August 8, 2015 by On Common Ground News

VOLUME 21 NUMBER 19

FREE

AUGUST 8, 2015

Published Since April 1995 Serving DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale Counties • www.facebook.com/ocgnews

Rockdale authorities probing procedures after inmate escapes custody twice

Investigators: DeKalb “rotten to the core”

Suspect Timothy Allen Ward is 5 feet and 6 inches, 140 pounds, with brown hair and a receding hairline.

By Valerie J. Morgan Rockdale County Sheriff’s authorities are investigating how an inmate with a history of escaping custody was assigned to a work detail from which he managed to escape. Timothy Allen Ward, 33, gave Rockdale officials the slip twice—eluding Conyers Police officers by feigning sickness to go to the hospital, then escaping Rockdale jail officials during an assigned work detail. Ward was on a morning work detail at the Rockdale jail on Aug. 5 when he slipped off, shed his orange jail jumpsuit down to pink shorts and a white T-shirt and then stole a truck from a construction company located near the jail. The Buffalo, West Virginia man told a deputy he was going to get more cleaning fluid and then left the building and never returned, Rockdale Sheriff’s Cpl. Michael Camp said. Deputies found Ward’s orange jumpsuit near the old section of the jail. “He was assigned to cleaning floors in the old jail and he ran away,” Camp said. “It’s under internal investigation. We’re reviewing our policies and procedures to see why he was classified to do work detail. Usually, inmates who receive that kind of classification are not considered a flight risk. Very rarely does this kind of thing happen.” Typically, one deputy supervises inmates assigned, Camp said. There can be a group of five to 10 inmates under supervision at one time, he said. Camp said he wasn’t sure how many were in Ward’s group. The truck Ward stole from the parking lot of Latex Construction, located at 1353 Farmer Road in Conyers, is a white 1997 Chevrolet C2500 bearing the company’s log. Video surveillance See Suspect, page 8

Photo by Glenn L. Morgan/OCG News

DeKalb Interim CEO Lee May and Michael Bowers hold news conference in March to announce the launch of a special investigation of Dekalb County government. By Valerie J. Morgan and Joshua Smith DeKalb County, battling to redeem itself from several government scandals, suffered another blow to its reputation this week, this time by the team of high profile special investigators Interim CEO Lee

May hired in March to root out corruption. “The DeKalb County government we have found is rotten to the core. The misconduct starts at the top and has infected nearly every department we have looked at,” said former State Attorney General Michael Bowers and investigator Richard

Hyde told May in a letter dated Aug. 5. May disagreed with the investigators’ characterization of DeKalb, issuing this statement to the media: “I wholeheartedly disagree with the opinion that DeKalb County is rotten to the core. The overwhelming majority of DeKalb County employees are honest, decent, hard-working, and committed to public service.” In addition to May, the special investigators’ letter was sent to all seven of the DeKalb commissioners. Two of them who were reached by the media had opposing viewpoints. Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson, who has criticized the county for spending an exorbitant amount of money to hire the special investigators, told On Common Ground News that she takes issue with the investigators calling DeKalb “rotten to the core.” She also criticized Bowers for releasing what she called “selective information.” “You can’t just make a general accusation like that. I ‘m a part of DeKalb County. I live there. I’m an attorney and my office is there and I’m not rotten to the core,” Johnson said. “I was very surprised that he (Bowers) would release selective See Investigation, page 8

DeKalb, Atlanta United prepare to ink deal for new soccer headquarters By Joshua Smith

rthur Blank’s Atlanta United team has moved a step closer to calling DeKalb County home. The county’s Board of Commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding with Blank on Aug. 4, agreeing to move forward on a deal to construct the new professional soccer team’s headquarters and training facilities near the Kensington Road MARTA station on Memorial Drive. County and team officials now have about 60 days to ink an executable contract. Interim CEO Lee May said the deal would help to stimulate economic development in a long neglected area. “We are very excited to have Atlanta United owner Arthur Blank (center) and DeKalb County Board of Commissioners joined Interim CEO Lee May in a Atlanta United as the catalyst for “Key to the City” presentation to welcome Blank and the soccer team to DeKalb. the needed revitalization of the Memorial Drive corridor,” said May. “This and families can view their children’s tourna- acres near the Kensington Road MARTA stalocation is right across the street from the first ments on the practice fields when they are not tion and Memorial Drive, along I-285, behind Home Depot store. This is in a way a homein use by the soccer team. the DeKalb County Jail. coming for Arthur Blank and this county “We look forward to this partnership Under the agreement, the county will welcomes him back with open arms.” and the relationship we will build with both spend about $12 million for land preparation Team President Darren Eales said the DeKalb officials and the residents of this and other incentives for the team. Atlanta DeKalb training ground would be one of the county in the next coming years,” said Blank. United has agreed to construct a state-oftop Major League Soccer fields in the country. “Building the training complex and headquar- the-art facility, which includes a 3,500-seat Although Atlanta United will train in ters for the Atlanta United is the next importstadium, three practice fields and a two-story, DeKalb, its matches will be held in Atlanta’s ant milestone in our club’s history and we are 20,000 – 25,000 square foot corporate headnew downtown stadium, where the Falcons proud DeKalb will play a major part in it.” quarters building. Blank said he expects to also will play. Blank owns the Falcons as well Construction on the soccer complex spend about $35 million for the construction. as Home Depot. could begin as early as October and be comThe team would be exempt from property taxBlank said soccer fans will be able to pleted by 2017, when the team will play its watch open practices of the Atlanta United first season. The complex will be built on 41 See Atlanta United, page 5

PAGE 2 •AUGUST 8, 2015

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EDITOR/PUBLISHER Valerie J. Morgan editor@ocgnews.com GENERAL MANAGER Glenn L. Morgan gmorgan1@ocgnews.com STAFF WRITER Joshua Smith joshsmith@ocgnews.com ADVERTISING MANAGER Richard S. Hill richardhill@ocgnews.com On Common Ground News is published weekly by On Common Ground, Inc. The newspaper serves DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Rockdale and Henry counties. The opinions expressed by writers and contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher or the newspaper’s advertisers. No portion of this newspaper may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publisher. We reserve the right to reject material and advertisements we deem inappropriate. On Common Ground News

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AUGUST 8,2015 • PAGE 3

Tucker resident Vickie Elisa introduces President Obama at Conference on Aging

ucker resident Vickie Elisa was honored to introduce President Barack Obama at the 2015 White House Conference on Aging. The event was held in the East Wing of the White House and televised to millions of Americans via watch parties and live streams. Elisa served as a panel member on Planning for Financial Security at Every Age, which was hosted by the Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez. Elisa is the Public Health Accreditation Coordinator and the Division Director of Marketing and Business Development for the DeKalb County Board of Health. Elisa has served as the 19-year volunteer board president of the non-profit organization, Mothers Voices, Georgia, Inc. (MV-GA) and as a community financial educator. The organization collaborates with the Women’s Institute for a Secure Retirement (WISER) to empower women to become advocates and educators in Vickie Elisa greets President Obama at the White House during a conference on aging. Photo protheir communities for economic vided by Ellisa security and improved health outcomes. Older Americans Act, as well as the 80th the decade ahead. Elisa’s workshop, Smart Women and anniversary of Social Security, the White Following Elisa’s remarks and inMoney, has reached sororities, faith-based House Conference on Aging provided an troduction of the President, the Obama organizations, social service agencies and opportunity to recognize the importance Administration introduced several key women groups both nationally and globof these programs, highlight new actions policies related to issues facing Americans ally. to support Americans as they age and as they plan for retirement, care for older In a year that marks the 50th annifocus on the powerful role that technology See Tucker resident page 8 versary of Medicare, Medicaid, and the can play in the lives of older Americans in

Lithonia resident invited to the White House to discuss policing By Joshua Smith

ithonia resident Faye Coffield, a retired Atlanta police sergeant, recently joined activists, politicians and law enforcement officials from across the country at the White House for a forum on community policing. The one-day meeting for President Barack Obama’s Task Force on Policing brought together a contingent of about 100 people to discuss ways to implement the President’s policies in local communities. Coffield said she was invited after submitting two papers to the White House in February. One was a list of opinions on the President’s Task Force. The other was an essay discussing the need for an independent federal agency to investigate “in custody” deaths, police brutality and overall deaths of unarmed persons at the hands of law enforcement officers. “First of all, I was shocked when I received the information in March that I had been mentioned as a contributor to the President’s Task Force Interim Report. I thought that was

Faye Coffield

it,” said Coffield. “But when I got the invitation to attend the forum at the White House, I was just amazed.” Coffield said attendees networked before viewing a documentary about the Jordan Davis murder. Davis, a 17-year-old teen, was shot to death in his car by a white man, Michael Dunn, during an argument over loud music outside a Jacksonville, FL convenience store. After the short film,

members of the Davis family joined a panel to discuss policing in America. Other speakers at the forum included Ron Davis, director of the office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS); Valerie Jarred, senior advisor to President Obama; and Attorney General Loretta Lynch. “After that, we worked in groups to strategize on how to implement the President’s policing views in

our communities. I consider the issue of public safety and its interactions with the community one of the most pressing issues of our time,” said Coffield, who also teaches safety courses to senior citizens. “This issue is just as important as civil rights and voting acts.” In December 2014, President Obama created the Task Force on 21st Century Policing in the wake of police killings in Ferguson, Missouri; Staten Island, New York; and Cleveland, Ohio. The Task Force was created by the President to strengthen the relationships between local police and the communities they are supposed to protect and serve. One of the primary actions of the task force is to improve community policing. “We can’t continue to move forward as a community the same way we have dome in the past decades. We have to demand that the president’s suggestions are implemented in our communities,” said Coffield. “I encourage everyone to not only read the President’s report on policing but to go to your local law enforcement agencies and talk incorporating those suggestions in their daily policing.”

Fulton prepares for 2016 elections with new online systems Fulton County is preparing for the 2016 elections with two new online systems that will improve efficiency, officials say. The county has approved the purchase of an election/asset management system and Poll Worker on-line training software system recommended by the county’s Department of Registration and Elections. Both systems will align the department to continue resolving issues that arose during the general election and general election runoff of 2008 as well as the primary and general elections of 2012. “The approval to implement these two systems should improve our department’s ability to conduct elections more efficiently,” said Rick Barron, director of the Fulton County Department of Registration and Elections. “The 2016 Election Year is fast approaching and having these two systems in place will enable us to be better prepared for the expected increase in turnout due to it being a Presidential Election year.” The Board of Commissioners has approved spending $59,500 for the purchase of a Poll Worker Online Training System from SOE Software d/b/a Scytl (Tampa, FL)to enhance classroom training for seasonal and temporary employees hired to work the polls. The department will enter an agreement with Easy Vote Solutions, LLC (Woodstock, GA) for an Election/Asset Management System in the amount of $153,000 that will provide online applications on a single platform for campaign finance reporting, poll book, project and task management and inventory management capabilities

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“Walk with a Doc” in Decatur

Coming Up

The City of Decatur will host “Walk with a Doc” on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 10 – 11 a.m. 231 Sycamore St., Decatur. People are invited to come join the walk to get fit, maintain health and learn about medical practices that support aging well. Organizers say “Walk With a Doc” is a social, educational, empowering, and exercise. Participants meet in the lobby of the Decatur Recreation Center and walk as a group with a doctor for 2.0 to 3.0 miles outdoors. If weather is too hot, participants walk on an indoor track at the recreation center. Organizers also have a supply of orange “sunbrellas” in case of extreme sun. Medical professionals in the community and leaders of health and wellness opportunities are invited to walk and talk with participants. There will be a three-minute intro and then the walk begins. While talking optimum health, participants walk greenspaces, sidewalks, and the PATH trails. A few routes are through the commercial corridor but most are through neighborhoods and parks and feature water fountains. 404-370-4100.

GWINNETT

Registration under way for “My Brother’s Keeper” symposium

n support of President Barack Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) Initiative, the Community Council of Metropolitan Atlanta, Inc. and Strengthening Families and Communities Coalition of Atlanta will present the “My Brother’s Keeper Collaborative Forum” on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 6 p.m., at the Interdenominational Theological Center, 700 Martin Luther King, Jr., Drive. The symposium will be hosted to share information about MBK programs sponsored in the metropolitan area; to hear from young men of color about their special challenges and needs; and to help the community to become actively involved in efforts to make a difference in the lives of young men of color. Panelists from city, state, county and federal governmental agencies will share information on programs that benefit young men. Federal and private MBK partners also will be represented. The symposium is open to the public. For more information, call 404-221-1222, or register for the MBK symposium online at www.communitycouncilma.org. President Barak Obama launched the My Brother’s Keeper Initiative in February 2014 to help unlock the full potential of boys and young men of color to benefit them and all Americans.

ATLANTA

“Home brewing for Beginners” in Atlanta The Atlanta Fulton-Public Library System’s Georgia Hill Branch, 250 Georgia Ave., Atlanta, will host “Home brewing for Beginners” on Saturday, Aug. 15, 1 p.m. Have you ever wanted to get into home brewing but just didn’t know where to begin? This free session will explore home brewing basics and tips, equipment needs for a basic home brewing set up, and picking the right ingredients for your preferred style. Beer will not be served at this program. Adults only. Reservations required. For more information or to register, call 404-730-5427.

DEKALB

#DeKalbParksPics photo contest registration under way You still have time to participate in the DeKalb County Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs’ photography contest. The deadline is Monday, Aug. 31. The photography contest focuses on increasing awareness of the county’s parks and recreational facilities and is open to amateur and professional photographers alike. A panel of judges will select winning photographs. Winning photographers and their work will be recognized at an event in October at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center and featured in local media outlets such as Discover DeKalb Convention & Visitors Bureau publications and DCTV Channel 23. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place and will include a variety of awards, including flights on Southern Airways Express. Entrants may submit photos in the following categories for judging: Natural World, People, Places, Activities, Altered Images, and Mobile. To be eligible for any category, a photograph must have been shot by the entrant between January 1, 2014 and August 31, 2015. All photographs submitted must be taken in the parks that are owned, managed and listed by DeKalb County Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs and be original works. For full contest details and information, visit www.dekalbcountyga.gov/DeKalbParksPics or call 404-371-3695.

Fire and safety course offered in three languages The Norcross Human Services Center, 5030 Georgia Belle Court, will offer fire and life safety education classes in English, Korean and Spanish on Friday, Aug. 14, 11 a.m. – noon. Led by the Gwinnett Fire and Emergency Services, topics include general fire safety, evacuation planning, smoke alarm use, and fire extinguisher training. Organizers say the course is offered in different languages to address the county’s diversity and to assure that families of different cultures have the up-to-date tools they need in case of emergencies. No registration is required. For more information, call 678-225-5400.

Brown Bag series features “Princess and the Pea” musical Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation will close out its summer Brown Bag series with a free presentation of the musical, “Princess and the Pea,” on Friday, Aug. 14, 11 a.m., at the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse, 185 Crogan St., Lawrenceville. The story tells of a prince who wants to marry a princess, but is having difficulty finding a suitable wife. Something is always wrong with those he meets, and he cannot be certain they are “real princesses.” Pick up a lunch on the square and enjoy the warm days of summer as music and entertainment fills the air. Lawn games, face painting, crazy hair, and a craft will complete the fun. For more information, call 770-822-5450.

ROCKDALE

Bald Rock Baptist offers fall revival Bald Rock Baptist Church, 2284 Old Covington Road, Conyers, will host a fall revival on Wednesday, Aug. 12 – 14, 7:30 p.m. nightly. The theme for the revival is “Reconnected and Redirected” and comes from Psalm 51: 10-12. Pastor Clara Lett of Rainbow Covenant Ministries in Porterdale, Georgia, will be the guest speaker on Wednesday. Pastor E. Chip Owens of Richards Chapel Baptist Church in Covington, Georgia, will be the guest speaker on Thursday. Pastor Gazzara Mitchell of Upper Mount Zion Baptist Church in Jeffersonville, Georgia, will be the guest speaker on Friday. Everyone is invited to attend. 770-929-3421.

NGLS calling all aboard for last summer train ride The North Georgia Live Streamers (NGLS) is inviting families out for its last summer train on Saturday, Aug. 15, 1 – 4:30 p.m., at the Georgia International Horse Park, 1996 Centennial Olympic Parkway, Conyers. NGLS is an incorporated non-profit operating miniature train rides on more than two miles of track the club constructed at the Georgia International Horse Park. Park next to the Steeplechase Field. Trains begin operating at 1 p.m. and the rides will conclude with the last train leaving at 4:30 p.m. The cost to ride is $2 per person. This is the last train ride of the summer. The next ride will be for the fall on Saturday, Oct. 24. Run days may be canceled due to inclement weather. For more information, visit www.northgeorgialivesteamers.org or www.georgiahorsepark.com.

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AUGUST 8, 2015 • PAGE 5 Atlanta United continued from page 1

Arthur Blank holds press conference celebrating Atlanta United coming to DeKalb.

DeKalb Schools’ chief plans visits for first day of school

eKalb County Schools new Superintendent R. Stephen Green will be visiting several county schools on opening day, Monday, Aug. 10. After touring DeKalb elementary, middle and high schools, Green will host a news conference for the community and local media outlets, to address the first school year under his leadership. The news conference will be held

at 10:30 a.m. at Peachtree Elementary School, 1530 Joy Lane, Decatur. Green was officially named the superintendent on July 1. He previously served for nearly four years as superintendent of the Kansas City Public Schools. Under his leadership, KCPS earned provisional accreditation from the state, scored three consecutive balanced budgets and perfect financial audits, and stabilized enrollment.

Gwinnett Clerk of Courts offers notary classes Gwinnett County Clerk of Court will offer two notary public training classes for the public. Working in conjunction with the Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority, the Gwinnett Clerk of Superior Court’s office will host two training classes on Friday, Aug. 21, 10:30 a.m. to noon, and 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Training will be held at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center Auditorium, 75 Langley Drive in Lawrenceville. There is no charge to attend these workshops, but registration is requested. For more information about the workshops or to register, visit the Clerk of Courts website at www.gwinnettcourts.com.

es for 30 years and then ownership of the land and facilities would revert to DeKalb County. Atlanta United will also pay the county 15 percent of net revenue derived from any naming rights sold for the complex and any revenue generating branded events. DeKalb commissioners were divided along racial lines concerning the Atlanta United deal. The four black commissioners voted for the project, while the three whites opposed it, saying the county shouldn’t spend taxpayer dollars on a private sports team. Commissioners Jeff Rader, Kathie Gannon and Nancy Jester tried to get a special motion through to hear comments from the public on the deal, but the motion was defeated, causing an uproar from the packed crowd at the meeting. “We all want Atlanta United, but a better deal needed to be negotiated. The deal was rushed…,” said Rader. “I don’t see why we couldn’t negotiate taking a step back on this decision, putting all the facts on the table and working out a better deal.” County residents have had mixed

reactions to the deal. “Financially, this seems to be a poor deal at best. We are putting too much cash on the table and giving too much away for a 30-year lease,” said Jim Smith, who stood with residents in opposition at the Aug. 4 special called meeting of the Board of Commissioners. “So while some people in my neighborhood are saying ‘Ooh! A soccer field for the kids to play,’ you’ll only get to use it for two months out of the year. The rest of the year you’ll have to get out of the way when the MLS teams need to practice.” Calvin E. Sims, Jr. agreed. saying the county is not getting a good return for the money it is spending. “The proposal was rushed through with little public input. DeKalb County is allowing use of the property for 30 years tax-free. The county is investing $7 million into the project with no return of investment, and also making improvements to the property which will cost millions more,” Sims said. “This is a bad deal for the tax payers of DeKalb County.” Retired principal Barbra Lee disagreed, saying that the facility will bring much more than soccer to her community.

PAGE 6 •AUGUST 8, 2015

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Gwinnett Courts’ new website wins “Top 10” award

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he Gwinnett County Clerk of Courts’ website has been named one of this year’s “Top 10 Court Websites” by the National Association of Court Management (NACM). Clerk of Court Richard Alexander accepted the award at the NACM Annual Conference in Louisville, Kentucky in July. The award is given to honor courts that expand access to public records, court services and information online. Gwinnett launched a new and improved website, www.gwinnettcourts. com, in April. The new system was judged and evaluated on its access to public records, user interface, overall accessibility, interactive capabilities and overall impression. “The website was transformed by the Clerk’s Technical Services (CTS) web developer, Ming Li,” said Alexander. “This award recognizes the hard work our CTS team puts into improving communication and electronic services via the website.”

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Finding your roots focus of Family History Day in Conyers By Joshua Smith and Valerie J. Morgan

illions of African Americans may find it easier to trace their roots, thanks to the Freedman’s Bureau Project, a massive effort that is under way and touted as one of the nation’s most valuable genealogical databases. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Conyers is inviting the community to learn more about the project and other available research tools during Family History Discovery Day in Rockdale County. The free event will be held at the church, 1275 Flat Shoals Road, on Saturday, Aug. 15, 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. For the first time in U.S. history, the names of nearly 4 million slaves that were systematically recorded by hand have been digitized for research. The records were collected by the Freedmen’s Bureau, which was established by Congress to help African Americans transition from slavery to citizenship after the Civil War ended in 1865. The bureau not only provided food, housing, education, and medical care, its workers interviewed former slaves and documented pertinent information about them. Those who search online for their ancestors are able to record information they also know about them. Rockdale County Commissioner Doreen Williams, a member of the Church of Latter-Day Saints, is excited about the research and the fact that her church is helping to spread the word. “The Freedmen’s Bureau Project will help bring to light family history information for millions of African Americans. The information is free and allows fami-

lies to build their family trees and connect with their ancestors,” said Williams, who has been touting the event at commission meetings and throughout the community. “This project, a detailed index of digitized names originally recorded at the end of the Civil War, will put families back together.” The Freedman’s Bureau Project is a partnership between FamilySearch International and the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture; Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society and the California African American Museum. In addition to information about the Freedman’s project, the event will offer information on “Rootsmagic,” a software program that traces all the branches of a family tree, helpful to not only African Americans but others as well. Classes with basic genealogy tips and ways to identify lineage of female ancestors will be shared at the Family History Discovery Day in both English and Spanish. There will also be information on black history related to the LDS church. Williams said the event will help attendees “get a bigger hammer” to get past those genealogical brick walls that often blocked research your family roots. A light lunch will be served at the conclusion of the event. Reservations are requested, but walk-ins are welcomed. For more information or to reserve your spot, email Pamela Hiatt at pamela_hiatt@ yahoo.com or register online at www.conyersgenealogyworkshop2015.weebly.com.

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AUGUST 8, 2015 • PAGE 7

Conyers Scouts honored for excellence in community service

ailey Jackson and Living as well as singing McKenna Bryan, songs and playing games both 7-year-olds with the residents. The troop who attend Peeks Chapel Elalso did a recycling program, ementary School in Conyers, along with the more typical were recently honored for troop assignments such as gocompleting three community ing camping, participation in service projects to become flag ceremonies, and attendBrownie Girl Scouts. ing events such as Girl Scouts Members of Troup 14866 Day at Six Flags. of Conyers for the last two “We had to do one culturyears, Jackson and Bryan were al exploration activity which “bridged” to Brownie Scouts we did by tasting foods from and received their Journey different countries at one of Summit Award Pin, which is our meetings as well as the given to Girl Scouts who have International Festival the completed all three National Rockdale Girl Scouts Service Leadership Journeys at their Unit has once a year,” said grade level. It is the highest Young. “We also partnered award a Girl Scout Daisy can with other troops in the area earn. The ceremony was held to help with activities and at Amici’s Italian Restaurant projects and we had to comin Conyers. plete at least one troop lead“It’s a big deal and it Pictured L-R, front row: Samone Bryan ( Co-leader), Talmeesia Hairston, Samone Wright, Bailey Jackson, McKenna Bryan, ership journey which focuses should be applauded. Most girls Watiki Hardeman ( Membership Specialist for the East Region of Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta) , and Dorthea Young (Troop on teaching the girls how to be only complete one National Leader). L-R, back row: Samantha Young, Madison Bryan, Jazmine Clayton, Tyrene’ Flanagan, and Rockdale County Board leaders as well as making the Leadership Journey. Three is of Commissioners’ Chairman Richard A. Oden. world a better place. a big deal,” said troop leader The troop currently has Dorthea Young. “These girls went can eat and they started a recycling “I join these young ladies in two leaders and 13 scouts. above and beyond the call of duty.” program with water bottles, visiting excitement. I was honored to be there “I am so proud to see that these Young says the girls put in more the Rockdale Recycling Center to and personally congratulate and pin girls have become so actively involved than 60 hours of community service learn the ins and outs about the proeach girl after they crossed the bridge in their troop,” said Watiki Hardeto complete the three journeys. The cess. They also learned about the ben- to becoming brownie scout,” said man, membership specialist for the two girls planted and natured daisies efits of staying healthy in the summer, Chairman Oden. East Region of Girl Scouts of Greatand a fig tree in the community, built completing an obstacle course and Following the Brownie ceremony, er Atlanta. “I must also applaud the birdhouses and bird feeders in Rockmaking healthy snacks for themselves Girl Scout Troop 14866 also was hon- parents for their roles in helping to dale County’s Johnson Park where and other scouts. ored with the Diamond Troop Award, keep the girls engaged in scouting and they learned the sounds of the birds as Rockdale’s Board of Commission- which recognized its work in the for supporting the leaders, since it is a well. They also cleaned up the park. ers’ Chairman Richard A. Oden, who community. Service projects includfamily affair and without the parents, Jackson and Bryan learned about attended the July 25 ceremony honored making weighted bookmarks for this Diamond Award would not be edible plants that animals and humans ing the girls, applauded the girls’work. seniors at Remington House Assisted possible.”

PAGE 8 •AUGUST 8, 2015

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Local “National Night Out” events give positive image of police By Joshua Smith Stone Mountain Police Sgt. M. Norrington was proud to show off a new squad car’s lights and sirens to kids like Lewis Dandridge at the city’s Aug. 4 National Night Out in downtown Stone Mountain. “It really makes our day to get out in the community and show them that we are just like them. We want the community and especially the kids to come and talk to us when they have problems,” said Sgt. Norrington, who also handed out coloring books and pencils for back to school. “With everything going on in the media with police officers, it feels good to show the community the other side.” The City of Stone Mountain and the Stone Mountain Police Department joined in on the event that is held throughout the country, putting police and community members together to mingle, play and learn about safety. Dandridge, 13, said the lights and loud speakers were pretty cool and the middle schooler at Bethune Middle School says he might pursue a career in law enforcement as an investigator or forensics officer because

of his conversation with Sgt. Norrington. That’s the kind of reaction Stone Mountain Police Chief Chauncey Troutman says the night is all about. “We are excited about participating in this event. It is important that members of the community feel like they know our officers,” said Chief Chauncey. “This is a great opportunity to build our relationships in a positive manner.” The City of Lithonia Police Department also got in on the national event, teaching the community about cyber safety, gun safety and the importance of community. “The event was a great turnout for everyone involved. I took a special interest in teaching the kids about cyber safety and showing parents warning signs,” said Sgt. Lloyd Owens. “I also gave parents gun locks to keep safety a priority in the home. Police all over DeKalb County used National Night Out to build positive relationIn Lithonia, everyone is like family so it’s ships in the community. important to this department that we build that bond with the community.” In the City of Clarkston, DeKalb Coun- We did a special anti-bullying skit for the The Lithonia Police Department also ty Commissioner Sharon Barnes Sutton and children that a lot of residents said they invited local Boy Scout troops to sign up other Clarkston officials helped the Clarkreally appreciated,” said Terry. “Our police people who are interested in scouting or ston Police Department celebrate National chief even got in on the fun, climbing a sevvolunteering with a troop. During the event, Night Out with Mayor Ted Terry. en-story fire truck ladder with the support officers also played basketball with kids. “It was great fun for the whole family. of the community behind her.”

Investigation continued from page 1

information to the media prior to giving the report to DeKalb County, the people who hired him. I think it’s very unprofessional. We could have had an external auditor for a fraction of the cost. Bowers’ report has no subpoena power.” The investigators reportedly have billed the county more than $400,00 for work performed in March, April and May. Commissioner Nancy Jester, who was interviewed by Channel 11, applauded the work of the special investigators. “It’s desperately needed in DeKalb. If we cannot find

out who did what, when, where, how and why, then we’re never going to fix the corruption in DeKalb. People are going to continue to abuse the taxpayer,” Jester told the television station. While Bowers did not name names, he said in his letter that waste and fraud are rampant among county employees, particularly with the use of P-cards (county credit cards). “Improper expenditures include the purchase of a cruise to the Bahamas for an employee, flower arrangements, a “live” guitar player, a Christmas tree and the dry cleaning bill for a judge’s robe. Taxpay-

Suspect continued from page 1

showed Ward headed on Sigman Road around 10:15 a.m. The truck, which has a Georgia tag, IP150R, and a red generator in the truck bed. “We were told that the truck did not have much gasoline in it, but we have issued alerts in Georgia and other states,” Camp said. Ward had been in custody at the Rockdale jail since June 25. He was being held on a long list of charges including theft by breaking into automobiles, receiving stolen property, giving a false name and drug-related offenses, Camp said. Ward was first arrested by Conyers Police officers on June 14. He was reportedly sleeping on the passenger side of a friend’s car in the Conyers WalMart parking lot when police noticed the windows were rolled up in blistering heat. Police found drug paraphernalia on him and arrested him.

“We believe he was using meth,” Camp said. En route to the jail, Ward reportedly began complaining of shoulder pains, saying he was experiencing withdrawal. He was taken to Rockdale Medical Center, where he escaped by walking out, Camp said. Ward was captured four days later—on June 18—in Spartanburg, South Carolina. He was extradited to Rockdale and booked in the jail on June 25. Ward remained on the run as of On Common Ground News Aug. 6 deadline. Anyone with information about Ward or the vehicle he stole is asked to contact the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office at 770-278-8000. A cash reward will be made available for information leading to Ward’s arrest, said Camp.

Tucker resident continued from page 3

loved ones, and address quality of life issues as people age. Elisa’s remarks focused on the difficulty many American women face trying to achieve economic security when faced with real life issues such as limited employment, lack of pensions, care giving or debt caused by divorce, domestic violence or medical bills. The community educator provided common-sense, very often humorous outlooks on practical steps that women can still take to move towards fiscal stability despite real economic challenges. “Reaching working women, who are often struggling to raise children, keep food on the table and who also care for aging parents is both a passion and personal, said Elisa. “I understand the economic challenges women often face but also understand that its not impossible to improve your financial future.” She has served as the 2013 White House Community Leader on Senior Issues, White House Engagement, a member

of the Hispanic Health Coalition, Senior Connections, Inc. Advisory Board, 2010 Commissioner of Planning, DeKalb County Government and she is a 2007 graduate of Leadership DeKalb. She has been honored by the Freddie Mac Foundation’s Best Practice in Community Program Award, Financial Literacy, a Congressional Speaker at the U.S. Congress, Aetna Foundation, Health Literacy forum, and a panel speaker, Financial Literacy at the Women In Business National Conference. Elisa was the 2000 White House Georgia producer for former First Lady Hilliary Rodham Clinton on What Every Woman Needs to Know About Retirement. She has won an Addy, Telly and Emmy award for various media health education campaigns. For more information about Mothers Voices, Georgia Inc., visit: www.mvgeorgia.org and to learn more about the White House Conference on Aging visit: www. whitehouseconferenceongoing.gov.

er funds were routinely used to buy liquor, catered meals, candy, popcorn and pretzels filled with peanut butter for elected officials, department heads and staff members,” the investigative team said. May suspended most county workers’ P-cards in June after the team reported questionable purchases including international flights and dance lessons . The waste and fraud, however, is not exclusive to P-cards, Bowers continued: “The county awarded sole-source contracts, despite there being many qualified vendors available to perform the work at a much lower cost to the county,”

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AUGUST 8,2015 • PAGE 9

Business News Wesley Chapel Road’s New Curb Appeal

East Metro CID brings plants and other beauties to Wesley Chapel

East Metro DeKalb CID Board members, led by chairman Frederick Daniels, Jr. (bottom right), say the newly-landscaped Wesley Chapel corridor is just the beginning of beautifying DeKalb.

By Joshua Smith

ECATUR—Pretty pink muhly grass, vibrant red roses and gold mop trees are part of the new landscape motorists now see at the Wesley Chapel Road corridor’s north end, near I-20. The landscape, which transformed what was drab to pleasing, marks the first beautification project by the East Metro DeKalb Community Improvement District (CID) and community partners. To celebrate, the group hosted a ribbon cutting on Aug. 5 at the revitalized median. CID board members say the project is just the start of what they plan to do to improve the district. Installation of the plants and trees cost about $7,000. It will cost an additional $5,000 to $8,000 to nurture and maintain the median, officials said. Russell Landscape is providing the upkeep. “We are committed to making sure what you see

in Perimeter, Cobb, Tucker, and all the other districts that have taxed themselves for the betterment of the community, comes to this district,” said CID Chairman Frederick Daniels, Jr. “We’re taking baby steps. We are the largest CID in Georgia. You might see this as just a little bitty median, but you have to crawl before you walk and this is just the beginning.” Daniels says the CID’s next step is to bring beautification to the south end of Wesley Chapel, the Candler-Gresham roads area, Memorial Drive and then Covington Highway. The CID covers about 39 miles of land. The East Metro DeKalb CID was formed in 2014 to revitalize southeast DeKalb through public-private partnerships. The self-taxing district, which includes more than 200 commercial property owners, projects 2015 revenues at approximately $213,000. CID Administrator Nicole McGhee Hall of Nickel Works Consulting said community

stakeholders identified the Wesley Chapel beautification as a highly visible project in an area that is home to the majority of the CID members. “It was an excellent first project to champion because it is in the heart of the CID, in a place that is already committed to boosting curb appeal,” Hall said. “We expect this new landscaping will distinguish this as an area committed to enhancing its best qualities. This is the kind of project that CIDs are uniquely able to complete for the benefit of an entire community.” Hall said community partners that made the project possible were the South DeKalb Improvement Association and Wesley Chapel Curb Appeal Task Force; as well as Russell Landscape Group, Keep DeKalb Beautiful and Home Depot, which donated plant materials and landscaping expertise. Interim CEO Lee May says the CID has his full support. “A CID is a very important

DWD, Wal-Mart to host job fair A new Walmart superstore (#3118) is coming to Decatur and Walmart, in partnership with the DeKalb Workforce Development agency, will host a job fair Aug. 12-14 to fill positions for the store. Positions include cashiers; floor sales associates; backroom associates; department supervisors/managers; pharmacists; pharmacy technicians; meat, deli and produce specialists; and cake decorators/bakery specialists. DeKalb Workforce Development, 774 Jordan lane, Building 4, Decatur, will serve as the hiring site from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the recruitment. Applications also may be made online at http://careers.walmart.com.

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economic development tool in moving a community forward. The self-taxing organization allows the area to be more attractive, more inviting, for economic activities and positive development,” said May. “I’m so excited that the East Metro CID is here to partner with the county and local businesses to advance the needs of this area.” The CID also partners with the Southeast Police Taskforce, which operates at the direction of the south and east DeKalb County Police precincts. Board members say the CID’s primary areas of focus are beautification, public safety and transportation improvements. Just footsteps away from the beautification project, the corridor has recently welcomed a Dunkin Doughnuts and a

Photos by Joshua Smith/OCG News

Krispy Kreme that remain bustling with customers. Recently elected DeKalb County Commissioner Mereda Johnson says the beautification project is just the kind of thing the district needs to bring more businesses to the area. “This is such a good thing. I stressed beautification during my campaign and today’s project is so beautiful and is so welcoming. It sends the message to say to everyone, ‘Let’s do business in DeKalb,’ ” said Johnson. “We have a lot of good things coming to our county such as Atlanta United, so we need to continue to beautify the county so people will feel comfortable and warm when they come to DeKalb.”

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Movers & Shakers in the Community

Commissioner Larry Johnson appointed to national leadership positions

Larry Johnson

ational Association of Counties (NACo) President Sallie Clark has appointed DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson, as chair of NACo’s International Economic Development Task

Force and as vice chair of NACo’s Health Steering Committee. Clark, a commissioner from El Paso County, Colorado, made her policy committee leadership appointments shortly after being sworn in as NACo’s president during its Annual Conference, which was held July 10-13, in Mecklenburg County, N.C. “I am honored to lead NACo’s International Economic Development Task Force because counties invest more than $25 billion a year in economic development activities, including international collaboration that helps county economies,” Johnson said. “We pursue trade opportunities and work to attract investments from around the world that support local products, businesses and residents.”

The International Economic Development Task Force facilitates the exchange of information, ideas and resources. The task force guides NACo programming concerning county-level engagement in international economic development activities. Johnson was also named the vice chair of NACo’s Health Steering Committee. “I look forward to supporting and improving the health of America’s counties,” Johnson said. “Counties are working to protect the federal-state-local partnership for Medicaid, reduce the number of individuals with mental illnesses in jails and other health issues that affect our communities and people’s quality of life.” The Health Steering Committee is

responsible for counties’ public health and healthy communities, and the committee addresses issues such as disease and injury prevention, services for the uninsured and underinsured, substance abuse prevention and treatment, behavioral health services and health disparities reduction. Active in NACo since 2005, Johnson has been a subcommittee chair in the Health Steering Committee and previously served as vice chair of the International Economic Development Task Force. He is a member of the Large Urban County Caucus Steering Committee, the Healthy Counties Initiative Advisory Board and NACo’s Board of Directors.

City of Atlanta Corrections Chief named to NOBLE Board

he City of Atlanta Department of Corrections Chief Patrick Labat has been appointed to the National Executive Board of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE). The appointment was made during its 39th Annual Training Conference and Exhibition in Indianapolis, Indiana. Selected by NOBLE’s National President, Labat will serve as Interim Region III Vice President until elections are held. “I am honored that National Presi-

dent Gregory Thomas has entrusted me with the responsibility of overseeing Region III in an interim capacity for NOBLE,” said Chief Labat. “I look forward to serving on the board and contributing to the continued growth of the organization’s Southeastern and international chapters.” In his new role, Chief Labat will serve as the national representative for NOBLE’s existing chapters in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina and Kentucky, as well as its

international chapters. Labat’s previous leadership positions at the state level include serving as president, vice president and special assistant to the president of NOBLE’s Georgia Chapter. NOBLE’s mission is to ensure equity in the administration of justice in the provision of public service to all communities, and to serve as the conscience of law enforcement by being committed to justice by action. Patrick Labat

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