VOLUME 22 NUMBER 4
FREE
APRIL23, 2016
Published Since April 1995 Serving DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale Counties • www.facebook.com/ocgnews
Gov. Deal signs Stonecrest bill for referendum Valerie J. Morgan
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esidents of the proposed city of Stonecrest in Southeast DeKalb County will finally get to have their say on whether they should incorporate and govern themselves. Gov. Nathan Deal signed the bill on April 21 clearing the way for a voter referendum on the measure. “We have worked hard for residents to be able to decide. It took three years to get this done and we are ecstatic,” said Jason Lary, president of the Stonecrest City Alliance, which had pushed for the bill. If voters approve the bill in November, elections for the pro-
posed city’s five-member council and mayor would take place in March 2017. The positions would be part time under SB 208, which received final passage in the General Assembly on March 24. With the amendments to a part-time structure, the part-time salaries were set at $20,000 a year for mayor and $16,000 for council members. The proposed municipality, which would include 50,000 residents, is bordered to the East by Rockdale County, to the South by Panola
Mountain State Park, and to the West and North by DeKalb County. The city would provide three main services: parks and recreation, planning and zoning and code enforcement. DeKalb County would provide police and fire services. The Stonecrest City Alliance’s feasibility study projects the city would have annual revenues of $9.8 million and annual expenses of $7.9 million, leaving almost a $2 million surplus. (L-R) Gov. Nathan Deal and Jason Lary share a lighthearted moment during a break in the 2016 Legislative Session. Photo Provided
Nine qualify for DeKalb’s District 7 Commission seat
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he November special election to fill DeKalb County’s Super District 7 Commission seat will be crowded. When qualifying ended on April 20 at noon, nine candidates had officially thrown their names in the hat to run for the seat vacated by former Commissioner Stan Watson. There are two years left on Watson’s unexpired fouryear term. Watson is running in a three-way race for DeKalb tax commissioner in May. The District 7 candidates are Gregory Adams, Diane Daniels Adoma, George Chidi, Faye Coffield, Jerome Edmondson, Randal Mangham, Edward Patton, Rita Robinzine and John E. Tolbert, Jr. Adams, a police officer and military veteran who lives in Stone Mountain, said public safety, economic development and senior citizens and youths are among his top priorities. “I will be a champion and positive voice focusing on public safety, economic development and civic engagement. I am committed to public service and fighting for others—especially our youth and seniors. I will work diligently to gain the confidence of business owners to develop and move forward with a long-term
Custodian found dead at DeKalb’s Martin Luther King High
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economic development plan and engage residents to bring awareness to how the County works,” said Adams, who most recently ran in last year’s special election to fill the District 5 Commission seat vacated by Lee May. Diane Daniels Adoma, who lives in unincorporated DeKalb near Lithonia, said she is seeking the seat because she is committed to helping make DeKalb better. “I believe in DeKalb County. I’m dedicated to DeKalb County and I desire the absolute
Anthony Jacobs
tudents at Martin Luther King High School were diverted to neighboring schools on April 21 after a 52-yearold custodian was found dead at the school. The man, identified as Anthony Jacobs, 52, was a night janitor at the school. Jacobs had been ill for some time and appeared to have collapsed and died at the school, authorities said. A co-worker, another custodian, made the discovery. Authorities said they did not suspect foul play. Students in the 9th and 10th grades were relocated to Arabia Mountain High in Lithonia and 11th and 12 grade students were best for DeKalb County. I want to sent to Southwest DeKalb High in Decatur as bring my leadership and service to police sealed off the school to investigate. the board in order to enhance our Friends posted farewell notes to Jacobs’ legislative body and to bring my Facebook page, many of them saying how business, community and profesmuch they would miss him and were praying sional skills to help in moving for his family. He was remembered for his DeKalb County forward,” said soft voice and warm smile. Adoma, who is a business consulOne friend wrote that it was a sad day for tant and a franchise owner of H & classmates of the former Brown High School R Block. Adoma ran in the special in Atlanta, where Jacobs apparently attended election for State Senate District school. 43 in 2015 and State Representa“Today is a sad day for my Atlanta and tive District 81 in 2014. Brown High School family. RIP Anthony Jacobs. I will see you again,” the friend posted. See District 7, page 9