Serving DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale Counties
Volume 19 Number 3
www.ocgnews.com
may 1, 2013
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Crush of DeKalb cityhood proposals include ‘City of Stonecrest’
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By Valerie J. Morgan
ason Lary is leading the way to create a new city in DeKalb County’s far Southeast. He envisions a City Hall there, a civic center where cultural arts and conferences can be held, communities where property values are solid and a place where commerce is king. The new city of Stonecrest is on the horizon, says Lary, who has gotten the support of Sen. Ronald Ramsey, Sr., whose District 43 includes the Stonecrest area. Ramsey has filed a bill— Senate Bill 278—to start what he calls meaningful discussions about
the possibility of cityhood for the Stonecrest area. Sen. Jason Carter, District 42, and Sen. Gail Davenport, District 44, are co-sponsors of the bill. “I’m doing what my constituents asked me to do. It is something that we will look at during next year’s Legislature, but we will start discussions on it this summer,” Ramsey said. Lary, who lives in the Stonecrest area, says he became interested in the creation of Stonecrest as a city, as he waited for a civic center that never came and as he saw his property values plummet. “I can’t get a loan against my
house to send my son to college. It’s underwater,” said Lary. “We’ve got to bring the property values back up. We’ve got to have people who are focused on our area. We need that civic center.” Lary says three meetings are scheduled this summer, starting June 10, for residents to learn more about the city of Stonecrest and to give their input. Stonecrest is not the only new city that could be created in DeKalb. This month, State Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver (D-Decatur) is leading a town hall meeting where
See Cityhood, page 6
Photo by Glenn L. Morgan/OCG News
Jason Lary has designed a city seal for the City of Stonecrest as a way to promote community meetings that are scheduled in June, July and August.
Turning 109
Rockdale’s Mary Lee Sharp surfs the internet, sends emails, watches YouTube By Mackenzie N. Morgan
CONYERS—At 109, Mary Lee Sharp wears a hearing aid and uses a walker to get around now. But she hasn’t let that slow her down. Sharp is a New Age centenarian who plays online games and communicates through e-mails. She even loves watching funny videos on YouTube. “We email each other just about everyday,” her son, John, who is 75, said matter factly.
Recently, the Garden House, the assisted living facility where Sharp lives in Conyers, hosted a surprise party to honor the centenarian on her 109th birthday. Escorted by her son, Sharp posed for pictures as her guests arrived one by one, some steadying themselves on canes, while others rolled in a squeaky symphony of wheelchairs and walkers. “Ma Sharp,” as she is affectionately called, greeted family, friends, elected officials, and the media in the cozy dining hall while a CD of classical artist Vivaldi’s “Summer” played softly in the background. “She was totally surprised. She didn’t realize we were having a party for her until she walked in,” said Mike Meyers, executive director of the Garden House.
See Sharp, page 6
Ma Sharp enjoys good conversation, classical music and getting dolled up.
Photo by Mackenzie N. Morgan/OCG News
DeKalb’s AJ Hawkins headed to Kansas City Chiefs
AJ Hawkins and mother, Mia, stop for a quick pose before the beginning of church service.
Bishop Gary Hawkins recognizes his nephew, AJ Hawkins, for being chosen by the Kansas City Chiefs at an April 28 church service.
By Joshua Smith
AJ Hawkins tried to spend April 27 as if it was just any other Saturday. While the rest of his family watched the 2013 National Football League Draft at their DeKalb County home, Hawkins played video games alone in his bedroom, not knowing that he would receive a call that would change his life forever. The call from the Kansas City
Chiefs came around 8:30 p.m. and Hawkins stepped outside on the front porch to answer his cell phone. When he walked back inside, his mom, Mia, erupted into shouts of praise as he broke the good news. “Bless the Lord!” exclaimed Mia Hawkins, who had been anxiously waiting and praying for her son. Hawkins, usually quiet, couldn’t contain himself. Signed as a free agent to the Kansas City Chiefs, Hawkins
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took to social media to express his excitement. “Blessed…Kansas City let’s get it!!!” Hawkins wrote on his Twitter account. “I look forward to putting in more work, training hard and officially becoming a Kansas City Chief.” A product of DeKalb County’s Martin Luther King High School, Hawkins graduated from the University of Mississippi in Oxford. On the Chiefs, he will join fellow Ole Miss Rebels defensive back Kendrick Lewis, wide receiver Dexter McCluster and nose tackle Jerell Powell. “It feels good to not be in suspense, in the dark about it anymore. I should be getting a call soon from the team about working out and coming to the facilities in Kansas City,” said Hawkins.
Hawkins’ dad, Aaron, said he is excited about the next chapter in his son’s life. “We’re all so proud of him. We went to all his college games, no matter where they were in the country. I haven’t missed a game, home or away, since A.J. started playing at the age of 3,” said Aaron Hawkins. “We’ve got some major traveling to do now, but we plan on attending several games and rooting him on as much as we can, no matter where we are.” Hawkins, who is 6’3 and 311 pounds, ran a 4.9 in the 40-yard dash at his March 7 Pro Day in Mississippi. He plays numerous positions on the offensive line and started every game at right guard for the Rebels during the 2012 season. AJ’s uncle, Bishop Gary Hawkins, Sr., founder of Voices of Faith Ministries, called AJ to the pulpit on Sunday morning so that the congregation could uplift him and offer words of encouragement and support. “We know AJ is a little shy, so he won’t brag or boast, but we are just so proud of him,” said Bishop Hawkins, who oversees five Voices of Faith locations. “I know that the Lord will use AJ’s talents and maximize his strengths as he continues on his path to play at the next level.”
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