CrossRoadsNews, February 11, 2012 by CrossRoadsNews, Inc.

COMMUNITY

SCENE

Eugene McCoy (second from right) was overruled by the judge when he tried to plead guilty to killing three family members. 3

Jazz trumpeter Joey Sommerville and other performers will entertain at STIR – Sounds, Thoughts, Ideas and Rhymes – at the Porter Sanford Center. 5

Guilty plea rejected

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Blending of the arts

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EAST ATLANTA • DECATUR • STONE MOUNTAIN • LITHONIA • AVONDALE ESTATES • CLARKSTON • ELLENWOOD • PINE LAKE • REDAN • SCOTTDALE • TUCKER

February 11, 2012

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Volume 17, Number 41

DeKalb legislators fail to approve new School Board map By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

State Rep. Simone Bell (standing) was disappointed that the DeKalb Delegation could not reach a decision on a new School Board map.

sus on the map. Members did approve a map for the DeKalb Board of Commissioners, but the School Board districts were more contentious. In addition to accounting for population shifts from the 2010 Census, members have to reduce the nine-member School Board “to no more than seven members” as mandated by Senate Bill 79, which passed the Legislature last year. On Feb. 6, a redistricting sub committee approved a five-member map that ends the terms of the four board members – Thomas Bowen, Don McChesney, Paul Womack and

Three days from its deadline, the DeKalb House Delegation does not have a new School Board district map. Members were at odds on Thursday about whether the DeKalb School Board should have five districts or seven. They adjourned for a three-day recess without approving the map. State Rep. Simone Bell, who chaired the House redistricting committee, was clearly disappointed. “I am stumped,” she said. “This is not what I anticipated.” Bell said that it had been her hope that the delegation could have come to a consen- Please see SCHOOL BOARD, page 4

Jennifer Ffrench Parker / CrossRoadsNews

Residents pledge to fight plant City of

DeKalb proposed

Compost facility sought at site of Lithonia quarry

By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

South DeKalb residents are on the battlefield again, this time against a composting facility that is being proposed on the grounds of the La Farge Quarry in Lithonia. More than 200 residents showed up at a Feb. 9 meeting at Rock Chapel Elementary School to demonstrate their opposition to Greenco Environmental LLC. “We don’t want it and you are going to get a fight tooth-and-nail through the process,” one speaker said. Greenco, which recycles food waste and yard trimmings into compost, is seeking to relocate from Barnesville, Ga., where it has had a checkered and contentious past. The company, which has been in business for four years, plans to lease a 22-acre site that has been quarried and is now 110 feet below surface level, has a pond to help keep ordors down and is a mile away from homes. Attorney Michelle Battle, who is handling the company’s special land use permit application before the county, said the Lithonia site is ideal for Greenco because it is in the middle of LaFarge’s 1,500-acre property. “The location we have here could not be easily replicated anywhere else,” she said. Thursday’s meeting was attended by Greenco’s president, Tim Lesko, and his wife and business partner, Melia. She said that they are fully aware that people have been on the Internet and are aware of the problems that Greenco had, but she said that it has fixed those problems. “We didn’t come before you to mask the truth. It is what it is,” she said. “We knew coming into it that it would be an uphill climb.” When Maria Bruner from south Snellville

Jennifer Ffrench Parker / CrossRoadsNews

South Snellville resident Maria Bruner wanted to know why Greenco had to close its composting facility in Barnesville, Ga.

asked Lesko what specifically caused him to caused him to be shut down in Barnesville and what he did to fix the situation, he said that he was the first in the state to attempt a food composting plant and made mistakes. “There was not a blueprint we could go to,” he said. Lesko said that doing something on a large scale is different from doing it in a small barn. He said the plant there is located atop a hill, and 500 feet from the closest house. “We made mistakes,” Lesko said, adding that they were not using enough yard trimmings and had to find the right recipe. In Lithonia, Lesko said that LaFarge, his landlord, will be on the site and won’t tolerate a negative image. Please see GREENCO, page 4

Application timeline n Greenco Environmental’s application will go before the Commission District 5 Community Council on Feb. 13 at 6:30 p.m. at the Redan Trotti Library, 1569 Wellborn Rd. in Lithonia. n Greenco is hosting a community meeting on Feb. 28 at 7 p.m at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, 2152 Rock Chapel Road in Lithonia. n The DeKalb Planning Commission will hear the application on March 6, at 6:30 p.m. n The Board of Commissioners will hear the application on March 27 at 6:30 p.m.

A long talked about City of DeKalb is now a bill in the Georgia House of Representatives. Rep. Billy Mitchell (D-Stone Mountain) proposed a city that incorporates all of the unincorporated areas of the county to the DeKalb House Delegation Thursday. Billy Mitchell He said it would the largest city in Georgia, with just under 600,000 residents. “I have unanimous support from all sections of our community that I have talked to,” he said. Mitchell tried to fast-track bill through the DeKalb House delegation, but some of his colleagues said they wanted more information. Rep. Stephanie Stuckey Benfield (DAtlanta) said it would be a seismic change in how the county operates. “I would urge caution,” said Benfield, who has been in office since 1999. “I would ask for some speakers to come in and speak to us.” Rep. Michele Henson said she felt strongly that a meeting is needed. “We do need to have folks come in and tesMichele Henson tify,” she said. “We do need to make DeKalb County aware of what the impact would be.” Henson (D-Stone Mountain) said the Please see CITY BILL, page 6

CrossRoadsNews

February 11, 2012

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Community

CrossRoadsNews

Before his arrest in the triple slayings, McCoy was arrested six times, including twice for allegedly violating protective orders brought by his family.

Judge rejects guilty plea attempt in triple slayings By Carla Parker

Eugene Quatron McCoy, accused of the stabbing deaths of his mother and two younger siblings in Lithonia in April 2011, tried to plead guilty Feb. 3 before a public defender overruled him and entered a notguilty plea. When Superior Court Senior Judge Robert Mallis called his name during his first court appearance, McCoy, 22, raised his hand and said he wanted to plead guilty to the triple slayings. “I don’t want to plead not guilty,” McCoy told the judge. “I was trying to plead guilty.” Mallis talked over him, telling him to sit down and let his lawyer speak for him. “You need to talk to your lawyer,” Mallis said. McCoy did not have a lawyer. Public defender Daryl Queen officially entered a plea of not guilty. McCoy is charged with three counts of felony murder and aggravated assault in the

death of his 45-year-old mother, Shelia Irons; his 11-year-old stepbrother Zion McPherson; and is 8-year-old stepsister Chastity McPherson. His 17-year-old sister Candice McCoy was injured but survived the attack. Investigators said an argument between McCoy and his mother led to the slayings. DeKalb Sheriff ’s records show that McCoy lived with his family in their Lithonia home even though there was a restraining order prohibiting him from being in contact with them. Court records show a history of family violence. Before his arrest in the triple slayings, McCoy was arrested six times, including twice for allegedly violating protective orders brought by his family. The arrests date back to 2007 and include burglary, disorderly conduct, battery and criminal trespass. He was ordered in December 2010 to undergo a mental health evaluation and told to have no contact with his mother. He also was ordered to attend 12 anger management classes. Carla Parker / CrossRoadsNews McCoy remains in the DeKalb County Eugene Quatron McCoy (standing) tries to plead Jail without bond. guilty at his trial in DeKalb Superior Court.

Input sought on school tech DeKalb students, teachers, parents and residents can give input on Feb. 15 on the school system’s updated plan to implement technology in the schools. Every three years, the district must update the school district’s overall Technology Plan that identifies technology needs countywide, and determine what can be done to fulfill them. The 7p.m. to 8 p.m. community meeting takes place at the school district’s Administrative and Instructional Complex (AIC) auditorium in Stone Mountain. The meeting will explore classroom/administrative technology, instructional technology, inInfrastructure, and business applications/ systems. The AIC Auditorium is at 1701 Mountain Industrial Boulevard. For more information, visit www.dekalb. k12.ga.us.

PAGE STAR program to recognize county’s best, brightest students Fifty-four of DeKalb’s best and brightest high school seniors and their teachers will be honored at the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce’s annual PAGE STAR Student Teacher Award Luncheon on Feb. 17. The noon-1:30 p.m. luncheon will be at Villa Cristina, at 4000 Summit Blvd. in Atlanta. The students and teachers from DeKalb County Schools, Decatur City Schools and several private high schools will be named

2012 STARS at the event. STAR begins each year in participating high schools throughout Georgia when the STAR student is named and chooses a STAR teacher to share the recognition. During the past 53 years, the STAR Program has honored more than 22,500 high school seniors. To obtain the STAR nomination, high school seniors must have the highest score on the three-part SAT test in their high school

Absentee ballots available thru March 2 Georgia voters can now mail their absentee vote for the March 6 presidential preference primary. Voters can request an absentee ballot through March 2. Georgia residents must return their absentee ballot to their county election office by close of polls on Election Day, March 6. Absentee ballots cast by overseas and military voters must be postmarked on or before March 6, but will be accepted until the end of business on March 9. Voters are not required to provide a reason when requesting an absentee ballot. Voters can obtain an absentee ballot request form from the Secretary of State’s website, www.sos.ga.gov. The form must be completed and returned to the voter’s county election office. In-person advance voting for the 2012 presidential preference primary will begin Feb. 13. Georgia’s eligible military and overseas citi-

zens who have requested an absentee ballot can now obtain their ballot electronically for the presidential preference primary. The Secretary of State’s Office has created two tutorial videos that specifically address absentee ballot voting options for Georgia’s military and overseas citizens. To view these videos, visit www.sos.ga.gov. To obtain a presidential primary ballot electronically, Georgia’s military and overseas citizens must request an absentee ballot from their county election office, be sure to indicate a political party preference, and check the appropriate box to receive their ballot electronically. They can then log on to a secure website, print and vote their ballot, and then mail it back to their county election office. Military and overseas voters may receive access to absentee ballots for an entire year’s election cycle, removing the need to submit multiple ballot requests.

Survey to gauge support for co-op South DeKalb residents can weigh in on a decision that Saint Philip Community Development Corp. is considering about opening a cooperative grocery store on Candler Road. The CDC is hoping to transform a former grocery story at 274 Candler Road into a community food co-op store offering fresh fruits and vegetables to residents of ZIP codes 30032, 30034, and 30317. To gauge community support for the project, the CDC is asking residents to complete a survey, posted on www.saintphilip. org/. The store would be owned and controlled by members to provide low-cost, healthy food to members of the co-op and to the public. It would support local farmers and provide organic fruits and vegetables, among other foods. Andy Huff, who chairs the CDC board’s

product research and development committee, said the survey will be on the website through March 1 as a way to gauge community interest in the store. He said a large respond from residents would yield better information for the CDC. “It’s an opportunity to have a voice in potentially new community project,” Huff said. “We can make a better decision about the project if we have a large input.” Voncile Hodges, the CDC’s executive director, said that the co-op store is part of the CDC’s mission to educate residents on the importance of being good stewards of their bodies and the environment. The store will sponsor lectures, workshops and seminars on healthy food choices and cooking demonstration. To access the survey, click on the SP Community Development Survey.

and be in the top 10 percent of their class, based on grade point average. The Student with the highest SAT score in the STAR group is selected to represent the county at one of 12 Regional PAGE STAR events. DeKalb Schools Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Atkinson has been invited to announce the 2012 Regional STAR Students, who will attend the Regional STAR luncheon in March at the Windermere Golf Club in

Cumming. The Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) Foundation has coordinated the statewide program since 1994 in association with the Georgia Chamber and the Georgia Department of Education. Event sponsors include AT&T, Oglethorpe Power Corporation, Bank of North Georgia and Silverman Construction. For more information, contact the Chamber office at 404-378-8000.

Community 2346 Candler Rd. Decatur, GA 30032 404-284-1888 Fax: 404-284-5007 www.crossroadsnews.com editor@crossroadsnews.com

Editor / Publisher Jennifer Parker Graphic Design Curtis Parker Staff Writers Carla Parker Jennifer Ffrench Parker Advertising Sales Kathy E. Warner Alison White

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“We don’t want to reduce the numbers, so why would we participate in our demise?”

Opposition to plant nearly unanimous at meeting GREENCO,

from page

Battle said LaFarge has a vested interest in ensuring that its workers remain safe and that there are no fumes or odors emanating from the Greenco facility. “They are the first line of defense,” she said, adding that Greenco is only getting a two-year lease to start. Battle said that the issues the company encountered in Barnesville were issues they encountered as first time owners with a new idea and the first to bring it to Georgia. Residents, who just came off a fight against a wood chip gasification on Rogers Lake Road, weren’t buying it. When Commissioner Lee May, who represents the district, polled the room about who were opposed to the plant, more than 95 percent of the room stood. When he asked who was in support of it, only three people stood up. Another

woman volunteered that she was undecided. Battle’s presentation was punctuated by groans and snickers from the audience and shouts of “no,” “we don’t want you here,” ”put it in your back yard,” “put it towards Perimeter Mall, always trashing our neighborhoods.” “If it’s so good for DeKalb County, why not take it to Gwinnett,” someone shouted to applause. “Yeah,” addsed another woman. “Take it to Gwinnett. Take it Gwinnett where you live. Why us?” Viola Davis, co-founder of the Unhappy Taxpayer Voter Organization, said the community needs to draw a line in the sand. “We are going to have to take a stand and say, you are going to have to stop bringing this kind of development to our community,” she said, pointing out that eight years ago, residents fought against a recycling facility at LaFarge and

won. Battle told the residents that the company is proposing 13 conditions as part of its application. Among them, it is offering to: n Use yard trimmings, landscaping debris, and compostable wood and corn starch products such as boxes, plates and cups mixed. n Stay off Stephenson Road and route all of its trucks through I-20, Ga. 124, Lithonia Industrial Boulevard and Rock Mountain Road. n Not use dead animal carcasses, biomedical waster, sewage sludge, biosolids, demolition debris, asbestos-containing materials, or noorganic municipal solid waste. n Remove and dispose of noncompostable waste residue within seven days to a municipal solid waste landfill outside DeKalb County. Greenco’s clients includes universities like Agnes Scott College, Emory and Morehouse. It sells its compost to organic farms and

landscapers. Residents said a television show on Wednesday quoted a resident saying that the stench from the plant prevented them from enjoying their Thansgiving dinner and going outside. “This is yesterday and we are being told that all these problems have been fixed,” the speaker said. “If they have been fixed, why are they leaving Barnesville.” May started his speech saying that the company has a right to apply to the county and that residents have a right to let their voices be heard. He said he would listen before making up his mind. After being heckled by the crowd, he returned to the microphone to take a side. “Typically, I let the process go through until the day that we make our decision on board, but I going to let you all know right now, I am not going to support this,” he said to cheers from the crowd.

Communities of interest, attendance zone issues raised SCHOOL BOARD,

from page

Dr. Pamela Speaks – who are up for re-election this year. The five remaining board members – Sarah Copelin-Wood, Jay Cunningham, Donna Edler, Nancy Jester and Dr. Eugene Walker – would represent the five districts until their terms end in 2014. After the Feb. 6 vote, Bell said a five-member map was the cleanest way to do it. “We have to deal with the law as it is,” she said. “If some legislator wants to come back next Mary M. Oliver year and do seven districts for 2014, they can do that.” Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver, author of SB79, proposed a sevendistrict map, created with Stepha-

nie Stuckey Benfield, that did not make it out of committee. She tried Thursday to get the delegation to consider it. She said that the five-district map significantly damages her area of the county. Benfield said their seven-district map respects communities of interest, carefully follows attendance zones, and ensures that members whose terms don’t end until 2014 were not drawn out of their districts. “I thought it was a fair map and a reasonable map,” she said. “The five-member map does not respect communities of interest. I won’t sign it.” Oliver blasted the School Board for not participating in the discussion to draw the maps. “The School Board has been 100 percent invisible and non-cooperative in relation to this process,” Oliver said. “At no time have they

Quick Read

Legislators fail to approve new School Board map 1

ever come forward in any visible way and in fact, refused to return phone calls from the chair. This is unprecedented in my many years of multiple reapportionment.” Walker, who did not attend the delegation meeting, said Thursday afternoon that the map drawing is a political issue and that the Eugene Walker School Board chose not to participate in its reduction. “We don’t want to reduce the numbers,” he said, “so why would we participate in our demise?” Walker said Oliver did not invite any participation in Senate Bill 79 and bypassed the DeKalb delegation to get it passed. “Now they want the School Board to participate in this farce,”

Actors, actresses sought for ‘Harvey’ production

he said. “She didn’t hold a public hearing so we don’t have a clue how the people feel.” Bell could not get 10 signatures on Feb. 9 to move the five-district map to the intergovernmental coordination committee and then onto the Senate. Oliver conceded that she probably did not have 10 signatures for the Oliver-Benfield map either. Because of the three-day recess, legislators got an extra day until Feb. 15 to come up with a map. Rep. Dee Dawkins Haigler said her colleagues who are opposed to the map are being disingenuous. “People are unhappy about a five-member district,” she said. “Where was the outrage when SB79 came up in the first place that said smaller districts were better.” She said Gwinnett County was held up as a model but that when they followed Gwinnett, “everyone is up in arms.”

Pancreatic cancer patients sought for clinical trial 8

Three days from its deadline, the DeKalb Multiracial actors ages 20 to 70 years old DeKalb Medical is seeking local pancreHouse Delegation does not have a new can audition for a role in the Renaissance atic cancer patients for a clinical trial that School Board district map. Project Theater Company’s “Harvey.” could lead to a potential new therapy.

Residents pledge to fight compost facility

Special permit needed for some shops 6

Free screenings for female boomers 8

Liquor stores, pawnshops, check-cashing South DeKalb residents are on the battleDeKalb women can get free health field again, this time against a composting facilities, drive-through restaurants, automo- screenings and information on aging well at a facility that is being proposed on the grounds bile repair and maintenance shops as well as “Baby Boomer Women – Keep Movin’” semiconvenience stores will now require a special nar at the Redan-Trotti Library in Lithonia. of the La Farge Quarry in Lithonia. land use permit, or SLUP.

STIR to blend performing, visual arts 5

Circulation Audited By

February 11, 2012

Free ‘Ride to Success’ seminar

Children’s Home vying for $25K 9

Jazz trumpeter and composer Joey SomThe youngest children at the United MethSmall-business owners can learn strate- odist Children’s Home in Decatur could see merville and R&B crooner Tony Terry are among the acts performing at the Porter gies for gaining more control over their com- new play areas if the facility wins a Facebook panies’ finances at a free seminar. Sanford Center. contest this month. index to advertisers BJH Attorneys & Counselors at Law.............. 10 Bobby L. Scott & Associates.......................... 10 Dream Big Georgia....................................... 10 F.I.E.R.C.E. Dance Team................................ 10 First African Presbyterian Church....................9 Henry Mitchell, CPA, PC................................ 10

LaHair Café................................................... 10 Lithonia Flea Mart......................................... 10 Macy’s............................................................. 2 Maryam Salaam............................................. 11 NAACP Image Awards.................................... 3 Porter Sanford Performing Arts Center.......... 5

Rainbow Park Baptist Church..........................9 Regions Bank.................................................. 7 Robert Brock................................................. 10 Seafood On The Crest.................................... 11 South DeKalb YMCA...................................... 11 Star Tax Services........................................... 10

Sunset Ranches.............................................. 11 The Law Office of B.A. Thomas.................... 10 Word Church International............................ 11 Best Buy Co. Inc......................................Inserts Holistic Health Management Inc.............Inserts Walgreens...............................................Inserts

February 11, 2012

Scene

CrossRoadsNews

David Manuel, the art center’s executive director, says it will take over the entire center with performances in the theater and lobby. R&B crooner Tony Terry (from left), vocalist Phillipia, and jazz trumpeter and composer Joey Sommerville will perform in STIR on Feb. 18 at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts & Community Center.

STIR to blend performing and visual arts There also will be live bands, including Jazz trumpeter and comdirector, says it will take poser Joey Sommerville and over the entire center the Playlist Band; painting; Detroit Ballroom R&B crooner Tony Terry are with performances in Hustle dance lessons; an Icebreaker Session; among the acts performing the 500-seat theater, the a DJ; and cash bar and vendors. Special in STIR on Feb. 18 at the Black Box Theater and guest performances also are planned. Tickets RD185547 are $15 to $65, and part of the Porter Sanford III Performthe lobby. Job No.: ing Arts & Community Vocalist Phillipia proceeds will benefit the nonprofit Project ATLANTA City:Renaissance Movement that emCenter. and comedianEngagement Lavar Atlanta STIR – Sounds, Thoughts, Walker also will per- powers youth through the arts. Media: The Porter Sanford III Performing Arts Ideas and Rhymes – is an form. Dr. Alduan Tartt Insertion Date(s): & Community Center is at 3181 Rainbow interactive blending of the Dr. Alduan Tartt will host a relationship arts, live performances and party scenes. discussion, and poet Dichotomy will host Drive in Decatur. To purchase tickets, visit www.stir2012.eventbrite.com. David Manuel, the art center’s executive the Rhymes Room.

Juke Joint singer at Sanford Center

Songstress Myrna Clayton will bring her smooth, jazzy and spiritual vocal style to the Porter Sanford Community Arts Center on Feb. 11. Clay ton, who performs regularly at the Juke Joint in downtown Atlanta, will perform at 7 p.m. T h e vo c a l i s t h a s Myrna Clayton will appear on performed at Feb. 11 at the Porter Sanford festivals, out- III Performing Arts Center. door arenas, corporate celebrations, religious and nonreligious conferences, homeless shelters, senior centers, and prisons. She has opened for Ruben Studdard, Alex Bugnon, and the Manhattans, just to Ad Size: 3 name a few. The Porter Sanford III Performing Arts Section: E & Community Center is at 3181 Rainbow Drive in Decatur. For tickets and other information, call 404-286-7262.

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Actors, actresses sought for ‘Harvey’ production

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When You Miss CrossRoadsNews, You Miss News You Can Use!

Multiracial actors ages 20 to 70 years old can audition on Feb. 14 for a role in the Renaissance Project Theater Company’s stage play “Harvey.” The company is looking for six males and six females to tell the story of Elwood P. Dowd, who starts to introduce his imaginary friend, Harvey, a 6-and-1/2-foot rabbit, to guests at a society party. His sister, Veta, tries to have him committed to a sanitarium to spare her family from future embarrassment.

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CrossRoadsNews

Finance

February 11, 2012

“Businesses should receive the support of the community in which they intend to reside.”

SLUP needed for some shops School chief to give State of System Liquor stores, pawnshops, check-cashing facilities, drivethrough restaurants, automobile repair and maintenance shops as well as convenience stores will now require a special land use permit, or SLUP, following Board of Commissioners’ approval of an ordinance introduced by Lee May Commissioner Lee May. Affected businesses will have to go before the Board of Commissioners prior to opening. The goal of the ordinance is to prevent an over-proliferation of such businesses in communities around the county. The ordinance directly addresses studies that have indicated that such businesses attract crime to certain communities, especially if a community has a high concentration of those businesses.

“This ordinance gives our residents an opportunity to express their concerns about businesses they consider undesirable,” May said. “Studies have shown that an over-proliferation of these businesses typically destroys the economic and social viability of the communities in which they operate.” May also said that this is not a ban on these types of businesses. “This ordinance will ensure that no one community is over-saturated with certain types of businesses without the support of the community,” he said. “Businesses should receive the support of the community in which they intend to reside. This ordinance gives commissioners more time to engage their constituents regarding potential businesses coming to the community.”

SBA workshop explores funding Entrepreneurs and small-business owners can get information about funding options at a free workshop on Feb. 21 in Atlanta. The Small Business Administration Georgia District Office will host the 10 a.m.-to-noon workshop, which features 10 funding options that entrepreneurs can

choose from, including both traditional and alternative sources. It will cover SBA loan programs and structuring a winning business plan as well as lenders’ presentations with Q&A. It takes place at the SBA Georgia District Office, 233 Peachtree St., Suite 1900-Harris Tower. For more information, visit www.sba.gov.

DeKalb Schools Superintendent n Safe and Orderly Schools – CreCheryl Atkinson will give a State ate an environment where students of the System address on Feb. 23 can learn. at the Courtyard by Marriott in n Strong Partnerships for EducaDecatur. tion – Effectively engage all those Atkinson will give an overview who touch our schools. of the Excellence in Education plan, The event will begin with which includes: registration at 8 a.m. The program will start at 8:30. Tickets n Student Achievement and SucCheryl Atkinson are $20 and can be purchased at cess – Ensure all graduates are colwww.2012stateofthesystem.eventbrite.com. lege and career ready. The Courtyard by Marriott, formerly n Excellence in Leadership – Recruit leaders the Decatur Conference Center, is at 130 for every classroom and every school. n Operational Effectiveness – Build a culture Clairemont Ave. For more information, call 404-378-8000. of accountability and transparency.

Free ‘Ride to Success’ seminar Small-business owners can learn strategies for gaining more control and balance over their companies’ finances at a free “Ride to Success” seminar at the Southside Medical Center in Atlanta. The Feb. 22 seminar is presented by Regions Bank, CrossRoadsNews and The Atlanta Voice in celebration of Black History Month. It takes place 9 a.m.to noon on the third floor in the Community Room. Topics include “Developing a Business Plan,” “Improving Financial Accounting,” and a tutorial on QuickBooks with Corey Moody of Bennett & Moody; and “Making Your Business Credit Worthy.”

The event, which includes a continental breakfast, also will cover how businesses can leave a legacy and how to protect their assets through many of the financial vehicles available through Regions Bank. Living trusts, annuities, savings, 401(k)s and other affordable asset protection and investment options to create multigenerational wealth will be discussed. The seminar is free but space is limited and RSVP is required. Southside Medical Center is at 1046 Ridge Ave. To R.S.V.P., e-mail ridetosucess@crossroadsnews.com, or call Jami at 404-2841888.

Some in delegation urge proponents to ‘think very carefully’ about plan CITY BILL,

from page

idea isn’t new. “I have heard it many many times over my years here,” said Henson, who has been in office since 1991, “but conversation is one thing. Actual information is another. We have never been presented any figures, What is involved. What is entailed.”

Mitchell’s bill comes in the wake of the city of Dunwoody that was created in 2009 and legislation to form a city of Brookhaven. Some exiting DeKalb cities also continue to annex areas of the county. Rep. Mike Jacobs (R-Atlanta), who has led the charge to form new cities in the county, said he appreciates what Mitchell is trying to do but that he has to oppose it. He

called on delegation members to proceed “very cautiously.” “Those of you in this room who represent existing cities need to think very carefully about what this particular proposition does to the cities you represent,” said Jacobs, who has been in office since 2005. After the meeting, Jacobs said that creating a city of DeKalb would prevent existing

cities from growing through annexation. “They would be completely boxed in,” he said. Rep. Tom Taylor (R-79 Dunwoody) said that there would duplication of services. “There are all those services that the county provides to the cities,” he said. Delegation leader Howard Mosby assigned the bill to the Policy Committee.

CrossRoadsNews

February 11, 2012

RIDE TO SUCCESS A Complimentary Seminar to Bring Your Business More Financial Control

To help business owners gain more control and balance over their companies’ finances, Regions Bank, The Atlanta Voice and CrossRoadsNews are presenting Ride to Success. This complimentary seminar will provide information on a variety of topics to help you achieve more financial control than ever before, including:

• Developing a Business Plan

• Making Your Business Credit Worthy

• Improving Financial Accounting Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. Southside Medical Center 1046 Ridge Avenue SW Atlanta, GA 30315

RSVP Today: 404-284-1888 or via RSVP@theatlantavoice.com

© 2012 Regions Bank. The information provided at this seminar is that of each individual speaker and not those of Regions, and should not be interpreted as accounting, legal or other professional advice. Please consult your own advisor for professional advice.

Wellness

CrossRoadsNews

“Traditionally, pancreatic cancer is a disease with a short median survival. This drug promises to improve patient outcome.”

STAND gets $40K to expand HIV outreach A $40,000 grant from the Elton John AIDS Foundation is helping STAND Inc. to expand its HIV/AIDS outreach in the community. The grant was awarded in December. Char les Sp er ling , STAND’s founder and executive director, said the funds are being used for the Decatur-based nonprofit’s HIV counseling, testing and referral activities in the metro Atlanta area. Charles Sperling “We are pleased to partner with one of the world’s leading nonprofits supporting HIV/AIDS activity internationally and at the community level,” Sperling said this week. As of 2005, the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that HIV prevalence rates in Georgia, Florida and Louisiana have surpassed 200 per 100,000 people, a higher rate than anywhere in the

United States except the Northeast and the Caribbean. The ACT Against AIDS Leadership Initiative says that half of all people infected with HIV in the United States annually are black, and one in 16 black men and one in 32 black women will be diagnosed with HIV. HIV is also the third leading cause of death for black women in their 30s or 40s, and 40 percent of new infections among African-Americans are young people ages 13 to 39. An estimated 41 percent of Americans with HIV/AIDS live in the South, the Elton John AIDS Foundation says. STAND – Standing to Achieve New Directions – focuses on HIV, domestic violence, and substance abuse intervention and prevention services as well as comprehensive re-entry services for men who have been incarcerated. The Elton John AIDS Foundation, established in 1992 by rock superstar Sir Elton John, has raised more than $150 million and

leveraged an additional $315 million to support HIV/AIDS prevention and service programs in 55 countries worldwide. In October 2011, the foundation awarded grants representing its commitment to fund demographics and geographic regions that are seriously impacted by HIV/AIDS and under-served by traditional funders. Grants totaling $2,810,249 were awarded to 13 projects in targeted areas, including the southern United States, domestic MSM (men who have sex with men) Initiative, injection drug users, African-Americans, youth and sexual health, the Caribbean, and Latin America. The foundation also awarded additional grants totaling $125,000 for treatment, research, and information projects. STAND Inc. is at 4319 Covington Highway, Suite 117-A, in Decatur. For more information, to donate or to volunteer, visit www.standinc.com or call 404-288-4668.

Pancreatic cancer patients sought for clinical trial DeKalb Medical is seeking local pancreatic cancer patients for a clinical trial that could lead to a potential new therapy. The hospital’s Cancer Center is actively seeking patients with previously untreated Stage IV pancreatic cancer. Jayanthi “Dr. Jay” Srinivasiah, a hematologist-oncologist, said the hospital is excited to be working with Georgia CORE – Center for Oncology Research and Education – trials that will Jayanthi Srinivasiah allow DeKalb Medical to offer new therapies to patients. “Traditionally, pancreatic cancer is a disease with a short median survival,” Srinivasiah said. “This drug promises to improve patient outcome.” Nancy M. Paris, Georgia CORE’s president and CEO, said pancreatic cancer re-

mains the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States with few proven therapeutic options. “This is a disease where novel strategies are needed urgently, particularly for patients in the advanced Nancy Paris setting,” Paris said. All patients enrolled in the clinical trial will receive the standard chemotherapy used to treat pancreatic cancer and some will receive the chemotherapy in combination with a novel monoclonal antibody called bavituximab. Dr. Andrew W. Pippas of the John B. Amos Cancer Center in Columbus will serve as the principal investigator for the five trial sites in Georgia. Pippas said that in prior clinical studies, bavituximab in combination with chemotherapy has demonstrated promising tumor

Lawyers, doctors to play for cause Two women’s clubs are seeking lawyers and doctors to participate in the first Jawbones v. Sawbones basketball game on March 3 in Atlanta to benefit the Side by Side Brain Injury Clubhouse. The GFWC Stone Mountain Woman’s Club and the GFWC Lilburn Woman’s Club are collaborating on the benefit game, to be held annually. Side by Side, which opened in 2000, has served 300-plus adults with brain injuries from 14 metro Atlanta counties and 13 ethnic backgrounds. It provides long-term support services like career counseling; vocational evaluations; and job training, preparation and coaching. Side by Side also offers training and ongoing support of living skills to optimize independence in the community; respite for caregivers; evening and weekend social programming; and advocacy, resource and service coordination. Organizers of the Jawbones v. Sawbones basketball game say the physicians and attorneys should be willing to help on any and all levels of the event, including playing basketball. Businesses, health care providers, and service groups also are needed to purchase sponsorships and program advertisements and to sell tickets and raise money within their offices and organizations. The inaugural Jawbones v. Sawbones game takes place 7 to 9 p.m. in the gymnasium at St. Pius X High School in Atlanta. Each year, 1.7 million people sustain

February 11, 2012

a traumatic brain injury in the United States. Brain injuries have received media attention with increasing numbers of athletes suffering concussions; however, accidents, falls, strokes and aneurysms also cause brain injuries. The number of people surviving and living with brain injury is increasing, and TBI is a leading injury that U.S. military service members incur. More brain injuries occur every year than diagnoses of multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, HIV/AIDS and breast cancer combined. Many people who suffer a brain injury have no place to go after their medical care and rehabilitation ends at facilities like the Shepherd Center and Emory. As a result, they languish and never reach their full potential or feel a part of their community anymore. In metro Atlanta, Side by Side is one of only 25 clubhouses worldwide serving this growing population of adults. The clubhouse is a bridge of support for the transition of a person with brain injury from medical patient to contributing community member. It is the only program of its kind in Georgia. The nonprofit received founding sponsorship from the Shepherd Center and Emory Healthcare. For more information, visit www. sidebysideclubhouse.org or call 770-4699385 or contact Laurie Wexel at lwexel@ bellsouth.net or 770-279-9903.

response and survival for cancer patients when compared to separate studies using chemotherapy alone. “As with all clinical trials, patients will undergo comprehensive consultation with Andrew Pippas medical professionals regarding the drug and how it will impact diagnosis and treatment,” he said. DeKalb Medical is one of a handful of research centers throughout the nation offering the trial. Clinical trials can help determine the tested drug’s efficacy and safety and may lead to eventual approval of the agent by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. To enroll in the trial, contact DeKalb Medical’s Cancer Center at 404-501-7654. For more information, visit www.georgia core.org or www.dekalbmedical.org.

State’s Medicare beneficiaries save on drug costs More than 100,000 Georgians with Medicare who hit the donut hole saved an average of $573 on their prescription drugs in 2011 because of the Affordable Care Act. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said they were among Americans who will save nearly $4,200 through 2021 because of the new law. People with high prescription drug costs could save as much as $16,000. HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said that savings will continue to grow over time. “As we move forward, we will close the donut hole completely and save even more money for everyone with Medicare,” she said in a Feb. 2 statement. On Feb. 1, HHS announced that this year, Kathleen Sebelius Medicare Advantage premiums have fallen by 7 percent on average, and enrollment has risen by about 10 percent since last year. The Affordable Care Act also will make preventive services like mammograms free for everyone on Medicare, reduce growth in Part B premiums for physician services, and reduce growth in cost-sharing under Part A for hospital care and Part B. It provides a 50 percent discount on brand-name prescription drugs, and this year, a 14 percent discount on generics. Last year, the law provided a 7 percent discount on covered generic medications for people who hit the prescription drug coverage gap known as the donut hole. Nationally, more than 2.8 million beneficiaries saved $32.1 million on generics. Overall, 3.6 million Americans saved $2.1 billion on prescription drugs in 2011. In Georgia, 102,366 residents saved $58,632,728. For women, the savings were even greater, with 2.05 million saving $1.2 billion. By 2020, the donut hole will be closed completely. For more information, visit www.hhs.gov/news.

Mentoring program for tween girls Middle school girls who live in Stone Mountain can sign up on Feb. 18 for the free Healthy Me Program at Hairston Crossing Library. Registration and orientation begin at 10:30 a.m. at the library for sixth- and seventh-graders, who must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to consent to their participation. The Healthy Me Program is a project of the nonprofit Generations Connected Inc. Yvonne G. Hipps, the group’s CEO, said the mentorship program will support the girls in reading, writing, and fiscal and health literacy to help them make healthier decisions in high school. Sessions will be held Saturdays on March 17, April 21 and May 19 from 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

The kickoff session in March will focus on civic responsibility and political awareness with CrossRoadsNews Editor and Publisher Jennifer Parker. Program participants will keep a journal. Coalition members and volunteers will call the families weekly to encourage ongoing journaling related to the program topics. Other session topics are health and culture in April and financial awareness on May 19. Program partners are the DeKalb County Library Literacy Department and the Hairston Crossing Library, which is hosting all the sessions. The library is at 4911 Redan Road in Stone Mountain. For more information, visit generations connected.org or call 770-873-4049.

Free screenings for female boomers DeKalb women can get free health screenings and information on aging well at the Feb. 11 “Baby Boomer Women – Keep Movin’ ” seminar at the Redan-Trotti Library in Lithonia. The free seminar, which begins at 10:15 a.m., will offer healthy living exhibits, a food demonstration, and blood pressure and diabetes screenings. It is sponsored by Generations Connected Inc. Patricia Thompson Reid, a public health specialist, will discuss “Preventing Chronic

Disease.” Yvonne G. Hipps, CEO of Generations Connected Inc., will talk about “Takin’ Care of No. 1 – You.” Yvonne Smalley-Young, a registered nurse with Partners for Prevention Inc., will offer health screenings for an hour starting at 10:15 a.m. The Redan-Trotti Library is at 1569 Wellborn Road. For more information, visit generationsconnected.org or call 770-8734049.

CrossRoadsNews

February 11, 2012

Ministry

The Children’s Home is competing against three other nonprofits for $25,000 in Home Depot gift cards.

Spring Revival to kick off Lent Health seminars at Greenforest Ray of Hope Christian Church is preparing for the Lenten season with a Spring Revival beginning Feb. 19. The Rev. Dr. Jerry Carter, senior pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Morristown, N.J., will kick Jerry Carter off the Decatur church’s revival at the 7:30 and 10 a.m. services on Feb. 19. Carter, a lecturer at the Hampton Ministers Conference, served as an adjunct professor of preaching at Drew Theological School and an instructor of homiletics Cynthia James at Princeton Theological Seminary’s Summer Institute. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies from Denison University in Granville, Ohio, and completed the Master of Divinity degree at Princeton Theological Seminary. He earned a Ph.D. in liturgical

studies with special emphasis on homiletics from Drew University. The Rev. Dr. Marcus Cosby, senior pastor of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church in Houston, Texas; Dr. Cynthia James of Evangelistic Ministries Marcus Cosby Inc. in Oakland, Calif.; and Bishop Joseph Walker III, senior pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church in Nashville, Tenn., will be featured at the Feb. 20-22 services, held nightly at 7 in the Main Sanctuary. The 40-day Lenten period runs from Ash Joseph Walker III Wednesday through Holy Saturday, the day before Easter. Its theme of penance is suggested by Christ’s 40 days in the desert. Easter falls on April 8 this year. Ray of Hope is at 2778 Snapfinger Road. For more information, visit www.rayofhope .org or call 770-696-5100.

The physical, mental and spiritual needs of the congregation and the community will be addressed at “A Healthier Greenforest,” a series of monthly seminars beginning Feb. 25 at the Decatur church. Diann Phillips Ash, minister of Christian education at Greenforest Community Baptist Church, said the topics were selected based on critical health issues for adult men and women universally. “In light of the fact that Greenforest has had a number of premature deaths due to heart attacks, strokes and cancer-related illness over the last couple of years, the topics certainly resonate with our members,” Ash said. “February is Heart Health Month, and certainly maintaining a healthy weight and managing stress will serve us all well. Input from Greenforest and community participants will directly inform the next tier of seminars/courses.” The Feb. 25 topic is “How to Lose Weight Without Dieting.” Future topics include “Understanding the Language of Pain and Heeding Its Messages” on March 24 and “Stress the Silent Killer: Managing Stress for a Healthier Life” on April 14. The sessions will be held in the Cor-

nerstone Room from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Dr. Brian Utley will be the instructor. There is no cost for the initial seminars. However, once interest is generated and formal classes are established, there may be a nominal fee to defray the cost of resources, refreshments and professional facilitators, Ash said. Greenforest is at 3250 Rainbow Drive in Decatur. For more information, contact Minister Diann Phillips Ash at diann.ash@ greenforest.org or 404-486-6729.

Emmanuel AME Zion adds service Worshippers at Emmanuel AME Zion Church in Stone Mountain have a choice of services to attend on Sunday morning. The church has added an early morning worship service to its Sunday schedule. Services are now held at 8 and 11 a.m. Emmanuel AME Zion is at 5746 Rockbridge Road. For more information, call 770-469-1569.

Black History event looks at dance Black women are the special focus of Ousley United Methodist Church’s Black History Month Celebration. On Feb. 17, the Children & Youth Black History Study, which begins at 7:30 p.m., will explore the art of image through dance. The Price Performance Company and dance master Price Covington will

The Decatur facility is competing in the Home Depot Foundation’s “Aprons in Action” contest.

Children’s Home vying for $25K The youngest children at the United Methodist Children’s Home in Decatur could see new play areas if the facility wins a Facebook contest this month. The Children’s Home is competing against three other nonprofits nationwide for $25,000 in Home Depot gift cards. The contest ends Feb. 23. The home has a large number of young children on campus right now, but the playground and recreational equipment are intended for older children. With the $25,000, the home could build two additional play areas for the younger children, and the Home Depot would send volunteers to help perform the work. The Children’s Home is competing

against HandsOn Greater Phoenix in Arizona; the Veterans Guest House in Reno, Nev.; and Volunteers of America Michigan in Southfield, Mich. The winner of this month’s Home Depot Foundation “Aprons in Action” contest will compete for a grand prize of $250,000 in March with the other monthly winners from the past year. To vote, go to www.umchildrenshome .org and click on “Help us win $25,000.” It’s easiest if you’re already logged into Facebook before clicking the link to vote. You can vote once every 24 hours until Feb. 23. For more information, visit http:// homedepotfoundation.org/how-we-help /aprons-in-action.html.

Dinner, fun at ‘Blaze Night Out’ The Student Ministries of New Covenant Christian Ministries in Lithonia will present a special evening, “Blaze Night Out – Live Out Loud,” on Feb. 17. The program, which begins at 7 p.m., is $5 per person. It includes dinner, a fashion

show, professional photography, and a special guest artist. New Covenant Christian Ministries is at 1760 Phillips Road. For more information, contact Student Ministries at studentminis tries@newcov.org or call 770-484-2303.

“Come on and be a part of the vision” First Afrikan Church is an Afrocentric Christian Ministry that empowers women, men, youth and children to move from membership to leadership in the church, community and the world. Praise & Devotion Worship Service Sundays at 10 a.m. Join us for Bible Study Wednesdays at 7 p.m.

5197 Salem Road Lithonia, GA 30038

770-981-2601 “We are building far beyond our years.”

Rev. Dr. Mark A. Lomax

examine how dance forms are impacted by African dance. The troupe and step teams will perform. “Black Women in American History & Culture: Past, Present & Future” is the theme of the monthlong celebration. Ousley United Methodist Church is at 3261 Panola Road in Lithonia. For more information, call 770-981-0180.

CrossRoadsNews

February 11, 2012

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CrossRoadsNews

February 11, 2012

MARKETPLACE RATES

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Place your MarketPlace line ad here – up to 20 words for $25. Additional words are $3 per block of five words (maximum 45 words). Boxed Ads (with up to 3 lines bold headline): $35 plus cost of the classified ad. Send ad copy with check or credit card information and contact phone number (if different from ad) to MarketPlace, CrossRoadsNews, 2346 Candler Road, Decatur, GA 30032, or e-mail to marketplace@crossroadsnews.com. Our deadlines are at noon on the Friday one week prior to publication, unless otherwise noted.

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FOR RENT/LEASE 2 single rooms for rent in basement of Decatur home. $500 monthly, $125 deposit. Utilities, Cable, Washer & Dryer included. 404-408-9125. Senior Community 60+ (Decatur) Share house w/other fem seniors. Mstr Ste $400 Avail Now. PVT RM $300 Aval 3/1. Lovely & Safe Home. Emma Cares (770)8852537 or www.emmacares.org

BOOKS

Lithonia 900/mth 3 brs, 2 bths ,kitchen, dining, livingroom, fireplace, 2 car garage, sec 8 acc, 5649 LaFleur Tr, Call Lynette (404)444-6469

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Islam has been one of the most progressive movements for “Freedom, Justice and Equality” in African American history. Transported into America among the very first slaves, it has survived approximately four centuries under the most difficult of circumstances. Yet, it has produced some of the most influential leaders among Black Americans including Elijah Muhammad, Malcolm X, Imam Warithu Deen Mohammed, Louis Farrakhan and many others. In “A Black Man’s Journey in America: Glimpses of Islam, Conversations and Travels,” I have placed my family’s history within the context of that Islamic heritage. Further,I have attempted to unravel the method through which African American Muslims, from the early days of American slavery, were so often forced to embrace as a means of survival. — Muhammad Ali Salaam

Available at www.xlibris.com, www.amazon.com or www.barnesandnoble.com.

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SOUTH DEKALB FAMILY YMCA Ages 3-17 • www.ymcaregistration.com Call 770-987-3500 for details

If This Was Your Ad, Someone Would Be Seeing It Now! Call 404-284-1888 today for rates & information.

CrossRoadsNews

February 11, 2012

Community Expos

at the Mall at Stonecrest Best of East Metro/Small Business Expo April 28, 2012 Businesses and entrepreneurs – from landscapers to lawyers, Realtors, florists, insurance and travel agents, and HVAC operators – showcase their goods and services at this expo, which also celebrates the winners of CrossRoadsNews’ “Best of East Metro” Readers Choice Awards.

Family & Back to School Expo August 4, 2012

Businesses and organizations serving families will showcase goods and services to help students have a successful school year. The expo highlights services from afterschool to private schools and options for adults looking to retool and sharpen their skills for new careers.

Limited Signature Sponsorship Opportunities. Only 50 exhibitor spaces available; book yours today. Call 404-284-1888 for more information.

CrossRoadsNews • 2346 Candler Road • Decatur, GA 30032 • 404-284-1888 • Fax: 404-284-5007 • expos@crossroadsnews.com