FINANCE
YOUTH
Georgians at risk of losing their homes may get some relief from a bill that would require banks to work with homeowners before moving to foreclose. 5
Parents and students from across DeKalb packed a meeting of the task force commissioned to recommend four schools for closure next year. Their common theme: “Don’t close our school.” 8
Economic reprieve
Making their case
March 27, 2010
Copyright © 2009 CrossRoadsNews, Inc.
Volume 15, Number 47
www.crossroadsnews.com
President signs historic health care law for all Americans Health reform is now the law of the land. President Barack Obama signed the historic bill into law on March 23. The $938 billion health care overhaul guarantees 32 million uninsured Americans health coverage, closes the doughnut hole in medicare coverage for the elderly, and outlaws the denial of health coverage because of pre-existing conditions. Obama, who promised health care reform on the campaign trail, said its passage is a testament to the persistence and the character of the American people. “We are a nation that faces its chal-
tant element of what lenges and accepts its people need – access responsibilities,” he to good health. said. “We are a na“Every American tion that does what is from this day forhard. What is necesward will be treated sary. What is right. ” with simple fairness Vice President and basic justice,” he Joe Biden said that said while introducour children and our ing the president grandchildren are before he signed the going to grow up President Obama signs the health reform bill. knowing that Obama put the final girder in bill into law. Congressman Hank Johnson called the the framework for a social network in this country to provide the single most impor- passage of health care reform “a victory for
America’s working families.” “This historic bill will be remembered with Social Security, Medicare, Civil Rights and the GI Bill as evidence of American progress and humanity,” he said. “It protects Americans from health insurance company abuses, reins in spiraling insurance rates, insures 32 million more Americans, and is projected to reduce the deficit substantially over the next two decades.” The president said it will take four years to fully implement all of the reforms, but that a host of them will take effect this year.
Leaks and mold at Miller Grove Middle By Jennifer Ffrench Parker
Every day, more than 1,000 Miller Grove Middle School students walk down dimly lit hallways with mold-strewn ceiling tiles and sit in classrooms with holes in the ceilings. In some of their classrooms, large garbage pails have permanent homes – ready to catch the water streaming in through the ceiling when it rains. These problems are not new at the Lithonia school, and the parents on its School Council say they are fed up with the deteriorating conditions and want better for their children. Travis Bell, the School Council’s chairman, said what they are asking for is not wish-list stuff. “The roof leaks, the commodes don’t work, the water fountains don’t work. There are holes in the ceiling. Most of the windows have no blinds,” said Bell, whose daughter Travonda is in the seventh grade. “This is severe. When you have this many leaks, the roof has to be replaced. You can’t just put some tiles on it.” Bella Lane, whose son, Lance, is in the sixth grade, said that even though children are forced to attend classes in such poor conditions, they are performing. “This year they increased their performance on the writing assessment test by 17 percent,” she said. “Miller Grove is an exceptional school and the students deserve an exceptional building.” On a March 23 tour of the school, Bell, Lane, and parents and council members Cheryl Mathis and Twonna Singleton pointed out discolored ceilings, mold and missing tiles to DeKalb Schools Assistant Superintendent Horace Dunson and plant services director Steve Donohue as they walked down darkened hallways. Along the way, they stuck their heads into Ms. Favor’s eighth-grade classroom that had a dozen missing ceiling tiles and a huge yellow garbage bin that collects the water coming through the holes when it rains. Dunson and school Principal Thaddeus Dixon took notes. Afterward, Dunson said he did not see anything new among the problems raised by the parents. “Those problems were identified in the facility audit two years ago and we recommended that the repairs be made,” he said. “It’s a school that needs upgrades but it was not funded.” Miller Grove Middle was not one of the schools that made it on the list for $506.2 million in SPLOST II-funded projects. While that school went without any repairs, across town, Columbia High School’s renovations ballooned from an original budget of $8.5 million to $13.1 million and included a wrought-iron fence around the entire school property. The Columbia High project on which Anthony Pope – husband of embattled former school system Chief Operat-
Jennifer Ffrench Parker / CrossRoadsNews
District officials Horace Dunson (from left) and Steve Donohue tour Miller Grove Middle School with Twonna Singleton, Cheryl Mathis, Bella Lane, Travis Bell and Principal Thaddeus Dixon.
Since the start of the school year last August, Miller Grove ing Officer Patricia Pope – worked is now part of a criminal probe by the office of DeKalb District Attorney Gwen Keyes Middle has sent in more than 120 work orders for repairs to the school district. Fleming. Lane said workers come out and make little fixes. Now those long-standing problems – leaky roof, old “But as soon as it rains again, more problems,” she said. HVAC, crumbing ceiling and poor lighting, inside and outDuring the tour on Wednesday, the parents ran into two side the school – have deteriorated. “It’s gotten worse this year,” Dunson said. “The rains have Please see REPAIRS, page 4 exacerbated the situation. We need to do something.”
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Community
CrossRoadsNews
March 27, 2010
David Adelman was treasurer of Barack Obama’s Georgia campaign and served on the Obama National Finance Committee.
Adelman heading to ambassador’s post in Singapore Dist. 42 election By Jennifer Ffrench Parker
set for May 11
After eight years at the state Capitol, attorney David Adelman has traded his state senator title for that of ambassador. Adelman, 45, is leaving DeKalb next week for Singapore with his family: wife Caroline; son Oscar, 14; and daughters Leah, 11, and Avery, 8. Adelman, whose departure follows his confirmation by the U.S. Senate on March 19, said it’s been a great privilege to represent the people of Senate District 42. “I have worked hard every day on their behalf,” he said. Now he is looking forward to making President Barack Obama – who appointed him to the plum diplomatic assignment – proud. “I am humbled by the confidence President Obama has shown in me by asking me to serve in this important part of the world.” Adelman was elected to represent Senate District 42 in 2002. He resigned his seat in a March 22 letter to Gov. Sonny Perdue. During his tenure, he garnered numerous awards for his work on behalf of battered women, victims of lupus, and children. He helped pass legislation that enabled stronger penalties against predators who endanger women and children and that required DNA testing to ensure the proper identification of those charged with the most serious criminal offenses. In 2004, he wrote and helped pass the Family Violence Shelter Confidentiality Act, which protects domestic violence shelters from having their addresses published in phone books and public directories. As a lawyer with Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP, specializing in business law, he says he has been to the region on business, but this will be his first time in Singapore. During Obama’s historic run for the White House in 2008, Adelman was treasurer of Obama’s Georgia campaign and served on the Obama National Finance Commit-
Senate hopefuls will be lining up March 29-31 to qualify for the May 11 special election to fill the District 42 seat vacated this week by attorney David Adelman. Gov. Sonny Perdue issued the writ of special election on Wednesday for the district’s voters to go to the polls on May 11. Adelman, who was confirmed as the nation’s ambassador to Singapore on March 19 by the U.S. Senate, resigned the seat he held for eight years on March 22. Qualifying will be 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday and 8 a.m.-noon on Wednesday. Candidates will qualify in the Elections Division of the Office of Secretary of State, 1104 West Tower, 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive S.E., in downtown Atlanta. The qualifying fee is $400. Senate District 42 encompasses portions of DeKalb County, including Decatur and Atlanta-in-DeKalb. It has 99,096 voters. Attorneys Tom Stubbs and Jason Carter have announced for the seat. Stubbs, a past president of the DeKalb Bar Association, is a Decatur lawyer. Carter, an Atlanta lawyer, is a grandson of former President Jimmy Carter. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. on May 11. A runoff election will be held on June 8 if needed. Voters can request an absentee ballot from the DeKalb Election Office through May 7. Absentee ballots must be returned to the county registrar’s office by the close of polls on election day. Photo identification is not required when voting by mail. To download an absentee ballot request form, visit www.sos.ga.gov/elections. Citizens must be registered by April 2 to vote on May 11. Voter registration forms can be obtained at the DeKalb Election Office and any DeKalb branch library or from http://sos.georgia.gov/elections/voter_reg istration/voter_reg_app.htm.
David Adelman, with President Barack Obama, and his family, from left, Oscar, Avery, wife Caroline, and Leah, are leaving for their new home in Singapore, next week.
tee. The president nominated him for the ambassador’s post last November. Adelman said he has been preparing and participating in State Department briefings for some time. He said Singapore, an important business crossroads, has been a great friend to the United States and that he intends to build on that friendship to promote the mutual security and prosperity for both countries. Even though Singapore is the only country in Asia with English as its official
language, Adelman is brushing up on his Mandarin. He said 70 percent of the country’s 5 million people are of Chinese descent and also speak Mandarin, and he has already added “ne oh” – Mandarin for “hello” – to his vocabulary. He will be sworn in this weekend at a ceremony in downtown Decatur, before he and his family depart for their new embassy home, at the tip of the Malay Peninsula. “It’s an assignment for the whole family. We are all looking forward to it.”
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March 27, 2010
Community
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County loses Bolton won’t HOST fight with be getting any Dunwoody city unemployment DeKalb County has to share revenues from the Homestead Option Sales Tax with the new city of Dunwoody. The Georgia Supreme Court ruled unanimously March 22 that the House bill that allowed Dunwoody to incorporate, and included an amendment to the Homestead Option Sales Tax Act, is not illegal or unconstitutional, and the city deserves its fair share of HOST proceeds. The city estimated that the ruling could mean up to $600,000 for its coffers. DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis said in a March 23 statement that the county accepts the court’s deciBurrell Ellis sion. “We are one county and must work in the best interest of our cities and communities in order to constructively meet the needs of all DeKalb citizens,” he said. The 1 percent HOST approved by voters in 1997 is used for a residential property tax credit to homeowners and to fund capital outlay projects. In May 2007, the General Assembly passed legislation modifying HOST to allocate a portion of the sales tax revenue directly to the new city of Dunwoody. DeKalb filed suit in July 2008 challenging the state of Georgia’s authority to modify the countywide referendum without approval of DeKalb County voters. Last year, the county received approximately $87.5 million in HOST tax revenue. Ellis said the city of Dunwoody will get $3 million annually of the HOST capital outlay funds.
Former DeKalb Police Chief Terrell Bolton lost his final bid to get unemployment from the county. Bolton, who was fired from his $162,000-a-year position on Feb. 28, 2009, had appealed to the Georgia Department of Labor’s Board of Review after a DeKalb merit board hearing officer upheld his termination last October. The county said Thursday that in a final March 17 decision, the Board of Review upheld a previous decision to deny unemployment benefits to Bolton. DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis terminated Bolton for insubordination and conduct unbecoming a chief of police. Bolton, who was hired by former CEO Vernon Jones in December 2006, had been on the job for 25 months. Bolton also has filed a civil action against the county in DeKalb Superior Court. The status of that case was not known at press time.
Road work causes detour in Lithonia Motorists will have to detour around portions of Klondike Road in the city of Lithonia until April 7. Because of construction, the Georgia Department of Transportation has closed the road to Parkway Road on Main Street. The road will be closed for a maximum of two weeks, unless inclement weather further delays the project.
Vision. Experience. Leadership. Vote Tom Stubbs - May 11 PAID FOR BY STUBBS FOR SENATE
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Community
CrossRoadsNews
March 27, 2010
“They were not only devoted to wiping out rival gangs, but they showed no hesitation in robbing and shooting innocent victims.”
DeKalb gang members among the indicted 2346 Candler Rd. Decatur, GA 30032 404-284-1888 Fax: 404-284-5007 www.crossroadsnews.com editor@crossroadsnews.com
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rufino, aka “Whiskey,” 30, A federal indictment and Kenedis Bonilla, aka charging 26 alleged mem“Mago,” 28, of Tucker and bers of a violent street Chamblee residents Elio gang – many from DeKalb Marroquin-Lopez, aka County – was unsealed “Perico,” 23; Emannual March 4. Hidalgo, aka “Scooby,” The indictment 24; and Alejandro Garcia, charges alleged members aka “Happy,” 27. of “Mara Salvatrucha” Sally Quillian Yates Other defendants are (“MS-13”) with federal racketeering and related crimes from Atlanta, Norcross, Lawrenceville, Lilburn and Gainesthroughout metro Atlanta. Acting U.S. Attorney Sally Quil- ville. Among the allegations in the lian Yates said MS-13 is a ruthless street gang that has used violence 29-count indictment are that deto spread fear throughout the com- fendants conspired to participate in the affairs of MS-13, an internamunity. “These gang members seized tional violent criminal organization every chance they had to kill, shoot with about 10,000 members in and rob,” she said. “They were not North America, through a pattern only devoted to wiping out rival of racketeering activity, which ingangs, but they showed no hesita- cluded multiple crimes of murder, tion in robbing and shooting in- attempted murder, kidnapping, and robbery in metro Atlanta. nocent victims.” The charges presented in Among the indicted individuals are five DeKalb residents: Alex Fer- court show that MS-13 has been
present in the Atlanta area since at least 2005 and that it staked out DeKalb and Gwinnett counties as its territory. Sixteen of the indicted defendants are charged for their alleged roles in committing seven murders – four killings of suspected rival gang members, two murders of robbery victims, and one killing of a fellow gang member. They are also charged with shooting nine suspected rival gang members as well as three persons who were not gang members. Special agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the FBI, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, Gwinnett, DeKalb, Norcross, Chamblee Police Departments, and the Gwinnett County Sheriff ’s Office, are working together on the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Todd Alley and Paul Jones are prosecuting the case. For more information, visit www.usdoj.gov/usao/gang.
School is not a healthy environment REPAIRS,
from page
1
workers who were fixing a urinal in one of the boys restrooms. With all the problems, Bell said the school is not an inviting place for students. “The building looks like an overcast day,” he said. “There is no sunshine in there. That’s the best way to describe it.” As the touring group walked by some students changing class, a boy yelled out: “This school is nasty.” Lane said her son doesn’t complain but that he won’t use the restroom at school. “He waits till he gets home,” she said. “Some parents say their kids have had urinary infections from holding it in all day.” On top of that, students get sick frequently with sinus, migraines and other problems. “We have no proof, but it’s not a healthy situation,” she said. “It’s only going to get worse. The mold is not going to go away.”
A garbage bin collects rainwater coming through the holes in the ceiling of a Miller Grove Middle School classroom. The dim hallways also have moldy ceiling tiles.
Jennifer Ffrench Parker / CrossRoadsNews
Bell says Dunson promised to find out where Miller Grove falls the list they are for repairs. “If he tells us we are No. 6 on the list, that’s not going to be good enough,” he said. “This is not a
healthy environment. We would hope that during the summer, they will come in, gut the building and replace the roof and bring it up to standards. Anything less would be unacceptable.”
Two to speak on health, MARTA DeKalb District Health Director S. Elizabeth Ford and MARTA General Manager/CEO Beverly Scott will be the featured speakers at the April 3 DeKalb Community Cabinet monthly meeting at New Piney Grove Missionary Baptist Church. Ford will discuss the county’s 2010 Status of Health Report, which was unveiled on March 26. Scott will talk about MARTA’s proposed cuts in service and efforts to balance its 2010 budget. The 9-to-11 a.m. meeting includes a hot breakfast. New Piney Grove is at 2580 Snapfinger Road in Decatur. For more information, call 678-2422327 or 404-371-2988.
TeleTown Hall meeting set State Reps. Stephanie Stuckey Benfield and Mary Margaret Oliver are hosting a TeleTown Hall Meeting for Constituents on March 29 to discuss the budget and other issues pending in the Georgia Legislature. During the meeting, 200 to 1,000 constituents will be able to speak to the lawmakers by telephone. Benfield said that TeleTown Hall meetings allow elected officials to connect with thousands of voters in a single phone call using an automated dialing system. Listeners can ask questions, and instant polls can be conducted with the press of a button. Benfield said residents will get two phone calls, one on March 28 inviting them to the meeting and one on March 29 to connect them. “I hope everyone who receives an invite will join us on March 29,” she said. For more information, visit www.benfieldbeat.com or call Stephanie Stuckey Benfield at 404-656-7859 or 404-964-7025.
Quick Read Adelman heading to post in Singapore
2
After eight years at the state Capitol, attorney David Adelman has traded his state senator title for that of ambassador to Singapore.
County loses HOST fight with Dunwoody city
3
DeKalb awarded $3.2 million for smoke-free initiative 6
Kids still at increased risk for H1N1 flu 7
A $3.2 million grant awarded to the DeKalb Board of Health will help it create a healthier, tobacco-free community.
Children 9 years and younger are still at increased risk for contracting H1N1, and state health officials say some should receive a second dose of the flu vaccine.
Free dental screening at health fair
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14 elementary schools remain on list for closings 8
DeKalb County has to share revenues from the Homestead Option Sales Tax with the new city of Dunwoody.
Free dental screening and blood pressure checks will be available at an April 3 health fair at the A.R. “Gus” Barksdale Boys & Girls Club in Conyers.
The DeKalb School System’s Citizens Planning Task Force continues to whittle away at the list of schools to shutter.
Activists push for change in state’s foreclosure laws 5
Grady gets top of the line stroke center
Sermonettes, drama for Holy Week observances 9
Lawmakers and community representatives say it’s too easy for banks in Georgia to foreclose on homeowners.
Enhanced treatment is available for stroke patients at Grady Memorial Hospital’s new Marcus Stroke & Neuroscience Center.
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Christians will be observing Easter with sermons, Passion plays, re-enactments, Communion and foot washing this week.
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CrossRoadsNews
March 27, 2010
Finance
“Georgia is in the top 10 in the nation for the number of foreclosures and DeKalb is one of the most hard hit.”
Activists push for change in state’s foreclosure laws amid housing crisis By Deborah Alberto
Lawmakers and community representatives say it’s too easy for banks in Georgia to foreclose on homeowners. Instead, they want them to be forced to make a stronger effort to modify delinquent home loans rather than rushing to repossess homes. That was the dominant sentiment expressed by lawmakers, legal aid lawyers, homeowners and foreclosure opponents at a March 23 public hearing on Georgia’s foreclosure crisis at Mount Ephraim Baptist Church in Atlanta. More than 150 people showed up for the hearing organized by the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, which is mobilizing public opinion toward changes in Georgia’s foreclosure laws. State Rep. Billy Mitchell of Stone Mountain said it’s too quick and easy for banks to take people’s homes. “In Georgia, you can lose your home if you’re one day late with your mortgage payment,” he Billy Mitchell said. “In other states, like California and New York, it’s different. The banks actually call you when you’re late because they don’t want you to stay in your house for a year [without paying].” DeKalb and Fulton counties have the highest rates of foreclosures in metro Atlanta and the state. In DeKalb, 13,677 properties countywide got auction notices or were taken over by banks in 2008, according to Equity Depot, a company that tracks foreclosures in a 13-county area in metro Atlanta. Last year, that number rose to 17,767. So far this year, 4,787 properties faced pending foreclosure. Barry Bramlett, Equity Depot’s president, said that 25 percent to 30 percent of those with notices result in actual foreclosure.
Mitchell, who Eighteen months later and still no job represents House on the horizon, he turned to SunTrust Bank, District 88, introwhich held his mortgage, to ask that his loan duced House Bill 972 be restructured. He said he was met with to amend the law to cold, unfeeling representatives who refused give homeowners a his repeated requests. When he finally con90-day grace period tacted Rainbow PUSH and visited the bank to catch up on all offices accompanied by Jesse Jackson, the their payments begroup’s founder, the bank agreed to restrucfore lenders can start ture his loan. foreclosure proce“It was the media exposure that did dures. The bill was it,” Case said. “But not everyone has Jesse modified in commitJackson and news cameras to help them. My tee to a 60-day providilemma won’t end until all people are able sion and was headed to get an affordable modification.” Deborah Alberto / CrossRoadsNews to the House floor for Jaye Crawford (left) said her dream of home ownership Jaye Crawford said she worked two jobs is in jeopardy a March 26 vote. to accomplish the American dream of home after a divorce that coincided with the economic downturn. Once the home ownership, but after a divorce that coincided owner is current, Mitchell’s amendment “There has been a shortfall in response with the downturn and housing crisis, she is calls for the debtor to be allowed to resume locally and nationally that does not address now faced with losing her home. making payments under the original terms this wrongdoing,” she said. “The lenders “My home lost $30,000 in equity,” of their mortgage. were thinking, ‘If borrowers can’t pay, we just she said. “It’s been on the market for 18 “Georgia is in the top 10 in the nation for foreclose.’ And the foreclosure process is just months.” the number of foreclosures and DeKalb is too easy for banks.” Crawford said that dealing with mortgage one of the most hard hit,” Mitchell said. Richard Case, a homeowner who was companies is a frustrating process. She is now Bill Brennan, director of the Atlanta Legal saved from foreclosure with the help of Rain- living out of boxes while she continues to Aid Society’s Home Defense Program, who bow PUSH, said he faced financial problems fight to stay in her home. also spoke at the meeting, said that “Georgia when he was laid off from his banking job in “I don’t know what’s going to happen is the most consumer unfriendly state in the the midst of the economic downturn. next.” union.” Bo Homeowners in Georgia, unlike many for dy C other states, do not have the benefit of judiall ollis Collision Services: veh ion cial review of pending foreclosure. Instead, icle • DEDUCTIBLE ASSISTANCE s real estate contracts give banks the right • LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY to take away the home if payments are not made. The only option for many home • LOW RATE RENTAL owners is bankruptcy, which can delay the The Dealership Alternative Auto Repair for Honda, Acura, Toyota & Lexus process. Brennan, who has been battling subprime With this ad. New Customers ONLY. IL HANGE lending in Atlanta for decades, says lenders W/ FREE 27-POINT INSPECTION Must Schedule an Appt. Expires 4/30/2010 “used risk as an excuse to exploit homeowners with their Wild West lending practices.” 770-484-4905 www.Service1stauto.com Sarah Bolling, a lawyer with the Home Defense Program, said the foreclosure crisis started with banks lending money without EAST LAKE CROSSING RETAIL AND OFFICE SHOPS regard to borrowers’ ability to repay. She says “Where Contemporary Now Leasing – Only 9 Units it continues because the banks are being allowed to get away with it. and Quality Converge” Available !! Restaurant Needed
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Wellness
CrossRoadsNews
March 27, 2010
“Investing in local communities will build a healthier America, and we aim to reach more than 50 million … in communities receiving these awards.”
DeKalb awarded $3.2 million for initiative on smoke-free environments A $3.2 million grant awarded to the DeKalb Board of Health on March 19 will help it create a healthier, tobacco-free community. The Communities Putting Prevention to Work grant is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ initiative to support public health efforts to reduce obesity, increase physical activity, improve nutrition and decrease smoking. These are four critical actions for combating chronic diseases and promoting health. It comes from the federal Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s Prevention and Wellness Initiative. The DeKalb initiative will increase awareness of the health consequences of tobacco use, decrease exposure to secondhand smoke, increase efforts to restrict youth access to tobacco products, support pricing strategies to decrease tobacco use, increase access to cessation resources and social support for residents ready to quit using tobacco. Dr. S. Elizabeth Ford, the county’s district health director, said prevention is key. “Preventing youth from smoking, helping those who do use tobacco products to find Quit Line and other cessation programs and promoting smoke-free environments are
DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis and County Commissioner Sharon Barnes Sutton join Board of Health employees for the announcement of the $3.2 million grant to create tobacco-free community.
critical for reducing the burden of illness and death caused by using tobacco products.” DeKalb was one of 44 communities nationwide to get a total of $372.8 million to carry out policy, systems and environmental change strategies over the next two years. The funding will allow them to support healthy choices among their residents through a variety of methods, including increasing the availability of healthy foods and beverages, improving access to safe places for physical activity, discouraging tobacco use, and encouraging smoke-free environments. First lady Michelle Obama called the federal initiative “an unprecedented level of
commitment to prevention.” “Investing in local communities will build a healthier America, and we aim to reach more than 50 million people who are living in the communities receiving these awards.” The DeKalb County School System and the Parks and Recreation Department are among community partners that will help the health department with its program. DeKalb plans to create tobacco-free parks, schools and college campuses; promote Georgia’s tobacco Quit Line; and counter market against tobacco advertising by conducting a multiethnic educational campaign
to ensure that tobacco-free messages span the spectrum of DeKalb’s population. CEO Burrell Ellis said cooperation can create “a stronger, healthier DeKalb County. I stand ready to support the Board of Health through ensuring that our parks and recreation move toward becoming 100 percent smoke-free so that our children, seniors and families can enjoy recreational activities in outdoor facilities without being impacted by secondhand smoke.” Christopher Holliday, the board’s Health Assessment and Promotion program director and the principal investigator of the CPPW grant, said tobacco use costs the state more than $5 billion each year, including $1.8 billion in health care costs among adults 18 and older and $3.4 billion in lost productivity costs among adults 35 years and older. Dr. Rhonda Medows, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Community Health, congratulated Ford and the county on securing the grant. “Prevention and cessation of tobacco use will save lives and help people avoid harm and suffering from the many smoking-related illnesses.” For more on Communities Putting Prevention to Work, visit www.hhs.gov/recovery and www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/recovery.
Striders club celebrating 20 years Training to prevent child sex abuse The members of the South DeKalb Striders Running Club will celebrate 20 years of kicking up their heels on April 3 at the Arabia Mountain Trail in Lithonia. The group is marking the milestone with a Friends and Family Day beginning at 7:30 a.m. They will meet at the trail head on Browns Mill Road/Highway 212. Participants can take part in a scenic run or a pleasant walk during the free event.
Refreshments will be served. The Striders Club has a history of advocacy and has raised more than $50,000 for Our House, a South DeKalb-based childhood education program and center for homeless families, and other charities. For more information, e-mail southdekalbstriders@comcast.net or call 404966-7638.
Adults interested in stopping child sexual abuse can participate in an April 3 workshop at Philips Arena. The Darkness to Light Training: Confronting Child Sexual Abuse With Courage is sponsored by the Atlanta Hawks and the Atlanta Thrashers. The teams have joined with the Georgia Center for Child Advocacy to host the prevention training before they take on the Detroit Pistons. The program, which is seeking to educate 1 million Georgians by 2020, will teach adults to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. The nonprofit Georgia Center for Child Advocacy serves children up to 17 years old in DeKalb and Fulton counties. It says that one in four girls is sexually abused before age
18 and that one in six boys is sexually abused before age 18. Of those abused, 30 percent to 40 percent are abused by a family member. The center also says that one in five children is solicited sexually while on the Internet and that nearly 70 percent of all reported sexual assaults occur to children younger than 17. The three-hour training session begins at 3 p.m. The cost is $35 and includes a game ticket. Additional tickets for the basketball game will be available for family and friends for $20. Game time is 7 p.m. Philips Arena is at 1 Philips Drive in downtown Atlanta. For more information, visit www.georgia centerforchildadvocacy.org or www.D2L.org or call Tiffany Sawyer at 678-904-2880.
Free dental screening at health fair Free dental screening and blood pressure checks will be available at an April 3 health fair at the A.R. “Gus” Barksdale Boys & Girls Club in Conyers. New Life Family Christian Center is cohosting the 10 a.m.-to-2 p.m. event with the Boys & Girls Club and Future Movement
Radio. There also will be information on cancer, diabetes, heart disease and stroke and free food and fun and games for the kids, including a scavenger egg hunt. The Boys & Girls Club is at 1015 O’Kelly St. in Conyers. For more information, call 678-342-9117.
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7
CrossRoadsNews
March 27, 2010
Wellness
“If someone is in the throes of a stroke and they are taken to Grady, they’re going to have the best care possible.�
Grady gets top of the line stroke center with help of philanthropist Enhanced treatment is now available for stroke patients at Grady Memorial Hospital’s new Marcus Stroke & Neuroscience Center. On March 23, officials, including DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis, philanthropist Bernie Marcus, Fulton County Commission Chairman John Eaves and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, helped cut the ribbon unveiling the center, built with a $20 million gift from the Marcus Foundation. Dr. Michael R. Frankel, Grady Health System’s chief of neurology, said that in stroke treatment, every minute counts. “There is a critical ‘golden hour’ to save the brain,� said Frankel, who is also professor of neurology at Emory University School of Medicine. “If someone is in the throes of a stroke and they are taken to Grady, they’re going to have the best care possible.� Frankel said the hospital has a specialized team ready and waiting to deal with specific stroke conditions. “Grady is a stroke-ready hospital.� The funds from the Marcus Foundation also will finance a 2011 relocation and expansion of Grady’s Trauma Center. That proj-
Philanthropist Bernie Marcus cuts the ribbon on the Marcus Stroke & Neuroscience Center at Grady. Watching from left are Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis and former Atlanta City Council woman Lisa Borders.
ect will expand trauma capacity from two double trauma bays to six single trauma bays and move trauma into its own self-contained unit.
In 2005, the Grady became the first “safety-net� public hospital in the United States to be certified as a Primary Stroke Center by the Joint Commission of Accreditation of
Healthcare Organizations. It earned re-certification honors in 2007 after the Joint Commission’s two-year inspection. Grady’s multi-specialty ap-
proach in caring for people who have suffered a stroke means treatment begins as soon as they arrive in the emergency room. The Marcus Stroke Center will allow Atlanta’s only Level I trauma hospital to advance stroke treatment and acute neurological trauma care by improving time-dependent therapies. Grady President and CEO Michael Young said that the improvements will advance trauma care as well as contribute to Grady’s fiscal sustainability because of the Neuro ICU program’s solid reimbursement rates. Frankel pointed out the rewards of providing specialized care. “My work at Grady is gratifying knowing we are impacting the lives of patients that might not have had a favorable outcome if they had not received care here,� he said. Ellis said the Marcus Foundation’s $20 million gift complements the tax support provided to Grady by Fulton and DeKalb counties. “It helps to ensure the viability and long-term sustainability of Grady,� Ellis said. “Grady now is also poised to take the lead on providing cutting-edge acute emergency care for traumatic brain injury and stroke patients.�
Kids still at increased risk for H1N1 as swine flu continues to circulate Children 9 years and younger are still at increased risk for contracting H1N1, and state health officials said Wednesday that some of them should receive a second dose of the flu vaccine. Dr. M. Rony Francois, director of state’s Division of Public Health, said they are concerned that a significant number of Georgians, especially children between 6 months and 9 years, have not received the H1N1 vaccine. He said that those children should be receiving two doses of
the vaccine. “We are asking all Georgians to remain vigilant about the H1N1 virus and its complications,� Francois said. “Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect you and your loved ones from the flu.� Since April 2009, H1N1 hospitalizations in Georgia have reached 1,012, and there have been 72 influenza-associated deaths. Health officials say children are one of the most vulnerable populations affected by H1N1, also known as the swine flu.
Domestic violence forum
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by Ayonna Johnson of the Women’s Resource Center, a Decatur nonprofit. The panel will discuss factors that contribute to domestic violence and provide information about community resources available to help victims. The discussion is sponsored by the DeKalb Police Department; it starts at 7 p.m. Berean Christian Church is at 2201 Young Road. For more information, visit www.dekalbpolice .com or call Mekka Parrish at 770724-7477.
at Egleston, Dr. Patrick O’Neal, director of the Department of Community Health’s Division of Emergency Preparedness & Response, said that they aren’t 100 percent sure that a third wave is occurring or will occur. “But if there is a third wave it may happen in our state first,� he said. “What we do know is that residents need to continue taking precautions against the flu and seek vaccination if they haven’t been vaccinated.� Pharmacies and doctor’s offices
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Law enforcement officials will discuss domestic violence at a March 31 forum at Berean Christian Church in Stone Mountain. Chief Magistrate Winston Bethel of the DeKalb County Magistrate Court; DeKalb District Attorney Gwen Keyes Fleming; Nicole Marchand, an attorney with the DeKalb Solicitor General’s Office; DeKalb Deputy Sheriff Lt. K.C. Billups of the Sheriff ’s Domestic Violence Unit; and Detective M.L. Mercer of the DeKalb Police Domestic Violence Unit will be joined
Georgia is one of five states that the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention list with regional influenza activity.  The CDC said that while seasonal flu season usually runs from October through May, H1N1 is still circulating and may continue for many months. Georgia experienced its first wave of the illnesses last spring and new cases peaked with a second wave in September. At a March 24 news conference at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
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across the state still have a good supply of the vaccine. Other high-risk groups are pregnant women, health care and emergency medical personnel with direct patient contact, people who live with or care for infants younger than 6 months, anyone 6 months to 24 years old, the elderly, and anyone with underlying medical conditions that put them at risk for flu-related complications. For more information, visit http://health.state.ga.us/h1n1flu or call 1-888-416-1463.
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Learn what you can do to reduce your risk of developing breast cancer by listening to April Speed, M.D., a breast disease specialist and surgeon at DeKalb Medical. Dr. Speed will offer advice on monitoring your breast health and minimizing your risk of developing breast cancer.
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Light refreshments will be served and parking is free. Appointments required. Call 404.501.WELL to reserve your space.
8
CrossRoadsNews
Youth
March 27, 2010
The DeKalb School Board, which must adopt a balanced budget May 14, hopes to save $2.35 million by closing four schools.
14 elementary schools remain on list being considered for closings By Jennifer Ffrench Parker
The number of elementary schools being considered for closure declined to 14 Tuesday as members of the DeKalb School System’s Citizens Planning Task Force whittled away at the list from which it will recommend four to shutter. The 20-member panel of volunteers has an April 13 deadline to recommend four schools to close to help the school system cut $115 million from its 2010-2011 budget. The School Board, which must adopt a balanced budget on May 14, hopes to save about $2.35 million by closing the schools. Robert Moseley, the district’s deputy chief superintendent, said the district plans two public hearings in May before the May 14 vote. At the March 23 meeting, the task force excluded magnet schools Wadsworth in Decatur and Kittredge in Dunwoody, and removed five schools – Bob Mathis, Rock Chapel, Midvale, Ashford Park and Briarlake – because their closure would overcrowd the other schools in their clusters. Task force members voted to follow the criteria that they would not force students to travel 10 miles to a new school or split students among too many schools. The 14 schools left on the list until its March 30 meeting are: Atherton, Flat Shoals, Kelley Lake, Knollwood, Laurel Ridge, Medlock and Peachcrest in Decatur; Avondale in Avondale Estates; Rowland in Stone Mountain; and Briar Vista, Clifton, Gresham Park, Meadowview and Sky Haven in Atlanta. The panel, which began meeting on Feb. 9, started with 20 schools supplied by the school system. It changed the original list to include all elementary schools with enrollment of less than 450. Even though Wadsworth Elementary has
Decatur schools dominates closing list
Jennifer Ffrench Parker / CrossRoadsNews
Hundreds of parents, teachers and students packed the March 23 meeting of the DeKalb School System’s Citizens Planning Task Force.
only 166 students, members voted to exclude it from closing because the School Board has indicated that it does not want to close any of the high-performing magnet programs. The panel’s deliberations were observed by a packed room of several hundred parents, teachers and children, including District 7 board member Zepora Roberts. The task force paused the meeting for an hour to hear impassioned pleas from parents, students and teachers to keep their schools open. Jeremy Haselwood, Meadowview Elementary PTA president, brought 578 petitions and a large contingent of placard-bearing parents, students and residents. He said that they are disappointed that academics are not being considered in the closure process. “You are demoralizing the students, dehumanizing them, reducing them to a number on a spreadsheet,” he said. Haselwood said the school is often the only stability that most of the students have in their lives and
Congressman Hank Johnson Georgia’s 4th Congressional District Proudly serving DeKalb, Rockdale, and Gwinnett Counties
2010 Congressional Arts Competition CALLING ALL ENTRIES! College scholarships will be awarded to the winners! For rules and guidelines, please visit hankjohnson.house.gov/services/ artistic-discovery.shtml Participating schools must submit commitment form by April 26, 2010. Artwork must be received by April 28.
For more information, please see your arts teacher or contact Betty Dixon in our Lithonia office at 770-987-2291. 5700 Hillandale Drive, Lithonia, 30058 • 3469 Lawrenceville Hwy, Tucker, 30084
The Citizens Task Force will recommend four of these 14 schools for closure. Here is the number of open seats in those schools and estimated savings if they close. School City Seats Savings Atherton Decatur 207 $788,830 Flat Shoals Decatur 224 $671,260 Kelley Lake Decatur 68 $471,150 Knollwood Decatur 311 $594,090 Laurel Ridge Decatur 79 $469,550 Peachcrest Decatur 328 $565,580 Medlock Decatur 108 $520,680 Avondale Avondale Estates 244 $570,650 Rowland Stone Mountain 110 $586,020 Briar Vista Atlanta 100 $515,700 Clifton Atlanta 170 $597,830 Gresham Park Atlanta 178 $589,670 Meadowview Atlanta 121 $536,250 Sky Haven Atlanta 300 $680,970
that if it closes, the children are looking at being bused five miles to the nearest school. William Bradley, a first-grader at the school, told task force members that he didn’t want the school to close. “I don’t wanna just pack up my life and go to sleep, wake up, and you gonna tell me to go to another school. I wanna fight and you should, too,” he said to loud applause. Latisha Henderson, who has children in two schools – Clifton and Gresham – that are being considered for closure, pleaded for both schools to stay open. She said that her daughter, Taliyah, who is now in the fourth grade at Clifton, which has a science, technology and math program, learned to read in pre-k at Gresham. “Technology is our future and so are our children,” she said. “Please don’t close Gresham and don’t close Clifton.” Connie Bloom asked the task force to reconsider closing Sky Haven. She pointed
out that six of the seven schools in the area are on the closure list. “The community will be left with one overpopulated school, and that’s McNair Discovery,” she said. “That is not right.” Bloom said that of the 21 schools on the list, only Sky Haven and Peachcrest could accommodate another entire school. “Any other school, children will be split up into two, three or four different schools, more than likely traveling over 10 miles to get there,” she said. Bloom told the task force that while it is looking at closing schools, it also should be looking at the 35 overcrowded elementary schools across the district. “Forty-two percent of the schools already have too many kids in them. Instead of closing down schools, you need to relieve the 35 schools that are over capacity. There is no need to close down any of these schools,” she said to loud applause.
DECA won’t close, may face cuts By Deborah Alberto
DeKalb Early College Academy, a tiny high school with only 137 students, has nothing to fear from the DeKalb School System’s chopping block. That is the word from interim School Superintendent Ramona Tyson. “The program is not closing,” she told parents and students at a March 22 meeting called by the school’s PTA. “The proposed option that is on the table is a cut in some of the resources to the school, but I will tell you that we are going to do everything possible to keep the program running.” Fearing that budget-tightening measures targeting low-enrollment elementary schools might extend to it, the PTA called school officials to the Stone Mountain school to plead their case. As part of its efforts to balance its 20102011 budget, the school system is looking to cut $115 million. So far it has proposed trimming eight of DECA’s 14 teachers. The PTA said cuts that deep would detrimentally affect the school’s ability to operate and continue its success. “We’re a small school. How do we manage with less teachers?” asked parent Jackie Wilson. Tyson said that school officials have been massaging the budget at the weekly budget meetings and that every week, there is new,
updated information. She said they are looking for grants and for opportunities to increase class sizes so that they can get the maximum funding for the school. The school, which is funded in part by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation under the national “Jobs for the Future” initiative, focuses on academics. Dezsarae Gill, a student, said the school’s structured academic programs have helped her to grow. “I have gained selfconfidence and learned Dezsarae Gill how to exercise leadership skills,” she said. “Please don’t allow our students to become statistics.” The school’s test scores place it among the county’s top high schools. Students’ graduation test scores in all subjects average about 10 percent above their peers at traditional high schools. The school received a gold level award in 2009 from the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement for steady gains in achievement over its first four years. Robert Moseley, deputy chief superintendent for school operations, said the district’s grant writers are working to find money to keep DECA open. “No one is here to close DECA,” he said. “But it’s really about keeping DECA open.”
“Tee Off with DST” Charity Golf Tournament
April 24, 2010
Durham Lakes Golf Course • Fairburn, GA www.golfinvite.com/teeoffwithdst Come join us for some golf, fun and fellowship to raise funds for scholarships and service projects for our community. For more information or to register for the event, visit www.golfinvite.com/teeoffwithdst or contact Theresa Jackson at (404) 434-1101 or email teeoffwithdst@live.com
9
CrossRoadsNews
March 27, 2010
Ministry
Ray of Hope’s drama ministry will present “It’s Only a Test,” an Easter play exploring questions faced in tough situations.
Processions, sermonettes and drama for Holy Week observances Christians will be observing Easter with seven words – sermons, Passion plays, reenactments, Communion and foot washing – this week. Holy Week observances kick off March 28 at Greenforest Community Baptist Church with Palm Sunday worship services at 7:45 and 10:45 a.m. The church’s drama ministry will line the sidewalk entrance shouting “Hosanna, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” The Charleston Chapel Choir will be a guest choir at the 10:45 a.m. service. On March 31, its drama ministry will host a Passover Meal and the dramatization “Have You Seen My Son?” at the GreenforestMcCalep Early Learning Center. Those activities start at 6:30 p.m. This meal symbolizes the last meal Jesus had with his disciples. At its April 1 Maundy Thursday observance, members will take Communion and wash each other’s feet starting at 7 p.m. in the main sanctuary. On April 2, Good Friday Worship Service will be held in the main sanctuary at 7 p.m. to remind members of the Crucifixion and the coming Resurrection. On April 4, Resurrection Sunday, the church is hosting a Sunrise Service at 6:30 a.m. to commemorate Jesus’ early resurrection from the grave. The service will be followed by breakfast in the Family Life Center at 8:30 a.m. At 10:45 a.m., the church will host its first Easter Cantata “Shout for Joy” during the Resurrection morning service. Greenforest Baptist Church is at 3250 Rainbow Drive in Decatur. For more information, call 404-486-1120.
be in the Student University Center Auditorium, 44 Courtland St., in downtown Atlanta.
Second Shady Grove Baptist Church On April 4, the Second Shady Grove Baptist Church is kicking off its “God’s Early Hour of Power” at 8:30 a.m. The service will feature music by the worship artists Harmony and others under the direction of PasLocal Holy Week observances include Maundy Thursday tor and Director of Music Lasalle and Good Friday services. Smith. The Second Shady Grove Baptist Church The noon service will feature guest preachers. A free meal will served after the is at 1005 Hardin St. in Conyers. For more information, call 770-483-0182 service. At 7 p.m. the church will host seven or e-mail 2ndshadygrove@gmail.com. pastors from across metro Atlanta for its St. Mark Lutheran Church 90-minute Seven Words sermonettes. Three Lutheran congregations will be On Easter Sunday, April 4, the women of Rainbow will stage the play “The Challenge holding a joint Palm Sunday procession and of the Cross” at 9 a.m. Sunday worship service begins at 10 a.m. Rainbow Park Baptist Church is at 2941 Columbia Drive in Decatur. For more information, call 404-277-4952.
Ray of Hope Christian Church Easter Morning worship service on April 4 starts at 7:30 in the main sanctuary at the Ray of Hope Christian Church in Decatur, At 10 a.m., the church’s drama ministry will present “It’s Only a Test,” an Easter play exploring questions about what to do when faced with tough situations. The play focuses on the life of Deacon Lester James as God tests him during difficult ordeals. The church is at 2778 Snapfinger Road. Rainbow Park Baptist Church The church also is holding an Easter worRainbow Park Baptist Church will be ship at 6 p.m. at Georgia State University in hosting its third annual Good Friday services collaboration with the Anointed Expressions at noon and at 7 p.m. on April 2. Ministry of Georgia State. The service will
service on March 28 at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Tucker. The procession, which commemorates the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem, begins at 9:45 a.m. The joint worship service H. Gebremichael starts at 10. Dr. Wilton Heyliger of Incarnate Word Lutheran Church will preach the sermon, and Vicar Hiruy Gebremichael of Wengelawit Lutheran Church and the Rev. Ray L. Borchelt of St. Mark Wilton Heyliger will conduct the liturgy. Other Holy Week events include an Easter breakfast, which will raise funds for the Lutheran Youth Fellowship, on April 4. St. Mark is at 2110 Brockett Road. For more information, call 770-938-4541.
Worship Services: ...........Sundays – 7:45 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Church School: ...............Sundays – 9:30 a.m. Victory Chapel: ...............Sundays – 11:00 a.m. (Ages 5-16) Prayer Service: ...............Wednesdays – 6:30 p.m. Chapel Bible Study: ....................Wednesdays – 7:00 p.m. Mid-Wk Communion.......Wednesdays B4 First Sunday - 11:30 a.m.
“Come on and be a part of the vision” First Afrikan Church is an Afrocentric Christian Ministry that empowers women, men, youth and children to move from membership to leadership in the church, community and the world. 5197 Salem Road Lithonia, GA 30038 Praise & Devotion Worship Service Sundays at 10 a.m.
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CrossRoadsNews
March 27, 2010
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CrossRoadsNews
March 27, 2010
MARKETPLACE RATES 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.
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LOAN MODIFICATION CNBC.COM reports that private sector companies are doing better than The Obama Program. We do the following: • Reduce payments • Reduce principal amount • Investment property eligible • 95% success rate • We succeed where NACA fails Richcore and Associates
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DeKalb/Kirkwood - 2 & 4bd duplex with appls., CHA, hardwood floors, W/D conn., off-street parking, water paid, lg back yard. Contact: CBG Real Estate 404.523.6136. River Rd & Fairview area Renovated 2/3 bdrm, new appliances, crpt, 2-car gar SEC 8 welcome from $600 mth, 404-622-2500
LOANS & MORTGAGES 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. www.thesamuelgroupinc. com. 404-870-9070.
SERVICES
Decatur North Dekalb mall area Spacious, 4bdrm,2 full bths,w/ hard wood floors from $625 mth, SEC 8 OK, 404-622-2500
Sunshine Virtual Business Solutions. Independent Contractor. Certified Professional Medical Biller. Call: 404-856-0750.
Decatur South DeKalb mall area remodeled 2/3 bdrm/2 bths,crpt,appli,fin-bsmt fenced yrd,from $650 SEC 8 OK! 404622-2500
Stop Foreclosure, Repossession and Garnishment. Chapter 7 Bankruptcy document preparation. $250 for an individual. Call 770-896-5502.
Henry Stockbridge-Banks & East Panola area 2 story home,3/4bdrm,new appli,fenced yrd,W/gar SEC 8 welcome, from $600 mth 404-622-2500
$39.95 / mo Unlimited Talk Unlimited Text
Nationwide Coverage * No Contract * No Credit Check * Keep your same number * Phones $29 & up * Use any Verizon Phone
404-525-6902
22.95 $ .95 39 $
Oil, Filter, Lube, Most Vehicles With Coupon. Expires3/31/2010
WINTERIZE SPECIAL
+ Tax
Radiator Flush, Check Belts & Hoses. With Coupon. Expires3/31/2010
25
$
$
.00
OFF
+ Tax
ANY MECHANICAL REPAIR OVER $150
2975 S. Rainbow Drive • Decatur, GA 30034
Expires3/31/2010
100
BODY REPAIR .00 ANYOVER $1,000 Prices Good at Decatur Location Only OFF Expires3/31/2010
Hours: Mon-Fri • 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Your Source for Neighborhood News
offers Tutoring, 5-week Summer Youth Enrichment Program, Educational Workshops including Leadership, Pre-Entry prevention program, entrepreneurship, financial wisdom, character building and many more. Registration now open.
Call 404-284-1888 for Advertising Rates & Information
Blessed to be a Blessing for YOU & YOUR CHILDREN 3653 Flakes Mill Road, Decatur GA 30034 (Located inside the Publix Plaza @ Flakes Mill & Flat Shoals Pkwy)
Call LaTeehah for affordable prices!
404-279-2631
Catering to your hair care needs Specializing In Sew Ins $50 - Micro Braids – Cornrows Natural Hair – Braids w/ Weave – Twists & more
To register, visit www.fountainoflifecc.org or call 404-244-4161.
Wireless Global Solutions Serving Metro Atlanta
3726 Panthersville Rd Decatur, GA
Clear At South DeKalb Is Now a "Clear Payment Center." Make Your Clear Payment In "CASH"
(Panthersville/River Rd @ Chevron)
404-831-9161
2954 S. Rainbow Drive # 101 (Candler Point) Decatur, GA 30034
The Law Office of B.A. Thomas, LLC
OIL CHANGE SPECIAL
Fountain of Life Community Center
SCI Communications
Career Wellness Training Center, Inc. 2010 Classes: ■ CPR Certification ■ Spanish ■ English Classes for the Spanish Community ■ How to Stop Drinking & Smoking Call 678-907-0415 404-549-2704
School Law Attorney Representing Teachers
HOME/VOICE $50.00 PER MONTH FOR 6 MONTHS
• HOME/MOBILE OR MOBILE/MOBILE $55 PER MO.* • HOME/VOICE/MOBILE OR HOME/MOBILE/MOBILE $75.00 PER MO. * (* FOR SIX MONTHS)
Please Call Today
MOBILE INTERNET $40 PER MONTH FOR 6 MONTHS
OFFERS EXPIRE 3/31/2010
BASIC HOME INTERNET $25.00
678-368-4504
“Kiosk/Store” located in South DeKalb Mall “In front of Footlocker” Monday-Saturday: 10am - 9pm • Sunday: 12:30pm - 6pm www.clearinternet.me • wirelessglobalsolutions@gmail.com
ATTENTION!!
Business Owners & Home-Based Businesses Place your products & services in front of 65 million-90 million viewers for $1.01 a day – that’s $369/year. *Infomercial taping begins April 10th Deadline to register is April 5th.
Call NOW
Derrick Dixie 404-295-4192 or JD Murray 404-219-3801
www.blackshoppingchannel.com/cabinet
White Oak Hills Academy SUMMER CAMP 2010
June 1 – August 6 Camp Fees: Camp Hours: 9am-4pm Reservation fee $50
Before Care: 6:30a.m-9am After Care: 4pm-6pm
(non-refundable)
Weekly Fee: $65
Breakfast and Lunch provided by Camp. BASKETBALL CAMP May 24-May 28 7:30am-6pm $65 per child A healthy snack will be provided. Campers must bring their own lunch this week.
White Oak Hills 5171 Redan Road Stone Mountain, Ga 30088 770-498-7992
12
CrossRoadsNews
March 27, 2010
Don’t Miss These Month-End Markdowns! 2008 Dodge
Magnum SE Automatic, Power Package, Stk#A1048 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt LT
2008 Ford Focus SE
Automatic, Power Package, Stk#A1023
Automatic, Power Package, Stk#F9141
2008 Nissan Altima 2.5 S
2008 Ford Escape XLT
10,997
$
11,888
$
2009 Chevrolet Cobalt LT
14,888
$
14,888
2007 Ford F-150 XLT
2006 BMW 325i Sedan
Crew Cab, V8, Power Package, Stk#A1044
17,888
$
Leather, Moonroof, Wheels, Stk#M8307
17,997
$
2008 Ford Fusion SE
Automatic, Power Long Bed, Work Truck, Automatic, Power Package, Stk#A1022 Stk#A1029 Package, Stk#P9183
11,997
12,997
$
$
2008 Dodge Magnum SE
Automatic, Power Moonroof, Wheels, Power Automatic, Power Package, Stk#P9130 Package, Stk#P9168 Package Stk#A1026 $
2006 Ford F-150 XL
14,995
$
2005 Mercedes-Benz C320 4MATIC AWD Leather, Moonroof, Wheels, Stk#A1042
18,997
$
2005 Ford Explorer XLT
13,888
$
YOUR CHOICE:
12 995
$
14,997
2006 Ford F-150 XLT
2006 Nissan Altima 2.5 S
18,997
Automatic, Power Package, Stk#A1061
2006 Nissan Altima 2.5 S
2006 Nissan Altima 2.5 S
Automatic, Power Package, Stk#A1032
Automatic, Power Package, Stk#A1034
Automatic, Power Package, Stk#A1033
2006 Ford F-150 STX
2006 Chevrolet Silverado K1500 LS
2007 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT
13,995
$
2007 Honda Accord SE
15,995
15,997
$
$
2007 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE
2006 Ford F-150 XLT
Crew Cab, V8, Power Leather, Wheels, Crew Cab, V8, Power Package, Stk#A1040 Moonroof, Stk#A1047 Package, Stk#A1046 $
Fusion SEL
,
Leather, 3rd Seat, Wheels, Power Package, V8, Power Package, Loaded! Stk#A1041 Automatic, Stk#A1051 Wheels, Stk#A1039 $
2008 Ford
19,995
19,997
$
$
13,997
$
13,997
$
2008 Ford Fusion SE
2006 Volvo S40 T5
13,997
$
2007 Ford Edge SE
2008 Honda Accord LX
Automatic, Power Leather, Wheels, Package, Stk#A1035 Moonroof, Stk#A1007 $
14,497
Crew Cab, V8, Power Package, Stk#A1018
Crew Cab, V8, Power Package, Stk#P9163
Automatic, Power Package, Stk#P9185
Automatic, Power Package Stk#A1030
2008 Ford F-150 XLT
2007 Mercedes-Benz E350
2007 BMW 530i
Plus! Many more to choose from!
15,997
$
16,888
$
16,997
$
Crew Cab, V8, Power Leather, Moonroof, Wheels, Leather, Moonroof, Wheels, Package, Stk#A1050 Navigation, Stk#M8318 Navigation, Stk#A1052
20,888
$
24,997
$
25,995
$
16,997
$
Prices plus tax, tag and title.
ALL NEW LOCATION! I-20, Exit Wesley Chapel To Snapfinger Woods Drive • Decatur
Sales Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00am - 8:00pm • Sat 9:00am - 8:00pm • Sun Closed
1-800-640-9458
Parts & Service Hours: Mon-Fri 7:00am - 7:00pm • Sat 7:00am - 4:00pm • Sun Closed
www.mcautoatl.com We Now Rent & Sell
Come In Today For ALL of Your Service, Collision and Pre-Owned Needs!
PENSKE TRUCKS! 404-299-6465
SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE SERVICE
FREE
1 DAY LOANER CAR
FREE
DETAIL
PARTS AND LABOR PARTS AND LABOR
WITH EVERY 30/60/90 SERVICE
up to $400
Valid Only At Malcolm Cunningham Auto Gallery or Malcolm Cunningham Ford Lincoln Mercury.
over $400
Valid Only At Malcolm Cunningham Auto Gallery or Malcolm Cunningham Ford Lincoln Mercury.
Offer only applies to recommended premium maintenance services. See Service Advisor for details. Plus shop supplies and tax where applicable. Please present coupon when order is written. Not valid with previous charges or with any other coupons or specials. Coupon has no cash value. Expires 4/30/2010.
See Service Advisor for details. Not valid with previous charges or with any other coupons or specials. Discounts based on individual dealer’s pricing guide. Expires 4/30/2010.
When Safety and Quality Count Choose...
Malcolm Cunningham Ford Lincoln Mercury & Auto Gallery’s Service, Parts & Collision Center •Free Computerized Estimates •Our Collision Centers are Preferred By All Insurance Companies •All Makes and Models Repaired by Factory Trained Technicians Please Contact
Art Krauss
-Body Shop Manager 4334 Snapfinger Woods Drive DECATUR
www.malcolmcunninghamautogallery.com
1-800-640-9458
SALES HOURS PARTS AND SERVICE HOURS BODY SHOP HOURS Monday - Friday: 9:00 am - 8:00 pm Monday - Friday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm Monday - Friday: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm Saturday: 9:00 am - 8:00 pm Saturday: 7:00 am - 4:00 pm Saturday: 8:00 am - 1:00 pm Sunday: Closed Sunday: Closed Sunday: Closed
•Computerized Factory Color Matching System •Limited Lifetime Warranty •Genuine Factory Replacement Parts •On Site Rental Cars Available
2
Convenient Locations!
Please Contact
Lenny Bishop
-Body Shop Manager 5675 Peachtree Industrial INSIDE THE PERIMETER
www.malcolmcunninghamflm.com
770-621-0200
SALES HOURS PARTS AND SERVICE HOURS BODY SHOP HOURS Monday - Friday: 9:00 am - 8:00 pm Monday - Friday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm Monday - Friday: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm Saturday: 9:00 am - 8:00 pm Saturday: 7:00 am - 4:00 pm Saturday: 8:00 am - 1:00 pm Sunday: Closed Sunday: Closed Sunday: Closed
5C (10.5”) X 16” 20232-MCAQ (3/27) Crossroads fc (mp)
WILD CARD COUPON 10% OFF 15% OFF
SPECIALS SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE SERVICE 30/60/90,000 MILES