CrossRoadsNews, March 17, 2012 by CrossRoadsNews, Inc.

FINANCE

SCENE

SPORTS

DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis hosted a tour of the former GM plant in Doraville in an effort to turn the property into an economic engine. 6

The Vaughters farm and other wonders of the Arabia Mountain Heritage Area will be featured during a Lunch & Learn program. 11

For the sixth time in 10 years, multiple DeKalb schools have come home with state basketball titles. 12

New life for old plant

Arabia’s heritage explored

Basketball prominence

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

March 17, 2012

www.crossroadsnews.com

Volume 17, Number 46

Turnout low at meetings before School Board’s cell vote By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

When the DeKalb School Board decided on July 11, 2011, to allow T-Mobile to erect 150-foot cell towers on nine DeKalb School System properties, public input into the decision was sparse at best. At the 12 schools that were on the original list, only 10 had people show up for the meetings. The sign-in sheets from the meetings held between May 3 and May 11, 2011, obtained in an open record’s request this week show that only 110 people attended. Among those schools, Medlock Elementary in Decatur had the largest turnout with

55 people. It was followed by Jolly Elementary in Clarkston with 12 attendees. Six other schools had single-digit attendance of between three and nine people. School district spokesman Walter Woods said there are no sign-in sheets for Martin Luther King Jr. High School in Lithonia and the Margaret Harris Center in Atlanta because no parents or residents showed up at either school. Many people found out about the cell towers when the School Board voted 7-2 last July to approve a proposal from T-Mobile USA Inc. to erect and operate the towers at six elementary schools, two high schools and a comprehensive school.

to principals and to the DeKalb Delegation. There were no media notification in the package, but Woods said that media advisories were sent and several television stations covered the meetings. CrossRoadsNews was not among the media notified even though seven of the schools are located in it core coverage and distribution area. A DeKalb Delegation bill to ban cell towers on school properties in DeKalb died March 6 in a Georgia House committee. Its author, state Rep. Karla Drenner, advertised in the DeKalb legal organ this week a bill that

After parents complained about possible health risks from cell tower emissions, \ Brockett, Meadowview and Medlock elementary schools were removed from the list by their board members, Don McChesney and Sarah Copelin-Wood. In wake of the vote, a vocal group of parents and residents from across the county tried unsuccessfully to get the School Board to reconsider. Opponents say turnout was low because parents and residents were unaware of the meetings. Documents obtained from the school district show that the notice was posted on the district’s publicaccess television station and it’s website and that the flyer was sent

Please see TOWERS, page 5

Barriers to Buffer I-20 Noise

Gloria and Linval Anderson are overwhelmed by the noise from I-20 traffic whizzing by their home in the Star Lane cul-de-sac. DOT promises Sound barriers.

“Sometimes when I have nothing to do, I stand here and try to count the trucks.In five minutes you would be surprised to see how many of those big rigs go by. Then during the rush hours, they just sit there.”

I-20 CD project brings traffic, din closer to homes By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

The construction of the collector/ distributor lanes will not only ease traffic congestion at the I-20/I-285 interchange in Decatur – it also will bring traffic closer to scores of homes and apartments along the 4.7-mile project. To buffer residents from increased traffic noise, more than 3.78 miles of sound barriers will be erected as part of the $30.9 million project. Georgia Department of Transportation spokesman Mark McKinnon said sound barriers will account for $8.05 million, or 26 percent, of the project’s total cost. The 8- to 20-foot barriers will be erected along GDOT’s existing rights of way boundaries and no additional rights of way were acquired. Just over three miles of the sound barriers will be constructed along I-20 eastbound between the I-285 ramp and the I-20 Wesley Chapel Road exit to muffle traffic noise for residents in the Rainbow Creek subdivision and on the other side of the Wesley Chapel I-20 entrance ramp to shield residents of Village at Wesley Chapel apartments and an unfinished subdivision on Minola Road that backs onto the interstate. The construction of the additional lane

Jennifer Ffrench Parker / CrossRoadsNews

on the 1-20 and I-285 entrance ramp will bring traffic closer to the homes along Raindrop Court, Rainbow Creek Drive, Treasure Court, Rainover Trail, Star Lane, Bright Court, Shadowbrook Drive, and Rainwater Court. With the removal of trees that began Jan. 26, residents at the end of cul-de-sacs on Rainwater Court, Shadowbrook Drive and Star Lane are now bombarded with the constant drone of tractor-trailers, trucks, buses and cars zipping by on the interstate. Louise Johnson, who has lived in her twostory home in a Rainwater Court cul-de-sac for 15 years, said the sound barriers can’t come soon enough for her. “It’s either that or I have to move,” she said on March 15.

Until a few weeks ago, Johnson could barely see the traffic from her house. Now she can’t miss it whizzing by. She also can clearly see the large green 1-285 North exit sign. “I just don’t really know what they are sup- Louise Johnson posed to be doing,” said Johnson, a retired Kroger bakery manager. “I don’t have a clue. They done moved a lot of trees. I just want to know how close they are coming.” From their neat ranch in the middle of the Star Lane cul-de-sac, Linval and Gloria Anderson now find the volume of traffic speeding by overwhelming.

“It’s constant,” Gloria Anderson said. “Day and night. At night, you also see the lights.” When the retirees moved into their home in 2007, they said they hardly knew the interstate was there. Now with the trees gone, everything is laid out in front of them. “Sometimes when I have nothing to do, I stand here and try to count the trucks,” Gloria Anderson said. “In five minutes you would be surprised to see how many of those big rigs go by. Then during the rush hours, they just sit there. ” Her husband worries that having the trafPlease see TRAFFIC, page 2

Community

CrossRoadsNews

March 17, 2012

To minimize traffic disruptions during the 19 months of construction, work will be done on nights and weekends.

Collector/distributor lanes to improve interstate traffic flow

The CD lane project at the I-20/I-285 interchange will bring relief to motorists who exit at Wesley Chapel Road.

TRAFFIC,

from page

Map shows detail of sound barriers, which account for 26 percent of the $30.9 million cost of the CD lane project.

fic closer to their property will negatively affect its value. “You don’t get used to this kinda noise,” Linval Anderson said. “Who is going to buy your house if you want to sell?” On Shadowbrook Drive, Denise Samuels said the traffic noise is loud all day and night. Denise Samuels “They say they are going to widen the road,” she said. “I said, ‘Where? Into my bedroom?’ ” Samuels, who has lived in her home for five years, operates an in-home day care for six children. She said the children have enjoyed watching the traffic racing by. “Some of the trucks are colored and they shout, ‘Miss Denise, that one is blue or red,’” she said. “At least they are learning.” Less than a mile of sound barriers also will go up on I-20 westbound to shield residents of Snapwoods and Friendly Heights and others along Snapfinger Woods Drive. Ira Witherspoon, GDOT’s acting area engineer for Area 7, which includes DeKalb County, said this week that barriers will go up first on I-20 westbound, just before Malcolm Cunningham Auto Gallery and the Wesley Chapel exit ramp. Materials for their construction were being delivered this week. In preparation for the construction, crews began clearing trees on March 12. Witherspoon said that the half-mile of sound barriers will be the only work that will be done on that side of the interstate. On the eastbound side of I-20, where the bulk of the $30.9 million project will be concentrated, work crews began clearing and grubbing on Jan. 26 and have begun

Jennifer Ffrench Parker / CrossRoadsNews

Obi Ezenekwe, GDOT project manager, said a barrier wall will deter significant traffic weaving at the I-20/I-285 interchange.

putting in underground drainage in preparation for the lane construction. Obi Ezenekwe, GDOT’s project manager, said an additional eastbound lane will be built along the length of the project and 1.2 miles of concrete barrier walls will separate I-20 through traffic from motorists exiting at Wesley Chapel and from I-285 traffic entering I-20. The traffic separation will begin just before the I-285 overpass on I-20 and the start of the barrier wall. “Signs will direct traffic exiting on Wesley Chapel to keep right,” Ezenekwe said. Those motorists will merge with those entering from the I-285 ramp, who will be prevented by the concrete barrier wall from immediately weaving over to the extreme left lanes on I-20. Instead, traffic entering from I-285 will be allowed to merge with the I-20 eastbound through traffic just past the Wesley Chapel exit. Ezenekwe said the barrier wall will be a deterrent to the significant traffic weaving that now takes place. “That traffic will be allowed to merge just pass the Wesley Chapel exit,” he said. The long anticipated improvements will bring relief to

long-suffering South DeKalb residents who exit at Wesley Chapel and have endured the nightmarish situation on a daily basis. It also will transform the I-20/I-285 interchange between the Columbia Drive and Wesley Chapel exits. GDOT awarded the contract for the project on Feb. 7, 2011, to Marietta-based C.W. Matthews Contracting Co. Inc., but the work did not start last fall as originally announced. Ezenekwe said that the late start has not affected the July 31, 2013, completion date. Population increases along the east metro Atlanta corridor over the past two decades led to a dramatic increase in motorists using the I-20/I-285 interchange. By the end of this year, GDOT estimates that 99,875 vehicles will use the interchange daily. With traffic growth has come an increase in accidents. Between 2005 and 2007, more than 534 people were injured and three were killed in accidents within the project’s area. Among other things, the collector/distributor lanes project will widen I-20 up to five lanes at certain points and realign the I-285 northbound and southbound ramps to I-20 East. On the eastbound side, the project will terminate into the ramp at Panola Road. Witherspoon said that the date for the construction of sound barriers on the eastbound side of I-20 have not yet been set, but it will take place before the project’s completion date. To minimize traffic disruptions during the 19 months of construction, Witherspoon said that work will be done on nights and weekends. GDOT urges motorists to exercise extreme caution while driving through work zones and to obey posted, reduced speed limits; avoid unnecessary lane changes; and allow extra stopping distance between vehicles. For more information, visit GeorgiaNavigator.com or call 511.

March 17, 2012

Community

CrossRoadsNews

“I could not put enough parameters in place to give the court comfort to ensure that the community is safe.”

Seeliger seeking 8th term on bench

Jackson sworn in as judge

neck justice” in 1960 when he sentenced DeKalb Superior Court Judge Clarcivil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. ence Seeliger is going for one more to four months of hard labor for driving term on the bench. in DeKalb on an Alabama license. Seeliger announced March 9 that Seeliger is well-known for his he will be seeking re-election for an involvement in civil rights as well as eighth term. protection of victims of domestic vioHe joined the Superior Court bench lence, and he holds numerous awards in 1984 after serving four years as a recognizing his work. State Court judge. Clarence Seeliger He said he is honored to have served He defeated Oscar Mitchell for the seat and still holds the record for being the only for 32 years. “If the citizens of DeKalb County agree, I candidate to defeat a sitting DeKalb County would like to continue my service,” he said. “I am judge. Mitchell was infamous for doling out “red- in good health, and I enjoy the work.”

ment, Jackson was a partner DeKalb’s newest Superior with the Atlanta law firm Court judge, Asha Jackson, Barnes & Thornburg LLP, was sworn into office on where she focused on comMarch 13. mercial litigation, product Jackson was appointed liability, premises liability by Gov. Nathan Deal on Feb. and employment counseling. 17 to succeed Judge Michael She also served as a pro hac Hancock, who retired Jan. 31. judge for the DeKalb RecordHer investiture ceremony was ers Court. held at the DeKalb County Asha Jackson She was one of four lawyers on Courthouse. She becomes the sixth female judge on the 10-member DeKalb Deal’s short list for the position. She will finish Hancock’s term and Superior Court bench. Immediately before her appoint- be up for re-election in 2014.

More changes afoot for MARTA’s board of directors By Mary Swint

The MARTA board of directors might undergo a change in its membership for the second time in two years as a result of state legislation. House Bill 1052, which the Georgia House passed on March 7, would allow cities in Fulton and DeKalb counties to appoint six of the 11 MARTA board members for terms beginning Jan. 1, 2013. For the first time, a caucus of mayors of DeKalb cities would select one board member and a caucus of mayors for North Fulton cities would elect two board members. Atlanta city officials would continue to have three appointments. The bill passed by a vote of 115 to 55. It now goes to the Senate. If the state Senate passes it before the legislative session ends this month, DeKalb commissioners would make three appointments to the MARTA board, with at least one member living south of Decatur and at least one living north of Decatur’s southern border. It would be the second decrease in the number of appointments that DeKalb can make to the MARTA board. In January 2011, DeKalb’s appointees dropped from five to four when HB277, the Transportation Investment Act, replaced the 18-member MARTA board with a new 11-member board. The TIA law, which the General Assembly passed in April 2010, also gave DeKalb

commissioners the board member power to make the “If the board is reconstituted this chosen by the year, it would be the second appointments, inDeKalb mayors. stead of just conHB1052 also time in two years that the firming the CEO’s restricts MARTA structure has changed and its appointments. board members continuity challenged again.” Gwinnett and from succeeding Fred Daniels Clayton counties, themselves. Harthe city of Atlanta old Buckley, who and the state also lost seats on the MARTA represents DeKalb and is the board treasurer board in 2011. Only seven of the 18 mem- this year, has been on the board for more bers who served in 2010, including two state than 25 years. officials, returned to the board in January MARTA board Chairman Frederick 2011. Daniels said that the MARTA board would MARTA wanted the TIA law amended so like the Legislature to maintain a consistent the terms of the 11 board members would be board composition so that board members staggered so all of them would not leave office can focus on effective governance, strategic at the same time. HB1052 incorporates some planning and sustainability without having provisions from the TIA into the MARTA Act to continually navigate a changing board and made some further revisions. structure. MARTOC Committee Chair Mike Jacobs “If the board is reconstituted this year, it sponsored HB1052, which says five board would be the second time in two years that members will start with two-year terms and the structure has changed and its continufive with four-year terms. The executive director of the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority would serve as a voting member and the planning director for the Georgia Department of Transportation would be a nonvoting member as long as they held their state positions. DeKalb commissioners will have to decide by Nov. 1 which two of their three board appointees will serve two-year terms initially and which one will serve a four-year term. The bill gives an initial four-year term to the

Teacher denied bond in sex case Tucker Middle School math teacher Almarcus Dewayne Thomas, who is accused of having sex with a student, will remain in jail until his trial. Thomas, 42, was arrested Feb. 28. DeKalb Superior Court Judge Tangela Barrie denied him bond on March 13. “I could not put enough parameters in place to give the court Almarcus Thomas comfort to ensure that the community is safe,” Barrie said. Thomas was not in court but was represented by Keith Adams, his attorney, who did not say why he was absent. Thomas, who taught seventh grade math, is charged with aggravated child molestation, sex assault against persons in custody, statutory rape, sexual exploitation of children, and eavesdropping. Thomas, who lives in Lithonia, is married and has three daughters. He is accused of having sexual contact with the 15-year-old student at the school and at her home. While making his request for a $50,000 bond for his client, Adams said there is no forensic evidence of sexual contact and that his client will fight the charges. School police received a tip from a parent in December that Thomas was having inappropriate sexual contact with his 15-year-old

daughter. DeKalb Schools’ spokesman Walter Woods said last week that the district immediately removed Thomas from the classroom. He was placed on paid administrative leave on Dec. 22 while detectives investigated the claims. Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Donna Stribling said the student said she began having a relationship with Thomas between February and September of 2011. “She states he started kissing on her lips, feeling on her breast, he’d touch on her butt and then touch her vaginal area,” Stribling told the judge. During the investigation, detectives also searched Thomas’ Lithonia home and said they found inappropriate sexual images of the teen on his laptop computer. Stribling said Thomas gave the teen a camera for her to use to take nude photos of herself and return the camera to him. She said detectives also found pictures on his laptop of other students sitting in his lap and photos that focused in on female students’ buttocks. Some of these photos he deleted but were recovered from the computer’s hard drive. Thomas also had videotaped under the skirt of a former Tucker teacher without her knowledge or consent. He also took a photograph of his mother-in-law taking a bath at Thomas’ home without her knowledge and consent.

ity challenged again,” said Daniels, who is a DeKalb appointee. Decatur Mayor Bill Floyd said he supports the change and suspects that all the cities would support it as well. “Having the mayors select a board member should bring a greater level of interest and participation to those who live in cities in DeKalb and North Fulton,” Floyd said. “This can only make MARTA and the MARTA board more effective and involved at both the local level and the state level.” District 2 Commissioner Jeff Rader opposes the change because it gives cities disproportionate representation for their population size. He also noted the state is represented on the MARTA board even though it does not give tax dollars to MARTA. District 7 Commissioner Stan Watson said he has no problem with the mayors making an appointment. “But it needs approval by the Board of Commissioners,” he said.

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March 17, 2012

And the county continues to increase spending instead of reducing spending during these very tough economic times.

Representation neutered and tax equality denied By Viola Davis

How can the taxpayers and voters of DeKalb County – with close to 700,000 people – secure the support of over 70 percent of their local delegation for local legislation (HB1197) to restrict cell towers on its school grounds and it be dead on arrival? This happened because a representative from South Georgia with a population under 52,000 first stalled, then killed the local legislation, thus denying DeKalb local control. Could it be through the use of a federal law called the Telecommunication Act of 1996? We have learned the hard way the power of federal and state law over local control. We simply wanted to have a law (HB1197) that restricted cell towers from our school grounds to protect the health of our children, prevent the decrease of our property value, and maintain a high quality of life for our citizens. We managed to secure the signatures of 16 out of 18 representatives in our DeKalb Delegation. The end result was that a federal and state law dealing with telecommunication prevented us from protecting our children’s health and our property value. Putting it simply, our representation was neutered and our tax equality was denied. We watched as the lobbyist for

“How can parents and homeowners demand safety for the children and protection of property rights when politicians make statements that reinforce the power that corporations have over local control?” Viola Davis

the DeKalb Board of Education worked with the lobbyist of the telecommunications corporations to make sure our local legislation was declared to be unconstitutional. There was nothing more disheartening than to know that the taxpayers and voters were forced to finance the political actions of a person who was helping nationallevel lobbyists risk the health of our children and decrease the property value of our homeowners. Local control starts and ends with local elected officials, who are hired with our vote and paid with our tax dollars. When School Board member Eugene Walker stated that the corporations could place a cell tower in the front of his house, we knew that our fight would be uphill. Would you like to live under a cell tower in the middle of your subdivision or would you buy a house that’s under a cell tower? When School Board member Paul Womack told the Briarlake community that the cell tower lease was a “done deal,” we knew that the

decision to approve the T-Mobile leases was already made before the parents and homeowners were given public notice. These statements demonstrate a total disregard for homeowners, property values and children’s health. How can parents and homeowners demand safety for the children and protection of property rights when politicians make statements that reinforce the power that corporations have over local control? We can demand tax equity for our school system. In 2006, the state removed over $101 million from the DeKalb School System to use in other school systems throughout the state. The redistribution increased to $129 million in 2011. We ask parents and homeowners to multiply $100 million per year for 25-30 years vs. $3 million over 25-30 years (profit from 30year lease to T-Mobile). Which will deliver the most money for our children? Which action will not increase health risk, decrease

property value, and decrease our overall quality of life. We can demand local control by electing competent public servants. We must hold our School Board accountable for the many negative problems taxpayers and voters were forced to correct through protest, financing legal fees, multiple criminal investigations, poor oversight of SPLOST funds, budget shortfalls, etc. We need to locate school policies that limit the actions and use of public property and convince our commissioners to pass a law/ordinance that matches the policy of the School Board to limit placement of cell towers on school grounds. We can contact CEO Burrell Ellis and demand a hold on the administrative permits until the commissioners pass a local zoning ordinance. Finally, we need to remember that the telecommunications corporations do not have absolute power. We have power as taxpayers, voters and consumers. The day we exercise all three, we will no longer have to fight people who were elected with our vote nor people paid with our tax money. Viola Davis is a registered nurse and the co-founder of the Unhappy Voter and Taxpayer organization in Stone Mountain. This article is an excerpt from her RNwhocares blog on www.crossroadsnews.com.

A word of caution on the 2012 DeKalb County budget By Elaine Boyer

are what help finance the county’s budget. Before taxpayers break If we see a decline out the champagne glasses as we did in 2011, then that we’ll get through commissioners will have this year without a tax a very tough dilemma increase, I caution every when we set the millage homeowner to carefully rate in June: Enact budget monitor home sales in cuts or raise the millage Elaine Boyer their neighborhood. once again. Last month, the DeKalb County Last year, the commission Commission adopted a 2012 bud- increased the millage 4.35 mills get that increased spending 7.2 against my wishes. I always believe percent over 2011. The $559 mil- there is room to cut spending. lion budget included significant And the county continues to inspending hikes in the CEO’s office, crease spending instead of reduchuman resources, the merit system, ing spending during these very buildings and maintenance, and tough economic times. Taxpayers economic development. shouldn’t stand for that. While the proposal currently Metro Atlanta housing prices does not call for a tax increase on hit a 14-year low in December, acproperty owners this year, the rest cording to Standard & Poor’s Caseof the story may not be over. Shiller Home Price Indices. There Preliminary estimates are that were 1,483 foreclosures in DeKalb property values continue to decline in January and 1,182 in our county in the county. And property values in February.

Any loss in property tax revenue due to reduction in value in real estate also does not take into account any loss of revenue from the potential incorporation of the city of Brookhaven later this year. The bottom line is that the $559 million budget is just too generous, particularly since CEO Burrell Ellis has such a poor track record of projecting revenue for the county. For example: n During his first year in office, Ellis misread revenue projections in part due to two homestead tax relief cuts. The shortfall totaled $22 million. n In 2010, a second revenue projection was $10.2 million short by the time commissioners set the millage. Because the commission didn’t reduce spending to offset revenue, it wiped out the county’s reserves. n Last year, the CEO’s office miscalculated property tax revenue by $36.9 million. Paired with an

increase in spending, the budget shortfall was $50 million – resulting in the largest tax increase in DeKalb in more than two decades. The budget is now set, but having a checkbook with no concrete idea of how much income it will have may be a dangerous course for the customers of DeKalb – the taxpayers. If we discover in June that property assessments truly are lower than anticipated and the CEO wants to raise taxes, you can bet I will be the first to call for an immediate freeze in non-vital spending. No way will I stand for another proposed tax increase to finance government expenses. DeKalb County must learn to live within its means. These are tough times for everyone, and government should not get a pass from the belt tightening. Elaine Boyer represents District 1 on the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners.

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CrossRoadsNews

March 17, 2012

Community

DeKalb is one of 12 Georgia counties with land banks, which often bid on tax delinquent properties.

Land bank board Bowen downplays turnout 1 gets two county TOWERS, would require the School Board to hold a nonbinding referendum before appointments it approves any more cell towers on school property. from page

By Mary Swint

The DeKalb Regional Land Bank Authority, which is charged with redeveloping abandoned properties that are undermining property values, now has four board members. Morehouse College associate professor Hasan Crockett and Richard Iheme Prince, an architect, are the latest members to join the authority. The two were nominated by DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis, and the Hasan Crockett DeKalb Board of Commissioners approved their appointment at its March 13 meeting. Prince has 25 years of experience in affordable housing development. Crockett teaches political science and is director of Morehouse’s Brisbane Institute. The city of Decatur, which joined the land bank last fall, appointed Lyn Menne, its assistant city manager of community and economic development, and its planning director, Amanda Thompson, to the board. State law requires at Lyn Menne least one municipality to partner with a county in forming a land bank. To approve a project, board members from each jurisdiction must vote. DeKalb Community Development Director Chris Morris said if more DeKalb cities join the land Amanda Thompson bank, they too will get to appoint board members. She said Lithonia officials have expressed interest in joining the land bank. DeKalb is one of 12 Georgia counties with land banks, which often bid on tax delinquent properties at tax foreclosure sales and later sell or transfer them to government agencies, community development corporations, private developers and adjacent property owners for redevelopment. District 2 Commissioner Jeff Rader said he hopes more DeKalb cities will join. “The land bank can take control of properties that were abandoned, clean them up and make them into something other than liabilities,” he said. DeKalb’s land bank grew out of a work force housing study co-sponsored by Ellis and Larry Johnson, the Board of Commissioners’ presiding officer. Before approving the members Tuesday, Johnson said he would like commissioners to also have appointees to the authority. At a recent committee meeting, he said the county could leverage abandoned properties for economic development. Morris said the authority’s board will meet for orientation. The county has asked the Livable Communities Coalition of Metro Atlanta to draft policies and procedures. DeKalb is using federal HUD funds to seed the authority. In 2008, it was awarded an $18.5 million grant that could be used for a land bank to assemble, temporarily manage, and dispose of vacant land to stabilize neighborhoods and to encourage reuse or redevelopment. Also that year, the DeKalb Foreclosure Prevention and Intervention Task Force recommended the county create a land bank. A land bank can extinguish tax and code liens on properties, and while the property is held by the land bank, it does not accrue taxes. The property can be developed into affordable and work force housing.

Sen. Jason Carter also is sponsoring a bill to require state and local governments to hold public hearings before leasing public property for nongovernmental and commercial purposes. Thomas Bowen, who was School Board chairman when the vote was taken, said that if the board was to reconsider every decision it makes, it would never get the people’s business done. “This is not a novel idea. Fulton and Cobb counties have cell towers. The board felt comfortable enough to vote for it.” Bowen, who represents District 6, said the issue continues because of a small group of unhappy people. He said that there are lots of people who want towers for the revenues and the access to 911 service. Boweb said the low and no turnout was not that significant. “The attendance does vary on every issue. And from schools to schools,” he said. District 7 board member Donna Edler said they were unaware of the low turnout when they voted, but doesn’t know if it would have made a difference in the decision. Edler and District 1 board member Nancy Jester were the only board members who voted against the proposal. Under the agreement, T-Mobile will pay the district more than $2.3 million in rent over 30 years and each of the schools’ PTSAs will get a $25,000 one-time payment and an additional $25,000 each time TMobile co-locates other providers on the towers.

Scant public input at school meetings The DeKalb School System and T-Mobile scheduled meetings at 12 schools on May 3, 4, 10 and 11 in 2011. The meetings were held at three schools per night. A total of 110 people plus three school district personnel – District 4 School Board member Paul Womack, Plant Services Executive Director Steve Donahue and Associate Superintendent Timothy Freeman – signed in signed in at the meetings at 10 schools. There were no attendees at the meetings at MLK Jr. High School and the Margaret Harris Center. School Meeting Date No. Attending Briarlake Elementary May 3 5 MLK Jr. High May 3 0 Lakeside High May 3 4 Brockett Elementary May 4 7 Flat Rock Elementary May 4 4 Jolly Elementary May 4 12 Princeton Elementary May 5 3 Margaret Harris Center May 10 0 Smokerise Elementary May 10 8 Meadowview Elementary May 11 9 Narvie J Harris Elementary May 11 3 Medlock Elementary May 11 55 Total attendance at meetings 110

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Finance

March 17, 2012

“This project will solidify DeKalb County as the greenest urban county in America.”

Proposed increase in DeKalb’s hotel-motel tax runs into snags By Mary Swint

Uncertainty surrounds a proposed increase in the DeKalb County hotel-motel tax as a result of actions by the DeKalb Board of Commissioners and the Georgia Senate. In December, DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis proposed to the commissioners a resolution that asked the General Assembly to authorize the county to increase the tax levied on the rental of hotel rooms by 3 percent. Ellis also included in his 2012 budget recommendation $1 million that he assumed would come from the hotelmotel tax increase if approved. The Finance Committee criticized the CEO for including this and other revenue assumptions in his budget proposal before the legislation was adopted, and commissioners postponed voting on the resolution. A few days after the Georgia House passed local legislation (House Bill 1113) that authorized the county to raise the hotel tax from 5 percent to 8 percent, county commissioners adopted the 2012 budget on Feb. 28. It included the revenue from the proposed tax increase. On March 12, the Senate State and Local Governmental Operations Committee amended HB1113 so that the hotel tax could not exceed 7 percent. The full Senate passed the amended bill, which would make DeKalb’s hotel tax equal to Gwinnett County’s and below the 8 percent levied by Cobb and Clayton counties and Atlanta. Sen. Fran Millar said this was a compromise since one or two senators from DeKalb did not want to raise the tax. When the resolution requesting the state legislation came back to the DeKalb commissioners on March 13, the board voted 4-2 to deny the resolution even though Chief Operating Officer Richard Stogner asked that it be withdrawn as unnecessary. Commissioner Lee May, who chairs the BOC’s Finance Committee, said that at his town hall meetings, Ellis called on the BOC to vote on the resolution. “I didn’t want to vote on it before because I didn’t want to influence the process at the General Assembly,” he said. May, who represents District 5, said he opposed the tax increase because it would apply to DeKalb residents as well as visitors and the administration had not provided

“I didn’t want to vote on it before because I didn’t want to influence the process at the General Assembly.” Lee May

information on whether the tax increase would make DeKalb less competitive with other counties in attracting tourism. He denied that the vote against the hotel tax was related to the CEO’s recent veto of a part of the 2012 budget involving the transfer of three internal auditors from the Finance Department to the Board of Commissioners. “This vote does not preclude the General Assembly from passing the bill.” However, the House will have to vote to accept or reject the Senate’s amendment next week and the commissioners’ lack of support for the bill could have an impact. Millar was surprised to learn a majority of commissioners voted against raising the tax and said he would notify the DeKalb Delegation so it could “act accordingly” when the amended bill comes back to the House. District 2 Commissioner Jeff Rader said that if the House and Senate agree on an increase in the hotel tax, commissioners will have to approve an amendment to the County Code to enact and allocate the increase authorized by the Legislature. The resolution that was voted down said state law required half of the revenue from any increase in the hotel-motel tax to be used for the promotion of tourism, conventions and trade shows by contract with the DeKalb Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the other half would be used for tourism product development, including capital and operating expenses for the Porter Sanford Performing Arts Center. The Board of Commissioners approved increasing the tax from 3 percent to 5 percent for the year in 1988 and approved extending the 5 percent rate for each of the years 1989 through 2011. If HB1113 is not adopted, it appears the commissioners would have to take action to keep the hotel tax at 5 percent for 2012. In February 2009, commissioners discussed a resolution that called for state legislation to increase the hotel-motel tax rate from 5 percent to 8 percent to help recoup several hundred thousand dollars because of the incorporation of Dunwoody.

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DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis led President Barack Obama’s “auto czar,” Jay Williams, and others on a March 14 tour of the General Motors plant in Doraville.

Ellis touts GM plant on tour DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis is still pursuing opportunities to transform the former General Motors plant in Doraville into an economic engine for the county. On March 14, he hosted President Barack Obama’s “auto czar” Roy Kojo Jawara “Jay” Williams, state officials and stakeholders for a tour of the 165-acre site, which opened in 1947 and closed in September 2008. At the height of its operations, the plant had 4,000 employees. Williams is Obama’s executive director of the federal Office of Recovery for Auto Communities and Workers. Doraville Mayor Donna Pittman and representatives from three Georgia congressional offices, the Georgia General Assembly, the Board of Commissioners, the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, and the DeKalb Development Authority joined the tour and a conversation with Williams. Ellis said he wants the Obama administration to be aware of the job creation and economic development opportunity that the

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CrossRoadsNews

March 17, 2012

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Wellness

March 17, 2012

“We were able to do what was previously unprecedented at our site – to reach and retain a diverse group of over 400 women in our study.”

HIV’s impact on black females greater than first thought HIV rates for black women in Atlanta and several parts of the country are much higher than previously estimated, a new study finds. The large multi-site study conducted by the National Institutes of Health-funded HIV Prevention Trials Network, recruited women from 10 community sites in six geographical areas of the country. Emory University, which was one of sites, enrolled 418 of the 2,099 women in the study. The study, called HPTN 064 Women’s HIV Seroincidence Study or ISIS, was done between May 2009 and July 2010. It indicates that the HIV incidence rate for U.S. women living in areas hardest hit by the epidemic is much higher than the overall estimated incidence rate for black adolescent and adult women.

It found an HIV incidence of 0.24 percent among study participants, who were 18 to 44 years old, 88 percent black and 12 percent Latina. The rate is comparable to estimated HIV incidence rates in countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Carlos del Rio including the Democratic Republic of Congo (0.28 percent) and Kenya (0.53 percent). That incidence is fivefold higher than the rate estimated for black women overall by the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. Carlos del Rio, an assistant professor of medicine at Emory School of Medicine, said the study is important because it uses

HIV taking toll disportionately on black women The HIV/AIDS impact on women has increased dramatically since the beginning of the epidemic. The national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, says women represented 8 percent of the AIDS diagnoses in 1985, 20 percent in 1995, and 25 percent in 2009. Women of color, particularly black women, have been the hardest hit by the disease. Here are some highlights.

n Black women make up just 14 percent of the U.S. female population, but account for 66 percent of newly identified infections in women. n Many people are unaware of their HIV infection and may unknowingly transmit the virus to their partners. n Heterosexual infection accounts for 87 percent of new HIV infections in black women. Injection drug use is the second n HIV/AIDS is a leading cause of death most common cause. among black women in the United States. n The concentration of new AIDS diagnoses among women is highest in the n The estimated rate of HIV infection Northeast and the South. The District of among black women is nearly 20 times higher than the rate for white women and Columbia tops the list with a rate 12 times four times as high as that of Latina women. the national average.

novel recruitment strategies and was able to identify a population with significant risk of HIV infection. Dr. Paula Frew, assistant professor of medicine at Emory School of Medicine, said investigaPaula Frew tors are grateful for the involvement of community partners SisterLove Inc., AID Atlanta and Decatur-based STAND Inc. “The staff members from these organizations were critically important in community engagement efforts through their work with local leaders and persons living in areas where recruitment activities were conducted,” Frew said.

“Because of our partners’ efforts, we were able to do what was previously unprecedented at our site – to reach and retain a diverse group of over 400 women in our study – all within less than two years.” Other communities that participated in the study were Raleigh-Durham, N.C.; Washington; Baltimore; Newark, N.J.; and New York City. Women without a prior positive HIV test were interviewed about many key aspects of their lives, including mental health, sexual behavior, history of sexually transmitted infections, domestic violence, social support, financial insecurity, and health care utilization. Thirty-two of the women (1.5 percent) were found to be infected by HIV at the time of enrollment but previously were unaware of their HIV status.

Georgia’s HIV epidemic concentrated in 4 counties The HIV epidemic in metro Atlanta is concentrated mainly in one cluster of four metro area counties – Fulton, DeKalb, Gwinnett and Clayton. They account for 60 percent of Georgia’s HIV cases. Researchers found that the rate of HIV in the cluster is 1.34 percent, which fits the World Health Organization’s description of a “generalized epidemic.” Outside the cluster, the HIV prevalence in Georgia is 0.32 percent. Among Georgia’s 159 counties in 2009, the last year for which statistics are available, n Fulton County had 11,554 HIV/AIDS cases. n DeKalb County was second with 7,240 cases of reported HIV and AIDS cases. n East Metro (Lawrenceville in Gwinnett County) reported 1,925 cases. n Clayton County (Morrow) reported 1,790 cases.

Atlanta HIV cluster is characterized by a high prevalence of poverty along with behaviors that increase the risk of HIV exposure such as injection drug use and men having sex with men. With more than 50,000 new HIV infections reported annually in the United States, the CDC says the HIV/AIDS epidemic continues to be a major public health problem. The number of HIV/AIDS cases is increasing faster in the South compared to other areas of the country. Georgia ranks ninth in the nation in the number of HIV/ AIDS cases. In 2007, more than 3,000 new HIV infections were diagnosed. Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Georgia Department of Community Health, and Emory Center for AIDS Research. Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, HIV Prevention Trials Network, and ISIS: A Women’s Study.

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CrossRoadsNews

March 17, 2012

Wellness

“We want to educate children on the importance of incorporating physical activity in their daily lives to combat obesity.”

Green Pastures hosting clinic Health screenings including diabetes, blood pressure and hearing will be available March 24 in the gym of Green Pastures Christian Ministries in Decatur. The clinic, co-sponsored by the Georgia Spartans of the United Men’s Basketball League, takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The screenings are free and are available for adults and children.

Information will be available on children’s health issues, prescriptions, prostate health, and senior citizens’ insurance concerns. Participants include the YMCA, Everest Institute, Healthy LivingHealthy Kids, and Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta. Green Pastures Christian Ministries is at 5455 Flat Shoals Parkway. For more information, call 770-987-8121.

Youth summit at Bouie Elem Free health screenings and information on education will be available at a March 24 Youth Empowerment Summit at E. L. Bouie Elementary in Lithonia. The summit, which is in its fifth year, is hosted by the E. L. Bouie Elementary PTA. There will be diabetes and high blood pressure screenings, vendors and a panel of youth and adult discuss the theme “Our Youth: The Greatest Investment.” Guest panelists include State Rep. Rahn Mayo; DeKalb Solicitor-General Sherry Boston; Dionne McGee, candidate for State Court Judge; Saniyyah McCullough, executive director of the GABWA Sister 2 Sister Mentorship

Program; State Court Judge Eleanor Ross; Eric Beard; National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Stone MountainLithonia Chapter; Chief Assistant District Attorney Nicole Marchand; Front Runnerz Motorcycle Club; and DeKalb Schools Resource Officer Don Smith. The event will also feature special celebrity guest Mr. Pit, an educational kid friendly dog that rewards students with prizes, trinkets and shows. The first 100 guests will be entered into a grand prize drawing. E. L. Bouie Elementary is at 5100 Rock Springs Road. For more information, or to purchase a vendor table, contact Treva Jones at operationtomorrow@yahoo. com or 404-484-0180.

Dancer to headline at ‘Let’s Move!’ Beyonce’s lead dancer Kimmie Gee will headline the DeKalb Board of Health’s Let’s Move DeKalb! physical activity and dance event on March 31 at Hallford Stadium in Clarkston. Gee, who is also a model, is a DeKalb County resident and fitness advocate. She will bring her high energy moves to the 10 a.m. event that will raise awareness and combat obesity in children and teens. The event is co-funded by a Communities Putting Prevention to Work grant from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sheena Haynes, one of the organizers, said obesity rate has tripled in the past 30 years and Let’s Move DeKalb will enforce the message of physical activity to combat obesity. “Although it is geared toward children, adults are welcome to participate,” she said. Recent studies rank Georgia number two nationally for childhood obesity and 17th for adult obesity. “We want to educate children on the importance of incorporating physical activity in their daily lives to combat obesity,” Haynes said. Pre-registration is encouraged, but on-site registration is also available. To preregister, visit www.dekalbhealth.net or www. dekalbcountyga.gov/parks. Kimmie Gee will show off her high energy moves to raise Hallford Stadium is at 3789 Memorial awareness and combat obesity in children and teens. College Ave.

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CrossRoadsNews

March 17, 2012

Perry will discuss the Catholic church’s principal rationale for denying access to civil marriage to same-sex couples and explain why that rationale is illegitimate.

Idol auditions at mall Singers ages 16 to 28 can audition March 23-24 for the Young Adult Idol vocal competition at North DeKalb Mall. Auditions will take place at the Idol Studio, just outside Burlington Coat Factory, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on March 23, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on March 24. For the $50 entry fee, the contestants will receive a DVD of their audition, an Idol T-shirt and an 8x10 head shot. Performances will be held from April 7 to May 5 at 12:30 p.m. at the mall’s Café Court. A grand prize of $500 will be awarded on May 5. Local artists will perform before a live audience typically ranging from 300 to 500 people. The contest is being held in conjunction with NuStar Entertainment. North DeKalb Mall is at 2050 Lawrenceville Highway in Decatur. For more information, visit www.northdekalbmall.com or call 404-235-6444.

Focus on same-sex marriage World-class U.S. constitutional law scholar Michael J. Perry will lecture March 21 on why same-sex marriage is protected by religious freedom at Emory University School of Law. “Freedom of Religion, Same-Sex Marriage and the Catholic Church” will explain why denying civil marriage to same-sex couples violates the internationally recognized right to religious freedom. Perry, a Robert W. Woodruff Professor of Law Michael Perry and a Center for the Study of Law and Religion senior fellow, will discuss the Catholic church’s principal rationale for denying access to civil marriage to same-sex couples and explain why that rationale is an illegitimate basis of law and public policy. Perry’s work focuses on constitutional rights and the Supreme Court’s role in enforcing them; law, morality and religion; and human rights theory. He is the author of more than 75 articles and essays and 13 books, most recently “The Political Morality of Liberal Democracy.” The free lecture begins at 12:30 p.m. and is open to the public. Emory School of Law is at 1301 Clifton Road in Atlanta. For more information, contact April Bogle at abogleb@emory.edu or 404-712-8713 or Elaine Justice at elaine.justice@emory.edu or 404727-0643.

Grant Jerkins

William Rawlings

Patricia Sprinkle

Amanda Williams

Mystery writers to convene at Decatur Library Fun is afoot for library patrons and supporters in “A Mysterious Evening” on March 24 at the Decatur Library. The fundraiser featuring mystery authors Grant Jerkins, William Rawlings, Patricia Sprinkle and Amanda Kyle Williams takes place from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. There will be a mystery theater production of “A Tale of Two Swamps;” Cajun hors d’oeuvres, wine and beer; book signings; and a silent auction. Tickets are $65 online and $75 at the door. Proceeds benefit the DeKalb Public Library. The library is at 215 Sycamore St. For more information, call 404-370-8450, Ext. 2238.

March 17, 2012

Scene

CrossRoadsNews

From early settlers to granite quarries to a community forged by emancipated slaves, the Heritage Area is rich with stories, history and breathtaking beauty.

Food, fellowship for family, friends Food and fellowship will be part of the annual Family and Friends Day on March 18 at St. Paul AME Church in Stone Mountain. The Rev. Jeanette Jackson, the church’s associate pastor, will preach during the regular 10 a.m. worship service. The 3 p.m. worship service features inspiration by the Rev. W.W. Morris, pastor of the Philadelphia Baptist Church in Atlanta. The

Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Hercules, senior pastor of St. Paul Worship Center in Lithonia, is the guest preacher. Musical selections will be provided by the choirs of Philadelphia Baptist Church and the St. Paul Worship Center. Dinner will be served between services from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. St. Paul AME is at 821 Third St. For more information, call 770-469-4995.

Grants makes Y swimming accessible Parents and their toddlers can participate in a number of parent/child water enrichment programs at the Bransby Y through August through a $1,000 Huggies Little Swimmers grant. The gift is one of 150 grants awarded to Y’s across the country. The funds will be used to provide financial assistance to low-income and underserved families who wish to engage in YMCA water enrichment programs for children from 6 to 36 months old. The Bransby Outdoor YMCA will offer six sessions of Parent-Tot classes from May 29 through Aug. 18.

This picturesque barn was part of the Vaughters’ Farm – the last dairy in DeKalb County.

Arabia Mountain secrets unveiled Outdoors enthusiasts and history buffs can delve into the wonders of the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area at a March 20 Lunch and Learn program at the Historic DeKalb Courthouse in downtown Decatur. The noon-1 p.m. session is free to attend and guests are encouraged to bring a sack lunch to eat during the program. The Arabia Mountain area’s landscape is dominated by a granite sentry that is more than 400 million years old. It is now part of the 40,000-acre National Heritage Area. Mera Cardenas, the Heritage Area’s executive director, will discuss how the National Park Service program is helping to protect and connect the area’s natural, historic and cultural resources. From early settlers to granite quarries to a community forged by emancipated slaves, the Heritage Area is rich with stories, history and breathtaking beauty. It is a model of private-public coordination and was

awarded the Atlanta Regional Commission’s inaugural Great Places Award in 2011. Cardenas joined the alliance as its first executive director in 2010 after an extensive career at CNN as a writer, field producer and most recently, a senior director for Sales and Affiliate Relations in the Newsource division. Volunteer work at Atlanta’s Historic Oakland Cemetery and personal interests led Cardenas to complete a master’s in heritage preservation at Georgia State University. She seeks to combine production techniques developed over her journalism career with interesting, local stories to create vibrant living histories. The Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area, which was designated by Congress in 2006, spans DeKalb, Rockdale and Henry counties. The Historic DeKalb Courthouse is at 101 E. Court Square. For more information, visit www.dekalbhistory.org or call 404-373-1088. “Homecoming” chronicles the generationsold struggle of African Americans for land of their own.

Classes are held Saturdays for six weeks from noon to 12:30 p.m., or Monday through Thursday for two-week increments from 6 p.m. to 6:30 pm. Participants must apply two weeks prior to a session to get the reduced rate for swim lessons. Stu Schneider, Huggies senior brand director, said the company is pleased to support the Bransby Outdoor YMCA in its efforts to provide a critical program to the community. For more information or to register, visit www.ymcapass.com or call 770484-YMCA.

St. Patrick’s parade in Conyers Fans of street parades can get their Irish on in the Olde Town Conyers St. Patrick Day parade on March 17. The parade, sponsored by the Conyers Main Street Program, begins at 4:30 p.m. at Evans Pharmacy on the corner of Main and Center streets. Mayor Randy Mills will be grand marshal he will be joined by a number of honorary grand marshals. Bagpiper Robert Harwell will play classic Irish tunes. The St. Patrick’s Day Parade king and

queen will be crowned and revelers decked out in the best Irish attire, will get Irishthemed refreshments. There will be live music and select restaurants will serve traditional Irish dishes until 11 p.m. Commercial Street will be closed from 3 p.m. to midnight for the festivities. Paraders should meet at the corner of Main and Center Streets before 4:30 p.m. For more information, call 770-6022606 or visit www.conyersga.com.

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Homecoming explores rural roots “Homecoming,” the first film to explore the rural roots of African-American life, will be screened March 25 in Atlanta-Fulton Central Library’s auditorium. The 3 p.m. screening is hosted by Sankofa Spirit’s “Movies With a Mission.” The film chronicles the generations-old struggle of African Americans for land of their own which pitted them against both the

Southern white power structure and the federal agencies responsible for helping them. Director Charlene Gilbert weaves this history together with a fond portrait of her own Georgia farming family. The auditorium is at 1 Margaret Mitchell Square N.W., Atlanta. For more information, visit www.sankofaspirit.com or call 770-234-5890.

Idol Shows Held Saturdays April 7th-May 5th

North DeKalb Mall • 2050 Lawrenceville Hwy. Decatur, GA 30033 • 404-320-7960

Sports

CrossRoadsNews

March 17, 2012

“When you have a winning program like that, the discipline cuts down because the students have school pride.”

DeKalb basketball teams brings home state titles By Carla Parker

For the sixth time in a decade, the high school basketball season ended with multiple DeKalb teams wearing state title crowns. Miller Grove swept the Class AAAA girls’ and boys’ state championship games at the Arena at Gwinnett Center on March 9, and Columbia’s boys and girls teams took home the Class AAA state championship trophy on March 10 in Macon. This achievement has been accomplished just 14 times in Georgia high school basketball history, and Columbia Eagles have now done it twice in 2010 and 2012. Columbia boys head coach Phil McCrary said having a winning basketball program helps a lot within the school. “When you have a winning program like that, the discipline cuts down because the students have school pride,” McCrary said. “It will also encourage the other programs to get better.” Miller Grove also made history with the Lady Wolverines winning their first state title and the boys winning their fourth consecutive state title. The Wolverines’ four-peat was the fourth in state history and the first since Dougherty County’s Westover High School in 1990-93. It was also the fourth sweep in Class AAAA for DeKalb in the past five seasons, including Columbia boys and Southwest DeKalb girls in 2008, and Miller Grove boys and Southwest DeKalb girls with back-to-back championship wins in 2009 and 2010. Miller Grove’s 2012 championship wins came against Southwest DeKalb High Panthers in a historic all-DeKalb County Class AAAA championship game. The Lady Wolverines were the first to claim their state title crown with a 46-39 win over the Lady Panthers. Junior power forward Klarissa Weaver led the Lady Wolverines with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Senior power forward Tabitha Fudge finished her final high school basketball game with 11 points and 10 rebounds. The No. 1-ranked Wolverines had to come from behind in the fourth quarter to hold off McDonald’s All-American William “Shaq” Goodwin and the No. 4 Southwest DeKalb Panthers. The defending champions nabbed their fourth

Columbia High’s Tahj Shamsid-Deen, a junior point guard, led the Eagles with a game-high 17 points.

Miller Grove High’s Tabitha Fudge finished her final high school basketball game with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

consecutive title with a 63-57 win over Southwest DeKalb. Miller Grove’s McDonald’s All-American Tony Parker led the Wolverines with 21 points, including 16 points in the first half, and grabbed 13 rebounds. Senior Justin Colvin followed that with 17 points. The No. 2-ranked Columbia Lady Eagles ended the No. 1 Washington County High School 63-game winning streak

with a 57-33 victory in the Class AAA girls’ state championship on Saturday. Senior small forward Kadejah Vaughn ended her career on a high, scoring 19 points and grabbing 18 rebounds. Junior guard Miah Spencer hit for 15 points for Columbia in the win. The win was the Lady Eagles’ second state title in three seasons. The No. 1 Columbia Eagles finished out the DeKalb winning weekend with a 65-46 victory over Clayton County’s Charles Drew High School. This was Columbia’s third consecutive title and its fifth title in seven years. McCrary said he was proud of his team and how they responded to the bull’s-eye on their back with the No. 1 ranking. “They maintained their composure and focus and they went out and played the game,” he said. Junior point guard Tahj Shamsid-Deen led the Eagles with a game-high 17 points and was joined in double figures by senior power forward Jhaustin Thomas with 10 points. Seniors Damian Goodwin and Chris Horton added 10 rebounds each. The four state titles won this weekend brought DeKalb’s number of basketball state titles to 23, including a state title streak dating back to 2002 with 10 titles in the past three seasons.

CrossRoadsNews

March 17, 2012

Schools

“We will ‘pay as you go’ so we will not have the $11 million debt we would have had, had we borrowed.”

Board set to review legal opinion on fixing SPLOST shortfall By Carla Parker

The DeKalb School Board was set Friday to review a legal opinion on how to proceed on fixing a $36.52 million SPLOST shortfall. The board voted March 12 to figure out how to proceed with all SPLOST II and III projects and to find out what legal options it had. Some board members said Thursday that a meeting hadn’t been set but that they expect to discuss the legal opinion received by the district Thursday afternoon at a March 16 called meeting and make a decision on when they would revisit the SPLOST shortfall. The shortfall in Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax funding, which was revealed to board members on Feb. 29, lead to a March 12 board meeting. Instead of cutting projects, all nine members decided to postpone voting on School Superintendent Cheryl Atkinson’s proposed SPLOST II/SPLOST III Corrective Action plan, which would have halted 35 building projects, including 23 in South DeKalb. Instead, the board voted unanimously to accept a motion that allowed Atkinson and her staff time to find out which projects could be legally relocated from SPLOST III to SPLOST IV funding. “What you will be approving is our ability to move whatever projects we can to SPLOST IV within the legal limits and understanding two budgetary issues,” Atkinson said.

If this is possible, Atkinson said the district will seek bonds for SPLOST IV projects. “We will ‘pay as you go,’ so to speak, so we will not have the $11 million debt that we would have had, had we borrowed,” Cheryl Atkinson she said. At the Feb. 29 meeting, Atkinson told board members that the shortfalls in SPLOST II and III accounts were found after they discovered that the Chamblee High rebuilding project was coming short by $9.9 million. The staff originally thought there was a $26.15 million shortfall in the SPLOST III account, but Atkinson said it was reduced to $21.32 million. The projects at 14 South DeKalb schools that could be affected include installing new HVAC systems and emergency generators, improving access for disabled students, replacing running tracks, and upgrading kitchens and plumbing fixtures. In the legal opinion delivered Thursday, school attorney Bill Wildman was to offer an opinion on whether the language on the SPLOST IV referendum was broad enough to cover moving some of the SPLOST III projects onto the SPLOST IV project list. “My understanding is that you would first have to complete the SPLOST IV projects that were on the referendum, then if we had any additional money come in from SPLOST

Accreditation still ‘on advisement’ The DeKalb School System will keep its accreditation, but on an “advisement” status. The Quality Assurance Review Team, a panel of educators from around the country that reviewed the performance of the district, said March 7 that it found some improvement, but that the district still has other issues to address before gaining full accreditation. The review team was assembled by AdvanceED, the parent company of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the regional accreditation agency. It visited 26 schools and interviewed 1,132 stakeholders, including students, parents, teachers, School Board members, and community and business partners. The team analyzed the data, then debated before deciding DeKalb should maintain its “accredited on advisement” status.

DeKalb has been accredited on SACS’ advisement list since March 3, 2011, after three district employees, including former Superintendent Crawford Lewis and Chief Operating Officer Pat Reid, were indicted on racketeering and other charges in connection with the district’s billion-dollar construction program. The district was ordered to make improvements including hiring a permanent superintendent, approving a redistricting and consolidation plan, updating operational policies, and improving communications. It has reached most of those goals, but the team says it’s still not meeting SACS standards. It said the district is “emerging” in three areas: “visions and purpose,” “governance and leadership” and “documenting and using results.” Its recommendation is not final until AdvanceED approves it, which is expected in 30 business days.

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IV, we could apply it,” Wildman said. “But I believe we first have to finish SPLOST IV projects that were on the referendum and voted on by the public.” If the legal opinion is that the projects cannot be added, board members will have to vote on a corrective action plan. District 7 board member Donna Edler said she will vote “nay” on any corrective action plan that eliminates projects. Before the meeting, Edler e-mailed a letter to Atkinson and other board members saying the corrective action plan undermines the “sacred trust and confidence” of the public. “The plan may be the most expedient and easiest to manage, but it is not the most honorable or equitable,” she wrote. “It undermines our fiduciary duty to ensure the integrity of the SPLOST program. It is my opinion that we proceed cautiously, judiciously and equitably.” Edler also read her aloud letter during the board meeting. Before making their decision, board members argued over a 2009 decision that added project enhancements totaling $47.47

million to the SPLOST III project list. District 4 board member Paul Womack, who voted for the additional projects, blamed that decision for the situation the board is in now. “If we had not rushed Paul Womack out and added the $47 million to SPLOST III, I don’t think we would be confronted with this problem today,” Womack said. District 5 board member Jay Cunningham, who also voted for the project enhancements, said he was offended that board members would bring it up. “We voted for it because times were good and the money was coming in,” he said. Cunningham said some board members have finished projects while he is waiting on a projects for projects at MLK, Southwest DeKalb and Miller Grove high schools. . “Where is the equity there in making sure that we’re doing things throughout to make sure projects are done,?” he said.

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CrossRoadsNews

March 17, 2012

real estate

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CrossRoadsNews

March 17, 2012

Exhibitors include: A Kids Affair AAA Auto Club Achievers Learning Academy After School Sports Academy Beulah Community Life Center Big Thinkers Science Exploration Callanwolde Fine Arts Center Camp Jewell House City of Decatur Active Living Conservatory of Dance Cornerstone Leadership Academy Dr.Craig B. Williams, DDS East Lake Family YMCA Hope Ministries Incorporated La Petite Academy Moja Dance Studio Tupac Amaru Shakur Center YMCA Academies of South DeKalb