Champion Free Press 2-8-13

Embed Size (px)

Citation preview

  • 7/29/2019 Champion Free Press 2-8-13

    1/20

    Photos by Daniel Beauregard

    www. championnewspaper.com

    www.facebook.com/championnewspaper

    www.twitter.com/championnews

    WWW.CHAMPIONNEWSPAPER.COM FRIDAY, FEB. 8, 2013 VOL. 15, NO. 46 FREE

    FREEPRESS A PUBLICATION OF ACE III C OMMUNICATIONS

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

    Like Us On Follow Us On

    by Daniel [email protected]

    On the Chinesezodiac calendar,2013 is the yearof the snake and

    Charlene Fang has told heron to always keep some-hing red on his person: aie, a red piece of paper,

    anything containing the col-

    or, which symbolizes goodfortune.Fang, whose son was

    born in 1977, said there areuperstitions about the year

    one is born in and it is cus-omary in Chinese cultureo wear or carry somethinghat is thought to bring luck.

    Its just a superstition;he same as if I went to a

    funeral I would put some-hing red in my pocket,omething lucky to protect

    myself, Fang said.Although this year is the

    year of the snake, Fang said

    many like to call it the yearof the little dragon. TheChinese New Year celebra-ionreferred to in Chinese

    as Spring Festivalis themost important of all Chi-nese holidays.

    When Fang was young-er, she said, each ChineseNew Year began with sheand her siblings having abreakfast of dumplings andice cakes, some which

    contained money hiddennside. Fang said her familytill has this traditional meal

    each New Years morn-ing. She also said children

    receive red envelopes con-taining money from theirelders and family traditionsand stories are passed downfrom generation to genera-tion in this manner.

    If you find the money,it brings you riches andgood fortune for that year,Fang said.

    Each dish prepared dur-ing the New Year also hasa different meaning, Fangsaid. Apples are thought tobring wisdom and peace;bamboo shoots, wealth or a

    new start; bean curd sticksbring a blessing of the

    house; and fish symbolizeshaving leftovers of moneyor an increase in prosperity.

    We never finish thefish because its symbolic,meaning the money willnever run out, Fang said.

    Fang said her familyalso always has a wholechicken, which symbolizestogetherness and joy.

    Each Chinese New Year,DeKalb County residentscelebrate with two days ofevents at the Cultural Cen-ter of the Taipei Economic

    and Cultural Office inChamblee, located at 5377

    New Peachtree Road behindthe Atlanta Chinatown Mall.

    The festival will fea-ture the traditional dragonand lion dancers, authenticChinese food, Chinese cal-ligraphy and other arts andcrafts, as well as traditionalChinese music and danceperformances.

    Fang said each yearbusinesses in the ChinatownMall wait for the dragonand lion dancers to comeand bless their shop.

    People line up, wait-

    ing for the dragon danceand the lion dance to come

    to their store; they watch itand they give them moneyto receive blessings, Fangsaid.

    This year, the festivalwill be held Feb. 9-10 from10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admissiontickets are $5 per person ($2of which is returned as avoucher that can be used tobuy food at the festival).

    For more information,visit www.facebook.com/AtlantaChineseLunarNew-YearFestival or call (770)451-4456.

    DeKalbCountypreparesf

    or

    ChineseNewYearcelebra

    tion

  • 7/29/2019 Champion Free Press 2-8-13

    2/20

    The Champion Free Press, Friday, Feb. 8, 2013 Page 2ALocal News

    Morsberger Ellis Johnson Abrams Carter Essig

    Hunstein Paty Philipp Trethewey Wagner Williams

    DeKalb leaders make states power listby Andrew [email protected]

    Thirteen people withstrong ties to DeKalbCounty have been namedo Georgia Trends annual

    Power List.The list recognizes 100

    of the most powerful andnuential Georgians who

    affect the lives and liveli-hoods of all state residents.

    I worked my tail offand made things happenand worked with people,said Emory Morsberger,57, president of the StoneMountain Community Im-provement District (CID),who made the list.

    As a leading developerand redeveloper of com-munities, Morsberger hasbrought new beauty to ag-ng neighborhoods from

    downtown Lawrenceville to

    downtown Atlanta, accord-ng to Georgia Trend.Morsbergers current

    goal is to create 2,000 newobs in Stone Mountain by

    bringing new companies toll three million square feetof empty space in the CID.

    DeKalb County CEOBurrell Ellis made the listafter he captured 60 per-cent of the popular vote inDeKalb County to securea second term as CEOand was elected presidentof County Executives ofAmerica, according to the

    magazine.I am honored to receive

    his recognition, and I amproud to share it with thecitizens of DeKalb County,

    Ellis said. It is with theirtrust and support that I amable to lead one of Geor-gias great communities.

    Congressman HankJohnson (D-4), who alsomade the list, said, Imhumbled to be mentioned inthe same breath as my fel-low awardees. Serving thepeople of the Fourth District

    is a singular honor. As longas Im in ofce, I will givecitizens of the Fourth every-thing Ive got.

    Other DeKalb leaders andresidents on the list include: State Rep. Stacey Abrams

    (D-89), minority leader forthe state House of Rep-resentatives and the rstBlack to hold that position.

    State Sen. Jason Carter(D-42), grandson of for-mer President JimmyCarter.

    Alan Essig of Decatur, ex-ecutive director of GeorgiaBudget and Policy Insti-tute, a group that analyzesthe state Legislatures bud-get and tax proposals.

    Carol W. Hunstein ofDecatur, Georgia SupremeCourt chief justice, whois only the second womanto serve as a permanentmember of the court.

    Congressman John Lewis(D-5), a leader in the U.S.Civil Rights Movementand the states longest-serving congressman.

    Karen Paty of Decatur,director of the GeorgiaCouncil for the Arts. Patyis guiding a shift in cul-ture, outlook and function

    at GCA, including a moveto the Georgia Departmentof Economic Develop-ment, putting the arts atthe table in conversationsabout the states economicdevelopment vision, ac-cording to Georgia Trend.

    Alicia Philipp, of Decatur,president of the Communi-ty Foundation for GreaterAtlanta, one of the largestand fastest-growing phil-anthropic organizations in

    the nation, according toGeorgia Trend.

    Natasha Tretheweyof Decatur, Robert W.Woodruff professor ofEnglish and creative writ-ing at Emory Universityand a U.S. poet laureate.Trethewey, a PulitzerPrize winner, is also serv-ing as Mississippis poetlaureate.

    James Wagner, EmoryUniversitys president.

    Yvonne D. Williams,president of the PerimeterCommunity ImprovementDistricts. Williams leadsthe ongoing initiative toimprove transportationand accessibility in one ofMetro Atlantas busiest of-ce markets and one of theregions largest employ-ment centers, GeorgiaTrendstated.

  • 7/29/2019 Champion Free Press 2-8-13

    3/20

    Page 3A The Champion Free Press, Friday, Feb. 8, 2013

    Police, nurse team to tackle crisesby Andrew [email protected]

    It was the evening of Nov. 14,

    2012, and a 47-year-old wheelchair-bound grandmother was hit by avehicle on Covington Highway. Re-portedly her 3-year-old granddaugh-er was riding on the rear of the chair

    as they crossed the street.The rst police car to respond to

    he accident just happened to be driv-ng by. It was the Mobile Crisis Unit,

    a partnership between the DeKalbPolice Department and the DeKalbCommunity Service Board.

    We pulled up rst on [the] ac-cident on Covington highway, saidVicki Jacobs, one of two registerednurses with the Mobile Crisis Unit.The grandmother was in a wheel-

    chair. You couldnt even tell herwheelchair was a wheelchair.

    Jacobs said she immediately start-ed addressing the grandmothers in-uries. Then somebody said, What

    about the baby? Jacobs said.The child died at the scene and

    he grandmother died Dec. 1.Its hard, Jacobs said.Initiated in 1994, the Mobile Cri-

    is Unit teams a registered nurse witha police ofcer to respond to crisesnvolving mental health, substance

    abuse, suicides, domestic violenceand events where people are soupset the police cant handle them

    where children have drowned orbeen hit by cars, Jacobs said.The Mobile Crisis Unit is re-

    ally the only one of its kind in thenation that we know of where theres a seasoned psychiatric nurse who

    rides with a police ofcer seven daysa week, said Brenda Cibulas, chiefclinical ofcer, with the DeKalbCommunity Service Board.

    The reason that this model isso efcient is because you have thepsychiatric knowledge on board,you have the medical knowledge onboard, you have the public safetyknowledge on board and because ofits conguration. That unit can reallyeffectively respond to serious com-munity concerns and crises, Cibulassaid.

    Right there in the house, on theroad, in the woodswherever [thecrisis] is happening, theyre able toassess it for needs, for danger, forwhatever is necessary and because

    they have all these resourcestheyre able to act very expediently,Cibulas said.

    The unit handles approximately200 calls per month from E911, theDeKalb County crisis line, GeorgiaCrisis & Access Line and referralsfrom various private providers andclinics.

    Cibulas said the unit is able tokeep approximately 90 percent ofthe people with mental issues in thecommunity and out of emergencyrooms and jails.

    The police are given more op-tions on what to do, Cibulas said.If somebody is really ill or in needof careand maybe their behaviorwould cause them to be taken to

    jail, the police are sensitized andknowledgeable about the fact, withour nurse, that this really an illness.Those people are not taken to jail, so

    theres less incarceration of peoplewho are ill.Jacobs said, We try our best not

    to have to take them anywhere, notto remove them from the home. Wetry to resolve the crisis for safetythen and try to get them connectedwith services as soon as we can. Wetry to get them into care without hos-pitalization.

    Some of the calls the unit receivesare for people with chronic mentalillness who are off their medicinesthats a big one for usand peoplewho have never been diagnosed,Jacobs said.

    Were kind of like detectives,

    Jacobs said. We get called out be-cause someones acting funny. Thisis the importance of having a nurseon the unit when that happens be-cause somebody might have a bloodsugar thats over 500. The policeor EMS just think theyre actingweird.

    Cibulas said, Every single neigh-borhood has families and individualswho are in need. Lots of times, thatis only noticed when they rise to thesituation to some type of a publicinfraction.

    If we can support the policeby opening up options and choices

    then we see better outcomes forfamilies, for care providers and forour DeKalb police ofcers as wellas area emergency rooms, Cibulassaid.

    Bob Sevick is one of two nurses that work with police ofcers in the Mobile Crisis Unit, a partnership between the DeKalb County Police Department and DeKalb Com-munity Service Board. Below, Sevick answers one of the 200 monthly calls the unit receives about crises involving mental health, substance abuse and other problems.Photos by Andrew Cauthen

  • 7/29/2019 Champion Free Press 2-8-13

    4/20

    Longtime DeKalb residentMary Glenn transitioned Friday,Feb. 1, succumbing to a long battlewith breast cancer. Marys name isperhaps not known to the massesbut certainly to many. She leaves tocherish her memory a devoted son,Jim Glenn Jr., and loving daugh-ter, MaryJenese Glenn Turner,an employee of this newspaper, andone delightful grandson.

    Marys transition also leaves

    a huge void with her only remain-ing sibling, Ozie Jackie Adamsand dozens of other sisters in herbeloved sorority, Delta Sigma ThetaSororityInc., which is celebratingits centennial this year100 yearsof service and sisterhood. Marywas a member of the DST DecaturAlumnae Chapter for almost 40years. Her love of God, family andcommunity is noteworthy. You see,Mary epitomized what Id like tocall Sister Love.

    It was not often that you sawMary without Jackie or Jackiewithout Mary. They were insepa-

    rable and could be seen at variouscommunity and sorority functionsover the decades. They even madehistory as the only sisters ever toserve as presidents of the DecaturAlumnae Chapter of the Deltas.Both were driving forces in the es-tablishment of the Delta Sigma The-

    taand Kappa Alpha Psi Commu-

    nity Achievement Center in southDeKalb. Jackie is the elder and isnow the remaining sister of three.The baby sister, Vera died 37 yearsago. The family hailed from Moult-rie, Ga., as Jackie put it, Moultrieis on the way to Florida. Theirmothers blind sister, Mrs. VirginiaKing, raised the three girls aftertheir mother died at a young age.

    That sisterly love that was mod-eled by Jackie and Mary seems tobe a common thread in the family.Jackie rarely left her sisters sideduring her illness. An impish smileplays at her lips and her eyes twin-kle as Jackie calls up memories ofher lifelong sister/friend/soror. Shedeftly sidesteps the question aboutMarys age, something Mary pre-ferred not to discuss. Jackie, the ad-mitted talkative one, describes heryounger sister as quiet, reserved,orderly, loving, giving, supportive

    and dependable with the ability tosometimes put her in check to theamusement of family members.

    She was an inspiration to so

    many people and a motivator tome. She was the little sister that Idearly love. Jackies daughter, Dr.Herschelle Adams, said unlike hertalkative mother, her Aunt Marywas quiet, but when she spoke,they all listened. She described heraunt and soror as a God-fearingwoman with an abundance of pa-tience along with a quiet grace andthough Mary was Herschelles aunt,she was more like a second mother.Speaking for her brothers, AttorneyHerbert Adams Jr. and Michael S.Adams, M.D., and herself, she said,I thank God for our time together.

    Mary loved being a doorkeeper

    in the house of the Lord and servedas an usher from the time she wasa young girl in Moultrie. Her loveof being a greeter continued intoadulthood and Mary started theyouth ushers at the historic Ebene-zer Church in Atlanta where shewas a member for nearly 50 years.DeKalb teacherImani Bailey wasone of Marys youth ushers at Eb-enezer.

    Mrs. Glenn loved us, but madesure we were decent and in orderand at all times following protocol.I thank God for all of my years withher, Bailey said

    A dietitian by training, Marywas a proud graduate of SavannahState University and earned a mas-ters of medical science degree indietetics from Emory University.She was Emorys rst Black studentto enroll in and graduate from thatprogram. She served on countless

    boards and volunteered her timeto numerous efforts in metro At-lanta, including the DeKalb CountyExtension Service. She was the

    regional coordinator for the DeltaSigma Theta Habitat for Humanitycollaboration and was appointed tothe State Board of Dietitians by for-mer Gov. Joe Frank Harris.

    In her nal days it was her un-faltering faith in God, her familyand her beloved sorority that sus-tained her. Meticulous and detailedto the end, Mary provided last wish-es and instructions that sister Jackiedutifully recorded in a journal. It isoft repeated that we write our owneulogy as we live. Son Jim saidhis mother lived a life of love andservice. Mom was always giving,always putting others before herself

    and always lending a helping hand.She loved the Lord, loved her fam-ily and her sorority.

    Congratulations Mary Glenn.You crossed over February 1, 2013,in grand style. Hail Mary!

    The Celebration of Life will beheld Saturday, Feb. 9. It will beginat noon with the Delta Sigma ThetaService, which is open to the pub-lic. The regular funeral service willbe at 1 p.m. at Ebenezer BaptistChurch, 407 Auburn Ave., Atlanta,GA 30312. In lieu of owers, dona-tions can be made to:

    The Vera Hollis Blackshear

    Education Fund, Inc., P.O. Box371566, Decatur, Ga. 30037-1566.

    Steen Miles, The Newslady, is aretired journalist and former Geor-gia state senator. Contact SteenMiles at [email protected].

    Sister love: Hail Mary!

    Mary Glenn

    Page 4A The Champion Free Press, Friday, Feb. 8, 2013Opinion

    The Newslady

  • 7/29/2019 Champion Free Press 2-8-13

    5/20

    Let Us Know What You Think!

    THE CHAMPION FREE PRESSencourages opinionsfrom its readers. Please write to us and express yourviews. Letters should be brief, typewritten and containthe writers name, address and telephone number forverification. 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) 373-7779Deadline for news releases and advertising: Thursday, one week prior

    to publication date.

    EDITORS NOTE: The opinions written by columnists and contributingeditors do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editor or publishers.The Publisher reserves the right to reject or cancel any advertisement atany time. The Publisher is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts.

    Publisher: Dr. Earl D. Glenn

    Managing Editor: Kathy Mitchell

    News Editor: Andrew Cauthen

    Production Manager: Kemesha Hunt

    Graphic Designer: 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.

    www.championnewspaper.com

    DISPLAY ADVERTISING (404) 373-7779 x 110

    FREEPRESS

    STATEMENT FROM THE PUBLISHER

    We sincerely appreciate the discussion surrounding this and any

    issue of interest to DeKalb County. The Champion was founded in1991 expressly to provide a forum for discourse forallcommunityresidents on all sides of an issue. We have no desire to make the newsonly to report news and opinions to effect a more educated citizenrythat will ultimately move our community forward. We are happy topresent ideas for discussion; however, we make every effort to avoidprinting information submitted to us that is known to be false and/or assumptions penned as fact.

    One Mans Opinion

    Whatever Lola wants, LolaGETS!originally sung byGwen Verdon on Broadway in

    955 from the show Damn Yan-kees!, set against the backdropof Major League Baseball and atruggling team, the Washington

    Senators.Well, actually, in that case,

    Lola didnt get, and neither didhe devil. Both wanted the soul

    of old Joe Boyd, a wanna bebaseball fan, who got to spend aeason in the Big Leagues in ex-

    change for his everlasting soul.You are probably aware that

    our Atlanta Falcons are seek-ng to build a new nest, as well

    as to receive all sources of in-come stream in and around theoost. Tickets, concessions, park-ng, merchandising, etc. The state

    of Georgia, represented by theGeorgia World Congress CenterAuthority (GWCCA), and theFalcons have been haggling forwell over a year.

    Bowing to growing windsof public opposition, exceeding70 percent in most polling, Gov.Nathan Deal has been quietly

    urging the Falcons to put another$100 million in their offer to-ward construction, and another$60 million toward debt serviceretirement. This would bring theFalcons commitment towardtheir own stadium to nearing$900 million. Though our Geor-gia Dome was originally con-structed in 1992 for $200 million,we still owe $98 million. Thecity of Atlanta, via its public/private Invest Atlanta Author ity,is expected to take a more activerole, as well as put some skin intothe game. Though the GWCCAwould still own the stadium, At-lanta is expected to issue bondsfor up to $200 million towardpublic investment in the facil-ity. This is a better deal for tax-

    payers, though sti ll a bad one.I in no way begrudge ArthurBlankhis many successes. I ap-plaud the work that he and Ber-nie Marcus did in co-foundingHome Depot, creating thousandsof jobs, thousands of millionaires(who bought their stock early) aswell as the millions in charitableand civic donations and contribu-tions which the pair have gener-ously made.

    Here is a better dealInstead of tearing down the

    Georgia Dome, and creating ahuge debt load and a big holein the ground, sell the GeorgiaDome to the Falcons for $200million (which is what the state

    spent building the facility in1992) and pay off the remainingdebt on the facility ($98 million).This leaves the GWCCA and thestate of Georgia with a profit of$102 million. If the state wantsto be viewed as a partner, pur-chase the preferred site (whichthe GWCCA still does not own)for a new stadium, and gift that tothe Falcons.

    The Falcons could probablyacquire Alonzo Herndon Stadiumfrom the Atlanta University Cen-ter for $50 million or less. Thiswould give the Birds an outdoorarena for any number of homegames that they choose, and an-other venue less than a mile fromthe Dome and its existing park-ing and related infrastructure. For

    another $50 million, the Falconscould add sky boxes and a hugeonsite Tailgate Falcons Fan Festspace at the Atlanta UniversityCenter. Total price tag for twostadiums, $300 millionplus theFalcons are given a comp site forperhaps building a third venueduring better times.

    The original Home Depot wasput into a bui lding originally con-structed as a Treasure Island onMemorial Drive, directly acrossthe street from the current loca-tion of the DeKalb County Jail.As the company was formedwith limited cash flow, Blankand Marcus admit that they oftenlined stores shelves with the emp-ty boxes of merchandise already

    on display, until sales and cashflow caught up, and allowed themto purchase more merchandise, aswell as hire more employees. Asthey are quite familiar with thisoperating model, Mr. Blankshould certainly understand thatnow is not the time for the stateof Georgia or the city of Atlantato be cutting blank checks to bil-lionaires, no matter how worthytheir sports franchise.

    At the end ofDamn Yankees,and that Washington Senatorspennant game,young Joe Hardymorphed back into old Joe Boydmid-game, yet he still pulled out aclutch play and saved the day, whilemaintaining the good sense to leavethe field, save his soul in the pro-cess, and return home to his wife

    Meg. Lets hope our leaders cut afinal deal that makes some similarcommon $ense, without giving upthe farm in the process. There is stilla lot of red-penning to do for ourgovernor and Atlantas mayor be-fore we get there.

    Bill Crane also serves as apoli tical analyst and commenta-tor for Channel 2s Action News,WSB-AM News/Talk 750 and now95.5 FM, as well as a columnist

    forThe Champion, ChampionFree Press andGeorgia Trend.Crane is a DeKalb native andbusiness owner, living in Scott-dale. You can reach him or com-ment on a column [email protected].

    A better deal, but still a bad one

    The Champion Free Press, Friday, Feb. 8, 2013 Page 5AOpinion

  • 7/29/2019 Champion Free Press 2-8-13

    6/20

    The Champion Free Press, Friday, Feb. 8, 2013 Page 6ACommunity

    Champion of the Week

    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.

    Kenneth Hoose

    Twice a week inDeKalb County, residents

    who are uninsured orunderinsured and are inneed of medical attentioncan receive care by physi-cians who volunteer their

    time.Founded in 1992,

    Physicians Care Clinicprovides a medicalhome and health safetynet for almost 600 adultsannually who previouslyhad no access to regularhealth care, accord-ing to a media release.Many have delayed carebecause of cost, whichincreases their risk of

    disease progression andcomplications that lead

    to costly interventions,hospital stays, and evendisabilities.

    Physicians Care Clinicis a community outreachinitiative of the DeKalbMedical Society.

    Dr. Kenneth Hoose,a longtime volunteer with

    the clinic, oversees pa-tient care at the clinic andalso sees some cardiology

    patients himself. The vol-unteer health profession-als provide primary healthcare services, medica-

    tions, diagnostic testingand health education.

    In January, Hoose wasawarded the Julius Mc-Curdy Award from theDeKalb Medical Society.The award, establishedin 1973 in honor of thefounder of Decatur Fed-eral Savings and Loan

    Association, recognizesoutstanding commu-nity service by a DeKalbCounty physician.

    Approximately 40physicians volunteer ona rotating basis at theclinic, which addresses

    the medical concerns ofpatients who must qualifybefore receiving an ap-pointment to be seen.

    Another 70 specialists seepatients in their officeson a volunteer basis. Ap-proximately 75 nurses,pharmacists, laboratory

    technicians and frontdesk receptionists alsodonate their time to carefor the patients.

    Hes a great vol-

    unteer, said CaroleFortenberry, a nurseadministrator for Physi-cians Care Clinic, aboutHoose.

    Last year, Hooseraised approximately$7,000 for the clinic

    through a dinner andwine-tasting fundraiser.Hes a connoisseur offine wines, Fortenberrysaid.

    Hoose is very car-ing and a great friend,Fortenberry said. He isalso low-key, private anda great philanthropist.

    Hes a blessing to theclinic, Fortenberry said.

    uBROOKHAVEN

    Mayor proposes$15.7 million budget

    by Carla [email protected]

    Brookhaven MayorJ. Max Davis is proposing a $15million budget for the 2013 scal year.

    In a memorandum sent to city council on Jan. 25, Davisaid the budget anticipates enough revenue to support aesponsive and transparent organization and provides eco-

    nomic stability to create a well-maintained, safe and nan-cially sound city.

    The proposed budget includes funds that will be usedfor such service enhancements as parks and recreation,community development, public works, and the start of thepolice force in 2013, which is expected to be budgeted at$2.25 million.

    The budget also recommends remaining within the 3.35millage rate cap.

    Our nancial health reects our citys overall strength,and we must strive to be scally healthy, Davis said. The2013 Brookhaven budget recommendation represents aconcerted effort to present a balanced budget, containingno surprises, helping us create a vibrant and serviceori-ented city.

    The city expects to get its revenue source and anticipat-ed funds from taxes ($13.8 million), licenses and permits$635,000), charges for services ($370,000), nes and for-

    feitures ($800,000), and miscellaneous revenue ($50,000).The city approved a $5.4 million tax anticipation Note

    for the budget at an interest rate of 0.06 percent to addresscash ow needs. The funds are expected to help the cityesponsibly deliver services quickly without having to wait

    on tax revenues to begin owing, David said.We understand and anticipate our revenues will be

    ower in our rst year, Davis said. Our proposed budgets in line with the Carl Vinson Institute of GovernmentFeasibility Study for Brookhaven gures for year one. Wewill closely monitor both revenues and expenses through-out our rst year, setting ourselves up for success in theyears to come as all revenues due to the City are scheduledo be received starting in 2014. It demonstrates our focus

    on accessibility, transparency and provision of the level ofervices our residents deserve.

    The city council will review the budget recommenda-ions and will hold a public hearing on the budget Feb. 26.

    Council members will discuss budget items and addressany questions from residents about the budget recommen-dations.

    For more information, visit www.brookhavenga.gov orcall (404) 637-0500.

  • 7/29/2019 Champion Free Press 2-8-13

    7/20

    The Champion Free Press, Friday, Feb. 8, 2013 Page 7ACommunity

    AROUNDDEKALBATLANTAHeart experts to lead all-dayboot camp event

    Experts from the EmoryHeart and Vascular Center andSaint Josephs Hospital areeaming up on Saturday, Feb. 9,n observance of American HeartMonth, for an all-day eventaimed at educating the public onhow to manage and lower riskactors associated with heartdisease and stroke.

    The Emory HeartWise Pre-vention Bootcamp will featuresessions on a variety of topicsncluding nutrition, women and

    heart disease, foot care, yoga,computer applications, healthyweight loss, starting an exerciseprogram and a cooking demon-stration. Physicians and otherhealth care providers will leadeach presentation.

    February was first proclaimedNational Heart Month by Presi-dent Lyndon Johnson in 1964.Even though great advances indiagnosing and treating heartdisease have been made overhe last 50 years, it remains theeading cause of death for bothmen and women each year.

    The event will be held atEmory Conference Center Hotel,615 Clifton Road, NE, Atlanta.

    Registration starts at 7:30 a.m.with continental breakfast. The$25 fee covers the costs of theeducational program, handouts,parking, breakfast and lunch.

    For more information or toegister visit

    http://advancingyourhealth.org/heartblog/2013/01/22/atlanta-heart-disease-bootcamp/ orcall (404) 778-7777. Space ismited.

    Callanwolde to hold FairyTale Tea

    Fairy tales come to life athe Callanwolde Mansion as the

    Callanwolde Dance Ensemblepresents Fairy Tale Tea Sunday,

    Feb. 10, at 1 p.m. Accord-ng to an announcement fromCallanwolde, the event will bea delightful afternoon of deli-

    cious treats and music whilevisiting with Cinderella, Pussn Boots, Rapunzel and manyother characters from belovedstorybooks. The fine arts centerpromotes it as a wonderful op-portunity for a father-daughter(s)or grandparents outing. Ticketsare $25 per person by advanceeservation only and can be pur-

    chased online at Ticketleap.

    BROOKHAVEN

    City posts code ofordinances

    Brookhaven residents andbusiness owners can view thecity code of ordinances on the

    citys website.The list include ordinances

    for alcoholic beverages, build-ing regulation, municipal courts,elections, licenses and permits,zoning, taxation and more.

    For more information, visitwww.broohavenga.gov.

    CLARKSTON

    Center to host food and well-ness day

    The Clarkston CommunityCenter, along with Global Grow-ers Network and Refugee Orga-nizing in Action Collaborative will

    host Food, Agriculture and Well-ness Resource Day on Feb. 16.The free event will include

    presentations on finding land,marketing local foods, starting afirst garden, container garden-ing, and food safety. The noon-4 p.m. event will also includehands-on demonstrations withcold weather growing and com-posting and community gardentours.

    Attendees will also receiveinformation on transportation,drivers license, and public safe-ty; farmer training, free seeds,county compost, health screen-ings and more.

    The Clarkston CommunityCenter is at 3701 College Av-

    enue. For more information, visitwww.cityofclarkston.com.

    City to host Arbor Daycelebration

    The City of Clarkston will beholding its annual Arbor Daycelebration at Friendship ForestNature Preserve on Saturday,Feb. 23, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. As apart of the celebration, the cityis inviting local volunteers toparticipate in a large-scale treeplanting scheduled in conjunc-tion with Trees Atlanta. The daywill also recognize the citys re-cent accomplishments made inenhancing wildlife habitat, build-ing trails and restoring the healthof its urban forest preserve.

    In April 2012, Clarkston ad-opted a resolution to designateits Arbor Day in the middle ofFebruary, an international dayof celebration uniquely reflect-ing the character of the Citysresidents. Many of Clarkstonsongoing efforts have been spon-sored by grant-funded projectswith partners, including theGeorgia Soil and Water Con-servation Commission, DeKalbCounty Community Develop-ment, and the Georgia ForestryCommission.

    Friendship Forest NaturePreserve is located at 4380 EastPonce de Leon Ave., Clarkston.Individuals or groups wishing tovolunteer to support the large-scale tree planting effort are en-couraged to contact ClarkstonCity Hall at (404) 296-6489.

    COUNTYWIDEDeKalb County libraries holdliteracy fundraiser

    During February, the DeKalbLibrary Foundation is holding afundraiser to support library lit-eracy programs for underservedadults and children in DeKalbCounty.

    Those interested can donate$1 at their home library branchor online at www.dekalblibrary.org/foundation. Participantswill then receive a sticker of aheart, which will be posted attheir local DeKalb County Librarybranch.

    According to a press release,literacy statistics indicate thatone-fifth of adults in DeKalbCounty have difficulty with theEnglish language and basic lit-eracy skills.

    County wants residentsinput on transportation plan

    The transportation division ofthe DeKalb County Departmentof Public Works is seeking inputfrom residents on the future ofthe countys transportation plan.

    The division will hold a series ofpublic meetings in February toshare the procedure, vision andgoals for updating the currenttransportation plan, and informcitizens how to stay involvedthroughout the process.

    Residents are encouraged toshare their ideas about potentialupdates to the transportationplan at the following upcomingmeetings listed below: Thursday,Feb. 7, 6:30-8 p.m., Lou WalkerSenior Center, 2538 PanolaRoad, Lithonia; Saturday, Feb.9, 9:30-11 a.m., Maloof Audi-torium, 1300 Commerce Drive,Decatur; Monday, Feb. 11, 6:30-8 p.m., Exchange Park Multi-purpose Room, 2771 ColumbiaDrive, Decatur; and Tuesday,Feb. 12, 6:30-8 p.m., DoravilleCivic Center, 3770 Central Ave.,Doraville.

    For more information, pleasevisit www.dekalbcountyga.gov/transportationplan2014 or callCristina Pastore at (404) 419-8700.

    DECATUR

    Midway Elementary Schools1st Annual Art Showcase

    Midway Elementary SchoolPTA in conjunction with Cal-lanwolde Arts Center and Ar-tomie will host a fundraiser tobenefit the Midway Visual ArtsProgram. The event will featureframed artwork from all MidwayElementary students, with music

    and poetry performances by theWildcat Choir and various stu-dent soloists. All framed artworkis $25. There will be prizes andrefreshments provided by Cal-lanwolde Arts Center. The free

    event will be Feb. 12, from 5-7p.m., in the cafeteria of MidwayElementary, 3318 Midway Road,Decatur.

    TUCKER

    Police alliance seeks spon-sors for fundraiser

    The DeKalb Police Alliance,an independent nonprofit or-ganization that supports lawenforcement throughout thecounty, is seeking sponsors forits gala fundraising receptionscheduled for Friday, March 22.

    Proceeds from the eventwill provide $100,000 life anddismemberment policies for thebeneficiaries of fallen officers, atno cost to them, their depart-ments or families.

    For sponsorship informa-tion, contact DeKalb Police Alli-ance, P.O. Box 886, Tucker, GA30085-0886, visit www.dekalb-policealliance.org or email [email protected].

    LITHONIA

    City commemorates historywith art, music

    The city of Lithonia hasbeen working with the visualmythologist Lynne Marshall-Linnemeier, for the past yearto capture some of the history ofLithonia.

    Redressing the Stone bringstogether Lithonia residents asthey collaborate with Marshall-Linnemeier to create an Agan,a masquerade costume that isused in an Egungun masquer-ade in Nigeria. Egungun meansbones or ancestors. Through aseries of hands-on workshopsand other activities, membersof the community have collabo-rated to create this sacred cloth.

    Lithonians will honor thememory of their ancestors

    through a contemporary Africanand American ceremony con-ducted by writer Ralph Cheo

    Thurman, who will be joined byministers and choirs from Litho-nia.

    The final community art proj-ect will be unveiled during theceremony Saturday, Feb. 9, 3-5p.m. at the Lithonia WomansClub, 2564 Wiggins Street.Since space is limited, RSVPby calling the Lithonia City Hallat (770) 482-8136 or [email protected].

    Trinbagoian to hold studentBlack history competition

    Trinidad & Tobago Associa-

    tion of Georgia at its Februarymonthly meeting will celebrateBlack History Month under thetheme Trinbagoians in America.

    The event will include a BlackHistory Month competition

    among elementary, middle andhigh school students. Compet-ing students should create aproject on a story board andpresent it before the meetingbetween 2:30 and 3:30 p.m.Winners will be allowed to make10-minute presentations on theirprojects during the 4 p.m. meet-ing and receive a gift. Projectswill be judged on content, accu-racy and creativity. The meetingwill be Sunday, Feb. 17, at 215

    Tiburon Drive, Lithonia, 4-6 p.m.For more information, email [email protected] [email protected].

    3403354432/7,2/14wg

    PUBLICSALEInaccordancewiththeprovisions

    ofStateLaw,therebeingdueand

    unpaidchargesforwhichthe

    undersignedisentitledtosatisfyan

    ownerand/ormanager'slienofthe

    goodshereinafterdescribedand

    storedattheUncleBob'sSelfStorage

    location(s)listedbelow.

    And,duenoticehavingbeengiven,

    totheownerofsaidpropertyandall

    partiesknowntoclaimaninterest

    therein,andthetimespecifiedin

    suchnoticeforpaymentofsuch

    havingexpired,thegoodswillbesold

    atpublicauctionatthebelowstated

    location(s)tothehighestbidderor

    otherwisedisposedofonFriday

    ++February22,2013++at9:30AM,

    2910N.Decatur,Rd.,Decatur,GA

    30033Phone:(404)2920666

    SpaceNo.CustomerNameInventory

    2H10

    KhalilI.Muhammad

    Bike,Misc.Boxesandtotes

    3D09

    MichaelPluckhahn

    HouseholdGoods,furniture,and

    appliances

    4E07

    TyroneHoward

    Householdgoods,furniture,boxes

    4E17GiselleMcCoy

    Householdgoods,furniture,boxes

    5B02LaDawnBrooks

    Householdgoods,furniture,boxes,

    trunks&toys

    5C05AndreaCornelius

    Householdgoods,

    furniture,

    boxes,

    sportinggoods,tvsorstereo

    equipment,officefurniture,office

    machines/equip,accountrecords,

    other

  • 7/29/2019 Champion Free Press 2-8-13

    8/20

    The Champion Free Press, Friday, Feb. 8, 2013 Page 8ALocal News

    Extra money could meanlower county tax increase

    Callanwoldeannounces newdirector

    Callanwolde Fine Arts Centerannounced that Peggy Still Johnsonhas been named its executive directoras of Feb. 4. She fills the position

    previously heldby SamuelGoldman, whodied Sept. 10.

    As executivedirector,Johnson will beresponsible forthe leadershipand managementof CallanwoldeFine Arts Centerand oversee the

    preservation anddevelopment ofhe Callanwolde Estate. Johnson saidhat she is passionately dedicated to the

    arts, which touch the lives and souls ofhe community as a whole.

    Callanwolde Fine Arts Center is thedestination that all my lifes experienceshave brought me to. The beautifulmansion and estate is something Ifeel passionate about preserving andpromoting. The fine arts programoffers a variety of classes for all agesn the literary, visual and performing

    arts. Having worked in arts educationfor over 20 years, I am very excited tocontinue the growth of Callanwoldes

    fine arts program and also developoutreach programs for those in need inour community. Callanwolde is part ofAtlanta history and I am honored tobe a part of Callanwolde, Johnson said.

    An entrepreneur and anaccomplished piano and vocalperformer, composer, arranger, and artseducator, Johnson founded the PeggyStill School of Music in 1988 andbuilt the program to an enrollment ofmore than 600 students and 45 degreednstructors. She sold all three metroocations in 2011.

    Johnson is currently on the AdvisoryBoards of the Georgia State UniversitySchool of Music, the Recording

    Academy (Grammy Organization,)and the Atlanta Film Festival. She is amember of Leadership Atlanta (Classof 2013) and has worked with AtlantaMusic Project (executive board,) DallasAustin Foundation, Buckhead Club,Mainstreet Woodstock (executiveboard,) and the Fulton County ArtsCouncil.

    The founder of Peggy JohnsonProductions and Talent, she has beenactive in the film and recording industryas a composer, music supervisor,casting agent and coach. She hasperformed all over the world and hasworked with many widely knownartists, including Stephen King, John

    Mellencamp, Mickey Thomas andT Bone Burnett and on films such asThe Curious Case of BenjaminButton,Big Mommas House 3, andParentalGuidance.

    by Andrew [email protected]

    DeKalb County has an extra

    $12.9 million to work with in2013.

    Thats what DeKalb CountyCEO BurrellEllis said when hedelivered his amended 2013 bud-get recommendation to the Boardof Commissioners nance, auditand budget committee on Jan. 31.

    Ellis amended budget recom-mendation includes a millageincrease of 0.64 mills. That wouldmean the owner of a $200,000home would have a tax increaseof $18.37 per year, or $1.53 permonth.

    The original budget recom-

    mendation in December con-tained a 1.69 mill increase, or$48.48 per year on $200,000home.

    Ellis budget recommendationremains $562.7 million, saidBurkeBrennan, the countyschief communications ofcer.It just takes less of a millage in-creaseto get there.

    This represents a reduction ofover 1 mill in the recommendedmillage rate and appropriatelybalances the countys nancial

    resources with our need to de-liver services, Ellis said. It alsofunds our four critical priorities:1) funding for more police of-

    cers, 2) streamlining the per-mits and licensing operations, 3)building a new animal shelter,and 4) providing a 3 percent payincrease to the lowest paid countyworkers, earning less than a liv-able wage.

    In a letter to commission-ers, Ellis said the change in hisproposed budget was due to thesuccess of the scal and budget-ary controls implemented during2012, Ellis stated. These controlsproduced a signicant improve-ment in the countys tax fundyear-end fund balance to the

    tune of approximately $8.75 mil-lion in savings, he said.The $8.75 million is carry-

    over savings from 2012, Bren-nan said. We instructed depart-ment heads to restrain fromspending as much as possible,and they did.

    Another adjustment to the bud-get came after an in-depth re-view of the countys revenue an-ticipations for 2013concludedthat the 2013 anticipations maybe increased by approximately

    $4.22 million, mainly in the cat-egory of public utility taxes, Ellisstated.

    The $4.2 million is additional

    anticipated revenue from the pub-lic utility tax, which was billedlate from the state of Georgia,Brennan said. So the revenuethat was supposed to arrive in2012 will be remitted in 2013instead. There has been a changein state law to prevent this fromhappening again.

    In considering these develop-ments, I have taken into accountour current economic climate, ourcritical priorities as outlined inour strategic plan, and the need toreduce the burden on the countyscitizens as much as possible while

    maintaining service delivery lev-els by the county, Ellis said.The Board of Commissioners

    must adopt the countys budgetby the end of February.

    The Board of Commissionersnance, audit & budget Com-mittee will hold a town hall onthe proposed 2013 budget in theMaloof Auditorium, 1300 Com-merce Dr., Decatur on Thursday,Feb. 7, at 6 p.m.

    Printed on 100%post-consumer recycled paper

    Johnson

    DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis delivered his amended 2013 budget recommendation to the nance committee of theDeKalb County Board of Commissioners. Photo provided

  • 7/29/2019 Champion Free Press 2-8-13

    9/20

    The Champion Free Press, Friday, Feb. 8, 2013 Page 9ALocal News

    TheMayorandCityCounciloftheCityofChamblee,GeorgiawillholdapublichearingonThursday,February14,2013,attheChambleeCivicCenter,3540BroadStreet,Chamblee,GA30341at6:00p.m.toreceivepubliccommentsregardingthefollowingzoningmatters:

    1) AppendixA,ZoningOrdinance,Section1307,Signsallowedbyzoningdistrict. Thesubjectpropertyislocatedat5925PeachtreeBoulevard. Theapplicantisrequestingavariancetoallowanadditionalmonumentsignontheproperty.

    2) AppendixA,ZoningOrdinance,Section207,Plannedunitdevelopmentprocedure.ThesubjectpropertyisTurnburyGatessubdivision,locatedat2401JohnsonFerryRoad. TheapplicantisrequestinganamendmenttothePlannedUnitDevelopment.

    CITYOFCHAMBLEE,GA.PUBLICNOTICE

    TheCityofChambleeisscheduledtomeetonFebruary14,2013at6:00PMto,amongotherpurposes,discuss(increasing)salariesforMayorandCityCouncilMembersforthetermsofofficebeginningJanuary2014.

    Victim recoveredduring sextrafcking arrests

    Two men have been ar-ested and face multiple

    charges for their roles inrafcking and exploiting

    teens forsex.

    DeKalbCountyPolice De-partmentsInternetCrimesAgainstChildrendetectives,SWAT, and

    north precinct uniform of-cers executed a search war-ant at 3214 Valley Bluff Dr.

    #317 onJan. 30 inresponse toan investi-gation intothe traf-cking ofjuvenilesfor sexualservitude,accordingto a media

    elease.

    Detectives arrested28-year-old Kamau Ben-amin and 22-year-old An-hony Means. Both men

    are charged with trafckingpersons for sexual servitude,ape, possession of marijua-

    na with the intent to distrib-ute and false imprisonment.

    The investigation re-vealed the suspects wererafcking a 16-year-old and8-year-old female. Detec-ives said the 18-year-old

    has been exploited by themen since she was 16. Theyalso believe the two victimswere physically abused,aped, forced to engage in

    prostitution, deprived offood and were regularly pro-vided narcotics.

    The victims were initiallyargeted because they wereunaways and then groomed

    and forced into sex trafck-ng. Both teens are receiv-ng specialized treatment forheir prolonged exploitation.

    The investigation intohis case continues as detec-ives focus on identifyinghe men who paid to have

    ex with the teens. Detec-ives also continue to iden-ify additional victims.

    Dunwoody residentnds burglar inhome

    The Dunwoody PoliceDepartment has arrested22-year-old H. T. SmithFeb. 4 for burglary after ahomeowner found the sus-pect burglarizing her home.

    Ofcers were dispatchedto 4909HiddenBranchesDriveafter re-ceiving acall abouta bur-glary inprogress,accordingto a media

    release.The homeowner woke

    up and found the back dooropen with electronics stagedby the door, according to amedia release. The victimsaw a silhouette of the per-petrator inside of her homebut remained calm andwalked to the bedroom tocall 911.

    When ofcers arrived,the suspect ed on foot from

    the home, but was arrestedwithout incident after of-cers quickly surrounded thearea and located the suspect.Smith was transported to theDeKalb County Jail.

    The Dunwoody PoliceDepartment is currentlyinvestigating to determineif the suspect has commit-ted any other burglaries orthefts inside the city.

    Anyone with furtherinformation regarding thiscase can contact Det. Rob-ertBentivegna at (678)382-6911.

    Report: Decembershooting by deputystops serial robber

    Investigators Feb. 1 re-vealed thatan ofcer-involvedshootingon Dec.28 endeda stringof bank

    robberies,accordingto a mediarelease.

    An off-duty DeKalbSheriffs deputy shot EricD. Roberts at Capital CityBank and Trust at 5674 Me-

    morial Drive, Stone Moun-tain, after Roberts refusedto drop his gun during anattempted robbery. Robertsattempted to ee from thebank but his wounds causedhim to collapse in the bankparking lot. Roberts laterdied.

    Roberts has been con-nected to ve other bankrobberies in DeKalb, ac-cording to a media release.

    According to policereports, Roberts rst at-tempted to rob the Bank of

    America, 1272 ColumbiaDrive, Decatur June 30,2012. Roberts, on Sept.18, made a similar attemptat the Wells Fargo at 6756Covington Highway, Litho-nia. According to witnessesRoberts did not show anyweapons during the rst twoattempts but made demandsusing a note that he gave tothe bank tellers.

    Roberts third attempt onOct. 26 led to a $3,498 lossfor the Best Bank inside theKroger at 6678 CovingtonHighway, Lithonia. Wit-

    nesses reported that Robertsused a gun during this rob-bery and demanded largebills from the teller.

    An alert teller compliedbut gave him money alongwith a dye pack to helpidentify the robber, accord-

    ing to a media release.Roberts robbed the Best

    Bank inside the Walmartat 5401 Fairington Road,Lithonia, on Nov. 14. Ac-cording to witnesses, hetook $5,287 and threatenedthe tellers life, ordering hernot to put dye packs in thebag. On Nov. 24, Robertsreturned to the Best Bankinside Kroger at 6678 Cov-ington Highway and madethe same threat. He gotaway with $1,240, accord-ing to a media release.

    The Dec. 28 robberywould have been Robertssixth robbery in a string offelonies that yielded thesuspect a little more than$10,000.

    The veteran sheriffsdeputy, whose name will notbe released, said he was justdoing what he was sworn todo as an ofcer, accordingto the media release.

    Former teachersentenced for rape,child molestation

    A former Tucker MiddleSchool teacher recentlypleaded guilty to several

    counts, including childmolestation, statutory rape,sexual battery and invasionof privacy, according to

    a media release from theDeKalb District Attorneysofce.

    Almarcus Thomaswas sentenced by SuperiorCourt Judge Gail Flake to30 years with 20 years incustody. Thomas pleadedguilty to having sex with a14-year-old student whileemployed at Tucker MiddleSchool.

    The incidents involvingthe student occurred fromFebruary through August2011, according to the

    indictment.These alleged crimesinvolve a man who preyedon a minor while in aposition of authority andrespect as an educator, saidDistrict Attorney RobertJames. This plea reectsthe acts of a monster whomolested, abused and tookadvantage of women andchildren in DeKalb County.We hope this begins thehealing process for allindividuals and familiesaffected by these heinouscrimes.

    Thomas has been in jailsince February 2012.

    NEWSBriefs

    Benjamin

    Means

    Smith

    Roberts

  • 7/29/2019 Champion Free Press 2-8-13

    10/20

    The Champion Free Press, Friday, Feb. 8, 2013 Page 10ALocal News

    by Daniel [email protected]

    The Georgia SupremeCourt heard an appeal of apre-trial ruling involving aDeKalb County doctor whowas accused of illegally usingMedicaid funds to performservices associated with elec-tive abortions.

    Dr. Tyrone Malloy wasindicted in 2011 by a DeKalbCounty grand jury for twocounts of Medicaid fraud inviolation of state law. Theindictment alleges that from

    2007-2010, Malloy accepted$131,615 in Medicaid pay-ments to which he wasntentitled because such ser-vices were associated withthe performance of electiveabortions.

    The second count allegesthat in the same period, Mal-loy then fraudulently ac-cepted $255,024 in Medicaidpayments for detailed ul-trasounds which had not beenperformed.

    According to court docu-ments, Malloy led for dis-

    missal three times, claimingthat the state law under whichhe was being charged wasunconstitutional and that theindictments language was

    prejudicial.A DeKalb Superior Courtjudge denied all three mo-tions, Malloy then requesteda certicate from the trialcourt allowing him to le anappeal with the state SupremeCourt, which was also de-nied. Malloy then appealeddirectly to the Supreme CourtFeb. 4.

    In 2010, the GeorgiaDepartment of CommunityHealths Program IntegrityUnit conducted a review ofMalloys Old National Gyne-cology clinic looking for vio-

    lations of the Hyde Amend-ment, which prohibits the useof federal funds to pay forelective abortions.

    After its review, the de-partment instituted a with-hold of Medicaid number,suspending Medicaid reim-

    bursements to Malloy. How-ever, Malloy later requestedan administrative review ofthe departments ndings andan administrative law judgeconcluded that Malloy hadnot done anything wrong andthe Medicaid funds that were

    withheld from him were re-leased.The Georgia attorney

    general then led criminalcharges against Malloy for

    the money he had allegedlybilled the Medicaid programand the additional funds thathe collected after they werereleased to him.

    During the Feb. 4 appeal,Malloys attorneys arguedthat the state was using itsinuence to further a po-litical agenda. His attorneysalso said that the trial courtfailed to protect Malloy fromdouble jeopardy because thestate was allowed to appealthe administrative law judgesruling, which it chose not to.

    Three witnesses testi-

    ed before the administrativelaw judge that his procedureswere proper, attorney Kath-erine Durant testied. Thestate also indicted Malloy foraccepting the very funds thatwere released to him.

    Durant also said that the

    statute that Malloy was beingcharged with violating wasdeliberately vague.

    The state contends thatMalloy illegally applied for

    payment for procedures thatwere associated with elec-tive abortions and are there-fore not eligible for Medicaidreimbursement.

    Nowhere in the statute orpolicy manual is there a dis-tinction made between reim-

    bursement for these diagnos-tic services for patients whoelect to terminate pregnancyand those who do not, state

    attorneys argued.Supreme Court Justice

    David Nahmias said thata very heavy majority ofcourts nationwide hold thatan administrative ruling is notdouble jeopardy.

    Malloy has practiced

    medicine in Georgia since1981. He received his medi-cal degree from The JohnsHopkins University Schoolof Medicine and is medicaldirector of the Atlanta Sur-giCenter, where he has been

    providing abortion servicesfor 20 years.

    Additionally, Malloy ison the faculty of Emory Uni-versitys School of Medicine.His primary practice, Met-ropolitan Atlanta ObGyn, islocated in Decatur. He hasanother clinic, Old NationalGynecology, in College Park.

    If convicted, Malloy couldbe sentenced to a $10,000ne or up to 10 years in

    prison.A ruling on Malloys ap-

    peal to the state SupremeCourt is expected in the nextseveral months.

    DSA wins regional mock trial competition

    Supreme Court hears appeal from abortion doctor accused of Medicaid fraud

    BLUEGRASS EVENINGfeaturing authors Joshilyn Jackson, Karen White,and a concert by Dappled Grays

    Saturday, March 9, 2013 7:00 p.m. Decatur Librarydekalblibrary.org/foundation, or 404.370.8450 ext. 2238

    by Carla [email protected]

    DeKalb School of the Arts wonhe regional mock trial competition

    on Feb. 2 at the DeKalb CountyCourthouse, by defeating DecaturHigh School in the nal round of thecompetition.

    The event, sponsored by the StateBar of Georgia, brought together ap-proximately 150 youth from sevenDeKalb and metro Atlanta schoolso compete for the regional title.

    Other schools that competed were

    Centennial, Chamblee, The Gallo-way School, Lakeside and SouthwestDeKalb.

    The event included two rounds ofcompetition, a championship roundand an award ceremony.

    Chief Assistant District AttorneyNicole Marchand Golden, who hasserved as organizer of the mock trialcompetition for seven years, said shewas excited about the opportunity towork with talented students for thisyears competition.

    We have students from across thecounty coming together to compete,

    she said. Hopefully, this platformwill not only inspire spirited debatedamong our young people but willalso encourage those participating topursue a career in law.

    Hunter Archer, a senior at TheGalloway School, said being on themock trial team for four years haslargely inuenced him to possiblybecome a lawyer.

    If I do [go into law] it will belargely a part of what Ive done hereat mock trial, he said.

    Hunter, who will attend BrownUniversity in the fall, said he devel-

    oped skills such as public speaking,organization and condence as amember of the mock trial team.

    Faking condence can be oneof the most important skills in life

    because you can get condence, hesaid.

    DeKalb School of the Arts willmove on to the state mock trial com-petition, which will be held March16-17 in Lawrenceville. The winnerof the state nals will move on to thenational competition in Indianapolis,Ind.

    Decatur Highs Mollie-Emma ONeil gives herclosing statements in the second round of theregional mock trial competition Feb. 2.

    Decatur High School mock trial team faces The Galloway School teamin the second round of the competition. Photos by Carla Parker

    Hunter Archer from The Galloway School give hisclosing statements in the second round of thecompetition.

  • 7/29/2019 Champion Free Press 2-8-13

    11/20

    The Champion Free Press, Friday, Feb. 8, 2013 Page 11ALocal News

    CDC employees indicted for alleged molestation of 6-year-old

    Send your comments and/or concerns regarding Comcasts current performance underthe current franchise agreement and/or the future cable-related needs and interests ofyour community to www.dekalbcountyga.gov.

    DeKalb County Wants to Hear From YouRegarding the Proposed Franchise Agreement Renewal

    with Comcast Cable Communications

    Sen. RonaldRamsey electedchairman of countysenate delegation

    Sen. Ronald RamseyD-Lithonia) has beenlected chairman of the

    DeKalb County senate del-gation. The Senate delega-ion plays an integral role inhe decision-making process

    when determining what lo-al legislation goes forwardor a vote in the Senatehamber.

    I look forward to work-ng more collaboratively

    with the members of theSenate delegation as well asHouse Chairman HowardMosby and the membersof the House delegation,Ramsey said. I remain de-voted to serving each andvery constituent of DeKalb

    County and addressing theirneeds and concerns throughour delegation.

    Sen. Jason Carter (D-Decatur) was elected vicehairman and Sen. Gloria

    Butler (D-Stone Moun-ain) was elected secretary.

    Ramsey has appointedCarter to serve as the specialhairman of all educationelated issues and concernsn DeKalb County.

    The Senate delegation ismade up of seven memberswhile the House delegations made of 16 members ofhe Georgia General As-embly. DeKalb delega-

    ion members will meetmonthly to discuss local andtatewide legislation that di-ectly affects the residents of

    DeKalb County.

    by Daniel [email protected]

    Two former employeesfor the Centers for DiseaseControl and PreventionCDC) have been indicted

    for child molestation by aDeKalb County grand jury.

    Thomas Joseph Wes-erman, 42, and Kimberly

    Quinlan Lindsey, 44, werearrested in 2011. Each wasecently charged with twoounts of child molestation.

    According to the in-dictment, Westerman andLindsey asked the childo spank the buttocks ofhe partially nude Lindsey

    while Westerman watched.Additionally, the indict-

    ment states that Westermanforced the child to use asex toy on Lindsey.

    Theabusealleg-edly tookplaceJanuary-August2011,andDeKalbPolicesaid de-

    tectives were notied bya medical professional in

    late August 2011 of the al-leged child molestation of a6-year-old boy.

    Evi-dence re-coveredduringthe in-vestiga-tion ledto the is-suance ofcriminalwarrantsagainst

    the defendants on Oct. 9,2011. Both suspects sur-

    rendered on the chargesand were lodged in theDeKalb County Jail.

    Lindsey was the deputydirector for the Labora-tory Science Policy andPractice Program Office atthe CDC. Prior to that, shewas the senior health scien-tist in the Office of PublicHealth Preparedness andResponse, which oversawthe allocation process for$1.5 billion in terrorismpreparedness.

    In her 12 years at theCDC, Lindsey has received

    numerous awards for out-standing performance onprojects and programs,according to her profileon Emory UniversitysBiological and BiomedicalSciences website. Lindseyearned her doctorate in im-munology and molecularpathogenesis from the uni-versity in 1998.

    A LinkedIn page forWesterman lists him ashaving been a watch officerat the CDC from 2009-10.

    WestermanLindsey

    The Northeast will see partly cloudy to cloudy skies with a few snow showers today,

    scattered rain and snow Friday and Saturday, with the highest temperature of 46 in

    Germantown, Md. The Southeast will experience isolated showers and thunderstorms

    today through Saturday, with the highest temperature of 83 in Ft. Myers, Fla. In the Northwest, there

    will be scattered rain and snow today, mostly clear to partly cloudy skies with isolated snow Friday and

    Saturday, with the highest temperature of 45 in Medford, Ore. The Southwest will see mostly clear skies

    today, scattered showers Friday and Saturday, with the highest temperature of 75 in Yuma, Ariz.

    Weather History

    Feb. 7, 1978 - The worst winter

    storm of record struck coastal

    New England. The storm

    produced 27.5 inches of snow

    at Boston and nearly 50 inches

    in northeastern Rhode Island.

    The 14-foot tide at Portland,

    Maine was probably the highest

    tide of the century.

    Feb. 8, 1987 - A powerful

    storm hit the Great Lakes

    region. North winds of 50 to

    70 mph raised the water level

    of southern Lake Michigan two

    feet and produced waves 12

    to 18 feet high, causing seven

    million dollars damage along

    the Chicago area shoreline.

    Weather Trivia

    What is keraunophobia??Answer:Thefearoflightning.

    Detailed Local Forecast

    Today we will see cloudy skies with an 80%

    chance of rain, high temperature of 56,

    humidity of 76%. East wind 5 to 10 mph. The

    record high temperature for today is 72 set in

    1937. Expect cloudy skies tonight with a 70%

    chance of rain, overnight low of 45.

    THURSDAYRain Likely

    High: 56 Low: 45

    FRIDAYIsolated Rain

    High: 63 Low: 43

    SATURDAYPartly Cloudy

    High: 61 Low: 43

    SUNDAYMostly Cloudy

    High: 60 Low: 46

    MONDAYScat'd Rain

    High: 64 Low: 51

    TUESDAYMostly Cloudy

    High: 61 Low: 45

    WEDNESDAYPartly Cloudy

    High: 60 Low: 42

    Local Sun/Moon Chart This Week

    Day

    Thursday

    Friday

    Saturday

    Sunday

    Monday

    TuesdayWednesday

    Sunrise

    7:29 a.m.

    7:28 a.m.

    7:27 a.m.

    7:26 a.m.

    7:25 a.m.

    7:24 a.m.7:23 a.m.

    Sunset

    6:14 p.m.

    6:15 p.m.

    6:16 p.m.

    6:17 p.m.

    6:18 p.m.

    6:19 p.m.6:20 p.m.

    Moonrise

    5:03 a.m.

    5:53 a.m.

    6:38 a.m.

    7:19 a.m.

    7:56 a.m.

    8:31 a.m.9:06 a.m.

    Moonset

    3:41 p.m.

    4:49 p.m.

    5:56 p.m.

    7:02 p.m.

    8:06 p.m.

    9:08 p.m.10:08 p.m.

    New

    2/10

    First

    2/17

    Full

    2/25

    Last

    3/4

    Last Week's Local Almanac

    Date Hi Lo Normals Precip

    Tuesday 72 45 53/34 0.03"Wednesday 69 41 53/34 2.04"

    Thursday 47 33 53/34 0.00"

    Friday 41 27 54/34 0.00"

    Saturday 52 21 54/34 0.19"

    Sunday 55 33 54/34 0.00"

    Monday 50 29 54/35 0.00"

    Rainfall. . . . . . . . 2.26" Average temp. . 43.9

    Normal rainfall. . 1.19" Average normal 43.9

    Departure . . . . . +1.07" Departure . . . . . . 0.0

    Local UV Index

    3 50 - 2 4 6 8 107 9 11+

    UV Index

    0-2: Low, 3-5: Moderate,

    6-7: High, 8-10: Very High,

    11+: Extreme Exposure

    The Champion Weather Feb. 7, 2013Seven Day Forecast Todays Regional Map

    Tonights Planets

    Rise Set

    Mercury 8:16 a.m. 7:22 p.m.

    Venus 6:55 a.m. 5:13 p.m.

    Mars 8:19 a.m. 7:25 p.m.

    Jupiter 12:42 p.m. 2:47 a.m.

    Saturn 12:39 a.m. 11:32 a.m.

    Uranus 9:41 a.m. 9:54 p.m.

    National Weather Summary This Week

    StarWatch By Gary Becker - Planets Meet in West this Week

    Mercury appears in the WSW during dusk late in the week, but before the Messenger God gets his due, a curious, almost invisible conjunction (meeting) takes place on Monday

    between Mars and Neptune, very low in the WSW, three quarters of an hour after sundown. Mars and Neptune will be separated by less than a half degree on Feb. 4 and by

    less than one degree on the day before and after that date. You will need very transparent sky conditions as well as binoculars to spot Mars, and a small telescope if you want to

    include Neptune which is much fainter. An alternate way of seeing the two would be to capture the scene with a digital camera mounted on a tripod. A much easier conjunction

    between Mercury and Mars takes place from Feb. 7 to the 9, low in the WSW about 45 minutes after sunset. The sweet date is Sunday the eighth, when Messenger and Warrior

    are distanced by only one third degree. Thats an angular separation only 2/3rds the size of the full moon. On the day before and after February 8, Mars and Mercury are separated by about one

    degree. Again, clear sky conditions will be necessary along with a good WSW horizon, free from any trees or buildings to obscure the view. Be at your observing post no later than 6:15 p.m.,

    about 45 minutes after sundown. Binoculars will easily reveal Mercury, and if another starlike, but fainter object is spotted near the Messenger God, that will be Mars. As the minutes roll by

    revealing a darker sky, Mercury should become visible to the unaided eye. During the weeks of February 10 and the 17, Mercury will be visible low in the WSW after sundown. The best evening

    for viewing just Mercury will be the 16th when the Messenger God stands nearly a st, held at arms length, high above the WSW horizon. While youre scouring the skies for Mercury, dont

    forget Jupiter, brilliant and high in the south. www.astronomy.org

    Dunwoody

    54/44Lilburn

    55/45

    Snellville

    56/45Decatur

    56/45

    Morrow

    57/45

    Hampton

    58/46

    Union City

    57/45

    College Park

    57/45

    Atlanta

    56/45

    Doraville

    55/45

    Smyrna

    55/45

    Lithonia57/45

  • 7/29/2019 Champion Free Press 2-8-13

    12/20

    The Champion Free Press, Friday, Feb. 8, 2013 Page 12ALocal News

    COMBINED NOTICE

    NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENTAND NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC OF REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

    February 7, 2013DeKalb County Human and Community Development Department150 E. Ponce de Leon Avenue, Suite 330Decatur, Georgia 30030Telephone (404) 286-3308

    TO ALL INTERESTED AGENCIES, GROUPS AND PERSONS:The DeKalb County Human and Community Development Department gives notice that it will submit a request for release of grant funds and an environmental certificationpertaining to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) 15 days following this publication. The request and certification relate to the following projects.

    Project #1: DeKalb County Fire Station No.3 Construction (including demolition)Location: 24 North Clarendon Avenue and 100 North Clarendon Avenue, Avondale Estates, GA 30002Purpose: Construction of a new Fire Station No. 3 to replace the existing outdated structure. Existing Fire and Rescue Services will be maintained at a temporary locationuntil a Certificate of Occupancy is received upon completion of construction. The new facility will be constructed on an approximately 1.1 acre site that includes the property of theexisting Fire Station (24 N. Clarendon Ave) and the adjacent lot (100 N. Clarendon Ave). The new facility will have two entrances to improve emergency response and vehicularflow. The new station will be capable of housing personnel and modern firefighting and emergency rescue equipment in such a manner as to quickly respond to calls for emergencyassistance. The new facility will have the ability to hold up to the anticipated capacity of 10 Fire Department personnel to meet the demands of their service area. The new facilitywill provide separate male and female dormitory style restrooms/shower facilities, partitioned sleeping quarters, larger dining and food preparation areas, dayroom/office facilities, afitness area, and administrative office area. The new Fire Station No.3 will offer more storage facilities and an increase in the size of the engine bays to allow access for larger andmore up to date equipment to better serve the surrounding community and citizens of DeKalb County. The County has consulted with the State Historic Preservation Officethroughout the planning process to ensure that the future Fire Station will minimize any adverse affect to the adjacent Avondale Estates National Register of Historic Places (NRHP)District. A memorandum of agreement has been created and will be adhered to throughout construction.

    Project #2: DeKalb County Fork Creek Mountain Park Preservation and Community Center ConstructionLocation: 2892 River Road, Ellenwood, GA 30294Purpose: The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2010 (P.L. 111-117) provided the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) with Economic DevelopmentInitiative (EDI) funds for certain special projects specified in the Conference Report accompanying the Act (H.R. 111-366).

    The Ellenwood Community Center is an integral part of the Overall Fork Creek Mountain Park Master Plan that was prepared under the direction of the Parks and RecreationDepartment. DeKalb County has invested significant funds to develop this project, including the original purchase of 35 acres, the additional acquisition of 20 acres in 2001 through aGreenspace Bond, and the development of a site evaluation and Master Plan Report in 2009. The Master Plan recommends implementing the project in multiple phases toaccommodate limited funding. This Grant will provide the funds to construct Phase One of this project.Due to the limited initial funding, Phase One will focus on upgrades and improvements to the existing park facilities and setting the stage for future phases as additional funding isallocated. Phase One Improvements will include Playground Area Improvements, Existing parking area Improvements, New Park Signage, and Existing Equipment Replacement.This project provides an excellent opportunity to provide a Green, eco-friendly, natural preserve that wil l promote and enhance the educational, historical and cultural values of theproperty and also provide passive recreational benefits to the community.

    Project #1 and #2 - FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT (FONSI)It has been determined that such request for release of funds will not constitute an action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment and, accordingly, DeKalb

    County has decided not to prepare Environmental Impact Statements under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (P.L. 91-190).The reasons for such decision not to prepare such Statements are as follows:An Environmental Assessment has been made for the project which concludes that all adverse effects will be minor, short-term impacts will be mitigated by either the requirements

    of the construction contract documents or by the requirements of applicable local, state or federal permits and environmental ordinances. The positive effects of eliminating publichealth hazards and improving environmental conditions for low and moderate-income families outweigh any potential negative impacts. This project is consistent with the goals andobjectives of DeKalb County Government and the Community Development Department.

    The Environmental Review Record, respecting the proposed project, has been made by DeKalb County which documents the environmental review of the project and fully setsforth the reasons why such Environmental Impact Statements are not required.

    The Environmental Review Record is on fi le at the DeKalb County Community Development Department, 150 E. Ponce de Leon Avenue, Suite 330, Decatur, Georgia 30030 andis available for public examination and copying upon request between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

    No further environmental reviews of the subject project are proposed to be conducted prior to the request for release of Federal funds.Public Comments on FONSI

    All interested agencies, groups, and persons disagreeing with this decision are invited to submit written comments for consideration by DeKalb County to the Human andCommunity Development Director. Written comments will be received at 150 E. Ponce de Leon Avenue, Suite 330, Decatur, Georgia on or before February 22, 2013. All commentsreceived will be considered and DeKalb County will not request the release of Federal funds or take any administrative action on the proposed projects prior to the date specified inthe preceding sentence.

    NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS (NOI/RROF)At least one day after the termination of the public comment period for the FONSI, but not before comments on the FONSI have been considered and resolved, DeKalb County will

    submit a Request for Release of Funds (RROF) and certification to HUD. By so doing DeKalb County will ask HUD to allow it to commit funds to this project, certifying that (1) it hasperformed the environmental reviews prescribed by HUD regulations ("Environmental Review Procedures for Title I Community Development Block Grant Program" - 24 CFR part58), and (2) the Certifying Officer, Chris Morris, Director, DeKalb County Community Development Department, consents to accept and enforce responsibilities in relation to theenvironmental reviews or resulting decision-making and action. The legal effect of the certification is that by approving it, HUD will have satisfied its responsibilities under theNational Environmental Act, thus allowing DeKalb County to commit CDBG funds to this project.

    Objection to Release of FundsHUD will accept objections to its approval of the release of funds and the certification only if it is on one of the following basis: (a) that the certification was not in fact executed by

    the Certifying Officer; or (b) that the applicant's Environmental Review Record for the project indicated omission of a required decision, funding, or step applicable to the project inthe environmental review process. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance to HUD at the Regional Environmental Branch, U.S. Department of Housing andUrban Development, 40 Marietta Street N.W., 15

    thfloor, Atlanta, Georgia 30303-9812.

    Objections to the release of funds on basis other than those stated above will not be considered by HUD. No objection received after March 11, 2013 will be considered by HUD.

    Chris H. Morris, DirectorDeKalb County Community Development Department150 E. Ponce de Leon Avenue, Suite 330Decatur, Georgia 30030

    DeKalb school administrator resigns after being accused of plagiarismby Daniel [email protected]

    A DeKalb County SchoolDistrict (DCSD) administra-tor has resigned several weeksafter admitting that he copiedother peoples work off theInternet for a report the districtpaid him for to write.

    Ralph Taylor submitted hisresignation to the district Jan.28. DeKalb schools spokes-

    woman Lillian Govus saidTaylor is also required to reim-

    burse the district the $10,000he was paid for an audit ad-dressing school safety.

    In December 2011, Taylorwas hired by SuperintendentCheryl Atkinson as the associ-ate superintendent for supportservices. In mid-January the

    Atlanta Journal-Constitutionreported that more than a thirdof Taylors report had been

    copied from other sources.Several days after the faulty

    report was brought to DCSDsattention, Taylor issued a state-ment saying that he had madean inexcusable mistake innot attributing portions of hisreport.

    In his statement Taylor alsodenied being a plagiarist andsaid plagiarism was not myintent.

    At that time Jeff Dicker-

    son, a spokesman for Atkinson,said Taylors employment withthe district would be unaffected

    because the report was writtenwhile he was a consultant.

    Govus said state employeessuch as Taylor are granted safe-guards against wrongful termi-nation, so the district couldnthold Taylor accountable for aninfraction he committed as acontractor.

    What Dickerson was try-

    ing to get to with that statementwas not that Taylors employ-ment status wouldnt be affect-ed, but that we were certain tofollow the right procedure andprotocol, Govus said.

    Govus said Taylor wouldnot receive a severance pack-age.

    Atkinson and Taylor bothpreviously worked for Char-lotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

  • 7/29/2019 Champion Free Press 2-8-13

    13/20

    The Champion Free Press, Friday, Feb. 8, 2013 Page 13ALocal News

    Fly is a theater production to make audience spirits soarby Kathy [email protected]

    T

    he story of the Tuske-gee Airmen has been toldmany times, including in

    the 2012 George LucasmovieRed Tails.Fly, a musicalnow on the stage of the BalzerTheater at Herrens, is the compel-ing story told through the experi-

    ences of four recruitsJ. Allen,Oscar, Chet and W.W.

    More than the historical accountof a group of men cutting a newpath in American history,Fly is acelebration of the triumph of thehuman spirit. These young Blackmen were determined to succeed inhe segregated South of the 1940sn spite of getting little support

    from those around themincludingmany of their instructorswho said

    he experiment in which Blackmen were being trained as pilotswas doomed to failure and a wasteof government resources that weremuch need in World War II. Oneof the instructors tells the Blackecruits, If you had any patriotism,

    youd go ahead and wash out.Each of the young men has

    his own reason for wanting to ben the Tuskegee program. Oscar,

    for example, is a race man, ea-ger to prove that Black people areas smart, brave, skilled and loyalas other Americans, while W.W.ust wants to impress the ladies.

    They all are fighting two wars, oneagainst racism in their own countryand other with the Nazis. In theend, they become skilled pilots, of-en requested as escorts by Ameri-

    can bombers in Europe.The men are not portrayed as

    uper human. Indeed, they are very

    human with fears, weaknesses,rivalry within the group and abid-ing concern for their loved onesleft at home. Interspersed with thefamiliar story are wonderful songand dance sequences that feature

    tap and other dance styles as wellas marvelous renditions of suchWorld War II favorites asLulusBack in Town. Several of the num-bers prompted thunderous applausefrom the audience.

    The cast also features a char-acter known as the Tap Griot. Agriot, as the program notes explain,is a member of a class of travel-ing poets, musicians and storytell-ers who maintain a tradition of oralhistory in parts of West Africa.The Tap Griot, masterfully playedby Fenner Eaddy, enters fromtime to time with dance solos thatinterconnect the plays vignettes.

    The story flashes back from the2009 swearing-in of the first BlackU.S. president, at which survivingTuskegee Airmen were honoredguests. In fact, one of the TuskegeeAirmen, Val Archer, who servedas a consultant to the production,was present in the theater for open-ing night.

    The delightful cast includesJohn E. Doyle as J. Allen, JoelIshman as Oscar, Eric J.Littleas Chet and Doc Waller as W.W.as well as Brian Kurlander andJ. C. Long, playing various Whitemen with whom the main charac-

    ters interact.Fly is a perfect way to cel-ebrate Black History Month, thetenacity of the human spirit orastounding possibilities of the the-ater.Fly is at the Balzer Theater atHerrens, 84 Luckie St. NW, At-lanta, through Feb. 24. From left, Little, Doc Waller as W.W. and Joel Ishman as Oscar, the Tuskegee Airmen in Fly.

    Eric J. Little as Chet, who learned to fly at a small airfield on Long Island, N.Y.

  • 7/29/2019 Champion Free Press 2-8-13

    14/20

    The Champion Free Press, Friday, Feb. 8, 2013 Page 14AEducation

    A new bilingual charter school will open up in the Druid Hills area this August. GLOBE Academywill be located at the old Heritage Elementary School site, which was decommissioned severalyears ago. Photo provided

    EDUCATIONBriefs

    First bilingual charter schoolin DeKalb County openingby Daniel [email protected]

    Brand Kenner, co-founder of GLOBEAcademy, said she rst got the idea toopen the school while her child was at-ending Little Linguists International Pre-chool in Atlanta.

    Kenner was working withJackieUbiles to open Little Linguists; she saidhey both had young children at the time.

    We were amazed at the way our kidswere so readily able to grasp the secondanguages, Kenner said.

    When Kenners children were get-

    ing ready to leave preschool she worriedabout what their options were. She wantedhem to continue their bilingual educa-ion but she said the only other school

    with a curriculum similar to that of LittleLinguists was the Atlanta InternationalSchool, a private school that was out ofher price range.

    We were literally sitting on my liv-ng room couch discussing options one

    night, Kenner said.That night in 2009, Kenner decided

    o start a nonprot board and begin theprocess of petitioning the DeKalb CountySchool District (DCSD) to open a charterchool. The board submitted a charter ap-

    plication to DCSD in May 2012, and itwas accepted.We were a little bit surprised but we

    also worked very closely with the GeorgiaCharter Schools Association and we knewwe were going into the process with a lotof strong support, Kenner said.

    GLOBE is an acronym for GlobalLearning opportunities through BalancedEducation. The curriculum at the academywill include core academic content inboth English and a second world languageFrench, Mandarin Chinese or Spanish).

    Kenner said it is important for parentso know that learning a second language isust a small part of the overall focus of thechool. She said the main goal is to create

    global citizens.That is really the broader picture; to

    create 21st century learners who are em-pathetic and communicate with peopleand cultures around the world, Kenner

    said.Because the school will be a public

    charter school, Kenner said the studentshave to be randomly assigned a secondlanguage. Parents are able to note theirpreference but theres no guarantee theirchild will be placed in that languagegroup.

    GLOBE Academy will follow theGeorgia Common Core and PerformanceStandards outlined by the Georgia De-partment of Education. Kenner said eachteacher will have a lot of autonomy underthe schools teaching framework but thereare broader themes theyre also required

    to follow.Instruction at GLOBE Academy is

    based on childrens natural inclinationfor inquiry and discovery according toKenner. She said students will engagein workshop-based learning for reading,language arts and math, and project-basedlearning for social studies and science.Children will also participate in physicaleducation, music, art and other classeseach week.

    The GLOBE Academy will open inAugust and will be housed in the oldHeritage Center school facility, locatedon the corner of Briarcliff and Clairmontroads. The facility was decommissioned

    several years ago during redistricting.Kenner said DCSD is now letting GLOBEAcademy move in and occupy the build-ing rent-free.

    We do have plans to make capital im-provements but well actually be able touse the building as it is for the rst year,Kenner said.

    Kenner said the majority of improve-ments on the building will be to enablethe schools enrollment to grow. Classsize will be limited to 22 students. How-ever, the students will be supported bytwo teachers in every classroominclud-ing a native speaker of the targeted secondlanguagethe student/teacher ratio willbe 11:1.

    The GLOBE Academy expects toopen with approximately 350 to 400 stu-dents in its rst year and will grow to ap-proximately 1,100 students in six years.

    IHM students grandmother collects beveragecan tabs

    The Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School (IHM) in Atlanta

    collects beverage can pull tabs year-round to support the RonaldMcDonald House Charities.

    When student Olivia Bilys grandmother, Helen Makowski, learnedthat IHM collected the tabs for charity she asked all of her neighbors tocollect their tabs. Makowski then packed up the tabs and shipped them toOlivia from her home in New York.

    Makowski was able to collect more than 10 pounds of tabs, IHMsDirector of Faith Formation Carmen Graciaa delivered them to theRonald McDonald House.

    Student selected to attend Grammy FoundationCamp

    DeKalb School of the Arts seniorCameron Capers has been selectedto attend the Grammy Foundations Grammy Camp Jazz Session programFeb. 1-11 in Los Angeles. Capers is one of 31 students from across thenation to be selected.

    The camp attendees are eligible for more than $2 million in collegescholarships made possible through the foundations college partners:Berklee College of Music, Manhattan School of Music, the New Schoolfor Jazz and Contemporary Music, and USC Thornton School of Music.

    Chamblee Middle School literary magazinereceives award

    The Chamblee Middle School 2012 literary magazine,Inside Out:Mirrors of the Mind, was ranked excellent by the 2012 NationalCouncil of Teachers of English.

    A total of 417 schools around the state entered the 2012 competition.Chamblee was the only public middle school in the state to receive thishonor.

    DeKalb school district, PTAs to host and

    Education Resource college fair for specialneeds students

    The DeKalb County School District and the DeKalb Council of PTAswill host an education, resources and college fair for students with specialneeds Feb. 16, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the DeKalb County Administrative andIndustrial Complex.

    The fair will feature information about employment, stafng services,career exploration, college and vocational programs, family support andmore.

    For more information, contact Ron Brown, chairman of familyengagement and special needs, at [email protected].

    The Museum School enrollment underway

    Student enrollment for The Museum Schools 2013-14 year runs fromFeb. 1- 15. Children who will be in grades K-6 in the next school year areeligible to apply.

    In the coming year, The Museum School will serve 354 students andbegin a middle-school program that will include grades six, seven andeight by 2015.

    Additionally, the school will also be adding a second sixth-grade classthis August, pending approval from the DeKalb County School District.

    More information and student applications are available at www.themuseumschool.org. Applications and supporting documentation shouldbe delivered or postmarked by Feb. 15 to the school at 923 Forrest Blvd.,Decatur, GA 30030.

    Enrollment priority is given to children living in Focus Area 1, whichfollows the attendance lines for Avondale, Knollwood and Midwayelementary schools, as those lines were drawn for the 2011-12 schoolyear.

    If space allows, enrollment is opened to children living in FocusArea 2, which is the remainder of the DeKalb County School District,excluding the cities of Decatur and Atlanta.

    If The Museum School receives more student applications thanavailable spots for any grade level or program, it will conduct a publiclottery, using a random selection process, on Feb. 19, 2013.

  • 7/29/2019 Champion Free Press 2-8-13

    15/20

    The Champion Free Press, Friday, Feb. 8, 2013 Page 15A

    PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE FOR PHASING OUT OF INSTRUCTIONAL FACILITIES

    Public Hearings, 6:30 8:00 PM at:

    February 19, 2013 at AIC Auditorium

    1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd

    Stone Mountain, GA 30083

    February 26, 2013 at AIC Auditorium

    1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd

    Stone Mountain, GA 30083

    In accordance with SPLOST IV and the 2011, ten-year master facility plan*, the De