CrossRoadsNews, March 3, 2012 by CrossRoadsNews, Inc.

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Opposition is growing to legislation that would create a city of AshfordBrookhaven, which is making its way through the Georgia Legislature. 2

The DeKalb Senior Center’s Golden Years Drama Troupe is garnering accolades as it prepares to stage a black history production. 9

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

March 3, 2012

Volume 17, Number 44

www.crossroadsnews.com

$41 million shortfall may derail school renovations By Carla Parker

Promised renovations at 14 South DeKalb schools could be delayed indefinitely because of a $41.35 million shortfall in the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax funds. The South DeKalb schools are among 23 with a total of 35 building projects that could be halted because of the shortfall announced by School Superintendent Cheryl Atkinson on Wednesday. Atkinson told School Board members at a special called meeting that facilities management and planning staffers stumbled onto the shortfalls in SPLOST II and III accounts after discovering that the Chamblee High School rebuilding project was $9.9 million

“Something messed up, something happened.”

“No money has been misplaced. Nothing egregious has occurred.”

Dr. Cheryl Atkinson DeKalb Schools superintendent

Dr. Eugene Walker DeKalb School Board chair

too low. “Something messed up, something happened,” she said. “We’re a human resource business and we don’t have a perfect world, but we are working on a solution to address this issue.” All 35 targeted projects are in the design

tors, improving access for disabled students, replacing running tracks, and upgrading kitchens and plumbing fixtures. The affected South DeKalb schools are Allgood, Clifton, Indian Creek, Knollwood, Rockbridge, Stone Mill, Stone Mountain and Wadsworth Magnet elementary; Chapel Hill, Columbia and McNair middle; and Cedar Grove, DeKalb School of the Arts, and Redan high schools. SPLOST II, which ran from 2002 to 2007, was supposed to generate $513 million for new schools and renovations. But $26.1 million in interest and other financing expenses weren’t accounted for.

process and no construction has begun. The stoppage will decrease the deficit by $2.2 million. In South DeKalb, the affected projects are at eight elementary, three middle and three high schools. They include installing new HVAC systems and emergency genera- Please see SPLOST, page 8

Devoted Dads Watch Over Campus Volunteers are ‘eyes and ears’ of Southwest DeKalb By Donna Williams Lewis

They are among the first to arrive at Southwest DeKalb High School and often among the last to leave. A group of volunteer dads, known as the SWD FBI – Fathers Being Involved – has become a fixture at the Decatur high school over the past two years. The group of about six regulars arrives at the school on Kelley Chapel Road by 7 a.m. daily to help direct what they call “unbelievable” traffic of parents dropping kids off for classes. One or two fathers are available during the day to help monitor halls and fill other needs at the 1,600-student school. At the end of the school day, the dads are back full steam to pick up trash and water plants and trees and to help supervise afterschool events, load band trucks, and assist with athletic meets. That’s great stuff by any measure. But it only skims the surface of what these volunteers are all about. PTSA president Gregory White, founder of SWD FBI, said the dads are “working with school staff to create a loving and nurturing environment for our students and parents.” Loving and nurturing? “Yes,” the 50-year-old father of three says unabashedly. These men are role models for the students, he said, letting them know, above all, that they care. “We’re trying to make the kids know that if they’ve got a problem, they can talk to us,” White said. And they do. Some kids report concerns to the dads before anyone else was told, the dads say. The group members, whose

Particularly when it comes to traffic. “When they’re not there, which is rare, or you get there before them, it is chaos,” she said. “They keep everything in order. They know all the kids. At least two of them are always there so you don’t have to worry about your kids being there at night. … They do an excellent job and they do it cheerfully.” Angela Bethea, the school’s principal, says they are a godsend. “They are our ears and eyes just in case we are unable to catch everything,” she said. “Because our campus is so large, we can’t be everywhere.” Bethea said the fathers started helping with the school’s “unique” traffic problems in the morning when parents are dropping off kids at the school and also at Rainbow Elementary School next door. She said it was chaotic until the SWD FBI stepped in. Bethea says that what’s different about the group is its consistency. “They are just present,” she said. “Sometimes groups form and they work for a while and then they lose interest. Not these fathers. They are here every day. The students and the teachers know them and trust them. They are committed. They just go above and beyond.” Bethea says she sees at least six fathers a day and more on special occasions. During the recent flurry of funerals between October and January, in which the school community lost custodian Evan Griffin and beloved science teacher Sherika Williams to cancer and alumni Robert Champion in an alleged hazing at Florida A&M University and Rachael Walker to suicide, the fathers ushered and were pallbearers. They also have escorted students to school events and engaged the ones who need listening ears. Jennifer Ffrench Parker / CrossRoadsNews In October when the school celebrated Gregory White, founder of SWD FBI, picks up litter in front of Southwest DeKalb High School. passing Adequate Yearly Progress, they grilled regulars include White, Willie Pringle, Kevin the dads each morning, and I heard a band hot dogs and hamburgers for the 400-plus Griffin, Keith Smith and Tony Hill, consider student talking about how clean the grounds senior class, saving the school the cost of hiring a catering service. themselves to be the “eyes and ears” of South- were at Southwest DeKalb,” White said. “They’re absolutely wonderful,” said west DeKalb. Please see DADS, page 8 “As one student stated, she is glad to see Southwest DeKalb parent Pyper Green.

CrossRoadsNews

Community

March 3, 2012

“We are firmly opposed to the formation of this city without input from all of those in DeKalb County.”

Opposition mounting to new city of Ashford-Brookhaven Opposition is building against the proposed city of Ashford-Brookhaven which passed through the Georgia House and is now a waiting a Senate vote. HB 636, which would create another city of 50,000 people in DeKalb County over the objections of the county, passed 101 to 57 on Feb. 17. It must pass the Senate before it can be sent to the governor to be signed into law. A growing list of civil and voting rights groups, elected officials, community organizations and church leaders have expressed opposition to the new city. African-American ministers from five Brookhaven-area churches – China Grove Missionary First Baptist Church, Greater Mount Carmel AME Church, Little Zion Baptist Church, Lynwood Park United Church of God in Christ, and Saint Peter True Holiness Church – were set to host a press conference late Thursday to express opposition to the proposed city on constitutional grounds. At a Feb. 24 press conference, Sen. Emanuel Jones (DDecatur) called HB 636 another example of how Republican legislators undermine “home rule,” local delegation and local control. “We are firmly opposed to the formation of Ashford,” he

said. “We are firmly opposed to the formation of this city without input from all of those in DeKalb County.” Even though it passed the bill, the House disagreed on whether to call the proposed new city in north DeKalb Ashford or Brookhaven, but it voted to allow more than 140,000 residents to vote on whether it should be incorEmanuel Jones porated. Rep. Mike Jacobs (R-Atlanta), who sponsored the bill, favors the Brookhaven name, but others are trying to change it to Ashford. If HB 636 becomes law, the referendum would appear on the July 31 ballot. Dr. Hasan Crockett, a spokesman for Action for Justice in Georgia, which opposes the new city, said creating another city in DeKalb will add another level of government that will squeeze out more taxes, exercise more control over people and deny residents their constitutional and statutory rights. “The city of Ashford will force its residents to pay twice for government services,” he said. “Brookhaven residents

would continue to pay for and receive services from DeKalb County, including schools, sanitation, water and sewer, fire, 911 emergency services, jails and most courts.” Crockett also said HB 636 also violates the rights of African Americans. “African Americans’ voting rights will be denied under the 14th and 15th Amendments, and the Voting Rights Act Section 2 and 5,” he said. Action for Justice in Georgia has Hasan Crockett filed suit in Federal Court of Northern Georgia claiming that the cities of Sandy Springs, John’s Creek, Milton, Dunwoody and Chattahoochee Hills deprive African-American residents of their voting rights. DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis has called for the Senate to delay acting on HB 636 so the Georgia General Assembly can study the incorporation process. He said he is not against cityhood. “I am against an unfair process which disenfranchises DeKalb County voters and allows the cherry picking of the choicest commercial districts and neighborhood amenities by cityhood advocates,” Ellis said.

Poetry, painting to be showcased

Aspiring artists and poetry lovers can socialize in the artful ambiance of My Old Cedar Chest on March 10 in Lithonia. The day of “Painting & Poetry,” which begins at 11 a.m., is presented by the boutique in partnership with Women Who Look Ahead Mentoring. Art lovers can hear inspiring poetry and paint their own masterpieces. Hors d’oeuvres and libations will be served, and cash and carry artwork and novelties will be available. R.S.V.P. and register by March 7 at womenwholookaheadmentoring@yahoo.com or 404-421-7784. My Old Cedar Chest Boutique is at 5304 Panola Industrial Blvd., Suite 1. For more information, call 404-957-9875 or Jasheika Lighting at 404-901-9593.

K REAr 10 B G PRI N u nde th

kid e w i On e ts f re m e a ls e a du lt l8 pri a A 2 il 2 Ap r

Resources for parents available

New Location Coming Soon

Parents with children from prenatal to 4 years old living in Scottdale, Avondale and Clarkston can participate in a free “Parents as Teachers” education program. The program, created by the Scottdale Child Development and Family Resource Center, includes free bi-weekly visits from a Certified Parent Educator; free workshops; free hearing, vision, & developmental screenings for participating children; improvement in school readiness for the child; new parenting strategies; and referrals to community resources. For more information, contact Tregra Benjamin at TBenjamin@scottdale.org.

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The Central DeKalb Jaguars baseball team is registering players at Wade Walker Park on March 3 and 10 at the Stone Mountain park. On-site registration takes place from 10 a.m.-to-2p.m. Parents can also register online through March 9 at www.wadewalkerpark.org. Players must be ages 5 to 12 to participate. There are openings for coaches and players for the Tiny Tot program, ages 3-4. For registration and other costs, visit www.wadewalkerpark.org.

March 3, 2012

Community

CrossRoadsNews

“When did it get the point where we put human lives second to the broadband growth?”

Commissioners OK big budget Senate bill could curb cell towers By Mary Swint

The 2012 DeKalb County will be $559.7 million, up 7.2 percent from last year’s budget. The DeKalb Board of Commissioners voted 4-3 on Feb. 28 to approve the substitute budget from its finance committee. And or the first time since 2000, the board also approved the sale of $157 million in tax anticipation notes to fund county operations. The budget was $12.4 million higher than the budget, CEO Burrell Ellis proposed in December, and $200,000 higher than the $559.5 million budget he substituted on Feb. 16 after finding extra cash when the books closed on the 2011financial year, On Tuesday, commissioners assigned $7 million of this “found money” to reserves, bringing it up to $30 million. The adopted budget does not call for a property tax increase but it assumes the state legislature will approve a hotel motel tax increase of up to 3 percent and increase Recorders Court fees. Commissioners had criticized Ellis for including these two items, which could generate $3 million in revenues, before their enabling legislation passed. Commissioner Elaine Boyer voted against the 2012 budget saying the county may find this budget too generous when the tax assessor provides the revenue projections this spring. She said the CEO’s projected 5 percent decline in the tax digest was too optimistic. “The CEO has a poor track record of projecting revenues, and it always winds up on the backs of DeKalb taxpayers,” Boyer said. “We should have held the line on spending over 2011, particularly since property tax revenues may decline again this year.” Commissioners will set the millage rate in June or July after the tax digest is complete. Commissioner Jeff Rader said said that some of the fund balance should have been used to reduce the millage rate.

The approved budget include $2 million in the Fire Fund to replace faulty air packs; $10 million to pay for health insurance claims that ran over the projected budget for last year; $512,000 for paving materials that the CEO had cut; and $500,000 to fund the tax commissioner’s satellite offices; $364,000 to bring senior services back to the 2011 level; $180,000 for a grand jury investigation of the watershed department; $150,000 for the board of equalization; and $188,800 reserved for animal control pending a task force report. The new budget also removed funding for the public safety director from the police budget and moved three of five auditor positions from the finance department to the Board of Commissioners. Rader, who also voted budget, said there would not be a manager for the transferred auditors since the board has not filled the internal auditor position yet. Commissioner Stan Watson suggested the county look at outsourcing several services before the midyear budget adjustments, including animal services and Keep DeKalb Beautiful. He also proposed an amnesty day for outstanding fines in the courts and tax commissioner’s office. Watson said a blue ribbon commission could jumpstart economic development. The board did not act on Watson’s proposals. Also on February 28, there were ten bidders for the tax anticipation notes (TANs), which will have to be repaid by Dec. 28. The county will receive the proceeds from the sale in mid-March to fund county operations until September when property taxes are collected. The net interest cost was $290,276, far less than anticipated. Bank of America Merrill Lynch’s bid offered the lowest interest rate, less than a quarter of a percent. Moodys gave DeKalb its highest rating for short term debt before the sale of the TANs.

More than 5,000 cast early ballots With two days to the end of early voting for the March 6 presidential primary, 5,429 voters had cast ballots in person and by mail by Feb. 29. By contrast for the 2008 presidential primary, 2,220 had cast ballot on the first day of early voting. The early voting ended March 2 at 7 p.m. at six precincts around the county. DeKalb has 448,834 active voters for the March 6 primary. The polls will open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at all 189 precincts across the county. Voters at nine precincts will cast ballots at new locations this election, mostly because of school closings. The bulk of the changes are in south DeKalb precincts. The Atherton Elementary polling station

has been relocated to First Rephidim Missionary Baptist Church. The Avondale Middle School relocated to Avondale Pattillo United Methodist Church, and the Glen haven Elementary precinct is now at Peace Baptish Church. The Gresham Elementary precinct moved to First Baptist Church, and the Medlock Elementary precinct moved to North Decatur Presbyterian Church. The Peachcrest Elementary moved to Midway Elementary, and the Panola Road precinct at High Praise Christian Center relocated to moved to Miller Grove High School. For more information, visit http://web. co.dekalb.ga.us/Voter/VoterInformation. html

By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

Efforts to prevent the march of cell towers on school properties gained momentum this week, when a bill sponsored by Sen. Jason Carter (D-Decatur) passed unanimously out of the Senate’s State and Local Government Operations committee on Feb. 28. Carter’s SB 498 would require state and local governments to hold public hearings before leasing public property to private organizations for non- Jason Carter governmental and commercial reasons. The bill comes in the wake of the DeKalb School Board’s decision last year to lease nine school properties to T-Mobile to erect cell towers. Carter said SB 498 promotes a high level of transparency by demanding a hearing before any sort of leasing arrangement is reached for public property. “If our state and local governments enter into an agreement to receive income from the rental of a public building – which is not meant to generate revenue – then the public deserves the right to offer objection or accord,” he said. Under the bill, the required public hearing must allow equal time of at least 10 minutes for presentations by opposing sides and also abide by appropriate local and state code for conducting public hearings. SB 498 also calls for proper notification acknowledging such public hearings. It says notices must be published in area newspapers at least 15 but not more than 45 days prior to the hearing. In addition, a sign containing information about the public hearing must appear at the leasing site at least 15 days prior. State Rep. Karla Drenner is also pursu-

NAACP opposes transportation tax The DeKalb NAACP is asking county voters to vote “No” on the upcoming transportation penny tax referendum on the July 31 ballot. The civil rights organization says that less than 12 percent of the $6.14 billion project list on the Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax T-

student at the school and at her home. In a separate incident, police said that Thomas videotaped under the skirt of another student without her knowledge or consent. DeKalb Schools’ spokesman Walter Woods said school police received a tip from a parent in December claiming Thomas was having inappropriate sexual contact with his 15-year-old daughter. Woods said the district immediately removed Thomas from the classroom and placed him on paid administrative leave while detectives investigated the claims. DeKalb police joined in the investigation. Detectives also searched Thomas’ Lithonia home and said they found inappropriate sexual images of the teen on his laptop computer.

SPLOST) referendum will be spent in south DeKalb County. The one-cent sales tax is projected to raise $8.5 billion to fund transportation projects across the region. DeKalb will get $1.2 billion and no rail. For more information, contact the DeKalb NAACP at naacpdek@bellsouth.net or 404 241-8006.

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Teacher arrested; sex with student alleged A Tucker Middle School teacher who is accused of having sex with a student and secretly videotaping another was arrested Feb. 28. Almarcus Dewayne Thomas, 42, has been on administrative leave since Dec. 22 when the accusations came to light, but was just arrested Tuesday night. He appeared in magisAlmarcus Thomas trate court Thursday afternoon to face charges that include aggravated child molestation, sex assault against persons in custody, statutory rape, sexual exploitation of children and eavesdropping. Thomas, who was denied bond, is accused of having sexual contact with the 15-year-old

ing a bill to prohibit the placement of cell towers on school properties. At a Feb. 21 hearing at the capitol, parents and opponents of cell towers on school grounds said that the towers will be harmful to growing children who must sit under emissions for extended periods. Shawn Jones of Lithonia, whose daughter attends Martin Luther King Jr. High School, one of the nine schools slated to have cell towers, questioned putting children and teachers’ lives at risk for the sake of wireless Shawn Jones connectivity. He told Drenner that the industry is taking advantage of the fact that certain schools need money. “In my opinion, they fast-tracked this T-Mobile deal through,” he said. “When did it get the point where we put human lives second to the broadband growth?” Joe Staley, who lives near Margaret Harris Comprehensive School where a tower is planned, said he has lots of concerns other than radiation. He said if one of the towers, which are huge, falls over, it could fall on the school. He said schools are located in residential areas and having cell towers on them will harm the property values of nearby homeowners. “I think there’s a lot of risks other than radiation that we should be concerned about,” he said. Gayle Esposito, a retired teacher, said the Gayle Esposito 60- by 60-foot towers will take up space on playgrounds and impact instructional space for students. “I just don’t understand taking away that much instructional space in the name of money,” she said.

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CrossRoadsNews is published every Saturday by CrossRoadsNews, Inc. We welcome articles on neighborhood issues and news of local happenings. The opinions expressed by writers and contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher, nor those of any advertisers. The concept, design and content of CrossRoadsN ews are copyrighted and may not be copied or reproduced in whole or in part in any manner without the written permission of the publisher.

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March 3, 2012

Several residents who compost talked about how even the ordinary waste that they use smells.

Georgia is ground zero for super PACs, Citizens United By U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson

The “Nastiest Show on Earth,” otherwise known as the “Slimary Process” – the prolonged and agonizing Republican primary to select a presidential candidate – is already being called the dirtiest of all time by political pundits and voters alike. News this week that Mitt Romney is running more than $1 million worth of attack ads in Georgia in the lead-up to Super Tuesday on March 6 signals that the circus has officially come to Atlanta. While Georgians might be spared from the worst of the relentless toxic advertising that plagued South Carolina and Florida, expect moderate to heavy mudslinging on your TV sets in the coming weeks as the Republican candidates duke it out for a portion of Georgia’s 76 delegates. Pointing out differences with their opponents in policy, electability and experience has been replaced with going straight for the jugular by calling each other vultures, shills, liars, socialists or un-American. Helping to spawn these radioactive ads is the creation of super PACs, the political action committees that are reshaping American politics by giving the wealthy and corporations a larger say in the outcome of elections. Two years ago this activist Su-

“Helping to spawn these radioactive ads is the creation of super PACs … that are reshaping American politics by giving the wealthy and corporations a larger say in the outcome of elections.” U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson

preme Court, misusing its authority by legislating policy from the bench, ignored decades of legal precedent when it ruled 5-4 in the 2010 Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission decision that corporations have the same constitutional right of free speech as people. The idea that corporations have the same First Amendment protections of free speech is troubling. Corporations are not people. They don’t attend our schools, get married and have children. They don’t vote in our elections. But when the Supreme Court ruled in Citizens United that corporations have the same free speech rights, it opened the floodgates to unrestricted special interest campaign spending in American elections – permitting corporations to spend unlimited funds, directly or through third parties and political action committees organized for those purposes, to influence federal elections and opened the door for the emergence of super PACs. And this is not a partisan issue. Just listen to Republican political

strategist Rick Tyler, who runs Winning Our Future, the super PAC that has fueled Newt Gingrich’s primary run: “They [super PACs] are terrible,” he told the Tampa Bay Times last month. “I’m hopeful we’ve learned enough from this wretched experiment to fix it,” Tyler said. I agree. That’s why I support a couple of measures. I fully support the OCCUPIED Amendment: Outlawing Corporate Campaign Cash Undermining the Public Interest in Our Elections and Democracy, which would overturn Citizens United, return campaign finance regulation to the government, and limit corporation campaign spending. But it would take two-thirds of members of both houses of Congress to approve and would have to be ratified by voters in two-thirds of the states before becoming law. This could take a decade or longer. In the meantime, Congress should pass the DISCLOSE Act, Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light on Spending in Elections, which requires disclosure of

the source of the money that is being spent to influence the outcome of our elections. The DISCLOSE Act passed the House in 2010 but Republicans in the Senate blocked it, and we are already seeing the impact. In the last two years, super PACs raised more than $180 million – with roughly half of it coming from fewer than 200 super-rich people and roughly 20 percent from corporations. Of the $60 million collected so far by super PACs supporting presidential candidates, more than half – or $33 million – came from just 24 wealthy Americans, according to an Associated Press review of financial reports filed by the campaigns. We need to restore accountability in our elections. The American people have a right to know the source of the money that is being spent. They should be told who is behind the millions of dollars in campaign ads and they should receive this information before they vote. Billionaires like the Koch brothers, casino mogul Sheldon Adelson and political puppet master Karl Rove should not be able to buy our elections. Secret money should not be able to drown out the voices of the American people and sell our democracy to the highest bidder. Hank Johnson represents the 4th Congressional District, which includes parts of DeKalb and Rockdale counties.

Greenco pursuing composting plant despite opposition my assessment: As a community ad1. No solution offered vocate who has had many to address the code violayears’ experience worktion (odor) that is driving ing to defeat rezonings Greenco from Barnesville and Special Use Permits if they were to operate in – SUPs – in our comDeKalb. munities, I attended the 2. No benefit to the community meeting that Lithonia community to Greenco held at Anti- Glen Williams create jobs or a signifioch Missionary Baptist cant tax contribution to DeKalb Church in Lithonia on Feb. 28. I listened to others and I asked (currently employs fewer than 20 several questions of the Greenco people and pays less than $20,000 representatives myself, and here is in commercial taxes).

Quick Read

$41 million shortfall may derail school renovations

3. Will be located near a school and residential neighborhoods and did not address how a mixture of commercial food waste will not attract animals and create diseases. 4. Will not increase property values or enhance the surrounding area. 5. Several residents who compost talked about how even the ordinary waste that they use smells. 6. Outrage with the local elected leaders who had previously supported Energy Partners against the

objections of the community. 7. Lastly, after receiving input from several community meetings, Greenco has continued its pursuit and has NOT listened to the Community Council and the residents of the community’s loud and clear voice of, “No, not in our community!” Next steps: DeKalb County public hearings on March 6 and March 27 at the Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive in Decatur. Glen Williams lives in Snellville.

Homegoing is March 3 for bank president Jim Young 6

Decatur schools to celebrate safe routes 8

Promised renovations at 14 South DeKalb schools could be delayed because of a $41.35 million shortfall in the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax funds.

When a forward-thinking group of South DeKalb business men decided to launch a hometown bank, they looked far and wide for the just the right person to lead it.

Students and members of Decatur Active Living will walk and roll to school for the annual Georgia Walk and Roll to School Day.

Volunteers are ‘eyes and ears’ of Southwest DeKalb 1

Multi-city dialogue to focus on AIDS 7

They are among the first to arrive at Southwest DeKalb High School and often among the last to leave.

Religious leaders and people living with HIV are calling attention to the National Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS .

Opposition mounting to new city of Ashford-Brookhaven 2

Deadline to apply for scholarship

Opposition is building against the proposed city of Ashford-Brookhaven which passed through the Georgia House and is now a waiting a Senate vote.

High school seniors who plan to attend a college in Georgia have until March 15 to apply for $5,000 scholarships from the Mary Ware Scholarship.

Circulation Audited By

Golden Years troupe returns to stage with play 9 At the ripe old age – pardon me, seasoned age – of 70, Ruth Johnson has become the toast of the town.

Fund-raiser benefits Purkett scholars 9 Gary “Lil G” Jenkins and R&B vocalist Phillippia Williams will headline the March 10 fund-raiser for the William E. Purkett II Scholarship Foundation in the Columbia High School Auditorium.

index to advertisers Access Advertising......................................... 11 BJH Attorneys & Counselors at Law.............. 10 CDC Federal Credit Union............................... 3 Chapel Hill Orthodontics................................. 8 Daryl Martin / Stonecrest Toyota.................. 10 Dykes Desktop.............................................. 10 Gwinnett Federal Credit Union.......................6

Hibachi Grill.................................................... 2 Johnny Harris CPA......................................... 11 Kidney & Hypertension Center....................... 7 LaHair Café................................................... 10 Macy’s............................................................. 5 MetroPCS....................................................... 11 Mini Mall....................................................... 10

My Old Cedar Chest...................................... 10 National Kidney Foundation........................... 7 New Creations............................................... 10 Marlin & Rays Seafood Grill............................9 Seafood On The Crest.................................... 11 South DeKalb YMCA...................................... 11 Star Tax Services............................................ 11

Stewart Unlimited Inc..................................... 11 Teen Reach Inc.............................................. 11 The Affordable Hair Salon............................ 10 The Law Office of B.A. Thomas.................... 10 The Samuel Group......................................... 11 Best Buy Co. Inc......................................Inserts Walgreens...............................................Inserts

March 3, 2012

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Finance

March 3, 2012

“James was a unique force who helped transform Atlanta, DeKalb and the region into a thriving community.”

Equal rights activist at Agnes Scott Jim Young remembered for Equal rights activist Lilly Ledbetter will present a lecture on her new book, “Grace and Grit: My Fight for Equal Pay and Fairness at Goodyear and Beyond,” on March 6 at Agnes Scott College in Decatur. The lecture, which begins at 7 p.m. in Gaines Chapel in Presser Hall, is co-sponsored by the Georgia Center for the Book at DeKalb Public Library. It is free and open to the public and no ticket is required. Ledbetter, a celebrated icon for women facing daily salary bias and sexual harassment issues, was at the center of the historic legal bias case that inspired the Obama administration’s Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act. It is the first piece of legislation passed under President Barack Obama’s tenure. Ledbetter was employed by Goodyear Tire and Rubber’s plant in Gadsden, Ala., from 1979 until her retirement in 1998 and worked as an area manager, a position largely held by men. Initially her pay was equal to male area managers, but by retirement, she was earning $3,727 per month compared to

Lilly Ledbetter’s case inspired the fair pay act passed under President Barack Obama’s tenure.

15 male managers who earned between $4,286 and $5,236 monthly. She sued Goodyear in November 1998 under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Pay Act of 1963. A jury initially awarded her $3.3 million, which was later reduced to about $300,000. Goodyear appealed, and the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the lower court’s ruling in favor of Goodyear, saying too much time had passed since Ledbetter received the first discriminatory paycheck. The case can’t be retried and the law can’t provide restitution to Ledbetter. The bill was an issue in the 2008 campaign. Agnes Scott College is at 141 E. College Ave. For more information, call 404-3708450 or visit www.dekalblibrary.org.

Free, faster income tax assistance Taxpayers can get faster income tax preparation this year through a collaborative effort by the DeKalb County Public Library, Friends of the Library, the Tax-Aide volunteers of the Dunwoody Library and the AARP Foundation. The organizations provided funding to purchase additional computer networking hardware for the Chamblee, Dunwoody and

Toco Hill-Avis G. Williams branches. The new hardware ensures faster access to the Internet for tax preparers assisting county residents at the library branches. AARP Tax-Aide volunteers provide free tax assistance and preparation to taxpayers of all ages with special attention to those 60 and older. For locations, visit aarp.org/ taxaide or call 1-888-227-7669.

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his community-building ways By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

In 1993, when a forward-thinking group of South DeKalb businessmen decided to launch a hometown bank, they looked far and wide for just the right person to lead it. They found that person – James E. Young – in New Jersey and lured him to DeKalb County to head the fledgling First Southern Bank in Lithonia. Gregory Baranco, one of the founders of that bank, said Young, who James E. Young became “Jim” to everyone who met him, was the right choice. “He understood banking and he understood community building,” Baranco said this week. “He was all about people. He was all about the customers. He was all about the shareholders and about growing the community. He had a real interest in helping people.” Over the next 18 years, Young ingrained himself into the community and into the hearts of all who met him. On March 3, the community will say its goodbyes to Young, 62, who died Feb. 27 after a short illness. Rebecca Young, his wife of 39 years, said he never met a stranger. “He was so caring, so giving and so loving,” she said. “It’s going to be rough.” After unexplained weight loss late last year, Young was diagnosed with lung cancer. “From there, it was just a snowball rolling down the hill,” his wife said. Young, who lived in Stone Mountain, became president and CEO of Citizens Trust Bank of Atlanta on Feb. 2, 1998, after it merged with First Southern Bank. Cynthia N. Day, the bank’s newly appointed president and CEO, said Young left a lasting impact on everyone with his wisdom, his character and his ability to inspire others. “We will continue to honor him and the legacy he has left,” she said. Young was born in Cleveland, Tenn., and was a banker all of his adult life. Young was a vice president of a New Jersey bank when Baranco recruited him to DeKalb County. This week, Baranco recalled the story Young shared with him about how he ended up in banking and why he was ready in 1993 to take the helm of their new bank. “He told me his father, who was a minister and a custodian, used to clean a bank building and that when he was 10 or 11, he accompanied his father to work. One evening while his father was cleaning the bank president’s office, Jim sat in the president’s chair. He said his father asked him if he was ready to take on all the responsibilities that went with sitting in that chair.”

Homegoing service Visitation for Jim Young was scheduled for March 2 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Home at 4347 Flat Shoals Parkway in Decatur. His homegoing service takes place March 3 at 11 a.m. at Saint Philip AME Church, 240 Candler Road in Atlanta.

He couldn’t answer then, but when Baranco posed that questionto him years later, he said he was ready. During his banking career, Young served as a member of the board of directors for a long list of organizations including the National Bankers Association, the Atlanta Action Forum, Central Atlanta Progress, the Commerce Club and Rock-Tenn Co. He was also a member of the Board of Councilors of the Carter Center, the DeKalb County Chapter of 100 Black Men of America, and Antioch AME Church in Stone Mountain. His wife said Young had begun preparing for his retirement in three years when they would do more of the traveling that they loved. “Everything was cut short,” she said. Young is also survived by sons MelChristopher, Damon and Justin, and daughter Jennifer. Condolences poured in this week for Young’s family. DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis said he lost a friend, while the county lost a true pioneer. “He was always looking for ways to serve others,” he said. Fourth District U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson said DeKalb and Atlanta lost a giant. “James was a unique force who helped transform Atlanta, DeKalb County and the region into a thriving, prosperous and upwardly mobile community,” he said. “His contributions to our organizations, businesses and foundations will impact us well into the future.” E. Lamont Houston, president and chairman of the board of 100 Black Men of DeKalb, said Young, who joined the group in 1993, was a catalyst for financial literacy. “He worked diligently to lead and serve as a role model for the youth in our community to follow in his footsteps,” he said. “His leadership throughout DeKalb County will be sorely missed by the many lives he has touched.” Last October when his two youngest children, Justin and Jennifer, competed in the popular CBS TV show “Amazing Race,” Young said the show was a lot of fun to watch even if you don’t have relatives on it. “There is a lot of life lessons in it,” he said. “It’s not just about physical strength. It’s how you interact with your teammate, your competitors and the people you meet along the way.”

House passes small-business bill The Georgia House passed legislation on Wednesday that changes the definition of “small business” that opponents say will place undue burden on smaller enterprises. House Bill 863, which deals with state purchasing, changes “certain provisions relating to purchases without competitive bidding, central bid registry, procurement cards, rules and regulations” among other items. It passed the House 128-38 on Feb. 29. The bill now defines “‘small business’ as a Georgia resident business which is independently owned and operated. In addition, such business must have either fewer than 500 employees or less than $50 million in gross receipts per year.” Bill opponent Milton L. Kirby, president and CEO of Allied Logistics Inc., an Atlanta-

based supply chain and freight transportation solutions company, said the change will be negative and severe to many of the state’s small businesses. “The change in the definition will require that small businesses with fewer than 100 employees would have to compete for state [Georgia] contracting opportunities with companies five times or more their size in employee head count and 50 times or more their size in gross revenue,” he said. At a hearing last week, small-business owners expressed concerns ranging from the collection and submission of sales taxes and regulations on personal care facilities to the inspection procedures for restaurants. Kirby said the proposed change could severely impact growth and recovery.

CrossRoadsNews

March 3, 2012

Wellness

The purpose of the weeklong observance is to bring national attention to the AIDS epidemic in the United States.

Multi-city dialogue to focus on AIDS Religious leaders and people living with HIV are using a multi-city dialogue to call attention to the National Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS on March 4-10. In Atlanta, a select panel will meet from 2 to 4 p.m. on March 6 at the Loudermilk Center – Atlanta Conference Center at 40 Courtland St. N.E. Panelists include Bishop O.C. Allen III, senior pastor of the Vision Church of Atlanta; Rabbi Joshua Lesser, senior rabbi, Congregation Bet Haverim; Bishop Theresa Snorton, presiding prelate, 5th Episcopal District of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church; and the Rev. Dr. Raphael Warnock, senior pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church. Organizers say the purpose of the weeklong observance is to bring national attention to the AIDS epidemic in the United States and the role communities of faith must play in prevention, service,

advocacy and care. Congregations or organizations can register their institutions to participate at www.balmingilead.org or www. nwpha.org. In Dialogue kicked off on March 1 in Washington at the Howard University School of Divinity. The theme of this year’s observance is “The End of the AIDS Epidemic Is in Sight With Prayer, Education, Testing and Treatment.” Discussions will center on how to dismantle the AIDS stigma; address the spiritual and emotional needs of people living with AIDS; and provide strategies for an appropriate theological response for addressing the AIDS epidemic within local faith institutions. The dialogue is being facilitated by Dr. Marsha Martin, the architect of municipal HIV testing and the director of the Urban Coalition of HIV/AIDS

Prevention Services. Martin was special assistant on HIV/AIDS policy to Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala from 1997 to 2001. The mission of the Balm in Gilead, Marsha Martin now in its 23rd year, is to prevent diseases and to improve the health status of people of the African Diaspora by providing support to faith institutions in areas of program design, implementation and evaluation, which strengthens their capacity to deliver programs and services that contribute to the elimination of health disparities. For more information, visit www .balmingilead.org or call 1-888-2256243.

Motorcycle safety, care offered at clinic Motorcyclists and fans can attend a free Biker Safety Clinic on March 10 at Mountain Motorsports in Conyers. The 10 a.m.-to-3 p.m. event with host 2 Wheels Safety Network Inc. includes demonstrations by motorcycle instructors, first responders and emergency medical technicians. Basic motorcycle maintenance information also will be provided. A $5 donation will qualify for a giveaway of an advanced rider course. Sponsors include 2 Wheels Towing, Charles W. Watwood Jr. and Associates, Richard Ingram Law, and Ride Like a Pro Atlanta. Sponsorship and vendor opportunities are available. Contact AJ at ajones@2wheelssafetynet.org or 678-8515755, or visit 2wheelssafetynet.org for PayPal options. 2 Wheels Safety Network, which serves the metro Atlanta area, was established in 2010 to promote driver safety for bikers and motorists. It also sponsors educational and training seminars designed to promote safety. Mountain Motorsports is at 899 Iris Drive S.E. in Conyers.

‘Love Yourself ’ to aid women’s center The second annual “Love Yourself, Inside & Out” health seminar for women will benefit Decatur-based Women’s Resource Center to End Domestic Violence. The March 10 event, which begins at 7 p.m. in the Zoar United Methodist Church gym in Snellville, will offer pampering, healthy foods, fresh pressed juice, surprise guests and dancing. The cost is $30, and proceeds will be donated to the nonprofit Women’s Resource Center, which serves metro Atlanta. The DeKalb-based center provides advocacy for

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women and children, support groups, safe houses, community education and other services. Statistics show that at least 30 percent of women in Georgia have been involved in some type of abusive relationship. The mental and physical scars from domestic violence affect the entire community. Tickets must be purchased in advance. R.S.V.P. to threedaycleanse@gmail.com. Zoar United Methodist Church is at 3895 Zoar Church Road. For more information, call DeAnne “Dee” Davis at 404-667-7681. • • • • • • • • • • • •

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CrossRoadsNews

Youth

“Too many of our black men have dropped the ball when it comes to being there for children.”

Deadline to apply for scholarship High school seniors who plan to attend a college in Georgia have until March 15 to apply for $5,000 scholarships from the Mary Ware Scholarship. Applicants must be high school graduates who are “at risk” or from low-income families and do not qualify for other grant options, including the HOPE scholarship.

March 3, 2012

The scholarship, which is from the Foster Care Support Foundation, was named for the late Mary Ware, a supporter of the foundation who had a love for children in need. Visit www.fostercares.org/Scholar ships/tabid/166/Default.aspx to download an application.

Decatur schools to celebrate safe routes Decatur City Schools students and members of Decatur Active Living will walk and ride school buses, bikes and trains to school for the annual Georgia Walk and Roll to School Day on March 7. Walk and Roll to School Day is part of the city of Decatur Safe Routes to School Program, which empowers communities to

make walking and bicycling to school safe and routine. The goals are to improve fitness levels through student and adult participation, reduce congestion around schools, and improve air quality around schools. For more information, visit www.be activedecatur.com or www.decaturga.com/ activeliving.

School Board agrees to external audit, delays vote on plan SPLOST,

from page

SPLOST III, which ran from 2007 to 2012, was supposed to raise $466 million. The bulk of its shortfall – $26.15 million – comes from the repayment of interest and debt financing costs. Atkinson told board members that the district borrowed $300 million of the SPLOST III budget but did not allocate funds to pay the $60.69 million in interest on the loan. She proposes to balance the SPLOST budgets by reallocating other capital funds to SPLOST II and III and adjusting 113 SPLOST III projects, including halting the 35 projects that haven’t started. She also plans to limit the budgets on 14 projects including additions at Southwest DeKalb, Martin Luther King Jr. and Miller Grove high schools and finalize the close-out of 64 projects that are nearing completion at schools including Clarkston, Redan, Towers, Tucker, McNair, Columbia, Druid Hills, CrossKeys, and Lakeside high schools. Atkinson’s plan must get approval from the DeKalb School Board. It delayed voting until sometime this

week. All nine board members attended the called meeting at which Atkinson called for an external audit of SPLOST funds and all DeKalb school finances. They were not happy with the news but agreed to the external audit. District 5 School Board member Jay Cunningham felt that there was ample opportunity for the shortfall to be seen. “We have the state that comes in and review our budget and review dollars with us,” he said. “And we have lawyers review and OK everything, but yet we’re still sitting here today with this issue.” District 7 board member Donna Edler said after the meeting that she is reserving comment until she has had time to review Atkinson’s numbers and plan thoroughly. Board Chair Eugene Walker, who represents Super District 9, cautioned against jumping to conclusions about the shortfall. “No money has been misplaced,” he said. “Nothing egregious has occurred.”

Projects in jeopardy Because of a $41.35 million shortfall in SPLOST funding, projects at these 14 South DeKalb schools could be halted. School Project(s) Allgood Elementary..................... Kitchen Clifton Elementary....................... Ceiling tiles Knollwood Elementary................ HVAC & ADA Indian Creek Elementary............. HVAC Rockbridge Elementary............... HVAC & ADA Stone Mill Elementary.................. HVAC Stone Mountain Elementary........ HVAC & ADA Wadsworth Magnet..................... HVAC & lighting Chapel Hill Middle....................... Ceiling tiles & site work Columbia Middle......................... Track replacement McNair Middle............................. Track replacement Cedar Grove High........................ HVAC, lighting, ceiling & roof DSA.............................................. Supplemental renovations Redan High.................................. Supplemental renovations

SWD FBI members engage students, direct traffic, clean up DADS,

from page

“We bought the food, but all day, they stood over that grill and made sure everyone was fed,” she said.

Fathers Being Involved committed Pringle, 62, whose daughter Peri is a Southwest DeKalb 10th-grader, said the kids know “we have their back.” “Too many of our black men have dropped the ball when it comes to being there for children, not only for their children, but for other children,” he said. The students also know the men mean business. “We are some of the first ones there,” said Pringle, a MARTA retiree. “When they see us, if their pants are sagging, we don’t have to say anything. They pull them up.” Peri said she appreciates the group’s com-

mitment to her school. “They’re just a good group of dads who come to school consistently,” she said. “They even come on the weekends when no on else is there to pick up trash. Everybody knows them. They’re good father figures and good examples for the guys at school.” If outsiders show up at the school, the first wall of defense is the dads. They question outsiders who approach campus and alert the school about inappropriate activity. That same attention applies to who leaves the campus, or doesn’t leave. After directing traffic one day a couple of months ago, Pringle and others asked a young lady why she was walking out of school. The 18-year-old who was still in the 10th grade told them she hadn’t been doing well in school and was leaving to go to the The SWD FBI – Fathers Being Involved – have become a fixture at Southwest DeKalb High School over the past two years, helping with traffic, monitoring hallways, and filling other needs.

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school system’s Open Campus, which serves students with challenges. Pringle said he was moved by her story. “That thing really brought tears to my eyes,” he said. All four fathers shared their contact information and encouraged her to call if she needed anything. Pringle said the student told them she needed a computer, and after getting her mother’s approval, they bought her one. While picking up trash one day last November, the dads wondered about a young man sitting on campus by himself after other students were long gone. “We asked this kid what he was doing,” Pringle said. “He said he was waiting on his parents. We said, ‘You can be straight up with us. We got your back here.’ He said, ‘I got no place to stay.’ “ It turned out that the kid, whose parents were both drug-addicted, was trying on his own to get into the school. The SWD FBI reached out to an organization that helped the young man and his siblings. The dads also maintain a garden they created outside the band room in memory of Carmon McBride, the ninth-grade flute

player who died in a car accident in 2010. Carmon was playing with the SWD Marching Panthers in which her brother Myles was a percussionist with band. They were on their way home after a late band practice when the car driven by her brother crashed. The fathers, also are now considering a memorial for Champion, who died last November after the alleged hazing incident at the end of a FAMU Marching 100 game. White, whose daughter, Jordyn, is in the ninth grade and son, Noah, is in the 11th grade in the school’s magnet program, is eager for other parents to join Fathers Being Involved. He shows by example daily that time can be carved out of an incredibly busy schedule. White, who is the director of Active Living for the city of Decatur, is not only the PTSA president and the SWD FBI’s head, he is also the voice of basketball for Southwest DeKalb and the youth minister at Hillcrest Church of Christ. For information on joining or supporting the SWD FBI, call White at 404-702-4117 or send an e-mail to gregwhite@comcast.net. Jennifer Ffrench Parker contributed to this report.

March 3, 2012

Scene

CrossRoadsNews

Since its launch, the Purkett Foundation has awarded more than $25,000 in scholarships.

Golden Years Troupe returns to stage with black history play By Donna Williams Lewis

At the ripe old age – pardon me, seasoned age – of 70, Ruth Johnson has become the toast of the town. Johnson, who stumbled into acting at the South DeKalb Senior Center in Decatur last year, is garnering accolades for her performance in “Granny Goodman’s Christmas” and “Choices,” both productions of the center. She will be back onstage on March 9 in the black history production “From Whence We Came” with the center’s 15-member Golden Years Drama Troupe. “I am just ecstatic with myself,” she said last week. “I can put on all these faces when I act. I’m just surprised that I can do it.” Johnson and other members of the South DeKalb Senior Center are not only thrilling themselves. They are exciting their families and a growing base of avid fans with their work in the drama troupe. “From Whence We Came,” which is written, produced and directed by center volunteer Dr. Vanessa Adams, mixes three phases of black history with a little comedy. The troupe will perform it at 7 p.m. at Faith Memorial Church in Morrow. Adams, a television and film producer who started the drama troupe last fall, said “Granny Goodman’s Christmas” was such a big hit in December, people who missed its limited run kept asking for encore shows. “People were calling, wanting to see it again,” she said The drama troupe’s dedicated members are all 60-plus. Magnolia Stewart, who is 86, is the oldest member of the “From Whence We Came” cast. Adams said acting has become an important outlet for the seniors.

Joyce Alvis, Louise Gipson and Fannie King are members of the Golden Years Drama Troupe, which will present “From Whence We Came” on March 9 in Morrow.

“It’s like putting your mind out of yourself and forgetting about your illnesses and problems,” she said. Since fall, Adams also has started a dance troupe at the senior center and she has begun assembling a mass choir. Louise Gipson, 77, the troupe’s publicist, fund-raiser, treasurer and one of its first actresses, will do the narration in “From Whence We Came.” The retired BellSouth employee said she had never acted before she did the Christmas Gary “Lil G” Jenkins and Phillippia Williams will perform on March 10 at Columbia High School to benefit the William E. Purkett II Scholarship Foundation.

Fund-raiser benefits Purkett scholars Former Silk lead singer and multiinstrumentalist Gary “Lil G” Jenkins and R&B vocalist Phillippia “the Queen of the South” Williams will headline the March 10 fund-raiser for the William E. Purkett II Scholarship Foundation in the Columbia High School Auditorium. Jenkins, or Lil G, who lives in Ellenwood, was the voice behind the multiplatinumselling group’s 1993 hit “Freak Me.” He is working on a new solo album to be released this fall. The piano-infused ballad “I Love,” released recently, is the first single from the upcoming disc. Jenkins also has appeared in Tyler Perry’s “Madea’s Family Reunion.” Atlanta-based singer, songwriter and lyricist Williams also does hip-hop, jazz and reggae. She is also an alumna of “Madea’s Family Reunion.” Purkett, a Redan High School graduate, was 19 years old when he was killed in an auto accident on South Hairston Road on Aug. 3, 2000. His mother, Sandy Purkett,

established the foundation shortly after his death to keep his memory alive and to help deserving students attend college. Since its launch, the foundation has awarded more than $25,000 in scholarships. Last year, it awarded 11 scholarships totaling $3,000 and worked with 26 seniors to help them get into colleges and universities and access scholarships. Purkett said the group got awards totaling $3.2 million. She said that Purkett scholarship applications for 2012 will be available at the end of March at school counseling offices or through the foundation at www.thepilotprogram.org. Tickets for the fund-raiser, which begins at 7 p.m., are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. The school is at 2106 Columbia Drive in Decatur. To make a donation or buy a ticket, visit www.thepilotprogram.org, email purkettsanbdee@bellsouth.net, or call 770-318-3346.

drama, in which she played three parts: the cobbler, the tailor and the neighbor who helped Granny clean up the apartment after it was trashed by a vagrant. “I should have!” she said, laughing, when asked. Then, suddenly seeming to remember some good old-fashioned manners, she stopped and said, “This may be blowing my own horn.” Maybe, but who could blame her? After the Christmas play, Gipson and her

fellow actors and actresses became instant celebrities. “People were asking us for our autographs, for our business cards,” she said. “It made us feel good.” How good? “I want to see our name on a billboard,” she said with a chuckle. “I want to see our name become a household name!” Granny was played by Joyce Alvis, 73, a retired teacher and relocated Hurricane Katrina victim. Alvis said she never thought she would grace a stage. “Not in my wildest dreams,” she said. She thanks senior center Manager Hazel Gonzalez and assistant manager Marvalene Taylor for accepting her center membership so that this new path could open for her. When she got the lead role, Alvis said she was frightened to death, but she put her stamp on it. “Every now and then people still call me Granny,” she said. In “From Whence We Came,” Alvis is one of the protesters in a Woolworth sit-in. Johnson plays Mrs. Smith, a woman who really believes in equal rights but doesn’t want to get involved. “She doesn’t want no mess started,” says Johnson, a retired seamstress who sewed in factories around Atlanta during her working days. She says the play brings back many memories. But she didn’t dwell on them. “We have come a long way,” she said. Faith Memorial Church is at 1676 Old Rex Morrow Road in Morrow. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased from any Golden Years Drama Troupe member or pay at the door. For more information, call Louise Gipson at 404-202-2037 or 404-241-5152.

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CrossRoadsNews

March 3, 2012

Scan the code to like Us on Facebook Win prizes, get news updates loans/financing

Marketplace Styling with Passion Salon in Decatur is Now hiring Licensed Stylists! For more information, please call Martice at 404-8491975.

employment

The Samuel Group, Inc.

MARKETPLACE RATES

EMPLOYMENT

services

Place your MarketPlace line ad here – up to 20 words for $25. Additional words are $3 per block of five words (maximum 45 words). 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.

THIS SIZE AD FOR ONLY

Loans for Churches, Restaurants, Day Care Centers, Multi Family Properties, Office Buildings and other commercial properties. Purchases or refinancing. All credit considered. Closings as quick as 7 days.

30?

Call 404-284-1888 to find out how.

404-870-9070

www.thesamuelgroupinc.com

restaurants

HELP WANTED

Dock Supervisor: Marietta, GA. Selected candidates will manage the logistics necessary to ensure the safe and efficient transportation of our customers’ product. Superior Communication Skills, and knowledge of computers and applications (Microsoft / Outlook / Excel). Varied Shifts, Nights & Weekends, and open door dock. Bachelors Degree Preferred. YRC Worldwide is an Equal Opportunity Employer. www.yrcw.com/careers

financial

Stewart Unlimited Inc OPEN YEAR ROUND Professional Income Tax, Referrals and Connections 5300 Memorial Drive, Suite 224-F Stone Mountain, GA 30083 Office: 404-549-2501 Cell: 404-934-5639 Fax: 404-549-2654 www.stewartunlimitedtaxes.com

financial

mobile

Settle Your IRS Debt • Tax Levy & Lien • File Back Taxes • Offer ’n’ Compromise • IRS Audits Evenings and weekends available

SERVICES OFFERED:

JOHNNY HARRIS, CPA PC

OVER 20 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE 5211 Covington Hwy • Decatur, Ga. 30035 youth services

• YEAR ROUND SERVICES • TAX PREPARATION • IRS AUDIT SUPPORT • TAX NEGOTIATIONS & SETTLEMENTS • CPA SERVICES • NOTARY SERVICES

770-559-0137 www.startaxllc.com Walk Ins Welcome

3983 Lavista Rd. #117 Tucker, GA 30084 (Near Red Lobster) info@startaxllc.com

AUTHORIZED PROVIDER

NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED PMI PROJECT OF THE YEAR

youth services

Samsung Admire

Get $5.00 off any accessory. New phone purchase & new activation required.

HTC Wildfire S

59 $99

after instant rebate Suggested retail price $129 Sales tax not included.

Present coupon at time of purchase. Offer valid only at listed MetroPCS Authorized Dealer. New phone purchase and MetroPCS activation required. No cash value and some restrictions apply. Limited time only.

after instant rebate Suggested retail price $179 Sales tax not included.

Personal Communications Center 4919 Flat Shoals Pkwy, Suite 208

Unlimited talk, text, web and email. No annual contract.

(inside Kroger Plaza)

Authorized Dealer

Decatur, GA 30034 678-418-0977

services

If This Was Your Ad, Someone Would Be Seeing It Now!

NOW REGISTERING

SOUTH DEKALB FAMILY YMCA Ages 3-17 • www.ymcaregistration.com Call 770-987-3500 for details

Suggested retail price $79 Sales tax not included.

TAX NEGOTIATION SETTLEMENT PROJECT

HUAWEI M835

after instant rebate

Office Hours: M-F 8am-9pm Sat: 8am-6pm

WHERE EVERY KID PLAYS YOUTH SPORTS Basketball

Free Electronic Filing • Fast Refunds

CALL FOR APPT

(678) 518-8501

25% Off F or 1ST CustoTime mers

“Mount up with wings as eagles!”

Your Source for Neighborhood News

Parents, are you looki program for your child ag – Teen Reach is for you. Our program is desig child’s skills in a variety o spiritual, social, cultural, and health. Space is limi Nall at 770-482-5333, or e triteens13@yahoo.com. Meets bi-monthly on in a friendly and caring a shops are conducted by Recommended for teen Call 404-284-1888 for Advertising Rates & Information a heavy schedule of e

Call 404-284-1888 today for rates & information.

CrossRoadsNews

March 3, 2012

Community Expos

at the Mall at Stonecrest Best of East Metro/Small Business Expo April 28, 2012 Businesses and entrepreneurs – from landscapers to lawyers, Realtors, florists, insurance and travel agents, and HVAC operators – showcase their goods and services at this expo, which also celebrates the winners of CrossRoadsNews’ “Best of East Metro” Readers Choice Awards.

Family & Back to School Expo August 4, 2012

Businesses and organizations serving families will showcase goods and services to help students have a successful school year. The expo highlights services from afterschool to private schools and options for adults looking to retool and sharpen their skills for new careers.

Limited Signature Sponsorship Opportunities. Only 50 exhibitor spaces available; book yours today. Call 404-284-1888 for more information.

CrossRoadsNews • 2346 Candler Road • Decatur, GA 30032 • 404-284-1888 • Fax: 404-284-5007 • expos@crossroadsnews.com