CrossRoadsNews, June 25, 2016

COMMUNITY

COMMUNITY

Sitting down for gun safety

New look underway

Georgia Rep. Hank Johnson (4th District, left) took part in the House sit-in initiated by 5th District Rep. John Lewis to press for significant gun legislation. 2

Work has begun on a new Citgo gas station, convenience store and takeout restaurant at Candler and Kelly Lake roads. 3

Put Litter in Its Place Let’s Do Our Part to Keep DeKalb Beautiful

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

Copyright © 2016 CrossRoadsNews, Inc.

June 25, 2016

www.crossroadsnews.com

Volume 22, Number 9

South Precinct luring kids with books, movies, basketball

By Donna Williams Lewis

“We’re targeting elementary school kids,” Johnson said. “We’re trying to encourage them to keep reading through the summer.”

The book giveaway is one of several summer activity initiatives launched by the precinct, located next to the Gallery at South DeKalb mall.

Churches are answering the precinct’s call to host basketball events such as “Midnight Basketball” for teens, and Johnson is holding free “Movie With the Major” events at Satellite Cinemas.

Weekly tours of the precinct for all ages

DeKalb Police Maj. K.D. Johnson, commander of the South Precinct, greets families at “Movie With the Major” at Satellite Cinemas.

The lobby of the South Precinct of the DeKalb County Police Department is looking a little more cozy these days.

A free bookstore for kids has been created there with some attractive shelving, a few chairs and more than 250 donated books, to date.

Since it opened last month, more than 50 books have been given away, said Maj. K.D. Johnson, precinct comK.D. Johnson mander.

Please see OUTREACH, page 5

DeKalb Police South Precinct

South River Trail offers more connectivity New 3.1-mile segment attracts walkers, cyclists

Tasha Thomas says the new 3.1-mile segment of the South River PATH Trail between Georgia State’s Decatur campus and Clifton Church Road has changed her mind for now about moving out of the area.

By Donna Williams Lewis

Tasha Thomas was getting ready to move away from Decatur when she discovered the new 3.1-mile segment of the South River Trail that opened up between the Decatur Campus of Georgia State University and Clifton Church Road in Atlanta.

“In the white community, they have these things and I felt like we had nothing,” said Thomas, a Delta customer service representative who has an apartment in the Flat Shoals/Candler Road area.

The paved trail, which she has been walking daily since May 12, has changed her mind for now.

“Now I feel like they are bringing things to our area,” she said. “They are fixing the streets and fixing the bridge, some of the things I was complaining about.”

Thomas said the trail, which starts at a beautiful boardwalk-style bridge over Doolittle Creek on the college campus on Panthersville Road, actually beckons her to go walking.

“I am more driven to get out,” said Thomas, who has dropped 33 pounds in five months from daily walking and changing her eating habits. “I know the trail is there so I say, ‘Go ahead and get it done.’”

Ten years in the making from design to build, the newest segment of the South River Trail, built at a cost of $2.3 million, was completed in December with funding from the GDOT Transportation Enhancement Program, DeKalb County HOST funds, and donations to the PATH Foundation, a 25-year-old nonprofit that is producing a network of linked greenway trails throughout metro Atlanta.

On June 16, DeKalb Commissioners Larry Johnson and Kathie Gannon cut the ribbon at the new wooden bridge over Doolittle

Photos by Curtis Parker / CrossRoadsNews

Although the dedication only took place June 16, the paved trail was completed in December and people have been using it.

The new segment of the South River Trail meanders through miles of wooded land, passes the college’s athletics fields, the DeKalb School District’s Buck Godfrey Stadium, Cedar Grove Middle School, and Sugar Creek Golf Course. Along the way, there are a few park benches to take a rest if you need to and a bicycle sculpture and trash cans at its Doolittle Bridge, Wildcat Road and Clifton Church Road entrances.

After crossing busy Clifton Church Road, walkers and riders can connect to the 3.5mile Intrenchment Creek Trail, completed in munity focus on its health and well-being. December of 2013, which starts behind the “It’s an opportunity to connect with Gresham Park Recreation Center. Currently neighbors and to highlight some of the in- there are no curb cuts, signage or pedestrian vestment that DeKalb County has made in crossing to help users navigate to the other terms of parks and recreation,” said Johnson, Please see PATH, page 4 who represents Commission District 3.

DeKalb Commissioners Larry Johnson (right) and Kathie Gannon (third row black pants) join walkers crossing the new boardwalkstyle bridge over Doolittle Creek on June 16.

Creek on the college campus and led a couple dozen adults and children on a walk to its end near the new Clifton Elementary School that is under construction on Clifton Church Road S.E. in Atlanta.

Johnson said the trail will help the com-

CrossRoadsNews

2

June 25, 2016

Community

Johnson joins Lewis in sit-in

U.S. Reps. John Lewis and Hank Johnson were among more than 200 House Democrats staging a sit-in on the floor of the House of Representatives to press demands for a vote on bipartisan legislation to address gun violence.

The protest, which started around midday June 22 and ended 26 hours later on Thursday.

Lewis, the 5th District representative, is no stranger to protests. During the 1960s civil rights movement he led sit-ins to push for civil and human rights for African U.S. Reps. (from left) Grace Meng (D-NY), John Lewis Americans and was brutally beaten (D-GA), David Cicilline (D-RI) and Hank Johnson (D-GA) by police on the Edmund Pettus were among Democratic legislators who staged a sit-in to get House Republicans to pass gun legislation.

Bridge.

In a tweet Wednesday, Lewis said immediate vote on two bills – the bipartisan he and his colleagues have had enough.

“We are sitting in on the House floor King-Thompson legislation to expand and until we get a vote to address gun violence,” strengthen the background checks system, and the bipartisan “No Fly, No Buy” bill he said.

Johnson, the 4th District representative, to keep guns out of the hands of suspected said Congress cannot hold another moment terrorists.

Republicans have voted 13 times to block of silence for victims of gun violence and members cannot leave Washington, D.C., consideration of No Fly, No Buy. Overnight Wednesday, the representawithout taking action to prevent the next tives shouted down Ryan when he tried to tragedy.

“Our sit-in represents a simple appeal to call them to order.

They tweeted and streamed videos of Speaker Ryan and House Republicans: Let the people’s House vote on commonsense themselves on Facebook.

Pillows and pizzas were brought in for gun violence prevention legislation that is overwhelmingly supported by the American them.

While they did not get Republicans to people,” Johnson said.

The protest came in the wake of the mass vote on the two bills they wanted, Lewis said murder of 49 people in the Pulse Nightclub they got their point across to the American in Orlando on June 11. That shooting is the people.

“By sitting in, we’re really standing up deadliest mass shooting in American hisfor the rest of America,” he said. “It’s not a tory.

House Democrats want Speaker Paul struggle that lasts for one day, one week, one Ryan and House Republicans to allow an month, one year.”

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CrossRoadsNews

June 25, 2016

Community

3

“The E-SPLOST vote on May 24 … was the highest vote of support in the 20-year history of the E-SPLOST program.”

DeKalb Schools raises teacher pay again in FY 2017 budget

By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

The DeKalb School District’s fiscal 2017 budget will be $962.7 million and property owners won’t have a tax increase.

The budget, approved by the Board of Education on June 21, is up $70.2 million, or 7.9 percent, from the fiscal 2016 budget of $892.5 million.

It dedicates $24.1 million for pay raises and signing bonuses for teachers and $16.1 million to hire nearly 373 new teachers. It also cuts the property tax millage rate by 0.35 mills to 23.38 mills and dedicates $8.9 million for decentralizing the Central Office and putting resources closer to schools.

School Superintendent R. Stephen Green said the budget continues the upward momentum over the past year to build trust with

parents, students, employees and the taxpayers of DeKalb County.

“In the past year, we have received full accreditation and established sound fiscal management, decentralized decisionmaking that is closer to schools and students, im- R. Stephen Green proved academic growth and achievement, and developed a comprehensive plan for dealing with serious overcrowding problems in the Cross Keys, Dunwoody and Lakeside clusters,” he said.

Highlights of the 2016-2017 budget are: n $19.5 million for across-the-board 3 percent pay raise for all full-time employees. n $16.1 million for growth in teacher allot-

ments. n $3.8 million for signing and retention bonuses for teachers. n $1.9 million for improving the rigor, relationship, and relevancy in classroom instruction. n $2 million to ensure a nurse in each middle and high school. n $800,000 for increasing compensation for substitute teachers. n A beginning fiscal 2017 estimated available fund balance of $124.4 million.

Dr. Melvin Johnson, School Board chairman, said the board is happy to focus on the classroom especially after the overwhelming support of its new penny sales tax.

“The E-SPLOST vote on May 24 when 71 percent of the voters in DeKalb County expressed support and trust in the district

was the highest vote of support in the 20-year history of the E-SPLOST program,” Johnson said. “The district will fulfill this mandate vote of confidence.”

The 3 percent bump in pay, on top of last year’s teacher pay increases, now makes DeKalb Schools competitive with other metro Atlanta school districts.

In DeKalb, an entry-level teacher with a bachelor’s degree will now make $42,500, behind Atlanta City Schools, where the starting pay is $44,312, but ahead of Fulton County Schools, which pays $41,916.

The pay bump comes just as DeKalb is hiring 372.5 teachers at a June 28 job fair taking place at district headquarters. District spokesman Quinn Hudson said that applicants should bring all their documentation because hires will be made on the spot.

Site cleared for new Citgo station, restaurant on Candler Road

By Ken Watts

Work crews demolished the old Citgo convenience store at Candler Road and Kelly Lake Road on June 10 to make way for a new 3,300-square-foot Citgo gas station, convenience store and takeout restaurant.

DeKalb Commissioner Larry Johnson said on June 16 that the project will be an important piece in the Candler redevelopment puzzle.

Developer Nick Ali, who owns the site, got approval from the Board of Commissioners to sell beer and wine at the location on Nov. 17, 2015, when members voted 6-0 to approve his special land use permit application.

The new gas station will include a space for a takeout restaurant. The store will be a four-sided brick building that is compatible with the I-20 Overlay District and will open 24 hours.

Ali told DeKalb commissioners the convenience store

Johnson, who represents District 3 where the project is located, told Ali at the November meeting that he would like to see a restaurant that serves fresh food at the takeout site and that he is “not looking for another wing shack.”

He said on June 16 that he has not spoken to Ali since the BOC approved his SLUP, but his concerns remain and they will talk soon.

“I’m hoping to put something positive in the development on that corner,” he said. “I’m trying to attract a Denny’s restaurant across the street from there, so it’s important to show that quality retail can thrive in the neighborhood.”

Super District 6 Commissioner Kathie Gannon, who Ken Watts / CrossRoadsNews also represents the area, said on June 16 that she too hopes A new Citgo gas station and convenience store at Candler Road to talk with Ali to make sure he abides by the 19 conditions and Kelly Lake Road will include space for a takeout restaurant. for approval that she and Johnson agreed on.

Ali, who lives in Duluth, agreed to the conditions in will occupy 2,200 square feet of the building and a neighborhood takeout restaurant will occupy the other 1,100 November. He did not return telephone calls to answer questions about his construction timeline. square feet.

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Community

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

Editor / Publisher Jennifer Parker Assistant Editor Brenda Yarbrough Staff Writers Jennifer Ffrench Parker Ken Watts Front Office Manager Catherine Guy Graphic Design Curtis Parker CrossRoadsNews is published every Saturday by CrossRoads­News, Inc. We welcome articles on neighborhood issues and news of local happenings.

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June 25, 2016

“They’ve gone through some tough times in the last seven or eight years since the Great Recession.”

May’s proposed midyear budget calls for pay raises A $1.34 billion proposed midyear operating budget submitted

by DeKalb Interim CEO Lee May to the Board of Commissioners on June 21 allocates $6.5 million for county government employee pay raises.

He is proposLee May ing 4 percent pay hikes for more than 3,000 workers, including librarians, prosecutors, sheriff ’s deputies and clerks, who haven’t already received one.

The midyear adjustment is $57 million, or 4.4 percent, more than the budget passed by the BOC in February. May is proposing to

hold the property tax rate at 20.810 mills.

The BOC will vote on the proposal in July. The proposed pay raises come in the wake of the county’s pay and class study that analyzed and compared DeKalb salaries with other similar organizations. It’s part of an effort to bring DeKalb employee salaries in line with other metro governments.

May called the pay hike an investment in the county’s ability to deliver quality services by fairly compensating its workforce.

“They’ve gone through some tough times in the last seven or eight years since the Great Recession,” May said.

Employees included in the proposed pay increase include librar-

ians, prosecutors, sheriff ’s deputies and clerks.

In February, commissioners approved raises for nearly 3,000 police officers, firefighters, emergency 911 call center workers and employees at DeKalb Sanitation and Watershed Management.

May says the administration is taking steps to identify ways to save as much as $4.6 million in unused salary expenses from unfilled vacancies.

He is also calling for spending increases in other areas including: n $1.7 million to fund fire alarm upgrades at the jail. n $802,000 for additional road paving, drainage and staffing needs. n $768,648 to increase services at the county’s 311 citizen help line.

n $750,000 to fund the managed competition program. n $514,000 to fund building maintenance and repair efforts. n $491,972 to fund library positions to restore library hours. n $405,597 to fund additional park maintenance and programming needs. n $435,000 to fund the DeKalb Fire Rescue station maintenance and additional equipment needs. n $250,000 to fund the creation of an internal SPLOST Project Management Team. n $150,000 to fund the county’s charter commission, and n $258,761 to fund additional Human Services programming and expanded security needs at senior centers.

South River, Arabia Mountain PATH Trail System

To Atlanta Beltline

LEGEND Completed Trails: Newly Dedicated Trail:

The new segment extends the trail by 3.1 miles from Gresham Park to the Decatur campus of Georgia State University (formerly Georgia Perimeter College) on Panthersville Road.

To MLK Jr. High School

Funded Trails: Proposed Trails:

Trail to stretch from BeltLine to Conyers on completion PATH,

from page

1

side of the street, but PATH project manager Jonathan McCaig said June 20 that the contractor who is renovating Clifton Elementary School will build the final piece of the trail to help users get across the street.

“It’s our understanding that Jonathan McCaig a new traffic light will be installed with a long pedestrian delay for walkers and cyclists,” McCaig said.

The trail’s new segment travels alongside the South River, but glimpses of the waterway are rare.

Still nature lovers who treasure a quiet walk, run or ride will find the solace satisfying.

After Cedar Grove Middle School, the trail gets very scenic as it passes the tee boxes at holes 17 and 18 at Sugar Creek Golf Course.

It crosses beneath I-285 and travels along the busy interstate for a spell, then runs alongside holes 3 and 7 before it dead-ends at Clifton Church Road.

Rick Bertaccini, a facilities coordinator at the college, worked with PATH as the trail reached the Decatur campus and the boardwalk-style bridge was constructed

Curtis Parker / CrossRoadsNews

The South River Trail offers cyclists, walkers, runners and nature lovers scenic views and includes many bridges.

to replace a staircase bridge over Doolittle Creek. He loves that the trail is serene and quiet.

“You could just sit there and know that animals are running all around you,” said Bertaccini, who grew up riding horses with his friends from Gresham Park down Bouldercrest Road and off into the forest along Sugar Creek and Doolittle Creek.

Davis Fox, policy analyst and project manager for Gannon, the Super District 6 commissioner who also represents the area, said the trail is good for the area, not just for recreation but as an economic

driver.

“People want to live near this type of amenity, and that raises home values,” he said.

Future plans for the South River Trail will close the seven-mile gap to the east between the college and Martin Luther King Jr. High, and to the west, it will link it to the developing Atlanta BeltLine Trail.

In Decatur, two miles of trail connecting the college campus to Waldrop Road is already funded as a GDOT Transportation Enhancement project. McCaig, PATH’s project manager, said construction is expected to start in 2018.

When the stretch between the college and MLK High is completed, it will connect with the existing 13-mile section of South River Trail that runs from the high school to the Arabia Mountain Trail, Panola Mountain State Park, and the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers.

The existing South River Trail offers spectacular views of the South River and includes many bridges, among them a 300-foot curved boardwalk with fishing opportunities and a 300-foot boardwalk overlook at Panola Mountain State Park and a covered bridge over Highway 212 near the monastery.

When all planned construction is completed, McCaig said it will be a contiguous 30.5-mile South River/Arabia Mountain trail from the Atlanta BeltLine to Conyers.

PATH, which will celebrate its 25th anniversary in October, says more than 250 miles of trails have been laid since its inception. It built its first mile of trail, known as the Stone Mountain Trail, in Clarkston, with help from former DeKalb CEO Liane Levetan.

“When everything falls into place with the Atlanta BeltLine,” McCaig said, “this [network of trails] will make Atlanta one of the most trail-connected cities in the nation.”

For more information, visit pathfoundation.org.

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CrossRoadsNews

June 25, 2016

Community

5

“We know that idle minds can get into all kinds of trouble.

You can’t put a price on a child’s life.�

Events allow residents to see police as ‘normal, everyday people’ OUTREACH,

from page

1

are now being conducted every Wednesday at noon (RSVP required), and a series of “Teen Talks� kicks off at the police precinct on June 25, from 9 a.m. to noon, with guest speakers and topics ranging from decisionmaking to conflict resolution.

The precinct’s lobby library was inspired

by Officer G.D. Williams, who talked with Johnson about the book exchange boxes he’s seen outside some Decatur homes. Known in one national program as Little Free Libraries, book exchange boxes are part of a growing “curbside literacy� movement.

Williams suggested that the South Precinct do something to encourage reading, planting the seed for the precinct’s own little library, which is open to the public weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Anyone can donate books and school supplies by dropping them off at the precinct.

Books for readers of all ages have come from individuals as well as from local elementary schools, including Bouie, Chapel Hill, Cedar Grove and Bob Mathis. They’re arranged in categories of kids, teens, adults and non-English speakers, said Sheila O’Rear, the precinct’s public education officer. “We want people to understand that we are very community-oriented and we have to get young people to trust the police,�

Johnson said.

On May 28, Johnson took another step in that direction by holding a “Movie With the Major� event at Satellite Cinemas at the Gallery at South DeKalb mall.

About 50 people showed up to watch the movie “Angry Birds� with Johnson. Two additional Movie With the Major dates are planned for 10 a.m. on July 9 and Aug. 6.

Maj. K.D. Johnson drops by to support Green Pastures Christian Ministries’ Midnight Basketball for teens on June 10.

Connect With Cops Learn more about community initiatives of the South Precinct: n Facebook: www.facebook.com/ Dekalb-County-Police-DepartmentSouth-Precinct-434298736654112/. n Nextdoor (a social network for neighborhoods): https://nextdoor. com/agency-detail/ga/decatur/dekalbcounty-police-department/. n Phone: 404-286-7911. n Address: 2842 H. F. Shepherd Drive, Decatur, GA 30034.

DeKalb Police South Precinct

“We get parents to come out, talk to them about different things. They shake our hands and get to see that we are normal, everyday people,� Johnson said.

The theater, which has been under new management since April, is showing free movies for kids at 10 a.m. every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday throughout the summer.

Alejandro Sarasino, one of Satellite Cinemas’ owners and the company’s CEO, said they are trying to help the community. “It’s free for everybody.

We encourage everybody to help us out and buy Alejandro Sarasino concessions,� he said.

Sarasino is doing community outreach of his own, offering free admission for two to police officers and working out two-for-one promotions and other deals with churches and other organizations.

Kelley Gunby, pastoral assistant at Green Pastures Christian Ministries, was among those who attended the first Movie With

the Major. “It was awesome,� she said, recalling a woman who arrived at the theater with several children.

When she found out the kids’ tickets were free, “the lady just burst into tears,�

Gunby said.

She said the woman had planned to just buy popcorn and take the kids home if the tickets cost too much.

Green Pastures Christian Ministries on Flat Shoals Parkway hosted its Midnight Basketball for teens on June 10.

About 30 teens, mostly boys but a few girls too, from the city of Decatur, South DeKalb and Clayton County participated in the 10:30 p.m.-to-midnight event. “They played three on three and had a great time,� Gunby said.

Johnson and Ted Golden, a retired DEA agent and unofficial coordinator of the South Precinct’s Community Outreach Committee, attended to support the event.

Midnight Basketball cost the church a little money and a little time, “but to see them being active and having somewhere to go, it

blessed my heart, it really did,� Gunby said. “We’re looking forward to the next one, June 24 at 10:30 p.m.�

Hosting basketball and other activities for children is nothing new for this church, led by Gunby’s mother, senior pastor Dr. Collette L. Gunby.

The church gym was built in the early ’80s to help give kids something to do.

Another church, the Hillcrest Church of Christ on Snapfinger Road, answered the Police Department’s basketball pitch by hosting a very low-cost weeklong basketball camp June 13-17. The camp included lunch.

This week, Johnson spoke at a meeting of the DeKalb Pastors Alliance, where he asked ministers to offer basketball or any summer activity they can to help keep kids safe.

He hopes to have better luck there than he’s had with some of the churches he’s spoken with. “I’ve heard some excuses like we don’t have the budget, and that’s very alarming,�

Johnson said. “We know that idle minds can get into all kinds of trouble. You can’t put a price on a child’s life.�

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To apply, please visit: www.pats.dekalb.k12.ga.us To pre-register for event: www.pats.dekalb.k12.ga.us/recruit For inquiries: Email: Recruitment@dekalbschoolsga.org or Call 678 676 0092 –Ms. Campbell

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CrossRoadsNews

6

Wellness

June 25, 2016

“Men have family planning needs that not only have implications for reproductive health … but overall health.”

More men using family planning Zumba classes mix fun and fitness More men are using family planning services, but they are still a small percentage of users.

A report released by the CDC and the Health and Human Services’ Office of Population Affairs in observance of Men’s Health Month shows that more men are visiting Title X Family Planning Program sites.

From 2003 through 2014, a total of 3.8 million men visited the service sites in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The percentage of male clients nearly doubled from 4.5 percent – 221,425 – in 2003 to 8.8 percent – 362,531 – in 2014.

Wanda Barfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division of Reproductive Health, called the trend “very encouraging.”

“Men have family planning needs that not only have implications for their sexual and

reproductive health, but also can have an impact on their overall health,” Barfield said in a June 16 statement.

Since it was established in 1970, the National Title X Family Planning Program has supported the delivery Wanda Barfield of cost-effective and confidential family planning and related preventive health care with priority for services to lowincome women and men.

In 2014, about 4 million clients, more than 90 percent of whom were female, were served through about 4,100 Title Xfunded service sites.

For more information, visit www.cdc. gov.

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Call 404-508-7175 or visit the branch to register.

Funding is provided by the DeKalb Library Foundation.

The Zumba class at Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg Library starts at 2 p.m.

The branch is at 952 Leon St. in Stone Mountain. For more information, call 770413-2020.

Free screenings available at health fair Residents can get free basic screenings on July 2 at the “My Year of Restoration” health fair at C&S Movement Church in Decatur.

The communitywide health fair sponsored by the church and Dr. Oluwaseun Cole-Awomolo takes place from 1 to 4 p.m. on the church campus.

Cole-Awomolo, an OB-GYN currently deployed in the military, is returning home for the church’s 20th anniversary and coordinating the fair with 15 volunteer doctors in different specialties participating.

The purpose is to increase health aware-

ness through education and prevention.

There will be blood pressure, vision, cholesterol, and glucose checks as well as informational booths designed to help the community become aware of the healthrelated programs, services and providers in the surrounding community.

The fair also offers fitness tests, freebies, a cookout and giveaways.

The Cherubim & Seraphim Movement Church is at 4523 Covington Highway. For more information, call Cole-Awomolo at 678-662-3916.

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Fun meets fitness at high-energy Zumba classes on June 27 at the Clarkston and Stone Mountain library branches.

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Volunteer drivers are needed to help the nonprofit I CARE Inc. transport DeKalb seniors to medical appointments.

Decatur-based Interfaith Companion and Ride Express, located on the third floor of Decatur First United Methodist Church, 300 E. Ponce de Leon Ave., provides free transportation for residents 55 and older.

It matches volunteer drivers with DeKalb seniors who, for financial and medical reasons, have no other means of transportation to medical appointments.

Volunteer drivers use their own vehicles to provide the free transportation and choose

their own schedules for providing the service.

Volunteers may drive once a week or once a month – it’s their preference. Volunteers share themselves through not only their time and service, but also through their companionship. Rides are provided weekdays between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

For more information on becoming a volunteer driver or a senior client needing I CARE service, contact Lori Webster, assistant director, at 404-377-2273 or 404-376-6415.

For more information on the nonprofit, visit www.icareseniors.org.

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filed suit against you for Abandoment.

You are required to file with the Clerk of Superior Court and to service upon the plaintiff’s attorney whose address is: Victor Dallas, 3475 Pleasantbrook Village Lane, #3516A; Doraville, GA 30340. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of May 26, 2016.

Witness the Honorable Clarence F. Seeliger, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court.

This the 26th day of May, 2016

Legal Notices 06/25, 07/02, 07/09, 07/16

Notice OF PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Civil Action Case Number: ++16FM6349-7++ Glinda L. Johnson Plaintiff Vs. Johnny W. Johnson Defendant To: Johnny W. Johnson 1088 Oakland Ave. Conyers, GA 30012

By ORDER of the Court service for service by publication dated Jun. 09, 2016. You are hereby notified that on Jun. 06, 2016 the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for Divorce. You are required to file with the Clerk of Superior Court and to service upon the plaintiff’s attorney whose address is: Glinda Johnson, 5175 Scarbrough Lane, Stone Mountain, GA 30088.

Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of Jun. 09, 2016.

Witness the Honorable Daniel M. Corsey, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court.

This the 9th day of Jun., 2016 06/25, 07/02, 07/09, 07/16

Notice OF PUBLICATION in the Superior Court

of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Civil Action Case Number: ++16FM6040-3++ Kiah Boss Plaintiff Vs. Marcus Boss Defendant To: 1996 Bridgestone Circle Conyers, GA 30012

By ORDER of the Court service for service by publication dated Jun. 02, 2016.

You are hereby notified that on May 26, 2016 the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for Divorce. You are required to file with the Clerk of Superior Court and to service upon the plaintiff’s attorney whose address is: Kiah Boss, 937 Main Street Lake Drive, Stone Mountain, GA 30088. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of Jun. 02, 2016.

Witness the Honorable Clarence F. Seeliger, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court.

This the 3rd day of Jun., 2016 06/25, 07/02, 07/09, 07/16

Notice OF PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Civil Action Case Number: ++16FM5857-6++

06/25, 07/02, 07/09, 07/16

Victor Dallas Plaintiff Vs. Lashond Kennedy Defendant To: 4227 Kessler Cincinnati, OH 45237

By ORDER of the Court service for service by publication dated May 31, 2016. You are hereby notified that on May 26, 2016 the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for Divorce. You are required to file with the Clerk of Superior Court and to service upon the plaintiff’s attorney whose address is: Victor Dallas, 3230 Aberdeen Way Lithonia, GA 30038.

Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of Jun. 01, 2016.

Witness the Honorable J.P. Boulee, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court.

This the 31st day of May, 2016

Decatur, GA 30032

By ORDER of the Court service for service by publication dated May 10, 2016. You are hereby notified that on May 09, 2016 the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for Divorce. You are required to file with the Clerk of Superior Court and to service upon the plaintiff’s attorney whose address is: Talib Spradley, 3185 Robin Rd., Decatur, GA 30032. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of May 10, 2016.

Witness the Honorable Clarence F. Seeliger, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court.

This the 26th day of May, 2016

06/25, 07/02, 07/09, 07/16

Civil Action Case Number: ++16FM5922-3++ Timiakio Holliday Plaintiff Vs. Christopher Holliday Defendant To: 2942 North DeKalb Dr., Unit D Atlanta, GA 30340

By ORDER of the Court service for service by publication dated May 26, 2016. You are hereby notified that on May 23, 2016 the above-named Plaintiff

Notice OF PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Civil Action Case Number: ++16CV3345-3++ Talib Sp;radley Plaintiff Vs. Angela J. Spradley Defendant To: 2936 Belvedere Lane

06/25, 07/02, 07/09, 07/16

Notice OF PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Notice OF PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Civil Action Case Number: ++16CV4321-3++ Rickey Sherron Plaintiff Vs. Dwan Sherron Defendant To: Dwan Sherron 4315 Orchard Park Ct. Stone Mountain, GA 30083

By ORDER of the Court service for service by publication dated Apr. 11, 2016.

You are hereby notified that on Apr. 06, 2016 the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for Divorce. You are required to file with the Clerk of Superior Court and to service upon the plaintiff’s attorney whose address is: Rickey Sherron, 4315 Orchard Park Ct., Stone Mountain, GA 30083. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of Jun. 13, 2016.

Witness the Honorable Clarence F. Seeliger, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court.

This the 13th day of June, 2016 06/25, 07/02, 07/09, 07/16

Notice of Petition to Name of ADULT in the Superior Court of DeKalb County

State of Georgia

Civil Action Case Number: ++16FM6342-4++ Imahn Shairroh Moniay Neil filed a petition in the DeKalb County Superior Court on June 03, 2016 to change name from: Imahn Shairroh Moniay Neil to Imahn Shairroh Moniay Henry. Any interested party has the right to appear In this case and file objections within 30 days after the Petition was filed.

Dated: June 01, 2016 Name: Imahn Shairroh Moniay Neil 3303 Five Oaks Way Tucker, GA 30084 06/25, 07/02, 07/09, 07/16

Notice of Petition FOR MODIFICATION OF CUSTODY in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Civil Action Case Number: ++16FM6055-5++ Lee C. Elder, Jr., Plaintiff VS Traci D. Elder To: Traci D. Elder

By ORDER of the Court service for service by publication dated June 02, 2016, You are hereby notified that on May 26, 2016, The above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for Complaint For Modification of Custody And Child Support. You are required to file with the Clerk of Superior Court, and to serve upon the plaintiff’s attorney whose name and address is: Deborah A. Johnson, Atlanta Legal Aid Society, DeKalb County Office, 846 Sycamore St., Suite 120, Decatur, GA 30030.

Answer In writing within sixty (60) days of June 02, 2016. Witness the Honorable Gregory A. Adams, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court.

This is 6th day of June, 2016

CrossRoadsNews

June 25, 2016

Scene

7

Pecou explores contemporary representations of the black male and their impact as well as popular culture as an agent of change.

Poet, friends explore Music’s role in the civil rights movement fathers’ special roles Poet and essayist Gwen Russell Green and a few of her friends present “A Special Tribute to Our Fathers� on June 27 at the Stonecrest Library.

The 90-minute program begins at 6:30 p.m.

Green, a media specialist at Shadow Rock Center and winner of the Langston Hughes Award, and her friends will explore the imporGwen R. Green tant role that fathers play in our lives.

Attendees are invited to share personal poems and essays during the open mic segment of the program.

A special tribute to bluesologist and political activist Gil ScottHeron, who died in 2011 at age 62, will be a part of the evening with music by Nelson Render.

The library is at 3123 Klondike Road in Lithonia. For more information, call 770-482-3828.

impact as well as popular culture as an agent of “Talking Drum� by visual/performing artist change. His work is featured in the Smithsonian and scholar Fahamu Pecou on display at the National Museum of African American Art and Center for Civil and Human Rights examines Culture, Nasher Museum at Duke University, the role of black popular music and the social the High Museum of Art, Paul R. Jones Collecjustice movements of the 1960s. tion, Clark Atlanta University Art Collection, The exhibit, which runs through Aug. 20, and Museum of Contemporary Art Georgia. includes drawings, sculpture and sound instalThe center is at 100 Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd. in lations. It opened in January.

Atlanta. For more information, including tickPecou, a Ph.D. student in Emory UniverFahamu Pecou ets, visit www.civilandhumanrights.org or call sity’s Institute of Liberal Arts, explores contemporary representations of the black male and their 678-999-8990.

Fish fry, block party to kick off holiday in Lithonia An Old-School Fish Fry & Block Party on July 2 will event chair, and state Rep. Doreen Carter (District 92), DeKalb Sheriff Jeff Mann, Clerk of Superior Court Debra kick off the Independence Day weekend in Lithonia.

Mayor Deborah Jackson and District 5 Commissioner DeBerry, and Keep DeKalb Beautiful are sponsors.

There will be fun, food and entertainment.

Mereda Davis Johnson are hosts for the 4-to-7 p.m. event For more information, call 404-371-2412. at 6290 Main St. U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson is honorary

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

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June 25, 2016