CrossRoadsNews, February 14, 2015 by CrossRoadsNews, Inc.

COMMUNITY

BLACK HISTORY

WELLNESS

Panola Slope developer Vaughn Irons says he has no plans to modify or change his application. “We haven’t done anything wrong,” he said. 2

The life and legacy of award-winning playwright August Wilson will be explored in a PBS documentary on Feb. 20. 6

Georgia’s first confirmed case of measles since 2012 is an infected infant who arrived in Atlanta from outside the United States. 9

Developer stands by plan

On ‘America’s Shakespeare’

Measles case in Georgia

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

February 14, 2015

Volume 20, Number 42

www.crossroadsnews.com

GPTC plans new campus on Wesley Chapel Road By Ken Watts

Georgia Piedmont Technical College will soon take up residence on Wesley Chapel Road. The Clarkston-based two-year college is planning an adult education campus in the old Everest Institute building in the Wesley Chapel Crossing shopping center. It will join Planet Fitness and the Little Giant supermarket as anchors. The Everest Institute, which opened in 2009, closed in 2012. The 91,124-square-foot building has been empty ever since. GPTC President Jabari Simama said the college will bring practical and relevant

adult education closer to the community and help increase economic activity along the Wesley Chapel corridor that is undergoing a rebirth. Last year, Dunkin’ Donut and Krispy Kreme donut shops and a new Jabari Simama Kroger gas station opened on the corridor. A McDonald’s is planned in an outparcel in the Kroger shopping center. Simama spoke on Feb. 7 at Commissioner Stan Watson’s monthly Community Cabinet Meeting at Chapel Hill Middle School. He said the timeline for opening the cam-

pus has not yet been determined. “We just got approval from the state,” he told about 200 people at the meeting. “We’ve got a few other things that we have to do, but very shortly we will be open and will invite the public to an open house.” The community college is the largest provider of adult education in the state. Simama said he wants to reach as many people as possible who are considered to be “structurally outside the economy,” including those without diplomas, workers displaced because of changes in their industries, and college dropouts. Simama said the Wesley Chapel campus will focus on adult education and bridge the gap between qualified candidates

and the growing number of technical jobs. “There are over 44,000 people in South DeKalb who do not have their high school diplomas,” he said. “That’s particularly scary when you consider that by 2020, 65 percent of the jobs will require education beyond high school. That means a high school diploma is no longer the [minimum] standard. There’s going to have to be higher education beyond high school.” He said Georgia Piedmont Advantage could help solve the problem. GPTC will offer courses at Wesley Chapel and other campuses to help dropouts rapidly earn diplomas. Adults will be allowed to start college and work on their diploma.

The school superintendent I want must be... Residents share their views with search team By Ken Watts

South DeKalb residents say their next school superintendent doesn’t have to be a veteran educator as long as he or she is honest, a team player and makes the students’ progress the top priority. About 40 parents and stakeholders gathered in the auditorium of Miller Grove High in Lithonia on Feb. 10 to share their views with representatives of PROACT Search at the fourth of six planned community feedback sessions. The Chicago-based firm is helping the DeKalb School Board locate and vet candidates for superintendent. PROACT’s Dale Robbins and Constance Mormon listened to residents for two hours. Robbins said the DeKalb position will likely attract applicants from across the country. The firm is on a tight deadline to produce finalists for the job. Michael Thurmond, who became superintendent in June 2013, is leaving the district in June. The DeKalb School Board hopes to have a successor in place by July 1, the start of the district’s 2016 fiscal year. Ethan Suber, principal of Panola Way Elementary School in Lithonia, said it’s important to have an individual who is familiar with running a large school district. “What we learned from our dealings with Mr. Thurmond is that it doesn’t have to be an absolute that the person has educational experience,” he said. “I think you’ve got to be able to run an organization, you have to be an honest person and somebody who’s in it for the right reasons.” Stone Mountain resident Lynette Clove said the selection committee should be alert to the candidate’s unique talents. “Michael Thurmond has shown us that

Photos By Ken Watts / CrossRoadsNews

Nakia Hill (above), Taron Everett (far left) and Ethan Suber speak at a community feedback session on Feb. 10 at Miller Grove High in Lithonia as part of the search for the DeKalb School District’s next superintendent.

if you can handle the big job, if you’re good with politics, not in the negative sense, and you surround yourself with educators, you should be able to do this job,” Clove said. Taron Everett, chairman of the school council at Chapel Hill Elementary in Decatur, said that to succeed Thurmond and continue the positive trends, DeKalb needs someone who understands “what it’s all about.” “I’m not a teacher or a scholar,” said Everett, a materials manager at Emory University Hospital. “I’m not what you would call a highly educated person, but when a job needs to be done, I do it and that’s exactly what I want to see in my new superintendent. Somebody who puts aside all the names and titles and just gets the job done.” Everett said he’s involved in his own neighborhood school because of concern about the shooting that took place at the Mc-

Nair Discovery Learning Academy in 2013. Carmen Graham of Stone Mountain said the new superintendent should have strong ethics and a willingness to take ownership of his or her policy decisions, even if they’re not immediately successful. “The superintendent needs to be an innovator who takes a serious look at [improving] student advancement, not just when they’re in school but when they’re out in society,” Graham said. Robbins commended participants and downplayed the low turnout. “We believe that the cornerstone of any good superintendent search process is involving the community and listening to the community,” he said. “So we didn’t have to fill up this auditorium. We had to have people like you who took your time and effort to come and share your thoughts and we’ll do

our best to translate your thoughts into a position profile and a community engagement report that will inform candidates of the kind of superintendent needed and wanted in DeKalb County.” When asked about the time frame for finding a superintendent candidate, Robbins said the PROACT team has been in DeKalb since late January collecting data and hopes to complete the position profile and engagement report in early March. He said they expect March and April to be recruiting and screening months when the team will collect applications from all top candidates. “This is unofficial, just a ballpark idea, but by May we should be able to get it down to a small pool of candidates for the board’s consideration and for the community liaison group’s review,” Robbins said.

Community

CrossRoadsNews

February 14, 2015

“He is a legend and an icon. He was like a father to the Saint Philip congregation.”

Resort developer plans no changes for project Saint Philip AME APD Solutions and its partner, Red Alligator LLC, are seeking to redevelop the Panola Slope townhome community into a luxury resort and amusement center.

By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

In the wake of the DeKalb Board of Commissioners’ Feb. 10 vote to revote the APD Solutions Amusement Resort in Decatur, developer Vaughn Irons says he has no plans to modify or change his application. “This is not a gaming resort,” he said on Feb. 12. “We haven’t done anything wrong. Everything is within the scope of the law. We are not withdrawing the application.” The Board of Commissioners voted 5-0 on Tuesday to invalidate its controversial Dec. 16 vote that rezoned the 61,043-square-foot residential and retail space from mixed use to commercial and granted a special land use permit for the resort to open 24 hours and serve alcohol until 2 a.m. Because he is a paid consultant on the project, Super District 7 Commissioner Stan Watson abstained. APD Solutions and its partner, Red Alligator LLC, are seeking to redevelop the fledgling Panola Slope townhome community that has been empty for years into a luxury resort and indoor amusement center for adult patrons with a “Barcade” that expands up to 425 Class B virtual reality, simulators and coin-operated amusement machines. Both applications will return to the BOC’s March 10 agenda. The invalidation vote came after WSB-TV reported that Red Alligator operates a casino in Louisiana and that the proposed resort planned gambling. After interim CEO Lee May asked for a legal opinion, County Attorney O.V. Brantley said the Dec. 16 vote violated the county’s “Ward Courtesy” that requires a sitting commissioner to vote for rezonings in his or her district and that state law limits the number of gaming machines to 19 per business. Commission District 5, where the resort is located, has been without a commissioner since July 13, 2013, and Watson, its Super District commissioner, has conflicts. Irons, APD’s CEO, said on Feb. 12 that despite the Board of Commissioners vote to invalidate its earlier approval, the merit of his project stands.

You can redeem for prizes at the resort, for steak dinners in the restaurants, and for hotel stays on the property.” Irons said that he asked for up to 425 maVaughn Irons, APD Solutions chines because he does not yet know what will “It’s a great project for DeKalb be successful and he did not want to have to County,” he said. “The reports in the go back to the Board of Commissioners in six media have been unfactual and un- months to ask for more. “State law allows the county to make the true.” Irons, who is also the DeKalb Devel- decision to go above 19 machines,” he said. Irons said that his team had extensive meetopment Authority chairman, said the gaming machines are not a dominant ings with most of the commissioners. “We had one-and-one meetings with all part of his proposed resort. “It’s the lodging, conference center the commissioners, except Kathie Gannon and and restaurants,” he said. “These are Nancy Jester, who is new,” he said. “We met with [Jeff] Rader five times. He even amusement machines. There won’t be any gambling. There will be no cash requested an opinion from the attorney.” Rader told WSB-TV last week that he was payouts.” Irons said state law allows for unaware of the gaming machines. Because there was no District 5 commisamusement machines and that he is not sioner, Irons said that they spent time going over subverting any laws. “These machines are all over the the projects with the other commissioners. Before the December vote, the commissionstate and in DeKalb County,” he said. “We are not bringing anything that is ers deferred the applications twice. Irons said that between September and new to the state or DeKalb County. We are just bringing a better environment December, they also had several meetings with the county and discussed the project at great to do it in.” Irons described the machines as length with the commissioners leading to the skilled-based and high-end video 11 conditions that the planning department recommended. games. Between July and September, he said he met “These machines are simulators and virtual reality machines that are de- with the community four times. “That’s twice as much as required,” he said. signed to give more fun and something “We didn’t leave it mystery. I was not hiding different to the county,” he said. “Prizes are less than $5 per game. anything.”

“These machines are all over the state and in DeKalb County. We are not bringing anything that is new to the state or DeKalb County. We are just bringing a better environment to do it in.”

mourns passing of longtime pastor Oct. 22, 1935 – Feb. 8, 2015

By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

The Rev. Dr. George Moore Sr., beloved former pastor of Saint Philip AME Church, has died. Moore, 79, died on Feb. 8. He had been ailing for several weeks. His celebration of life service will be Feb. 14 at 10:45 a.m. at the church on Candler Road that he pastored for 41 years before retiring in April 2011. A viewing was scheduled at Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Home on Feb. 13 from 10 George Moore Sr. a.m. to 5 p.m. The wake took place later that day at Saint Philip AME Church from 6 to 8 p.m. Under Moore’s leadership, the church membership grew from just over 100 to more than 7,000. In 1977, Moore led Saint Philip and its 182 members from Reynoldstown, where the church began in 1875, to its current location at Candler Road and Memorial Drive in DeKalb County, In 1998, he led the church to build an $8 million, 47,000-square-foot sanctuary with a seating capacity of more than 2,500. Eight years later in 2006, Saint Philip added a $12 million, 70,000-square-foot Family Life Center to the campus. During his ministry, Moore mentored more than 30 men and women into the ministry. The Rev. William D. Watley, who succeeded Moore at Saint Philip, called him a “Christian gentleman and an elder statesman.” “He is a legend and an icon,” Watley said. “For the AME Church, he was an excellent pastor and church builder. He was like a father to the Saint Philip congregation. I am blessed to have the privilege of following him.” Moore is survived by Nettie, his wife of 54 years; son, the Rev. George Anthony Moore; daughters, L’Tanya and L’Tara Moore; grandson, the Rev. Kevin Moore; and a host of relatives. He will be interred at SouthView Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Moore’s name to Saint Philip AME Church. The church is at 240 Candler Road S.E., at the corner of Candler Road and Memorial Drive, in Atlanta.

Solicitor general raises awareness on teen dating, domestic violence By Ken Watts

February is National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, and DeKalb Solicitor General Sherry Boston is on a mission to raise awareness of the issue in DeKalb. She said domestic violence between people 17 to 24 is a growing category among the 3,000 domestic violence cases a year her office prosecutes. “Last year, we had 27 instances which would involve teen dating,” she Sherry Boston said. “But we know that for every one that’s reported, there are tens of thousands that go unreported.” Every opportunity she gets, she speaks to groups to raise awareness about dating violence. At CrossRoadsNews’ 10th annual Health & Wellness Expo on Jan. 31 at the Mall at Stonecrest, she got the crowd to rise to its feet and take the Pledge for Healthy Relationships. Members of the audience recited after her in unison: “I promise myself, future and current partners to maintain relationships that are based on respect, equality, trust and honest communication. I will value my partner’s

Participants in CrossRoadsNews’ 10th annual Health & Wellness Expo on Jan. 31 at the Mall at Stonecrest recite the Pledge for Healthy Relationships.

Curtis Parker / CrossRoadsNews

boundaries online and behind closed doors. I will never engage in any type of abuse – physical, emotional, sexual, financial or digital. If one of my friends experiences abuse, I pledge to help them by saying something, modeling healthy communication and connecting them to resources.” Boston said partner violence cases go unreported because it’s not always obvious to young people that they’re being victimized. “So many young people think when they hear the phrase domestic violence ‘that

must be someone I’m living with’ or ‘I’m not married,’” she said. “They don’t realize that a boyfriend who wants to pressure them into a sexual relationship is overstepping a boundary and that any type of behavior that coerces or is stalking or jealousy is sometimes a sign that their partner overstepped a boundary.” She said that many people also think of domestic violence as something that older people – not teenagers – go through. “It’s creeping down to that [teen] age group. The best way for me to say it is when

you have a batterer who abuses his wife or girlfriend when they’re 25, do you think he woke up at 25 and all the sudden was a batterer? No. They’ve been doing it a long time. This started when they were in their teens.” Teen dating cases cover a wide range. Boston said some are physical, but other abusers use psychological intimidation such as stalking via phone calls, text, social media or showing up after their partner ends the relationship. State law covers physical stalking, but she said statutes should be reviewed to make sure they guard against digital stalking, which also can escalate to violence. Young men also can be victims. “Domestic violence doesn’t discriminate,” she said. “It is more likely that the victim of domestic violence is female, but we do see instances of men being victims. We’re also seeing an upswing in domestic violence in the relationships of gays and lesbians.” Parents and friends can help. “First and foremost, believe them and support them in whatever way they feel comfortable,” she said. “Connect them with resources like the domestic violence hotline or LoveIsRespect.org or other people in the community who can counsel them on the best way to leave a relationship because there has to be a safety plan.”

CrossRoadsNews

February 14, 2015

Community

DeKalbâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Organizational Act is silent on appointment of a temporary commissioner when the sitting commissioner is appointed to CEO.

Despite maneuvers, District 5 still without a commissioner By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

Dr. Kathryn Rice is the new nominee for the interim DeKalb District 5 seat, but still there is no interim commissioner to represent the districtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 140,000 residents. At the Board of Commissioners meeting on Feb. 10, commissioners voted to disapprove the nomination of George Turner, who was nominated in August and has Kathryn Rice been waiting six months to be seated. Interim CEO Lee May, who is allowed two nominees for the seat, next nominated Rice. She and Turner were the two finalists picked by a citizens panel to fill the seat. Super District 7 Commissioner Stan Watsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Feb. 10 motion to add the Rice nomination was seconded by Super District 6 Commissioner Kathie Gannon. After the motion passed, District 2 Commissioner Jeff Rader, who opposes â&#x20AC;&#x153;the processâ&#x20AC;? of May appointing his successor, moved to â&#x20AC;&#x153;normal courseâ&#x20AC;? the nomination â&#x20AC;&#x201C; which means no action can be taken for 30 days. When Watson at- Jeff Rader tempted to add another nominee, Rader called a point of order. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The process is not yet right in order for the commissioner to make a nomination,â&#x20AC;? Rader said. To which Watson asked: â&#x20AC;&#x153;So I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make a nomination? Is that what you are saying?â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;&#x153;[This is] about District 5. So if this gets us one step closer to get representation, I am OK with that.â&#x20AC;? George Turner

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not yet right,â&#x20AC;? Rader said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have to deny two nominees.â&#x20AC;? County Attorney O.V. Brantley told commissioners they are required to reject two of Mayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nominees in order to move forward. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I do believe that the motion to add is premature,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You need to reject the next candidate first.â&#x20AC;? District 3 Commissioner Larry Johnson, who is the boardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s presiding officer, then asked O.V. Brantley Brantley for clarity. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Since the position is temporary, where does it say in the Constitution of Georgia, or the United States that supersedes us, that we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have, at least get the folks in District 5 to have a special election to fill the temporary position so that they will have a vote? Is it possible that that can happen and we can have a caveat that this is temporary? It seems like if we do it that way, everybody gets to vote in that district and they know itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s temporary, and everything goes back to normal when everything runs its course.â&#x20AC;? Brantley promised to look at it and respond to Johnson in writing. She reminded them that the General Assembly passed a law at its last session telling them how to fill a temporary vacancy.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;And it did not include an election,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It said the governing authority would appoint and that is why we are doing the 13A.â&#x20AC;? Turner, who has attended every BOC meeting since he was nominated, was in the audience on Tuesday. After the vote, he said his nomination was never about him. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about District 5,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So if this gets us one step closer to get representation, I am OK with that.â&#x20AC;? The â&#x20AC;&#x153;normal coursingâ&#x20AC;? threw a wrench in a brokered deal between the two sides to break the impasse. On Feb. 5, May asked the board to deny Turnerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s appointment and a second appointment that he would offer and make its own pick from the list of 20 District 5 residents who had applied to temporarily fill the seat. He said at the time that would be â&#x20AC;&#x153;the most effective and rapid methodâ&#x20AC;? to seat a commissioner as early as Feb. 24. May nominated Turner, a 25-year Lithonia resident, in August. Turner is president of the District 5 Community Council and the Hunterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Run II Homeowners Association, a board member of the Arabia Mountain National Lee May Heritage Area, and a past president of the South Lithonia Neighborhood Coalition. He also was legislative aide for state Senate District 43 for seven years. Turnerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s appointment has come before the BOC 13 times since Aug. 12, 2014. Each time, commissioners took no action. Watson, Johnson and District 4 Commissioner Sharon Barnes Sutton favored seating

him, but Rader, Gannon and newly elected District 1 Commissioner Nancy Jester opposed the nomination. The District 1 seat was vacant for the first four months of Turnerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nomination. Former Commissioner Elaine Boyer resigned her seat in August and pleaded guilty to misusing her county-issued Visa card for personal items, including airline tickets and ski vacations. Jester joined the board on Dec. 8 after a Dec. 2 special election runoff. She immediately sided with Rader and Gannon in demanding that May, the elected District 5 commissioner, resign the seat and clear the way for special election. May was appointed by Gov. Nathan Deal in July 2013 to be interim CEO while suspended CEO Burrell Ellis is facing corruption charges for allegedly shaking down county vendors for campaign donations. Deal did not appoint an interim commissioner to fill Mayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s seat, and the countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Organizational Act does not address appointment of a temporary commissioner when the sitting commissioner is appointed to CEO. In March 2014, the Georgia Legislature passed Senate Bill 316 that created the process for DeKalbâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;governing authorityâ&#x20AC;? to appoint the interim commissioner. Some BOC members disagree with the county attorneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interpretation that governing authority means the interim CEO nominates one candidate that the board appoints. Rader says the BOC should have been involved in the vetting of the applicants and the appointment made collaboratively. Riceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s appointment will come before the BOC on March 10.

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CrossRoadsNews

Forum 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 Assistant Editor Brenda Yarbrough Advertising Sales Kathy E. Warner Front Office Manager 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.

February 14, 2015

“The health of our children and the long-term savings for the state should be important issues for our lawmakers.”

District 5 appointment, a flawed process in play Jennifer Parker’s Jan. 31 “As I See It” column was a bit slanted and did not provide all sides of the issue. This is rare for you, as we usually appreciate your more thorough investigation. As previously explained, and it is complicated, there are reasons to not anoint the interim CEO’s pick for District 5 and the person is not one of those reasons. The process is a real part of the equation. The legislation to fill the District 5 seat states that the “governing authority” shall make the appointment. The governing authority is the CEO and the BOC. We began discussions with the interim CEO about how to appoint his replacement and then he announced we are doing it in the same way our community non-elected positions are filled; the CEO makes the appointment and then the BOC approves. As we know, the ICEO convened the committee to vet the applications and give him two recommendations. As you noted, they met in private. Then, the ICEO selected from those two and sent the BOC an agenda item for our approval of his appointment. We cannot simply go back to the list of candidates because we have the agenda item that does not go away until there are four votes up or down. The BOC has been unable to

“For me the decision to not select the ICEO’s appointee is clearly based on policy and process. Race just happens to fall the way it does. Lest you forget, I represent South DeKalb, southwest DeKalb.” Kathie Gannon

get four votes to start over; we have advocated this option. The BOC has been unable to get four votes to confirm the ICEO’s choice. If we had four votes against the two CEO recommendations, we could start over and go back to the list. I support this option. I still have the list. I had an HR professional, not a “friend or acquaintance,” cull the list for me, when I thought we were going to do this as a team. Then there is the best of all possible solutions, the people choose their elected representative by actually electing them. Yes, Commissioner May would have to resign. He now is in the unprecedented position of holding two elected offices. The points you make on the difficulty of that decision for ICEO May are well taken, it would be a hard call, but the best call for the citizens of District 5. As you know, the CEO already carries the weight of power simply due to our form of government. A CEO has a great deal of influence over decisions because they control the day-to-day operations and staff. Our form of government

does provide checks and balances on this power of the CEO/executive branch in the decisions of the Board of Commissioners/the legislative branch. For me the decision to not select the ICEO’s appointee is clearly based on policy and process. Race just happens to fall the way it does. Lest you forget, I represent South DeKalb, southwest DeKalb. I truly believe that simply approving the ICEO’s appointment would not necessarily give representation to the people of District 5 but would give even more power to the CEO position. For a “newbie” appointed by the former person in the seat, who is also the CEO in charge of everything – where would you go for advice and counsel? Let’s take a few examples of what could be positions influenced by the CEO, but not necessarily good for South DeKalb or all of DeKalb, the decision for which we should strive. n The renovation of the South DeKalb YMCA using $6 million of countywide park money with only

a few nearby residents benefiting through a discounted membership. Meanwhile, the long overdue recreation centers for Scottdale and southwest DeKalb are still waiting. n The ICEO’s proposed budget, currently with a $19 million structural deficit. Not good for anyone. (We are still in negotiation.) n The gaming resort and recent discovery of “red flags” that should be investigated related to potential gambling. The CEO’s administrative staff are charged with the evaluation and analysis of the zoning applications. They gave the BOC a recommendation for approval. District 5 would most likely have followed that recommendation as we all did and it would be moving forward, red flags and all. We hear you loud and clear – District 5 needs, wants and should have representation. An elected representative is the best of all possible solutions but probably not likely in the near term. Therefore, we have to act. We have a flawed process in play. I encourage my fellow commissioners to vote no on the recommendations of the ICEO, remove the agenda item from our plate, go back to the list of applicants and find an interim representative for the 5th District. Kathie Gannon represents District 6 on the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners.

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Raising tobacco tax could generate millions, stem smoking

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T h is ye ar, the General Assembly has an opportunity to make a difference in the health of Georgia’s citizens. In looking for ways Sarah Grant to pay for health care and transportation, the idea of raising the tobacco tax has been fre-

quently mentioned by lawmakers. Georgia’s tobacco tax is only $0.37 per pack, fourth lowest among the states. By raising it by $1.25 per pack on cigarettes and other tobacco products, we would be near the national average and could generate over $350 million per year to help pay for our state’s needs. According to the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, increasing the

tobacco tax by this amount would mean 77,300 Georgia youths would never take up the habit, and 78,000 adults would find a way to quit. As a result, youth smoking rates would fall by 18.9 percent and longterm health care cost savings from having fewer people smoke would save Georgia over $3 billion. We all need to contact our state legislators and let them know that raising the tobacco tax by $1.25 is

something their constituents support. The health of our children and the long-term savings for the state should be important issues for our lawmakers. Reach out to your representative and let them know that this is important for you and that it needs to be important to them too. Sarah Grant is a American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network volunteer. She lives in Atlanta.

Saint Philip AME mourns passing of longtime pastor 2

GBI is asked to probe police shooting death 5

Scholar to discuss black Nobel Peace laureates

The Rev. Dr. George Moore Sr., beloved former pastor of Saint Philip AME Church, has died.

The GBI has been called in to investigate the officer-involved shooting death of Decatur resident Kevin Davis in December.

Nigerian scholar Adekeye Adebajo shares insights about 13 Nobel Peace laureates of African descent on Feb. 23 at the Carter Library and Museum.

Despite maneuvers, District 5 still without a commissioner 3

Documentary explores life of playwright August Wilson 6

Dr. Kathryn Rice is the new nominee for the interim DeKalb District 5 seat, but still there is no interim commissioner to represent the district’s 140,000 residents.

Fans of black theater and playwright August Wilson won’t want to miss the PBS documentary “August Wilson: The Ground on Which I Stand” when it airs on Feb. 20.

District 5 appointment, a flawed process in play

Original Freedom Riders to visit high schools 7

South Metro confab focuses on smart growth 11

Original Freedom Riders Hank Thomas and Charles Person visit Martin Luther King Jr. High and Arabia Mountain High in Lithonia on Feb. 17 in celebration of Black History Month.

More than 600 industry experts, corporate executives, government leaders and elected officials are expected for the 13th annual South Metro Development Outlook Conference on Feb. 18.

Jennifer Parker’s Jan. 31 “As I See it” column was a bit slanted and did not provide all sides of the issue. This is rare for you, as we usually appreciate your more thorough investigation.

State’s first measles case treated at Egleston

An infant who recently traveled overseas is Georgia’s first confirmed case of measles since 2012.

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CrossRoadsNews

February 14, 2015

Community

“The life of a vibrant, young and hardworking 19-year-old woman was taken away in broad daylight.”

Funeral homes, churches plan anti-violence rally GBI is asked Greater Travelers Rest Church is hosting a “Stop the Violence” campaign rally on Feb. 22 at its House of Hope complex on Flat Shoals Parkway. The event sponsored by the Georgia Funeral Service Practitioners Association will feature a community procession of hearses to the church to dramatize concern over youth violence in metro Atlanta, including the shooting death of 19-year-old robbery victim Marcaysia Dawkins at a Fairington Road MARTA stop on Nov. 23, 2014. Elected officials, faith leaders and families of crime victims will hold a news conference after the parade. Organizers say the parade route will be announced in the next few

days. Lithonia City Councilwoman Shameka Reynolds, who is helping coordinate the procession and rally, said local funeral homes are tired of burying young people whose lives have been cut short by senseless acts of violence. “We are mobilizing Shameka Reynolds to do everything within our power to save our children and raise the awareness of gun violence in our local communities and the entire state of Georgia,” she said. “It is time for us to take a stand and

fight for our communities and the families whose lives have been devastated by gun violence.” Reynolds, whose family runs the Tri- Cities Funeral Home in downtown Lithonia, said that if one life is saved as a result of their efforts, “we can categorize the campaign as a success.” The two-hour rally begins at 4 p.m. with a candlelight service honoring the victims and their families. Greater Travelers Rest Church is at 4650 Flat Shoals Parkway. Participants can register at https://gtrbc.wufoo.com/forms/ z1uv08aq0wmgijb/ or contact Shameka Reynolds at 404-314-3240.

Merritt indicted in bus stop killing caught on video By Ken Watts

Merritt on Feb. 5 on charges of malice murder, Christopher Merfelony murder, armed ritt, who police say was robbery, aggravated ascaught on video robbing sault and possession of a and shooting 19-yearfirearm in the commisold Marcaysia Dawkins sion of a felony. to death at a Lithonia Police say Merritt, 18, MARTA bus stop, has tried to rob Dawkins on been indicted on murder Christopher Merritt Marcaysia Dawkins Nov. 23 while she was charges. waiting for the bus and went for her handA DeKalb County grand jury indicted bag before shooting her twice with a 9 mm

handgun. The incident was captured on a surveillance camera of a nearby business. Grand jurors said Merritt fled the scene with the Dawkins’ belongings. District Attorney Robert James said Dawkins could have been anyone on any given day. “The life of a vibrant, young and hardworking 19-year-old woman was taken away in broad daylight,” he said. Merritt was arrested Nov. 28. No arraignment date has been scheduled.

$10,000 reward in teen’s slaying

Sentencing for Boyer in March

Former school worker indicted

By Ken Watts

A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered for information leading to an arrest or indictment in the slaying of Vanessa “Honey” Malone in Stone Mountain. Malone, 18, was Vanessa Malone shot to death on Oct. 23, 2012, during a home invasion at 6902 Tree Mountain Parkway in the Hampton Village Apartments. Three people were in the home when the men kicked in the front door. DeKalb County Police said Malone, the fourth victim, arrived a short time later. Police are still searching for three to six men who were armed with handguns and shotguns in the attack. DeKalb Police and Crime Stoppers Atlanta announced the reward Feb. 6. Malone’s family donated the reward money and wants to increase it for any tips leading to the capture of Malone’s killers. Information can be submitted anonymously to 404-577-TIPS (8477), by texting CSA and the tip to CRIMES (274637) or at www.crimestoppersatlanta.org.

For mer DeKalb Commissioner Elaine Boyer will be sentenced on March 20 for swindling DeKalb taxpayers out of more than $90,000. Bob Page, spokesman for the U.S. AttorElaine Boyer ney’s Office in Atlanta, said U.S. District Judge Orinda Evans will sentence her in the Richard B. Russell Federal Building in downtown Atlanta. Boyer, who represented the affluent District 1 in North DeKalb for 22 years, resigned on Aug. 23, 2014, and pleaded guilty to mail fraud conspiracy and wire fraud charges on Sept. 3, 2014. Boyer was originally scheduled to be sentenced in December, but it was postponed to Feb. 4 for undisclosed reasons. She faces up to two years in federal prison for funneling more than $78,000 to an evangelist posing as a legislative consultant. He kicked about $58,000 back to her. Boyer also admitted running up more than $15,000 in personal purchases on her county Visa card for ski vacations and other personal expenses.

Former Miller Grove High employee Daphne Murphy has been indicted on two felony theft charges for allegedly pocketing $13,000 from the cheerleading team and senior class accounts. The theft charges date back to 2009 and 2010 incidents. Arraignment is set for 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 17 before Superior Court Judge Courtney Johnson. DeKalb District Attorney Robert James said Murphy, 37, betrayed the trust of cheerleaders, the senior class, parents and the school administration. “She lined her pockets with the money generated from various fundraising efforts of teenagers to benefit her own personal greed,” James said. Prosecutors say she stole more than $13,000 while serving as a paraprofessional at the school. She turned herself in Jan. 14 and was released on $24,000 bond.

Baby Bou Bou’s family sues police Attorneys for the family of Bounkham “Baby Bou Bou” Phonesavanh are suing police over a botched drug raid in Habersham County that injured the 19-month-old boy on May 28, 2014. The Davis Bozeman Law Firm and co-counsel Baby Bou Bou Richard Hendrix and Steve Wisebram of the Finch McCraine Law Firm filed suit in federal court recently on behalf of their clients in the U.S. Northern District Federal Court Gainesville Division. Baby Bou Bou was severely injured by a flash bang grenade that was thrown in his playpen while his family was staying in Geor-

gia. The family is now preparing for his 10th surgery since the night of the botched raid. Mawuli Davis, a partner in the Davis Bozeman Law Firm, said they have been working diligently to file the suit and continue their quest for justice on behalf of the family. Finch McCraine won a trial involving the same Drug Task Force involved in the wrongful death of the Rev. Jonathan Ayers. “We are confident with the combined efforts of our firms we will reach the desired results for our client,” he said. Supporters can donate at www.justiceandprayersforboubou.org or to the account “Bounkham Phonesavanh” at any Wells Fargo location.

to probe police shooting death The GBI has been called in to investigate the officer-involved shooting death of Decatur resident Kevin Davis in December. The DeKalb Police Department said Feb. 8 that it made the official request to the GBI. There were mounting calls from the Davis family for the investigation. Davis, 44, called police on Dec. 29 to report the Kevin Davis stabbing of his girlfriend, April Edwards, by a roommate at the Marquis Forest Apartments where they lived. DeKalb Police said the officer who took the call to investigate a stabbing heard loud arguing as he approached the apartment on Pine Tree Circle off Covington Highway. It said the officer’s knocks on the door went unanswered, and when he opened the door he was charged by a large dog. He shot the dog the death. Police said Davis came to the door holding a gun and refused to drop the weapon. He was shot in the abdomen and taken to Grady Memorial Hospital, where he died two days later on Dec. 31. Edwards also was taken to Grady. Decatur attorney Mawuli Mel Davis, who is representing the family, had pushed for an independent investigation into the fatal shooting. On Feb. 4, dozens of family supporters and activists held an overnight vigil outside the DeKalb County Courthouse to demand action. Davis, who is not related to the victim, said the primary focus was to get the GBI involved in an investigation for a level of transparency. “We’re hopeful that the Police Department will turn over the tape and file to the GBI and the DA as well,” he said on Feb. 5. “It’s always been best practice not to have the agency involved in the shooting be involved in the investigation for an unbiased, impartial investigation.” The attorney said he will contact the DeKalb District Attorney’s Office for a timetable on a probe. Stabbing suspect Terrence Marcus Hilyard was taken into custody Dec. 29. He was charged with aggravated assault and a probation violation. Online judicial records show he was released on $2,500 bond Jan. 16.

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Black History

CrossRoadsNews

February 14, 2015

“Having the opportunity to explore Wilson’s creative process and tenacity … was one of the most exciting endeavors I have ever had.”

PBS documentary explores life of playwright August Wilson Fans of black theater and playwright August Wilson won’t want to miss the PBS documentary “August Wilson: The Ground on Which I Stand” when it airs on Feb. 20. The 90-minute film explores the life and legacy of the man often called America’s Shakespeare. The screening commemorates the 70th anniversary of Wilson’s birth, the 10th anniversary of his death, and Black History Month. It airs at 10 p.m. on Georgia Public Broadcasting stations. Wilson, who won the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prizes for two of his plays, is best known for his Century Series – 10 plays that chronicle each decade of the 20th-century African-American experience. “August Wilson: The Ground on Which I Stand” features interviews with Wilson and a who’s who of black theater talking about his work and his impact on American theater. Actors such as James Earl Jones, Laurence Fishburne, Charles Dutton, Phylicia Rashad, Viola Davis and Suzan-Lori Parks are featured in dramatic snippets from some of his most popular plays and in interviews talking colleagues and scholars trace his influences, died of liver cancer on Oct. 2, 2005, at age about him. creative evolution, triumphs, struggles and 60. Wilson’s sister, Freda Ellis; his widow, quest for cultural determinism. He won a Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize Constanza Romero; and a host of friends, Wilson was born on April 27, 1945. He for “Fences” and a Pulitzer Prize for “The

THE CELEBRATION LASTS 28 DAYS; THE CONTRIBUTION, A LIFETIME. No amount of time would be sufficient to recognize all of the trailblazers who saw what no one else could, did what no one else dared and gave us all what we needed most. Georgia Power is proud to honor the achievements of African-Americans throughout Black History Month and more importantly beyond.

“August Wilson: The Ground on Which I Stand” airs on Feb. 20 on Georgia Public Broadcasting stations. Wilson, who died in 2005, is often called America’s Shakespeare.

Piano Lesson.” Sam Pollard, the Emmy and Peabody Award-winning documentarian who made the film, said he is honored to chronicle Wilson’s life. “Having the opportunity to explore Wilson’s Sam Pollard creative process and his tenacity in looking at the African-American experience in the 20th century was one of the most exciting endeavors I have ever had in my film career,” he said. Pollard’s credits include “Slavery by Another Name,” “American Masters – Marvin Gaye: What’s Going On,” “When the Levees Broke” and “Spike Lee Presents Mike Tyson.” “August Wilson: The Ground on Which I Stand” spotlights Pittsburgh’s Hill District where Wilson grew up and from which he drew his characters. It offers insights into his formative years, his education and the movement that influenced him and follows his transition from an activist poet influenced by the rising black consciousness to a successful playwriting career. It also explores his life-changing collaboration with mentor-director Lloyd Richards that led to nine original Broadway productions. For more information, visit www.gpb. org.

Black culture in song, dance

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“Afro-American Culture Through Song & Dance” will be presented by members of the Lou Walker Senior Center’s Performing Arts Group on Feb. 23 at the Lithonia facility. The adaptation from the center’s “Unveiling Contribution Series” is inspired by cast member Irmogene Alexander. It begins at 2 p.m. There will be dance performances, Negro spirituals from the “Wings Over Jordan” collection, and educational narratives of the Afro-American culture in Georgia and Alabama from slavery through the present. Member and volunteer Gwendolyn F. Thomas produces and directs the narratives and musical arrangements. Dance instructors include volunteers Taliah Hasan, Sharon Patterson, Ruth Mayo, Johnnie Kimbrough, Yvonne Eversley and Senella Watson. Admission and parking are free. The Lou Walker Senior Center is at 2538 Panola Road. For more information, call 770-3222900.

February 14, 2015

Black History

CrossRoadsNews

“The riders … risked their lives because they believed in a different future for their children and their grandchildren.”

Original Freedom Riders to visit high schools in Lithonia Original Freedom Riders Hank Thomas The original and Charles Person visit Martin Luther King Freedom Riders – front, left to Jr. High and Arabia Mountain High on Feb. right: Joe Perkins, 17 in celebration of Black History Month. Charles Person, The one-hour programs coincide with Frances Bergman, U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson’s bipartisan resoGenevieve Hughes lution calling on Congress to award the and Jimmy Congressional Gold Medal to the Freedom MacDonald; back, Riders, men and women – black and white – left to right: John who rode buses and trains together from May Lewis, Jim Peck, Ed to November 1961 through the segregated Blankenheim, Hank South at great personal peril. Thomas, Walter Their buses were set on fire and many Bergman and were brutally beaten and imprisoned. James Farmer. Not The resolution seeks to award the medal pictured: the Rev. to the group. It would be displayed at the Benjamin Elton Cox Smithsonian Museum. and Albert Bigelow. A bipartisan group of more than 135 members of Congress joined Johnson and U.S. Rep. Doug Collins in co-sponsoring H.R. 671. Thomas and Person will appear at MLK Jr. High at 9:30 a.m. and at Arabia Mountain at 1:30 p.m. Both schools are in Lithonia. Johnson Publishing Co. Johnson, whose 4th District includes por“The riders, including my constituent because they believed in a different future tions of DeKalb, said he is honored to host Hank Thomas and my friend and colleague for their children and their grandchildren,” the Black History programs in his district. He called the Freedom Riders heroes who John Lewis, endured insults and beatings Johnson said in a Feb. 11 statement. T:7.466” Thomas was 19 when he rode with the and risked their lives more than 50 years ago sought to break the back of segregation.

Congress of Racial Equality Freedom Ride on May 4, 1961, and the May 24 Mississippi Freedom Ride from Montgomery, Ala., to Jackson, Miss. He was jailed at Parchman State Prison Farm in Mississippi. After being released on bail, Thomas went on to participate in the July 14 New Jerseyto-Arkansas CORE Freedom Ride. On Aug. 22, 1961, he was the first Freedom Rider to appeal his conviction for breach of peace. He was released on appeal, pending payment of a $2,000 bond. Thomas attended Howard University in Washington, where he was active in the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committeeaffiliated Nonviolent Action Group. Person, the youngest of the original Freedom Riders, was only 18 when he took his first Freedom Ride. He was a freshman at Morehouse College and became active in the Atlanta sit-in movement to integrate segregated lunch counters in early 1961. He served 16 days in jail for his activism. On May 14, 1961, he was one of the most badly beaten Freedom Riders at a Birmingham Trailways bus station. For more information on the Freedom Rides, visit www.pbs.org/wgbh/american experience/freedomriders.

Dhani Jones Sports Honoree (not shown) Iyanla Vanzant Inspirational Honoree

Kevin Liles Entertainment Honoree Henry Coaxum McDonald’s Owner/Operator Honoree

Al Sharpton Humanitarian Honoree

Gabrielle Williams Community Choice Youth Honoree

Will Packer Arts & Entertainment Honoree

“The Bridge That Brought Us Over” is onstage at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts Center on Feb. 21.

Play journeys back to gospel music roots

First Comfort honors inventors, trailblazers “We’ve Come This Far by Faith,” a narrative presentation of past and present African-American inventors and ground breakers, takes place Feb. 15 at First Comfort Missionary Baptist Church in Decatur. Ministers and members of the Girls Can’t Help It organization will act out scenes in the Black History Month program. It starts at 3 p.m. Bishop Minnie Cushenberry is keynote speaker. Dinner will be served. The church is at 1955 Columbia Drive. For more information, call 404-284-6702.

Skyler Grey Community Choice Youth Honoree

LOVIN’ BY EXAMPLE. Here’s to the leaders that don’t talk about dedication, they show it. To the people who constantly perform selfless acts as they reach out, reach back and bring others along. We show our gratitude during Black History Month, but we applaud you everyday. Let’s all be inspired to stay deeply rooted in spreading the love, 365 days a year. Find your motivation at 365Black.com.

T:10”

Journey back through time and culture with the stage play “The Bridge That Brought Us Over: The History of Gospel Music” on Feb. 21 at the Sanford Center in Decatur. Performances are at 2 and 7:30 p.m. In the musical drama sponsored by Kelly Lake Church of God in Christ, a conservative grandmother from the “old-time way” takes her hip-hop generation grandchildren through the history of gospel music in one night. Along this journey of hidden treasures, the young people soon discover a lesson that they will never forget. Tickets are available at Eventbrite.com. The Porter Sanford III Performing Arts and Community Center is at 3181 Rainbow Drive. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/ TheBridgeThatBroughtUsOver or contact Heather Cook at heathercook0813@yahoo.com or 770-8962261.

CrossRoadsNews

Black History

February 14, 2015

Ralph Bunche, a pioneering political scientist, professor and diplomat, was the first African-American laureate in 1950.

Scholar to discuss Nobel Peace laureates of African descent Nigerian scholar Adekeye Adebajo shares insights about 13 Nobel Peace laureates of African descent on Feb. 23 at the Carter Library and Museum. Adebajo, executive director of the Centre for Conflict Resolution in Cape Town, South Africa, and editor of “Africa’s Peacemakers,” will read and sign books starting at 7 p.m. in the museum Adekeye Adebajo theater. The event is free and open to the public. As Africa and its diaspora commemorate 50 years of post-independence Pan-Africanism, the book provides insight into the 13 individuals of African descent who have won the Nobel Peace Prize since 1950. “Africa’s Peacemakers” reveals how the laureates have changed the world – from the

Ralph Bunche

M.L. King Jr.

Nelson Mandela

first American president of African descent, Barack Obama, whose career was inspired by the civil rights and anti-apartheid struggles promoted by fellow Nobel Peace laureates Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, and Albert Luthuli, to influential figures in peacemaking such as Ralph Bunche, Anwar Sadat, Kofi Annan, and F.W. De Klerk as well as Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Leymah Gbowee, Wangari Maathai, and Mo-

Genealogist to discuss ways to research family lineage Genealogist Angela Walton-Raji discusses how to research family trees with African-American and Native American roots on Feb. 20 at the Stonecrest Library. Walton-Raji, author of “Black Indian Genealogy Research,” will facilitate the presentation “African and Native American: Researching Blended Families” beginning at 6 p.m. She also will provide a guide to researching the history and lives of Native American and freedmen who were former “Black Indian” slaves of the Five Civilized Tribes – Angela Walton-Raji Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek and Seminole. In 1907, the Indian Territory became the state of Oklahoma. To qualify for the payments and land allotments set aside for the Five Civilized Tribes, the former slaves of these nations had to apply for official enrollment. In “Black Indian Genealogy Research,” Walton-Raji shows where to find and how to use the Indian Freedman Records; discusses Black Indians and Tri-Racial groups; explores the lifestyle of Indian ancestors; and presents Cherokee, Creek, Choctaw, Chickasaw and Seminole case studies. Funding for the program is provided by the Friends of the Stonecrest Library. The library is at 3123 Klondike Road in Lithonia. For more information, visit www.dekalblibrary.org or call 770-4823828.

Barack Obama

Desmond Tutu

hamed El-Baradei, who have been involved in women’s rights, environmental protection, and nuclear disarmament. Bunche, a pioneering political scientist, professor and diplomat, was the first AfricanAmerican laureate in 1950. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in ending the 1948 Arab-Israeli War with the signing of the 1949 Armistice Agreements. Adebajo served as director of the Africa

Programme of the New York-based International Peace Institute, when he was also an adjunct professor at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, and on U.N. missions in South Africa, Western Sahara, and Iraq. He obtained his doctorate from Oxford University, where he studied as a Rhodes Scholar. He is author of “Building Peace in West Africa,” “Liberia’s Civil War,” “The Curse of Berlin: Africa After the Cold War,” and “U.N. Peacekeeping in Africa: From the Suez Crisis to the Sudan Conflicts.” He is also co-editor or editor of seven books on managing global conflicts, the United Nations, the European Union, West African security, and South Africa and Nigeria’s foreign policies in Africa. The Carter Library and Museum is at 441 Freedom Parkway in Atlanta. For more information, visit www.jimmycarterlibrary. gov or call 404-865-7100.

Exhibit captures Panama’s many cultures “This Is Portobelo: A Mixed Media Exhibition” depicting the explorations of Panama by four Atlanta-based visual artists will be on display throughout February at the Decatur Library. The exhibition showcases works of sketch artist Tiha Baker, photographer and videographer N’Dieye Gray Danavall, artist and curator Tracy Murrell and photographer Julie Yarbrough. The Black History Month exhibit is open during library hours. The four artists traveled to the town of Portobelo in the Central American country last October for a Creative Currents artistic retreat. For one week, they were immersed in a mixture of Latin, African and Native Indian cultural expressions. They explored beaches and colonial ruins and walked with pilgrims during the annual Festival del Nazareno (Black Christ Festival) and discovered a place full of cultural vibrancy, tradition and a strong spiritual foundation. The library is at 215 Sycamore St. Photo By N’Dieye Gray Danavall / Special in Decatur. For more information, call “Man With Candles” and other photos and artwork are part of “This Is Portobelo: 404-370-3070. A Mixed Media Exhibition” on display during February at the Decatur Library.

CrossRoadsNews

February 14, 2015

Wellness

“Keeping immunization levels high is critical to preventing outbreaks or sustained transmission in Georgia.”

State’s first confirmed measles case treated at Egleston An infant who recently traveled overseas is Georgia’s first confirmed case of measles since 2012. The Georgia Department of Public Health said the infected infant arrived in Atlanta from outside the United States and is being cared for at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston. The department is working with Children’s and the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to identify anyone who may have been exposed to the patient and to prevent further spread. More than 100 cases of measles in at least 14 states since Jan. 1 have been linked to Disneyland Resort Theme Parks in California. Georgia’s case is not linked to the outbreak. Measles is a highly contagious, serious respiratory disease. It is particularly dangerous for infants who cannot be immunized until they are at least 6 months old and young children who have received only one dose of measles vaccine. It can lead to pneumonia, encephalitis (swelling of the brain), and death for young children, the CDC says. Measles spreads when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes and respiratory droplets travel through the air. Measles virus

Measles is particularly dangerous for infants too young to be immunized and for young children who have received only one dose of the vaccine.

can live in the air and on surfaces for two to three hours. Almost everyone who has not been vaccinated will get measles if they are exposed to the virus. Symptoms include: n Fever (can be very high). n Cough, runny nose and red eyes. n Tiny white spots on the inner lining of the cheek, also called Koplik’s spots. n Rash of tiny, red spots that start at the head and spread to the rest of the body (spots may

become joined together as they spread). There is no cure for measles, but it can be prevented through vaccination. The measles vaccine – MMR for measles, mumps and rubella – is about 97 percent effective in most cases. Public Health Commissioner Brenda Fitzgerald said immunization is key. “Keeping immunization levels high is critical to preventing outbreaks or sustained transmission in Georgia,” she said in a Feb. 9

statement. “More than 98 percent of children heading into kindergarten in our state have received all school required vaccines, which includes two doses of measles vaccine.” Doctors recommend two doses for best protection. The first dose is given to children 12 to 15 months old, the second at 4 to 6 years of age. Students at colleges and universities who do not have evidence of immunity need two doses separated by at least 28 days. Adults who do not have evidence of immunity should get at least one dose, especially if they are considering travel outside the United States or were born in the early 1960s when a less effective vaccine was used. A simple blood test can determine if a person has immunity. Measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000 because of high population immunity achieved by very effective measles vaccine coverage. Since 2002, there have been 11 reported cases of measles in Georgia – including the current one. All were imported cases or linked to an imported case. For more information about measles and

Kids’ secondhand smoke exposure still high Free diabetes workshop CDC Director Tom Frieden said Two of every five children, including seven in 10 at South DeKalb YMCA secondhand smoke can kill. African-American kids, are still exposed to deadly secondhand smoke. Although exposure in the United States dropped by half between 1999 to 2000 and 2011 to 2012, one in four nonsmokers – 58 million people – is still exposed to secondhand smoke, according to a new Vital Signs report from the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey show that declines have been slower and exposure remains higher among children, AfricanAmericans, those who live in poverty, and those who live in rental housing. The report finds two in every five children ages 3 to 11 years are still exposed to SHS. The study assessed exposure using cotinine, a marker found in the blood.

01/24, 01/31, 02/07, 02/14

“Too many Americans, and especially too many American children, are still exposed to it,” Frieden said on Feb. 3. “That 40 percent of children – including seven in 10 black children – are still exposed shows how much more we have to do to protect everyone from this Tom Frieden preventable health hazard.” Among key findings: n Nearly half of black nonsmokers are exposed to SHS. n More than two in five nonsmokers who live below the poverty level are exposed to SHS. n More than one in three nonsmokers who live in rental housing is exposed to SHS. For more information, visit www.cdc.gov.

Residents with type 2 diabetes who are 18 or older can sign up now to participate in free diabetes self-management workshops beginning in March at the South DeKalb Family YMCA in Decatur. Space is limited – contact Jennifer Rewkowski at jenniferr@ ymcaatlanta.org or 1-866-202-1926 to reserve a spot. The Metro Atlanta YMCA is enrolling participants for the workshops based on the Better Choices, Better Health-Diabetes curriculum, which was developed and tested at Stanford University. It can help participants understand how to eat with diabetes while still making it enjoyable, monitor and manage their blood sugar, and design their own self-management program. The next six-week workshop is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays from March 11 to April 15 at the South DeKalb Family YMCA at 2565 Snapfinger Road.

Legal Notices

AMENDED Notice of Petition to Change Name of Adult in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Civil Action Case Number: ++ 15CV1052-7++ Mrs. Bordenave De’Love Hope, filed a petition in the DeKalb County Superior Court on Jan. 6, 2015 to change the name from: Sheila Maria Bordenave to Bordenave De’Love Hope. Any interested party has the right to appear In this case and file objections within 30 days after the Petition was filed. Dated: Jan. 20, 2015 Mrs. Bordenave D. Hope Petitioner, Pro se 2310 Treehills Parkway Stone Mountain, GA 30088 510-776-8403 01/24, 01/31, 02/07, 02/14

Notice of Petition to Change Name of MINOR CHILD(REN) in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Civil Action Case Number: ++ 14CV11743-3++ Daniel Yilma filed a petition in the DeKalb County Superior Court on Nov. 4, 2014 to change the name of the following minor child(ren) from: Nathaniel Daniel

Yilma; Kidus Daniel Yilma; Adonait Daniel Yilma; Hebron Daniel Yilma to: Nathaniel Yilma Daniel; Kidus Yilma Daniel; Adonait Yilma Daniel; Hebron Yilma Daniel. Any interested party has the right to appear In this case and file objections within the time prescribed in OCGA 19-12-1(f)(2) and (3). Dated: Dec. 9, 2014 Daniel Yilma Petitioner, Pro se 1281 Brockett Rd. Apt. #15A, Clarkston, GA 30021 01/24, 01/31, 02/07, 02/14