CrossRoadsNews, May 12, 2012 by CrossRoadsNews, Inc.

SCHOOLS

SCENE

DeKalb County Schools has announced it will close Parent Resource Centers at 11 schools, most of them located in South DeKalb. 8

Seven DeKalb and metro Atlanta women were guests of Mereda Davis-Johnson at Michelle Obama’s Congressional Club Luncheon. 9

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May 12, 2012

Volume 18, Number 2

www.crossroadsnews.com

Supporters, opponents gearing up for T-SPLOST fight By Donna Williams Lewis

In less than three months, voters in DeKalb County and across metro Atlanta will decide whether to pay an additional penny in sales tax over the next 10 years for regional transportation improvements. About $8 billion for 150 projects is at stake, and supporters of the plan are ramping up their promotional efforts with a blitz of phone “surveys,” billboards, ads, YouTube videos and other grass-roots efforts. Supporters say the Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, or T-SPLOST, will help unsnarl traffic across metro Atlanta, create thousands of jobs, and strengthen the region’s economy.

“We are getting more in transportation improvements than we are going to be putting out.”

“We were promised rail 20 years ago. Now they’re asking us to go back to the back of the bus and wait again.”

Burrell Ellis, DeKalb CEO

Commissioner Larry Johnson

After a lengthy process that included public involvement, 21 elected officials representing 10 counties agreed Oct. 13 on a $6.1 billion project list. The regional plan would bring $1.3 billion in improvements to DeKalb County. That’s 21 percent of the $6.1 billion. DeKalb’s sales tax would rise from 7 cents

ting out,” he said. “Some counties are getting a 70 percent on their investment. Still, they support the referendum because they understand the importance of being connected to the region. They understand we’re laying the foundation for future growth.” But the referendum is on shaky ground in DeKalb County, mostly over one massive bone of contention – there is no money for expansion of MARTA’s rail system along the I-20 corridor. Instead of rail, anticipated for decades, DeKalb would get $225 million to build five “park-and-ride/transit centers” billed as the potential precursors to heavy rail between the

to 8 cents on the dollar, one of the highest in metro Atlanta. DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis said that with $800 million expected to be raised by the tax in DeKalb, the county would see a 160 percent return on its investment. “We are getting more in transportation improvements than we are going to be put- Please see T-SPLOST, page 5

Happy Mother’s Day

‘She’s always there to help’ Motherhood a badge of honor for Lithonia mom By Donna Williams Lewis

Lenise Bostic, who describes herself as a “recovering pregaholic” in her humorous blog, poses with her eight children, ranging in age from 13 years to 9 months old.

Ynice Bostic, 6, loves her mom because “she’s nice and she takes us places even when we don’t deserve it.” “The thing I like about my mom,” said Ynice’s sister, Nya, 9, “is that when I’m frustrated, she’s always there to help with my work, and she’s nice and cooperative.” Mom in this case is Lenise Bostic, who will get a ton of hugs and kisses this Sunday in honor of Mother’s Day along with the annual children-produced family talent show. Bostic, 35, and her husband, Cory, 34, of Lithonia are the parents of eight children ranging in age from 13 years to 9 months old. Bostic explains her large brood in “myeightkids,” her humorous blog on wordpress .com. “I am not Octomom, or Kate Plus 8, or even the old woman in the shoe,” she wrote last summer in her inaugural blog. “I am simply a pregaholic! I wear it proudly! I love being pregnant and having children.” Now that she is no longer pregnant, BosJennifer Ffrench Parker / CrossRoadsNews tic dubbed herself “a recovering pregaholic” third-grade classroom at Atlanta’s Toomer who has moved into “momaholic.” Elementary School. In this day and economic age, most “I still don’t think ‘mother.’ I think best friend. We’ve Meanwhile, Cory, a freelance musician people are choosing to have no more than known each other a very long time and it just happened and traveling elementary band teacher, two or three children. that we had some of the same goals. … This journey makes sure everyone is ready to land where The average preferred number of chilwith the children – we just got to enjoy it together.” they need to go – either to day care; walking dren in U.S. families is 2.5, according to a to Browns Mill Elementary School or to the Cory Bostic Gallup Poll released last summer. bus stop; or riding to Chapel Hill Middle But Bostic and her husband are not your School. average parents. as well.” Bostic’s mother, says her daughter has always When after-school activities are done, it’s Not only do they have an extra-large famAfter helping to get her own kids’ day dinner by 6:30 or 7. ily, both parents work. She is an elementary been “a people kind of person.” “She loves children,” says Shackelford, started, Bostic heads out before 7 a.m. to school teacher and Cory is a musician. Renee Shackelford of Stone Mountain, “not only in her personal life, but at school spend the day with even more children in her Please see BOSTIC, page 2

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Community

CrossRoadsNews

May 12, 2012

Qualifying for primaries and nonpartisan races begins at 9 a.m. on May 23 and ends at noon on May 25.

Primer for school board Aspiring School Board candidates can find out what it takes to become a DeKalb Board of Education member at an informational meeting May 17 in Decatur. The 7-to-8 p.m. meeting is being hosted by eduKALB, an education political action committee. It takes place at the Mary Gay House, 716 W. Trinity Place in downtown Decatur. Nonpartisan seats representing School Board districts 2, 4, 6 and 8 are up for election on July 31. Qualifying is from 9 a.m. on May 23 to noon on May 25. For more information, visit www.edukalb.org.

First forum for candidates Candidates seeking offices in the July 31 primaries can discuss their platforms at a May 17 political forum being hosted by the South DeKalb Business Association at the Porter Sanford Performing Arts Center in Decatur. The forum, which starts at 5:30 p.m., will be moderated by Jocelyn Dorsey, WSB-TV’s director of editorials and public affairs. Qualifying for the Democratic and Republican primaries begins at 9 a.m. May 23 and ends at noon on May 25. The Porter Sanford Center is at 3181 Rainbow Drive. For more information, e-mail info@sdba-inc.org.

Mother knows when to be a mom and when to be a friend BOSTIC,

from page

One recent evening, Ynice, who’s best at putting away everyone’s shoes, was busy at her job. Raekwan made the rice that would go with the peas and her father’s curry chicken. Nya practiced her trumpet. Cori was outside with her dad to practice basketball, and the younger children were nestled together on the couch to watch “The Lion King.” It was a scene so calm that it was easy to forget there were actually eight kids around. Financially managing a family so large takes “a lot of prayer,” Bostic said. “Every dollar counts.” She said she learned to stretch a dollar from her own mother. “You pay for things that are extremely important – food, shelter and car note – and budget everything else,” she said. “If it doesn’t fit in the budget, don’t do it.” Bostic said that managing her family “doesn’t take a lot of money but that it does take a lot of love.” “We’ve got plenty of that,” she said last week. Bostic and her husband are a couple who were meant to be. They were high school sweethearts who knew even back at Redan High in Stone Mountain that they each wanted to have a large family, though neither of them came from one. Bostic has a brother and a sister. Cory grew up as an only child but now has three siblings under the age of 15. The two started dating in the 10th grade. In senior year, Cory asked Lenise how many children she wanted. “I went out on a limb and said, ‘nine,’ ” she said. “He said, ‘Me too!’” They married in 1999 at the age of 20 and the Bostic baby assembly line went into full production. “I have an awesome husband, and he just loves the kids,” Bostic said. “I wouldn’t even think about doing this with anybody else on this earth.” The feeling is mutual for Cory. “I still don’t think ‘mother,’” he said. “I think best friend. We’ve known each other a very long time and it just happened that we had some of the same goals. … This journey with the children – we just got to enjoy it together.” Their brood consists of seven girls and a boy – George, 6 years old, who is one of their only set of twins. The older girls – Cori Renee, 13; Raekwan, 12; Nya, 9; Jada, 8; and Ynice, 6 – enjoy doing each other’s hair, which helps Mom tremendously. The youngest girls are Sandy, 2, and Bobbi Willo, 9 months. Will they get to that number nine someday? Bostic laughs and adds that they are “really happy” right now. “But if we get blessed with another one,” she said, “we’ll welcome them, too.” She probably wouldn’t get any grief from her mother, who said she is happy with her daughter’s choice to have a large family. “I love it because they’re all beautiful and they behave so well,” Shackelford said. Big sister Cori says her brother and Renee Shackelford sisters get on her nerves sometimes. “But I really love them,” she said. “I don’t know what I would do without them.” She also is aware that they model her behavior. “I have a goal of all A’s,” she said, “so all of a sudden everybody else in the house wants to get all A’s.”

Jennifer Ffrench Parker / CrossRoadsNews

Cory and Lenise Bostic were high school sweethearts who started dating in the 10th grade at Redan High School and got married in 1999 at the age of 20.

and Cory aren’t doing it on their own. “It takes a village,” she said. Her sister, Dionne, who has no children, comes by to visit every other weekend. Her brother, Andre, who also has no children, picks the kids up on Sundays for junior usher board duty at Saint Philip AME. Cori is president of the board. Lenise’s father, William Shackelford, helps out by shuttling kids to after-school activities, and the grandmothers on both sides of the family stand ready to take on the whole bunch whenever they come for visits. Friends and relatives have been generous with clothing. Her husband’s music gigs with his band, Grand Prize Winners From Last Year, help stretch his income. Bostic also teaches flute lessons to bring in extra money. She catches a break from it all from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sundays when she’s in Marietta for Flute Choir of Atlanta practice. She calls her time performing with the group her “sanctuary.” But what she lives for is her super-sized household, where every day, she says, is Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Bostic plans for her time with her children. “I talk to them and then listen,” she said. “I take time to listen to each one and to be generally interested in what they’re into. I see them all as individuals.” Bostic said her own mother is the same way. “I feel like I’m the only one in the world to her, and I know that my siblings and my kids feel the same way,” she said. Many helping hands Her mother-in-law, Cassandra Adams of Conyers, is The Bostics lead their family with lots of give-and-take much the same, Lenise said. “We can just talk.” among themselves. Cory handles the voluminous laundry, for example. Well-behaved bunch “I haven’t washed a load of clothes in over 10 years,” A family this size never goes unnoticed. Bostic said. “He hates mopping.” “The whole neighborhood knows the kids and keeps an So that’s her job and the job of some of her girls. eye out,” Lenise said. “Our families, the schools, the teachers Life works for them, but Bostic is quick to say that she at the schools, a lot of people care about our family and they

look out for us.” Sometimes, though, strangers observe this extra-large family with disapproving eyes, especially when Lenise is by herself with all of the kids or when the family sits down together at a restaurant or a movie. She said she knows what some folks may be thinking – either of a stereotype or that this large group will be unruly and ruin their outing. But she loves to watch attitudes change when people see that her children are so well-behaved. “The way to dispel stereotypes is to keep on living and don’t let anyone steal your joy,” Lenise said. Compliments from strangers are frequent. Once, during a rare outing to a Red Lobster restaurant, a couple near the Bostics were so impressed with the family that they bought a $50 gift card for them and had it delivered by the waiter as they slipped out. One of the family’s greatest moments to date was their 2009 trip to Washington for the inauguration of President Barack Obama. The story of the trip made against all odds is chronicled in Bostic’s September 2011 blog posting, which includes a link to news video about the family’s plan: http://www2.wsav .com/news/2009/jan/05/family_inauguration-ar-137772/. The video first aired locally on 11Alive but made its way quickly across the Internet. Bostic was determined that her then six children would be in D.C. to see history made. They had rented a bus, rented a house and had no tickets to the inauguration, but they were stunned to receive tickets from U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson two days before they were scheduled to leave. As the kids celebrate their mother on May 13, big sister Cori sums it up best. She says her mom knows when to be a mom and when to be a friend. “Sometimes you don’t want to hear all that ‘Mom’ stuff,” she said. “When I don’t know what to do, I have a plethora of people to call, but I call her first.”

May 12, 2012

Community

CrossRoadsNews

Qualifying for the July 31 Democratic and Republican primaries is May 23 to May 25.

More candidates announce plans to run in July 31 primaries By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

With qualifying just over a week away, political hopefuls are lining up for the 2012 primaries. In the 4th Congressional District, one Democrat and three Republicans are already in line to challenge Johnson, who has represented the district since 2007. Qualifying for the July 31 Democratic and Hank Johnson Republican primaries is May 23 to May 25. In the Democratic primary, Johnson is being challenged by Conyers businessman Courtney Dillard, who announced April 23. Dillard, who ran unsuccessfully for the Rock- Courtney Dillard dale County Board of Commissioners in 2010, says the election offers the opportunity to promote a new beginning and purpose in the district. He is a real estate developer who is also a minister and founder of the Prayer Room Organization Inc., and the Daily Prayer Show, and a member of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church.

Republicans lining up Greg Pallen, a self-described conservative Republican, announced last month that he is running against the Rev. J. Chris Vaughn, a humorist and radio talk-show host, and Catherine Davis for his party’s nomination so that he can challenge Democratic Rep. Hank Johnson in the Nov. 6 general elec-

for the newly created Georgia House District 92. Carter, who was on the City Council for four years, ran unsuccessfully for mayor last November. She has been active in the Greater Lithonia Chamber of Commerce and the Stonecrest Taskforce that helped secure a $10,000 LCI grant to develop growth Greg Pallen Catherine Davis J. Chris Vaughn strategies for the tion. Pallen, a Conyers businessman and Stonecrest area from the longtime resident of Oxford, Ga., officially Atlanta Regional Comlaunched his “Honest, Effective Government mission. The new House Dis… for a Change” campaign and went after trict 92 was carved out Johnson . “Rather than serve the citizens of the dis- of districts represented trict, our representative has served his own by state Reps. Pamela self-interests,” Pallen said in a press release. Stephenson and Darshun Doreen Carter Davis, a human resources professional Kendricks. who lives in Stone Mountain, is no stranger to the 4th District. She ran in 2002, 2004 School Board Retired DeKalb Depuand 2006. ty School Superintendent Vaughn, who lives in Conyers, announced Melvin Johnson is seeking in March that he is running because Johnson the District 6 seat being “consistently displays fringe, extremist beliefs vacated by School Board and actions that are out of touch with the Vice Chairman Thomas 4th District in our jobs, energy needs, family, Bowen, who has said he life, and faith.” will seek the District 4 seat Vaughn is lead pastor of Grace Summit on the DeKalb Board of Church in McDonough and a Henry County Melvin Johnson Commissioners. Police Department chaplain. Johnson, a longtime resident of Stone Johnson said Thursday that he is ready to Mountain, announced April 17 that he will defend his record and that voters should qualify for the July 31 primary. re-elect him because he is a man of his He has more than 37 years of experience word. “ I have done everything I said I was going in education, rising up from a classroom to do, and because there is still a lot more teacher to assistant principal, principal, area superintendent, and deputy superinwork to do.” tendent. During his 18 years in system-wide Georgia House leadership positions, Johnson said he got a In other races, former Lithonia City Council member Doreen Carter is running clear understanding of school governance.

He said if elected, he will collaborate with fellow board members and the superintendent to improve student achievement; increase fiscal and operational efficiencies; re-establish community trust; and promote a more harmonious, results-driven working relationship with the superintendent. Dr. Edward L. Bouie, who is chairing Johnson’s election committee, calls him “an outstanding educator” who understands the political process that is necessary to develop and implement policies to help all children rise to their highest levels of achievement. Since his retirement from the district in 2004, Johnson has served on the Redan Parent Advisory Board, DeKalb Youth Leadership Academy Development Committee and YMCA Academies board of directors.

Running for re-election Judge Gregory A. Adams is seeking reelection to a third term on the DeKalb Superior Court bench. Ad a ms , w h o wa s first elected in 2004, announced May 1 that he will run again. In 2007, he ran unopposed. He said he is very thankful to the citizens of DeKalb County for the support and trust that Gregory Adams they have demonstrated in the past. Before his election to the Superior Court bench, Adams was chief judge of the Juvenile Court for 10 years. The $45 million Juvenile Court complex on Memorial Drive in Decatur is named in his honor. Adams will not be the only Gregory Adams on the July 31 ballot. A former police officer with the same name is running for DeKalb CEO.

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May 12, 2012

The assistant principals are the ones in the trenches keeping your children safe and keeping order in the schools.

Keep assistant principals – they get the job done essary paperwork. Good I have no problem riddance! with Superintendent I am, however, conCheryl Atkinson getting cerned about the assistant rid of so-called graduaprincipals that might lose tion coaches. This was their jobs. They are the one of the most asinine backbones of our schools. positions ever created. They are the ones It served no purpose, teachers go to if a probhelped no one, and was Arnold Butler lem arises because they are a big waste of taxpayers’ money. All they did was walk always available. If anyone should around as if they were some type be replaced, it should be some of of important administrator, stay in their principals. The assistant principals are the their office, take long lunches, and overburden teachers with unnec- ones who really run the schools. You

can go into any elementary, middle, or high school – you will always see the assistant principal. They will be in the hallways, cafeteria and front office, while the principal is in his/ her office working on their dissertation during school time. The assistant principals are the ones in the trenches keeping your children safe and keeping order in the schools. If the assistant principals lose their job, your children’s health and well-being will be at risk, because for the first time some of the so-called principals will have

to earn their pay. Some are so used to delegating authority that the job of a principal has become only a figurehead. Superintendent Atkinson, instead of getting rid of the assistant principals, you should really consider replacing some of your “needs improvement” principals with assistant principals. This is the best way to demonstrate fiscal responsibility and maintain integrity in our schools. Arnold Butler Sr. blogs on www .crossroadsnews.com.

Boyer’s concerns over budget contradicted by other votes Why is Commissioner Elaine Boyer suddenly worried about the DeKalb County budget? Commissioner Boyer, DeKalb County District 1, has been quoted in the local papers recently as pressing DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis to come up with a budget that shows the loss of the revenue if Brookhaven becomes a city. This urgent request seems self-serving politically when Commissioner Boyer backed the formation of Dunwoody and now backs Brookhaven, both causing the county to lose $40 million to $50 million in annual revenue. Two of Commissioner Boyer’s appointments serve on county boards: Collette McDonald, Zoning Board, and Rebecca Williams, Zoning Board of Appeals. They formed the Citizens for North DeKalb (C4ND) and served on the board of directors until it shut down recently. This organization initiated fund-raising to hire the Carl Vinson Institute of Georgia to pro-

The county commissioners wanted to fund a study to learn of the impact of the loss of revenue from the formation of Brookhaven. Commissioner Boyer was the only commissioner to vote “no.” Laurenthia Mesh

vide a study supporting the cityhood movement. C4ND was the driving force behind cityhood. Williams and McDonald both actively promoted the cityhood initiative with e-mail newsletters and in the Dunwoody Crier. Both also have been active in Brookhaven Yes organization. Williams has a further conflict of interest. As co-owner and writer for the Dunwoody Crier, she has also violated her journalistic ethics by writing articles exclusively in favor of forming Brookhaven. She prohibits any anti-cityhood

arguments in her paper. The county commissioners wanted to fund a study to learn of the impact of the loss of revenue from the formation of Brookhaven. Commissioner Boyer was the only commissioner to vote “no” to conduct this study. Clearly Commissioner Boyer, Collette McDonald and Rebecca Williams have divided interests because they support taking more revenue away from the county while they campaign for formation of the new city. Can we trust these people to make good decisions on behalf of the citizens of DeKalb County? Why is Commissioner Boyer so anxious to have a revised budget now? Laurenthia Mesh is a member of Ashford Neighbors, a group opposed to the proposed city of Brookhaven from Perimeter Mall to Buford Highway. For information, visit www.Ashford Neighbors.org.

County’s actions foster push for new cities, annexations Brookhaven passes, and This is what happens there will be more. It is a when you go to sleep in solution to the nonsense a race. All the other parthat is DeKalb County ticipants pass you, and government. when you wake up you DeKalb County got have to do double-time to slack and lazy. Its politicatch up. cians became presumpThe unfortunate thing tuous. It had too many is that this rush to mupolitical and financial nicipalization and an- Elrado Ramsay nexation is not over. In less than 10 scandals. It took no opportunity to define years we will have had about six, if

a strategy that could improve the lives of all its people. It became a study in political mortuary science – a collective of caretaker hacks, and then 2008 came and took all the emperor’s clothes, i.e., stripped it bare. It does not take a rocket chemist to figure out that people who feel good about themselves care about what kind of government they have; care how they feel and about what

they see when they drive, walk or run around the place they live; care about the investment in growth for their political subdivision. As long as DeKalb County continues to be second-rate in its capacity to show all its citizens the way to prosperity, and not a place of high performance leadership and initiatives, more enclaves are going to peel off to do their own thing. Elrado Ramsay lives in Decatur.

Being a foreigner in China offers its own special challenges There is no normal way to walk down the street in China as a foreigner. Everyone I know who has lived here or visited for business and/or pleasure has similar stories. The level of attention we receive for simply being foreigners is unparalleled to any other country I have been in. Case in point: In 2008, my father came to China for a 10-day visit. During his stay, we visited Shanghai, Nanjing and Beijing. In Shanghai, we walked on the beautiful waterfront of the Bund. During our leisurely walk, we were approached by many Chinese people asking where we were from, what we were doing in China and whether or not it was OK to take pictures with us. The first few pictures were no problem, but after number 9,10,11, it started to get a little old. We had to strongly say, no more pictures!

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Then, in Tiananmen Square, in addition to the normal stares and people saying “Hello” in that hig h-pitched, I-just-learnedShakiri Murrain this-word sort of way, a number of people asked simply to walk with us so they could practice their English. Again, the beginning was fun, but after the sixth group of new friends we just wanted some personal time. This is not to say anything negative about the Chinese culture, but an observation of our cultural differences. With a nation opening so quickly to outside influence, there are many people who have honestly never seen a foreigner or much less come in direct contact with one. So

the process of interacting can be a little awkward at times. Simple things such as walking across the street can become an allout spectacle for people who look at you not like who is that, but more like what is that?? The only thing I could possibly liken it to in the Western world would be if you saw a person who was 8 feet tall. So to live in China and see this every day has many different outcomes. I have seen foreigners embrace their differences and see themselves as cultural ambassadors. But then some foreigners become infuriated when they are stared at, laughed at or just put in an uncomfortable situation for no other reason than that they are foreign. The third group of foreigners, and in my opinion the largest group, comprises those who learn to deal with the attention but have

a breaking point. Two weeks ago a good friend of mine from New York City brought his wife and three daughters to visit my current city of Suzhou. The daughters got lots of attention because of their hair. They all wore braids in different styles as are popular right now in the USA. But to the Chinese this was the most exotic sight ever! The youngest (about 8 years old) got the most attention. After a while crowds began to form around this interesting little girl. Then after a while, we had to just walk away. But the family got a taste of what it feels like to be 8 feet tall. And I hope they enjoyed it! Shakiri Murrain lives in Suzhou, China, a suburb of Shanghai. His father, Bill Murrain, lives in Conyers. Read his ChinaBlog at http:// crossroadsnews.com/blog/18349617/ JLStyle.

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CrossRoadsNews

May 12, 2012

T-SPLOST

For 40 years, DeKalb and Fulton counties and the city of Atlanta have collected a 1-cent sales tax for MARTA.

No counties or cities are exempt from tax if it is approved CONTINUED

from page

Mall at Stonecrest and central Atlanta. The stations would be at Stonecrest mall, Fairington Road/Lithonia Industrial Boulevard, Wesley Chapel Road, Candler Road and in East Atlanta. Funding is included for bus transit operations for at least 18 hours a day for the next 10 years. Larry Johnson, the DeKalb Board of Commissioners’ presiding officer, is among those opposing the tax. “We were promised rail 20 years ago,” Johnson said. “Now they’re asking us to go back to the back of the bus and wait again.” He and a growing list of South DeKalb elected officials and civic and community leaders are lobbying against T-SPLOST. They say it is past time for rail to be extended into South DeKalb to people in a county that is one of only two that have supported MARTA for decades. For 40 years, DeKalb and Fulton counties and the city of Atlanta have collected a 1-cent sales tax for MARTA. If it passes, the T-SPLOST’s penny tax would be on top of the existing tax. The biggest-ticket project slated for DeKalb is a $700 million extension of the rail system from the Lindbergh Center through the Clifton Corridor to the Emory/CDC complex. There would be five stations along the route. Among 16 other projects in DeKalb are the following: n Panola Road – $52 million to reconstruct the I-20 East/Panola Road interchange and to widen Panola Road from four to six lanes, from Covington Highway to Thompson Mill Road. n Glenwood Road – $5 million to expand the streetscape project by adding sidewalks, pedestrian crossings and street lighting. n North Indian Creek Drive – $5 million to improve pedestrian access and safety on North Indian Creek Road, from Memorial Drive to Montreal Road in Clarkston. T-SPLOST came out of the Transportation Investment Act of 2010, which provides a legal mechanism for regions throughout Georgia to impose a 1 percent sales tax to fund transportation improvements within their regions. The act established 12 transportation

districts that follow state-designated Regional Commission boundaries and created Regional Transportation Roundtables consisting of elected officials from the counties and cities within each region. Ellis represented DeKalb at the metro Atlanta Roundtable along with Decatur Mayor Bill Floyd. No counties or cities are exempt from the tax if it is approved by a majority of voters across the region. The metro Atlanta region includes Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale counties. DeKalb District 5 Commissioner Lee May, who has been a vocal opponent of the tax project list, said that the I-20 rail project should be funded to the level that DeKalb Lee May can receive rail in a 10-year window. “There are 25 things wrong with the leg-

Transportation forums scheduled Greater Lithonia Chamber The Greater Lithonia Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Transportation Forum on May 16. Panelists include ARC Land Use Division chief Dan Reuter, District 5 Commissioner Lee May, Citizens for Transportation Mobility communication strategist Jeff Dickerson, MARTA communication manager Lyle Harris, and former state Sen. Steen Miles. It takes place 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn, 7850 Stonecrest Square, Lithonia. There is a cost to attend if you are not a member of the chamber. islation,” he said. “I think many people were willing to overlook 24 of them if it were not for the one thing – fully funding I-20.” May has proposed that the county use the approximately $120 million it would generate in discretionary T-SPLOST funding over

DeKalb NAACP The DeKalb branch of the NAACP will hold a rally against the transportation tax on May 19 at 10 a.m. at Georgia Piedmont Technical College, 495 N. Indian Creek Drive, Clarkston. Community transportation forum CrossRoadsNews and the DeKalb League of Women Voters will host “The Transportation Penny Sales Tax – What It Means for DeKalb County” on June 11. The free forum takes place at 6:30 p.m. at the Porter Sanford Performing Arts Center, 3181 Rainbow Drive, Decatur. 10 years for a rail line from Indian Creek to the Wesley Chapel Road intersection, which he said was projected to cost $560 million. The discretionary money would be less CONTINUED on next page

M IN Y O M BRING THER’S DAT! O IF ON M A FREE Gs Last) FOR e Supplie il

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T-SPLOST in DeKalb At a glance n More than $1.3 billion to be spent in DeKalb County. n DeKalb gets 21 percent of the regional funding pot. n Two major mass transit projects, in the Clifton and I-20 corridors. n Sales tax would rise by one penny to 8 cents on the dollar. T-SPLOST election calendar Key election-related dates for TSPLOST in DeKalb County. n July 2: Last day to register to vote or to make changes in your voter registration for the July 31 general primary/ nonpartisan/ special election. n July 9: Early voting starts. Ends July 27. n July 31: T-SPLOST vote. Ballot question: “Shall DeKalb County’s transportation system and the transportation network in this region and the state be improved by providing for a 1 percent special district transportation sales and use tax for the purpose of transportation projects and programs for a period of ten years?” For more information Visit www.metroatlantatransporta tionreferendum.com.

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T-SPLOST

May 12, 2012

“If the referendum doesn’t pass, we fall behind regions that have already adopted transportation referendums.”

Proponents see express bus system for S. DeKalb as leverage From Previous Page

than half of the 50 percent local match normally required for federal funding for rail projects, however. May believes T-SPLOST will not pass the region if it does not pass overwhelmingly in DeKalb. If getting rail to Wesley Chapel cannot be accomplished in this first attempt at passing a T-SPLOST, then May says the list designers should start over and fix DeKalb’s portion. Fourth District U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson supports the referendum. “If you vote no, then you get nothing if it fails,” he said. “But if you help it pass, you get rail extended out the Emory University Hank Johnson corridor, which should increase ridership on MARTA, which strengthens MARTA in its ability to finance operations. “Then, as an added bonus during a weakened economy, you’re looking at creating jobs. More money will circulate throughout the area. It will be a good stimulus for the region.” Johnson said he felt South DeKalb’s pain over not getting rail in the plan. “I’m a firm supporter, always have been, of extending MARTA out to Stonecrest … and into Rockdale County,” he said. “But we’ve got to look at our current reality as opposed to our angst about how DeKalb has been treated in the past – $225 million for bus rapid transit along the I-20 corridor is nothing to turn up your nose at.” Johnson and Ellis say the express bus system for South DeKalb would be a huge boost

Transportation Special Purpose Local Options final investment list Here’s a summary of the projects planned for south-central DeKalb County. For a complete list, visit metroatlantatransportationreferendum.com.

Quarry Road in DeKalb County. The four-lane extension will provide an alternate route for access to the Stonecrest mall area. n Project length: 1.6 miles n Funding commitments: $27 million in TIA funds n Construction likely to occur: 2016-2019

TIA-M-028: Clifton Corridor Transit - Lindbergh Center to Emory University/Centers for Disease Control Funds rail transit service in the Clifton Corridor with five stations from Lindbergh Center to Emory University’s Clairmont campus. n Project length: 3.7 miles n Funding commitments: $700 million in TIA funds n Construction likely to occur: 2020-2022

TIA-DK-021: Clifton Road at CSX Railroad - Bridge Replacement and Associated Improvements to Haygood Road Rebuild and expand the bridge over CSX Railroad, add sidewalks and bike lanes, and resurface and realign Haygood Road. n Project length: 0.5 mile n Funding commitments: $25 million in TIA funds. n Construction likely to occur: 2016-2019

TIA-M-023: I-20 East Transit Corridor Improvements Provide for park-and-ride/transit center infrastructure investment and bus transit operations along a route generally parallel to I-20 and connecting with the existing MARTA system either in downtown Atlanta or at the Indian Creek station. n Project length: N/A n Funding commitments: $225 million n Construction likely to occur: 2013-2022 TIA-DK-030: Hayden Quarry Road/Sigman Road Extension from Turner Hill Road to I-20 East - New Alignment Extend Sigman Road south of I-20 on a new alignment from the I-20 interchange (Exit 78) in Rockdale County to Hayden

toward getting rail extended to Stonecrest. They say it would potentially leverage federal dollars for a heavy rail system whose cost has been estimated at $1.8 billion. Without this “significant down payment,” Ellis maintains, extension of the rail line would not be possible. “Transit systems cannot be built without federal funding,” Ellis said. “If the referendum doesn’t pass, we fall behind other regions that have already ad-

TIA-DK-043: Panola Road from Thompson Mill Road to U.S. 278 (Covington Highway) Widen Panola Road from four to six lanes from Covington Highway to Thompson Mill Road. Other design elements include intersection improvements, bike lanes and pedestrian features. n Project length: 2.1 miles n Funding commitments: $15.1 million in TIA funds with proposed federal funding match for total $30.3 million. n Construction likely to occur: 2013-2015 TIA-DK-055: I-20 East at Panola Road - Interchange Improvements The interchange would be reconstructed within the same time frame

opted transportation referendums. And the competition for federal dollars is becoming more and more fierce.” Expanded transit service in the I-20 East Corridor has been identified for more than 15 years as a high priority of MARTA’s board of directors, according to a resolution approved by the board on April 9. The resolution adopts a “locally preferred alternative” – Heavy Rail Transit (HRT) 3 – for the I-20 corridor.

The unfunded plan would extend heavy rail from the Indian Creek station to the Mall at Stonecrest. MARTA studies have shown that inadequate right of way and protected neighborhoods with historic designations make it unfeasible to build rail along I-20 inside of I-285, particularly west of the Glenwood Road exit. So the agency has proposed bus rapid transit service that would serve riders on

METROPOLITAN ATLANTA RAPID TRANSIT AUTHORITY

Notice of Public Hearings – May 15 & 17, 2012 Notice is hereby given that the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority will hold public hearings for the purpose of considering

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Copies of the proposed budget will also be available at MARTA’s Office of External Affairs, 2424 Piedmont Road, N.E. Atlanta, Georgia 30324 during regular business hours, Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For formats (FREE of charge) in accordance with the ADA and Limited English Proficiency regulations contact (404) 8484037. For those patrons requiring further accommodations, information can be obtained by calling the Telephone Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 404 848-5665. In addition, a sign language interpreter will be available at all hearings. If you cannot attend the hearings and want to provide comments you may: (1) leave a message at (404) 848-

5299; (2) write to MARTA’s Office of External Affairs, 2424 Piedmont Road, N.E. Atlanta, GA 30324-3330; (3) complete an online Comment Card at www.itsmarta.com; (4) or fax your comments no later than May 25, 2012 to (404) 848-4179. All citizens of the City of Atlanta and the counties of Fulton, DeKalb, Clayton and Gwinnett whose interests are affected by the subjects to be considered at these hearings are hereby notified and invited to appear at said times and places and present such evidence, comment or objection as their interests require.

Riding MARTA: Walk one block west of Decatur Station.

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CrossRoadsNews

May 12, 2012

T-SPLOST

“Don’t call us the spoiler. We’ve always been collaborative and the catalyst in the region.”

Time for DeKalb County to get its full share, opponent says as the separate project to widen Panola Road. (see DK-043). n Project length: Not applicable n Funding commitments: $10.6 million in TIA funds plus a federal funding match for a total of $21.2 million. n Construction likely to occur: 2016-2019 TIA-DK-048: Rockbridge Road from Memorial Drive to S.R. 124 (Rock Chapel Road) - Corridor Improvements Turn lanes will be added at key intersections. Traffic signals will be upgraded. Sidewalks, bike lanes and enhanced pedestrian crossings are planned. Pedestrian facilities and bike lanes will tie into trail locations. n Project length: 9.6 miles n Funding commitments: $7.5 million in TIA funds n Construction likely to occur: 2013-2015 TIA-DK-033: North Indian Creek Drive from Memorial Drive to Montreal Road - Corridor Improvements Improve pedestrian access and safety on North Indian Creek Road, from Montreal Road in the city of Clarkston to Memorial Drive. Design elements may include sidewalks, bike lanes, traffic signal upgrades, turn lanes and enhanced pedestrian crossings. n Project length: 1.9 miles n Funding commitments: $5 million in TIA funds n Construction likely to occur: 2013-2015 TIA-DK-007: Decatur to Clifton Corridor Redesign existing roads and intersections to create complete streets

I-20 from inside I-285 to central Atlanta with limited stops at all-day service stations rather than typical bus stops. The resolution, which assumes success of the T-SPLOST, asks the Atlanta Regional Commission to support full funding of the “first minimum operable segment” of HRT 3 as the highest priority regional project for Federal Transit Administration New Starts major transit capital investment funding. Frederick L. Daniels Jr., chairman of

connecting Decatur residents and MARTA riders to the Clifton Corridor. Increases safety and connectivity to existing and planned transit facilities. n Project length: 3.2 miles n Funding commitments: $5 million in TIA funds. n Construction likely to occur: 2013-2015 TIA-DK-022: U.S. 278 (College Ave./N. Avondale Road) from Adair Street/Atlanta Ave. to N. Clarendon Ave. - Corridor Improvements Provide a complete street that connects Decatur and Avondale Estates and may include bike lanes, sidewalks, enhanced crossings to transit and businesses, and infrastructure improvements. n Project length: 2.3 miles n Funding commitments: $5 million in TIA funds n Construction likely to occur: 2013-2015 TIA-DK-029: Glenwood Road from Candler Road to U.S. 278 (Covington Highway) - Corridor Improvements Improve pedestrian access and safety and expand the streetscape project, possibly with raised medians, sidewalks, landscaping and lighting. n Project length: 4.1 miles n Funding commitments: $5 million in TIA funds n Construction likely to occur: 2013-2015 – Source: Atlanta Regional Roundtable

wonderful opportunity we can see MARTA’s board of directors, has in our lifetime.” lived in South DeKalb for more But Larry Johnson wants rail than 30 years. now, and his Web site, www. MARTA cannot take a position rally4railnow.com, has the support on T-SPLOST, but Daniels spoke of fellow Commissioners Lee May, personally in support of the refSharon Barnes Sutton and Stan erendum, saying it would create a Watson. The site advocates “fully great foundation to build upon. “I really do believe that this op- Frederick Daniels funding” rail for South DeKalb and says T-SPLOST will not pass portunity that we have will not be replicated if it fails,” Daniels said. “This is a in DeKalb if it is not included.

The Georgia Sierra Club also has come out against T-SPLOST, saying it continues the current practice of favoring highway construction over commuting alternatives. Some political leaders say DeKalb and Fulton are key to passing T-SPLOST, and referendum supporters are pushing DeKalb to “think regionally.” Johnson bristles when he hears DeKalb being called the potential “spoiler” for TSPLOST. “Don’t call us the spoiler,” he said, pointing to the county’s funding for MARTA and the Grady Health System. “We’ve always been collaborative and the catalyst in the region.” Grady Memorial Health System receives no state funding and receives local funding for indigent care only from DeKalb and Fulton counties. DeKalb’s current agreement with Grady started in 1984 and payments from DeKalb average about $22 million annually. Ellis, too, said DeKalb has a legacy of regional behavior. “We elected to participate in a regional transportation system that would extend beyond the boundaries of this county,” Ellis said. “Now the voters John Evans have an opportunity to continue that tradition of progress.” The NAACP’s John Evans said it is time for DeKalb to get its full share. “We’ve been promised for the last 20 years that they were going to expand the rail system and I-20 would be the priority,” he said. “Now they want to expand the tax base … and they still don’t give us our fair share.”

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CrossRoadsNews

May 12, 2012

The system’s Title I schools will be “encouraged” to establish individual parent centers to serve local parent populations.

DeKalb closing 11 Parent Resource Centers at Title I schools By Carla Parker

Eleven Parent Resource Centers, located predominantly at impoverished South De Kalb elementary and middle schools, are on the chopping block. DeKalb Schools spokesman Walter Woods confirmed this week that the centers – which offer the use of computers, books and other educational materials for parents to help their children in pre-k to 12th grade succeed in school – will close June 29. Parents could use the centers on-site as well as check out materials from their lend ing libraries. The centers, which opened in 2005, are located at McLendon Elementary, Cedar Grove Middle, Chapel Hill Middle, Columbia Middle, McNair Middle and Towers High in Decatur; Jolly Elementary in Clarkston; Fairington Elementary in Lithonia; and E.L. Miller Elementary in Stone Mountain. Cen ters are also at Sequoyah Middle in Doraville and Cross Keys High in Atlanta. They offer parents help with CRCT test ing materials. Other resources are focused on instruction, economics, health and cultural issues. Some centers also offered fall work shops that help students transition from elementary to middle school/middle to high school; improve study, math and basic com puter skills; and provide financial aid tips for prospective college students. DeKalb has 91 Title I schools, schools with high numbers or percentages of poor children that are funded through the Georgia Department of Education to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic content and student academic achievement standards. The resource centers are regionally locat ed and serve parents from all of the district’s Title I schools. Woods says district funding for the cen

Viana White uses a computer in the Parent Resource Center at Chapel Hill Middle School in 2008. The Title I school in Decatur houses one of the 11 regional Parent Resource Centers that will close on June 29.

ters will be eliminated. Starting with the 2012-2013 school year, he said the system’s Title I schools will be “encouraged” to establish individual parent centers to serve local parent populations. “The schools will receive funding in their Title I allotment from which they may outfit their parent centers with materials and per sonnel,” he said. “These local parent centers will take the place of the 11 regional parent centers moving forward in 2012-2013.” He said the district is changing how it distributes Title I funding. “Principals will continue to have the authority to determine what kinds of re sources and how many are needed for their

individual schools,” he said. Some of the resources could include adding a full-time parent center, part-time parent center, extra instructional teachers, reading labs, or math labs. Woods said he did not know the fate of the 22 full- and part-time facilitators who manage the regional centers because he does not know the direction that the schools will take. He said the change is part of the overall reorganization of the School District Central Office by Superintendent Cheryl Atkinson. District 7 School Board member Donna Edler said Atkinson is going to “push” more money as possible to the schools. “The ultimate goal is to get as many dol

lars at the school level,” she said. With the school administration having control of the Title I funds, Edler said she hopes schools will not lose any services for parents. “The centers are a valuable asset to the community,” she said. Donna Priest-Brown, co-chair of the South DeKalb Parent Council, said if the decision were up to her on how to use the funds, she would choose to have a full-time parent center. “But it depends on the other needs within the school,” she said. “There might be educa tional needs like reading labs, math labs or extra instructional teachers.”

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CrossRoadsNews

May 12, 2012

Scene

“It validated the service we do and motivated us to want to do more.” Attending the 100th First Lady’s Luncheon on May 9 in Washington are (from left front row) Mereda Davis Johnson, Yolanda Lee, Andrea Smith, and Yvonne Benton. Back row from left are Julia Abrams, Genet Hopewell and Sasha the Diva.

Golf tournament for youth Registration is under way for the Decatur/Southside DeKalb Optimist Club’s junior golf tournament taking place on June 4 at Sugar Creek Golf Club in Atlanta. The 18-hole tournament is open to boys and girls ages 10 to 18. The top boy and girl winner in each age group will advance to the Georgia district tournament on June 25 at Crystal Falls Golf Club in Dawsonville. The entry fee is $20. Sugar Creek Golf Club is at 2708 Bouldercrest Road in Atlanta. For more information, call Clarence Scott at 404-754-4003 or 404-294-5759.

Photos by Jennifer Ffrench Parker / CrossRoadsNews

DeKalb first ladies lunch with first lady Three DeKalb first ladies got to lunch with first lady Michelle Obama on May 9 and came away very impressed. Yolanda Lee, wife of Berean Christian Church pastor Kerwin Lee; Yvonne Benton, wife of Fairfield Baptist Church pastor Micheal Benton; and Andrea Smith, wife of Greater Travelers Rest pastor E. Dewey Smith, were among a group of 4th District residents attending the Congressional Club’s 100th First Lady’s Luncheon at the Washington Hilton. Also making the trip were UPS human resources manager Julia Abrams; Genet Hopewell, partner in the Decatur law firm Burroughs, Johnson & Hopewell; Kiss 104’s Sasha the Diva; and CrossRoadsNews publisher and editor Jennifer Parker. The group was escorted by Mereda Davis Johnson, wife of 4th District U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, and shuttled around Washington by Johnson staffer Oliver Spurgeon. Lee had never met the first lady, and when she walked right by their table in the hotel’s International Ballroom, she was, well, tickled pink. During her speech to the more than 500 women from across the coun try, Obama underscored the importance of public service. Mereda Davis Johnson was one of the congressional wives she singled out by name for always volunteering at the Congressional Club’s service events. Lee said Obama’s message of public service was invigorating. “It validated the service we do and motivated us to want to do more.”

Pioneering minister to speak at Victory Church Society of Chicago. Her articles on the black The Rev. Dr. Yvonne V. Delk, the first black church experience, racism, and human rights woman ordained in the United Church of have appeared in many publications. Christ, will be the featured speaker on May On May 16, national recording artists Bev 13 at Victory for the World Church in Stone erly Crawford and Dwayne Woods will be spe Mountain. cial guests at the “Special Anniversary Concert Delk will speak at the 10 a.m. service. She Celebration” at 7:30 p.m. Concert tickets can be is one of seven prominent clergy speaking purchased at www.victoryconcert.eventbrite at the church as part of its yearlong 25th .com or by calling 678-476-6000. Silver Anniversary Celebration that kicked Yvonne V. Delk The church is located at 1170 N. Hairston off May 2. Delk is executive director of the Community Renewal Road in Stone Mountain.

Food, fun, prizes at Caribbean fest Maypole dancing, a fashion show, netball exhibition and Caribbean cuisine are just a few of the activities and fun on tap for the 18th annual American Caribbean Festival at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church on May 19 in Decatur. The 11 a.m.-to-7 p.m. festival also will feature the music of DJ Jungle Jim; the crowning of the May Queen; a dance performance by members of the St. Lucia Association; and seminars on homeowner ship, financial literacy, and health and crime awareness. There will be face painting, a bounce house, a hula hoop contest and athletic

games for children. Admission is $3 and proceeds benefit the church’s outreach ministry. Door prizes include a $300 cash prize, a 19-inch flat-screen color television, a digital camera, and dinner for two. A home theater system and a George Foreman Grill also will be given out at the event. Booth rentals are available. St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church is at 2833 Flat Shoals Road in Decatur. For more information, visit sttimsdecatur .episcopalatlanta.org or call Althea Reid at 770-655-3056.

Historian to offer genealogy research tips DeKalb residents can learn to use cem eteries and death certificates to expand their genealogy research on May 19 at the SalemPanola Library. Historian and genealogist D.L. Hender son will cover topics including strategies for locating and interpreting death records, conducting on-site research in cemeteries,

and interpreting genealogical and cultural information on gravestones and in the cem etery landscape. The program begins at 1 p.m. The library is at 5137 Salem Road in Lithonia. For more information, call 770-9876900.

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Reader Notice As a service to you – our valued readers – we offer the following information: This newspaper will never knowingly accept any advertisement that is illegal or considered fraudulent. If you have questions or doubts about any ads on these pages, we advise that before responding or sending money ahead of time, you check with the Attorney General’s Consumer Fraud Line and/or the Better Business Bureau. They may have records or documented complaints that will serve to caution you about doing business with those advertisers. Also be advised that some phone numbers published in these ads may require an extra charge. In all cases of questionable value, such as promises or guaranteed income from work-at-home programs, money to loan, etc., if it sounds too good to be true – it may in fact be exactly that. This newspaper cannot be held responsible for any negative consequences that occur as a result of you doing business with any advertisers. Thank you.

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Wanted to Buy WANTED UNEXPIRED DIABETIC TEST STRIPS UP TO $26/BOX. PRE PAID SHIPPING LABELS. HABLAMOS ESPANOL! 1-800-267-9895 www. SellDiabeticStrips.com

CrossRoadsNews

Marketplace

Clean unfurnished Rms in Stn Mtn/Lithonia Full Kitch, util, cable & Washing included. $135 wk. House for Rent $1500/Month. Call 404-433-8820 for more info.

GARAGE SALES STONE MOUNTAIN VILLAGE CITY WIDE YARD SALE. 922 Main St. Behind Gazebo. Sat. 5-26-12, 830am - 3pm. Setup begins 730am day of sale. Info call City Hall, 770-498-8984.

Graduation

OPEN YEAR ROUND

Signs/Banners Class Rings Announcements Letterman Jackets

Travel

Don’t Go Out of Business!

financial

BANQUET HALL for Rent $2000–$12500 Per Hour

We Have Vacancies rant Restau ent R r o F

$500 MOVES YOU IN

Hair Sa lo For Ren n t

MINI MALL

7173 COVINGTON HWY • 678-755-5955

Professional Income Tax, Referrals and Connections Yolanda Faye Stewart 5300 Memorial Drive, Suite 224-F Stone Mountain, GA 30083

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.

for rent

wanted to buy

Stewart Unlimited Inc

MARKETPLACE RATES

Destinations by Design Travel Agcy, Dee Tyner, Owner/Agent If the islands are calling you -- you should be calling me! Let me help with the next reunion or girlfriends getaway. Payment plans are available. 678-632-1180 or dbdtravel@hotmail.com.

The Samuel Group, Inc.

tax services

www.creativekeystrokes.net 770.469.4543 • Stone Mtn

Office: 404-549-2501 Cell: 404-934-5639 www.stewartunlimitedtaxes.com

health/wellness

mobile

Life Solutions for Health presents

fundraising

Make $500 - $5,000 For your School, Church or Community Groups

1st Annual Community Health Fair May 19th, 12 - 5 pm 4798 Flat Shoals Parkway Decatur, Georgia 30034

home services PROJECT HOME IMPROVEMENT

Visit www.teesofpower.com Call 404-941-8744

• Deck Design • Deck Repair • Porches / Repair • Pergolas • Patios • Garden Boxes • Drywall • Interior Framing • Door Installation • General Carpentry • Installations • Storage Sheds

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.

404-870-9070

Personal Communications Center 4919 Flat Shoals Pkwy, Suite 208 (Inside Kroger Plaza) Decatur, GA 30034 678-418-0977

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

FOR RENT/LEASE

graduation

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

May 12, 2012

*Sales tax not included. Limited time offer, ends 6/30/12, while supplies last. Restrictions apply. Offer only valid with new activation of MetroPCS Samsung Freeform III, Huawei Pinnacle, or Kyocera Presto phones. $10 Promotion fee on acceptance of offer. $25 per month service plan offer includes unlimited talk and text, voicemail, long distance calling, nationwide coverage, 3-way calling, caller ID and call waiting. MMS and other data services not included. Offer not available with other add-on features. Nationwide long distance only available to continental US and Puerto Rico. Nationwide coverage of over 280 million population based on 2011 Target Pro data. Any change in phone will forfeit this promotional service plan, and service will be charged at then available rates. Offer cannot be combined with any other offer. Offer not available for Family Plan discount or participation in Family Plan. No rain checks. Coverage and services not available everywhere. Rates, services and fees subject to change. See store or metropcs.com for details and Terms and Conditions of Service. MetroPCS services for personal use only. MetroPCS-related brands and trademarks are the exclusive properties of MetroPCS Wireless, Inc. All other trademarks are the properties of their respective owners.

retails

Soul Discount Fabrics & Upholstery

www.projecthomimprv.com

www.thesamuelgroupinc.com

404-536-5882

education

events Please Join Us For Our 18th Annual

Caribbean American

Kilombo is an entity of FACDC. We exist as a result of First African Church’s commitment to institution building!

Saturday, May 19th • 11 am until 7 pm 2833 Flat Shoals Road, Decatur, GA

BOOTH RENTALS AVAILABLE!

404-241-7711 • sttimoth@gmail.com IC MUS J BY D E L JUNG JIM

• Fashion Show • Maypole Plaiting & Crowning of May Queen • African Dances • Astro Jump

•Face Painting • Caribbean & American Delicacies • FREE Health screenings • and MUCH more!

DOOR PRIZES

For more information call: Anita Cruickshank (404) 519 1690, or Althea Reid (770) 655-3056

MEMORIAL DRIVE SE

ALSTON DRIVE SE

AD R RO DLE CAN

We are now enrolling grades K-8 Call Aminata Umoja, director, 404-992-8021 5197 Salem Road • Lithonia, GA 30038 www.kilomboschool.com

Festival!

Kilombo Academic and Cultural Institute fosters an academically excellent and culturally relevant education that produces students who are equipped to succeed globally and are committed to social justice.

Open Mon-Sat 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 404-963-6485 404-966-8320

John Is Back!

✓ Dress Fabric ✓ Designer Fabric ✓ Upholstery Fabric ✓ Drapery Fabric GLENWOOD ROAD

279 Candler Road Atlanta, GA 30317 (near Memorial Drive)

Free Fabric with Upholstery SALE ENDS MAY 31, 2012

Your Source for Neighborhood News

Call 404-284-1888 for Advertising Rates & Information

CrossRoadsNews

May 12, 2012

SHOP 9AM-11PM SATURDAY. HOURS MAY VARY BY STORE. VISIT MACYS.COM AND CLICK ON STORES FOR LOCAL INFORMATION.

ONE DAY SALE REMEMBER, MOTHER’S DAY IS MAY 13

TODAY IS THE DAY! SHOP 9AM-11PM MORNING SPECIALS 9AM-1PM TODAY PLUS, FASHION & HOME CLEARANCE SELECTIONS

5O%-8O% OFF orig.* prices WHEN YOU TAKE AN EXTRA 4O% OFF already reduced prices FREE SHIPPING AT MACYS.COM

with $99 online purchase. No promo code needed; exclusions apply.

FRI OR SAT ‘TIL 1PM; CANNOT BE USED ON SPECIALS OR SUPER BUYS

WOW! $1O OFF

ALL SALE & CLEARANCE APPAREL AND SELECT HOME ITEMS

1OOFF!

YOUR PURCHASE OF $25 OR MORE. VALID 5/11 OR 5/12/12 ‘TIL 1PM. LIMIT ONE PER CUSTOMER.

Excludes: Everyday Values (EDV), specials, super buys, furniture, mattresses, floor coverings, rugs, electrics/electronics, cosmetics/fragrances, gift cards, jewelry trunk shows, previous purchases, special orders, selected licensed depts., special purchases, services, macys.com. Cannot be combined with any savings pass/coupon, extra discount or credit offer, except opening a new Macy’s account. Dollar savings are allocated as discounts off each eligible item, as shown on receipt. When you return an item, you forfeit the savings allocated to that item. This coupon has no cash value and may not be redeemed for cash, used to purchase gift cards or applied as payment or credit to your account. Purchase must be $25 or more, exclusive of tax and delivery fees.

➤ ONE DAY SALE IN EFFECT NOW-5/12/2012. *Intermediate price reductions may have been taken. OPEN A MACY’S ACCOUNT FOR EXTRA 20% SAVINGS THE FIRST 2 DAYS, UP TO $100, WITH MORE REWARDS TO COME. Macy’s credit card is available subject to credit approval; new account savings valid the day your account is opened and the next day; excludes services, selected licensed departments, gift cards, restaurants, gourmet food & wine. The new account savings are limited to a total of $100; application must qualify for immediate approval to receive extra savings; employees not eligible. N2040177A.indd 1

4/30/12 11:23 AM