WELLNESS
COMMUNITY
Participating Walgreens stores are partnering with advocacy groups to provide tests on National HIV Testing Day. 5
Eleven graduates have joined the ranks of DeKalb Code Enforcement, bringing the agency closer to full staffing of 40 officers. 7
Free HIV testing
Put Litter in Its Place
Code reinforcements
Let’s Do Our Part to Keep DeKalb Beautiful A PUBLIC SERVICE MESSAGE FROM CROSSROADSNEWS
EAST ATLANTA • DECATUR • STONE MOUNTAIN • LITHONIA • AVONDALE ESTATES • CLARKSTON • ELLENWOOD • PINE LAKE • REDAN • SCOTTDALE • TUCKER • STONECREST
June 16, 2018
Copyright © 2018 CrossRoadsNews, Inc.
Volume 24, Number 7
www.crossroadsnews.com
Low test scores one factor in Destiny Academy’s demise By Jennifer Ffrench Parker
Destiny Achievers Academy of Excellence is closing June 30. The charter school, which opened on 2007 and has 180 students, is being shuttered by the Georgia Board of Education for low test scores and poor leadership. To keep its options open, Destiny’s Governance Board withdrew its charter petition and says it will later file a new application for the 2020 school year. In a May 31 letter to parents and guardians, Roshelle Darlene Hudson, Destiny’s new interim board chair, said that withdrawing their petition made sense. “By selecting this option, the board and the community would be able to re-submit another application in the near future for the 2020 school year,” she said.
“While we are not where we want to be, we are seeing growth in the students and will continue to work at it until we consistently make the mark.... Our mantra has been, when we know better, we do better.”
Roshelle Darlene Hudson, Interim Board Chair
Hudson said Destiny is important to the students, the parents, the staff, and the community at large. “While we are not where we want to be, we are seeing growth in the students and will continue to work at it until we consistently make the mark,” she said. “Many of the current board members who are new to the board are dedicated and represent a skills set appropriate for providing the oversight of the school. Our mantra has been, when we know better, we do better.” For the new school year, Andre Riley, DeKalb School District spokesman, said Destiny students will enroll in other DeKalb County schools. Students attending summer school right now have been notified of other options – the free Title I Summer School
Hudson said that the school, based on Linecrest Road in Ellenwood, offers a second chance to students facing challenges. Destiny, which was founded by the late Ben Jakes, serves at-risk students caught up in the court system and those facing truancy, behavior issues, academic challenges, and homelessness. Please see DESTINY, page 2
Race-based disparities in maternal deaths explored DeKalb Medical seeking clues to mortality rates
DeKalb Medical maternity nurses Tomorrow Bethel (left) and Shiny Abraham are working with several new initiatives aimed at addressing maternal mortality, implemented by Women and Infant Services executive director Rose Horton (right).
By Rosie Manins
African American women in DeKalb County and across Georgia are three times more likely to die from giving birth than the average American, studies have found. Maternal deaths is a complex problem that obstetrics professionals in DeKalb are working to resolve. Rose Horton, DeKalb Medical’s executive director of Women and Infant Services, has spent the past year implementing initiatives – like tracking hospital re-admission within three weeks of giving birth, quantifying the loss of blood during childbirth, and other issues – to address maternal mortality and associated factors that result in race-based disparities. “There is actually racism in healthcare and it’s having an impact on women of color,” Horton told CrossRoadsNews in a wideranging interview on May 31. “We need to call it what it is and address it for what it is.” A mother herself, Horton says one pregnancyrelated death is one too many, and that Georgia’s maternal mortality rate for African-American women – 66.6 deaths per 100,000 births – is Rose Horton shameful. “Poverty is part of the problem, but as we’ve looked at disparity and women of color, even after we factor out education and we factor socio-economics and salary, there’s still a larger number of women of color who’re dying,” she said. “There’s still that race factor.” On a whole, the United States isn’t doing well either. The nation’s maternal mortality rate has been steadily increasing, in contrast to
Rosie Manins/CrossRoadsNews
almost every other industrialized nation, to 20.7 deaths per 100,000 births in 2018. Nationwide, the rate among black women is more than double – 47.2 deaths per 100,000 births. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the national rate of maternal mortality among black women has been three to four times that of white women for more than a century. Although the troubling trend isn’t exclusive to Georgia, the state also has the undesired title of having the highest maternal mortality rate of any state in the U.S. – a whopping 46.2 deaths per 100,000 births. It is also more than double the national rate. By contrast, California, the safest state in the country to give birth in, boasts only 4.5 deaths per 100,000 births. California is also one of a handful of states seeing an annual decline in maternal mortality.
In Georgia, and throughout much of the country, the opposite is true, despite medical and technological advances. Georgia’s rate has increased by about seven deaths per 100,000 births since 2016, when it was 39.3. The most recent detailed data for 2013 shows that 79 women in Georgia died giving birth. Just over half were Medicaid recipients and 37 of them, or 47 percent, were black.
Horton said the patient who died during labor was doing well until she sat up in bed, clutching her chest after getting an epidural. The amniotic fluid bubble had traveled up into her lungs, she said. “We called a code, we started compression, we oxygenated her,” Horton said. “There was absolutely nothing that we could do.” Horton says the current national rate of maternal deaths, and especially that in Georgia, is nowhere near good enough. “Fifty percent of maternal death is preventable,” she said, “but I feel very hopeful and optimistic, and I have every confidence that things will improve.” Horton is behind several new DeKalb Medical initiatives focused on improving maternal mortality rates in the medical center, in DeKalb and statewide. Each year, about 4,800 women give birth
Seeking a solution During her two years at DeKalb Medical, Horton said one woman has died giving birth at the hospital. She said it is impossible to eradicate maternal mortality completely. There will always be the risk of some unforeseen medical issue or freak accident, she said. “We’ve been very fortunate here at DeKalb Medical,” she said. “Our outcomes are very good, but I think it’s because of what we’ve put in place.” Please see MORTALITY, page 5
CrossRoadsNews
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Youth
June 16, 2018
“Each year, I consider it an honor to send you off on your journey to our esteemed institutions.”
Six 4th District grads land scholarships to military academies By Bryce Ethridge
Four DeKalb high school graduates have each been awarded $425,000 scholarships to U.S. military academies. Justin Nelson from Arabia Mountain High School and Beining Xiao from Chamblee Charter High School are going to the U.S. Naval Academy. Christopher Terry from Stephenson High School and Avery Jones from Miller Grove High School are going to West Point Military Academy. U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson nominated 25 students to attend West Point, the Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, Coast Guard Academy and Merchant Marine Academy. All members of Congress can nominate up to 10 candidates per opening. Six 4th District nominees received the coveted scholarships. The other two are James Ferrante from Providence Christian Academy in Lilburn, and Jaison Taylor from Newton High School in Covington. James will attend the Air Force Academy, and Jaison, the Naval Academy.
U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson (right), who nominated 25 students for military academy appointments, praised the recipients at a reception in their honor at Stone Mountain’s ArtStation.
The full-ride, four-year scholarships include tuition, books, room and board, and medical and dental care. Service academy graduates will receive bachelor of science degrees, be commissioned as second lieutenants, and serve in the military for at least five years. Johnson said he could not be more proud
of the nominees and appointees. “Each year, I consider it an honor to send you off on your journey to our esteemed institutions where you will be educated, trained, and inspired to help shoulder the wheel in defense of our nation,” Johnson told the students at a reception at Stone Mountain’s ArtStation. “All of you are outstand-
ing young people and you have the kind of leadership skills necessary to be successful in school, business and in life.” For more information, visit hankjohnson. house.gov/serving-you/military-academynominations, or call 770-987-2291. Oct. 29 is the deadline to apply to be a 2019 nominee.
Arabia grad wins 132 school, parks and rec sites offering summer food and lunch Mondays to Thursdays, is summer food sites open Parks & Recreation program scholarship from acrossWiththe 132 open to children and teens ages 18 and county, children in DeKalb don’t Children can also get breakfast and younger. have to go hungry while school is out. lunch daily at 41 sites operated by DeKalb Youth on Course Both the DeKalb County School Dis- The district says that all students Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs.
Aaron Allen
Aaron Allen, a 2018 graduate of Arabia Mountain High School, has landed a $15,000 Youth on Course scholarship to help defray the cost of studying engineering at Fisk University in Nashville, Tenn. Aaron is one of the only DeKalb County students and one of 19 graduates from across the country who were awarded college scholarships totaling $245,000 on June 11. Aaron, who lives in Ellenwood, majored in engineering at Arabia Mountain. He was an honor student and was on the golf and wrestling teams. Sherri Allen, his mother, said it is one of several academic and golf scholarships he has received towards his college education. She says he plans to pursue collegiate golf at Fisk. Youth on Course subsidizes greens fees to remove cost as a barrier to entry for potential lifetime golfers. It operates in 25 states and regions and has subsidized more than half a million rounds of golf since inception. Since 2008, the nonprofit organization has awarded more than $1.4 million in scholarships to 222 high school graduates to provide youth with access to high-quality higher education. Adam Heieck, its executive director, said the ability to provide lifechanging opportunities to young people is at the core of the nonprofit’s mission. “Presenting these scholars with access to college through our scholarships ties together everything we, along with our partners, set out to do,” he said. The 2018 scholarship recipients, whose average GPA is 3.99, will attend some of the country’s most prestigious colleges. Thirty percent of them are first-generation college students.
trict and the DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs are operating summer food sites, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The school district’s sites are open through June 29. DeKalb Parks and Recreation locations are open through July 27. DCSD is offering its free “Seamless Summer Feeding Program” at 91 school sites across the district. In south DeKalb County, meals are also available at two centrally located sites: Columbia Middle School, 3001 Columbia Drive in Decatur, and Freedom Middle School, 505 South Hairston Road in Stone Mountain. The program, which offers breakfast
– irrespective of their lunch eligibility status during the school year – may participate. Families may visit www.dekalbschoolsga.org to find the school near their home. They can contact the school site for its specific meal times. Dr. Connie R. Walker, the district’s interim executive director of School Nutrition Services, said they welcome the opportunity to provide healthy meals to students during the summer months. “Studies have shown nutritious meals impact a student’s well-being and academic performance,” Walker said. For more information, call 678-6760162.
The count said its Summer Food Service Program is an ongoing effort that ensures that students have nutritious meals during the summer. Applications and participation requirements are available at www.dekalbcountyga.gov/parks under “Programs/ Events,” or can be picked up Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Mason Mill Recreation Center, 1340 McConnell Drive, Decatur. Agencies interested in becoming a program site should call Rose Myrick at 678-698-1114 with questions. For more information, contact LaShanda Davis at lsdavis@dekalbcountyga.gov or 404-371-3643.
Academy’s management, accountability questioned DESTINY,
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Credit Recovery Exclusively for Destiny Students, Georgia Virtual School Credit Recovery, and the fee-based DeKalb FLEX Restore Academy. Riley said Destiny is the only charter school in DeKalb County to cease operations for the 2018-2019 school year. The remaining 10 charter schools are DeKalb Academy of Technology and Environment, DeKalb PATH Academy, DeKalb Preparatory Academy, International Community School, Leadership Preparatory Academy, Tapestry Public Charter School, The GLOBE Academy, The Museum School of Avondale Estates, Chamblee Charter High School and Peachtree Charter Middle School. In a May 4 letter notifying Destiny Academy that it would recommend denial of its petition to continue operating, Allen Mueller, director of District Flexibility and Charter Schools, said in the period since the school’s original charter was extended, it has not demonstrated that it can succeed at meeting student achievement requirements needed to earn charter renewal. “Destiny’s failure to fully implement its Strategic Plan and failure to match or surpass the academic performance of similar schools in DeKalb County and the state of Georgia prohibits the department from recommending the renewal of Destiny’s charter to SNOE,” Mueller wrote. Among the issues highlighted in the rejection letter: n Governance accountability: Mueller said
Destiny’s governing board lacks the skill set needed to implement and monitor the dramatic changes needed to improve student outcomes. “Following the loss of its late founder, the governing board has been unable to guide the school to better student outcomes by fully implementing its Strategic Plan,” Mueller said. Hudson said the board has been reconstituted. “The new Destiny board members attended training when training was available by the state,” she wrote, detailing a list of training programs members attended. “The current board was learning and doing the work of the board.” n Grave concerns about Destiny governing board’s capacity to manage the schools finances. Mueller said that the school, which has $1.5 million in cash on hand, does not have a revenue challenge. “The governing board has simply failed to responsibly allocate the public dollars they receive to benefit Destiny’s students and to address the facility and programmatic deficiencies that have resulted in their school’s poor academic performance,” Mueller said. He said Destiny gets about $16,000 per pupil, roughly $6,000 more per pupil than other DeKalb charter schools, yet site visits revealed poor facility conditions and a skeleton staff providing school support. Mueller said that the principal was paid $251,000 at a school with an enrollment of
180 students. He also pointed out that the principal’s salary was scheduled to grow annually to close to $300,000 by the end of year five, when enrollment was projected to reach 305. “DeKalb County’s average principal salary is $145,000 annually,” the state said. In her May 16 response, Hudson said the $251,000 was not just the principal’s salary. “The principal salary is $115,00; the assistant principal is $85,000; and the dean of discipline, $51,500; totaling $251,000,” she told Mueller. n Concerns over Destiny’s academic performance and its graduation rate. The state said Destiny failed on all four of the major goals it set for the End of Course Exams, “with none of the school’s actual performance at even half of the amount promised.” While the school’s demographics mirror high schools like Cedar Grove and Columbia, the state said Destiny performed more poorly than them and worse than all DeKalb high schools on the CCRPI and Beating the Odds. “Destiny’s record of performance demonstrated that it cannot provide students with high quality educational options that result in the consistent and marked increases in student achievement and performance that it promised,” Mueller wrote. Mueller said that later this year, the state plans to implement a new program to establish alternative charter schools in Georgia. Hudson says they will apply under that program.
June 16, 2018
Community
CrossRoadsNews
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“I didn’t join the Army for that and I didn’t join the commission for anybody to tell lies on me.”
Adams alleges ‘vicious lies’ about him; reveals he was raped
By Jennifer Ffrench Parker
DeKalb County Commissioner Gregory Adams, who is in a runoff battle for his District 7 seat, claimed this week that “vicious lies” were being told about him. It is unclear what prompted the outburst at this time, and he did not say. Elected to the Super District 7 seat in December 2017, Adams was found during a county internal investigation to have violated the county’s sexual harassment policy after his former office manager accused him of sexual harassment and presented text messages and recordings of his actions. He is up for re-election for a full fouryear term, and three candidates challenged him in the May 22 Democratic primary. He is facing Lorraine Cochran-Johnson in the July 24 runoff. Speaking at the end of the June 12 BOC meeting, Adams used his time – reserved for commissioners to highlight happenings in their district – to make a tearful yet defiant outburst about the so-called “vicious lies.” His voice breaking at times, Adams shook his head, bit his lips, and balled his fist during the five-minute outburst. Alluding to the “Me Too” and “Men Too” movements, Adams also made a confession about a sexual assault he suffered in the military. He did not say what the “vicious lies” were. Here is the full transcript of his fiveminute outburst. “I want to thank everybody that voted for me to be District 7 Super Commissioner. I am ever more appreciative for the opportunity to serve District 7, to serve as a commissioner in DeKalb County. My wife and I celebrated 33 years of marriage. We have been together for 38 years. My heart is overjoyed with having a woman like my wife to stand by me, to support me, and to give me strength when I go through things. “May the life I live speak for me, and the service I give speak for me. “There has been vicious lies, put out about me. Vicious lies put out about me, a man who has lived his life for this country, and for this county, and someone thought it was good to put out a vicious lie about me. “Me Too Movement. I am a Men Too Movement because while I served in the military I was raped. I was sexually assaulted by a fellow soldier, and I live with this every day of my life. I didn’t run for office to be picked on, to be criticized, to be mocked, or be humiliated. The level of respect I have for people is very
Super District 7 Commissioner Gregory Adams alleged “vicious lies” are being spread about him and said he was raped while in the Army, during the June 12 commissioners’ meeting.
high. I have never disrespected a woman and I never will. “It hurts so bad when you try to do for people and people try to exploit, and extort, and get money from you for their own profitable gain. “It hurts. It hurts like hell. “I love what I do. I love working for the people of DeKalb County, serving them, but enough is enough. “You just don’t understand, and it is a game for people, but in the military, there are 83 percent of the men who do not document their sexual assault. It took me close to 30 years before I would even open my mouth to talk about what I experienced as a man. “It’s hard. It’s hellacious, but me, I didn’t join the Army for that and I didn’t join the commission for anybody to tell lies on me.” At the end of his speech, Adams collected his materials and walked out of the meeting before it was adjourned. Adams denied Ashlee Wright’s allegations to investigators and blamed his latenight text messages to her, reviewed during the investigation, on the effects of drugs “that he had taken since his service in the armed forces.” Investigators also reviewed voice recordings of Adams to Wright stating that she is “sexy, beautiful and intelligent,” and that she knows what “big daddy likes.”
Here is a timeline of events:
n Dec. 6, 2016: Adams won a special election
runoff for the District 7 seat and took office immediately. n January 2017: He hired Ashlee Wright as his district director. n May 2, 2017: Wright complained to county administrators that Adams tried to pursue a late-night liaison with her at 3.29 a.m. while they were at an out-of-town conference, asked her for a picture of her wearing a bikini, and referred to himself as her “big daddy.”
n May 2017: DeKalb County hired national law firm Nelson Mullins, Riley & Scarborough LLP to conduct an internal investigation into Wright’s allegations. n When the harassment didn’t stop, Wright started recording conversations and text messages and filed a complaint with the EEOC. Her attorney Robert James said that from January to mid-June, the harassment was “constant, pervasive, inappropriate and completely unwanted.” n June 12, 2017: The EEOC launched an investigation into the sexual harassment allegations against Adams. n June 30, 2017: Wright sent a “letter of demands” to the county seeking $750,000 to settle out of court. She went on paid leave from the county. n Aug. 20, 2017: Adams denied the charges and called Wright’s allegations “unfounded” in a WSB-TV interview. n Sept. 6, 2017: The internal investigation said “based on the totality of the circumstances… it is our conclusion that Commissioner Adams’ conduct was in violation of policy.” It recommended that he attend sexual harassment training to ensure he understands the kinds of comments and behavior that are not appropriate for a professional setting. n Sept. 27, 2017: The county terminated Wright for job abandonment when she did not report to the new job offered to her in Fire Rescue as a public information specialist. n Jan. 23 and 24, 2018: Wright sued Adams and his wife, Jacqueline, in separate lawsuits for defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, punitive damages, and attorney’s fees. n March 20, 2018: The Adamses’ attorney, Bruce Morris of Marietta-based Barnes Law Group, asked for the complaints to be dismissed and for Wright to pay all costs.
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Forum
CrossRoadsNews
June 16, 2018
As part of the verification process, paper ballots from some of the polling stations were counted to confirm the votes registered by the machine at the polling station,”
A reminder that victims of sexual assault need our help 2346 Candler Rd. Decatur, GA 30032 404-284-1888 Fax: 404-284-5007 www.crossroadsnews.com editor@crossroadsnews.com
Editor / Publisher Jennifer Parker Staff Writer Jennifer Ffrench Parker Editorial Interns Rosie Manins Bryce Etheridge Front Office Manager Catherine Guy Multimedia Editor Sharif Williams 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. Advertisements are published upon the representation that the advertiser is authorized to publish the submitted material. The advertiser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless from and against any loss or expenses resulting from any disputes or legal claims based upon the contents or subject matter of such advertisements, including claims of suits for libel, violation of privacy, plagiarism and copyright infringement. We reserve the right to refuse any advertisement.
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By Rep. Hank Johnson
During the commissioner comments portion of the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners meeting on June 12, District 7 Commissioner Greg Adams dropped a bombshell. By publicly disclosing that he had been the victim of rape while in the Army, Commissioner Adams added his name to the list of victims of sexual assault. He also shattered the commonly held myth that all sexual assault victims are female. Commissioner Adams is in no way alone, for throughout our community there are untold numbers of sexual assault victims, both female and male, and many have not come to grips with the trauma that they sustained at the hands of the predator. That means that we have a lot of hurting souls among us. The effects of sexual assault on victims is well-known. Guilt,
“We must work to create conditions in our society that make it easier for survivors of sexual assault to come forward with their complaints. We should be non judgmental and empathetic when a survivor comes forward seeking support. We should encourage the survivor to seek professional help by contacting the DeKalb’s Rape Crisis Center hotline at 404-377-1428, and http://www.dayleague.org.” Hank Johnson, 4th Congressional District
shame and self-blame are among the many emotional reactions that victims experience. In addition to anger, sadness, and fear, sexual assault victims often suffer in silence and isolation. Many never tell anybody about what happened to them. It can be years of private suffering before the victim tells anybody about what happened. In Commissioner Adams’ case, it took 30 years before he told anybody. It should be noted, however, that sexual assault not only affects the victim, it affects the people around them, and it affects the
community at large. People – male and female – who complain of sexual assault need our help. We must work to create conditions in our society that make it easier for survivors of sexual assault to come forward with their complaints. While it is a fact that not every allegation of sexual assault is true, each of us should rid ourselves of the belief that the survivor is somehow at fault for what happened to them. We should be nonjudgmental and empathetic when a survivor
comes forward seeking support. We should encourage the survivor to seek professional help by contacting the DeKalb Rape Crisis Center hotline at 404-377-1428, and www.dayleague.org. How you respond to the complainant can make the difference between whether the healing process begins, or is buried in private pain and suffering for years in denial and shame. Congressman Hank Johnson represents the 4th Congressional District, which includes portions of DeKalb, Rockdale, Newton and Gwinnett counties.
Orderly Venezuelan election returns incumbent president By Deborah A. Jackson
In May, I arrived in Caracas, Venezuela, as part of an international group of elected officials invited to observe the country’s presidential elections on May 20. The invitation was extended by the National Electoral Council (CNE), which is a separate branch of government charged with ensuring the reliability, transparency and efficiency of the electoral process. Under the Venezuela Constitution, adopted in 1999, there are five branches of government - Executive, Legislative, Judicial, Citizen, and Electoral. The purpose of the international observer group was to provide independent witness to the electoral process that was in place and had been used in previous elections. We were shown the procedures that were used to test the machines and how they were stored and secured before being sent to more than 14,000 polling sites. It was impressive to see the level of detail and the procedures developed to maintain the integrity of the process. The international group met with representatives of the presidential candidates, including two of the candidates themselves, Nicolas Maduro and Reinaldo Quijada. During the question and answer period, members of the opposition parties openly expressed their support of the electoral process managed by the CNE.
Election Day observations On election day, the observers were divided into groups to visit different polling locations and observe the voting process first hand. We were clearly identified as International Election Observers with our beige cap and vest. My group included an elected official from Ireland; representatives from Angola and Mozambique, who were members of their countries’ Electoral Commission; and two university professors from Brazil with election experience. We visited five polling sites in the state of Miranda, about one and one-half hours outside of the capital Caracas. Miranda is one of the areas of the country that has a large population of African descendants because of the cacao plantations. We observed a very orderly process. Registration lists were posted to indicate which polling station a voter was assigned. There was staff available to assist persons needing help. A biometric system was used to activate the voting panel; it had a photograph of the candidates and party colors to help voters who had difficulty reading. Most interesting was the fact that a paper receipt was produced for each voter. The re-
International observers (left) were invited to Venezuela by the government agency charged with ensuring the reliability, transparency and efficiency of the country’s electoral process.
“Most interesting was the fact that a paper receipt was produced for each voter. The receipt was then placed in a secured box. As part of the verification process, paper ballots from some of the polling stations were counted to confirm the votes registered by the machine at the polling station,” Deborah Jackson, Mayor of Lithonia
ceipt was then placed in a secured box. As part of the verification process, paper ballots from some of the polling stations were counted to confirm the votes registered by the machine at the polling station. Some of the polling locations had more activity than others. Each location also had observers representing the candidates. The persons we spoke with included CNE poll workers, opposition candidate observers as well as voters, who stated that there had not been any problems and that they did not have any concerns. Members of our group, with the exception of the representative from Ireland, speak Spanish, and we were able to speak directly with the Venezuelan population. We encountered people who were strong supporters of the current government as well as those who were not. We did observe that one of the polling sites had voting stations in a building with two floors and no elevator. A recommendation was included in the Final Report on the Elections that future consideration should be given to ensure adequate accessibility for all voters. On election night after the polls closed, it was estimated that 47 percent of the eligible voters took part in the elections. Of the 8 million votes cast, the incumbent Nicolas Maduro was returned to office with 67 percent or more than 5 million of the votes cast. The second-place presidential candidate, Henri Falcon, received about 1.5 million votes.
General observations While driving throughout the capital of Caracas and parts of Miranda before, during and after the elections, we did not observe any type of civil unrest or turmoil. People appeared to be carrying out normal everyday routines. People were shopping in stores; driving cars or motorbikes; walking or sitting in groups. At the same time, people did talk about how expensive everyday items had become as a result of inflation and that some items such as medicine were not accessible or available. The monthly salary is less than $5 for many Venezuelans. U.S.-imposed sanctions and those of its allies have exacerbated the situation with the falling price of oil, which is Venezuela’s primary source of revenue. The efforts to discredit the Venezuelan election process and results are not justified or supported by what we were able to observe. There is no election anywhere in the world that has not had any problems; for instance, there were reports of a few machines breaking down. Overall, the international observers were consistent in their views that the May 20 election process was orderly; had appropriate checks and balances to ensure impartiality; and represented the will of the Venezuelan population that participated. Therefore, the results of the election should be respected by the international community. Deborah Jackson is the mayor of Lithonia.
June 16, 2018
Wellness
CrossRoadsNews
5
“Early testing can mean access to effective treatment and the opportunity to go on to live a healthy normal lifespan.”
Participating Walgreens offering free HIV testing on June 27
Teens and adults can get free HIV testing on June 27, National HIV Testing Day, at participating Walgreens stores across Atlanta including the Candler/McAfee store in Decatur. Atlanta is among 180 cities where Walgreens and Greater Than AIDS, a leading national public information response to the domestic HIV/AIDS epidemic, are working with 220 health departments, AIDS service organizations, and other community organizations to help provide free HIV testing and information. The tests will be available from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nationally, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says an estimated 1.1 million people are living with HIV and that approximately one in seven of them is unaware of their status. It recommends HIV testing as a part of
routine health care. The CDC says that in 2016 almost 40,000 people, primarily minorities, were newly diagnosed with HIV. Adults under age 35 accounted for 56 percent of new HIV diagnoses, and about 70 percent of those diagnosed came from the LGBTQ community; 44 percent were African Americans, and 25 percent were Hispanics or Latinos. The highest impacted areas nationally include California, Florida, Texas, New York and Georgia. Walgreens says that since 2011, more than 40,000 HIV tests have been conducted as part of its free testing initiative. BioLytical Laboratories and OraSure Technologies Inc. are donating test kits and Abbott Rapid Diagnostics is providing support for outreach. Local agencies will be at participating Walgreens stores to provide free, confiden-
Counselors will also answer questions about HIV prevention and treatment options, including PrEP, a medication that offers another effective means of protection for those testing negative for HIV. Glen Pietrandoni, Walgreens senior director of patient care and advocacy, said it is crucial that testing and trusted treatment resources are made more widely available within communities. “Early testing can mean access to effective treatment and the opportunity to go on to Mario Tama/Getty Images live a healthy normal lifespan,” Pietrandoni The CDC says that in 2016 almost 40,000 people said. “In addition, with proper adherence to medication, successfully treated patients canwere newly diagnosed with HIV. not easily transmit the virus to others.” He said Walgreens has supported people tial, and fast test results on-site. living with HIV/AIDS since the beginning of No appointment is needed. Local testing partners will provide the epidemic more than 30 years ago. For a complete list of participating stores, trained counselors to conduct the testing and will provide results on-site within minutes. visit www.greaterthan.org/walgreens.
Pregnant women must be their own vocal advocates in their health care DeKalb Medical maternity nurses are working with several new initiatives aimed at addressing maternal mortality, implemented by Women and Infant Services executive director Rose Horton (right).
Rosie Manins / CrossRoadsNews
MORTALITY,
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at DeKalb Medical’s obstetrics facility on North Decatur Road. Through a new focus introduced last year, any woman who is re-admitted to the hospital within six weeks of giving birth there is housed within the obstetrics department, to ensure continuity of care and to ensure that id re-admission has anything to do with the pregnancy, it can be addressed and tracked by obstetricians and other members of the medical team. “Previously, a woman could be readmitted to the ICU or main emergency department after giving birth and we’d never know or be able to connect the dots,” Horton said. “She may even die and we’d never know.” Given that postpartum hemorrhage is one of the most common causes of pregnancy-related death, Horton and her staff of about 250 medical professionals have also started quantifying women’s blood loss during birth, rather than estimating it. They now collect the blood that’s lost during birth and weigh any bloody materials for a more accurate gauge. It has been a revelation. “We found that our estimates were very low, meaning staff were severely underestimating women’s blood loss until recently,” Horton said.
Addressing racial bias Horton isn’t stopping at quantifying blood loss. She is implementing best-practice guidelines and toolkits developed in California, and has created the social media campaign #notonmywatch. Horton, who is African-American, is also attempting to address racial bias among her staff. All 21 members of her leadership team have taken an implicit-association test on race to help them identify their biases so they can be aware of whether they let that affect their decision-making about patients. The results were surprising, Horton said.
One black employee has a bias favoring white people, while another favors other people of color. Horton herself found that she had no bias between black or white – something she didn’t expect as a woman of color herself. She now wants her entire staff to take the test, and is trying to convince all DeKalb Medical’s physicians to follow suit. “I think it’s important to understand your own personal bias, and we all have bias,” Horton said. “It’s really compelling data that’s showing us that bias and racism is impacting our decision-making and our patients.” She points to a couple of recent examples. Last year in Atlanta, despite a relatively uneventful labor and repeated postpartum doctor’s visits, 36-year-old Shalon Irving, a black epidemiologist at the CDC, died from high blood pressure complications three weeks Shalon Irving after giving birth to her daughter Soleil. She had been to the doctor multiple times but was not properly diagnosed. Horton, and many others, suspect that if a white woman had been to the doctor multiple times in the three weeks after giving birth, complaining of things like high blood pressure and one leg being bigger than the other, there likely would have been a different response. “It’s really sad,” Horton said. “There were so many opportunities to intervene and no one intervened on her behalf.” Horton said that tennis champion Serena Williams also almost became a statistic when giving birth to her first daughter, Alexis Olympia, in September 2017. When contractions began, the baby’s heart rate plunged and an emergency cesarean section was successfully performed. But Williams, who is predisposed to blood clots and who stopped taking her blood-thinning
medication in order to heal, knew something was wrong the following day. She flagged down a nurse, insisting she needed an IV with heparin, a blood thinner, and a CT scan to check for clots. A doctor instead performed an ultrasound, which revealed nothing, and it was only due to 36-year-old Williams’ persistent demands that a CT scan was finally performed – revealing several small blood clots in her lungs. Horton believes that had she been white, Williams would likely have received a CT scan at her first insistence. “I would speculate that Serena Williams suffered from racism,” she said.
A better future Horton encourages all pregnant women to be their own vocal advocates when it comes to their health and how they feel. She says the two biggest things a woman of any race can do to minimize risks associated with pregnancy is to eat and live healthily, and to speak up when something’s not right. Horton says gone are the days of eating for two while pregnant and gaining 40 pounds. There are so many health issues associated with being overweight that doctors recommend pregnant women stick within the normal weight gain of 15 to 20 pounds. “It’s important to stay away from things like lots of sugar, sodas, fats and salt, and drink enough water,” Horton said. “It is multifaceted and complex but I do think eating nutrient-dense food and being as healthy as you can is vital.” She urges all women – especially pregnant ones – to make sure medical profes-
Serena Williams and daughter Alexis Olympia Rose Horton, executive director of Women and Infant Services at DeKalb Medical, started the #notonmywatch campaign to address maternal mortality factors and prevent pregnancy related deaths.
Rosie Manins / CrossRoadsNews
sionals listen to them when they feel ill for whatever reason, as even a simple problem can have dire consequences if neglected. “It’s important for women to really understand their bodies and speak up or make sure their spouse or partner or a family member can speak up for you,” she says. Horton arms her patients with information, including post-birth warning signs developed by the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses. Despite the concerning maternal mortality rates in Georgia and throughout America, she says things will improve. Horton has signed up DeKalb Medical as a member of the Georgia Perinatal Quality Collaborative, which since 2012 has worked to identify and implement quality improvement strategies to improve maternal and neonatal care and outcomes statewide. She says that as more medical organizations join the effort, and the more obstetricians and medical staff talk about maternal mortality, the better the outcomes will be for all women. “I do think that any change causes a ripple and I want to be part of that ripple that makes it even larger for the state of Georgia,” she said. “We’re in the era of women speaking their truths and this is the perfect time to talk about it and bring attention to it.”
CrossRoadsNews
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Ministry
June 16, 2018
A typical conference day starts with breakfast, and worship service, followed by gender breakout sessions.
Fun, faith and fellowship on tap for Reset Youth Conference
Hundreds of middle- and high-schoolers from Atlanta, across Georgia and the Southeast will descend on Greenforest Community Baptist Church for fun, faith and fellowship at the 2018 Reset Youth Conference. Al Hollie, Greenforest youth pastor, said individual teens and teen groups from 15 out-oftown churches will engage in biblical teaching, radical worship, breakout sessions, and extreme fellowship. The three-day conference takes place June 20Al Hollie 22. After its 5 p.m. kickoff on June 20 with a welcome from Greenforest Senior Pastor Dr. Emory Berry, it will be nonstop action.
Hundreds of middle- and high-schoolers will hear from dynamic speakers and talented performers, and will participate in missions during the three-day Reset Conference at Greenforest Baptist Church in Decatur.
Adam Parker
Chris Cox
Hollie said the conference will be Godfilled and faith-filled and there will be nightly worship services at 7. “The kids will reconnect with themselves and with God,” he said June 14. Conference keynote speakers are Adam Hamilton from Harvest Church in Mobile,
Legislative update at Antioch AME DeKalb residents can find out about new laws going into effect this year at the 2018 Georgia Legislation Update at Antioch A.M.E. Church on June 21. There will also be a meet-and-greet with candidates in the July 24 primary and nonpartisan runoffs and the Nov. 7 general elections. Participants will learn about laws passed during the 2018 Georgia General Assembly, when they take effect, and how they will af-
fect them. They also will learn which laws were vetoed by Gov. Nathan Deal. All DeKalb elected officials have been invited to the meeting. The annual update, sponsored by the Antioch Social Action Committee, starts at 7 p.m. The church is at 765 South Hairston Road in Stone Mountain. For more information, call 404-299-3388.
Stuff the Bus with school supplies Members, friends, supporters and other DeKalb residents can help Ray of Hope Church’s “Stuff the Bus” Back-to-School Drive with donations of new backpacks and school supplies in June and July. The Decatur church says the donations will help children who are most in need to succeed. Supporters can drop off new book bags stuffed with school supplies, donate gift cards or give cash online at www.rayofhope.org.
One book bag with school supplies is $25. Ten book bags with supplies is $250. Supporters can also sponsor five backpacks with supplies for $125 or one classroom for $625. A full list of recommended school supplies is available online. July 22 is the deadline to donate. The church is at 2778 Snapfinger Road in Decatur. For more information, call 770-696-5100.
Robert Purvey
Ala., on Jan. 20; Chris Cox from Calvary Community Church in Hampton, Va., on June 21; and Robert Purvey from Antioch Fellowship Church in Dallas, Texas, on June 22. Hollie said that it’s the first time in the conference’s three-year history that they are having out-of-town keynoters. A typical conference day starts with breakfast and worship service, followed by gender breakout sessions in which boys and girls will separately explore topics like living in an overtly racial society, discerning God’s vision for their life, practicing self-care, discerning if dating is a distraction, handling mental illness, depression and self-esteem, designing effective youth ministry programming, and promoting dialogue with the community and its leaders.
@ greenforestyouth
Praise 102.5 DJ Willie Moore Jr. will moderate some of the sessions. On June 21, conference participants will also take part in missions to the South Precinct in Decatur, and to A.G. Rhodes Health and Rehab and Sadie G. Mays Health and Rehabilitation Center in Atlanta. Reset 2018 culminates on June 21 with a block party from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., worship service at 7:30 p.m., and a live concert at 9 p.m. Hollie said teens can register online through June 20, or on-site during the conference. The church is at 3250 Rainbow Drive in Decatur. Visit www.greenforest.org/events to register, volunteer, or become a vendor. For more information, email al.hollie@ greenforest.org or call 404-486-6755.
First Afrikan to recognize students Families can recognize their outstanding students at First Afrikan Church’s annual Nsaa Service of Academic Excellence on June 24. During the 10 a.m. service, members of the class of 2018 and students and scholars who are moving up in grades will be recognized for their achievements during the 2017-2018 school year. Church members and community residents who wish to have their children recognized by name during the service must complete and turn in their applications detailing student achievements to the church
office by June 20. No applications will be accepted after June 20. Nsaa recognition is open to elementary, middle, high school and college students, including those completing post-graduate studies. Nsaa is an Akan word for excellence. It is the logo for First Afrikan’s Center for Afrikan Biblical Studies, the church’s education and leadership development institution. Applications are available at the church, at 5197 Salem Road in Lithonia. For more information, call 770-981-2601.
CrossRoadsNews
June 16, 2018
Community
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“It was great for us because they could use those backgrounds and apply it to code enforcement.”
Eleven new officers join DeKalb Code Enforcement ranks
By Bryce Ethridge
Eleven new DeKalb code enforcement officers graduated from training this week, swelling the county’s ranks to 31 – nine officers short of the county’s full complement of 40 officers. The new graduates, who completed 90 days of training, are Edward Slade, Rich Buckley, Shenita Hampton, April Mayfield, Monica Dumas, Brian Keith Newsome, Victor Williams Jr., Yasmond King, Adrian Walker, Jose Rodriguez and Grayland Benefield. During their training, which began April 9, the recruits – who will make will make $36,692 to $68,360 a year – learned the county’s property maintenance, zoning, planning, special land use, signs and permits codes that they will enforce. At their June 13 graduation ceremony at the Porter Sanford Performing Arts Center, DeKalb Code Enforcement administrator Tonza Clark said she couldn’t be happier that the department is finally nearing full force. “I’m so excited to see what we can do with 40 officers,” Clark said. DeKalb plans to have all 40 code enforcement officers on board before the end of the summer. Clark said the training process for code enforcement officers is rigorous. “People don’t realize what these officers
have to learn,” she said. Code enforcement officers, who work closely with the county’s Fire Marshal and Police Services, inspect and enforce residential and commercial properties codes including those governing the appearance of buildings; vacant, unfit, and unsecured structures; junked or inoperable, unregistered and unlicensed motor vehicles; high weeds and grass; overgrown, littered vacant lots; rodent infestation or unsanitary conditions; graffiti; and electrical hazards. During training, the recruits had to learn the codes, which filled a 5-inch, ringed binder. They watched PowerPoint presentations and took quizzes. Graduate Edward Slade said that the training was both intense and interesting.
Notice of Petition in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number: 18FM1844-1 Aleeda M. Haynes-Kelly PLAINTIFF VS Robert C. Kelly DEFENDANT NOTICE OF PUBLICATION TO: Robert C. Kelly 6465 Crestline Terrace Norcross, GA 30092 By ORDER of the Court service for
service by publication dated May 25, 2018. You are hereby notified that Feb. 2, 2018, the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for divorce. You are required to file with the Clerk of Superior Court, and to serve upon the Plaintiff’s attorney whose name and address is Aleeda M. Haynes-Kelly, 264 Habitat Circle, Decatur, GA 30034. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of May 29, 2018. Witness the Honorable Courtney L. Johnson, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court. This the 29th day of May, 2018 06/09, 06/16, 06/23, 06/30
Notice of Petition
“It was like being back in college and starting all over again,” he said. Jamila Dewitt, a senior code enforcement officer who trained the recruits, said they come from a range of backgrounds that will help them do their jobs. “It was great for us because they could use those backgrounds and apply it to code enforcement,” Dewitt said. The officers will now have two weeks of training in the field. “I just want them to be successful and remember that they represent DeKalb County
required to file with the Clerk of Superior Court, and to serve upon the Plaintiff’s attorney whose name and address is Britany Jones, 2505 Shiloh Dr., Decatur, GA 30034. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of May 24, 2018. Witness the Honorable Ash F. Jackson, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court.
Legal Notices 06/09, 06/16, 06/23, 06/30
Bryce Etheridge / CrossRoadsNews
At left, Jose Rodriguez walks up to receive his badge. Above, new graduate Monica Dumas receives her badge from DeKalb Code Enforcement administrator Tonza Clark.
06/09, 06/16, 06/23, 06/30
Notice of Petition in the Superior Court
in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number: 17FM5998-2 Britany Jones PLAINTIFF VS Ned Voungh Jones, III DEFENDANT NOTICE OF PUBLICATION TO: Ned Voungh Jones, III By ORDER of the Court service for service by publication dated May 24, 2018. You are hereby notified that Aug. 01, 2017, the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for divorce. You are
you. You are required to file with the Clerk of Superior Court, and to serve upon the Plaintiff’s attorney whose name and address is Carlene Rose Cunningham-Pro Se. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of first date of publication. Witness the Honorable Courtney L. Johnson, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court. This the 5th day of Jun., 2018 06/16, 06/23, 06/30, 07/07
Notice of Petition in the Superior Court
Plaintiff filed suit against you for divorce. You are required to file with the Clerk of Superior Court, and to serve upon the Plaintiff’s attorney whose name and address is: Mario Sullivan #965797, Autry State Prison; P.O. Box 648, Palham, GA 31779. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of Jun. 06, 2018. Witness the Honorable Linda W. Hunter, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court. This the 7th day of June, 2018 06/16, 06/23, 06/30, 07/07
Notice of Petition to CHANGE Name OF ADULT
Civil Action Case Number: 18FM1572 Carlene Rose Cunningham PLAINTIFF VS Gerald Leonard Cunningham DEFENDANT NOTICE OF PUBLICATION TO: Gerald Leonard Cunningham Alexandria P.O. St. Ann Jamaica Wis By ORDER of the Court service for service by publication dated 4th day of Jun., 2018. You are hereby notified that the 25th day of Jan., 2018, the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against
Civil Action Case Number: 18FM1909-8 Mario Sullivan PLAINTIFF VS Garcia Raven DEFENDANT NOTICE OF PUBLICATION TO: By ORDER of the Court service for service by publication dated Jun. 06, 2018. You are hereby notified that Feb. 6, 2018, the above-named
Civil Action Case Number: 18FM5933-10 Gregory Stanton filed a petition in the DeKalb County Superior Court on Jun. 06, 2018 to change name from: Gregory Stanton to Gregory Paige Stanton. Any interested party has the right to appear in this case and file objections within 30 days after the Petition was filed. Dated: Apr., 2018
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at all times,” she said. Monica Dumas, one of the new grads, said that a lot of residents are ignorant of county codes. “They don’t know that certain things are violations, and so you just have to educate them,” she said. With the bulk of his training behind him, Slade said that he feels prepared and is rearing to get to work. “I’m able to go out here, enforce the code, know what I’m talking about and not look silly,” he said.
of DeKalb County State of Georgia
in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
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CrossRoadsNews
June 16, 2018