CrossRoadsNews, July 12, 2014 by CrossRoadsNews, Inc.

YOUTH

WELLNESS

SCENE

The Dunaire Elementary Dynamic Dolphins Xylophone Ensemble received top honors at the Universal Studios Music Festival USA recently. 6

The Million Hearts Initiative aims to reduce heart disease and stroke with heart-healthy, lower-sodium recipes. 8

Theology professor Noel Leo Erskine’s newest book explores the black church and its origins in Caribbean and American slavery. 10

Pretty good percussionists

Tasty path to good health

Roots explored

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

July 12, 2014

Volume 20, Number 11

www.crossroadsnews.com

Southwest DeKalb parents protest teacher transfers By Ken Watts

Southwest DeKalb High School parents stand in protest at the July 7 School Board meeting. Parents are upset that five teachers were transferred after complaining about problems at the school.

cipal Carolyn Williams and other serious problems at the school. In their four-page report, the teachers raised 15 concerns and recommended solutions. “Teachers work every day to ensure their students achieve personal, social and academic growth,” they wrote. “Teachers simply want to be treated with respect and as professionals in an environment where they are valued and appreciated. Stress factors will impact the teacher’s performance and hinder student achievement.” The concerns ranged from ineffective

Southwest DeKalb High School parents are angry over the reassignment of five teachers who they say are victims of retaliation for blowing the whistle on leadership and other issues at the Decatur school. The parents say that the five – ninthgrade math teacher Monica Hardesty, business administration teacher Lucy Wright, special needs teacher Bernice Foreman, and ninth-grade English teachers Carla Jordan and Marsha Murray-Bunsei – were transferred to other schools after they and 20 other teachers complained in September 2013 about the management style of Prin- Please see TRANSFERS, page 6

Ken Watts / CrossRoadsNews

Unkempt Stonecrest landscaping a ‘thorn’ Weeds are thriving at the Turner Hill Road/I-20 ramp while mounds of mulch add to the unkempt look. The landscaping project is part of the county’s $1.02 million gateway beautification initiative.

County working with contractor to salvage project By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

The gateway landscaping that was to beautify the Turner Hill Road/I-20 ramps has done the opposite. Weeds are flourishing amid the tiny plantings, and mounds of mulch that were to help the plants root and thrive sit unattended, becoming nests for crabgrass. County officials said Wednesday that they, too, are disappointed about the state of the project – one of five under way from LaVista Road in Tucker to Bouldercrest Road in Atlanta as part of interim CEO Lee May’s Operation Fresh Start initiative launched last November. Gordon Burkette, director of DeKalb Clean and Beautiful, said the Turner Hill Road project that was to create an inviting gateway to the Stonecrest shopping district has been the most Gordon Burkette challenging. Issues with the project include dying plants, lack of mulch around the plants, and weeds overrunning the shrubs. With the mounds of mulch sitting around, the area also looks unkempt. “That project over there has just been a thorn,” he said. “The other projects are in decent shape. This one, not so much.” In January, the county awarded $1.02 million in landscaping contracts to three companies – 3 Macks Lawn Service of Stone Mountain, ArtScape Inc. of Conyers, and Georgia Green Landscaping of Marietta – to install and maintain trees, shrubs and flowering plants at seven interchanges for two years. Under the Gateway/Interchange Beautification initiative, the companies were each awarded contracts of $306,225 to $344,117 to

Jennifer Ffrench Parker / CrossRoadsNews

landscape seven interchanges at Turner Hill Road and Candler Road at I-20; Bouldercrest Road, Memorial Drive and LaVista Road at I-285; Mountain Industrial Boulevard at U.S. 78; and North Druid Hills Road at I-85. All three companies are required to plant day lilies, Muscogee crape myrtles, dwarf pine Yaupon, abelias, Blue Pacific junipers, pink muhly grass, Lantana camara, Loropetalum and Muhlenbergia calloparis; mow the interchanges four times a year; and maintain them for two years. They are required to water and maintain the plants for two years and replace any plant that dies within five years. Georgia Green and 3 Macks, the minority contractor, are landscaping the interchanges at Memorial Drive and LaVista Road at I-285, and 3 Macks is doing the Turner Hill and North Druid Hills projects. ArtScape Landscaping is doing Bouldercrest at I-285, Mountain Industrial at U.S. 78,

and Candler Road at I-20. Burkette said they are On March 14 within a three-hour peworking with Dwayne riod, May, county officials, and business Fisher, 3 Macks president and community leaders caravanned to four and CEO, to make the consecutive ground breakings to kick off the project right. program. “It’s going to be right After the launch, the county delayed the whether it’s with him or start of the projects at the Candler Road and someone else,” he said. North Druid Hills interchanges to the fall Burkette said the Dwayne Fisher because of hot weather. county delivered the mulch from its stockpiles in June but that ‘We will meet our commitment’ the contractor hasn’t fulfilled his obligation Burkette, who is overseeing the inter- to spread it around the plants. change beautification projects, said he is County mulch is made from yard trimtaking all the appropriate steps to complete mings collected from homeowners and also the Turner Hill Road project and give the is available free to residents at the DeKalb community what it wants and expects. Seminole Landfill in Ellenwood. “That’s our commitment and we will Burkette said he met with Fisher on June meet our commitment,” he said. “We spent 7 at Turner Hill Road. good taxpayer money there and we need a Please see GATEWAYS, page 5 good project.”

CrossRoadsNews

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CrossRoadsNews

July 12, 2014

Community

“If the Ethics Board accepts the complaint, I will defend against it and expect to be cleared.”

All six commissioners, interim 21 applicants seek interim CEO May face ethics complaints District 5 Commission seat By Ken Watts

With the filing of three new ethics charges against Commissioners Jeff Rader and Kathie Gannon and interim CEO Lee May this month, all of DeKalb’s elected local government leaders are now facing ethics complaints. On July 1, Decatur resident Timothy Brantley accused Rader of influence peddling. On July 2, Decatur community activist Rhea Johnson accused May of overstepping his authority by establishing a chief integrity officer, and on July 7, Lithonia resident Monica Tarrott accused Gannon, who represents Super District 6, of misusing her county budget to buy votes and influence zoning decisions. The DeKalb Board of Ethics is already hearing complaints against District 3 Commissioner Larry Johnson, Super District 7 Commissioner Stan Watson, District 4 Commissioner Sharon Barnes Sutton, and District 1 Commissioner Elaine Boyer for misusing their county-issued Visa purchasing cards. Its next meeting is scheduled for Aug. 14. In his complaint, Brantley said Rader used his elected position to benefit himself and his former employer, Jacobs Engineering, a global corporation based in Pasadena, Calif. He said Rader, who was a Jacobs Engineering planner from 2007 to 2013, influenced votes on projects involving Jacobs, which was awarded county contracts worth more than $10 million. Brantley also accused Rader of “conspiring with DeKalb County Commissioners Kathie Gannon and Stan Watson to provide monetary and other valuable consideration in exchange for their votes on contracts affecting Jacobs Engineering.” Brantley refused to provide information about himself. In a July 10 email, he said he did not want to become the story. “My complaint is one birthed out of the silent desires of a number of concerned DeKalb County residents who want to see openness, fairness and transparency in its government operations so that they can give their trust to their public servants beginning with their elected officials and clearly Commissioner Rader has jeopardized that trust by his actions over many years,” he said. Rader calls the allegations unfounded. “My response is that I was sensitive to the potential for conflict of interest when I was first elected to office, so I sought and received [an] opinion from the Board of Ethics, which

has governed my conduct since then,” Rader said in a July 9 email to CrossRoadsNews. “In particular, I can state categorically that the conduct alleged [regarding contract vote influence] is false, unsubstantiated, and in my judgment, slanderous.” Rader said the Ethics Board opinion he received when he joined the board in January 2007 said that there would be no ethics violation if he “absents himself from BOC meetings which discuss county business with Jacobs Engineering” and recuses himself from voting on matters concerning Jacobs. “If the Ethics Board accepts the complaint, I will defend against it, and expect to be cleared,” he said. In his complaint against May, Johnson said May is overstepping his authority by creating a chief integrity officer to crack down on ethics violations when the existing Ethics Board is designed to operate independently. Johnson said the board has no duty to consult an integrity officer, train employees in ethical behavior or monitor their behavior. In her complaint, Tarrott alleges that Gannon: n Illegally and unethically paid attorneys more than $25,000 from her commission budget to influence zoning decisions of the BOC in 2008, 2012 and 2013. n Paid more than $60,000 for questionable IT services more properly handled by the executive branch of the government. n Paid more than $20,000 in support of nonprofits “for the purpose of vote-buying and public manipulation.” n Used assistant Monica Walldorff to make purchases of $1,000 in gift cards (using Walldorff ’s county P-card) to distribute “as kickbacks or payoffs for people helping her subvert the natural processes of the BOC and DeKalb County government.” n Spent more than $13,000 of taxpayer monies for planning and development in spite of the existence of well-paid county planning and development professionals. Gannon said the allegations are unfounded. “I sponsored the resolution to audit all of the commission’s expenditures. My budget is the first one to be audited. That audit is under way. The information will be made public and given to the Ethics Board. That board has its own process and the complaint will have to follow the course. I am confident that in due time I will be vindicated.” Tarrott did not respond to a request for comment before press time Thursday.

By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

Lithonia resident and community activist; Rosalind Newell, a Stone Mountain resident and attorney; and state Rep. Rahn Mayo will review all qualified applicants and narrow the field to two qualified can-

Twenty-one people have thrown their hats in the ring for the appointment to serve as interim DeKalb District 5 commissioner. The county did not release the names of the applicants who met the July 3 Rosalind Newell Rahn Mayo deadline for consideration didates. to replace Commissioner Lee May, who May will recommend one of those canhas been serving as interim CEO since didates to the Board of Commissioners for July 16, 2013. the appointment. In a press release issued late Thursday, “I expect to have the panel’s recommenMay’s office said that the list of applicants dations by the end of the month, then be is being reviewed to ensure all candidates able to make a nomination to the Board of meet the minimum qualifications of being Commissioners within the first two weeks of at least 21 years of age, a citizen of this August, if not sooner,” May said. state, a resident of the geographic area The appointed interim District 5 comencompassed by District 5 at the time missioner will serve the district of 145,000 of application for appointment, and a residents until suspended CEO Burrell Ellis resident of DeKalb County for at least 12 returns to his position or is permanently months prior to appointment. removed from office. County press secretary Burke BrenGov. Nathan Deal suspended Ellis from nan did not respond to questions about office on July 16, 2013, after he was indicted when the list of applicants would be made on theft and racketeering charges for alpublic, but earlier in the day, he said the legedly shaking down county vendors for appointment was a personnel matter and campaign donations. the names of applicants were not subject Ellis’ trial is scheduled to start on Sept. to publication. 8. When CrossRoadsNews reminded him The Georgia Legislature passed SB 367 on that a commissioner is not an employee of March 20 to provide representation for the the county, Brennan said he would check district after Deal tapped May, the district’s with the county Law Department and get commissioner, to be interim CEO. back to the newspaper. The interim District 5 commissioner He never did. shall receive the $38,374-a-year salary paid May said a citizen panel of Lisa Allen, a to elected commissioners.

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CrossRoadsNews

Community

July 12, 2014

“At the end of the day, people are looking for public integrity and we have it here.”

East Metro CID sets 3-mill rate 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 Jennifer Ffrench Parker Ken Watts Copy Editor Brenda Yarbrough Advertising Sales Kathy E. Warner Cherie Esteves Billing Clerk Kelli Ffrench-Parker Circulation Manager Jami Ffrench-Parker CrossRoadsNews is published every Saturday by CrossRoadsNews, Inc. We welcome articles on neighborhood issues and news of local happenings. The opinions expressed by writers and contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher, nor those of any advertisers. The concept, design and content of CrossRoadsNews are copyrighted and may not be copied or reproduced in whole or in part in any manner without the written permission of the publisher.

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East Metro CID property owners will pay a 3-mill rate for the 2014 tax year. In one of its first actions, the new board of directors voted unanimously on July 8 to assess member properties the extra millage rate to fund operations. Fred Daniels The new community improvement district, which was created on May 13, stretches 39 square miles along I-20 from Gresham Road in Atlanta to the Stonecrest area. Its 203 members own 400 parcels with assessed value of $146 million. At the 3-mill rate, the CID will have first-year revenues of about $176,047. Board Chairman Fred Daniels said that since the board was elected on June 20, he has had tremendous support from

Forum

the 25 CIDs already in existence across metro Atlanta. “Many said they started with $50,000 and are multimillion-dollar CIDs,” he said. Daniels said that the board will set about building a good foundation and will work with area churches and community organizations to prioritize the things that need to be done. “At the end of the day, people are looking for public integrity and we have it here,” he said. Daniels said he plans to meet with the Stonecrest Alliance, which has said it wants out of the mega CID. “We plan to meet with them and hear their concerns,” he said. The board also elected QuikTrip Vice President Nathan Richardson as vice president, attorney Trichelle Simmons as secretary and Harold Roberts as treasurer.

3,642 already cast early ballots in July 22 runoffs By Ken Watts

Through Thursday, 3,642 voters have cast ballots in the July 22 runoff election in DeKalb County. School Board candidates Dr. Michael Erwin and Atticus LeBlanc, Thad Mayfield and Vickie Turner, and Karen Carter and Jim Mahan are seeking the District 3, 5 and 6 seats, respectively. DeKalb Sheriff Jeff Mann is facing opposition from former DeKalb CEO Vernon Jones. In the state school superintendent race for the Democratic nomination, former Decatur City School Board member Valarie Wilson and state Rep. Alisha Thomas Morgan are vying for the Democratic nomination, and Michael “Mike” Buck and Richard Wood are vying for the Republican nomination. In-person early voting, available only at the DeKalb Elections Office at 4380 Memorial Drive in Decatur, ends on July 18. On election day, all precincts are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, call 404-298-4020 or visit www.

The removal of these progressive teachers is part of the continuing dumbing down of American education.

We must restore our sense of self-determination By Gina Mangham

Now is our time to stand up for ourselves, our communities, and for what is right. By not participating, we have allowed the political process to shape and even control our fate. As an advocate, I refuse to believe that we are powerless. I speak with people every day that are frustrated, even cynical, but still share my belief that now more than ever, we cannot afford to let others continue to make decisions that are not in our best interests. We must restore our innate sense of self-determination by refusing to accept politics as usual. Regardless of our perceived differences, we can certainly come together on three basic principles: n Unity, not division – It is incomprehensible that some of our leaders blame disagreement as an excuse for inaction. In reality, rarely does any group agree on everything. Though we may not agree on every issue, we can, and must,

“We should welcome differing opinions that lead to discourse. It is only by examining all sides of the issues that we can come to a full understanding, which can lead to some consensus.” Gina Mangham

respect and consider the views of all of those who have the passion and temerity to speak out. We should welcome differing opinions that lead to discourse. It is only by examining all sides of the issues that we can come to a full understanding, which can lead to some consensus. n Public service and servant leadership over politics – We must seek out, promote and support leaders who serve our interests and not just themselves. Our elected officials work for us. Yet, if we do not hold them accountable, we have only ourselves to blame. Let your elected officials know what they are doing right, as well

as what you would like to happen differently. If they are unresponsive, seek someone who is willing to be a true public servant, who will respect your vote and actually do the work. Rhetoric without solutions is meaningless. n Transparency, ethics and integrity – Right is right and wrong is wrong, it’s really that simple. If an elected official breaks the rules, there must be swift and appropriate consequences in order to restore the public trust. Processes must be open and transparent. It is time to end back-room deals where the way in which decisions are made is known only to those making them. It’s easy to do

the right thing when it’s popular. But our integrity is determined by whether we stand publicly for what is right, even when we seemingly stand alone. Now is our time to show the citizens of DeKalb and metro Atlanta that we stand for our collective good. I am committed to continue the kind of leadership which displays integrity and a sincere desire to restore our communities to a positive reflection of all of us – a quality of life with clean, safe, stable communities where we can all enjoy our families and friends, whatever our geography or background. DeKalb County is one of the most diverse communities in our state, which affords us a unique opportunity to show the world how we can live, work and play well together. Will you join me? Gina Mangham is a 24-year resident of Lithonia. She is an attorney, mediator and community advocate and is one of 21 applicants for the interim District 5 Commission seat.

Keep our talented, courageous teachers at SWD High Dear Mr. Michael Thurmond, Someone once said, “If you get people arguing over the wrong question, the answer becomes irrelevant.” At Southwe s t D e Ka l b High School, we are mired in the minutiae of mediocrity and Byron Merritt mendacity. Were our core teachers reassigned due to declining enrollment

Circulation Audited By

or as a result of retaliation? This is a false question if ever there was one. We’re tussling over a question whose answer is already irrelevant. The question we ought to be asking ourselves is “What kind of educational outcomes do we need in our children if AfricanAmericans are to survive the 21st century.” Residents on the north end of the county are sponsoring cityhood initiatives and are poised to devour

the lion’s share of the county’s educational budget, which will leave the schools on the south end of the county under-resourced. If our continued forward progress depends upon graduates who can think critically, who can assert themselves, who are self-determining with a strong sense of their own cultural identity and history, then we need a Carla Jordan, a Monica Hardesty, a Lucy Wright, a Bernice Foreman and a Marsha MurrayBunsei in our school. The removal of these progres-

sive teachers is part of the continuing dumbing down of American education. Mr. Thurmond with your prodigious talents engage us around issues of what our community will have to look like and be capable of doing over the next 5-10 years through the educational system post-Barack Obama. Keep our talented and courageous teachers in Southwest DeKalb High School. Byron L. Merritt, president of Southwest DeKalb High PTSA.

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CrossRoadsNews

July 12, 2014

Community

“I hear about it all the time. We are working hard to get it fixed, but there is a process we have to go through.”

Photos by Curtis Parker / CrossRoadsNews

The plants at the U.S. 78 ramp at Mountain Industrial Boulevard (above) and I-285 at Bouldercrest Road (top right) and Memorial Drive (bottom right) have been mulched.

Turner Hill work ‘unacceptable,’ other projects taking shape GATEWAYS,

from page

“We told him we need him to do more than cut the grass,” he said. After the March 14 ceremonial ground breaking, Fisher, who was awarded $344,117 to landscape his two projects, said Turner Hill Road would be completed by April 4. “It’s going to be beautiful,” he said then of the exit to the 1.3 million-square-foot Mall at Stonecrest. “Everyone will be real pleased with the design and the materials. We want people to drive by and say, ‘I wish my front yard looked like that.’” His crew began installation the week of March 24. On Wednesday, he blamed the late planting of the trees and shrubs for the unkempt look of the interchange. “No way we should have planted when we did,” he said. “Right now there is not enough rain coming down to make them survive.” But at Bouldercrest Road, Stone Mountain Industrial and LaVista Road that were planted around the same time, the plants are mulched and the landscapings are beginning to take shape. Fisher said he still has 4,000 plants to install at Turner Hill Road but that he is waiting until October to do it when the weather

is cooler. He said the appearance of the Turner Hill Road interchange will change. “It will get better,” he said. “If anything dies, I will replace it.” Fisher did not have an explanation for why the mulch that the county delivered to the site has been sitting along the ramps for weeks. “We are going to go ahead and put the mulch out,” he said. “We are going out next week to start spreading.” Pushed for a completion time-line, Fisher said he plans to be done in a couple of weeks. “By the end of July we should have everything out,” he said.

Contractor highly recommended Burkette said the interim CEO uses the Turner Hill Road exit daily on his way to and from home. “I hear about it all the time,” he said. “We are working hard to get it fixed, but there is a process we have to go through.” Burke Brennan, the county’s press secretary, said that the county has adjusted expectations about the completion of the Turner Hill Road project. “We agree that the work done at Turner Hill Road is unacceptable,” he said. “We had

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hoped it would be much better by now, and that has not happened.” Brennan said that county has to follow procedures to ensure that the contract is followed. The landscaping contractors are required to install, water and maintain the plants for two years. The contractors also must replace any plants that die within five years of installation. Burkette said the county has been supplementing the contractors’ once-a-week

watering. He said 3 Macks, which has done mowing for the county’s Parks Department, came highly recommended. “We felt confident when we started that he could get the project done,” he said. “We are being fair with this contractor, but he has to be fair with us as well.” Brennan said the county expects the terms of the contract to be fulfilled. “If performance is an issue, canceling a contract is a possibility,” he said.

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Youth

CrossRoadsNews

July 12, 2014

“We find it interesting that the only teachers reassigned are the very ones who complained about problems at Southwest DeKalb.”

Dunaire musicians win top honor

Juniors explore veterinary science

The Dunaire Elementary Dynamic Dolphins Xylophone Ensemble received top honors at the Universal Studios Music Festival USA. The annual festival, held May 17 at Universal Studios in Orlando, Fla., attracts competitors from throughout the United States. The 18 musicians in grades four and five, un- The Dynamic Dolphins Xylophone Ensemble won two trophies der the direction of music at the Universal Studios Music Festival USA. teacher Chelsea Cook, received two awards Instrumental Grand Champion. – a trophy for placing first with superior ratPrincipal Janice T. Crawford and other ings in the Elementary Percussion Ensemble staff members from the Stone Mountain competition and the trophy for being the school made the trip with the students.

academic classes that Rising high school included hands-on exjuniors Matoaka Wilson perience working in of Arabia Mountain, an anatomy laboraHannah Huff of Southtory and dissecting, exwest DeKalb and Lilamining and learning lian Dinkins of DeKalb veterinarian terminolSchool of the Arts reogy. The students also cently attended a weekparticipated in lectures long veterinary science and worked on group program at Tuskegee research projects that University in Alabama. were presented on the They were among Matoaka Wilson (from left), Hannah Huff final day. 25 honor rising juniors and Lillian Dinkins attended VET-STEP II. The program included a visit to the and seniors interested in veterinary science who were chosen from all across the United university’s Veterinary Medical Teaching States to participate in the VET-STEP II Hospital where they saw firsthand the diversity of career options and challenges of program. Participants were exposed to intensive the profession.

Southwest DeKalb High principal reassigned to Stephenson Middle TRANSFERS,

from page

leadership and planning to apathetic management, poor communication, disciplinary and campus safety issues, constant interruptions of instructional time, inconsistent policies and procedures, low morale, nepotism, hostile environment, and personal vendettas. They wrote of budget cuts to all departments, questionable spending, and select individuals receiving resources and equipment, such as TV sets in their offices. They said there were closed-door meetings with a select few, and assistant principals and department chairs were unaware of the principal’s plans and expectations and unable to answer staff questions. “Rules do not apply to all staff,” they wrote under the header “no consistency/fairness with expectation and policies.” “Favorit-

ism obviously shown. Certain staff members don’t have equally shared duties and tasks.” Under “damaged public relations,” the teachers said magnet enrollment numbers have declined and AP and Accelerated classes at the school have been reduced. “Parents arriving to meetings/events without order and clear communications; leaving without valuable information to assist their child. Parents unsure where to go and who to talk to.” The group gave the list to Williams and Area Superintendent Ken Bradshaw before meeting with the PTSA in September 2013. Two of the five teachers were notified of their reassignment during the school year and the rest found out shortly after teachers presented their issues to the School Board in May. Williams was transferred to Stephenson Middle School for the 2014-15 school year. PTSA President Byron Merritt said par-

ents want the district to reconsider its decision. Nearly 100 parents staged a protest at the packed July 7 DeKalb School Board meeting. They stood silently while Merritt and seven parents addressed the board dur- Byron Merritt ing its public comment session. “We’re here to ask Mr. [Michael] Thurmond to reinstate the five teachers who have been reassigned away from Southwest DeKalb High by order of the superintendent in what looks to us like retaliation,” Merritt said. “These are model teachers we want standing in our school.” DeKalb Schools spokesman Quinn Hudson said the teachers were reassigned because of falling enrollment at Southwest DeKalb. Enrollment has declined from 1,700 students in 2011 to 1,350 in 2013. He told reporters after the meeting that he couldn’t comment about specific teachers. “It was a private personnel matter,” Hudson said. Merritt said after the July 7 meeting that parents are not satisfied with that response. “Yes, our enrollment has dropped, but we find it interesting that the only teachers reassigned are the very ones who complained about problems at Southwest DeKalb,” he said. SWD parent Monica Foderingham, who has two children who graduated from Southwest DeKalb and a third who is a junior at the school, told the School Board that the teachers came forward because they felt comfortable appealing to DeKalb administrators. “They were given assurances by the area superintendent that there would be no retaliation,” Foderingham said. Merritt told the School Board that the administrative problems described by the

teachers affect student achievement. “We have 88 ninth-grade students coming to Southwest DeKalb High on waivers this August,” he said. “We have 80 ninth- and 10th-grade students not reading on grade level. Our graduation rate has dropped to seventh from the bottom in the county. The very teacher [Jordan] who has run our Summer Bridge program at the ninth-grade academy to help these struggling students get up to speed has been reassigned, further impeding these students’ progress and guaranteeing that our graduation rates will continue to decline.” Improving student performance is one of 11 required actions that the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools says the district will have to fulfill at all of its schools to regain full accreditation. On Jan. 21, SACS moved the district’s accreditation status up to “warned” from probation. SACS inspectors returned in May for a progress check, but the district has not yet released their findings. Williams just completed her second year as principal at Southwest DeKalb High. The district has not announced a new principal for the school, which will be on its third principal in four years. PTSA Vice President Cookie Huff said the job opening offers the district a chance to improve the school’s learning environment. “Not only do we want our teachers put back in place, but we’d appreciate it if you’d conduct a survey asking us about the principal’s opening,” she told the board. “We want you to come to us and discuss it because we have a person that we’d like you to put in place.” The School Board is not likely to reverse the transfers, but Thurmond told CrossRoadsNews that he was glad to see parents energized about their school. “It was good that they turned out in such large numbers and I’m looking forward to working with them again,” he said.

CrossRoadsNews

July 12, 2014

One Georgia for Valarie Wilson Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to vote for Valarie Wilson in the upcoming runoff election on July 22, if we want a new direction for Georgia Public Schools. Please join us in supporting and voting for Valarie Wilson!

Voters Are On Board with Val! Jon Abercrombie Frances Abercrombie Jillian Abraham Ella Adams Jack Adams Jackie Zenobia Adams Bill Adams John Ahmann Bill Ainslie Vickie Ainslie LaShonda Allen Gaynell Allen Lottie Alston Roger Anthony Mary Frances Armour Mark Arnold Roz Arnold Margie Ashe Darlene Jackson Atcherson Jerome Atkinson Travis Baker Lillie Banks Barbara Banks Nathelia Barnes Burnestine Barron Jim Baskett Mickey Baskett Michael Baxter Sara Baxter Nadine Being Nadene Bening Valencia Blacksheer Terri Blackwell Tonya Bloodworth Betty Bloudeau Bill Bolling Haqiqa Bolling Paul Bolster Riki Bolster Carolyn Bolton Chasney Bowman Jane Boykin Fred Boykin Cassandra Breedlove Marc Brennan Terry Broughton Barbara Broughton Kelsie Broughton Jean A. Brown Sherri Brown Kristi Brown Thomas Brown Charolotte Brown Ronnie Brown Jean A. Brown Alice O'Neal Browner Beverly Bryant Shawn Bryant Daniel Buggs Betty Burnside Kenneth Butler Branden Butler Carisma Butler Annie P. Caisla Jewel Camp Lonnie Camp Rita Carter Clifford Chandler Mary Cheevers Robert Clark Dana Clark Tory Clark Kelvin Clark Geraldine Coachmen Vonda Cochran Teneshia Cochran

Jasmine Cochran Shakela Cochran Cheryl Cochran Cory Cochran Bruce Cohen Doretha Conner Pastor Clarke Conner Gary Cook Jessica Crawford Nancey Crawford Charles Crawford Deborah Jackson Cross Jason Culver Kecia Cunningham Linda Curry Charlene Daise Joseph Daise Joseph Daise Dwayne Daniels Patrice Daniels Sasha Daniels Nick Danna Jewell Davis Margie Davis Ronnie Davis Dr. Camille Davis-Williams Kathy Dawson Don Denard Carolyn Denard Venita Dent Jessie Dixon Neil Dobbs Nick Downey Candi Downey Scott Drake Lindsey Drake Walt Drake Linda Dunlany Genevieve Edwards Don Edwards Sheila Elder Jim Eley Mattie Eley Keeron Emmanuel Pamela Epps Ann Falconer Stephanie Flowers Bill Floyd Sydney Floyd Marcia Fowler Anne Fowlkes Eddie Fowlkes Saadia Foy Gloria Freeman Sharon Freeman Barbara Freeman Janet Freeman Nancy Friauf Kathie Gannon Patti Garrett Gary Garrett Monica George-Komi Roy Gilbert Theresa Wicklin Gillespie Mae Gilley Toni Gilstrap Tommy Gilstrap Marcia Glenn (Freedom Rider) Annie Godfrey Garrett Goeble Mickey Goodson Carol Gray James Gresham Ann Gresham Brenda James Griffin Jennifer Gunter

Carol Hadley Dr. Carole Hahn Dr. Redonya Haith Loretta Hamm Bobby Hamm Michael Harbin Graham Hardman Virginia Hardman Delores Harper Henry Harper Alice Harris Camille Harvey Ernest Hawk Betty Hawk Carolyn Haynes The Honorable Joe Heckstall Andrea Heckstall Rachel Heming Willie Bill . Henderson Jr Judith Henson Kathy Hill Patsy Jo Hilliard Robi Hilliard LaShawn Hoffman Honorable Bruce Holems James Holmes Kara Holmes Patricia Hood Pastor Frances Howell Gue Hudson Eleanor L. Hudson Julia Humbles Clarkie Humphrey Constance Bussey Hunt Deborah Hunter Antoinette Hunter Vickie Hutchinson Melissa Ann Ingram Jerome and Veronica Ings Donna Inkster Eric Inkster Patti Ireland Myron Jackson Claudius Jackson David Jackson Joy Jackson Bertha Jackson Darlene Jackson Louise L. Jackson Doreen Jackson Loretta Jefferson Oliver Jerome Byron Johnson C. J. Johnson Fannie Johnson Sandy Johnson Doris Sims Johnson Karen Stroud Johnson Tanisha Jones Lewis D. Jones Lucinda Jones Brenda Jordan Betty Kelly Mary Alice Kemp Rachel Kemp Sylvia A. Kemp

Marshal Kendrick Barbara Ann Kennimore Lyn Kerpel Marie Kimble Lori Leland Kirk David Kirk Jack Kittle Gloria Knight Larry Kosten Elizabeth Kustin Cindy Wisniewski Lamons Annie Lawrence Pamela Lawrence Caroline Leach Willie L. Leek Melba McKnight Lett Lett Amber Lett Prince Lett Mary Lett Chuck Lett Eugene Lett Augustus Lett III Augustus Lett Sr. Liane Levetan Rosa Lind Elizabeth Lindley Charles and Mary Mack Nicholas Mack Dr. Kathleen Manigo Antoinette Marks Miko Martin Claudia Martin Shanta Martin Sheryl Martin Carol Massey Diane Mathews Virginia Mathis Velma McCray Hazel McDaniel Terry McKnight Betty McKnight Dr. Michael McKnight Teresa McQueen Syreeta McTier Sam McTier Bettye McTier Ms. Martha Merriweather Mary Miller Deidra Miller Lorri Mills Cassandra Mingo Jarvis Mingo Robert & Deborah Mitchell Deborah Mitchell Willie Monroe Janet Montgomery Michael Montgomery Betty Moore Ralph Moore Larry Moore Elaine Moore Elaine Moore Larry Moore Kevin Moran Mitzi Moran Dr. Kimberlyn Morris

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Bishop James H. Morton Rodney Mullice Leslie Munson Keith Munson Kristin Munson Saadai Najee Najiyyah Nashid Corris Neal Jerome Neal Jr. Dr. Gwen Nelson Wanda Nesbitt Toni Nesbitt Deborah Nicholson Dorothy B. Oates Elizabeth Obrien Matthew Obrien Tracy Owens Lois Palmer Barbara Parker Frank Patman Jennifer Phillips Bobby Pierce Marie Pierce Dinah Pless Jay Pless Elaine Pollard Al and Kimberly Powell Margie Preston Dacia Priston Pamela Pryor Jackie Ramsby Hunter Ramseur Christie Ramseur Miguel and Kimberly Ratliff Bernice Reid Julia Rhame Rhett Rhame Ann Boon Rhea Jackie Rhodes Wayne Robertson Donna Robertson Rita Robinzine Deborah Rochon Chrys Rogers JoAnn Rose Judy Rosemond Coudry Ross Lillie Rushin Lynn Russell Sarah Sanders Carla Sanders Angela Sanford Rutelia Sassnet Mildred Schmelz Margaret Schuelke Jacqueline Scott Francine Scott Janelle Williams Scott Clarence Scott Eleanor Scott Bernadetta Seals Jan Selman Bill Selman Bob Silverman Juanita Simmons Calvin Simon Carolyn Sims David Sims Amy Siska Mildred Slayton Joyce Smith Dr. Patricia Smith Dr. Barbara Smith Dr. Alexis Smith Lucille Smith Ethel Steverson

Donna Jackson Stewart Sheri Mann Stewart Lisa Stock Lisa Stocks Dawn Stocks Sharesma Stocks Dwayne Stocks Ruby Stocks Linda Strickland Nibs Stroupe Lenora Styles Tina Sullivan Lauren Sullivan Jan Swanson Sheila Taylor Sylvia Taylor Tomika Thomas Susan Thomas Thelma Thomas Ann Thomas Rodney Thomas Nadine Thomas Josie Thompsom Sara Thompson Lloyd Thorpe Diane Thorpe Louise Thrower Leonard Thrower Trina Thrower Celeste Tolbert Calvin Tolbert Nathaniel Tolbert Dr. M.D. Tolbert Helen Toney Eloise Tucker Valissa Turner Larry Turner Louise Turner Judy Turner Michael Turner, Jr. Iris Vance John Vance Samuel Veal Brenda Veal Trudie Wade William Wade Abdul Walker Jean Wallace Jennifer Wallace Marion Wallace Tanya Wallace Casteria Watkins Gwendolyn Weaver Vicki Welborn Cynthia Westbrook Sandra White Ennis White Ann Whitehead Glenda Whitworth J. Richard Whitworth Lelia Williams Kyle Williams Renee Wilson Rodney Wilson Craig Wilson Elizabeth Wilson Marc Joseph Lamons Wisniewski Cynthia Woodard Ronald Woodard Wendy Worrall Chandra Wright Constance Wright Rachel Zeigler Decatur's Red Hatter

CrossRoadsNews

Wellness

July 12, 2014

“We can prevent 11 million cases of high blood pressure each year if everyone reduced their daily sodium intake to 2,300 milligrams.”

Online center offers heart-healthy recipes, meal plans All the featured recipes include nutritional facts and use everyday ingredients found at local supermarkets. They have been tested by Eating Well’s test kitchen.

A heart-healthy nutrition resource is just a click away for residents concerned about heart disease and stroke. The Million Hearts initiative, which is aiming to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes by 2017, has launched a new Janet Wright Healthy Eating and Lifestyle Resource Center at http://recipes.millionhearts.hhs.gov. The Web-based resource, developed in partnership with the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Eating Well magazine, features lower-sodium, heart-healthy recipes and family-friendly meal plans with an emphasis on managing sodium intake, a major contributor to high blood pressure and heart disease. Dr. Janet S. Wright, executive director of Million Hearts, said that giving individuals and families access to content and recipes to

Serve wraps as appetizers or make a meal Five-Spice Turkey & Lettuce Wraps

Based on a popular Chinese dish, these fun wraps also make appealing appetizers for entertaining. Make it a meal: Serve with chile-garlic sauce and rice vinegar for extra zip; toss diced mango and strawberries with lime juice for a quick dessert. Makes 4 servings, 1 1/4 cups filling each Active time: 30 minutes promote consumption of Total time: 30 minutes

healthier foods supports the goal of preventing a million heart attacks and strokes. “Because sodium is a major contributor to high blood pressure, it is important to help people Tom Frieden understand how they can manage sodium intake at home,” Wright said. “This online resource offers practical, accessible eating and lifestyle-based solutions for people looking for ways to reduce sodium in their diet and create heart-healthy, tasty meals for themselves and their families.” The meal plans are flexible, easy to use, convenient, and can be customized to an individual’s dietary needs. All the featured recipes include nutritional facts and use everyday ingredients found at local supermarkets and have been tested by Eating Well’s test kitchen.

Ingredients

Preparation

Bring water to a boil in a small saucepan. Add rice; reduce heat to low, cover and cook for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Add turkey and ginger; cook, crumbling with a wooden spoon, until the turkey is cooked through, about 6 minutes. Stir in the cooked rice, bell pepper, water chestnuts, broth, hoisin sauce, five-spice powder and salt; cook until heated through, about 1 minute. To serve, spoon portions of the turkey mixture into lettuce leaves, top with herbs and carrot and roll into wraps.

1/2 cup water 1/2 cup instant brown rice 2 teaspoons sesame oil 1 pound 93% lean ground turkey 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger 1 large red bell pepper, finely diced 1 8-ounce can water chestnuts, rinsed and chopped 1/2 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce (see Notes) 1 teaspoon five-spice powder (see Notes) 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 heads Boston lettuce, leaves separated 1/2 cup chopped fresh herbs, such as cilantro, basil, mint and/or chives 1 large carrot, shredded

Tips & Notes

Search and filter options make it easier to quickly find the right meal based on prep time, cuisine and number of servings. Dr. Tom Frieden, the CDC’s director, said small changes can make a big difference. “We can prevent 11 million cases of high blood pressure each year if everyone

reduced their daily sodium intake to 2,300 milligrams,” he said. “This resource helps people see that it’s not about giving up the food you love, but choosing lower-sodium options that taste great.” For more information, visit http://millionhearts.hhs.gov.

Make-ahead tip: Prepare the filling (through Step 2), cover and refrigerate for up to 1 day. Serve cold or reheat in the microwave. Notes: Hoisin sauce is a spicy, sweet sauce made from soybeans, chiles, garlic and spices. It will keep in the refrigerator for at least a year. Often a blend of cinnamon, cloves, fennel seed, star anise and Szechuan peppercorns, five-spice powder was originally considered a cure-all miracle blend encompassing the five elements (sour, bitter, sweet, pungent, salty). Look for it in the supermarket spice section. Editor’s note: Recipes are just a click away at http:// recipes.millionhearts.hhs.gov/recipes.

Role of urban farming to be explored

FREE Saturday August 2, 2014 10am - 2pm

While Supplies Last

Oakhurst Medical Centers 5582 Memorial Drive Stone Mountain, GA 30083

(Up the street from Chick Fil-A - Memorial Dr.)

Healthy Children Get Immunized for School! 4-17 yrs. (Must Bring Immunization Record)

Every Child Immunized Gets a Free Book Bag w/School supplies More Info: Brenda Jackson & Assoc 770-808-0114

Every Child Immunized Gets a Free Book Bag and School Supplies •School & Health Screenings •Health Information & Products •Promotional Products •FREE HIV Testing (with 1 minute results) •Breast Cancer Awareness Info •Healthy Foods, Beverages & Snacks •Youth & Adult Performances •Carnival Games & Face Painting •Rock Climbing & Obstacle Course •Pony & Trackless Train Rides •Talent / Essay Contests & Prizes •and more.... •First Come First Served!

FREE

Information about urban farming and sustainability will be available at Add Seed Day on July 12 at the Decatur Library. Gatekeepers Vegan Soup Kitchen is partnering with the library to educate the community about better eating options and growing alternatives as well as collaboration with people interested in sustainability. The noon-to-4 p.m. program begins with a screening of the award-winning documentary “Growing Cities,” which examines the role of urban farming in America. It will be

followed by a panel discussion and tasting featuring Atlanta urban farmers, vegan bakers, raw food chefs and juicing specialists. Representatives from Sevananda natural foods supermarket will discuss their community co-op program. Featured panelists include Arden’s Garden Juice Co., Seeds Global, urban farmer Ras Kofi, and Gatekeepers Vegan Soup Kitchen & Pantry. The library is at 215 Sycamore St. in Decatur. For more information, visit www. dekalblibrary.org or call 404-370-3070.

CrossRoadsNews

July 12, 2014

Wellness

“You stop for a quick dash into a store and suddenly those few minutes … can become quite deadly.” Parents and caregivers should never leave infants and other children unattended in parked cars. The elderly and people with a chronic illness also are at special risk of heat illness.

‘Beat the Heat’ tips Cars can heat up pretty quickly on hot days. Follow these tips to keep children and others safe. n Never leave infants, children, the elderly or people with a chronic illness in a parked car. n Pets should not be left in parked cars – even if the windows are down. n Always lock a parked car so that young children don’t enter by themselves. n Be sure that all occupants leave the vehicle when unloading it. Don’t overlook sleeping children especially during day care outings or family vacations.

Beat the Heat campaign targets kids left in hot cars Leaving kids unattended in a parked car is a bad idea, and the DeKalb Board of Health has launched a “Beat the Heat” awareness campaign to remind parents and caregivers never to do it. So far this year, 14 children, including 22-month-old Cooper Harris of Marietta, have died after being left in hot cars in Georgia. Cooper was left by his father, Justin Ross Harris, in his silver Hyundai Tucson SUV for hours on June 18. Harris, who went to work for seven hours at the Home Depot corporate headquarters in Smyrna, said he forgot to drop the toddler off at day care. He has been charged in the child’s death. The Board of Health kicked off its sixth

annual campaign on July 1 with a demonstration of how quickly a car’s interior can heat up and become very dangerous for its occupants. Dr. S. Elizabeth Ford, the district health director and a board-certified pediatrician, said the deadly scene plays out far too often. “Unfortunately, we’ve all experienced this sceS. Elizabeth Ford nario,” Ford said. “You stop for a quick dash into a local convenience store, leaving someone in the car, and suddenly those few minutes can easily turn into 20 or 30 and become quite deadly.”

She said the Beat the Heat campaign provides tips on how to avoid heat sickness. “People at special risk include infants, children, the elderly, people with chronic medical conditions or who experience homelessness and those who work outdoors or who play sports,” Ford said. Heat-related symptoms may include heavy sweating; weakness; cold, pale, clammy skin; fast, weak pulse; nausea or vomiting and fainting. Health officials encourage people to watch for these signs and seek medical care immediately. For more information, visit www.dekalbhealth.net and www.cdc.gov/nceh/extreme heat or call 404-294-3700.

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