COMMUNITY
WELLNESS
YOUTH
Citing a “lack of political will,” the task force formed to study changes to DeKalb’s CEOled form of government have chosen not to press the issue. 3
Twentynine cases of tuberculosis associated with four Atlanta homeless shelters have been confirmed so far this year. 6
The 20142015 school year got off to a smooth start on Aug. 11 as 100,000 DeKalb students returned to the classroom. 10
CEO structure to stay for now
TB outbreak
Let the learning begin
EAST ATLANTA • DECATUR • STONE MOUNTAIN • LITHONIA • AVONDALE ESTATES • CLARKSTON • ELLENWOOD • PINE LAKE • REDAN • SCOTTDALE • TUCKER
Copyright © 2014 CrossRoadsNews, Inc.
August 16, 2014
Volume 20, Number 16
www.crossroadsnews.com
George Turner is interim CEO’s choice for District 5 seat By Ken Watts
Longtime Lithonia resident George Turner has been nominated for the interim DeKalb District 5 seat. Turner, a 25-year resident, was nominated Aug. 11 by interim CEO Lee May, who is the elected District 5 commissioner. Turner is president of the District 5 Community Council and the Hunter’s Run II Homeowners As- George Turner sociation, a board member of the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area, and a past president of the South Lithonia Neighbor-
hood Coalition. Turner also was legislative aide for state Senate District 43 for seven years. May has been serving as interim CEO for just over a year, leaving District 5 without a voting commissioner. If appointed by the Board of Commissioners, Turner will serve until May returns to his seat or a new election is called. Turner said Monday that he was thrilled with the nomination for the position. “I’m elated and greatly honored to be nominated for the seat, but the nomination has to be confirmed by the Board of Commissioners,” he said. “Until that happens, I can’t say more.” May was appointed interim CEO on
July 16, 2013, by Gov. Nathan Deal after he removed CEO Burrell Ellis from office in the wake of his indictment on theft and corruption charges. Ellis’ trial is set to start Sept. 8. If he is acquitted and returns to office, May will return to his commission seat. The BOC voted Aug. 12 to defer the vote on Turner’s appointment to its Aug. 26 meeting so that the appointment can be discussed at its COPS meeting. Turner, a retired MARTA rail supervisor, was one of two finalists picked for the position by a citizen panel consisting of Lisa Allen, a Lithonia resident and community activist; Rosalind Newell, a Lithonia resident and attorney; and state Rep. Rahn Mayo. Dr. Kathryn Rice of Stone Mountain was
the other finalist. They were among 19 candidates who applied for the appointment. During Tuesday’s BOC meeting, District 3 Commissioner Larry Johnson said he and his fellow commissioners will use the two-week interval to meet with Turner. The appointment for the temporary commissioner to represent the 140,000 residents in District 5 was made possible by the Georgia Legislature, which passed SB 367 on March 20. The absence of a seventh commissioner has led to a stalemate and hampered decisions on controversial matters. As interim District 5 commissioner, Turner would receive the normal $38,000 salary of an elected commissioner.
Candler Road to become beautiful for Christmas Motorists who had to maneuver around metal plates along a 3.7-mile stretch of Candler Road for months are now dealing with bumpy concrete patches on the busy corridor.
Rough rides should be over by Dec. 31 By Jennifer Ffrench Parker
Candler Road, which has been home to traffic jams, metal plates and bumpy concrete patches for more than a year, will be made whole again by Dec. 31. Wendell Brown, De Kalb County Watershed Management construction manager, told the DeKalb Board of Commissioners at its Aug. 12 meeting that the 3.7-mile stretch from Memorial Drive to I-285 would be Wendell Brown paved and landscaped before the end of year. “We will have most of it done in December,” he said, “but we will return in February and March to do punch list.” Businesses and residents along the busy corridor will get an update on the project at a Sept. 4 information meeting in the Mount Patmos Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, 2207 Candler Road in Decatur. The meeting takes place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Brown said after the meeting that they want to have all the paving done before the winter weather takes hold and that shrubs will be installed in the spring. District 3 Commissioner Larry Johnson, who represents the area, pressed for a completion date before the board approved a $1.3 million change order on the Candler Road Waterline Replacement, Landscape and Resurfacing project. “Candler Road is the gateway to South DeKalb,” he said. “We want it to look as good as possible.” The change order extends the contract from June 28, 2013, to Dec. 31, 2015.
Curtis Parker / CrossRoadsNews
The contract, originally awarded to Kemi Construction for $7.2 million, is replacing 1960s and 1970s underground water mains and making streetscape upgrades like new sidewalks, road striping and repaving, median landscaping, and other infrastructure improvements. It is one of 83 projects being funded by the county’s $1.35 billion Capital Improvement Program that is making improvements to its water and waste-water system. Once under way, Brown said contractors discovered that they had to replace more of the water lines with stronger and larger pipes. The change order also included $227,460 for Duluth engineering firm Wolverton & Associates Inc. for waterline replacement work on the project. It will provide project and change order management, final inspection and project close-out service.
The county said it opted for the change order because bidding the additional work would slow down the project’s completion. So far, College Park-based Kemi Construction had completed 74 percent of the work and received $5.5 million of the original contracted amount. When it started in spring 2013, the project was to take six months to complete. During the past 16 months, the slow pace has tried the patience of business owners, residents and commuters. This spring, at the height of the traffic disruption, business owners along the busy corridor complained that the never-ending construction had driven away customers and reduced sales 20 percent to 75 percent. Now that most of the major work has been done, the lane closures and most of the metal plates are gone, but the road surface is patchy and bumpy.
Business owners also complained that the county did not inform them about the scope of the project and how long it would take to complete. Before the commissioners voted to approve the change order, Johnson said the Candler Road Larry Johnson project “is taking entirely too long.” “Will this help expedite projects so that we won’t have business corridors tied up like that again?” Johnson asked. He said that one of the problems he encountered with the Candler Road project is the lack of coordination among the county, Atlanta Gas Light that was installing gas lines, and landscaping. Please see CONSTRUCTION, page 2
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Community
CrossRoadsNews
August 16, 2014
“You can be part of the problem or part of the solution. I want to be part of the solution.”
Commissioners’ appointments round out East Metro CID board CrossRoadsNews Publisher and Editor Jennifer Parker and McDonald’s operator Van Jakes are the newest members of the mega East Metro CID board. Parker and Jakes’ appointments to the board Jennifer Parker were approved unanimously by the DeKalb Board of Commissioners at its Aug. 12 meeting. The two South DeKalb business people round out the seven-member board of the new Community Improvement District. The 39-mile-wide mega CID, created
May 13 by the commissioners, is home to 1,250 commercial properties with assessed value of $2.4 billion. It is starting out with 400 parcels with assessed value of about $146 million. Pa r ke r, w h o h a s Van Jakes pushed for improvements in South DeKalb for 20 years, said serving on the CID board will take her community involvement to the next level. “Our newspaper has always highlighted the challenges and issues facing our community,” she said. “Now I can be at the table
helping to shape decisions that will transform our area into a community we will always be proud to call home.” Jakes, who was a member of the CID’s formation board, said he is delighted to now serve on its inaugural board. “I have been in east metro DeKalb for 20 years,” he said. “I want to be part of branding southeast DeKalb as a destination. As I told the commissioners, you can be part of the problem or part of the solution. I want to be part of the solution.” The two join Citizens Trust Bank’s Fred Daniels, Kaiser Permanente’s Robert Ragsdale, attorney Trichelle Simmons, Decatur CPA James Clausell, and QuikTrip’s Nathan
Richardson, who were elected to the board by property owners at their June 20 caucus. Parker is the publisher and editor of CrossRoadsNews on Candler Road, the only weekly community newspaper based in and focused on South DeKalb. The paper, which Parker co-owns with her husband, Curtis, is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Jakes, CEO of Jake-22 Management Co., is a 22-year McDonald’s owner-operator. He owns and operates three DeKalb restaurants – on Panola Road, Turner Hill Road, and in the Fairington Road Walmart. He is a former NFL cornerback who played for the New Orleans Saints and the Green Bay Packers before retiring in 1991.
Johnson seeks in-house project coordinator, quarterly status reports CONSTRUCTION,
from page
1
He asked Morris Williams, the county’s deputy chief operating officer and the BOC’s chief of staff, to assign an in-house project coordinator to each project and for quarterly reports to be sent to commissioners so that they know the status of the projects and what is causing backlogs when constituents call. Williams said he has created a new format for listing projects, engineering firm, contract number, and the amount of the budget from design to completion. “Will you be able to tell us in real time where we are steps-wise with this new process you have created?” Johnson asked. Williams said he was making changes to get the projects completed but that he had to
get them under control first. “That is the sole reason for this process,” Williams replied. “That is why I am showing you this process.” He pointed to Brown. “That will be his job during this process,” he said. “For your particular project on Candler Road, Morris Williams I will point to him one more time – Mr. Wendell Brown will be your man for that project.” For more information, contact special projects coordinator Malika Hakeem at mhakee@dekalbcountyga.gov or 770-7241456.
Businesses and residents along Candler Road will get an update on the project at a Sept. 4 information meeting in the Mount Patmos Baptist Church Fellowship Hall.
August 16, 2014
Community
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CrossRoadsNews
“There seems that there is insufficient political momentum to make a wholesale change to our county government structure.”
Task force ditches effort to change CEO form of government By Ken Watts Efforts to change DeKalb’s CEO form of government have been abandoned by the task force set up to study it and other issues. In a spirited debate at its Aug. 13 meeting, the DeKalb County Operations Task Force, made up of community leaders and elected officials, ditched the reorganization effort because of a “lack of political will” to advance the measure through the 2014 legislative session. Instead, Vaughn Irons, co-chair of the 17-member task force, said the group will focus its efforts on improving the existing government framework. “There seems that Vaughn Irons there is insufficient political momentum to make a wholesale change to our county government structure,” Irons said. “It is the consensus of this task force that the best use of our time should be focusing on the balance of power in the existing form of government.” State Sen. Fran Millar (R-Atlanta) said that based on what he has seen in the past from the DeKalb Delegation to the General Assembly, “there’s no appetite to change it.” “I do think the public would like to see us address it, but we’re not going to,” he said. Interim CEO Lee May, who favors eliminating the CEO system, created the task force on March 11 to evaluate the effectiveness of DeKalb’s governance structure. DeKalb is the lone Georgia county with a CEO form of government. The state’s other 158 counties operate with hired county managers who answer to their elected commission. Opponents of the CEO form of government say it gives one person too much
Ken Watts / CrossRoadsNews
Members of the DeKalb County Operations Task Force will now focus their efforts on improving the existing government framework. The task force will meet on Sept. 10 at Maloof Auditorium.
political authority and leads to corruption. DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis is scheduled to go on trial on Sept. 8 for theft and corruption charges for allegedly shaking down county vendors for contributions to his re-election campaign. In an Aug. 21, 2013, report, a special grand jury called for the reorganization of county government, citing evidence of government corruption and collusion. “The current system, with its overreliance on county staff and departments who ultimately report to an elected official, provides too many opportunities for fraudulent influences and fosters a culture that is overly politicized and in which inappropriate business relationships are created,” the grand jurors wrote.
Wednesday’s meeting also was attended by DeKalb Commissioners Sharon Barnes Sutton and Jeff Rader; state Rep. Mike Jacobs (R-Brookhaven); Dr. David Sjoquist, Georgia State University; DeKalb School Board member Jim McMahan; state Rep.-elect Elena Parent; Co-chairman John Shelton; and Jim Grubiak, general counsel, Association County Commissioners. Rader, who represents District 2, said it is imperative to look at all of the mechanics of the county’s Organizational Act and identify deficiencies and options for improvement. “No form of government is immune from defects,” he said. “So the important thing is ensuring the charter informs the public on operations and makes DeKalb accountable to the voters and taxpayers.”
Sutton, the District 4 commissioner, said the county’s form of government is less important than each branch of the government having access to accurate up-to-date information and being able to do its job. “It’s not so much who’s in charge, but it’s how we’re going to work together and how we’re going to be effective,” she said. Wednesday’s meeting was the fifth for the group that began convening in June to explore and study: n The financial, business, zoning and quality of life impact on residents and government operations caused by the creation of new cities and annexations. n The effectiveness of the current governance structure of DeKalb County and ethics and transparency in county operations. n The equitable distribution of Homestead Option Sales Tax proceeds and legacy pension costs between DeKalb County and its cities and other related matters. Its next full meeting will be Sept. 10 at 6 p.m. at the county’s Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive in downtown Decatur. Its final meeting is set for Dec. 1. It will make recommendations that will be forwarded to the Georgia General Assembly in December 2014. State Rep. Mike Jacobs (R-Dunwoody), a task force member, said the group has to be realistic. “I am all for changing the form of government, but this task force must operate within certain political realities if we expect to deliver a tangible work product by December,” he said. The meeting, which was broadcast live on DCTV, Comcast Channel 23, will be rebroadcast regularly. For more information, visit www.dekal-
Because money does not grow on trees.
That’s why I installed a programmable thermostat and got a $100 rebate. I saved money by installing the thermostat myself. I also qualified for the full $100 Georgia Power rebate. B y f o l l o w i n g j u s t a f e w o f t h e e a s y, m o n e y - s a v i n g t i p s o n G e o r g i a P o w e r ’s w e b s i t e , I ’ v e b e e n a b l e t o r e a p some great cash rewards. For more information on tips and other rebates, visit georgiapower.com/save. Georgia Power customers may be eligible to receive a rebate of 50% of the installed cost up to $100 for upgrading from a standard to a programmable thermostat. Certain preconditions and requirements must be met in order to qualify for this rebate. Rebate available through December 2014. Application and receipt/invoice must be submitted within 60 days of purchase or installation. ©2014. Georgia Power Company. All rights reserved.
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August 16, 2014
I believe that this government system has a lot to do with families and individuals becoming homeless.
South DeKalb YMCA green space proposal makes sense 2346 Candler Rd. Decatur, GA 30032 404-284-1888 Fax: 404-284-5007 www.crossroadsnews.com editor@crossroadsnews.com
Editor / Publisher Jennifer Parker Staff Writers Jennifer Ffrench Parker Ken Watts Graphic Design Curtis Parker Copy Editor Brenda Yarbrough Advertising Sales Kathy E. Warner Cherie Esteves Billing Clerk Catherine Guy Circulation Manager Jami Ffrench-Parker CrossRoadsNews is published every Saturday by CrossRoadsNews, Inc. We welcome articles on neighborhood issues and news of local happenings. The opinions expressed by writers and contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher, nor those of any advertisers. The concept, design and content of CrossRoadsNews are copyrighted and may not be copied or reproduced in whole or in part in any manner without the written permission of the publisher.
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By Belinda Pedroso
On Aug. 3, I attended the walking tour of the South DeKalb YMCA proposed green space project. I was pleasantly surprised: 18 acres of woodland, one acre of infrastructure, soccer fields, golf green, an outdoor pavilion, etc. This is an “inner city” wonder and a great “vision” for green space in DeKalb County. I support this project! This green space project is a good opportunity for DeKalb. The project supports concepts of environmental protection, healthy living and is also financially prudent. Over the years, I have supported environmentally sensible projects while serving on the DeKalb County Green Commission and through my work at the League of Women Voters. My reasons for supporting this project are simple. The project preserves a rare inner-city wooded environment, the concept promotes healthy living and “it makes dollars and sense.” First, I would like to address the public-private partnership is-
“The government has been engaging in publicprivate partnerships for decades. They are known to stimulate growth, spur development of other business entities, utilize an underutilized asset and are a great source of leveraging private interests.” Belinda Pedroso
sue, which appears to be creating quite a stir. Public-private partnerships are everywhere (the new Georgia Dome, the new Turner Field and in DeKalb County – Callanwolde). This is not a new phenomenon. The government has been engaging in public-private partnerships for decades. They are known to stimulate growth, spur development of other business entities, utilize an underutilized asset and are a great source of leveraging private interests. They do not mean privatizing public services or assets. Simply put, it is just a mechanism/tool to “stretch” tax funds to stimulate economic growth more cost efficiently than the government could do with only tax dollars. Here are the three reasons why I support this project:
n It is an environmentally sensible project and innovative idea. DeKalb residents get an 18-acre green space that can be used by any DeKalb resident. There is no fee for using the green space; walking, biking, jogging will be afforded to all DeKalb residents. Preserving this green space in a densely populated urban environment is tantamount to DeKalb initiating the creation of a “Belt Line.” This is how we begin connecting communities. n The green space concept promotes healthy living. The DeKalb County Board of Health 2007 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey found, among other things, that 35 percent of DeKalb residents are overweight, 24 percent are obese and only 47 percent get the recommended amount of physical activ-
ity per day. These health indicators are particularly alarming, especially for those residents who live in commission districts 3 and 7 and some parts of 6. DeKalb County residents are also rated high for chronic diseases like cancer morbidity, heart disease morbidity, diabetes, asthma and diabetes. An outdoor, environmentally conducive green space could help reduce these health indicators. n Finally, the partnership makes dollars and sense. The green space project is costeffective. The YMCA is responsible for the continued maintenance, repair and replacement of the public asset. This project is a no-brainer. We invest $5 million today and at the end of 50 years, receive an asset in which another entity has invested more than $5 million. Belinda Pedroso lives in Decatur. She is incoming president of the DeKalb Section of the National Council of Negro Women and a former president of the League of Women Voters.
Schools need clean, safe restroom environment By Dr. Tom Keating
Three years ago, a national trade magazine featured an article in its August edition titled “Back to School Starts With Bathrooms.” This year is a perfect time for the DeKalb County community’s public, charter and private schools to focus on restroom conditions. For the first time, DeKalb County’s general government has passed a new ordinance on restroom conditions and enforcement aspects even with fines within unincorporated DeKalb business establishments, schools, parks, colleges and universities. The DeKalb County School District has published its wellness policy and accompanying regula-
This school year especially, all parents should regularly ask their offspring in all grades, especially in middle and high schools: “Did you have tissue, soap, and towels in your restroom today?” Dr. Tom Keating
tions, which require students to have access to safe and clean rest rooms, which are periodically checked to meet health standards. The federal regulations on local school wellness policies have considered the importance of eliminating properly along with eating better and exercising more as it implements a 2010 national wellness law.
City Schools of Decatur still has on its books a five-year policy to “provide safe, clean, and hygienic restrooms to foster personal responsibility.” Middle and high schools in DeKalb County have had requirements, expectations and reporting obligations in their Student Codes of Conduct for a decade. Therefore, this school year espe-
cially, all parents should regularly ask their offspring in all grades, especially in middle and high schools: “Did you have tissue, soap, and towels in your restroom today?” A legal policy and practical framework for improving school restrooms is in place. It is up to each caring adult and student to implement a healthy restroom environment in each school. Dr. Tom Keating is a 44-year Georgia educator and founder of Project Clean, an effort to improve the safety, cleanliness and hygiene of public restrooms, especially in schools. Since 1994, he has coordinated efforts to improve school restrooms in the United States and selected countries including Germany. He lives in Decatur.
We all should really examine the cause of homelessness By Toni Lopez
I am responding to your frontpage story, “Homeless campsites point to growing problem,” in your Aug. 9 issue. I believe that this government system has a lot to do with families and individuals becoming homeless. We live in a state of Georgia that has some of the worst laws, fines, regulations in the nation. I myself have lived throughout the United States and can compare the way this government hurts its
own citizens. I have been a victim twice of police abuse and false arrest and imprisonment. These incidents could have caused me to lose my home and be added to the group of homeless people here in DeKalb County. When someone is arrested in DeKalb, bail money, fines, loss of employment, emotional and mental distress are some of the culprits which lead to homelessness. How might you ask? The wasted time spent in jail can lead to un-
employment, which can cause a person to lose his or her home or apartment. I was wrongfully accused and thrown in jail. I was consumed with suicidal thoughts, but because of my strong faith, I sought help and I am still dealing with the emotional stress caused by this horrible ordeal. After the judge heard my case, all the bogus charges were dismissed, but I never got back the money that I paid to bond out of the DeKalb County horrible jail.
I am praying that one day soon I will be able to exit this horrible place. This kind of injustice should not happen in this great country of ours. We all should really examine the cause of homelessness, not just in DeKalb County but throughout the United States. To those in power who are responsible for approving the horrible laws, I hope that you all search deep down in your soul and stop the abuse. Toni Lopez lives in Lithonia.
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“We are always appreciative for Commissioner Johnson and his many efforts to assure that our community is informed.”
Vote on South DeKalb Y deferred to Sept. 9 By Jennifer Ffrench Parker
The controversial public-private agreement for DeKalb County to purchase the South YMCA for $4.9 million has been deferred again. The DeKalb Board of Commissioners is now set to vote on the agreement at its Sept. 9 meeting. At their Aug. 12 meeting, commissioners voted to defer the issue while they consider options and compromises to make the agreement more appealing to taxpayers. The proposed agreement calls for the county to use green space funds to acquire the South DeKalb YMCA and its 18-acre property with its six soccer fields, tennis courts, and lake and lease it back to the YMCA for $1 a year for up to 50 years. Under the plan, the county will purchase the property with $4 million in countywide acquisition funds from the 2001 and 2006 Parks Bond Funds. District 3 and 7 Commissioners Larry Johnson and Stan Watson, who represent the area, are putting in the balance from their districts’ green Larry Johnson space allocations from the 2001 Bond Fund. Watson is chipping in $651,842, and Johnson, $307,250. Their $959,092 contributions will exhaust all the land acquisition money for their districts. Johnson said at Tuesday’s board meeting that some suggestions made to him by residents include eliminating the ZIP code service area for the Y, scrapping enrollment
fees, and offering a 25 percent discount on membership scholarships for 10 years. “I think we are getting closer and looking at other options,” Johnson said. District 6 Commissioner Kathie Gannon, who opposes the current agreement, said the YMCA needs to be open to the citizens and the county who are paying for it. She said if the county purchases the property, it Kathie Gannon should be able to hold events. “It needs to help the county save money,” she said. In a news release Thursday, Gannon listed a number of things that she sent to the administration, which she said would begin to make the partnership real for both the county and the YMCA. She wants more free access to the YMCA facility for DeKalb residents and signage that identifies that property as a “county facility.” “There should be county signage with our park and building brand,” Gannon said. “The Y can also have their logo signage under ours. The signage should reflect a partnership.” Gannon also wants two-hour blocks of time to be available daily, free of charge, for seniors in the morning and adults/youth sometime after 6 p.m. until all Park Bonds used in the purchase are retired. She also wants the Parks and Recreation Department and the YMCA to establish an after-school program, coordinated with the DeKalb School Board, to ensure some academic component is incorporated and that
Walking town hall in Belvedere Belvedere residents can discuss community issues with District 3 Commissioner Larry Johnson on Aug. 18 during a walking town hall meeting co-hosted by the Belvedere Civic Association. The two-hour meeting kicks off at 6 p.m. from Knollwood Elementary, 3039 Santa Monica Drive in Decatur, and meanders through the neighborhood bordered by Memorial and Columbia drives and Glenwood and Candler roads. Invited guests include Kaiser Permanente, which recently wrapped up a health initiative in the area, and DeKalb Police, Fire and Code Enforcement departments. Johnson said he is looking forward to the community coming together to engage in a healthy activity while learning more about the many services offered by county government.
“We’ve teamed up with some outstanding partners who are equally excited about making themselves accessible in hopes of making this event impactful for the residents of Belvedere,” Johnson said. Ann Brown, the civic association’s president, said it is exciting to team up with outstanding partners. “We are always appreciative for Commissioner Johnson and his many efforts to assure that our Ann Brown community is informed,” Brown said. “The walking town hall meeting is an excellent way to continue along those lines.” For more information, email larryjohnson@dekalbcountyga.gov or call Kendra Kelly at 404-371-2425.
$100,000 insurance policies for police Full-time DeKalb County police officers will have expanded life insurance coverage up to $100,000 for officers who lose their lives in the line of duty. The county is designating money from its partnership with Gas South to fund the policy for county officers. Gas South is making additional contributions to cover all municipal and school officers under the new policy.
The nonprofit DeKalb Police Alliance will serve as administrator of the insurance policies, which are expected to cover more than 1,000 sworn police officers. Interim DeKalb CEO Lee May, interim Police Chief James Conroy, DeKalb Municipal Association Executive Director Bill Floyd, and Gas South executives made the announcement at an Aug. 8 news conference in Decatur.
County line summit to discuss area park Residents can discuss the development of a neighborhood park at the County Line/ Ellenwood Community Empowerment Summit on Aug. 16 at Poplar Springs Baptist Church in Ellenwood. The meeting, facilitated by longtime Ellenwood resident and business owner Alice White Bussey, begins at 11 a.m. Topics include economic development, health, air
quality, senior services, recreation, graduation rates, MARTA and public safety. Bussey said residents can give input on a 44-acre property at the corner of River and Flakes Mill roads designated for a comprehensive park and recreation center. The church is at 3797 River Road. Call Kendra Kelly at 404-371-2425 for more information.
parents in nearby schools are aware of the opportunity. “Based on a current partnership model, the county would allow for the Y county facility space to be used and a modest fee would be charged to cover the Y staffing,” she said. She also would like to see the Parks and Recreation Department have access for programming at least two days per quarter for county programming like basketball camp or swim meets. The county currently pays $5,000 to $6,000 to other entities to host its meets. “Once the pool is renovated on our dime, we should be able to save that cost,” Gannon said. She also wants the county’s Parks and Recreation Department to write a plan for the enhancement of the green space that the county is purchasing. “If soccer fields are part of the renovation, the county should be a partner in the programming,” she said. Annually, the YMCA shall provide a certified financial statement for operating costs and revenues to DeKalb County through the Parks and Recreation Department. The department and the YMCA will review the programming for the after-school and public recreation programs. All surplus revenue must be redirected into Parks and Recreation for the benefit of all DeKalb citizens. The South DeKalb Y is hosting tours of the property on Aug. 16 for residents to stop by and see its green space. The tour takes place at 8:30, 9:30 and 10 a.m. The South DeKalb Y is at 2565 Snapfinger Road. For more information, call 404-3712425.
DeKalb Schools set hearings on charter system The DeKalb School District, which is seeking to become the largest charter system in the state, is holding a series of public hearings for stakeholders beginning Aug. 26. The district must submit a petition to the Georgia Department of Education seeking charter system status, and public input in this petition is being sought. Five community engagement sessions have been scheduled. Residents including parents and teachers can make comments. Stakeholders can review information from the Georgia Department of Education about charter systems and some of the petitions from other school systems around the state that are already operating as a charter district. For more information, visit www .gadoe.org/External-Affairs-and-Policy /Charter-Schools/Pages/default.aspx. Hearings will be held at 6 p.m. at the following schools: n Aug. 26 – Lithonia High, 2440 Phillips Road in Lithonia. n Aug. 27 – Lakeside High, 3801 Briarcliff Road in Atlanta. n Aug. 28 – Dunwoody High, 5035 Vermack Road in Dunwoody. n Sept. 2 – Towers High, 3919 Brookcrest Circle in Decatur. n Sept. 3 – Stephenson High, 701 Stephenson Road in Stone Mountain. For more information, visit www. dekalb.k12.ga.us.
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Georgia Piedmont Technical College DeKalb Campus Conference Center 495 North Indian Creek Drive Clarkston, Georgia 30021
Newton Campus A-building Auditorium 16200 Alcovy Road Covington, Georgia 30016
To learn more about admissions and enrollment please visit www.gptc.edu or, call 404-297-9522. GEORGIA PIEDMONT TECHNICAL COLLEGE WANTS TO HELP YOU “ACHIEVE YOUR DREAM” As set forth in its student catalog, Georgia Piedmont Technical College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, gender, religion, disability, age, political affiliation or belief, veteran status, or citizenship status (except in those special circumstances permitted or mandated by law).
6
CrossRoadsNews
Wellness
August 16, 2014
“Please inform your homeless ministry volunteers about this outbreak and ask them to get screened for TB.”
TB outbreak at Atlanta homeless shelters claims two victims Twenty-nine cases of tuberculosis associated with four homeless shelters in downtown Atlanta have been confirmed through July 31 this year. Fulton County Health and Wellness said the spike was first detected in May when 16 active TB cases were confirmed at three shelters. The affected individuals include two long-term shelter volunteers. Two of the homeless people have died. Medical Director Matthew McKenna and Medical Program Director Daniel VanderEnde say further investigation is needed to determine whether a third death of a homeless person who stayed at one of the shelters is TB-related. McKenna and VanderEnde say there is no threat to the public at large since infection with TB requires prolonged sharing of air in an enclosed space – at least eight hours. All people with active disease have been relocated from the shelters while they undergo treatment under the supervision of Health and Wellness. The Georgia Department of Public Health and the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are helping with the
The only way to know if you have tuberculosis or know if you have been exposed in the past is to have a TB test.
investigation. Tuberculosis, commonly referred to as TB, is an airborne infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This bacteria most commonly infect the lungs; however, TB bacteria can attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine and brain. If not treated properly, tuberculosis can be fatal. TB is spread through the air from one
person to another. The bacteria are put in the air when a person with TB disease of the lungs coughs, sneezes or speaks. People with pulmonary and laryngeal tuberculosis are most likely to spread the infection to people they spend time with every day. This includes family members, friends, and co-workers or schoolmates especially where there is prolonged close contact, typi-
cally several hours and usually in a poorly ventilated area. However, only a small number of people infected with TB will ever have the active disease. The remaining will have what’s called latent TB infection – they show no signs of infection and won’t be able to spread the disease to others unless their disease becomes active. Tuberculosis data as of July 31: n Total number of Fulton County confirmed cases: 47. n Total number of Fulton County suspected cases: four. n Total number of cases associated with four downtown Atlanta homeless shelters: 29. Nineteen cases have been found to be drug-resistant. Fulton County TB cases by year: n 2014: January-July – 47 confirmed, four suspected. n 2013: January-December – 49 cases (27 of those reported January-July 30). n 2012: January-December – 54 cases (31 of those reported January-July 30). For more information, visit www.fultoncountyga.gov.
Volunteers at homeless shelters urged to get testing for TB On Aug. 5, Ethel Ware Carter, associate director of the Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta, sent the following email to member churches in Atlanta. “Friends, this is only the second time in 10 years that we have used our eNewsletter address list for something other than the newsletter. The first occasion was a plea for housing for families of patients being flown to Grady Hospital out of New Orleans at the start of the Katrina crisis. “Today we have a letter from the Georgia Department of Public Health for any of you who work with homeless shelters; we know that many of you do. “The letter has some important questions and answers appended.” Ethel Ware Carter, Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta. 404-201-6448.
resistant tuberculosis (TB) associated with staying or volunteering at homeless shelters in downtown Atlanta. The TB outbreak strain is resistant to the drug isoniazid, but is curable with the use of other anti-TB medications. Twenty-eight outbreak-related TB cases have been reported to public health authorities since January-July 2014. Two of these cases occurred in volunteers who served at downtown Atlanta homeless shelters. Please inform your homeless ministry volunteers about this outbreak and ask them to get screened for TB at their local county health department or private physician. Sincerely, Dr. Rose-Marie Sales, Director, Tuberculosis Program, Georgia Department of Public Health
All other individuals are low-risk individuals and do not need testing. It is understandable if low-risk individuals still want to be tested and county health departments can provide that service, or volunteers may have this done by their provider. Do I need to get an X-ray if I have had a positive TB skin test? If an individual was in close contact for several hours with a client of the shelter who had tuberculosis, it is recommended he get an X-ray if he has a previously positive TB test. If he did not have several hours of close contact with a client from the shelter, he is at low-risk and it is not recommended that he be tested. That said, it is recognized that volunteers who have had previously positive TB tests still may want testing and if this is their desire, a screening chest X-ray would be the next step.
To: Churches with volunteers that serve in Questions asked by volunteers Are there recommendations for highHomeless Shelter Ministries Is there a window of vulnerability asRe: Tuberculosis Outbreak in downtown risk individuals versus low-risk individuals? sociated with TB? Atlanta Homeless Shelters A high-risk individual is someone who Can it lie dormant for a long time in This is to alert volunteers in your church may have spent several hours in close prox- your system or after so many months are who may work in homeless ministries imity to an individual with active tuberculo- you good to go? that there is an ongoing outbreak of drug- sis. These individuals should be tested. n A person may become infected with TB and not become sick with active TB disease, a condition called latent TB infection. In this case, it can lie “dormant” in the body. However, this condition still needs to be treated to prevent development of active TB disease. n A TB test is needed to determine if an individual has been infected with TB and Best Practices needs treatment. for Managing Lupus n More information to answer this question Saturday, Aug. 30 • 10am– 1pm can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/tb/topic/ The American College of Rheumatology’s Lupus Initiative basics/default.htm. The link describes latent An interactive discussion for people with lupus, friends and family of people with TB infection, a condition where an individulupus, and healthcare professionals. This event is free and open to the public. Hilton Garden Inn-Homewood Suites • 97 10th Street NW, Atlanta (two blocks from the Midtown MARTA Station)
Join the American College of Rheumatology's The Lupus Initiative (TLI), in collaboration with the Lupus Foundation of America Georgia Chapter (LFA) and Georgians Organized Against Lupus (GOAL) for an interactive discussion on Best Practices for Managing Lupus. There will be discussions and information on best practices for managing Lupus, the research, diagnosis and available resources. There will be resources for people with lupus, family and friends of people with lupus, and healthcare professionals. This event is also for those interested in learning more about the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of Lupus. Refreshments and valet parking are provided. Please visit us at http://thelupusinitiative.org// to register. Seating is limited.
Did you know? • Lupus is 6-10 times more likely to be found in women? • Lupus affects women of color 2-3 times more often than women of European descent? • African American lupus patients have more seizures and strokes, while Hispanic American/Latina patients have more heart problems?
• More than 90 percent of people with lupus are women between the ages of 15 and 45? • Both African Americans and Hispanic Americans/Latinas tend to develop lupus at a younger age and have more symptoms at diagnosis (including kidney problems)?
al acquired TB infection but did not become sick. People with latent TB infection need to be treated to prevent active TB disease. Do I need to be concerned about infecting my family? The only way to know if you have tuberculosis or know if you have been exposed in the past is to have a TB test. Tuberculosis is an airborne infectious disease caused by the bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This bacteria most commonly infect the lungs; however, TB bacteria can attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine and brain. TB is spread through the air from one person to another. Affected individuals are most likely to spread the infection to people they spend time with every day. This includes family members, friends, and co-workers or schoolmates especially where there is prolonged close contact, typically several hours and usually in a poorly ventilated area. Where can I be tested? You can be tested for TB at the county health department in the county you reside in. Please inform them that you are seeking testing because you worked at one of the shelters associated with cases of tuberculosis. If I go to my private provider, will I be charged for the TB test? If you go to a private physician, you will be charged for the TB test. There is good news. People with TB disease can be treated if they seek medical help.
7
CrossRoadsNews
August 16, 2014
Wellness
Men are four times more likely than women to commit suicide. They account for 79 percent of the suicides in this country.
Robin Williams’ suicide sparks national dialogue on depression The Aug. 11 death of comedian and Academy Award-winning actor Robin Williams brought into sharp focus this week the issues of depression and suicide. Williams, 63, who won an Oscar as best supporting actor for “Good Will Hunting” in 1997, was found dead on Monday at his Northern California home. He had a long history of depression and addiction and investigators said he committed suicide by asphyxia. In 2010, the last year that statistics are available, the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said suicide was the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. That year, more than 39,000 people killed themselves and nearly 1 million Americans attempted to take their lives. Men are four times more likely than women to commit suicide. They account for 79 percent of the suicides in this country. But nationally, three times more women report attempting suicide than men. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention says 20 percent to 50 percent of people who commit suicide have made a previous attempt. The CDC recently identified depression as a serious and growing problem, while the U.S. military has sounded an alarm at the increasing incidents of depression and suicide by both active-duty and veteran personnel. Depression carries a very high risk of suicide, health professionals say. More than 90 percent of people who commit suicide suffer with clinical depression or another diagnosable mental health disorder. Many suicide victims have a substance abuse problem, often in combination with other mental disorders. Adverse or traumatic life events in combination with risk factors such as clinical depression and/or addiction can lead to suicide. Any threat of suicide must be taken seriously. The 2010 DeKalb Status of Health Report identified suicide as the third-leading injury-related cause of death between 2002 and 2006. During that time period in DeKalb: n Sixteen percent of injury-related deaths were the result of suicide. n The rate of suicide for males was nearly five times the rate for females. n Whites were two times more likely than blacks, and four times more likely than Asians, to commit suicide. n Seventeen teens died by suicide. Poisoning was not a method for any of the completed acts of suicide. Based on the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, DeKalb high school students are increasingly thinking about and attempting suicide. Health professionals stress that suicide and suicidal behavior are never normal responses to stress. Other risk factors for suicide include: n One or more prior suicide attempts. n Family history of mental disorders or substance abuse.
Free screenings, job
interviews at fair
Free health screenings and job opportunities will be available on Aug. 16 at DeKalb Commissioner Stan Watson’s Health, Wellness and Job Fair at the House of Hope/ Greater Travelers Rest Church in Decatur. The 10 a.m.-to-2 p.m. event, which is in its fourth year, is co-sponsored by the House of Hope; the Council for Community Enrichment Inc.; and Alpha Kappa Alpha, Tau Pi Omega Chapter. Employers with job openings will be at the event. The church is 4650 Flat Shoals Parkway. For more information, call 404-371-3681.
Robin Williams, 63, who won an Oscar for his supporting role in “Good Will Hunting,” had a long history of depression and addiction.
n Family history of suicide. n Family violence. n Physical or sexual abuse. n Keeping firearms in the home. n Chronic physical illness, including chronic
pain. n Incarceration. n Exposure to the suicidal behavior of others. If someone is contemplating suicide, he or she usually exhibits the following warning signs: n Always talking or thinking about death. n Clinical depression – deep sadness, loss of interest, trouble sleeping and eating – that gets worse. n Having a “death wish,” tempting fate by
taking risks that could lead to death, such as driving fast or running red lights. n Losing interest in things one used to care about. n Making comments about being hopeless, helpless or worthless. n Putting affairs in order, tying up loose ends, changing a will. n Saying things like “It would be better if I wasn’t here” or “I want out.” n Sudden, unexpected switch from being very sad to being very calm or appearing to be happy. n Talking about suicide or killing one’s self. n Visiting or calling people to say goodbye. If you recognize these suicide warning signs in someone, get help immediately.
Where heart meets
Call the Georgia Crisis & Access Line at 1-800-715-4225 for around-the-clock assistance. The National Suicide Hotline is 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) or 1-800273-TALK (1-800-273-8255). Or call 911. The CDC says protective factors buffer individuals from suicidal thoughts and behavior. Some of the protective factors researchers identified include: n Skills in problem solving, conflict resolution, and nonviolent ways of handling disputes. n Effective clinical care for mental, physical, and substance abuse disorders. n Easy access to various clinical interventions and support for help. n Family and community support (connectedness). n Support from ongoing medical and mental health care relationships. n Cultural beliefs that discourage suicide and support instincts for self-preservation, including seeking help. Most people are uncomfortable with the topic of suicide. Too often, victims are blamed and their families and friends are left stigmatized. As a result, people often do not communicate openly about suicide. Thus, an important public health problem is left shrouded in secrecy, which limits the amount of information available to those working to prevent suicidal behavior. For more information, visit www.cdc. gov.
health Ricardo Coronary Angioplasty patient Meet more patients at AtlantaHeartStories.com
They say life can change in a heartbeat. You want peace of mind knowing that you and your loved ones are receiving exceptional care. That’s why choosing DeKalb County’s only recipient of a Five-Star Rating in the Treatment of Heart Attack* makes sense. From coronary angioplasty to electrophysiology DeKalb Medical’s Heart and Vascular Institute provides the latest treatments close to home. In addition to our five-star rating in heart attack, DeKalb Medical has also achieved a Five-Star Rating in the Treatment of Heart Failure and in Peripheral Vascular Bypass Surgery.** We believe early detection and early treatment are the keys to beating cardiovascular diseases. Visit our website and take the Cardiovascular Risk Assessment to see if you are at risk for cardiovascular disease.
www.dekalbmedical.org 404.596.4772 dekalbmedical *rated by HealthGrades®, 2013 **HealthGrades®, 2012
UPCOMING FREE SEMINARS
5 Tips To Lower High Blood Pressure
Tuesday, August 26 6:00–7:30 p.m. Complimentary blood pressure and BMI measurement available.
8
CrossRoadsNews
Scene
August 16, 2014
“With up to 30 animals entering the shelter daily, we urgently need public support to help us save lives.”
De-stress workshop to improve health A “Recipe for De-Stress” will be offered on Aug. 20 at the Hairston Crossing Library in Stone Mountain. Wellness speaker and coach Kay Kirkman is offering the two-hour session beginning at 10 a.m. to the first 25 patrons. Topics will cover the meaning of stress, how to manage it, and how reducing it can improve health, memory, sleep, and an overall sense of happiness and well-being. With the demands of work, family, relationships and more, many people have come to accept stress as a normal part of everyday life. But stress can contribute to weight gain, health issues and depression. To register for the workshop, visit the library at 4911 Redan Road or call 404-5087170.
Cute puppies, kittens for a song this month Pet lovers can add a puppy, dog, kitten or cat to their household at reduced fees in August during the county’s “Tail End of Summer” adoption special. DeKalb Animal Services and LifeLine Animal Project are offering dogs and puppies for adoption for $20. Cats and kittens can be adopted for $10. Adoption counselors will be available to ensure that the animals are being placed in good homes. Animal Services Shelter Director Susan Feingold says the shelter is at capacity and remains optimistic that the community will support the promotion. “With up to 30 animals entering the shelter daily, we urgently need public support to help us save lives,” Feingold said. “By providing low adoption fees, we hope to see a record number of people coming into the shelter and giving our wonderful animals a new life.” Adopters will receive a dog or cat that has been spayed or neutered, has had all vaccines, and is microchipped – a $200 value. The shelter is at 845 Camp Road in Decatur. To view the animals, visit the shelter or www.dekalbanimalservices.com. For DeKalb Animal Services and LifeLine Animal Project are offering dogs and puppies for adoption for $20 and cats and kittens for $10. more information, call 404-294-2165.
Gospel stage play auditioning Demos, seminars Producers of the gospel stage play “Don’t Blame It on Me” are holding a casting call for adult actors on Aug. 23 in Decatur. The play about church folks will be performed in January at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts and Community Center. Talented individuals of all races who are 18 years and older can audition. The casting call takes place from noon to
4 p.m. at the Publication and Marketing & Distribution Inc. building at 2569 Park Central Blvd. Playwright-actress Paula Moreland says the play performed to great reviews in March at her alma mater, Liberty University. For more information, email paula1030 @att.net or call 678-933-8558.
Leroy “Sugarfoot” Bonner of the Ohio Players (above) died in 2013. The Aug. 16 jazz/funk tribute includes saxophonist Derwin Daniels and vocalist Anita Canada.
Jazz tribute to Sugarfoot Bonner The late funk pioneer Leroy “Sugarfoot” Bonner of the Ohio Players will be honored at an Aug. 16 jazz/funk throwdown fundraiser on the grounds of Christ Our Hope Catholic Church in Lithonia. Ohio Players saxophonist Derwin Daniels has pulled the band back together with keyboardist Earl Fleming plus Marvin Pryor and Nelson Render of PR Experience band. They will play favorites and numbers from their upcoming jazz projects followed by a funk-filled tribute to Sugarfoot Bonner, who died in 2013 at age 70. Jazz vocalist Anita Canada also is sched-
uled to perform. Her influences range from Fela Kuti, Bob Marley and Frank Sinatra to Billie Holiday, Nina Simone and Bob Dylan. Her style and delivery have been compared to the late, great Phyllis Hyman. The event, which starts at 7 p.m., is “lawn seating” and music fans are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs, blankets, and food and beverages. There also will be food vendors, and parking is free. The church is at 1786 Wellborn Road. For tickets and more information, call Steve Claiborne at 404-358-3780.
Café on the Lawn
St Paul AME Church
Fre to the Pub e lic
1540 Pryor Road • Atlanta, GA 30315 Rev. Gregory Eason, Pastor
6:00 pm
Featuring Live Entertainment
T Rese able rvati ons
$50
Bring your blankets, lawn chairs, a good appetite and enjoy live entertainment and fun under the stars!
Saturday, Aug. 23, 2014 Angels at the Mardi Gras
• Just Adwaters & Stir Band, featuring Anna Sullivant Vocalist • Nyrryk Evans
Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014 Game Night
• Anthony Clinkscales & Veda Howard
Vendors Wanted: Call (404) 271-3072 for more information
Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014 “Hallelujah Night” Anthony Clinkscales: The Sounds of Glory & the Sanctuary Choir Various Church Choirs and Vocalists Dwayne Martin, Saxophonist
More hours for at health summit Flat Rock Archive The inaugural Kirkwood Health Summit, which includes screenings and mini workshops, kicks off on Aug. 16 at the DeKalbAtlanta Human Services Center in Atlanta. The 10 a.m.-to-3 p.m. event will include activities where residents can learn about self-defense training, healthy cooking through demos, healthy living, free services, health care testing and dental screenings, and other preventive services. The summit is co-presented by the DeKalb Human Development Department, the DeKalb Board of Health and Whitefoord Inc. Representatives from the Morehouse School of Medicine, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health and the Kirkwood Neighborhood Organization are expected to attend. Interim DeKalb CEO Lee May said the summit is part of an ongoing effort to promote health awareness. “We are working together with community partners to highlight health care services and initiatives available to our stakeholders,” May said in an Aug. 12 statement. “We want to help facilitate, educate and motivate the community to make positive changes and choices when it comes to health.” The DeKalb-Atlanta Human Services Center is at 30 Warren St. For more information, contact Elayne Hunter at ewhunter@ dekalbcountyga.gov or 404-373-1342.
The Flat Rock Archives and Museum in Lithonia is expanding its days of operation to attract more visitors, especially on the weekend. The facility, located in the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area, will now open Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in addition to its regular Tuesday opening. Its tour of the slave cemetery will be Tuesdays at 2 p.m. or by appointment. To date, 20,000 people have visited the archives, which opened in December 2006 and is housed in the ancestral home of the Rev. T.A. Bryant Jr. Bryant donated the house built by his father in 1917. Johnny Waits, the archives president and a descendant of one of DeKalb’s oldest families, guides visitors Johnny Waits through a history of the African-American community that existed before DeKalb County was formed in 1822. Waits leads tours of the Lyon Farm and the slave cemetery. The Flat Rock Archives and Museum is at 3979 Crossvale Road. For more information, visit www.flatrockarchives.org or call 770-797-5625.
Moonshine folklore at author talk Joe Dabney, author of “Mountain Spirits,” a scholarly, yet entertaining look into the legends and customs of moonshine and whiskey, will speak at the Decatur Library on Aug. 18. His talk on moonshine folklore begins at 7:15 p.m. Dabney’s book is chock-full of interviews with actual moonshiners and documented history that allows you to take a trip through the mountains and through history to discover the origins and development of the art of making whiskey. With a complete glossary, photographs, illustrations, and interviews, “Mountain Spirits” offers a complete ex-
ploration of the craft – from distilling for personal use to the moonshining gangs that emerged during Prohibition. Dabney, a retired Lockheed Martin public relations representative, was a reporter for 15 years and an editor with several Southern newspapers, including The Atlanta Journal. His “Smokehouse Ham, Spoon Bread, & Scuppernong Wine: The Folklore and Art of Southern Appalachian Cooking” won the James Beard Foundation’s Cookbook of the Year Award in 1999. The Decatur Library is at 215 Sycamore St. in downtown Decatur. For more information, call 404-370-3070.
Join Us!
Community Appreciation & Family Fun Day!
Dr. Shauna Gammage’s Dental Office & K&K Tax Services, Inc.
Saturday, August 23, 2014 • 2pm - 6pm FREE FOOD • ARCADE GAMES • MUSIC
3662 Flakes Mill Road • Decatur, GA 30034
9
CrossRoadsNews
August 16, 2014
Finance
“At the height of this crime, Dzyura was writing $30,000 checks to herself twice a month.”
Extra computer time for job seekers
Comptroller stole $1.8 million from firm
Job seekers can get extra computer time for their job hunt at an open lab on Aug. 23 at Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg Library. Computer labs will be set up so job seekers can have expanded time to conduct job searches; fill out online job applications; update their resumes using Microsoft Word, Optimal Resume or Job & Career Accelerator; and improve work skills with online tutorials. Library staff will be available to answer basic questions about library resources for job seekers. Open labs are first-come, first-served, and space is limited. The open lab takes place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The library is at 952 Leon St. in Stone Mountain. For more information, call 770-413-2020.
A former company comptroller who stole more than $1.8 million from East West Manufacturing LLC has been sentenced to 40 years in prison. Marina Dzyura, who worked between 2009 and June 2013, pleaded guilty Aug. 8 to theft by taking and computer forgery. She was sentenced by DeKalb Superior Court Judge Clarence Seeliger to serve 10 years in custody and the balance on probation. She also must pay $1.8 million in restitution. DeKalb District Attorney Robert James said Dzyura, who was ordered to turn herself in on Aug. 15, abused her position. “This individual was entrusted to oversee the finances of this company, but she chose to abuse her position and siphon millions from East West Manufacturing,” James said. “At the height of this crime, Dzyura was writing $30,000 checks to herself twice a month and spending those stolen funds on designer clothes, expensive handbags and lavish jewelry.” A DeKalb County grand jury indicted Dzyu-
Retirement readiness planning at library The Money Mondays series is kicking off Aug. 18 with Retirement Readiness Planning at the Stonecrest Library. The 6:30-to-7:30 p.m. session offers practical steps for a successful retirement. Sessions will be held the third Monday of the month. Participants will learn strategies and best practices for meeting both short- and long-term financial goals and objectives. Funding is provided by the Friends of the Stonecrest Library, at 3123 Klondike Road in Lithonia. For more information, call 770-482-3828.
Legal Notices 7/26, 8/2, 8/9, 8/16
Notice of Petition to Change Name of Adult in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number: ++ 14CV6965-5++ Mudrine Davis filed a petition in the DeKalb County Superior Court on July 8, 2014, to change the name from: Mudrine Davis to Myrna Rene Martin. Any interested party has the right to appear In this case and file objections within 30 days after the Petition was filed. Dated: July 8, 2014 Myrna Rene Martin Petitioner, Pro se 3162 Bay St Scottdale, Ga (404) 292-8859 8/16, 8/23, 8/30, 9/06
Notice of Petition to Change Name of Adult in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number: ++ 14CV7813-1++ Carlos R. Clark filed a petition in the DeKalb County Superior Court on July 23, 2014, to change the name from: Corey Roberta Clark to Corey Roberta Clark. Any interested party has the right to appear In this case and file objections within 30 days after the Petition was filed. Dated: July 23, 2014 Corey R. Clark Petitioner, Pro se 507 Walden Walk Drive Stone Mountain, GA 30088 (818) 239-2998 8/16, 8/23, 8/30, 9/06
Notice of Petition to Change Name of Adult in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number: ++ 14CV7747-8++ Barbara Ann Nicholson filed a petition in the DeKalb County Superior Court on July 30, 2014, to change the name from: Barbara Ann Nicholson Arbogast to Barbara Ann Nicholson. Any interested party has the right to appear In this case and file objections within 30 days after the Petition was filed. Dated: July 30, 2014 Barbara A. Nicholson Petitioner, Pro se P.O. Box 190872 Atlanta, GA 31119 (404) 213-2351 7/26. 8/2, 8/9, 8/16
Notice OF PUBLICATION
in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number: ++ 14CV5819-4++ Jennifer Volley Plaintiff Vs. Antavious Davis Defendant TO: Antavious Davis, Defendant Named Above You are hereby notified that the abovestyled action seeking a total divorce was filed against you in said court on June 2, 2014, and that by reason of an order for service of summons by publication entered by the court on July 9, 2014 you are hereby commanded and required to file with the clerk of said court and serve upon Jennifer Volley, plaintiff, whose address Is 1031 Holcomb Road, apartment H, Decatur, GA 30032, an answer to the complaint within sixty (60) days of the date of the order for service by publication. If you fail to do so, judgment by default will be taken against you for the relief demanded in the complaint. Witness the Honorable Gail C. Flake, Judge of said court. This the 10th day of July, 2014 7/26. 8/2, 8/9, 8/16
Notice OF PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number: ++ 14CV6792-7++ Martane J. Folds Plaintiff Vs. Jody L. Folds Defendant By Order of the Court for service by publication dated July 7, 2014 you are hereby notified that on July 7, 2014 the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for Divorce. You are required to file with the Clerk of the Superior Court, and to serve upon the Plaintiff’s attorney whose name and address is Martane T. Jackson-Folds, 2795 Evans Mill Rd #1504, Lithonia, GA 30058. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of July 10, 2014 Witness the Honorable Daniel M. Coursey, Jr., Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court. This the 10th day of July, 2014 7/26. 8/2, 8/9, 8/16
Notice of Petition to Change Name of Adult in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number: ++ 14CV7105-5++
Wanda Jean Sutton filed a petition in the DeKalb County Superior Court on July 1, 2014, to change the name from: Wanda Jean Sutton to Wanda Jean Allen. Any interested party has the right to appear In this case and file objections within 30 days after the Petition was filed. Dated: July 1, 2014 Wanda J. Allen Petitioner, Pro se 4900 Central Dr. #81 Stone Mountain, GA 30083 (404) 604-7213 7/26. 8/2, 8/9, 8/16
Notice of Petition to Change Name of Adult in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number: ++ 14CV6950-1++ Jann Murray-Forbes filed a petition in the DeKalb County Superior Court on July 1, 2014, to change the name from: Jann Murray-Forbes to Jann Murray. Any interested party has the right to appear In this case and file objections within 30 days after the Petition was filed. Dated: July 1, 2014 Jann Murray Petitioner, Pro se 616 East Rockborough Court Stone Mountain, GA 30083 (404) 388-8851 7/26. 8/2, 8/9, 8/16
Notice OF PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number: ++ 14CV7189-7++ April D. Davis Plaintiff Vs. Jamie D. Pritchett Defendant By Order of the Court for service by publication dated July 23, 2014 you are hereby notified that on July 18, 2014 the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for Divorce. You are required to file with the Clerk of the Superior Court, and to serve upon the Plaintiff’s attorney whose name and address is 4156 Indian Forest Rd, Stone Mountain, GA 30083. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of July 23, 2014 Witness the Honorable Daniel M. Coursey, Jr., Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court. This the 23rd day of July, 2014 8/2, 8/9, 8/16, 8/23
Notice OF PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number: ++ 14CV4534-5++
Derek Albright, Jr. Petitioner Vs. Kathleen Bass Respondent TO: Kathleen Bass Stone Mountain Inn & Suites 189 Mountain Industrial Boulevard Tucker, GA 30084 You are hereby notified that the abovestyled action seeking legitimization and custody was filed against you in the Superior Court of DeKalb County on April 29, 2014, and that by reason of an Order for Service of Summons by Publication entered by the Court on July 25, 2014, you are hereby commanded and required to file with the Clerk of the Superior Court of DeKalb County and serve upon Denise D. VanLanduyt, Petitioner’s attorney, whose address is 160 Clairemont Avenue, Suite 450. Decatur, Georgia 30030, an Answer to the Petition within 60 days on July 25, 2014. Witness the Honorable Gregory A. Adams, Judge of Superior Court of DeKalb County. This 25th day of July, 2014. 8/2, 8/9, 8/16, 8/23
Notice OF PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number: ++ 14CV6961-10++ Tracy E. Matthews Plaintiff Vs. Cosmo D. Calzadilla Defendant To: Cosmo D. Calzadilla By Order of the Court for service by publication dated July 25, 2014 you are hereby notified that on July 9, 2014 the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for Divorce. You are required to file with the Clerk of the Superior Court, and to serve upon the Plaintiff’s attorney whose name and address is 511 Ryan Place, Stone Mountain, GA 30087. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of July 25, 2014 Witness the Honorable Tangela M. Barrie, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court. This the 25th day of July, 2014 8/2, 8/9, 8/16, 8/23
Notice OF PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number: ++ 14CV7355-3++ Maria Victoria Caballero Plaintiff Vs. Adolfo Marquez Defendant
ra in March on four counts each of theft by taking and computer forgery. The indictment said Dzyura wrote herself checks and made direct deposits from the company’s J.P. Morgan Chase bank account to her accounts and wrote fictitious general journal entries to cover her tracks. The offenses took place between April 2010 and June 2013. After her arrest in July 2013, the District Attorney’s Office froze two of Dzyura’s bank accounts but only recovered about $30,000 between both. Those funds will be released to East West Manufacturing. Dzyura is ordered to pay the restitution upon release from prison or she can make payments by her husband. The thefts were only discovered after Dzyura left the company, based on Ashford Dunwoody Road. The global contract manufacturer, which produces plastics, rubber, industrial textiles, metal and electronics products in the United States, China, Vietnam and India, was founded in Atlanta in 2001. At the sentencing hearing, company representatives said the theft caused the company to freeze hiring and employees to forgo bonuses.
To: Calle Reportero #26 El Cortijo Hermosillo Sonora Mexico By Order of the Court for service by publication dated July 28, 2014 you are hereby notified that on July 24, 2014 the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for Divorce. You are required to file with the Clerk of the Superior Court, and to serve upon the Plaintiff’s attorney whose name and address is Maria V. Caballero, 1750 Briarwood Rd., KK27, Atlanta, GA 30329. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of July 28, 2014 Witness the Honorable Clarence F. Seeliger, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court. This the 29th day of July, 2014 8/9, 8/16, 8/23, 8/30
Notice OF PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number: ++ 14CV6353-10++ Myrlande Laurent Plaintiff Vs. Smith Laurent Defendant To: Rue Cameau #30 Port-Au-Prince, Haiti By Order of the Court for service by publication dated July 31, 2014 you are hereby notified that on June 24, 2014 the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you. You are required to file with the Clerk of the Superior Court, and to serve upon the Plaintiff’s attorney whose name and address is: Myrlande Laurent, 5165 Clearstream Ct., Stone Mountain, GA 30088. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of July 31, 2014. Witness the Honorable Tangela M. Barrie, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court. This the 31st day of July, 2014 8/9, 8/16, 8/23, 8/30
Notice OF PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number: ++ 14CV7251-2++ Antonia Bolden Plaintiff Vs. Tony Jr. Williams Defendant To: 4815 Buford Hwy Chamblee, GA 30341 By Order of the Court for service by publication dated July 29, 2014 you are hereby notified that on July 23, 2014 the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for Divorce. You are required to file with the Clerk of the Superior Court, and to serve upon the Plaintiff’s attorney whose name and address is: Antonia Bolden, P.O. Box 764, Atlanta, GA 30301; 770-875-6553. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of July 29, 2014. Witness the Honorable Asha Jackson, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court. This the 4th day of August, 2014 8/16, 8/23, 8/30, 9/6
Notice OF PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number:
++ 14CV7882-9++ Maxine Vernon-Whyte Plaintiff Vs. Cebert Whyte Defendant To: 132 Cotton Drive Ocilla, GA 31774 By Order of the Court for service by publication dated August 11, 2014 you are hereby notified that on August 7, 2014 the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for Divorce. You are required to file with the Clerk of the Superior Court, and to serve upon the Plaintiff’s attorney whose name and address is: Maxine Vernon-Whyte, 4114 Belvedere Square, Apt. D, Decatur, GA 30035. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of August 11, 2014. Witness the Honorable Mark Anthony Scott, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court. This the 11th day of August, 2014 8/16, 8/23, 8/30, 9/6
Notice OF PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number: ++ 14CV7662-3++ Angela C. Colbert Plaintiff Vs. Kiwanis K. Colbert Defendant To: 619 El Prado Court Stone Mountain, GA 30083 By Order of the Court for service by publication dated August 6, 2014 you are hereby notified that on July 29, 2014 the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for Divorce. You are required to file with the Clerk of the Superior Court, and to serve upon the Plaintiff’s attorney whose name and address is: Angela C. Colbert, 619 El Prado Court, Stone Mountain, GA 30083. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of August 6, 2014. Witness the Honorable Clarence Seeliger, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court. This the 7th day of August, 2014 8/16, 8/23, 8/30, 9/6
Notice OF PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number: ++ 14CV7848-7++ Kenya Clark Plaintiff Vs. Derek Williams Defendant To: 3552 Herschel Road College Park, GA 30337 By Order of the Court for service by publication dated August 12, 2014 you are hereby notified that on August 8, 2014 the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you. You are required to file with the Clerk of the Superior Court, and to serve upon the Plaintiff’s attorney whose name and address is: Kenya Clark, 3552 Herschel Road, College Park, GA 30337. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of August 12, 2014. Witness the Honorable Daniel M. Coursey, Jr., Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court. This the 31st day of July, 2014
10
CrossRoadsNews
Youth
August 16, 2014
“All buses will have a Global Positioning System for efficient tracking and monitoring capability.”
Smooth opening day as DeKalb students return to school By Ken Watts
More than 100,000 DeKalb students returned to classes on Aug. 11 for the first day of the 2014-2015 school year. Parents began dropping off their kids as early as 7:45 a.m. and the first buses arrived at 8:15. Principals, teachers and administrators reported no major problems. The new school year starts with a $20 million surplus, the district’s first in many years. School officials say the budget deficit that has plagued the system during the recent economic recession was eliminated over the last school year. The new surplus allows the district to eliminate furlough days for teachers and hire 100 new teachers, media specialists and other school-based employees. Over the summer break, copper thieves vandalized HVAC units at 16 elementary, middle and high schools, causing more than $800,000 in damage at Rainbow, Dunaire, E.L. Bouie, Fairington, Midvale, Murphey Candler, Oak View and Pine Ridge elementary schools; Columbia, McNair, Miller Grove, Redan, Salem, Stephenson and Druid Hills middle schools; and Martin Luther King Jr. High. Maintenance workers scrambled to make repairs and to install temporary liquid chillers and replace rooftop air conditioning units in time for the start of classes. Thieves damaged five rooftop air conditioners at Fairington Elementary in Lithonia, and with afternoon temperatures reaching into the upper 80s Monday, Jeffery Jenkins praised the district’s quick response. “The repair crew worked through the weekend before school opened to put new AC units in place and the building was at a
Salem Middle School students head back to class on Aug. 11 in Lithonia as the new school year begins. Districtwide, no major problems were reported.
Ken Watts / CrossRoadsNews
comfortable temperature by the time the children arrived Monday morning,” he said. School Superintendent Michael Thurmond visited Shadow Rock Elementary in Lithonia and Margaret Harris CompreMichael Thurmond hensive School in southeast Atlanta to deliver opening-day pep talks to faculty, administrators and students. In a welcome back letter posted on the district’s Web site, Thurmond said students
and parents will notice positive changes. “We are improving school safety with new Student Resource officers in the elementary schools and improvements to outside access to schools,” he said. “All buses will have a Global Positioning System for efficient tracking and monitoring capability.” Thurmond said the district is pushing ahead with efforts to boost student achievement. “Our Growth and Achievement Model will continue to emphasize the learning needs of each child. Classroom instruction will prepare our students for the new
Georgia Milestones, the new state testing model. Mathematics instruction will be a top priority.” This school year, the district, which is seeking to be a charter district for the 20152016 year, will draft its districtwide charter petition for the state Department of Education. When approved, the district will become the largest charter system in Georgia. Thurmond said the new system will allow parents and school staff to have greater control over the direction of their school. “We invite the collaboration of parents, communities and friends in this effort.”
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Reader Notice As a service to you – our valued readers – we offer the following information: This newspaper will never knowingly accept any advertisement that is illegal or considered fraudulent. If you have questions or doubts about any ads on these pages, we advise that before responding or sending money ahead of time, you check with the Attorney General’s Consumer Fraud Line and/or the Better Business Bureau. They may have records or documented complaints that will serve to caution you about doing business with those advertisers. Also be advised that some phone numbers published in these ads may require an extra charge. In all cases of questionable value, such as promises or guaranteed income from work-at-home programs, money to loan, etc., if it sounds too good to be true – it may in fact be exactly that. This newspaper cannot be held responsible for any negative consequences that occur as a result of you doing business with any advertisers. Thank you.
11
CrossRoadsNews
August 16, 2014
People
“Most of those individuals have already gone back to work. … Georgia continues to be one of the leading states for job creation.”
July unemployment up, positive news behind
South DeKalb Rotary installs leadership team South DeKalb Rotary Club President Patricia Seals, with gavel, poses with, from left, District 6900 Assistant Gov. Candace Klein; presidentelect, Dr. Jennifer Friday; Sergeant-at-arms Willie Hinton; and treasurer William Murrain. Klein installed Seals and the club’s officers on Aug. 13. The club meets Wednesdays at noon.
The state’s unemployment rate crept up to 7.8 percent in July. The Georgia Department of Labor said Thursday that the seasonally adjusted rate was up four-tenths of a percentage point from 7.4 percent in June. The rate in July of last year was 8.3 percent. State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said the July rate increase was primarily due to temporary seasonal layoffs in local government and manufacturing. “Most of those individuals have already gone back to work,” Butler said in an Aug. 14 statement. There were 4,098,400 jobs in Georgia in July, 12,800 fewer than in June, with the bulk of the loss in local government educational services. Butler said the positive news is that Georgia’s private-sector employers created 8,200 jobs in July, with the growth coming in several industries. “And the over-the-year growth continues to be strong, as we had 83,300 more jobs than in July of 2013,” he said. “Georgia continues to be one of the leading states for job creation.”
Jennifer Ffrench Parker / CrossRoadsNews
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12
CrossRoadsNews
August 16, 2014
one
day sale
free shiPPinG & neW! free returns at macys.com free shiPPinG With $99 Purchase. free returns by mail or in-store. u.s. only. exclusions aPPly; details at macys.com/freereturns
saTurday, augusT 16 sHop 9am-11pm (iT’s a sale Too big To FiT in a day!)
also sHop Today, augusT 15 From 9am-1opm
hours may vary by store. visit macys.com and click stores for local information.
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4 Hours only! 9am-1pm Fri & saT-geT Here early, wHile THey lasT! or, extra savings friday and saturday ‘til 1pm
macy’s savings pass discounT doesn’T apply To doorbusTers or deals oF THe day
$1O Off
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ALL SALE & CLEARANCE APPAREL & SELECT HOME ITEMS (ExCEPT dOORbuSTERS & dEALS Of THE dAy)
ALL SALE & CLEARANCE APPAREL & SELECT HOME ITEMS (ExCEPT dOORbuSTERS & dEALS Of THE dAy)
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valid 8/15 ’til 1pm or 8/16/14 ’til 1pm. limit one per customer. ALSO excLudeS: everyday Values (edV), specials, super buys, furniture, mattresses, floor coverings, rugs, electrics/electronics, cosmetics/fragrances, athletic shoes for him, her & kids, dallas cowboys merchandise, gift cards, jewelry trunk shows, New era, Nike on Field, previous purchases, special orders, selected licensed depts., special purchases, services, macys.com. cannot be combined with any savings pass/coupon, extra discount or credit offer, except opening a new Macy’s account. dollar savings are allocated as discounts off each eligible item, as shown on receipt. When you return an item, you forfeit the savings allocated to that item. This coupon has no cash value & may not be redeemed for cash, used to purchase gift cards or applied as payment or credit to your account. Purchase must be $25 or more, exclusive of tax and delivery fees.
2O Off
valid 8/15 ’til 1pm or 8/16/14 ’til 1pm. limit one per customer. ALSO excLudeS: everyday Values (edV), specials, super buys, furniture, mattresses, floor coverings, rugs, electrics/electronics, cosmetics/fragrances, athletic shoes for him, her & kids, dallas cowboys merchandise, gift cards, jewelry trunk shows, New era, Nike on Field, previous purchases, special orders, selected licensed depts., special purchases, services, macys.com. cannot be combined with any savings pass/coupon, extra discount or credit offer, except opening a new Macy’s account. dollar savings are allocated as discounts off each eligible item, as shown on receipt. When you return an item, you forfeit the savings allocated to that item. This coupon has no cash value & may not be redeemed for cash, used to purchase gift cards or applied as payment or credit to your account. Purchase must be $50 or more, exclusive of tax and delivery fees.
One day sale prices in effecT 8/15 & 8/16/2014. OPEN A MACY’S ACCOUNT FOR EXTRA 20% SAVINGS THE FIRST 2 DAYS, UP TO $100, WITH MORE REWARDS TO COME. Macy’s credit card is available subject to credit approval; new account savings valid the day your account is opened and the next day; excludes services, selected licensed departments, gift cards, restaurants, gourmet food & wine. The new account savings are limited to a total of $100; application must qualify for immediate approval to receive extra savings; employees not eligible. N4070133F.indd 1
8/1/14 1:20 PM