 at 3 p.m. catur High School gym on Saturday, March 15, at Grace Presbyterian Church is located at 650 Bacharach penned such songs as “What the 7 p.m. World Needs Now is Love,” “Raindrops Keep Fall- Rowland Road, Stone Mountain. For more inforThere will be a silent auction in connection mation, call Deanna Cauthen, (404) 510-4634. ing on My Head” and “Close to You.” as part of the event. Entertainment will include For more information visit www.dunwoodFalcons cheerleaders, Kid’s Corner, NBA legend Wine and Bark event set for Brookhaven yumc.org or call (770) 394-0675. Gerald Wilkins, cyr wheel performer Bobby Cookson and more. Town Brookhaven will host the Wine and Bark Village to host annual bluegrass festival Proceeds from the game benefit the Side By event March 29 from 1-6 p.m. The event supports Side Brain Injury Clubhouse in Stone Mountain. Tickets are $10. For more information, visit www. Angels Among Us Pet Rescue and will feature Stone Mountain Village is hosting its annual sidebysideclubhouse.org. food and drink specials from Town Brookhaven bluegrass and arts and crafts festival, located on bars and restaurants. Tickets will include raffle Main Street in Stone Mountain. Clarkston holds annual festival and 5K for prizes from area merchants and restaurants. The fifth annual Bluegrass Roots Music and The Angels Among Us Pet Adoption Day will take Arts Festival will also commemorate the 175th The annual Clarkston Community Festival and place on the green noon-4 p.m. Advance tickets anniversary of the founding of Stone Mountain. 5K Run/Walk will be held April 26 at the Atlanta are $10 and tickets at the door are $20. RegisEntertainment includes bluegrass music, arts Area School for the Deaf, located at 890 North Intration will be held in front of Noche “On the and crafts, folk dancing and other genres of redian Creek Drive. Green, ” 4330 Peachtree Road, NE, in Brookhaven. gional music. The event will last from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and The festival will also feature glassblowing, a will offer food and arts and crafts for attendees. History center to host annual meeting, silent blacksmith, food, train rides and inflatables for According to a press release, the festival’s children. Parking, admission and all musical per- auction theme this year is “Educate, Appreciate and Celformances are free and open to the public. ebrate. ” The DeKalb History Center will host its annual The festival will be Saturday, March 29, 10 For more information about the festival cona.m.-6 p.m., and Sunday, March 30, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. meeting and silent auction on Friday, March 21, tact the Clarkston Festival Committee at (678) from 6-8 p.m. Participants can enjoy an evening For more information contact Chris Straw753-5188. of wine, beer, hors d’ o euvres and music while bidbridge at (770) 413-0607. ding on items donated by local businesses. Silent auction packages may include event Registration open for second annual Race for tickets, golf, dinner certificates, art, jewelry, hotel the Arts stays, special tours, books, professional services, children’s activities, fitness opportunities and Registration is open for this 5K run/walk

THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, fRIDAY, MARcH 14, 2014

LOcAL NEWS
Establishment Name: Mobeta Wings Address: 2759 East College Avenue Current Score/Grade: 96/A Inspection Date: 03/04/2014

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Restaurant Health Inspections
Observations and Corrective Actions Boxes of raw chicken wings in walk-in cooler stored uncovered. Informed PIC food must be stored covered with lid or wrappings to protect from contamination. Advised PIC to close or cover boxes of chicken wings. PIC covered food. Corrected On-Site. New Violation. Establishment Name: Lalibela Cafe Address: 3096 North Decatur Road, Suite G Current Score/Grade: 79/C Inspection Date: 03/04/2014 Establishment Name: Who’s Got Soul Southern Cafe Dekalb Address: 3818 Covington Highway Current Score/Grade: 88/B Inspection Date: 03/05/2014 Establishment Name: Raging Burrito Address: 141 Sycamore Street Current Score/Grade: 96/A Inspection Date: 03/05/2014 Observations and Corrective Actions Employees personal items (coats & shoes) stored directly on top of bags of food in back storage room. New Violation. Fruit flies observed in bottles of liquior behind bar. New Violation. Establishment Name: Supreme Fish Delight Address: 3037 Panola Road Current Score/Grade: 92/A Inspection Date: 03/05/2014 Observations and Corrective Actions Brown and black mildew was observed on the interior surfaces of the ice machine. Drain the ice machine and deep clean. New Violation. Upon inspector arrival, not all foods were stored 6” above the floor inside the kitchen. Corrected to relocate the foods to food storage containers. Corrected On-Site. Repeat Violation. Establishment Name: Fellini’s Pizza Address: 333 Commerce Drive Current Score/Grade: 97/A Inspection Date: 03/06/2014 Observations and Corrective Actions Food not protected from contamination of an uncommon source. Observed sugar stored in a black garbage bag in walkin cooler. Advised to use a food liner to store sugar in or keep sugar in original bag then store in garbage bag. New Violation. Establishment Name: Arby’s #944 Address: 2382 North Druid Hills Road Current Score/Grade: 96/A Inspection Date: 03/06/2014 Observations and Corrective Actions Violation of Code: [.03(5)(i) ] Observed three employees handling food with no hair restraints. PIC advised at last inspection that food handlers must restrain hair. COSEmployees donned hats, hair nets, and placed long loose pony tail in bun. Corrected On-Site. Repeat Violation Establishment Name: Dream Wings Address: 2315-B Glenwood Avenue Current Score/Grade: 78/C Inspection Date: 03/06/2014

Meet the voice of the morning
by Marta Garcia [email protected] Monday through Friday Steve Goss’s alarm clock sounds at 4:01 a.m. “Four a.m. o’clock is way too early,” jokes this radio anchor of the morning edition on WABE, an Atlanta radio station affiliated with National Public Radio (NPR) and Public Radio International (PRI). Goss, a DeKalb resident for more than 22 years, serves the Atlanta community with his morning edition program, a two-hour mix of news, analysis, interviews, commentaries, arts, features and music. “I really enjoy interviewing people who have something interesting to share with our listeners. Our audience is pretty loyal and we offer them a large variety of programs,” the Stone Mountain resident said. Goss joined WABE, a nonprofit organization, seven years ago after 30 years at Peach 94.9 FM (WPCH, later WLTM). “Commercial radio was so different. It was all about ratings. Here at WABE it’s more about serving the community by knowing what’s worrying them and addressing those issues. We broaden perspectives, create joy, and expand knowledge,” he said. The former teacher remembered his early days in radio back in 1978 when he started working at WGST while he was teaching history and political science at Woodward Academy in College Park. Soon he realized radio was his real passion and dedicated the rest of his professional life to this industry that, in the recent years, has been regarded by some as a dying one. “I believe that radio needs to continue its evolution to embrace a variety of

Steve Goss, a Stone Mountain resident, hosts the morning show on WABE, an Atlanta radio station affiliated with NPR. Photo by Marta Garcia

See Radio on page 22A

Week
Freesia (A22111364) Freesia is a very happy, super sweet mixed breed. She’s not too large and not too small; she’s just the right size. Freesia weighs about 40 lbs soaking weight. She is approximately 1 years old and has the love of play like a pup, but she is much more mature. Her maturity will make it easier to train her and she is much less likely to chew your favorite shoes. Freesia shares her space with other shelter pups and they get along well. She would like to share space with you. If you have a little available space and a big heart; give Freesia a chance to share your home.
The adoptions number: (404) 294-2165 • For adoption inquiries: [email protected] For rescue inquiries: [email protected] For volunteer and foster inquiries: [email protected]

et P of the

Food employees not washing hands at a frequency to prevent contamination of food and/or equipment. .03(5)(c) Observed cooks (several times) touch clothing and hat then prepared customer order without washing hands. Advised to wash hands. Cooks washed hands. Corrected On-Site. Repeat Violation. Observed soil bowls for mixing wings with sauce. CFSM said they were washed last night. Advised to wash every 4 hours. Advised to wash now. Current time 3:30 PM. Corrected On-Site. New Violation. Potentially hazardous foods not thawed under an approved method. Observed fish thawing at 3 compartment sink in standing water. Advised to thaw under running water. New Violation. Plumbing system not maintained in good repair (plumbing leaks). Observed pipes leaking near hand sink under meat sink. Advised to repair. Repeat Violation. Facilities for storage of employee belongings not used appropriately. Observed personal drinks in multiple locations on prep counters and above food for customers. Advised to remove personal food from prep counter and to store on bottom shelf. New Violation. Lights not shielded or shatterproof in areas where there is exposed food, clean equipment, utensils, linens, or unwrapped single-service articles. Advised to provide light shield for light in walk in cooler. New Violation.

THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, fRIDAY, MARcH 14, 2014

LOcAL NEWS

PAGE 9A

Supporters of proposed cities appear before state committee
by Daniel Beauregard [email protected] sist of Emory University, the Atlanta VA Medical Center, Centers for Disease Control Representatives and legis- and Children’s Healthcare of lators from the proposed cit- Atlanta. ies of Lakeside and Briarcliff “A comprehensive planappeared before the govern- ning process for our citizens mental affairs committee to engage in to make a proof the General Assembly to posal that is best for all three discuss the aspects of each proposed cities or best for bill. the county has been lackCurrently, there are three ing,” Oliver said. “I say to proposed cities–Lakeside, you that the 75,000-80,000 Briarcliff and Tucker. citizens of the proposed city Rep. Mary Margaret Oli- of Briarcliff are here to ask ver, who sponsored the city for your help ask for your of Briarcliff bill (HB 665), respectful consideration of said she is the only member the city they wish to create.” of the General Assembly President of the City who lives in one of the proof Briarcliff Initiative Alposed cities. len Venet said he believes “Many things are unique the recently incorporated about our position before cities of Dunwoody and the General Assembly toBrookhaven have shown day,” Oliver said. that they do a better job of Oliver said there are “bringing efficient, effective, many successful cities in locally driven government DeKalb County, all of which for their residents” than the have annexation plans. Adcounty. ditionally, Oliver said, all of “It is regrettable that the the current cityhood provolunteers of all the three posals are good ones, there groups have not been able is just a lot of “overlapping to work out their differences and confusion.” and we all share the blame “In effect, you are asked for that,” Venet said. to redraw borders or tell Each of the three proeach group of citizens which posed maps includes the borders you prefer and I Northlake Mall area within think that’s a very difficult its boundaries, an economic and unique circumstance,” engine and revenue stream Oliver said. “The creation that none of the proposed of cities in DeKalb County cities wants to part with. has been, essentially up until “As you make your decinow, a northern partisan ef- sion I would encourage you fort versus a more southern to keep three key principles partisan opposition. These in mind: everyone deserves three cities are a more com- a vote; the borders should plex mixture of republicans be logical and make sense; and Democrats and have and new cities should be fimuch greater diversities in nancially strong,” Venet said. terms of their national pop- “Briarcliff is very proud that ulations.” the study shows conclusively The commercial areas in that we are financially stronBriarcliff, Oliver said, conger than any other proposal.” According to the results of a feasibility study from the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute, Briarcliff would be operating with a reserve of approximately $6.5 million in its first year of incorporation. The proposed city of Lakeside (SB 270), sponsored by Sen. Fran Millar, would be operating with reserves of approximately $2.5 million its first year, if allowed to incorporate. Lakeside’s boundaries originally included Emory University, which would have brought the surplus closer to $5 million. However, Millar said the university was removed after representatives from Emory requested it be removed from the map. “I don’t believe there’s

Left, city of Briarcliff Initiative president Allen Venet and Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver, and right, Lakeside City Alliance President Kevin Levitas and Sen. Fran Millar discuss the details of their proposed cityhood bills. Photos by Daniel Beauregard

going to be another city this year,” Millar said. “I don’t want to leave people behind and that’s why I’m the advocate for this bill, because I think it’s that important.” The area of Lakeside, Millar said, is the last part of his district that remains unincorporated. Brad Bryant, a 50-year resident of Lakeside, said he supported the bill because

See Cities on page 23A

CITY OF CLARKSTON NOTICE OF REFERENDUM ELECTION Notice is hereby given PURSUANT TO O.C.G.A.§§ 48-5-48.2, 48-5-48.6, and 21-2540 that a Referendum Election will be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2014 in the City of Clarkston, for the purpose of submitting to the qualified voters of the City of Clarkston the questions: Shall the City of Clarkston be authorized to enact a Freeport Exemption to exempt goods in the process of being manufactured from taxation? Shall the City of Clarkston be authorized to enact a Freeport Exemption to exempt inventory of finished manufactured goods still held in the possession of the original manufacturer from taxation? Shall the City of Clarkston be authorized to enact a Freeport Exemption to exempt finished manufactured goods destined for distribution out of state from taxation? Shall the City of Clarkston be authorized to enact a Freeport Exemption to exempt retail business inventory from taxation? Voting will take place at Clarkston International Bible Church, 3895 Church Street, Clarkston, GA from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Any person who is a resident of the City of Clarkston and who is registered at least thirty (30) days prior to this election with the DeKalb County Board of Registrations and Elections as an elector within the City of Clarkston shall be eligible to vote in this election. Deadline for voter registration is April 21, 2014. Application for absentee ballots may be made by mail or in person to the Absentee Ballot Clerk, DeKalb County Elections Division, 4380 Memorial Drive, Suite 300, Decatur, GA 30032, 404-298-4020. This notice is given pursuant to Chapter 21 of the Official Code of Georgia, as amended, pertaining to municipal elections, this 5th day of March, 2014. Tracy Ashby, City Clerk and Municipal Elections Superintendent.

THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014

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Code enforcement issues symptom of bigger problem with government, man says
by Daniel Beauregard [email protected] When Stephen Renner contacted DeKalb County Code Enforcement with a complaint he knew it might take a while to get in touch with enforcement officials, but he never expected it to take more than two months to get the issue resolved. Renner, who has lived in DeKalb County nearly all his life, said a trailer at an intersection in his neighborhood that was causing a safety hazard. “I got no response that the complaint had been received and you call and can’t get anybody to answer the phone,” Renner said. Email correspondence between Renner shows his repeated calls and emails were not returned. Additionally, Renner said, in one case a county employee accused him of lying about his accusations. “I received a call from Code Compliance Supervisor [Jerry] Silver—he wanted to talk to me about the complaint but I did not have my notes…he was challenging me as to the accuracy of my accusations on receiving no contact from the code enforcement office. He is the first person I have talked to [via phone] since the incident began,” Renner said. It was only after Renner contacted a friend at the DeKalb County Police Department and interim DeKalb County CEO Lee May’s office that the issue, a trailer left unattended at an intersection, was resolved. DeKalb County spokesman Burke Brennan said what happens sometimes is that code enforcement will receive a complaint from someone and then cite the property owner rather than communicate with the resident who filed the complaint. However, if a resident’s calls aren’t being returned that’s an issue, Brennan said. “We want to know if calls aren’t being returned because that’s a direct problem with service delivery and it needs to be corrected immediately,” Brennan said. Brennan provided The Champion with emails showing Renner was contacted by code enforcement officials several times regarding his issue. However, it doesn’t appear Renner’s calls were returned in a timely fashion. Brennan said he the county is following up to see why Renner’s calls weren’t returned. Renner said the issue is a symptom of a bigger problem facing the county. “When I came out of college, I came back to Atlanta and DeKalb County was a jewel for many years,” Renner said. “I think all of these problems started with the CEO system.” Originally, DeKalb County was run by the Board of Commissioners and a county manager but in 1982 residents voted to change that form

Doraville annexation bill introduced
by Daniel Beauregard [email protected] Legislators introduced two bills that would allow the city of Doraville to annex several areas southeast of the city consisting mainly of industrial and commercial property, and single-family homes. The bills were introduced by Rep. Scott Holcomb March 10 and now make their way to the House Governmental Affairs Committee. The first bill, HB 1138, deals with the annexation of commercial and industrial areas and does not provide for a referendum. However, HB 1139 does provide for a referendum because it deals mainly with residential areas consisting of single-family homes. According to a boundary map issued by the city, the proposed area consists of 1,064 parcels of land that would generate approximately $3.2 million of tax revenue each year. The proposed annexation area borders parts of Buford Highway not currently included in Doraville and stretches along DeKalb Technology Parkway and Northeast Expressway to the south. Doraville spokesman Luke Howe said the city wants to annex the proposed areas because it

Legislators recently introduced two bills that propose annexing commercial and residential areas in Doraville. The city’s current map is gray; the proposed annexation areas are dark gray and light gray.

‘I called code enforcement once a week during January and never received a phone call from them.’
– Stephen Renner
of government and Manual Maloof became the county’s first CEO. “It’s the equivalent of a mayor but you need a county administrator who answers to the commission,” Renner said. “They’ve been trying to run [the county] like a city and they can’t do that.” Renner said he thinks the reason there has been such a push for new municipalities relates directly to the county’s service delivery issues, such as the one he recently experienced with code enforcement. “I called code enforcement once a week during January and never received a phone call from them,” Renner said. May recently announced the county will be hiring seven new code enforcement officers but Renner said it likely won’t be enough. “I believe code enforcement recognizes they have a problem but adding seven more officers without leadership isn’t going to help,” Renner said. “How about a phone call folks…just let us know that you got the message.” Renner did applaud May on the job he is doing to bring the county together and his support to change DeKalb County’s form of government.

will make it easier for the areas to receive essential services from the city. Some businesses in the proposed annexation area, Howe said, have had trouble obtaining permits from the county. Howe said some residents in the proposed area have requested to become part of Doraville in hopes of streamlining the process. Doraville Mayor Donna Pittman said the annexation isn’t about “a land grab” but to bring closure to the area. Pittman said that due to the location of some of the unincorporated parts of the city near Doraville, it can be difficult for both the city and the county to deliver services. Pittman said there are currently residential areas where one house may be in the city of Doraville, while a neighboring house will be part of unincorporated DeKalb County. “It makes it a nightmare for code enforcement and code compliance,” Pittman said. “I just know this area is kind of like an island of its own. It’s really about closure and public safety.” If reported favorably out of committee, the bill then goes to the Senate for approval.

THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014

DeKalb Dominates

SPORTS

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Basketball State Championships Coverage
pgs. 12-16

THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, fRIDAY, MARcH 14, 2014

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PERFECTION!
by Carla Parker [email protected]

The Redan Lady Raiders basketball team completed a perfect 33-0 season with the Class AAAA girls’ state championship after defeating Columbus 63-53. It was the first state championship for head coach Jerry Jackson (right) and the second championship for the program. Photos by Travis Hudgons

Redan ends record season with state championship

T

he magical run the Redan Lady Raiders’ had been on this season come to a successful conclusion as they became the third DeKalb County girls’ basketball team to finish undefeated as state champions. The No. 1 ranked Lady Raiders defeated the No. 2 ranked Columbus Lady Blue Devils 63-53 March 6.

Redan joins the 1997 Stone Mountain Lady Pirates (32-0) and Redan’s 2010 team (27-0) as the county’s only undefeated champions, while setting a school record with a 33-0 season record. With a state championship added to his resumé, head coach Jerry Jackson is now on a 33-game winning streak after starting his coaching career with a 31-0 streak before losing in the 2011 state championship. Jackson said after the game that finishing

the season undefeated along with winning a state championship means a lot to him and the team. “That’s what we came to do,” Jackson said. “We just told [the team] today that we came to pick up what belongs to us.” Jackson said that after losing to Sandy Creek in a close game last season in the Elite 8, the team’s was to win the state championship in 2014. Senior guard Jada Byrd said this season was all about overcom-

ing adversity from last season and proving their doubters wrong. “Coming out strong and finishing our senior year meant a lot to us,” Byrd said. Redan started the game strong with Jamese Abney and Destini McClary hitting three-pointers to give Redan a 19-12 lead after the first quarter. Redan went on a 12-3 run in the

See Redan on page 16A

Redan senior guard Brea Elmore (5) looks to pass during the championship game.

Jada Bryd goes up for a layup as Columbus’ Tatyana Wyatt defends.

Senior guard Jamese Abney shoots over the Columbus defense. Photos by Travis Hudgons

THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, fRIDAY, MARcH 14, 2014

Tucker dominates Southwest DeKalb to win its first state title

Ladies’ First

SPORtS

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by Carla Parker [email protected] hey were told they did not have a chance to beat the No. 1 ranked Southwest DeKalb Lady Panthers, but the No. 2 ranked Tucker Lady Tigers proved its doubters wrong when they convincingly beat Southwest DeKalb 83-65 in the Class AAAAA state championship game in Macon Mach 7. This is Tucker’s first girls’ basketball state title in its first championship game appearance. “It’s completely unbelievable,” Tucker head coach Robin Potter said. “It’s remarkable. I knew we had it in us. We just had to put it all together tonight. I believe this is the best game we played all season.” It was probably the best game of the Tucker senior class of Erykah Davenport, Naima and Nuba Jackson and Tori Robinson. Each senior scored in the double digits, with Nuba leading the way with 26 points and Robinson right behind her with 21. Nuba opened the game with a threepointer, which led to an 8-0 run. The Lady Tigers never looked back as they led Southwest DeKalb by as many as 20 points. Davenport, who finished with 11 points and 13 rebounds, said doubters gave Tucker extra motivation. “[An Atlanta newspaper] said we had a 40 percent chance of winning this game and we came out and beat them by 20 points,” Davenport said. “That was our incentive. We played with a purpose tonight and I told the team that we have to play with a purpose. Potter said her senior players, especially Robinson, came through for the team. “I’ve said it throughout the year, even last year, that Robinson makes us go,” Potter said. “She doesn’t get all the attention Erykah and the twins get but she makes us go and she came through.” Southwest DeKalb was able to cut the lead to 16-10 at the end of the first quarter. However, Robinson, who had 13 first half points, opened the second quarter with a three-pointer and two free throws to extend Tucker’s lead to 21-10. Southwest DeKalb did make a run late in the third quarter to cut Tucker’s lead to 10. Casey Kelly scored four points during the 10-2 run to cut the score to 53-43 with 46 seconds left in the third quarter. However, Tucker dominated in the paint and played pesky defense to extend their lead to 15 late in the fourth quarter. The Lady Panthers cut the lead again back down to 10, but Nuba was hot from the free throw line, hitting five of six free throws to extend the lead to 15 points and on the way to sealing the game. After the game, Naima said every player hustled and played with heart. “We played our game,” she said. “Nobody did anything other than what they know how to do. We played our role, we did what we had to do and we came out with a win.”

Senior Erykah Davenport (44) holds up the championship trophy and game ball after Tucker defeated Southwest DeKalb 83-65 in the Class AAAAA championship game. Photos by Travis Hudgons

Senior Naima Jackson dribbles up the court.

Erykah Davenport (44) goes up for a layup as SouthSenior Tori Robinson dribbles by a Southwest DeKalb defender. west DeKalb’s Daisa Alexander tries to defend.

THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, fRIDAY, MARcH 14, 2014

SPORtS

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The jersey of the late Terrell Coleman covers the in seat on the Miller Grove bench. Coleman died before the season and the Wolverines dedicated the season to him and carried his jersey to every game. Photos by Travis Hudgons

Miller Grove wins its sixth consecutive title for fallen teammate
by Carla Parker [email protected]

For Terrell

“Together we attack; number six for 24.”
Miller Grove coach Sharman White stated those words after the Miller Grove Wolverines defeated Warner Robins 70-43 in the boys’ Class AAAAA state title game March 7 at the Macon Centreplex. It was the sixth consecutive state title for the program, a state record. The journey to number six was not easy. Before the start of the season, freshman Terrell Coleman, 15, died Oct. 27 after collapsing during an all-star game in Stone Mountain. Coleman was diagnosed with a heart murmur approximately a year ago. Before his death, Coleman said to teammates that he came to Miller Grove because all he wanted was to win a state championship ring. The team, which dedicated the season to Coleman and carried his jersey to every game, was able to honor his last wish. “It’s so gratifying because Terrell was very special to us,” White said. “He was a great kid, a great part of our program, so when that happened the kids were devastated. We were all devastated. “But, the thing about it was we rallied and we said we were going to do this in the beginning,”

Raeshones Coleman, mother of Terrell Coleman, points to the sky as Miller Grove celebrates its sixth consecutive state title.

White added. “For us to be able to do it is just an awesome feeling, not just for them but for me as a coach personally.” Coleman’s mother, Raeshones, has attended every Miller Grove basketball game this season and

when the team was presented with the trophy, she and Coleman’s father, Willie, were standing with the team holding their son’s No. 24 jersey. “I know if he was down here on this earth and his feet were standing on solid ground he’d be over there in the corner with tears of joy and happiness in his eyes,” she said. The championship win came a day after Coleman would have celebrated his 16th birthday. Raeshones Coleman said this was a “wonderful” birthday present for her son and said she could not wait to get her son’s championship ring. “I’m going to hold on to that ring,” she said. “I’m going to show so much love to that ring because I know it’s for Terrell.” Senior guard Keith Pinckney, who led the team in scoring with 21 points, said it felt great to win it all for Coleman. “We came out here to try to give it our all for our brother Terrell and that’s what we did,” Pinckney said. “It feels awesome.” After a shaky first half when the Wolverines only made 11 of their 26 shot attempts, it was Pinckney who led the charge in the second half that led to the blowout win over Warner Robins. He scored 11 points during Miller Grove’s 26-7 third quarter run, which led to a 24 point lead heading into the fourth quarter. Pinckney said that White asked them one question during halftime after their shaky first half

See Miller Grove on page 16A

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THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014

SPORTS

PAGE 15A

Durr, Carter lead St. Pius to second consecutive state title
by Carla Parker [email protected] t came down to the final seconds, but when the clock hit 00:00, the St. Pius girls’ basketball team was once again state champions. The Golden Lions defeated the Buford Wolves 48-45 in the Class AAA state title game March 8 at the Macon Centreplex. At the end of the first quarter, it looked as though St. Pius did not have a chance to win the game, being down 15-3. Junior Asia Durr, the No. 1 player in her class, missed her first six shots, and the Golden Lions started the game 0 for 11. Their first field goal came with 20 seconds left in the first quarter on a layup from junior Obi Okafor. However, St. Pius flipped the switch in the second quarter and went on a 20-6 run in that second quarter to take a 23-21 lead into halftime. Durr led the charge with three 3-pointers in the second quarter. “I knew we just needed to get a couple of stops and the shots would start falling,” Durr said. St. Pius never gave up the lead the rest of the game but Buford continued to fight back. In the fourth quarter, St. Pius was held to one field goal in the final quarter, but Durr was 10 for 10 from the free throw line. Buford found themselves down 47-45 with 14.2 seconds left in the game. Buford fouled senior Jasmine Carter to send her to the free throw line for two foul shots.

BACK 2 BACK

I

Seniors Anna Nelson, left, and Jasmine Carter hold the trophy after St. Pius defeated Buford 48-45 in the Class AAA state title game. Photos by Carla Parker

Carter made one of her two free throw attempts to bring the score to 48-45. Buford had a chance to bring the score back within one, but a missed layup stalled Buford’s potential comeback and the Golden Lions went on to celebrate its second consecutive state title. Head coach Kyle Snipes was breathing a sigh of relief after the game. “It’s more relief than anything

because it was expected of us to win but we almost did not pull it off,” he said. “But the girls did and I’m proud of them.” Carter, who was celebrating her birthday as well, said it felt good to help her team pull out the win in the end with the free throw. “I had to stay focused” she said. “You can’t get down when you do miss [free throws] because they are crucial, but you have to stay

focused and keep shooting them.” Carter finished the game with 12 points and seven rebounds. Durr led the team 23 points, with most of her points coming from the free throw line. She was 12-14 from the line. Junior Miah Allen, who was 3 for 4 behind the arc, finished with nine points. This is St. Pius’ fifth state title in 10 seasons.

THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014

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Redan

Continued from page 12A second quarter to take a 37-25 lead. However, Columbus rallied to come within eight points. McClary was hot from behind the arc, hitting three more three-pointers in the final two minutes of the first half to end Columbus’ rally and give Redan a 40-28 lead at halftime. Columbus came out of the locker room at halftime with fire and opened the second half on a 6-0 run to bring the score to 40-34 with 4:51 left in the third quarter. Columbus outscored Redan in the third quarter 16-6 and was down 46-44 heading into the fourth quarter. Columbus’ Brittany Floyd tied the game at 48-48, but Columbus would never grab the lead as Redan went on a 13-3 run and had a 10-point lead with 45 seconds remaining. Brea Elmore’s free throws with 43 seconds to play made it 63-53. Columbus only scored five points in the last six minutes of the game. Elmore led the team with a game high of 20 points. Byrd and McClary finished with 16 points each. Redan’s title is DeKalb County’s 26th state title since 2004. It is also the 11th consecutive year that a DeKalb basketball team has won a title. This is Redan’s second as a program in its fifth championship game appearance.

Redan fans cheer on their team during the Class AAAA championship game. Photo by Travis Hudgons

Columbia falls in second consecutive title game
by Carla Parker [email protected] It was bad déjà vu for the Columbia boys’ basketball team as they lost for the second straight year in the Class AAAA title game. Columbia fell to the Jonesboro Cardinals 56-51 March 6 in a close, intense game. Columbia trailed most of the game and was down 1110 at the end of the first quarter. Columbia took the lead in Columbia head coach the opening of the second quar- Kerry Sandifer looks ter on an Anthony Rice basket on as his team falls to Jonesboro. Photo by bringing the score to 12-11. Travis Hudgons Jonesboro got a three-pointer from James Walker Jr. and a couple of free throws to go with a basket by Jyair Mincy to take an 18-14 lead with 4:28 to play in the first half. The Cardinals went on an 11-2 run to a 26-16 lead at the half. Columbia rallied in the third quarter, which included a 10-6 run, to tie the game at 36 at the end of the quarter on a Nick Singleton’s buzzer beater. Columbia fought hard in the fourth quarter to keep up with Jonesboro, but the Cardinals found a way to pull away from the Eagles. Jonesboro’s DeAntre Mack opened the fourth quarter with a three-pointer to regain the lead. The Eagles responded and took a brief 42-41 lead with 3:46 to play on a Keuntay Puckett layup. However, Jonesboro pulled away from Columbia, mostly on free throws. Jonesboro scored 15 points in the final 3:46 with 13 coming from the free throw line. Singleton hit a couple of free throws with 42 seconds remaining to pull Columbia within 50-48, and hit a threepointer to bring them within three points with 9.5 second left. However, Jonesboro hit six consecutive free throws to put the game away. Maurice Rivers led the Eagles with 13 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Eagles (28-4). Singleton finished with 13 points and Rice had 12 points. It was Columbia’s second consecutive season finishing as runners-up in Class AAAA under second year head coach Kerry Sandifer after winning three consecutive AAA titles and making five straight title game appearances.

Miller Grove senior Deven Dorsett, left, goes up for a layup over a Warner Robins defender. Senior Keith Pinckney steals the ball from a Warner Robins player.

Head coach Sharman White, center, holds up six fingers in celebration of Miller Grove’s sixth consecutive state title. Terrell Coleman’s parents, Raeshones, left of White, and Willie, right, celebrate the team’s state title. Photos by Travis Hudgons

Miller Grove

Continued from page 14A performance. “He just asked. ‘Do we want it?’ and we did,” Pinckney said. “I just had to be a man and step up for my team as a senior. I did that and I was glad to pull it out.” White said the team had to clean up a few things after leading by just five points after the first half. “We weren’t doing the little things,” White said. “We were playing inconsistently and it really was an ugly basketball game in the first half for us. We told them to clean it up and we had to make adjustments and make those plays that we should’ve been making in the first half.” The Wolverines made those adjustments and went on the beat Warner Robins by 27 points, their second largest-margin victory in a championship game. The largest (32 points) came in 2010 when they defeated Mays 67-35 in the Class AAAA state title game. With the win, Miller Grove became the first boys’ basketball program in Georgia to win six consecutive state titles. White said making history is not only good for the program but for the school and the community as well. “This school started in 2005 and we’ve been able to grow in leaps and bounds in a short period of time,” White said. “I’m just proud of all of the young men that came through here with the expectation on the line.”

THE CHAmPIoN FREE PRESS, fRIDAY, mARcH 14, 2014

LocAL NEWS

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Election Continued From Page 1A
years. Four people are challenging incumbent Michael Erwin for the District 3 school board seat. Erwin, an assistant professor at Georgia Gwinnett College, was one of six school board members appointed in 2013 by Gov. Nathan Deal when he replaced six school board members who were serving when the school district was placed on accreditation probation. Also seeking the District 3 seat are Jerrie Bason, Jarrod Jordan, Atticus LeBlanc and Willie Mosley Jr. Two incumbent school board members will face off in the District 4 race. The district seat is currently held by Jim McMahan, the board’s current vice chairman. McMahan, a loan originator at AmStar Mortgage Network, has been serving since 2013 when he defeated the incumbent in a runoff. The other incumbent in the race is Karen Carter, a Georgia Perimeter College faculty member who was appointed to the Super District 8 by the governor. Carter’s current seat was one of two eliminated by the state General Assembly. Joining the two incumbents in the District 4 race are John Oselette and Ella “Coach” Smith. Former school board member Jesse “Jay” Cunningham is the only one suspended and replaced by the governor last year who is seeking to regain his seat. Cunningham, served on the board from 2007-2013, is seeking the District 5 seat. He faces four candidates, including incumbent Thad Mayfield, who was appointed by the governor. Mayfield, is a senior partner with Georgia-based business development firm FOCOM Inc., currently represents Super District 9. The District 5 seat is currently held by David Campbell. Also vying for the District 5 seat are Pia “Chaz Afzal” Bhatti, R. Alexander Fitzhugh and Vickie B. Turner. Incumbent Melvin Johnson, the school board’s chairman, has one challenger for his District 6 seat: Bridgeman Bolger. Johnson was elected to the board in 2011 and is one of three board members who was not replaced by the governor last year. There are three contenders for the District 7 seat, including incumbent Joyce Morley, who was also appointed to the position by the governor. Morley is the CEO of Morley and Associates and a nationally known public speaker and trainer. She faces Kim Ault and Lee V. Dukes. Eight candidates are vying for the DeKalb sheriff position vacated in February by Thomas Brown, who is trying to unseat Congressman Henry “Hank” Johnson for the 4th Congressional District seat. The candidates include interim Sheriff Jeff Mann, who was appointed to the position by Brown; Dale Bernard Collins, Ted Golden, R. “Tony” Hughes, former DeKalb County CEO Vernon Jones, Melody Maddox, Melvin Mitchell and LaSalle Smith Sr. State Court Judges Johnny Panos and Alvin T. Wong are seeking reelection, while two candidates are vying for a soil & water commission seat: Jeff Bragg and H. Anthony Gobert. Three county commissioners are up for reelection in November. District 2 Commissioner Jeff Rader and District 3 Commissioner Larry Johnson have qualified for the Democratic Party and have no opponents. Super District 7 Commissioner Stan Watson will face Gregory Adams, pastor and former DeKalb County Police officer.

Detailed market assessment outlines DeKalb County strengths, weaknesses
by Daniel Beauregard [email protected] A recently released $300,000 study, comparing DeKalb County to other areas in the state and country, gives an indepth look into the county’s strengths and includes a long laundry list of weaknesses. The market assessment study, performed by Texasbased firm Angelou Economics, is the first in a four-phase process aimed at developing a strategic five-year action plan for the county. According to the study, in December 2013 and January 2014, officials interviewed more than 200 stakeholders and launched an online survey to collect input from businesses and residents. “In order to improve the economic environment, the county must overcome a number of issues impeding recovery,” said Angelous Angelou, the author of the study. Angelou said one of the major issues the county is facing is the loss of approximately 50 percent of unincorporated tax revenue over the past six years. This drop in tax revenue, Angelou said, is the result of incorporation, annexation, foreclosures and decreasing property values. “Infrastructure in the unincorporated areas of the county is older and in need of repair and replacement, but the drastic reduction in revenues leaves the government unable to reinvest in roads and other infrastructure,” Angelou said. The study states that political issues related to governance, financial oversight and ethics have compounded its issues and “reverberate into economic conditions.” To develop a broader understanding of DeKalb County’s current conditions the study compares it to three other counties—Cobb and Gwinnett counties and Prince George’s County in Maryland. Among the key points the study touches on are DeKalb County’s quality of life, workforce and education, education and the county’s business climate. Interim DeKalb County CEO Lee May said the assessment does a good job of illustrating the county’s strengths and the work it needs to do to be competitive in the future. “This is just one of the many steps that we’re taking as far as economic development is concerned,” May said. Recently, the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners approved an intergovernmental agreement that will allow the DeKalb Development Authority to become the county’s main arm for economic development. “What is great in all of this is that once this strategic plan is done, the [development authority] will take it and implement it,” May said. “It’s really what the cutting-edge local jurisdictions are doing.”

THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, fRIDAY, MARcH 14, 2014

bUSINESS

PAGE 18A

A window shade doubles as the type of world map that’s standard in many elementary school classrooms.

La Poutine de Georgia is among the appetizers on the eclectic menu.

Jeff Bowie handles paperwork that’s part of his new role as a pub owner. Photos by Kathy Mitchell

Oakhurst embraces its newest eatery—The Imperial
by Kathy Mitchell [email protected] What happens when a group of friends decide they’d like to open their own restaurant/bar with the kind of food they like, the kind of beer they like and the kind of atmosphere they like? The result might be something similar the recently opened Oakhurst eatery The Imperial, the creation of four longtime friends. Even the name, Jeff Bowie, one of the owners, explained, surfaced on a buddy outing. The friends were in New Orleans when a Chevrolet Imperial–a car that hasn’t been manufactured since 1983–came by. “Hey,” one of them said. “That’s an Imperial.” Another added, “You know, that would be a good name for a bar.” “We wanted to create a neighborhood pub type of place,” Bowie said, “a place where you can relax, watch a ball game, have a cold beer and a really good burger.” Bowie, who said he’s transitioning to his role as a pub owner after being an attorney and a stay-athome dad, explained that business partner Robert Holland has a long resume in the hospitality industry that includes years as a bartender and part-owner of another Oakhurst establishment. His industry contacts made him aware that the long vacant space at West College and Mead was available. “It’s a great spot. People walk up, bike up, drive up,” Bowie said. “About half the people who come in say they live ‘across the tracks,’” meaning in the downtown Decatur area. Open since mid-December, the Imperial already is getting involved with the community. On March 1, it hosted the wrap-up party for a Mardi Gras celebration that features a parade down Mead Street. The annual event raises funds for the Decatur school system’s music program. Bowie acknowledges that the place could use more parking space, and a notice on the menu asks that patrons not park on property belonging to the church across the street. “But,” Bowie noted, “the businesses that share a lot with us are closed after 7 p.m., then it’s all ours.” The cozy little pub seats about 60 inside, and when the weather is pleasant, an additional 40 diners can be seated outside. Even in January there were days when patrons opted for patio seating. The owners and the kitchen staff had input into the menu, said Bowie, who has a hamburger named for him. “We all had ideas about what we thought would be good to include,” he added. The result is an eclectic mix of Tex-Mex, New Orleans, Mediterranean, classic Southern and such items as the Filipinostyle spring rolls. A favorite seems to be pimiento cheese, which can be found among the appetizers and sandwiches as well as being available as a topping for hot dogs and burgers. While making their selections, patrons may enjoy the quirky comments that accompany the menu items. One notes, for example, that the beef on the roast beef po’ boy sandwich is “cooked forever and served the right way: gravy coated and messy…” Among the soft drink listing there’s “Mexican Coca-Cola, formerly just Coca-Cola if you grew

The bar features a selection of beers and classic cocktails chosen by the owners.

up before Satan’s Agribusiness Lobby cornified every damn thing. Tastes exactly like your childhood.” Even the standard health department warning about consuming raw or undercooked items comes with a touch of humor. “This seems like a good time to tell you what the FDA and DeKalb County Health Department want you to know,” precedes the boilerplate announcement, which is followed up with “We wish to add that wearing your seatbelt and eating your vegetables, though not necessarily at the same time, are also fine, fine ideas.” The same whimsy spills over into the décor, which features among other items humorous posters, a pink cartoon hippopotamus and a window shade that doubles as the type of world map that’s standard in many elementary school classrooms. Even though in mid-March, the Imperial’s permanent sign was not yet in place—a hand-drawn chalkboard served the purpose—business was brisk. “Even we underestimated the power of social media,” Bowie said.

DeKalb Chamber of Commerce

The Voice of Business in DeKalb County

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

THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, fRIDAY, MARcH 14, 2014

New Gresham Park Elementary to be built at Clifton Elementary site
by Andrew Cauthen [email protected] Gresham Park stakeholders got their wish March 3 when the DeKalb County Board of Education decided to change the location of a new school building. Instead of constructing a new Gresham Park Elementary School building at the site of the building, which has been closed since June 2011, the school board voted to build the new school at the site of the current Clifton Elementary School. “We actually build the schools for the communities that will be served,” said DeKalb School Superintendent Mike Thurmond. “The community supports the project. That wasn’t there before.” School Board member Michael Erwin said he became aware of community opposition when residents asked, “Why can’t the decision be reversed?” That’s when the school district “decided to start over from scratch” in planning the new school building, Erwin said. After public meetings in October 2013 and December 2013, the school board on Jan. 6 authorized the school district to explore the use of the Clifton Elementary School site for the future Gresham Park Elementary School. School district personnel sought and received approval from the Georgia Department of Education; conducted required public notification meetings; and prepared a cost estimate review for additional design, engineering and construction costs. The site change will cost the school district approximately $1.8 million. The extra costs are due to the staged demolition of the Clifton Elementary building; adaptation and engineering of the prototype school to the Clifton site; civil engineering; and projected escalation of construction costs due to a later start date. The new cost of the school, which will house 900 students, will be an estimated $20.2 million. “The community is behind it 100 percent,” Erwin said about the new building location. “We want to work with the community. The community wants to work with us. The Gresham Park site wasn’t right for a 21st century school.” Darryl Jennings, president of the Gresham Park Community Association, said school district leaders “heard the stakeholder concerns and they took that to heart. They listened.” Thurmond’s administration heard the concerns unlike the previous administration, Jennings said. “I believe those that were making decisions at that time didn’t fully understand the location.” The original decision to rebuild Gresham Park Elementary at the site of the current building was made based on number of students. “They did not know the community,” Jennings said. “We, the community, want what’s best for the students in the entire area,” Jennings said. “The old Gresham Park Elementary location was not the best location. It’s deep into the neighborhood.” Because most students have to ride buses, it would create a “horrific traffic problem” to have a larger school in the neighborhood, he said. “The location at Clifton is the best site because of the flexibility,” Jennings said. “It isn’t locked in. Three different roads lead into Clifton which is much better for the traffic in the Gresham area.” Stephen M. Wilkins, the school district’s chief operations officer, said, “We are absolutely convinced that this is the best site for the school.” Wilkins said “access is superior” and the Clifton location has a park and community center. “We will be able to leverage those buildings,” he said. While the building will be state-of-the-art, stakeholders “have to understand that there is, as Supt. Thurmond said, a big difference between the school and the building–the school being who’s in the building and what resources you have in the building and the building being just the brick and mortar,” Jennings said. Jennings said Gresham stakeholders “have to make sure that we…are in on the building and the school– what we want it to look like [and] what resources will be offered at the location.”

EDUcAtION

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The old Gresham Park Elementary School building has been closed since June 2010. Photos by Andrew Cauthen

Under a plan approved by the DeKalb school board, Clifton Elementary will be torn down and a new Gresham Park Elementary building constructed on its site.

THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, fRIDAY, MARcH 14, 2014

LOcAL NEWS

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Ocular myasthenia gravis, is a form of myasthenia gravis (MG) in which the muscles that move the eyes and control the eyelids are easily fatigued and weakened. Reba Herzfeld’s eyes become so droopy and heavy that by the end of the day she can barely open them.

Facts about MG:
Myasthenia gravis is a rare disease caused by a breakdown in the normal communication between nerves and muscles. Common symptoms: drooping eyelids, blurred or double vision, slurred speech, difficulty chewing and swallowing, weakness in the arms and legs, chronic muscle fatigue and difficulty breathing. How many people are affected in the United States: approximately 20 out of 100,000 individuals

“Outside we can look fine, but inside we are very weak and sick,” said Carla Jenkins, who suffers from myasthenia gravis, an invisible disease. Photos provided

by Marta Garcia [email protected]

Walking for a cause
awareness and funds to support the organization. “Whenever I mention that I have this disease, people say they have never heard of it. It’s a rare disease so the walk is a great opportunity to raise awareness. We want to find the cure for it,” said Jenkins, who will be the Georgia walk hero and speak at the opening ceremony. “When you have any disease it’s good to know that you are not alone, that’s why I want to share my story,” she added. According to Brown, the cause of MG is not known. A genetic predisposition to autoimmune diseases can run in families, but MG is not thought to be directly hereditary. “It affects more women and they are affected more severely and younger than men. The most common age at onset is the second and third decades in women and the seventh and eighth decades in men,” said the neurologist. Approximately 20 out of 100,000 individuals in the United States have been diagnosed with MG, according to the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, but because MG is considered under diagnosed, the prevalence is thought to be much higher. For DeKalb resident Reba Herzfeld, who was diagnosed with ocular myasthenia gravis in 2004–a form of MG in which the muscles that move the eyes and control the eyelids are easily fatigued and weakened, the MG walk renews hope, and creates a community of support and strength. “It enables patients like me to talk

On a hot and stressful day in 1994 Atlanta resident Carla Jenkins started to feel extremely tired and noticed that the muscles from her waist up were weak and not responding. Her condition reached a point where she couldn’t hold her head up, speak, eat or swallow. “I got into an intensive care unit with a bad crisis. They didn’t know what happened. I was going from one doctor to the other. When I got better I started reading in a medical book about myasthenia gravis [MG] and I realized my symptoms matched so I basically diagnosed myself. The second neurologist that I visited confirmed that I had that disease,” Jenkins said. Myasthenia gravis is caused by a breakdown in the normal communication between nerves and muscles. There is no cure for it, but treatment can help relieve symptoms, such as weakness of arm or leg muscles, double vision, drooping eyelids, and difficulties with speech, chewing, swallowing and breathing. “MG is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the neuromuscular junction–the space where the nerve meets the muscle–it’s a relatively unknown condition. Particularly among lay people,” said Gavin Brown, a neurologist at Emory University Hospital. On March 15 the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation (MGFA) will celebrate its third annual walk in Atlanta to raise

about our illness and experience an outpouring of support, concern and a pledge from family and friends to do more,” she said. Herzfeld had several surgeries in the last 10 years but she was told that she can’t have more surgery because she would not be able to close her eyelids.  “At 8 o’clock in the morning my eyes are open; at 5 in the afternoon they are half closed because they droop. I can see fine because my eyelids don’t cover the pupil but it gets worst as the day goes on if my eyes get very tired,” said the Dunwoody resident, who has two daughters, 34 and 37, not affected with the disease. “It is a debilitating disease, with no mercy. Just like octopus tentacles, MG does not give you warning on which part of your body it will wrap, sometimes suffocating your very being,” said Juana Alzaga, a Toco Hills resident diagnosed with MG two years ago. For Brown, events such as the walk represent hope in terms of finding the cure because they will help raise money and generate interest to encourage the pharmaceutical industry to move forward toward a cure. “The drugs companies won’t provide funding for research for rare diseases because it is not profitable and that’s frustrating for me as a doctor because I don’t care if it’s profitable I just want to help the patients,” concluded Brown.

Third annual MG walk
What: Georgia MG 1 and 3 mile walk When: Saturday, March 15. Registration: 9 a.m. Walk start at 10 a.m. Where: Chamblee First United Methodist Church Campus, 4147 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Atlanta. Cost: free; donations are welcome to support the cause. To register call 1-855-MGWALKS (855649-2557) or visit: www. mgwalk.org/georgia

THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, fRIDAY, MARcH 14, 2014

cLASSIfIEDS
For Prices, Deadlines and Information

PAGE 21A

Classifieds
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DISCLAIMER: We do not knowingly accept advertisements that discriminate, or intend to discriminate, on any illegal basis. Nor do we knowingly accept employment advertisements that are not bona-fide job offers. All real estate advertisements are subject to the fair housing act and we do not accept advertising that is in violation of the law. The law prohibits discrimination based on color, religion, sex, national origin, handicap or familial status.

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LOcAL NEWS

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delivery platforms beyond the traditional radio signal transmitted via the box called a ‘radio’.  Radio should always be about the content.  Toward that end, the best thing I can do-or anyone else in the industry can do-is to deliver great content,” Goss said. With the advancements that have just been made in the recent years, there is no telling where the radio technology will lead, he said. With a simple internet connection, one can listen to streaming audio from almost any radio station all over the world. “Radio listening will continue to become something that is not restricted to appointment listening, that is something dictated by a set date and time,” Goss said. “The future of radio is not on the radio anymore.  For example, Morning Edition on WABE and NPR can be accessed at any time by a listenernot just between 5-9 a.m., weekdays, on 90.1 The days of the family gathering around the old Philco in the living room for their favorite Sunday evening radio program (or TV program) are long gone,” he added.   When he is not in front of the microphone Goss enjoys landscaping and gardening, a hobby that he shares with his wife Karen. He also volunteers for numerous charitable events and fundraisers and spends time with his two sons Corey and Garrett. “As a DeKalb resident I am worried about our school system, corruption, budget, so I like to contribute to the community addressing all those issues in my program,” he concluded.

Radio Continued From Page 8A

Traffic improvements coming to Brookhaven intersection
by Carla Parker [email protected]

According to a traffic study done by traffic engineers, motorist traveling in the southbound lane of Ashford Dunwoody Road to the Johnson Motorists that travel through the Ashford Ferry intersection,will experience an average Dunwoody Road and Johnson Ferry Road indelay of 143 seconds. The new design could potersection in Brookhaven may see a better flow tentially reduce traffic congestion by 70 percent traffic as early as this summer, according to city at the intersection. official. “By making these improvements the time will Brookhaven officials and representatives from reduce to 43 seconds,” Williams said. “That’s a the Perimeter Community Improvement District good minute per car. It’s a win-win for the city.” have teamed up with the Georgia Department of Ideas and improvements developed in the Transportation (GDOT) to find a solution that city’s collaboration with GDOT will be folded eases traffic build-up at the intersection, which into the Brookhaven Transportation Plan that is described by motorists as one of the most con- will launch later this spring. gested traffic locations in the area. “We think this will provide immediate traffic Brookhaven Councilwoman Rebecca Chase relief while the city continues to work on other Williams presented a preliminary draft of the large scale planning projects,” Williams said. new design for the intersection at the Feb. 25 city The majority of the cost for the project will council meeting. The design, created by Kimley be funded by GDOT with little cost to the city. Horn and Associates, an engineering firm select- Brookhaven would contribute about one fourth ed by GDOT, shows additional through lanes, of the estimated cost of $290,000. The city’s conrelocated traffic signals and new caution striping tribution will be used to facilitate the relocation that is expected to shave considerable time off of of utilities. commutes for the more than 30,000 motorists “There are some underground vaults of gas traveling through the intersection each day. and water,” Williams said. “Our public works “It’s a combination of restriping and changdepartment will move it and we’ll expedite it and ing the signals a little bit,” Williams said. “There make sure it’s done correctly.” are two medians in the intersection. By moving More information about this project will be those medians out and restriping, what the soavailable as negotiations continue, according to lution will do is allow two lanes going forward city officials. through the light at Ashford Dunwoody.”

THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014

LOCAL NEWS

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Safety tips for riding your bike in the city
Many learn how to physically ride a bike, but there’s a lot more to bicycle safety that should be learned before sharing the road: • Wave.  Bicyclists who can’t make eye contact with the driver of a car should wave their arm.  It’s easier for them to see an arm going left and right than it is for the driver to see a bicycle coming straight toward them. • Slow down.  • Get a headlight.  It’s required by law. • Don’t ride on the sidewalk.  Crossing between sidewalks is a fairly dangerous maneuver. It makes bicyclists vulnerable to cars pulling out of parking lots or driveways.  They are threatening to pedestrians on the sidewalk.  • Choose wide streets. • Wear a reflective vest or a safety triangle.
Source: Atlanta Bicycle Coalition and www.bicyclesafe.com

by Marta Garcia [email protected]

Atlanta cyclists use bikes to raise their voices
clists in Atlanta to highlight, promote and remind to the legislators that a lot of folks ride bikes and it is important to local communities,” Boykin said. At the capitol, cyclists will hear elected officials and others talk about bicycling issues, including the development of regional systems of both on-road bicycling facilities and multi-use trails. “It’s important to support a network that connects bicycle trails, bicycle facilities, bicycle improvements in the metropolitan Atlanta area and through the state. There need to be better connections between the cycling areas,” Boykin insisted. Boykin talked about the necessity of getting bicycle facilities, such as side paths and parking racks, especially in downtown areas such as Decatur so riders can leave their bikes in a safe place. Bicycle maps of the city will be useful in showing people where to go ride.

On March 18 more than 1,000 cyclists from the metro Atlanta area will travel to the state Capitol to raise awareness and lobby for improved cycling conditions. The ninth Annual Georgia Rides to Capitol, the biggest one day cycling advocacy event of the year, is sponsored by the Metro Atlanta Mayors Association and Georgia Bikes. Riders will depart from Decatur and Roswell; led respectively by Decatur city commissioner Fred Boykin and Roswell Mayor Jere Wood as well as other mayors, elected officials and city council members from the region. They will be escorted by Atlanta and Decatur police and firefighters. “It’s the only opportunity once a year for cy-

“Concerns about safety are often cited as the biggest barrier to more people riding bicycles, but these concerns can be overcome through education, planning and awareness, and by making the roads safer,” said. According to Boykin, DeKalb has many safe riding trials but “there is a lot to be make”. The commissioner said popular and political supports are crucial to create a healthier, more livable Atlanta attractive to those who bicycle for fun, fitness, and transportation. “For example, you have a bicycle out the Stone Mountain but there are parts of it, like the section over I- 285 along Church Street, that are not protected trails and it’s difficult for people who try to ride the path and cross the interstate, especially with young children,” said the commissioner, who was recently awarded with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition.

Cities Continued From Page 9A

it is “extremely difficult” for the area to have a clear, consistent voice and remain unincorporated. Interim DeKalb County CEO Lee May said incorporation is not innately a bad thing but he wants to study the effects and unintended consequences it has on DeKalb County. May called for a 1-year “cooling off period” so the county can form a task force to address newly incorporated areas an annexations.

May called for legislators to table the votes on new cities until the next legislative session and work with DeKalb County to develop a comprehensive plan. “We will move it forward in a manner that will bring back recommendations to this body so that the decision that is ultimately made is one that we all know will be for the benefit of DeKalb County,” May said.

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THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, fRIDAY, MARcH 14, 2014

by Carla Parker [email protected]

Friends of Blackburn Park help clean park

LOcAL NEWS

PAGE 24A

As Brookhaven transitions to take over the parks located within the city limits from DeKalb County, members of Friends of Blackburn Park are working to make the park safer by clearing wooded areas. Members spent the afternoon of March 9 clearing weeds, brush and dead trees in a section of the park located on Ashford Dunwoody Road. The organization, which formed last fall, is a community group seeking to complement the Brookhaven Parks Department in the planning and growth of the park space by serving as a forum for the Brookhaven community, local businesses and surrounding neighbors. The group’s goal is to revitalize the park’s amenities, promote the park resources while working in conjunction with community leaders and the new Brookhaven Parks Department. Friends of Blackburn Park president Mari Geier said the groups’ initiative this spring is “Safety in our Park.” “We chose this area to start with to clean all the brush out for two

reasons: one–to remove any kind of fire hazard but also to increase the line of sight for walkers, joggers, people parking along this area to go to the tennis center,” Geier said. “Our goal is to get people to come out to Blackburn Park more. The more people they come out, the more people that are interested in making it as beautiful as it can be.” This was the second clean up for the group. They previously pressure-washed and cleaned areas near the pavilion. Geier said the March 9 cleanup is a part of several park projects. “We have two more projects,” she said. “It’ll probably take a cou- Friends of Blackburn Park in Brookhaven spent the afternoon cleaning out brush in a ple of months to finish the projects. wooded area. Our goal is to hopefully get this done this summer.” Geier said the projects will show park goers that there is an active group that cares about the park. “We serve as a voice and a bridge to voice people’s concerns and questions and hopes for the park to the parks department and government officials,” she said. “Our goal really is, as part of our safety initiative, to get people to feel more comfortable coming into the park.”
Starr Strickland throws out old branches from a wooded area. Photos by Carla Parker

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