CrossRoadsNews, June 20, 2009 by CrossRoadsNews, Inc.

COMMUNITY

WELLNESS

MINISTRY

The WalMart SuperCenter on Memorial Drive has taken to heart the company’s commitment to stock locally grown produce in its stores. 2

Safe Haven Transitional has a new privacy fence and fresh landscaping after employees from Home Depot pitched in at the Decatur facility. 6

Mausiki Scales and the Common Ground Collective are among groups scheduled for First Afrikan Church’s Call Café series. 9

Homegrown and healthy

Helping hands for shelter

June 20, 2009

Artistic expression

Volume 14, Number 52

www.crossroadsnews.com

SBA-backed loans for small businesses confusing bankers By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

Small business owners who were turned away from banks this week can return to apply for loans under the Small Business Administration’s new America’s Recovery Capital loan program. Banks were supposed to start accepting applications under the loan program on June 15, but many were telling applicants that the money – which is 100 percent guaranteed by the SBA – was only

for outstanding banks loans and lines of credits Ana Henderson, president of the Georgia Black Chamber of Commerce and owner of HA Ana Henderson Office 515 Inc., a Lithonia-based office furniture distribution company, said a Suntrust Bank lender told her Wednesday that they would only lend to cov-

er outstanding bank loans. “ T h e S BA information I received even states that businesses can use that money for lots of things, Hank Johnson including their utility bills,” she said. “The banks are supposed to be lending that money to the businesses and not putting it in their coffers.”

Henderson, who calls herself “a suffering business owner,” said she has vendors and merchants who are saying ‘until you pay me I can’t supply you with more materials.’ ” She said she is hearing the same thing from her membership. “We are just trying to keep our businesses afloat,” she said. “There has to be an outcry of the businesses.” The ARC loans, which are 100 percent guaranteed by the SBA, can also be used for qualifying small-

business debt including mortgages, capital leases, credit card obligations and notes payable to vendors, suppliers and utilities. Fourth District Congressman Hank Johnson said that if people in the district are having problems with banks not following the SBA guidelines, his Washington office is prepared to help. Johnson said that the ARC Loan program is an important program, Please see LOANS, page 5

Controversial 20-year tax break on hold for Sembler

Photos by Jennifer Ffrench Parker / CrossRoadsNews

DeKalb Development Authority board chairman Eugene Walker (left), fields tough questions from DeKalb Commissioners including (from left) Jeff Rader, Elaine Boyer and Connie Stokes at county’s budget hearing Tuesday. On Thursday, he recused himself from the vote to give a 20-tax break to the Sembler Co. amid conflict-of-interest allegations. The Authority voted to get more information.

Authority backs away from 20-year tax break amid growing opposition By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

The DeKalb Development Authority stepped back Thursday from a controversial vote on a 20year tax break for the Sembler Co. The authority was set to approve a 20-year tax break for a large mixed-use development in the Brookhaven area when it voted to postpone final action while the county’s economic development staff regroups and creates guidelines for considering such tax deals. Eugene “Gene” Walker, who chairs the authority’s board and has been in the eye of a conflict-ofinterest storm, recused himself. Campaign disclosure records

show that Walker – who won a seat on the DeKalb School Board in December – received more than $19,200 from Sembler principals and family members for his 2008 race. The money represented about a third of all the funds he raised for the race. Before recusing himself from the vote, Walker pointed out that the law does not require him to disqualify himself, but he said that suggestions that the campaign donations had affected his judgment would detract attention from deciding Sembler’s application on its merits.

was created in 1974 by the Georgia General Assembly to promote trade, commerce, industry and employment opportunities for the public good, and Burrell Ellis, DeKalb CEO to promote the general welfare of the state. Its “Gene Walker does not need to members are all appointed. It assists be a focus of that,” he said. “Out of in financing business facilities and an abundance of caution, to keep equipment for job creation and exfrom tainting the work of this body pansion. It may also package bond that I respect so much, I’m going to financing – taxable and tax-exempt recuse myself.” – for companies based on the type He then left the meeting room, and number of jobs produced. “so the cameras won’t focus on me The authority’s vote on Thursand my every motion whenever a day to await more information point is made.” came in the wake of a memo The seven-member authority from DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis,

“We should be careful to neither create new policy, nor carve out exceptions to existing policy, designed to favor a specific investor or project.”

resolutions from the DeKalb School Board and a community meeting in Dunwoody last week that was attended by 250 protesters. In the memo delivered to the authority Thursday morning before the vote, Ellis told authority members that the proposed tax break could not be justified and that, given the economy, still would not guarantee that the project is completed. Ellis urged the board to develop a set of best practices to help evaluate requests for tax breaks in the future. “We should be careful to neither create new policy, nor carve Please see SEMBLER, page 2

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

Editor / Publisher Jennifer Parker General Manager Curtis Parker Staff Writer McKenzie Jackson Advertising Sales Cynthia Blackshear

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June 20, 2009

“Wal-Mart has been talking about local produce for 34 years. I have never seen it take off like it has in this store.”

Wal-Mart’s program to stock local produce applauded By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

Emma Peters loves quality vegetables and now that summer is here, she is like a kid in a candy store at the Memorial Drive Wal-Mart store where she shops weekly. “I love collards and turnip greens,” she said Wednesday while filling up her cart with bundles of garden fresh greens. Peters, who lives in Lithonia, is enjoying summer’s bounty from Georgia farmers. In July 2008, Wal-Mart committed to stocking more local fruits and vegetables to keep prices down and provide affordable selections that are fresh and healthful. On Wednesday at a press conference in the store, it introduced farmers from across the state and said its partnerships with local farmers had grown by 50 percent

Emma Peters shops for fresh corn in the produce department at the Wal-Mart SuperCenter on Memorial Drive.

Jennifer Ffrench Parker / CrossRoadsNews

over the past year. Peters was pleased with what she saw. “I like the quality,” she said. Dan Cleotelis, Wal-Mart’s market grocery manager, said the Memorial Drive store has embraced the program of stocking local produce.

“Wal-Mart has been talking about local produce for 34 years,” he said. “I have never seen it take off like it has in this store.” Cleotelis said fresher is better and richer in flavor. “Cutting the miles the produce travels, reduces the cost,” he said.

“Fresh produce saves you money.” Connie Brown of Decatur, who was shopping for greens, peppers, cucumber and lettuce Wednesday, said she loves the array of vegetables in the store. “They look fresh,” she said. “I want to know that they are safe to eat and fresh.” Glen Wilkins, Wal-Mart’s public affairs manager, said that locally grown produce is available in all Georgia stores and at their stores in all 50 states. Asked why none of the farmers introduced at the press conference were African-Americans, he said they are “in conversation” with a Georgia black farmers group. He decline to identify the group. “I wouldn’t call it negotiations but we are talking,” he said. “We are looking to start partnerships with lots of group.”

Proposed break for development opposed on many fronts SEMBLER,

from page

out exceptions to existing policy, designed to favor a specific investor or project,” Ellis said. DeKalb usually awards 10-year tax breaks that with incremental increases in property taxes each year has the entity paying the full amount in the 10th year. Sembler is seeking a 20-year exemption on 100 percent of its tax bill, for about half of the 54acre Town Brookhaven project on Peachtree Road, next to Oglethorpe University. The tax abatement excludes two large apartment buildings that are nearing completion there. The company estimates that the deal would save it $51.7 million in property taxes but an independent analysis, released by the authority Thursday, reduced the projected tax savings to $42.4 million. The analysis prepared by Dan Layton, managing director of Wachovia Bank, reviewed a costbenefit analysis submitted by Sembler in May. Layton said the completed

Brookhaven project could generate roughly the same fees and taxes as Sembler estimated, but cautioned the authority against approving a complete tax break unilaterally in the face of opposition from members of the county commission and school board. “Clearly somewhere intergovernmental cooperation is going to be necessary to come up with a solution that everyone is going to be happy with,” Layton said. DeKalb Commissioner Jeff Rader presented the authority’s board with a resolution signed by five of the seven commissioners opposing Sembler’s request. The resolution, which will come before the BOC for a vote on June 23, said the commission would challenge any tax break for Sembler that it has not endorsed. During an appearance before the BOC’s Budget, Finance and Audit Committee two days earlier, Walker was adamant that the authority would vote Thursday on the tax break, even though he admitted that it did not yet have the independent analysis of the abatement

Quick Read

62 laid off in Development Department

it had ordered. Commissioners Jeff Rader, Elaine Boyer and Kathie Gannon told him that they did not favor a 20-year abatement and Connie Stokes, the budget committee chairwoman, said the commissioners had hoped to see the analysis before the authority voted. “I heard you commissioned a report,” she told Walker. “I really wanted to see it. We know that you make the decision but we want to know how it affects the county.” Boyer said that such a vote should be taken by elected officials, who are accountable to voters – not the appointed members of authority. Rader said that even though the commissioners wouldn’t have time to vote on the resolution opposing the abatement, he would send it to the authority with as many signatures as he could gather. “You make it clear that you are going to vote on Thursday,” Radar said. “You have already given them an abatement. I am still not clear as to why they will get another abatement.”

Home Depot pitches in 3 at domestic abuse home

Sixty-two employees in the DeKalb County Development Department lost their jobs this week.

Walker also refused to share with the commissioners the name of the company – identified Thursday as Wachovia Bank – that was doing the analysis. He said he didn’t want them to be inundated with calls. He told the commissioners that they were entitled to their opinions. “The sole risk takers will be the developers and the banks which let them have the money,” he told the commissioners. “The authority will not take a vote that will obligate the county. We will not sign off on something that if it goes belly up the county has to pick it up.” Walker pointed to the Mall at Stonecrest, which has 20-year abatement, but county finance director Mike Bell said the Stonecrest abatement is not a 100 percent tax exemption. “It’s stepped,” Bell said. “In their eighth year, they are paying 40 percent. It will increase every year until they are at full tax in the 20th year. It’s not the same thing.” www.atlantaunfiltered.com contributed to this report.

Group to provide free exams 6 during National Testing Day 7

Clients of Safe Haven Transitional’s Decatur facility now have a privacy fence and new landscaping through the help of Home Depot employees.

Free HIV testing will available June 26 and 27 during Stand Inc.’s observations of National HIV Testing Day.

Reviewing judge missed the mark in Herrera case 4 Challenge puts faith in health, fitness I think the public should be outraged at

Unemployment reaches new Petition seeks support for high 5 health bill

Dinner series explores identity 7 through artistic expression 9

the findings [in the Jaheem Herrera case], and also the way Jaheem’s mother was excluded when the report was presented.

The Georgia Department of Labor said Thursday that 463,883 unemployed Georgians were looking for work, an increase of 62 percent from May 2008.

Church members can work on their health during the 2009 Faith and Fitness Survivors Challenge kicking off June 27.

A petition seeking the support of Georgia senators to promote health insurance for uninsured Americans is under way at http:// georgiademocrat.org/sick.

Principal resigns in wake of CRCT cheating scandal 8 Atherton Elementary School in Decatur will have a new principal this fall in the wake of a CRCT cheating scandal that included three other schools in Georgia.

Music lovers will find plenty to satisfy their needs at the Wednesday Night Call Cafe at First Afrikan Presbyterian Church through Aug. 12.

index to advertisers APMG LLC.........................................................5 Avondale Tire & Service LLC............................11 Berean Christian Church.................................. 9 Craig B. Williams, DDS......................................7 DeKalb Convention & Visitor’s Bureau..............3 Dollar Spree....................................................10

Douglas J. Flanigan Law Firm.........................10 Ella’s Caring Hands Adult Day Care.................11 Eulla Master Stylist............................................7 Fidel’s Kiddie Salon..........................................11 Fletcher’s Place................................................11 Georgia Perimeter College...............................8

Holy Union Publication.................................... 9 InTouch Realty.................................................11 Jones PT Physical Therapy................................7 Mini Mall..........................................................11 Newburn Reynolds Photography....................10 Persona Market................................................ 6

Steps to a Healthier DeKalb............................. 6 Wal-Mart......................................................... 12 Wireless Global Solutions...............................10 Wright, James & Boston P.C..............................5 Yolanda Patterson.............................................3

CrossRoadsNews

June 20, 2009

Community

“You don’t really win when you lay off people but we have to balance the budget.”

62 laid off in Development Department

DCVB gets new president

By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

served as chief operating Gary A. Greenhut officer since 2001. is the new president He has more than 30 of the DeKalb Conyears of experience in the vention and Visitors hospitality industry inBureau. cluding positions in MaryHe replaces Jon land, Michigan, Florida Manns, who left the and 25 years in Georgia. agency June 1 after 22 He said he is looking years. Gary Greenhut forward to leading DCVB Greenhunt is no stranger to DCVB, where he has into a successful future.

Sixty-two employees in the DeKalb County Development Department lost their jobs this week because of lack of work and declining revenues. The 107-employee department, which issues and inspects permits for new construction, has had a dramatic decline in revenues because of the downturn in construction across the county. Layoffs of the 62 employees began on Tuesday and were to be completed on Friday. They were terminated ahead of the DeKalb Board of Commissioners’ June 23 vote on the mid-year adjustments to the county’s 2009 budget. Originally, 90 employees were targeted for layoff before CEO Burrell Ellis intervened on June 5. At a press conference Thursday, Ellis said that that despite having only 45 employees left in the department, DeKalb is still a viable place for development. “If you look at neighboring jurisdictions, they are operating with between 40 and 60 in the development department,” he said. “I think it makes us consistent, I think it keeps us competitive. It keeps us functioning as a department and poised for the recovery of the economy.” The county’s $616 million budget approved in February needs to be reduced to $606.7 million. Commissioners and Ellis are looking to trim the budget with a

Connie Stokes

Keith Barker

mixture of salary savings, reduction in encumbrances, borrowing from county reserves, and adjustment to the millage rate. The development department must fund itself from fees for inspection and permit licenses. Sheila Edwards, the county’s chief communications officer, said that the department saw where the BOC vote is headed and decided to start the process. Keith Barker, the county’s chief of staff, said that 35 of the laid-off employees could find employment in other county departments including code enforcement, watershed management, parks and recreation, and transportation. But he said there is no guarantee that they will get the jobs. “We’ve looked at every department that may have some available vacancies to identify opportunities for these employees,” he said. “We are doing interviews even as we speak. As a matter of fact, we had one person interviewed in the last 15 minutes who accepted the job.” Barker said many of the positions are at a comparable pay grade. “Some are higher and they will

have to compete for those positions,” he said. “Some of them are at a lower pay grades, but it’s better than not having a job at all.” Connie Stokes, who chairs the BOC Budget, Finance and Audit Committee, said they are working to save about 45 jobs in the department but can’t keep workers if there is no work for them. “You don’t really win when you lay off people but we have to balance the budget,” Stokes said Thursday. “Everyone knows that permitting is down. Construction is down. Those people are not busy.” She said they also don’t want to increase taxes beyond the $200 to $300 increase that property owners will see because the state Legislature eliminated the Homestead Tax Relief Grant. The county needs $2.5 million to keep the development department running with 45 employees. The county is looking to fund that amount by giving county employees one unpaid holiday and borrowing $1 million either from its reserves or from its Sanitation Enterprise Fund. At the budget committee meeting on Tuesday, Stokes suggested that the $1 million loan come from the Sanitation Fund and not the county’s reserves. “Unless there is some compelling legal reason why we can’t borrow from it, that is what I am recommending,” she said Thursday. McKenzie Jackson contributed to this report.

Meeting set on 2010 grants Nonprofit groups can get information about the 2010 General Funds and Victim Assistance Funds grants at 10 a.m. on June 26 at the Decatur Library, 215 Sycamore St., Decatur. The DeKalb Human Development Department will discuss the application process. Applicants

must serve economically disadvantaged individuals, families, children, youth or seniors. Applications will be available weekdays starting June 26. The application deadline is 5 p.m. on July 31. For more information, call Lisa Thomas at 404-270-1176 or Jewell Collins at 404-270-1174.

I R EMEMBER

I remember the day that we became best friends. I remember how blessed I felt by God to have you in my life. I remember the laughter and heartfelt conversations. I remember how we were each other’s armor bearer during adversities. I remember the goodness of your heart. I remember how my heart ached over knowing I Linda & Yolanda in 1997 would never see you again in this life. I remember that Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal. I remember that if there is anything praiseworthy, that I should meditate on these things. I remember that God’s word is true and today I praise him for you.

H APPY B IRTHDAY L INDA Y ANCEY , J UNE 20, 1961 LOVE ALWAYS, YOLANDA “FRANKEE” PATTERSON & THE THOMAS FAMILY

CrossRoadsNews

Forum

June 20, 2009

If the Marines are going to invest millions of dollars into DeKalb schools, it’s common sense they’re going to want a return on their investment.

Military-themed schools are not best option While the community, veterans and parents united to prevent the DeKalb County school system from opening Georgia’s first military public high school in the fall, the victory – a first in the nation – cannot be called complete until the Board of Education reconsiders how the district can provide oppor- Tim Franzen tunities for at-risk youth without injecting militarism into schools. Perhaps with careful planning and consideration they can determine how to engage young people who are falling through the cracks without military intervention. These publicly funded military themed schools have been spreading throughout the U.S., the most recent in Chicago, where for over two years my colleagues and others partnered to oppose the project. The DeKalb County Board of Education and the Marine Corps claimed the DeKalb Marine Corps Institute (DMCI) was designed for

low-income, less-educated youth who had few post high school opportunities and would focus on math and science. Although kids would wear military style uniforms, study military science, and marksmanship, the Marine Corps claimed that the school would not be a recruitment pipeline. But it took very little research to uncover that the Marines would be footing their end of the bill – at least $1.4 million – out of their recruitment budget line. If the Marines are going to invest millions of dollars into DeKalb schools, it’s common sense they’re going to want a return on their investment – presumably in the form of boots filled on the battlefield. Some argued that kids would benefit academically from the school. We looked at three military themed public schools in Chicago – and all three had lower graduation rates and test scores than the Illinois state average. We also examined research on veterans’ status after discharge. Veterans make 15 percent less than their non-veteran counterparts,

Reviewing judge missed the mark in Herrera case I think the public should be outraged at the findings of Judge Moore [in the Jaheem Herrera case], and also the way Jaheem’s mother was excluded when the report was presented. The judge found no evidence of bullying at Dunaire Elementary, yet concluded that “There is name calling, there is teasing all outside of the presence of adults and that there is a code of silence among the students.” Madam Judge, you have overlooked the fact that therein lies the root of bullying, and many children are devastated by the psychological damage that it does. These actions must not be trivialized we all need to visit this incident a second time. The lives of our children depends on it. The Rev. Valrey Watson lives in Decatur.

and only 20 percent earn a college degree. Veterans are more likely to commit suicide, become homeless, unemployed, or addicted. Furthermore, the ACLU found the DMCI would be in direct violation of a law passed in 2002 that protects children under age 17 from being recruited into the military. Our coalition of veterans, young people, and DeKalb County parents saw the DMCI for what it was: a threat to young people in DeKalb. And last Friday’s decision that the school “was not feasible” is a direct result of the coalition’s fact-gathering and advocacy. We urge the board to reconsider how, with careful planning, consideration and inclusion of the community, they can determine how to engage struggling young people without military intervention. Finding new solutions for youth is something we all are ready and willing to work on with DeKalb. Tim Franzen is director of the Peace Building Program of the American Friends Service Committee.

Academy issue is not over DeKalb County’s Board of Education may have fouled out its initial time at bat for the DeKalb Marine Corps Institute, but we’re still in the first inning. And whether or not DMCI opens in August 2010, as the BOE claims it “probably will,” there are still any number of troubling questions that have long gone unanswered. For instance, what does “AA and Hispanic Children Soldiers” mean? What is its significance to DMCI? Why was this phrase found on official DeKalb BOE monthly meeting notes? DeKalb’s Board of Education gives county residents a onehour monthly speak-out forum, when up to 20 residents are allotted three minutes each to jam in all the commentary they possibly can. During this one-hour session, the DeKalb BOE members remain 100 percent totally mum – numb? – and their only response to queries, comments and claims is a follow-up form letter sent to all guest speakers, with little mention of any sort of remedy pending. Isn’t it time

to take a closer look at this muted procedure? Parents, taxpayers, residents and educators dedicated to protecting our young from on-campus predation – until the people of DeKalb County begin monitoring very closely the spending activities and secret workings of the BOE and Superintendent Lewis, we are subject to wake up one steamy-hot August morning and find a military service academy up and running in every corner of the county, funded in part at least by the USMC and Pentagon’s huge recruiting budget. Still another question: Once DMCI opens and the BOE begins filling it from the freshmanlevel up, where will the BOE go every year to find 150 new 14-yearolds to keep the pipeline flowing? Is it fair to imagine a good deal of advance scouting will take place in eighth-grade classrooms, and will the military also be looking at “new crops” coming along in the seventh and even sixth grades? Michael J. Burke is a public information officer with the Georgia Veterans Alliance.

CEO needs to take better care of the county CEO Burrell Ellis needs to ride around DeKalb County and see what needs to be done. He’s been in office more than 120 days and things are worse and there is no plan to improve the situation. The grass off the roads on the south side is more than five feet tall. When Vernon Jones was at the helm, he had a schedule – even with limited funds available. CEO Jones never allowed empty buildings to be boarded up. When he was advised he made them take the boards off. Boarded-up homes draw crime. Boarded-up buildings do, too.

A couple of dollars here and there, when added up, make a difference to seniors, the unemployed and those with reduced hours. Where do these people turn for funds? CEO Ellis, if you lived next to an empty building I’m sure the building would not be boarded up. Are you letting the banks and others destroy stable communities? I do wish that CEO Ellis would stop asking the Board of Commissioners to

America must look inward lest history repeats itself If history has taught us anything, it is that nations don’t American citizens can’t get affordable medicine and healthcare, yet drug necessarily rise or fall by external enemy forces, but rather from companies are making billions on power-hungry, egotistical, and new drugs to increase your sex drive. self-gratifying politicians and heads What’s up with that? of state. And in some cases, the Kevin Oliveira religious establishments that allow it to happen. The rich and powerful and cowardly hundred billion spent on wars and 750 biloligarchy that operates in the darkness of lion spent on bailouts as a consequence of secret orders and societies, finances the selfish leadership. corruption until that nation implodes and Where is the prophetic voice in the land? self-destructs. Christian pastors, where are you? Who is The Roman Empire, the world’s super- crying out for justice for the poor and the power at the time of Jesus’s birth and earthly needy on the national stage? ministry, displayed such raw arrogance and America is called the “Bread Basket of brute militaristic power. Rome’s agenda was the World,” yet we have hunger running to conquer every nation within its reach. rampant in America. American citizens can’t When Jesus came on the scene, his minis- get affordable medicine and healthcare, yet try of love, compassion, and deliverance for drug companies are making billions on new the needy threatened the religious order and drugs to increase your sex drive. What’s up the political establishment, such that they with that? would nail him to a cross. Jesus was born It is a national sin and shame that homeless but did not allow his earthly status America calls itself a Christian nation when confine or define his spiritual and human every political, economic, and social agenda agenda to redeem mankind back to God’s says the opposite. American Christians must love and grace. His prayerful relationship become active in addressing these issues. The with his heavenly father would sustain him prophetic silence must cease! in the toughest of times. In ancient Roman society there were sects So it is today in America. There is a pro- of people, the Patricians and the Plebians. phetic silence from the religious establish- The Patricians owned the land and the Plebiment, while the political arena runs amuck. ans worked on the land. Today, in America, American citizens are suffering because of it’s the politicians, corporations and the national leaders’ corruption, fiscal misman- courts working against the best interests of agement, outright greed and deception. Six the American workers. The agenda is profit-

over-people rather than serving the people to gain profit. Hence, you have the beginning of the fall of a nation. America must change her course and return to the mercy of God’s grace. America’s cross to bear is the shame of hypocrisy and arrogance. America’s cross to bear is its shame of the evangelical cry for more blood through continuous wars, while not crying out for social justice within U.S. borders. That’s why Dr. King was compelled to write the Letter from the Birmingham Jail and Paul’s Letter To American Christians (King Papers at Stanford University.edu). National leaders need to read these two fine pieces of literature to gain some wisdom. America’s cross to bear is its refusal to look in the mirror and face the reality that our political and militaristic agendas are the foundation of our economic and social decline. America’s cross to bear is not knowing “there’s no right way to do a wrong thing, and no wrong way to do a right thing.” It’s time for America to turn back to prayer and Jesus’ mission of love, compassion, and deliverance of the needy. God wants to fix America and heal the land. But citizens must turn their hearts and ways back to God. America, turn back to God and live for justice, fairness, and equality for all, for this is the easiest cross to bear. [bodyital] Kevin J. Oliveira lives in McDonough.

fund positions that have alternatives. Presently the millage rate will be increased. This is due to lower property appraisals. In addition, Georgia Power and Atlanta Gas Light have submitted fee hikes and don’t forget water costs more to use. A couple of dollars here and there, when added up, make a difference to seniors, the unemployed and those with reduced hours. Where do these people turn for funds? Thank you to those commissioners who have their constituents’ financial stability as a paramount concern. A. Jean Richardson lives in Decatur.

Words like ‘you guys’ can steal a woman’s identity Identity theft, as it relates to money, occurs when someone uses your identity to spend in an unlawful manner using your name and credit history. However, I have recognized another form of identity theft as it relates to human beings, in particular females. For centuries, the Bible and the English language have referred to all people using the male gender. I can imagine that they did not know better and just used the gender they thought was dominant. But even today, “he” remains dominant, often expressed in the words “you guys”. It is “you guys this,” or “you guys that.” The word “guy” is frequently used to refer to all genders, and basically, females’ identities have been stolen by the “you guys” phenomenon. People don’t realize that they are brainwashing little girls and basically taking their identity away. Sometimes we as females accept the unacceptable without a whisper of rejection. Can you imagine a room full or men or a room full of men and women and the speaker got up and addressed everyone as “gals”? Let’s go forward and let this be a starting point to protecting our identity. The “guys” would do it! Miriam Knox Robinson lives in Decatur.

Finance

“We are just trying to get our employees educated as quickly as we can.”

Unemployment reaches new high Georgia’s unemployment rate hit another all-time high, reaching 9.7 percent in May. The Georgia Department of Labor said Thursday that 463,883 unemployed Georgians were looking for work, an increase of 62 percent from May 2008. Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond said it was the highest rate ever recorded in the state. It also exceeds the national rate of 9.4 percent. “Georgia’s record unemployment rate of 9.7 percent is a stark reminder that the road to economic recovery will be long and difficult,” he said. Thirty-four percent or 157,544 of the job hunters are receiving state unemployment insurance benefits and another 90,000 are getting federal extended benefits from an extra $220.3 million in unemployment insurance modernization funds that the state received June 5 from the American Recovery Act. Thurmond’s office began mailing out the

first checks for state extended unemployment insurance benefits on Thursday. The extended benefit funds provide up to 20 weeks of additional benefits to jobless workers who have exhausted all regular unemployment insurance benefits. In order to qualify for any extended unemployment insurance programs, individuals must be unemployed and not eligible to establish a new regular unemployment claim in Georgia, any other state, U.S. territory, or Canada. U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis said Georgia has made important updates to its Unemployment Insurance program to better meet the needs of the 21st century workforce. “The UI modernization provisions adopted in Georgia help unemployed workers who have entered the workforce recently, work part time or need training to become re-employed receive the benefits they need and deserve,” Solis said.

Businesses urged to apply for funds LOANS,

from page

CrossRoadsNews

June 20, 2009

created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. “These loans, available to viable, for-profit small businesses experiencing immediate financial hardship, could help keep the doors open and the lights on until the economy recovers,” he said. On Thursday, Chase, which now owns Washington Mutual, corrected itself on information it gave earlier about the loans. On Monday, its Flat Shoals Parkway branch in Decatur also told customers that the ARC loans were only for covering payments on bank loans. Mary Kay Bean, a Chase spokeswoman based in Detroit, said it was a misunderstanding. “We just rolled it out,” she said. “Our employees are going to build their knowledge. It’s only a few days into the program. We are just trying to get our employees educated as quickly as we can.” Bean said the SBA usually allowed a little more time for the banks to acquaint themselves with the program, but that they only had nine days with this one. She said that customers who were turned away should go back to their branches and ask about it. The America’s Recovery Capital program, which began June 15, is a temporary new program that will lend small businesses facing immediate financial hardship up to $35,000 to help keep their doors open until they get back on track. ARC loans will be made by commercial lenders, not the SBA directly. The interest-free loans will be disbursed over a period of up to six months. Repayment will begin 12 months after the final disbursement and after that, borrowers will have five years to pay back the loan. David Hall, an SBA spokesman, said Thursday he was surprised that banks were telling business owners they were only covering bank loans. He said the banks were sent all the information about the program on June 8. The information for lenders and borrowers is also on the SBA’s home page at www.sba.gov. “Small business owners have to qualify for the ARC loan just like any other loans,” he said, “and the loans are good for secured and unsecured loans, including credit card debts and payments to vendors and suppliers.” Bean said Chase will only make 50 ARC loans a week across its 5,000 branches nationwide.

“It’s a limited program,” she said. Henderson said the ARC loan program was on the agenda for the Georgia Black Chamber’s June 18 meeting and that she would be encouraging members to take advantage of the program. Linda Mayhand, president of the South DeKalb Business Association, said the program would offer some help to members of her association who are struggling to stay in business because of the economic downturn. Linda Mayhand “In the last two years, they are not getting the support they need,” she said. “Members are telling me they need to hire people, develop their websites and do other basic business things, but because of declining revenues they can’t.” For more information on ARC loans, visit www.sba.gov.

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CrossRoadsNews

Wellness

June 20, 2009

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The manager came to the facility and looked around said, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Hey we can do more.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2030;â&#x20AC;?

Home Depot pitches in with renovations at domestic abuse relief home Clients of Safe Haven Transitionalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Decatur facility now have a privacy fence and new landscaping through the help of Home Depot employees. The workers from Home Depot stores in Riverdale and Jonesboro spent June 6 working at the facility that houses women and children fleeing domestic violence as part of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Project Restoration.â&#x20AC;? Alicia Brown, Safe Havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s project and grants coordinator, said that Home Depot awarded Safe Haven a $25,000 grant to do interior and exterior work. So, far workers have completed

phase one of the project, which included cutting grass and weeds, planting rose bushes, mulching the playground and building the privacy fence. Brown said workers have also begun revamping the bathroom. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The bathroom just fell out,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It had a water leak and the whole tub just gave way. That is how they initially came on board, by doing the bathroom, but after taking a look at the facility, they said they could do more.â&#x20AC;? Since its inception in 1994, Safe Haven has helped more than 6,000 women across metro Atlanta. It

also operates facilities in Henry County. Home Depot decided to help the nonprofit after Safe Haven CEO Mary Winfrey went to a store seeking help to fix the bathroom. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The manager came to the facility and looked around said, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Hey we can do more,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2030;â&#x20AC;? Brown said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He then called Home Depotâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s corporate office and they told us to apply for the grant.â&#x20AC;? Home Depot managers and employees will also install new blinds, window screens, windows and carpet and clean the gutters at the Decatur location.

Workers from Home Depot installed a privacy fence and other upgrades at Safe Haven Transitionalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s facility in Decatur.

Mental health advocate earns award New department to monitor facilities Sharon Jenkins Tucker of Decatur has won the Clifford W. Beers Award for 2009. Tucker, who is executive director of the Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network, picked up the award at the June 11 Mental Health Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Centennial Gala in Washington, D.C. It is named for Clifford W. Beers, founder of Mental Health America. The award recognizes a consumer of mental health whose attitudes, actions and advocacy fervently carry out Beersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Sharon Tucker legacy of improving conditions for and attitudes toward those living with mental illness. Tucker, who has overcome personal struggles with crippling depression, despair and self-loathing, is now involved with

training and certifying more than 500 certified peer specialists. She also recently established Georgiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first Peer Support and Wellness Center, which connects mental health patients with wellness resources in the community and promotes wellness instead of illness. Dr. David L. Sherm, Mental Health Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s president and CEO, said that Tucker has dedicated herself to helping better the lives of all people with mental health conditions. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As a peer specialist, she contributes her knowledge and life experiences as a mental health consumer so others may live productive and healthier lives,â&#x20AC;? he said. Tucker said she became a behavioral health advocate because she knows how to connect. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I had been there, done that and wore that T-shirt every day,â&#x20AC;? she said.

Hosted by: The DeKalb County Board of Healthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Office of Chronic Disease Prevention

2009

Faith&Fitness *

SURVIVORS CHALLENGE

Calling all DeKalb County churches, temples, synagogues, mosques, worship centers and faith-based organizations! We challenge YOU to help create a healthier DeKalb County! Join us for a 13-week challenge to help increase physical fitness and nutrition awareness in the faith community.

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Kick Off Challenge will begin with 2K and 4K walks! This publication is supported by the Steps to a HealthierUS Cooperative Agreement program of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Its contents do not necessarily represent the ofďŹ cial view of HHS

Starting July 1, the Georgia Department of Community Health will be handling all licensing and regulation of hospitals and health-related institutions. The role is a new one for the department unde Senate Bill 433. It absorbs the Office of Regulatory Services, which used to be a division of the Georgia Department of Human Resources and will now be known as the Healthcare Facility Regulation. It will license and regulate hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, private duty home care, personal care homes and personal care home employee record checks. Dr. Rhonda Medows, Commissioner of Community Health, said the realignment ensures that Georgians are receiving the highest quality of care, which will lead to better health outcomes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The department will utilize the vast knowledge and expertise of three individuals

who will now lead the division and ensure that we are meeting the highest professional standards,â&#x20AC;? she said. Doug Colburn, DCHâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s director of transition since 2008, will serve as division chief, and Leslee Pool, formerly deputy director of ORS, and Sharon King, a health care law attorney Doug Colburn with Hall, Booth, Smith & Slover P.C., will be deputy chiefs. Colburn said the transfer of these sections will ensure that Georgia residents are able to access quality and affordable health care services across the state. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are confident that this transformation will improve the quality of the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health care delivery system and allow us to protect our most vulnerable citizens,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Wellness Challenge puts faith in health, fitness Church members can work on their health during the 2009 Faith and Fitness Survivors Challenge kicking off June 27. The 13-week challenge focusing on physical fitness and nutrition is sponsored by the DeKalb Board of Health’s Office of Chronic Disease Prevention. Participants can participate in a two-mile or four-mile walk starting at 10 a.m. at Murphey Candler Elementary School in Lithonia. Vickie Elisa, the agency’s spokeswoman, said the free challenge is open to people of all faiths. “It is a challenge that will engage churches in the DeKalb County community to encourage either their temple, synagogue, mosque or any worship center they may have to create a healthy congregation,” she said. Elisa said DeKalb needs healthy-living programs because of the many health issues – hypertension, cancers, obesity, stroke and heart disease – that plague the community. During the kickoff, representatives from local churches can get information on the program’s rules and the healthy awards and prizes they can win. Murphey Candler Elementary School is at 6775 South Goddard Road in Lithonia. For more information, visit www.dekalbhealth.net or call 404508-7847.

Petition seeks support for health bill A petition seeking the support of Georgia Senators Johnny Isakson and Saxby Chambliss promoting health insurance for uninsured Americans is under way at http:// georgiademocrat.org/sick. The website, launched by the Georgia Democratic Party, is asking supporters of President Barack Obama’s health initiative to e-mail the senators and ask for their support. “Health care is not a political football, and it’s time Georgia’s Republican Senators put Georgia first, even if it means standing up to Republican leaders like Rush Limbaugh and Dick Cheney,” said Jane Kidd, the party’s state chairman. “It’s time to tell the big insurance corporations and their political cronies that open season on Georgia consumers is over, and it’s time to play fair.” Kidd says about 1.6 million Georgians don’t have health insurance, and 2.9 million were without health insurance for all or part of 2007 to 2008. Statewide, 42.2% of African-Americans and 66.2% of Latinos were uninsured during the same period. The petition can be signed on the website. Individuals can also email their health care stories to sick@georgiademocrat.org, as well as email their state representatives and senators to ask them what they’re going to do about the 1.6 million Georgians who don’t have health insurance.

CrossRoadsNews

June 20, 2009

“You don’t want to wait until you are sick to take a HIV test. You want to take it when you are healthy.”

Group to provide free exams during National Testing Day Free HIV testing will available June 26 and 27 during Stand Inc.’s observations of National HIV Testing Day. Statewide, African Americans comprise 29 percent of the population, but account for 76 percent of all new AIDS cases. During the annual National HIV Testing Day, which is being observed on June 27, health providers and advocates work to raise awareness of the importance of knowing one’s HIV status and encourage at-risk individuals to take HIV tests. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which cosponsors the event with the National Association of People with AIDS, encourages individuals to know their HIV status and get voluntary HIV counseling. It estimates that more than a million Americans are living with HIV,

Stand Inc. provides HIV/AIDS prevention services, support and education to metro Atlanta’s underserved communities.

and that 250,000 or 25 percent of them are unaware that they are infected. The CDC points out that HIV testing enables people with HIV to take steps to protect their own

Take action prevent spread of AIDS Although HIV infection is completely preventable, every 9½ minutes, someone in the US is infected with the virus. That person could be you, your brother, sister, father, mother, friend, co-worker, or neighbor. Here’s what you can do to prevent HIV/AIDS: n Get tested for HIV. n Practice safer methods to prevent HIV. n Decide not to engage in high risk behaviors. n Talk about HIV prevention with family, friends, and colleagues. n Provide support to people living with HIV/AIDS. n Get involved with or host an event for National HIV Testing Day in your community. n Reduce your number of sex partners; this will reduce your risk of getting HIV as well as other STDs. n Have ongoing and open discussions with your partners about their sexual histories, drug use, and HIV testing behaviors; honesty plays a key role in respectful, mature sexual relationships. n Encourage all sexual partners to get tested for HIV and make sure they tell you the results. n Locate an HIV and STD testing site near you or from your mobile phone, text your zip code to KNOWIT (566948). You can also call 1-800-CDC-INFO for assistance in locating a testing site. n Get tested for STDs that could put you at greater risk for becoming infected with HIV. n If you have an STD, get treatment. n If you are a man who has sex with other men or if you engage in anal sex, get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B viruses.

Free eye exams for seniors Qualified adults ages 65 and Tucker and one in Conyers. older can have their eyes examined EyeCare America says that by free of charge at the offices of 34 age 65, one in three Americans east metro Atlanta eye doctors has some form of vision impairASTER through Aug. 31. ing M eye disease, but that due to the S TYLIST The free eye exams are being downturn in the economy, seniors offered as part EyeCare America’s onNfixed incomes are struggling to SEW-I “Don’t Lose Sight of Your Indepay for health MON care.THURS SPECIALS W EAVE S PECIAL pendence” national health camSome common eye diseases are HAMPOO paign. EyeCare America is $ a public macular degeneration, diabetic eye service program of the Founda- disease and glaucoma. ELAXERmust lack tion of the American Academy of DO LOCKS Qualified seniors WE ALSO Ophthalmology, which is remindbe a U.S. citizen CALL health NOW insurance, FOR APPOINTMENT ing the elderly about the value of or legal resident, and must have (404) 983-1694 eyesight. not seen an ophthalmologist in P ROFESSIONAL ALON IN DECATUR Nationwide, more than 7,000 three or S more years. ophthalmologists have volunFor more information, visit teered their services, including 25 www.eyecareamerica.org or call in Atlanta, six in Decatur, two in 1-800-222-EYES (3937).

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health and that of their partners. It also helps people who test negative to get the information they need to stay uninfected. During the week of June 27, STAND Inc. will be one of thousands of HIV testing sites, state and local health departments, and community-based HIV/AIDS service providers participating in National HIV Testing Day events with health fairs, community and media outreach, and special testing-related events. Nationwide, African-American and Latino populations are disproportionately affected with HIV.

Stand Inc., a 10-year-old nonprofit, provides prevention services, support and education to metro Atlanta’s underserved communities. Michael Banner, who directs STAND’s Prevention Services, says people need to know their status so that they can begin life-saving treatment and slow Michael Banner the spread of the disease. “You don’t want to wait until you are sick to take an HIV test,” he said. “You want to take it when you are healthy. The earlier you know, the better your chance of living a fulfilling life.” The Decatur nonprofit will offer free non-invasive tests both days from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at its Covington Drive location. The results will be available within the hour. There will also be games, music, refreshments and prize drawings from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on both days. Stand Inc. is at 3423 Covington Drive, Suite E in Decatur. For more information, call 404-284-9878 or visit HIVtest.org to locate HIV testing sites in your area.

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CrossRoadsNews

School

June 20, 2009

“We were not surprised. We were shocked and extremely disappointed.” Workers are installing walls and other renovations at the DeKalb County School System’s Mountain Industrial Center in Tucker, to make space for the system’s administrative and school board offices.

McKenzie Jackson / CrossRoadsNews

DeKalb Schools’ headquarters moving By McKenzie Jackson

Starting in January, the DeKalb School System’s central offices and Board of Education offices will be relocated to Stone Mountain. The $3 million move to the school system’s 262,000 square feet Mountain Industrial Center, will consolidate programs, maximise use of the building and reduce expenses. Workmen from Nix-Fowler Constructors Inc., have begun a renovating the building to accommodate the new administrative and board offices. Patricia Pope, the school system’s chief operations officer, said the move will consolidate the administration in one building from the three it now occupies on North Decatur Road in Decatur.

Administrative programs including the superintendent offices, area assistant su perintendents, finance department, human resource depart- Patricia Pope ment, facility supervision, public relations, the training center and conference room will move, along with the Board of Education offices and board room. The renovation, which was approved by the school board in February, is part of a $31 million renovation at the center. The Mountain Industrial Center will also house the Elizabeth Andrews High School and DeKalb Elementary College Academy

(DECA). Both schools will open there at the beginning of the 2009-10 school year on Aug. 10. The center, at 1701 Mountain Industrial Boulevard, near US 78, will continue to house the school system’s Drivers Education Center and bus maintenance facility. The bus-driver training facility will be relocated to the school system’s campus on Memorial Drive in Stone Mountain, at a cost of $1.5 million. The school district purchased the Mountain Industrial Center from Patillo Construction in 2002 for $10 million. Pope said the move is a permanent one for the school system. She said no decision has yet been made on what will be done with the North Decatur Road property.

GPC + GSU ______ = B.S.Ed (you do the math.) You don’t have to be a genius to understand Georgia Perimeter College and Georgia State University’s joint 2+2 in Early Childhood Education program. You just have to be a person that loves to teach. Qualify for this B.S.Ed degree program and you’ll spend the first 2 years fulfilling core requirements on any GPC campus followed by 2 more years to complete the GSU requirements at our Newton campus. The entire degree at GPC! (That’s the real plus.) In four short years, you could be well on your way to full certification as a Georgia educator working with children in pre-K to 5th grade. Who knew that 2+2 could equal so much more? The application deadline to apply for this program is June 30—so don’t delay, get all the program details at: education.gsu.edu/ece/

Principal resigns in wake of CRCT cheating scandal By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

Atherton Elementary School in Decatur will have a new principal this fall in the wake of a CRCT cheating scandal. Dr. James L. Berry, who was the school’s principal for four years, quit last week after admitting that he tampered with the June 2008 CRCT mathematics retest at the school. Robert Moseley, the school system’s deputy chief superintendent, said Thursday that news of the cheating was devastating. “We were not surprised,” he said. “We were shocked and extremely disappointed. It is a very, very serious incident but it was isolated and we dealt with it swiftly and decidedly.” Atherton is one of four elementary schools being investigated by the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement over changed answers on the Criterion Reference Competency Test. The other schools are in Fulton County, Atlanta City Schools and Glynn County. The state is recommending that the results of more than 100 students from the four schools be thrown out. Preliminary audit results reveal that someone at the schools deliberately changed the answers on the fifth-graders’ tests by erasing wrong answers and replacing them with right ones. Moseley said that 32 students

James Berry

Robert Moseley

took the retest at Atherton. The average point gain was 72. The other schools had gains of 16 to 57 points. Mosely said the students were cheated by the administrators. “No teacher or students were involved in the testing violations,” he said, adding that a number of parents had called the school. “We are going to try to restore the confidence of the parents,” he said. On Wednesday, District Attorney Gwen Keyes Fleming said her office would investigate the incident. Moseley said that announcement changed everything. “Before the DA’s announcement we had a little more leeway, but in the light of the investigation, we can’t say much more about it,” he said. Moseley said that they are interviewing candidates and hope to have Berry’s replacement on board by July 1. He said assistant principal Doretha Alexander has also been reassigned while they investigate whether she was involved.

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June 20, 2009

Ministry Anniversary events set at Ray of Hope Ray of Hope Christian Church is marking its 23rd anniversary with a special morning service and afternoon festival on June 28. The festivities culminate four weeks of celebration under way since June 1. The Rev. Dr. William Curtis from Mt. Ararat Baptist Church in Pittsburgh, Pa., will be the guest speaker at the 10 a.m. anniversary celebration, and the Rev. Dr. Trini Massie, his church’s minister of music, will serve as guest psalmist. After the service, jazz saxophonist Ron James will perform at the Blockfest on the church grounds. The 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. festival will include food and fun. Ray of Hope was founded in 1986 by the Rev. Cynthia Hale, who still leads the congregation as senior pastor. The first meeting took place with four people in her Lithonia apartment. Today, Hale leads more than 3,500 people, with about 2,000 people in attendance each Sunday. Other anniversary activities include a Dance Jubilee 2009 Extreme, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on June 23 at the church, and an All White Platinum Affair at 7 p.m. June 26 at the Holiday Inn in downtown Decatur. Tickets are $35 for the All White Platinum Affair. Ray of Hope is at 2778 Snapfinger Road in Decatur. For more information, call 770-696-5100.

CrossRoadsNews

“This café will embrace the arts to encourage those in attendance to reflect and ‘feel’ a connection between their heart’s passion and service for the betterment of our people.”

Dinner series explores identity through artistic expression Mausiki Scales Music lovers will find plenty & The Common to satisfy at the Wednesday Night Ground Collective Call Cafe at First Afrikan Presbywill perform terian Church through Aug. 12. Black Belt Blues The intimate dinner cafes, on Aug. 5 at First hosted by the church’s Center for Afrikan Church. Afrikan Biblical Studies, began June 17 with Kelly Love Jones, features jazz and other singers. Itihari Toure, the center’s director, says the dinner café is using the creative and rhythmic medium of music to engage in community reflection about who we are and what our purpose is visuals to encourage those in atten- and service for the betterment of in the world. “This café will embrace the dance to reflect and ‘feel’ a connec- our people,” she said. On June 24, Meroy Myra will arts of music, spoken word and tion between their heart’s passion

perform Songs of Sankofa. On July 15 Songs of Love & Power will draw attention to HIV/AIDs education. Songs of God’s Spirit will focus attention on revitalizing the black church on July 22 and on Aug. 5, Mausiki Scales & The Common Ground Collective will perform Black Belt Blues. Call Café culminates on Aug. 12 with Pan-Afrikan Unity Songs on Aug. 12 featuring Joseph’s Quote. The focus will be on Haiti. Tickets are $7 in advance. First Afrikan Presbyterian Church is at 5197 Salem Road in Lithonia. For more information, call 770-981-2601.

Gospel talents to raise money for Morris Brown Recording artist Marvin Sapp, who has six Grammy and Stellar awards, will headline a June 27 Gospel Extravaganza benefiting Morris Brown at Saint Philip A.M.E. Church in Atlanta. The concert, which starts at 7 p.m., will feature talented gospel musicians including L’Tanya Moore, Anya Dixon & the Singers of Morris Brown College, Maurice Culpepper and the Showers of Blessing Choir, Kevin Lemons and Higher Calling Choir, and minister Darius Paulk. Sapp will perform with the Georgia Mass Choir. The concert is hosted by Education Online Services, which helps colleges and universities maximize online higher education. Tickets are $35 and proceeds benefit scholarships for incoming and returning students at the financially beleaguered school. Saint Philip A.M.E. is at 240 Candler Road, at the intersection with Memorial Drive. For more infor- Marvin Sapp will perform with the Georgia Mass Choir at the June 27 fundraiser for Morris Brown College. mation, call Jacqueline Pollard at 404-739-1010.

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CrossRoadsNews

June 20, 2009

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