VOLUME 21 NUMBER 44
FREE
FEBRUARY 13, 2016
Published Since April 1995 Serving DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale Counties • www.facebook.com/ocgnews
Rep. Hank Johnson to host resources fair for constituents
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Section B
Local communities show outpouring of support for Flint, Michigan By Valerie J. Morgan
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eople didn’t just bring their appetites to DeKalb County Commissioner Stan Watson’s community breakfast meeting as they usually do in anticipation of the free hearty, Southern breakfast that is served every first Saturday. This month, residents, community leaders and elected officials brought cases and cases of bottled water to Southwest DeKalb High School on Feb. 6, where the community breakfast was held. In all, 25,000 bottles of water were collected for residents in Flint, Michigan, which has made national news because its drinking water supply from the Flint River is contaminated with lead. The exposure has devastated the majority black city and prompted a class action lawsuit and federal investigation. The crisis has also spurred a call to action with people from around the nation sending water to Flint after learning that the long-term effects of lead contamination can cause irreversible neurological consequences
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on children and the elderly. A mother of four children helped to expose Flint’s toxic water after she and her children began losing their hair, experienced severe abdominal pain, rashes and other illnesses. Bobby Smith, who was born in Flint and now lives in the Atlanta area, initiated local water drives to help the people from his hometown. “I want to congratulate Commissioner Watson. He was the catalyst for raising 25,000 bottles of water,” said DeKalb Commissioner Larry Johnson, who was among the elected
officials who helped Watson. At the Board of Commissioners’ Feb. 9 meeting, Johnson thanked Watson and urged the community to keep pitching in, saying that Flint residents are facing a long-term problem. Watson thanked the Teamsters for making the commitment to deliver the donations to Flint residents. The Davis Bozeman law firm in Decatur and the Rockdale Sheriff’s Office also were among others who collected water to send to Flint. Davis Bozeman collected water purifiers as well over the weekend.
ongressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) is holding his 2016 Resources Fair to help connect constituents with local, state and federal agencies that will provide job-readiness training, information on the television/ film industry and employment opportunities. The fair will be Thursday, Feb. 18, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Georgia Piedmont Technical College (GPTC), 495 N. Indian Creek Dr., Clarkston. The event will include trainings for veterans, help for ex-offenders trying to overcome barriers to employment, resume development, interviewing skills and small business forums. The fair will be Thursday, Feb. 18, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., GPTC, 495 N. Indian Creek Dr, Clarkston. “I’m committed to helping constituents who want to improve their lives and make the community a better place to live, work and play,” said Johnson. “Holding this fair is a great way to help people connect with the resources and opportunities that are available to them.” Participating entities include: Georgia Piedmont Technical College, Georgia State University, Brenau University, STAND Inc., Matter Max Media, MAR-
Congressman Hank Johnson
TA, Delta Global Staffing, Baxalta, Bojangles, O’Reilly Auto Parts, MCS Industry Supply Company, International Union of Operating Engineers, DeKalb County Schools, DeKalb Workforce Development, HD Supply, Army Recruiting, Navy Recruiting, Newton County Sheriff’s Office, Veterans Administration, University of Georgia Small Business Development Center, Urban League of Greater Atlanta, DeKalb County Housing Authority, Department of Housing & Urban Development, Federal Housing Administration, DeKalb County Family & Children Services, DeKalb County Schools, Office of Gov. Deal, Women’s Veterans Interactive Center, Homeowners Employment Corp., Goodwill, Jewish Family & Career Services, K.E.S. Inc., Democratic House Caucus, Veterans Administration, AT&T and Home Depot.
Hank Aaron Statue to remain in Atlanta
hen the Atlanta Braves move to their new home in Cobb County, the iconic statue of Hank Aaron will remain at Turner Field, Atlanta officials have announced. “I am pleased to have worked with our team and the Braves to finalize this issue,” said Keisha Lance Bottoms, executive director of the City of Atlanta and Fulton County Recreation Authority Bottoms. “While there are other matters that must be resolved before the Braves exit Turner Field, keeping the Hank Aaron statue at home is a major accomplishment. We can now move forward with the transition of the stadium knowing that a part of Mr. Aaron’s incredible legacy will continue to be appropriately honored within the city.”
Since the Braves’ announcement in 2013 that they would depart Turner Field for a new facility in Cobb County, controversy has swirled around whether the statue was the property of the Atlanta Braves or the recreation authority. Bottoms said the authority conducted an internal review and uncovered Olympics-era documents clearly spelling out that the statue belonged to the citizens of Atlanta and Fulton County. “The statue of Hank Aaron rightfully belongs to the citizens of the City of Atlanta and Fulton County, and we have worked hard to ensure that this historic sports landmark and tribute to the great Hank Aaron will remain,” said Bottoms.