Serving DeKalb & Metro Atlanta Volume 17 Number 10
www.ocgnews.com
AUGUST 15, 2011
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Internet buzzes over DeKalb’s choice for schools’ chief By Valerie J. Morgan
D Dr. Cheryl L. H. Atkinson, Ed. D, one of two finalists for the Atlanta Public School superintendent job, will head the DeKalb School District.
eKalb County has picked a new schools’ superintendent, Dr. Cheryl L. H. Atkinson, Ed. D, chief of the Lorain, Ohio School District. The 30-year education veteran is expected to take the helm of the DeKalb district prior to 0ct. 1, officials said. Already, however, she is under attack.
Rockdale makes U.S. list for renowned traveling bible exhibit By Joshua Smith and Valerie J. Morgan
H
ow did the King James Bible come into existence? Why was the bible translated? You’ll be able to learn about the complex collaboration that involved four dozen translators who labored for years to produce the massive manuscript in 1611. A U.S. traveling exhibit chronicling the history of the King James Bible, which turns 400 years old this year, is coming to Georgia. The Nancy Guinn Memorial Library in Rockdale County has been selected as the final destination for the renowned exhibit, “Manifold Greatness: the Creation and Afterlife of the King James Bible,” in May 2013. “We are proud to have this exhibit at our facilities and expect church members and other interested people alike from all over the state to come visit and learn,” said librarian Gary Frizzell, who oversees adult services at Nancy Guinn. “We have speakers and historians who have signed up to discuss and educate as a part of the exhibit.” Frizzell says the exhibit contains a series of 14 graphic hanging panels that will tell the story of the King James translation and the process of translating the ancient scribes’ work. The King James Bible is one of the most widely-read and printed books in the history of the English language, In addition to the exhibit, Rockdale will host special guest speakers, including Dr. Windell Broadwell of Georgia Perimeter See Exhibit, page 6 INSIDE
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The internet buzzed with criticism of Atkinson’s selection, including that of two School Board members, Don McChesney and Nancy Jester, who posted open letters on the internet. Both said they could not support Atkinson’s selection, despite the 9-member board’s recent approval of her candidacy. DeKalb’s school board is comprised of three whites and
six blacks. McChesney said he wanted the best person possible for the job and wrote in part: “Ohio has Lorain schools on “Academic Watch.” This is step 4 out of 5 on their sanctions scale. The next step is “Academic Emergency”. That is the most serious sanction. …Dr. Atkinson is a fine person and delightful to converse with. However, a
business decision for academic betterment of our students and not a personal referendum on personality was my goal.” Said Jester: “I’m in agreement with Mr. McChesney’s statement. He and I spent hours researching the student achievement records of the candidates that were brought before us. I See School, page 6
Property tax bills due in one payment or two, depending on your county By Valerie J. Morgan
Gwinnett County is joining other metro counties that mail property tax bills only once a year. The shift leaves DeKalb County as the lone county in the Greater Metro Atlanta area that mails its property tax bills twice a year. Fulton, Henry, and Rockdale counties all mail the notices one time annually. “New legislation concerning assessments and appeals added an additional 60 days to the billing schedule,” explained Gwinnett Tax Commissioner Richard Steele. “Bills are going out in September instead of July, and we’re collecting the total property tax bill in a single installment this year.” In Gwinnett, bills will be mailed by Sept.15 and payment is due Nov. 15. Officials said the change will streamline paper and postage costs. DeKalb Tax Commissioner Claudia G. Lawson said her office is mailing tax bills this month. The first installment is due Sept. 30 and the second installment is due Nov. 30. Lawson said she decided not to change the billing cycles, even though a new state law permits it. “It gives people the chance to split the payments into two installments,” Lawson said. “We’re just leaving it that way for now.” Some entities such as the City of Atlanta, have already sent their bills out. Atlanta mailed property tax bills in July for a due date of Aug. 15. In Fulton, the bills were mailed in July and due Oct. 15. Rockdale mails its property tax bills in mid-August with a due date of Nov. 15. In Henry, tax bills are usually mailed in September and due in 60 days, according to the county’s web site. Tax commissioners say regardless of who makes the payment—the individual or mortgage lender— every property owner is ultimately responsible for ensuring their taxes are paid on time, tax commissioners say. Payments that are not received or postmarked by the installment due date incur a 5 percent late payment penalty which applies by law. Those who mail payments should make sure the envelope is postmarked by the due date. The postmark from the United States Postal Service is the only accepted evidence of timely mailing. Gwinnett property owners will be able to access 2011 tax information online at www.
GwinnettTaxCommissioner.com by Sept. 15. There are several options for payment:
Pay online by credit card or e-check
at www.GwinnettTaxCommissioner. com. (Convenience fees apply for credit card transactions; e-check payments are free). Mail payments to P.O. Box 372, See Tax, page 8
Gwinnett Tax Commissioner
Richard Steele
DeKalb Tax Commissioner
Claudia G. Lawson
Olé!
Flamenco dancer bids Gwinnett summer series goodbye
G
Photos and Text by Joshua Smith
winnett County’s Brown Bag Lunchtime Concert series ended Aug. 5 with a trip to Spain as onlookers witnessed some fancy footsteps by Julie Baggenstoss dancing the Flamenco on a stage outside the Historic Gwinnett County Courthouse. As she twisted and twirled to the sounds of guitarist Kyle Cantrell, attendees enjoyed free extras such as arts and crafts, spray painted “crazy hair” and Italian icews. “We host this series every year from June to August for everyone to enjoy. We love offering Gwinnett some free summer fun while school’s out,” said Renee Arant, one of the series’ planners. “This was our first year incorporating Flamenco. We loved it and plan on inviting them back next year.” Arant says the summer events usually draw about 300. Baggenstoss, who teaches dance throughout the state at venues such as Emory University, says she was happy to be a part of the summer experience. Flamenco dancer Julie Baggenstoss wows the crowd with “I enjoy doing this because you can some unique moves derived from Spain. share a new form of art with the children. It’s always fun to see them dance along with me and basically give them a taste of history,” Baggenstoss said. Janet Holcomb of Lawrenceville says she enjoyed the sample of Spain that was brought to her in Gwinnett. “I never saw moves like that. I might try it myself one day,” said Holcomb, who brought her 3-year-old, Katie, to two other events over the summer. “This was a good way to end the series, with something different. We’ll be back next year.” Along with the Flamenco dancer, Gwinnett’s Brown Bag Series welcomed other performers such as Scott Douglas, a steel drum player; the band, “Band of Gold,; Kids get in on the Flamenco dancer’s act with artistic and Havana Son, a La Rumba group. strokes from face painters.