On Common Ground News: 7-28-18

FREE VOLUME 24 NUMBER 23

JULY 28, 2018

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Aetna Foundation donates lifesaving Opioid antidote kits to DeKalb

Photos by Travis Hudgons

T

he Aetna Foundation donated $15,000 worth of Narcan kits to the DeKalb County Department of Health at the second annual Opioid Summit, which was held on July 26 at the Porter Sanford Performing Arts Center, 3181 Rainbow Drive, Decatur.

The half-day summit featured 20 speakers—from social advocates and health officials to policy makers and nonprofits.

The Narcan kits, containing 408 doses, will be distributed by the DeKalb County Department of Health to first responders to combat the opioid epidemic across the county.

“Opioid abuse and overdose is one of the most urgent public health crises facing our community today,” said DeKalb

Photo by Shawn Craig

County Commissioner Larry Johnson, who co-hosted the opioid summit with Stand Inc. “Narcan saves lives, and we need a ready supply. This donation equips our first responders with an increased supply to prevent fatal opioid overdoses in DeKalb County.”

Narcan kits contain nasal syringes prefilled with naloxone, which blocks or reverses the effects of opioids.

The Georgia Department of Public Health reports that from 2010 to 2016, the total number of opioid-related overdose deaths statewide increased by 117 percent, from 426 to 929 deaths.

“It is our honor to support DeKalb County’s efforts in the fight against the opioid crisis,” said Frank Ulibarri, vice president and market president for Aetna in Georgia. “Nearly a thousand

Aetna employees call Greater Atlanta home. This issue is close to our hearts, and we know that real solutions have to be brought to bear in their local communities if we are going to fight this effectively. These kits in the hands of our first responders will save lives.”

Aetna Inc. and the Aetna Foundation are confronting the unprecedented opioid crisis both through business practices and strategic philanthropic giving initiatives – tackling the issue from the ground up by collaborating with local communities and making focused interventions to members and provider partners along the entire spectrum of risk, misuse, dependence and recovery.

For more photos from the event, visit www.ocgnews.com.

Photo by Glenn L. Morgan

Rockdale’s historic Pine Street Elementary opens in new location Rockdale County Public Schools’ officials held a dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony on July 24 for the historic Pine Street Elementary School at its new location, 500 Sigman Road.

The two-story, 170,000-square-foot building replaces the former Pine Street Elementary, the oldest existing public school in Rockdale County.

Rockdale Schools Superintendent, Dr. Terry Oatts, Principal Kim Vier, along with Board of Education members Jim McBrayer, chairman, and Wales Barksdale, vice chair, led the dedication celebration.

The 60-year-old elementary school, which opened in 1957 at 1300 Pine Log Road in Conyers, School is being repurposed for administrative offices.

The school, which will serve 900 students, was designed by the architectural firm of Smallwood, Reynolds, Stewart, Stewart & Associations and built by Carroll Daniel Construction.

Rockdale students return to school on July 30. https://pse.rockdaleschools.org/

Lorraine Cochran-Johnson scores victory for DeKalb District 7 BOC seat Latisha Dear-Jackson wins Superior Court Judge

By Valerie J. Morgan

T

wo women were victorious in DeKalb County run-offs.

DeKalb voters overwhelmingly elected media executive Lorraine Cochran-Johnson to serve as the Super District 7 commissioner in the July 24 runoff.

Cochran-Johnson defeated incumbent Gregory Adams with 67 percent (9,993 votes ), according to preliminary election results. Adams received 32.63 percent (4,840).

The results must Latisha Dear-Jackson be certified by the DeKalb Board of Elections and Georgia Secretary of State.

With Cochran-Johnson’s election, there will be three Johnsons serving on the DeKalb Board of Commissioners: Commissioners Larry Johnson, District 3; Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson, District 5; and Cochran-Johnson, Super District 7. Cochran-Johnson will take office in January 2019.

DeKalb voters also elected Latisha Dear-Jackson as judge of the 4th Superior Court District, Stone Mountain Circuit to replace Judge Daniel M. Coursey, who retired after Dear-Jackson defeated Tunde Akinyele with 55.15 percent (21,621 votes). Akinyele received 44.85 percent (17,582 votes), preliminary results showed.

Jackson is a former DeKalb Recorders Court traffic judge and an associate of Thomas Kennedy Sampson & Tompkins LLP. Akinyele is currently chief judge of Lithonia Municipal Court and is in private practice as a defense attorney in the Decatur-based Akinyele Law Firm Only 9.29 percent (44,485) of DeKalb’s 478,665 registered voters participated in the runoffs, DeKalb elections results showed.

PAGE 2 • JULY 28, 2018

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DeKalb couple faces child cruelty charges

Children locked in basement, fed one meal a day A Stone Mountain couple has been arrested by the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office Sex Offender Unit on charges they caused harm to two juveniles.

Warrants issued on July 19 allege that Tamara Raychell McGowan, 38, and Thomas Charles Young, 42, locked two juveniles in the basement of their home on North Hairston Road for hours and fed them Thomas C. Young Tamara R. McGowan noodles only once a day between June 1, 2017 and April 30, 2018.

The warrants also allege that the suspects exposed the juveniles to drug use and sexual activity, and that they attempted to have the juveniles participate.

McGown and Young are both charged with Cruelty to a Child-First Degree, Deprive, Cruelty to Child-First Degree Pain, Criminal Attempt Sodomy, Cruelty to Child Second Degree and Simple Assault Fear. The DeKalb County Sheriff's Office Sex Offender Unit located the couple sleeping in a vehicle in a Walmart parking lot near Stone Mountain. Both were taken into custody without incident and transported to the DeKalb County Jail.

Decatur murder suspect Robert Hamilton arrested Robert Lee Hamilton, Jr., 30, of Scottdale has been arrested by the DeKalb County Sheriff's Fugitive/SWAT Uni on murder charges in connection with the Aug. 27, 2017 shooting death of Walter Lee Cook at the Wesley Club Apartments in Decatur.

According to police reports, Cook, a resident at Wesley Club Apartments, was shot during a confrontation with Hamilton and died as a result of his injuries. Hamilton is charged with Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, Robert Hamilton Possession of a Firearm during Commission of a Felony, and Possession of a Firearm by Convicted Felon. He was arrested on July 25 without incident at a Decatur residence and transported to the DeKalb County Jail.

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PUBLISHER Glenn L. Morgan

gmorgan1@ocgnews.com

EDITOR Valerie J. Morgan

editor@ocgnews.com

ADVERTISING MANAGER Richard S. Hill

richardhill@ocgnews.com

STAFF WRITER Mackenzie Morgan

mackenzie@ocgnews.com

PRODUCTION MANAGER Travis Hudgons travis@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 P.O. Box 904 Lithonia, GA 30058 (678) 526-1910 www.ocgnews.com

JULY 28, 2018 • PAGE 3

Rockdale Sheriff’s investigators arrest teen suspect for illegally dumping over 100 tires

By Valerie J. Morgan A two-mile trail of tires and a muddy shoe print led Rockdale County authorities to the suspect who illegally dumped over 100 tires.

The Rockdale Sheriff’s Office arrested Zavien Corell Sims, a 17-yearold from Conley, and charged him with illegally dumping 107 tires. Lt. Corporal Robert Wilson said the tires were dumped from the entrance lane of 7th Century Row near McDaniel Mill Road to Klondike Road at Stonebridge Trail.

Wilson was traveling north on McDaniel Mill Road around 6 a.m. on July 12 when he observed a large U-Haul truck stopped in the exit lane of 7th Century Row. Tires had been dumped in the lane.

The U-Haul was unoccupied and the rear area was loaded half way with used tires, investigators said. Wilson spotted a man walking on McDaniel Mill Road who had tire marks on his shirt, mud on his shoes and black

residue on the palms of his hands.

One of the investigators on the scene located a muddy shoe print in the asphalt that matched the shoes Sims was wearing.

Sims was arrested. He is facing felony charges for unlawful dumping for commercial purposes. He also was wanted on a warrant from another

Stonecrest Councilman Turner to host Town Hall meeting Stonecrest City Councilman George Turner, District 4, will host a town hall meeting on Thursday, Aug. 2, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Big Miller Grove Baptist Church, 3800 Miles E. Fowler Way, Stonecrest.

The mayor pro tem said proposed development near the intersection of Browns Mill and Panola roads will be among the topics discussed.

The community is urged to attend the meeting.

The meeting agenda will be updated at www. ocgnews.

George Turner

jurisdiction.

The Sheriff’s Office worked with Rockdale’s Code Enforcement officers to have the tires removed. Investigators are trying to determine who hired Sims.

“Corporal Wilson continues to perform above and beyond my expectations. Violations like this one can be very expensive to those who dump trash or liter in our county. I take pride in our community and have zero tolerance for this type of offense,” Sheriff Eric J. Levett said.

Rockdale Board of Commissioners Chairman Oz Nesbitt praised the efforts of the Sheriff’s Office, Code Enforcement, Department of Transportation and Community Improvement Team during his comments at the July 24 BOC meeting.

Nesbitt said all of the agencies worked together to clean up the dumped tires.

“I really do appreciate the team work to be able to respond very quickly,” said Nesbitt, who said the dumped tires were a “sight to see.”

SDIA to host community meeting The South DeKalb Improvement Association will host a community meeting on Saturday, Aug. 11, at Berean Community Center, 2440 Young Road, Stone Mountain.

A Meet & Greet will begin at 9 a.m. The meeting will follow at 9:30 a.m.

The Education Committee will present the program.

Please come out and help to help improve our communities.

Veterans Night Out town hall meeting set in DeKalb July 30

Justice for Veterans and DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson will present a town hall meeting, “Veterans Night Out,” on Monday, July 30, at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts and Community Center, 3181 Rainbow Drive, Decatur. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting will start promptly at 7 p.m.

Retired Lt. Colonel Amos King, Jr. , M. Ed, who heads Justice for Veterans will lead a discussion on

mental health and police brutality.

“Too many veterans continue to be killed as a result of police brutality, even though police know the person has a history of mental illness,” King said. “We must continue working together to ensure the safety of veterans and to make sure they have the resources and medical attention needed.”

Representatives from various agencies will be at the event includ-

DCSD, school bus drivers continue dialogue over concerns The DeKalb County School District (DCSD) continues to address the concerns of its bus drivers through an open, collaborative dialogue, officials say.

Superintendent R. Stephen Green met recently with drivers in the latest step in this ongoing process. In a statement following that meeting, Green noted actions taken recently include offering benefits to the drivers. To date, DCSD has addressed 22 concerns of the drivers, while another 23 are currently being addressed, and 13 more are being researched.

“DCSD continues to work with its bus drivers on solutions that address their concerns. Substantial progress has been made through a series of meetings that have led to improvements such as a new merit pay recognition program and increased salaries in the FY 2019 budget. The district remains committed to working with drivers who demonstrate a spirit of cooperation and collaboration,” the district said in statement.

Some of those steps include: • A 2.5% salary increase for all employees, including bus drivers and monitors • The establishment of a new step structure for both classified and certified staff, effective January 2019 • Increase in extra activity budget to support Special Needs programming, athletic events, field trips, etc.

• Restoration of the District’s Meritorious Attendance Program (annual $150.00 incentive and Spring Banquet ) • Allocation of numerous new positions including 35 school bus monitors; four Routing Technicians; two Dispatch Clerks; two Transportation Customer Service Representatives; one Safety/Field Trainer; one Bus Mechanic; two Body Repair Technicians; and one Electronics and Technology Repair Technician

ing DeKalb County Tax Commissioner Irwin Johnson, who will be discussing tax benefits for veterans, Georgia’s National Cemetery for Veterans and housing officials.

Veterans and their family members, as well as other community stakeholders are encouraged to attend.

For more information, contact Amos King, Justice for Veterans, at 678-698-8753.

Amos King

Larry Johnson

PAGE 4 • JULY 28, 2018

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DeKalb Board of Health extends hours for Back-to-School screenings, vaccinations As the new school year draws closer, parents with schoolaged children never seem to have enough time to get everything done. In the next two weeks, the DeKalb County Board of Health is giving parents an extra two hours by staying open later.

The Board of Health centers will be open from 8:15 a.m. until 7 p.m. July 30—Aug. 2 and Aug. 6—8. Services include immunizations; vision; hearing; dental and nutrition screenings; and sports physicals. The Vital Records office, in the Richardson Health Center, also will be open late for those needing birth certificates for children born in Georgia. No appointment is necessary.

All health centers and Vital Records will observe normal hours of operation: 8:15 a.m. until 5 p.m., on Aug. 3.

The health center locations are: • Clifton Springs Health Center, 3110 Clifton Springs Rd., Decatur.

• East DeKalb Health Center, 2277 S. Stone Mountain-Lithonia Rd., Lithonia.

• North DeKalb Health Center, 3807 Clairmont Rd., NE, Chamblee.

• Richardson Health Center (Vital Records), 445 Winn Way, Decatur.

• T.O. Vinson Health Center, 440 Winn Way, Decatur.

Parents should bring: • Each child and his/her immunization record.

• Cash, a debit or credit card, or a check drawn from a Georgia bank.

• Each child’s insurance card. We accept Medicaid, PeachCare for Kids and State Health Benefit Plan (Blue Cross/Blue Shield and United HealthCare). Other insurance plans may be accepted. Please call to verify.

For more information about school health entry requirements or any of the DeKalb County Board of Health’s services and programs, visit www.dekalbhealth.net or call 404-294-3700.

Photos by Mackenzie N. Morgan

DeKalb Sheriff Jeffrey Mann hosts Community Day with the Sheriff

By Mackenzie N. Morgan

D

eKalb County Sheriff Jeffrey L. Mann hosted the ninth annual “Community Day with the Sheriff” on July 25 at the Stars & Strikes bowling center in Stone Mountain. The event, which began in 1999 as collaboration between the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office under then-Sheriff Thomas Brown and businessman Tom Walker, Sr., owner of Suburban Lanes, was started to promote positive relationships between young people and law enforcement.

“I grew up in a small town where we knew and respected the police chief and all of the deputies. We are trying to rebuild that same mutual respect for our law enforcement officers within the community and we want our youth to know that police are not the enemy, but that they’d like to be the friend and be there for them,” said Tom Walker, Sr.

The invitation-only event brought together more than 100 DeKalb County youths from various community and faithbased organizations to meet law enforcement officers in a fun setting to enjoy free bowling and pizza and to receive new backpacks and school supplies.

Lead Chaplain Curtis Crocker, Jr. from the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office concluded the event with a prayer of protection for both the students and law enforcement officers as they enter the new school year.

“When we look at the youth who are matriculating through the education system, we have to have a passion to ensure that they have opportunities for success.

This particular event gives us an opportunity as a collective to pour into them by giving them the things they need for the school year,” said Crocker.

CITY OF STONECREST PLANNING COMMISSION, PUBLIC HEARING: TUESDAY, AUGUST 7TH 2018 AT 6:00 P.M. CITY OF STONECREST MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL, PUBLIC HEARING: MONDAY, AUGUST 20TH 2018 AT 7:00 P.M. STONECREST CITY HALL, 3120 STONECREST BLVD LITHONIA, GA 30038 The following Land Use Petition(s) within the City of Stonecrest is scheduled for Public Hearings as stated above.

LAND USE PETITION: PETITIONER: LOCATION: CURRENT ZONING:

RZ-18-003 LDG Development 6554 Chupp Rd / 7247 Covington Hwy C-1 (Local Commercial) / R-100 (Residential Medium Lot) / O-I (Office-Institutional) PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT: Request to change the conditions of zoning to construct 240 townhome units.

LAND USE PETITION: PETITIONER: LOCATION: CURRENT ZONING: PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT:

SLUP-18-004 Invictus Development Inc 6169 Hillvale Rd R-100 (Residential Medium Lot) Request to Special Land Use permit to construct a senior living facility.

LAND USE PETITION: PETITIONER: LOCATION: CURRENT ZONING: PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT:

RZ-18-004 Invictus Development Inc 6169 Hillvale Rd R-100 (Residential Medium Lot) Request to change the zoning of the subject property from R-100 to MR-1 (Med Density Residential) to construct a senior living facility.

LAND USE PETITION: PETITIONER: LOCATION: CURRENT ZONING: PROPOSED:

AX 18-0001 Halpern Enterprises 6024 Covington Highway MU-5 (Mixed Use) / C-1 (Local Commercial) Request to annex the western portion of this parcel into the City of Stonecrest and change the zoning of the subject property from C-1 w/conditions and MU-5 to MU- 5 to build a 160 townhomes subdivision.

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JULY 28, 2018 • PAGE 5

Ruby Tuesday’s Conyers location closes

By Valerie J. Morgan

R

uby Tuesday has closed its Conyers location at 1714 Highway 138 N.E. According to a sign posted on the door, the restaurant closed on July 23.

Efforts to contact the company’s media relations by e-mail and the restaurant by telephone were unsuccessful. The restaurant’s listing on Google has been changed to “permanently closed.”

The shutdown of the Conyers location follows declining sales that have plagued the chain for several years. Officials announced in August 2016 that it planned to close 95 underperforming locations. At that time, the company had not identified which of its 724 restaurants nationwide would be closing, but company officials said the decision was made after a comprehensive review of the corporateowned restaurants’ portfolio. The chain is known for its American cuisine, which ncludes steak, burgers, seafood and chicken dishes, and its salad bar.

Fred Boscarino, president of the ConyersRockdale Chamber of Commerce, said he was surprised to learn the Conyers location had closed.

“They’ve been there for years,” said Boscarino.

In fact, the Conyers location opened in 1992, according to the City of Conyers business licensing division.

The eatery’s banquet room had been a popular place for special events and community meetings. Josie Dean, founder of the Rockdale Think Tank, said she had to find another place to host her group’s monthly meeting, scheduled on July 28.

“We’ve been there for three years. It really

Photos by Glenn L. Morgan

caught us by surprise that they were closing,” said Dean.

According to news reports, the restaurant chain had a loss of $50.7 million on revenues of $1.1 billion for fiscal year 2016, which ended in May. NRD Capital, an Atlanta-based equity firm that specializes in franchise business investments, acquired Ruby Tuesday in December 2017. There were 596 Ruby Tuesday restaurants in 41 states, 14 foreign countries and Guam as of Dec. 1, according to news reports.

Courthouse millage rate.

The Rockdale Think Tank group will meet on Saturday, July 28, noon to 2 p.m., at the Suntrust Bank building, 1530 Highway 138 N.E., Conyers.

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF PROPERTY TAX INCREASE

The Rockdale County Board of Commissioners has The Rockdale County Board of Commissioners does tentatively adopted a 2018 millage rate which will hereby announce that the 2018 millage rate will be set require an increase in property taxes by 9.85 percent. at a meeting to be held at the Assembly Hall located ard ofatCommissioners announce that the 2018 millage ratehearing will be se All concerned citizens are invited to the public 901 Main Street, Conyers, does GA 30012hereby on Tuesday, 2018 at Street, 10:00 a.m. Conyers, GA 30012 on on this tax increase to be held in the Hall10:00 a.m ted atAugust 9017,Main Tuesday, August 7,Assembly 2018 at located at 901 Main Street, Conyers, Georgia 30012 on ents Theof O.C.G.A. 48-5-32 do hereby publish the following presentation of the curre Pursuant to the requirements of O.C.G.A. 48-5-32 Rockdale County Board of Commissioners does hereby announce that the 2018 millage rate will be set at a meeting to be held Tuesday, July 24 at 10:00 a.m. The time and place of hereby following presentation of the atdo the Assembly Hall locatedpublish at 901 Main Street,the Conyers, GA 30012 on Tuesday, August levy 7, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. istory of the tax digest and for the pastanfive years. additional public hearings on this tax increase is in current year's tax digest andthe levy, alongof the with Pursuant to the requirements of O.C.G.A. 48-5-32 do hereby publish following presentation current the year's tax digest theof the tax digest andhistory levy, along withof the history tax digest and levy forand the past levy five years. for the past five the Assembly Hall located at 901 Main Street, Conyers, years.

Georgia 30012 on Tuesday, July 24, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. and on Tuesday, July 31, 2018 at 6:00 p.m.

CURRENT 2018 TAX DIGEST AND 5 YEAR HISTORY OF LEVY

PUBLIC NOTICE

CURRENT 2018 TAX DIGEST AND 5 YEAR HISTORY OF LEVY ($ in 1,000's)

COUNTY WIDE

2013

Real & Personal Motor Vehicles Mobile Homes Timber-100% Heavy Duty Equipment

2013

2014

2015

2,045,856 203,460 2,086 115 49

2,127,752 169,054 1,938 0 0

2,195,024 114,533 1,897 0 0

2,045,856 203,460 Gross Digest Total 2,251,566 Less M&O Exemptions 383,016 2,086 Net M&O Digest 1,868,550 115 Gross M&O Millage 20.70 49 0.00 Less Rollbacks Net M&O Millage

20.70

2,251,56638,679 383,016 Net Taxes $ Increase Net Taxes % Increase 1,868,550 Net Taxes Levied

20.70

2,298,744 387,457 1,911,287 20.24 0.00 20.24 38,684 5 0.0

($

2016 2,323,248 2014 86,580 2,027 0 0

2017

2,436,480 64,396 2,019 0 0

2,127,752 2,311,454 169,054 2,411,855 2,502,895 397,547 416,759 415,582 1,9382,087,313 1,913,907 1,995,096 0 20.19 20.19 20.19 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 20.19

20.19

20.19

40,281 42,143 2,298,744 -43 387,457 1,639 1,862 -0.1 1,911,287 4.2 4.6

38,642

20.24

This tentative increase will result in a millage rate in 1,000's) of 20.19 mills, an increase of 1.81 mills. Without 2018 this tentative tax increase, the millage rate will be no 2,667,125 2015 2016tax increase 49,581 more than 18.38 mills. The proposed 2,269 for a home with a fair market value of $100,000 is 0 0 2,195,024 approximately $72.40 and the2,323,248 proposed tax increase 114,533 2,718,975 for non-homestead property with a86,580 fair market value of 428,044 1,897is approximately $217.20.2,027 $300,000 2,290,931 20.19 0.00 20.19 46,254 4,111 9.8

2

2,4

0 0 0 Board of Commissioner will hold 0 a Called Further, the

Meeting on Tuesday August, 7, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. in 2,311,454 2,411,855 the Assembly Hall located at 901 Main Street, Conyers, 397,547 30012, for the purpose of setting416,759 the 2018 Millage Rate.

1,913,907

1,995,096

20.19

20.19

2,5 4 2,0

PAGE 6 • JULY 28, 2018 WWW.OCGNEWS.COM

Rockdale’s Constitutional Corner

Celebrating Nonprofits and Volunteer Attorneys

By Ruth A. Wilson Clerk of Courts

E

ach year, the Rockdale Clerk of Courts Office (COC) works with a panel of community volunteers who serve as the COC Charitable Giving Review Panel to decide which of the applicant local nonprofit agencies will receive a Clerk of Courts Charitable Giving Grant. This year’s panel members are Muddesar Ahmad – Business Owner, Thua Barlay – Attorney, Dr. Billie Boyd Cox

– Pastor, Macedonia Baptist Church, Moses Kabia – BB&T Vice President, Jennifer Rutledge – Rockdale County Director of Legislative Affairs, and Jean Yontz – Executive Director of Phoenix Pass.

This year, the Charitable Giving Award Luncheon was combined with the Family Law Information Center (FLIC) Volunteer Attorney of the Year Celebration. Chief Superior Court Judge David Irwin presided and presented Certificates of Appreciation and Recognition to each of the attorneys before presenting a check for $1,000 to 2017 Volunteer Attorney of the Year, Villy Stopler. He then donated his award to the charity of his choice, Friends of Accountability Courts, lead

by Derek Marchman.

Throughout each month, the clerk of courts, tax commissioner, sheriff and probate judge—Rockdale’s elected constitutional officers—discuss topics relevant to their respective roles

2018 CHARITABLE GIVING GRANT WINNERS HILLS ACADEMY FOUNDATION, TIFFANY HILBURN – ADMINISTRATOR: $7,000 Hills Academy Foundation will build a media lab at Trinity Baptist Church which will be shared by students at the private school for underserved boys along with the church program participants and other local nonprofits that run programs at the church such as Ceek To Fulfill. This is a model of collaboration and sharing resources.

CARING WORKS, BARBARA PETERS – DIRECTOR: $5,000 Caring Works will provide hotel vouchers to homeless families needing temporary housing. It will also build upon its Rapid Re-housing program as it supports other local nonprofits serving the homeless in Rockdale CEEK TO FULFILL, EVELYN COOKSEY – EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: $4,000 Ceek To Fulfill will provide Pre-K and Kindergarten support to dual language learners. With the increasing population of non-English speakers entering the public schools, there is an increasing need to prepare children to enter English only classrooms.

Beautification Project

DeKalb Beautiful partners with 600 youths to paint 90 barriers Berean Christian Church hosted Keep DeKalb Beautiful’s largest Barriers to Beauty program to date as part of the church’s youth conference, which was recently held.

Nearly 600 children painted 90 barriers that are used in targeted areas to prevent illegal dumping. Some of the barriers will be placed near the church at the end of Bell Circle.

Additionally, Keep DeKalb Beautiful recognized the efforts of Berean Christian Church by awarding its “Religious Institution Award” for having the most volunteer hours to date in its respective category.

Rockdale Chairman Nesbitt to host third “Shop Talk” forum Rockdale County Chairman Oz Nesbitt, Sr. will host the third “Shop Talk” forum on Saturday, Aug. 18, at Trim Starz Barber Shop, 1910 Highway 20 SE, Suite 230, Conyers.

The event, the third in the series, will feature the following speakers to answer community residents’ questions and concerns: • Probate Court Judge Clarence Cuthpert • State Court Judge Nancy Bills Oz Nesbitt • Cynthia Welch, Board of Elections Director The Shop Talk series introduces elected officials to those who may not know who they are or what their roles, duties and responsibilities are.

For more information, contact Jorge Diez at jorge.diez@ rockdalecountyga.gov or 770-278-7056.

PET OF THE Week

Meet LifeLine's DeKalb County Animal Services Pet of the Week, Oreo. This gorgeous boy turns heads wherever he goes and is ready to be your favorite cookie! Oreo is as sweet as his name and has a wonderful disposition. He weighs about 40 lbs, and is the perfect mix of friendly, playful, and calm. Is Oreo the cure to your sweet tooth? Come meet him at DeKalb County Animal Services today to find out!

Our next Pet of the Week is a beautiful girl with sweet soulful eyes. Meet Nyla, a two-year-old sweetie who learns fast. Nyla is a good-natured girl who makes friends wherever she goes. she enjoys snuggle time on the sofa, walks with her humans and giving kisses daily. Need a little affection in your life? Then come get to know Nyla at DeKalb County Animal Services.

To meet Oreo or Nyla, simply drop by the shelter at 3280 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, email adoptions@dekalbanimalservices.com or call (404) 294-2165.

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JULY 28, 2018 • PAGE 7

DeKalb Sheriff’s Office earns second Triple Crown Accreditations At the annual conference of the National Sheriff’s Association (NSA) in New Orleans, DeKalb County Sheriff Jeffrey L. Mann accepted the agency’s second NSA Triple Crown Accreditation award. It is an honor within the law enforcement profession that is shared by only 16 other sheriff’s offices in the United States.

The “Triple Crown” designation refers to simultaneous accreditation by the American Correctional Association (ACA), the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC), and the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).

“Achieving these accreditations individually is a daunting task,” the NSA states on its website. “Acquiring all three at the same time is an extraordinary feat. In fact, the Triple Crown distinction is so rare

that since the establishment of the award in 1993, fewer than 100 sheriffs’ offices have qualified.” Of the 3,063 sheriff’s offices nationwide, only 62 have ever earned this distinction. The agency’s first NSA Triple Crown was awarded in 2008.

In a 2016 proclamation by the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners, the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office was acknowledged for “meeting the highest standards of professional management, performance accountability, and operational integrity set by industry-recognized accrediting organizations.”

“Our pursuit of excellence and professionalism is unwavering,” says Sheriff Mann. “We will not fail in our commitment to DeKalb County citizens, who deserve no less than our best.”

DeKalb County Sheriff Jeffrey L. Mann, accepts a second Triple Crown Award for law enforcement accreditations from National Sheriffs’ Association President Sheriff Harold Eavenson at the NSA Conference in New Orleans.

On Common Ground News Marketplace PIZZA

RESTAURANT

PART TIME JOB Looking for a PT job? Kenley’s Catering and Sandwich Shop is hiring concession stand workers for the football season. Positions available in DeKalb County at Godfrey Stadium (Panthersville) and Adams Stadium. There will be a hiring event for on Aug. 12, 2 p.m., at Godfrey Stadium, 2817 Clifton Springs Road, Decatur. We will be hiring on the spot for both stadiums. No experience necessary. Two forms of I.D. required: Bring a photo I.D. and Social Security card.

For more information, call 404-217-2455.

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