CrossRoadsNews, May 29, 2010 by CrossRoadsNews, Inc.

COMMUNITY

WELLNESS

Congressman Hank Johnson rode MARTA buses and a train with CEO Beverly Scott to better understand the 4th District’s transit needs. 6

People with physical and developmental challenges will be celebrated when KES Day Inc. hosts its annual Day of Inclusion in downtown Decatur. 4

With the summer season kicking off this weekend, the Department of Community Health highlighted steps to ensure a healthy and safe swimming experience for everyone. 7

Champions for transit

Day of Inclusion

May 29, 2010

Pool season upon us

Volume 16, Number 5

www.crossroadsnews.com

Former superintendent among indicted

Crawford Lewis

Cointa Moody

Tony Pope

Patricia Reid

By Jennifer Ffrench Parker and Carla Parker

Former DeKalb School Superintendent Dr. Crawford Lewis says he will vigorously fight racketeering and bribery charges lodged against him. “The charges against me are absolutely false,” he said Thursday, “We intend to fight those charges vigorously.” Lewis, his former chief operating officer, Patricia Reid, her former husband Anthony Pope, and her secretary Cointa Moody were indicted Wednesday by a DeKalb grand jury on charges that they ran a criminal enterprise that sent millions of dollars to Pope, Reid’s then-husband, and vendors in exchange for cash, sports tickets or other perks totaling more than $33,332.25. District Attorney Gwen Keyes Fleming, who announced the indictments, said Reid manipulated four school projects to benefit Pope, and that Lewis signed off the changes, and that they benefited from gifts of sporting

J Crawford AJC/pool

Tony Pope, center, and former DeKalb Schools chief operating officer and his ex-wife Patricia Reid, and Pope’s attorney Calvin Leipold, Jr., listen during their bond hearing before DeKalb Superior Court Judge Cynthia J. Becker on Thursday. They are seeking to reduce their $1 million bond.

and theater tickets. Keyes Fleming said both of them concealed the changes and Pope’s involvement from the DeKalb School Board. She also said that no charges will be filed against the companies named in the indictments. The indictment said the actions of Lewis and Reid cost the school system more than $3.3 million. Of that amount, the indictment said $2.3 million were fraudulent payments to Pope. The other $1 million was lost when

the Georgia Department of Education denied the school system reimbursements because of the illegal handling of the Columbia High School project. Lewis is facing six counts; Reid, seven counts; Moody, five counts; and Pope, four counts. Lewis was fired by the DeKalb School Board on April 16, ahead of the completion of the district attorney’s 18-month investigation. He and Moody bonded out of jail on

May 26 on $200,000 bonds. On Thursday, Reid and Pope were still in jail, each fighting to have their $1 million bond, reduced to $100,000. DeKalb Superior Court Judge Cynthia J. Becker was expected to rule on their request for a reduction on Friday. At a press conference Thursday attended by all nine board members, DeKalb School Please see INDICTMENTS, page 2

Malcolm Cunningham opening used car dealership at Stonecrest By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

Malcolm Cunningham will be selling high-end used cars from his former Mazda dealership at Stonecrest. Cunningham said Tuesday that he will open Malcolm Cunningham Auto Gallery at 7849 Mall Parkway in Lithonia over the Memorial Malcolm Cunningham Day weekend. “We already own the facility and the place is furnished,” he said. “We just have to put staff and inventory in and we are ready to go.”

The dealership will be his third in DeKalb. He already operates the Malcolm Cunningham Auto Gallery of Decatur on Snapfinger Road and will cut the ribbons on his new Ford-Lincoln-Mercury dealership in Chamblee on June 4. The Stonecrest Auto Gallery will have 10 employees, some of them rehires from the Mazda store that closed in January, 14 months after it opened. “That’s 10 more jobs created,” he said. “I am trying to do my little part.” Cunningham said his Stonecrest Auto Gallery will stock about $500,000 in inventory. When he closed the $7 million Mazda dealership in January, Cunningham said it was bleeding cash. The dealership, which

had been in the works since 2005, opened just as the economic recession took hold and crippled consumer spending. On Monday, he said the property will remain on the market but that he won’t actively promote its sale. “If someone offers me sticker price, I will sell, but I won’t actively push it,” he said. The Stonecrest Auto Gallery will carry Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, Lexus, Land Rover, BMW, Porche, and Cadillac vehicles. Derrick Terrentine, manager of the Decatur Auto Gallery, will also manage the Stonecrest site.

Boulevard in Atlanta kicks off June 3 with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 11:30 a.m. On June 4, Cunningham is hosting a Family Fun Day. Quinton Aaron, who co-starred with Sandra Bullock in “The Blind Side,” will be the keynote speaker at the 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Family Fun Day. There will be a cookout, music, face painting, inflatables and other kids games. Cunningham said he will donate 1 percent of the day’s sale to the nonprofit Love From Afar – The Christopher Allen Williams Foundation that educates teens against New car dealership texting, distracted driving and destructive The grand opening celebrations for the decisions. new Malcolm Cunningham Ford Lincoln The dealership is at 5675 Peachtree InMercury dealership on Peachtree Industrial dustrial Blvd., inside the Perimeter.

Community

CrossRoadsNews

May 29, 2010

“The indictment alleges the Lewis improperly used his school district purchasing card to pay for a personal vacation to the Bahmas and an overnight visit to Greensboro GA.”

Lewis and Reid approved changes that earned Pope $1.4 million INDICTMENTS,

from page

Board chairman Thomas Bowen said that Reid’s last day of employment with the school system will be July 1. He said that Moody’s status is under review and that they have to follow employment law in dealing with employees. “The school system will continue to cooperate with legal authorities, to await the outcome of the judicial process and to respect the rights of the accused,” he said. The counts against Lewis, Reid, Pope and Moody are: participating in enterprise, unlawful acquired property, conspiring to participate in enterprise, and conspiring to acquire property. In addition, Lewis, Reid and Moody are charged with theft by a government employee. Lewis and Reid are also charged with bribery; and Reid, alone, is charged with falsifying public documents.

Indictments fill 900 pages Among the allegations in the 900-page indictments are that Reid used her position to manipulate the school system’s bidding projects to funnel work to her husband, that she gave inside information to him, terminated the architects of record, restructured projects so that her husband could secure the work, and then hid his involvement in projects. The indictment also alleges that Reid did not advertise bids, misrepresented projects to the School Board, and violated competitive bid requirements. The indictment alleges that Lewis and Reid committed fraud by signing off on the change orders that benefited Pope. The projects included the $9.8 million Columbia High School renovations, the $11.9 million McNair Cluster Elementary

project, the $20 million Mountain Industrial Center project, and the construction of the new $40 million Arabia Mountain High School. n Columbia High School Project The indictment alleges that payments to Pope totaled $1.4 million, but that he legitimately earned only $341,877 of it. It also alleges that more than $1.1 million in the fraudulent payments were approved by Pope and Lewis and were not submitted to the School Board for approval as required. n McNair Cluster Elementary The indictment alleges Reid and Lewis changed the McNair Elementary project, terminated the architect of record, and manipulated the scoring of the bidders to favor CD Moody Construction whose team included Pope. It said the Lewis authorized $105,532 in payments to BDG, the company that had completed 60 percent of the work, but was terminated. n Mountain Industrial Center The indictment alleges that Reid restructured the project, terminated the architect of record, did not consult the School Board, and hire a team that included her husband and never informed the School Board of his involvement. Nix Fowler, which teamed with Pope, won the award for $17.6 million. Lewis authorized payment to Nix Fowler and Pope made $855,831. Lewis also executed a $2.4 million change order for Nix Fowler from which Pope, as architect, benefited. n Arabia Mountain High School Turner Construction, who was Reid’s employer before she joined the school system, was hired on her recommendations. The indictment said Turner’s original and best-and-final offer were higher than

Count Charge 1

RICO (b) Participate in enterprise

RICO (a) Unlawfully acquire property

RICO (c) Conspire to participate in enterprise

RICO (c) Conspire to acquire property

Theft by a government employee

Bribery Falsifying public document

competitor Winter Construction but the tally sheets that scored the bidders, incorrectly scored Turner higher. The indictment alleges that Reid was the only person in control of tally sheets on which signatures were forged. On the bribery charge, the indictment alleges that Reid, Pope and Lewis solicited and received tickets to golf, basketball and football games and to the theater totaling more than $33,332,25 from school district vendors Turner Construction and GUDE: n $10,000 worth of Masters Tickets in 2008 – Lewis used 4 of the 6 tickets, n $3,399 worth of Masters Tickets in 2009 n Premium Hawks Tickets – games were attended by Reid, Pope and Lewis n $3,391.25 of Falcon’s tickets – used by Reid and Pope n $18,622 of 2007 NCAA Basketball Final Four Tickets – used by Reid and Pope n $920 worth of Fox Theater Tickets – use by Reid and Pope n Multiple tickets to the 2008 Atlanta Mayor’s Ball – for Reid, Pope and Lewis Turner Construction, Reid’s former employer, was the contractor on the Arabia Mountain School. The indictment alleges that Reid and Lewis improperly purchased their school district-issued cars at discounts. In 2007,

Crawford Lewis

Pat Reid

Tony Pope

Cointa Moody

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Lewis paid $5,566.25 or 35 percent of the Blue Book value for a 2006 Ford 500 that the school system paid $23,055 for 18 months earlier. Lewis also ordered repairs totaling $993.47, excluding labor, prior to the final sale. The indictment alleges that he improperly used his school district purchasing card to pay for a personal vacation to the Bahamas and an overnight visit to Greensboro, Ga., with another county employee. Keyes Fleming said no school system business was conducted during either trip. In 2008, Reid put her 2005 Ford Explorer in her name for $5,442.50, which was 35 percent of the Blue Book value. The school system originally paid $26,000. Reid also ordered $1,342.49 in repairs, excluding labor, before the title was transferred.

$42,312.81 in overtime Moody, the administrative assistant, who is charged with acts involving theft and bribery, notarized all of Pope’s pay applications and conducted personal errands for Reid when she claimed to be working on schoolrelated matters. Her annual salary was $60,000 a year in salary. Between July 2008 and June 2009, she made $42,312.81 in overtime. The year before, she made $10,000 in overtime pay.

CrossRoadsNews

May 29, 2010

Community

Decatur lawyer 21-year officer terminated after helps clear teen bribery charges wrongly accused DeKalb Police Lt. Donald E. Frank has been fired. The end to his 21-year police career with the county followed his May 19 indictment and arraignment in federal court on charges of soliciting and accepting bribes. Frank, a former deputy police chief, is charged with accepting more than $5,000 in bribes from convenience store owner Amin Budhwani in 2008. Both Donald Frank were charged as part of an FBI corruption investigation. Budhwani, 46, of Atlanta was previously arraigned for giving bribes to Frank. Frank, 46, of Monroe is the former head of DeKalb Homeland Security. He also headed the security detail of Vernon Jones when he was DeKalb’s CEO. DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis announced Frank’s termination Wednesday in a statement that cited the indictment. U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said law enforcement officers are supposed to enforce the law, not break the law. “While the vast majority of officers obey and uphold the law, Deputy Chief Frank is charged with using his badge to line his pockets.” According to the indictment, Frank accepted bribes from Budhwani on two separate occasions in October 2008. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

Decatur attorney Mawuli Mel Davis helped free Atlanta teen Eric Johnson from jail and succeeded in having his record cleared on Thursday. Davis, a partner in the Davis Bozeman Law Firm P.C. on Flat Shoals Parkway, secured the release of the 19-year-old after 100 days in jail. The honor student was facing life in prisM. Davis on in connection with charges stemming from a vicious home invasion on Aug. 17. During the crime, suspects Antoine Wimes and Donavon McCoy allegedly shot “Nikki” Neely and seriously injured her 10-month-old baby by throwing him against a wall. Johnson was arrested by Chattahoochee Hills Police after he called police on Aug. 18 to tell them that he had given a ride to the suspects whom he recognized in news reports of the crime. Days after he gave his statement to Fulton County police, the Chattahoochee Hills Police arrested him on Aug. 27 and charged with the same crimes as Wimes and McCoy. Davis said Johnson was falsely accused. He took the case pro bono after determining that Johnson’s arrest and prosecution were unjust and that the arresting officer had no evidence that Johnson was involved in the crimes. “This is a case of the abuse of police powers.” Judge John Goger dismissed the charges and expunged his record.

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CrossRoadsNews

Community

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Day of Inclusion offers issues, fun

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Families with physically and developmentally disabled children, siblings and aunts, uncles and cousins will be showing up in downtown Decatur on June 5 for the annual KES Day of Inclusion celebration. Organizers are hoping that neighbors, friends and supporters from across the county will join them to learn more about the issues faced by disabled people and to celebrate their triumphs. The Day of Inclusion, which is in its seventh year, offers information about community resources, health screenings, performances, music, food, and fun and games. It is hosted annually by KES Day Inc., a Lithonia-based housing and support services organization founded by Kenneth and Sandra Browner. KES Day offers program activities for physically and developmentally disabled children and adults.

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Alvin Dollar, a board member of the nonprofit and a longtime social advocate, said the event is not only for disabled people. “It’s a fun-filled kind of thing and getting to know these people,” he said. “We want people to show up. If you believe that all folk deserve an opportunity to live in the community and if you care about inclusion, you should join us. We are seeking to raise awareness Alvin Dollar and create community support for the disabled.” Dollar said Georgia has 15,000 adults and children with disabilities waiting for service. “Only 1,500 a year are served,” he said. “We need to change that.” The event also will celebrate the 11th anniversary of the landmark Olmstead decision in which the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in June 1999 that Georgia had unconstitutionally warehoused the physically and mentally disabled in state-operated institutions, denying them the right to live in communitybased housing and receive other support services. The daylong event starts with a 9-to11:30 a.m. Community Forum Breakfast at the Maloof Auditorium sponsored by DeKalb Solicitor-General Robert James. State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond will be the featured speaker. Stakeholders and advocates will discuss Georgia’s place nationally in caring for its disabled population, the availability of community-based support services, policies and programs that need implementation, proposed state legislations, and the impact of proposed state funding cuts. The breakfast is free for the first 80 people who call 770-979-6979, 678-252-8430, or 404-454-4063 for tickets. Dollar said Thurmond, who is running for the U.S. Senate, has been sensitive to the issues facing disabled people. “He created several employment programs for the disabled and every year he goes to the Capitol with us,” he said. At noon, the Day of Inclusion will move to the Gazebo in the Decatur Square, behind the historic courthouse, for a range of fun activities until 5 p.m. There will be musical performances, a resource fair, and a series of special presentations and speakers. Dollar said they will honor a number of families and organizations who advocate for the disabled. Dollar said KES is seeking sponsors and volunteers to help stage the event. The Maloof Auditorium is at 1300 Commerce Drive in downtown Decatur. The Gazebo is 101 E. Court Square. For sponsor and other information, call Alvin Dollar at 404-454-4063 or Cheryl Garner at 678-252-8430.

CrossRoadsNews

May 29, 2010

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May 29, 2010

“I went to check my ticket, and I had to sit for a minute. I did what felt like a couple of flips.”

Decatur woman Artists get helping hand in Stone Mountain Village wins Fantasy 5 Stone Mountain Village is moving a “This is a much-needregulations and present a well-developed Exie Evans of Decatur can say bye-bye to car payments. Evans, a family service worker for the Division of Family and Children Services, was the May 2 winner of Fantasy 5 with a ticket worth $118,452. “I can pay off the Exie Evans new car that I just bought,” said Evans, 51. The mother of three adult children and grandmother of six said she was watching the televised drawing and wrote down the numbers – 4-10-13-28-35– as they were drawn. “I went to check my ticket, and I had to sit for a minute,” she recalled. “I did what felt like a couple of flips.” She bought her Quik Pik ticket at the Quick Stop at 3690 Flat Shoals Road in Decatur. The second winning ticket was purchased in Auburn. Georgia Lottery retailers selling winning Fantasy 5 tickets receive a retailer incentive bonus that increases each time the jackpot rolls. If more than one winning ticket is sold, the retailers selling the winning jackpot tickets share the bonus. Since inception, the Georgia Lottery has returned more than $11.7 billion to Georgia for education. All Georgia Lottery profits go to pay for specific educational programs, including Georgia’s HOPE Scholarship Program and Pre-K Program. More than 1.2 million students have received HOPE, and more than 1 million 4-year-olds have attended the statewide, voluntary pre-kindergarten program. For more information, visit www .galottery.com.

step closer to becoming an arts destination with an artist microenterprise program that will be funded by a $243,758 Community Development Block Grant. The city will lease five locations in downtown Stone Mountain and renovate the spaces to accommodate eight studios and galleries for artists. DeKalb Commissioner Connie Stokes said the program will set Stone Mountain Village apart as an attraction for rich history, culture, art, music and food.

4th District forum The seven candidates for the 4th Congressional District race will meet again at a June 2 forum in Atlanta. The event, sponsored by Newsmakers Live, CrossRoadsNews and the Atlanta Voice, will take place at Vino Libro, 933 Garrett St. S.E. It starts at 7 p.m. Newsmakers Live’s Maynard Eaton is moderator. Incumbent Hank Johnson and Democratic opponents Vernon Jones and Connie Stokes have confirmed attendance. The GOP candidates are Victor Armendariz, Liz Carter, Larry Gause and Cory Ruth. For more information, call Keva Whitsett at 404-223-5910.

East Lake meeting U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson and DeKalb State Court Judge Johnny Panos will be the featured speakers at the June 3 East Lake Terrace Neighborhood Association Meeting. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Ronald McNair Academy at 2162 Second Ave. in Decatur. For more information, call 404-477-4358.

ed program that will help to attract visitors and stimulate job opportunities and economic growth in downtown Stone Mountain,” she said. Connie Stokes The program will provide studios and gallery space to display and sell art. Eligible artists must meet the income requirements set forth in federal CDBG

business plan. Stokes helped paved the way for an artist microenterprise program. She and District 4 Commissioner Sharon Barnes Sutton were recently honored by the ART Station board of trustees for their service and support of the nonproffit ART Station. For more information about the artist microenterprise program, visit www.art station.org; e-mail stonemountainarts incubator@gmail.com; or call Connie Stokes at 404-371-3053.

Johnson, Scott take MARTA tour U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson and MARTA CEO Beverly Scott rode a MARTA train and buses from Panola Road to Decatur on May 22 as part of a fact-finding transit tour. Johnson, the newest member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, discussed transit funding, the I-20 East Corridor and the Clifton Corridor transit projects with Scott during the trip. On May 21, Johnson toured a portion of the Beltline project in Atlanta. He said that he won a seat on the powerful House Transportation Committee so that he can fight for serious federal investment in our transit infrastructure. “The people of metro Atlanta need jobs and they share a vision of an efficient, prosperous,

U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson talks with MARTA patrons on his factfinding transit tour.

green future. I’m ready to fight for those jobs and that vision.” Scott said she is elated that Johnson landed a seat on the committee. Johnson’s district is home to a third of MARTA’s service area, and Scott said many of the most important projects moving forward are in the district. Johnson and Scott were accompanied by his wife, Mereda Davis Johnson.

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May 29, 2010

Wellness

CrossRoadsNews

“We are instituting three new classes in order to accommodate all of the requests generated from the article.”

Healthy weight loss program successes attract many new people Wonderland Gardens’ WOW Factor weight-loss program has almost tripled in size since an April 24 story in CrossRoads News. Deborah Summerville, the program’s coordinator, said they have had an overwhelming response to the story that featured the success of Caprice Bolden, an obese Decatur mother who lost 34 pounds in 12 weeks. “It has generated an incredible response from the community,” she said this week, as they prepared to kick off the second round of classes. “In fact we are instituting three new classes in order to accommodate all of the requests generated from the article.” Bolden tipped the scales at 320 pounds on Feb. 24, when she enrolled in the free program. She had trouble walking and needed two people to lift her legs for them to be measured. Today, she is doing laps on Georgia Perimeter College’s Decatur campus.

Caprice Bolden (center) lost 34 pounds in 12 weeks and was valedictorian of the inaugural class.

Summerville said 50 new people have registered for the program since the story and they have had to add two new classes of 25 each, in addition to an existing class of 25. The WOW program is part of the nonprofit garden’s community health initiative that is working with adults and teens who are

more than 50 pounds overweight to change their lifestyle and their health. It teaches participants to eat freshly grown fruits and vegetables and incorporate exercise into their lifestyle. The advanced group meets Wednesdays weekly from 6 to 8 p.m. Participants weigh

in and get a blood pressure check with a registered nurse, Yvonne Young, then exercise with a fitness instructor, Rae Rae Clark. They also have sessions with Dr. Joy Scott, a nutritionist with the Global Health Movement, who shows them how to incorporate fresh fruits and vegetables into their diets. The new classes meet from 6 to 8 p.m. on Mondays. Bolden was the valedictorian of the inaugural class that ended May 21. Summerville said Wonderland Gardens believes that the combination of using more fresh locally, organically grown fruits and vegetables with better cooking methods and regular exercise can improve the overall health of the community. Wonderland Gardens is at 3145 Rainbow Drive in Decatur. For more information, visit www.wonderlandgardens.org or call Deborah Summerville at 404-680-1900.

DeKalb Board of Health’s MAPP project seeks more community input of Chronic Disease Prevention, Community stakeholders and said more public and community health advocates will be gathering officials are needed to help the again on June 2 for the DeKalb MAPP project. The group meets Board of Health’s Mobilizing for first Wednesday monthly at 9 a.m. Action Through Planning and at the DeKalb Board of Health. Partnership project. Participants include students MAPP, which kicked off April from Georgia State and Emory 7, is a strategic approach to comuniversities and Georgia Perimeter munity health improvement that A. Cardwell-Brown College as well as representatives includes surveys, phone interviews, focus groups and grass-roots efforts that are from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, the gauging the health status of the county. It DeKalb Library System and a number of will set goals and objectives, culminating in nonprofit organizations and community a final report and an action plan at the end groups, including the Belvedere Civic Club: Healthy Belvedere Initiative, South Candler of the year. Alicia Cardwell-Brown, the Board of Neighborhood Advocate, East DeKalb Boys Health’s community liaison in the Office & Girls Club, and AARP.

Safety tips for healthy swim season

Cardwell-Brown says there is still time for new people to join. She says more elected officials, residents, students, businesses, faith groups and health care professionals are needed to help map out the concerns of the community together. “We’re just beginning the breakout sessions,” she said. “We would like more representation from public officials – we’re trying to get everyone to the table to take part in the assessments.” MAPP is assessing community themes and strengths, local public health system, community health status, and forces of change. The local project is part of a national program of the National Association of County and City Health Officials in coopera-

tion with the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. DeKalb MAPP receives limited funding from a Strategic Alliance for Health grant through the CDC. It was first implemented in 2002 and created the Live Healthy DeKalb Coalition that focuses on diabetes, obesity, asthma, smoking cessation and increased physical activity. Cardwell-Brown says the health assessments are needed every five years to see if there should be a shift in the focus and the objectives. The DeKalb County Board of Health is at 445 Winn Way in Decatur. For more information, call Alicia Cardwell-Brown at 404-508-7985.

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DeKalb’s public pools open this Memorial Day weekend for fun in the sun. For locations, programs and fee schedule, visit www.yourdekalb.com/parks and click on Aquatics.

Kids and adults will be frolicking in county and other pools this weekend as DeKalb’s public pools open for the Memorial Day holiday weekend and the swim season that goes through Sept. 7. Pools will open daily through Aug. 7, and from Aug. 8 to Sept. 6, select pools will maintain weekend hours only. This week, the Georgia Department of Community Health highlighted a number of simple steps that swimmers and pool operators can take to ensure a healthy and safe swimming experience for everyone. Scott Uhlich, director of the Environmental Health Program within the Division of Public Health, said all swimmers should take safety measures and proper precautions to reduce their risks of illness and injury at public swimming pools. “This is particularly important for parents to acknowledge since children, as well as pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems, are most at risk of [recreational water illnesses],” he said. Recreational water illnesses are caused by germs that are resistant to normal chlorine

levels. Swimming pools are equipped with a mechanical system to deliver a disinfectant to kill germs. However, fecal germs are difficult to kill in pools at normal chlorine levels. The best way to prevent recreational water illnesses is to keep germs out of the pool. The Division of Public Health offers these tips for healthy swimming: n Don’t swim when you have diarrhea. n Avoid swallowing the pool water or even getting it in your mouth. n Practice good hygiene. n Take your kids on restroom breaks or check diapers often. n Change diapers in the restroom or diaperchanging area, not poolside. n Wash your child thoroughly with soap and water before swimming. For more safe swimming tips, visit http:// health.state.ga.us/programs/envservices /pools.asp. For more information on DeKalb’s public swimming pools, including fee schedule, programs and locations, visit www.your dekalb.com/parks and click on Aquatics or call 678-937-8921.

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CrossRoadsNews

Youth

May 29, 2010

“This legislation brings common sense to the all-or-nothing approach that school officials use to discipline kids under zero tolerance policies.”

Students, family remember longtime Lithonia High School teacher Louise Blount, who taught at Lithonia High School for 26 years, died earlier this month. Blount, 60, had been battling ovarian cancer for more than a year. She died on May 8 and was remembered by family, faculty and former students at a May 22 memorial service at Greenforest Baptist Church in Decatur. Blount taught business education at Lithonia High School on two separate stints, from 1978 to 1980 and from 1983 until her retirement in 2007. Over the more than two decades she spent at the school, she served as department chairwoman, Work-Based Learning coordinator helping place students on work-study assignments

Louise Nealy Blount Nov. 17, 1949 – May 8, 2010 “Ms. Blount was one of those teachers you never forget. She was always the professional and had very high standards.” with a host of local businesses, FBLA adviser, Volunteer Service coordinator, and High Schools That Work liaison. She was voted Teacher of the Year twice, in 1992 and 1998. Jean Bailey, the Miller Grove High School librarian who became friends with Blount while both worked at Lithonia High School, said she made a great impression on her students.

“Ms. Blount was one of those teachers you never forget,” she said. “She was always the professional and had very high standards.” Bailey said students want to live up to Blount’s expectations. “When she sent you out on a job, you knew you represented Lithonia High and Ms. Blount and you did not want to disappoint her,” she said. Dr. Bernadette Blount, her only

daughter, said she taught generations of students at the school. “When we went out, she would meet the children of students she had taught,” she said. Her husband, the Rev. Bernard Blount, called her an “awesome individual, amazing lady and one of the best teachers at Lithonia High.” The two married in August 1975 in Blount’s hometown of Chattanooga, Tenn., after a church member who knew them both introduced them. “She is absolutely the best human being I have known,” he said. “She showed love and caring for everybody she met. She is the only person I have met who practiced

unconditional love.” The two started the Family of God Ministry, now located on Redan Road in Lithonia, in 1990. After her retirement, Blount traveled with her husband and daughter and cooked as a hobby. Her daughter said she is going to miss her traveling companion. “I don’t have my traveling buddy anymore,” she said. Bernard Blount said that by the time his wife’s cancer was diagnosed in February 2009, it was in the late stages. Blount also leaves her brother, Ronald Nealy; close friend Margie Mosley; nieces and nephews; relatives; and a host of friends, colleagues and former students.

New law curbs abuses under zero tolerance Proof of attendance Jones said that students have been A bill to rein in the abuses for permit, license expelled or sent to jail for bringing a of Georgia’s Zero Tolerance key chain, nail clippers, and even a Law in schools was signed Cub Scout utensil to school. into law May 25 by Gov. Sonny “This legislation brings common Perdue. sense to the all-or-nothing approach Senate Bill 299, which was that school officials use to discipline sponsored by Sen. Emanuel kids under zero tolerance policies,” Jones, makes allowances for he said. students who commit infrac“Excessively harsh disciplinary tions without any intent to policies create a huge barrier to eduharm others. cation; being expelled or sent to an It changes Georgia’s jualternative school can cause students venile criminal code to make to fall behind in coursework or give a first offense equal to a deup on school altogether.” linquent act, rather than a Perdue called the bill commondesignated felony. Now when a State Sen. Emanuel Jones (left) and others watch as sense legislation that gives local student commits an infraction, Gov. Sonny Perdue signs new zero tolerance bill. school systems discretion in discijuvenile court judges can take the circumstances into account before turning in a fishing knife to his princi- plining students. “No child should be kicked out automatically prosecuting them, giving pal late last year. The bill received unanimous passage of school for accidentally bringing a the judges more discretion. Jones (D-Decatur) introduced the in both the Senate and House before fishing knife and upon discovering it, bill after a 14-year-old Morgan County being sent to the governor for his con- reporting it promptly to school officials,” he said. student was arrested for voluntarily sideration.

High school students who want to get an instructional permit or driver’s license over the summer break must obtain a “Department of Driver Services Certificate of Attendance” from their school administration. Students planning for an on-the-road test also will need a Georgia Alcohol Drug Awareness Program certificate of completion. The ADAP course is taught in public schools and some private schools, typically with the ninth-grade health curriculum. For classes that are taught outside of the public and private school systems, visit www.dds.ga.gov/adap and click on “ADD-ON Class Schedule.” DDS Certificate of Attendance Forms must be signed and notarized from the student’s school and presented at the time of applying for a permit or Class D driver’s license. Certificate of Attendance Forms issued in May will be accepted until Sept. 30. All applicants under age 18 who are not enrolled in school must provide a GED diploma, high school diploma, or an attendance form from the student’s local Board of Education if enrolled in an approved home school program.

Junior golfers tee off for tourney Greenforest alum excels in college Young golfers will be teeing off at Sugarcreek Golf Club on June 7 in the Decatur/ Southside DeKalb Optimist Club’s junior golf tournament. Boys and girls ages 10 to 18 will play 18 holes. The top boy and girl winners will advance to the Georgia District Tournament at the Forest Hills Golf Club in Augusta on June 17. Entry forms are available at Sugarcreek

and Mystery Valley golf clubs or by e-mailing Jerome Brown at h7jjuniorgolf@bellsouth .net. The entry fee is $20 per golfer. The Optimist International Junior Golf Championship is one of the largest golf tournaments in junior golf. Annually, more than 5,000 junior golfers compete. The championships are played on four courses at the prestigious PGA National Golf Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

Free health checks, nutrition tips More than 1,000 kids and their families can get free health, vision and dental screenings at the “Healthy Summer Kickoff ” event on June 5 at Carter G. Woodson Elementary School in Atlanta. The free event, sponsored by the nonprofit AIM for Youth and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Hughes Spalding, takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Screenings will be available for diabetes,

Dance Camp Begins June 1 ONLY $55/WEEK

obesity, sickle cell and asthma. There also will be information on HIV/AIDS education and fire and police safety as well as healthy food samplings. Carter G. Woodson Elementary School is at 1605 Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway N.W. For information on sponsorship and vendor opportunities, visit www.aimforyouth.org, call 678-957-9464, or contact Latisia Grace at 770-309-3118.

health issues. Steven Dial Jr., who graduated Dial, who is a member of Alpha from Greenforest Christian AcadPhi Alpha Fraternity, also serves as emy in Decatur in 2007, is making an orientation leader, campus tour his mark at Claflin University in guide, English tutor and mentor. Orangeburg, S.C. Despite his busy schedule, he Dial, the eldest son of Rainbow maintained a 3.2 GPA. Park Baptist Church pastor Steven Dial said it’s not all work and Dial, was elected Student Governno play. ment Association president in April Steven Dial Jr. “I still have leisure time,” he for his senior year this fall. The mass communications major has a said. “It’s all about time management.” This school year, Dial was awarded the dual concentration in television production and broadcast journalism. Last year Dial South Carolina Press Association prize for was the play-by-play announcer for Claflin best sports article of the year in the collegiate University’s men basketball team, and this division for schools with 5,000 students or year he hosted Health Factor, a Time Warner less. This summer, Dial is interning at WGCLCable-produced game show that quizzes students from eight middle schools about TV/CBS 46 in Atlanta.

Transit contest deadline looms Teens with video and blogging skills have until June 7 to enter MARTA’s Dump the Pump contest and compete for prizes while demonstrating how public transit helps to improve the environment and the community’s quality of life. The contest, sponsored by the Georgia Aquarium, is being held in celebration of the fifth annual Dump the Pump Day, which will be observed nationally on June 17. The American Public Transportation Association sponsors Dump the Pump Day to encourage people in metro Atlanta to save time, money and the environment by forgoing fossil fuels and taking mass transit. During this year’s event, transit agencies nationwide will join together to encourage people to use public transit and learn about

the many ways it contributes to improving our quality of life. The Dump the Pump contest is open to youth ages 13 to 17 and to adults. The winners will be announced on June 17. First-place prize winners will receive a Flip HD camcorder, two annual passes to the Georgia Aquarium, and a MARTA Breeze Card good for one year. Second-place winners will receive a $50 gift card to Best Buy, one annual Georgia Aquarium pass, and one monthly Breeze Card. All winners will have their videos and blogs posted on MARTA’s Web site, Facebook page and YouTube. For more information and to register for the contest, visit www.itsmarta.com.

CrossRoadsNews

May 29, 2010

Ministry

“We charge no fees, sell no tickets. We just pass the plate and ask our audiences to be generous.”

Symposium focuses on family Collaborative relationships between the community and faith-based organizations are on the agenda for the June 4 Community Leaders Breakfast and Strengthening Families Symposium at the Loudermilk Center in downtown Atlanta. The event, which is in its second year, is hosted by the Atlanta Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce to help bridge the gap between faith and community. It is being held in support of the nationwide Strengthening Families Approach developed by the Center for the Study of Social Policy. The 8:30 a.m.-to-1 p.m. breakfast and symposium will discuss ways to rebuild, restore and revitalize the bonds among family, faith and community. Dr. Melonie Hill, who chairs the chamber’s Community Affairs Division, said it will feature faith and community leaders,

including the Rev. Darrell Armstrong of Shiloh Baptist Church in Trenton, N.J.; Lorraine Daniels, executive director of the Georgia Community Action Association; Dr. Charlyn Harper Browne, senior associate of the Center for the Study of Social Policy; and Pamela Perkins, coordinator of the Interfaith Children’s Movement. “We’ve brought together key leaders whose perspectives and professions align with this nationwide campaign,” she said. Speakers will explore federal funding opportunities for faith-based institutions and the next steps that will help move forward the efforts of addressing family and community needs. Pre-registration is required at www .ambcc.org and there is a fee. The Loudermilk Center is at 40 Courtland St. in Atlanta. For more information, call Dr. Melonie Hill at 404-808-7034.

Youth to explore great outdoors Vocalist Janet Metzger performed at the Kennedy Center Millennium Series in 2002.

Jazz vocalist, guitarist in concert By Brenda Camp Yarbrough

Renowned jazz guitarist Bob Shaw and vocalist Janet Metzger will perform June 6 at the Music for Missions concert at Lawrenceville Road United Methodist Church. The 7 p.m. show is the 180th concert in the series sponsored by the United Methodist Men. Shaw and Metzger will offer an evening of bossa nova and Bob Shaw not-so-standard standards. Metzger, a Pittsburgh native, received her music degree from Florida State University. In 2002, she performed at the Kennedy Center Millennium Series. Shaw, who earned his degree from the Hartt College of Music at the University of Hartford, was principal guitar instructor at the Hartford Conservatory of Music for seven years. He has performed and recorded with Maxine Sullivan, Bobby Haggart, Sam Wilhoit and the late Rosemary Clooney. The concert is free but donations are accepted. Music for Missions supports the church outreach to a number of senior homes, homeless programs, food pantries, the Special Olympics, and DeKalb Habitat

Dan Miller

for Humanity. Jack Sartain, the series organizer, said the free concerts provide a venue for good performances for the community and money for the mission programs. “We charge no fees, sell no tickets,” he said. “We just pass the plate and ask our audiences to be generous.” On June 13, internationally acclaimed musician Dan Miller will help the church celebrate its new three-manual Rodgers organ with a free concert at 4 p.m. Lawrenceville Road United Methodist Church is at 3142 Lawrenceville Highway in Tucker. For more information, call 770-9393717 or visit www.lrumc.com.

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.

Nearly 150 boys and teens are headed to Hard Labor Creek State Park in Rutledge for the fourth annual HP Taylor Brotherhood Youth Retreat on June 4-5. The event, which is hosted by the True Church of God in Christ of Scottdale, will expose the youngsters to activities like camping, horseback riding, hiking and fishing along with character- and teambuilding exercises. The youths from metro Atlanta, Tennessee and North Carolina also will learn to handle peer pressure. Gary Jordan, the retreat’s coordinator, said volunteers from the community will accompany the youth and provide information and instructions and be role models. Confirmed speakers include Dr. Neil Shulman, an associate professor from

Emory University Medical School; state Sen. Ronald Ramsey; DeKalb Superior Court Judge Gregory Adams; and Henry Carter, project director of Atlanta Tech College Institute for Males. Jordan said the speakers are great role models. “It’s important to have a role model,” he said. “They can get you from one point to the next.” The HP Taylor Youth Retreat was founded four years ago by the True Church of God general overseer, Bishop Oprie Jeffries, to let young boys explore the great outdoors and build camaraderie over the summer break. Jeffries also will speak at the retreat. For more information, call Gary Jordan at 678-938-1161.

CrossRoadsNews

May 29, 2010

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