May 9, 2015 by On Common Ground News

VOLUME 21 NUMBER 6

FREE

MAY 9, 2015

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

In The News

May resigns from Commission seat, developer Vaughn Irons jumps in race By Valerie J. Morgan

Rockdale Fire Department rolls out four new fire trucks Page 3

A celebration of trains at Vines Park Page 4

eKalb County’s Interim CEO Lee May says he’s resigning his seat as a county commissioner, paving the way for the more than 140,000 residents in District 5 to elect someone else for the seat as early as June. “It’s (the vacant District 5 seat) been more of a distraction than anything. We need a full complement of voting commissioners and I’m willing to step aside to allow that to happen,” said May, who said he plans to continue serving as ICEO at the governor’s pleasure. Meanwhile, developer Vaughn Irons has announced his plans to run for the District 5 seat. Irons, CEO of APD Solutions, says he is sending out mailers in the district wishing moms a Happy Mothers’ Day and letting voters know he plans to throw his name in the hat. “I’ve spent so many years trying to serve the county in so many capacities that I believe it’s time for me to step up to take on this leadership role,” said Irons, adding

ICEO Lee May

Vaughn Irons

that economic development will be one of his top priorities. Irons, 44, has been a DeKalb resident for 20 years. He has lived in District 5 for seven of those years. Irons has served on a number of boards including the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce, DeKalb Development Authority, the YMCA of South DeKalb, and Sandstone Estates Homeowners Association, just to name a few. May wrote the governor, telling him that he was willing to give up the seat and was resigning immediately. For months, May had refused to resign as commis-

sioner, saying his appointment as DeKalb’s ICEO was only temporary. May took on the role as ICEO in July 2013, after Gov. Nathan Deal appointed him as presiding officer of the Board of Commissioners to fill in for suspended CEO Burrell Ellis, who is fighting corruption charges. May said he assumed he would return to his elected position or someone would be appointed in short order. But after filling the ICEO position nearly two years, he sought to appoint someone only to reach an impasse with the Board of Commissioners. May blasted three commissioners

for blocking the appointments, although he didn’t name the three. “Due to petty personal politics and clear obstruction, three commissioners have intentionally abused the process to prevent more than 140,000 citizens from their constitutional right of representation,” May said in a news release. “These commissioners have denied the opportunity to appoint well qualified individuals to the District 5 seat and have sabotaged other efforts to reach a consensus. They have chosen to avert the will of the people.” Recently, a group of fed up District 5 residents showed up at the Board of Commissioners’ meeting, telling the board not to vote on any of the nominees they were considering for the job. They said they had waited nearly two years and would wait until a verdict is reached in the Ellis trial before deciding what to do. Last year, a jury deadlocked in the Ellis trial. Ellis received a new trial date, which is now scheduled for June. But now that May plans to See District 5, page 8

Thanking Teachers Teacher Appreciation Week pays off big at DeKalb’s Snapfinger Elementary

Zetas honor OCG News publishers, high school seniors and others Page 9

Olde Town makes room for “Alvin and the Chipmunks 4” film crews Page 10

By Joshua Smith Teachers at DeKalb County’s Snapfinger Elementary School got a special surprise when they walked into the cafeteria for their weekly faculty meeting on May 6. With some help from WalMart on Memorial Drive, the Snapfinger Elementary PTSA gave away more than 80 Prestige Pro 7 OS Tablets and cases to the school’s faculty members to mark National Teacher Appreciation Week. The tablets operate on the Android system and are designed to surf the web, manage multiple e-mails as well as stream music and videos. They have built-in Wifi capabilities, a high-resolution 7.0” touchscreen and 16GB of internal storage. Members of the PTSA held a wide rage of fundraisers—from sponsoring dances to donut sales—to raise $4,000 to

Photos by Joshua Smith/OCG News

Snapfinger Elementary School PTSA President Mattie Reed hugs a staff member as the school celebrates National Teacher Appreciation Week on May 6 in Decatur.

help buy the tablets and host a reception for the teachers. The PTSA also received two $1,000 community-based grants from Walmart for the thank-you project. The Atlanta Public Schools System also got in on the national celebration. On May 6, APS Superintendent Dr. Meria J. Carstarphen made a special visit to Lenora P. Miles Intermediate School to deliver teacher toolbox kits to every teacher in the school.

Newell Rubbermaid, in partnership with the Kids In Need Foundation, donated “Teacher Toolboxes” to 106 APS schools that serve 50,000 students across the district. Each Newell Rubbermaid “toolbox” came loaded with school supplies from Newell Rubbermaid including Sharpie®, Paper Mate®, Expo®, Mr. Sketch® other Rubbermaid® brands. The Snapfinger PTSA, however, worked hard to make

Teacher Appreciation Week super special. In addition to the tablets, the PTSA also gave out T-shirts, hoodies and awards to dedicated volunteers and parents associated with the school. PTSA President Mattie Reed said “the unsung heroes” of the school deserved the recognition. “We know this hasn’t been an easy time for our teachers. See Teachers page 7

PAGE 2 •MAY 9, 2015

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Because you get what you pay for.

That’s why I invested in ENERGY STAR® appliances and received rebates in return. Thanks to the money saving tips on the Georgia Power website, I learned exactly how to turn my renovation into a reward. First, I got $50 for taking advantage of the Georgia Power Refrigerator Recycling Program. Then, I got a rebate for purchasing ENERGY STAR® certified appliances, and since these appliances use 10 to 50 percent less energy than standard models, I get the benefit of a lower monthly bill. For more information on tips and rebates, visit georgiapower.com/save. Certain restrictions apply. Must be a Georgia Power customer. Rebate available through November 30, 2014. Customer must submit receipt/invoice for the ENERGY STAR® appliance with the rebate form.

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MAY 9, 2015 • PAGE 3

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

Rockdale County Fire and Rescue Chief Dan Morgan (right) shows off the new fire trucks during a community celebration on May 4.

Rockdale Fire Department rolls out four new f ire trucks By Joshua Smith

The young and young at heart were excited to see four big, red fire trucks get washed down by water flying from 100 feet in the air via a ladder truck at a ceremonial wash down on May 4 in Conyers. News 24/7 @ The fire trucks or units, as www.ocgnews.com they’re called by firefighters, are fully loaded with tools, horns, sirens and cherry red flashing lights, among other features. Funding for the units to serve the residents of Rockdale came from a 2005 SPLOST referendum. The four units cost $2.5 million – the two DeKalb Workforce Developengines just more than $484,650 ment (DWD) is accepting applicaeach, a heavy rescue squad at tions for its Workforce Investment $615,000 and an aerial truck with a Act Youth Program. Interested can- 95-foot ladder costs $870,120. didates must be out-of-school young “This equipment allows our people between the ages of 16-24 Fire-Rescue teams to safely and who meet certain income guidelines. professionally handle the everyday Currently, DeKalb Workforce and serious issues that come up in Development provides educational our community daily. Today repand employment services for more resents another way that SPLOST than 600 youths in DeKalb County. funds make this a great place to DeKalb Workforce Development live,” said Allan Jones, Rockdale anticipates enrolling 100-150 young SPLOST oversight committee people. Participants enrolled in the program must be able to provide proof of citizenship, a birth certificate, valid identification, proof of DeKalb County residency, and proof of income. The application deadline is Friday, May 15, 5 p.m. The overall mission of the DWD Youth Unit is to improve educational and occupational skills competency, provide career development opportunities, and training through focused programs using DeKalb Workforce Development’s business strategy E3: Education, Employment and Economic Development. Applicants interested in participating in the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funded Youth Program for DeKalb County should call 404687-3428. To complete the application, please visit the Workforce Development webpage at http://ow.ly/MoI9e Volunteers or businesses interested in becoming involved in the program should contact Latanya Lowery at llowery@dekalbcountyga.gov or 404-371-3038. P.O. Box 904 Lithonia, GA 30058 (678) 526-1910

DWD accepting youth program applications

chair. “I join the members of the committee and subcommittee in saying that we are so excited to see these new units go into the fleet to serve this community.” There was also a fifth unit at the ceremony that will be donated to the Rockdale Career Academy (RCA) for students working toward certification as firefighters through a partnership between RCFR, the Career Academy and Georgia Piedmont Technical College. “When I first signed up for the academy at RCA, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do after high school. Throughout the course, I learned that being a firefighter means much more than just running into a burning building and putting wet stuff on red stuff,” said 18-year-old Aaron Porter, who is graduating from the RCA program this year. “The program has showed me the medical side and secured to me that being a firefighter is the career I will pursue. A donated truck like this serves as as a great educational tool for the program, teaching these you just

can’t learn in a book.” Porter is a senior at Heritage High School and also attends the Rockdale Career Academy’s Fire Academy course in Conyers. Porter says the truck will allow RCA students to be certified with real-life tools, giving them the competitive edge when applying for jobs with fire departments. Rockdale County Fire Chief Dan Morgan said the new units will replace those that will be put in reserves and some may be donated to other programs such as the one at RCA. “We have two fire engine “pumpers” that have 2,000-gallon-a-minute pumps. They carry over 2,500 feet of hose a piece, they have an on board generator and carry an assortment of fire, rescue and medical tools and supplies. We also have here today an aerial ladder truck with a platform bucket that can be elevated to 95 feet in the air, carries over 2,000 feet of hose and has specialty equipment for use on roofs and elevated structures. We also have the heavy res-

cue squad unit which carries about every tool you can think of for all kinds of rescue scenarios including a light tower that can come out of the top of the unit,” said Morgan. Rockdale County has nine fire stations in total. The units will be going to Station One on Highway 138, Station Eight on Scott Street, Station Three on Old Salem Road and Station Nine on Walker Road. The ceremony concluded with families and local government officials such as Board of Commissioners Richard Oden, Oz Nesbitt, Doreen Williams and Conyers Mayor Randy Mills taking tours of the new trucks. “From the moment the county’s voters put their faith in us to buy these new units by approving the SPLOST funding for them several years ago, we’ve been looking forward to this day,” County Chairman and CEO Richard Oden said. For more photos, please visit www.facebook.com/ocgnews

PAGE 4 •MAY 9, 2015

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Coming Up

The event will feature video testimonials and spoken word artists. Representatives from the task force for the homeless, and Veteran’s Administration will be there to speak and share information with attendees. The event is free to attend. Lunch is included. Attendees can also participate in cash raffles. For more information or to register, call Major Jordan at 404-6165261 or email mjordan@gmh.edu.

GWINNETT Second annual Multicultural Festival in Duluth

A celebration of trains at Vines Park Gwinnett County will celebrate trains on Saturday, May 9, 10 a.m., at The Vines Garden Railroad in Vines Park, 3500 Oak Grove Road, Loganville. Attendees will walk into a land of miniature trains with plenty of real-life details. The park will feature more than 1,000 feet of train tracks with a 25-foot bridge, tunnels, viaduct, airport as well as towns and villages. Activities for the May 9 event include arts and crafts, children’s games, snacks and refreshments. The miniature railroads serve as a centerpiece in the gardens. There are also picnic facilities at the garden if you would like to bring your own food. You can also bring your own “G Scale” train to run on the track in the garden. There will be representatives on site to answer any locomotive, train or track configuration questions. Admission is free. For more information or to see if your model train meets Vines Garden Railroad requirements, visit http://vinesgardenrailroad.com.

The Gwinnett County Police Department will host the second annual Gwinnett Multicultural Festival on Saturday, May 16, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., at Gwinnett Place Mall, 2100 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth. The event offers families the opportunity to see the services provided by the Gwinnett County Police Department and interact with officers. In addition to meeting officers from various units such as Animal Welfare and Enforcement, Crime Prevention, CSI, and the DUI Task Force, families can receive free car seat checks and enjoy children’s activities, police vehicles and fire truck displays, K-9 demonstrations, cultural performances, a rock wall, inflatables and food vendors. For more information about the festival, contact the Crime Prevention Unit at 770-513-5119.

Learn how water works in Gwinnett Gwinnett County’s Shoal Creek water treatment plant, 1755 Buford Dam Road, Buford, will show anyone interested the way water works in the county at their open house event on Saturday, May 9, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Get to know your H2O at Shoal Creek Filter Plant as the county shows appreciation to county water professionals and recognize the vital role clean and safe drinking water plays in our daily lives. The free open house will include kids’ activities, refreshments, crafts, and tours of Shoal Creek Filter Plant. Water professionals will be on hand to answer your questions about the drinking water we supply to Gwinnett County. 678-376-4200.

ATLANTA

ROCKDALE

Sweet Auburn Springfest offers family fun

Covington-Conyers Choral Guild presents Spring concert

Atlanta’s Sweet Auburn Springfest will celebrate 31 years this weekend, May 8 – 10, 5 – 9 p.m.; May 9, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.; and May 10, 2 – 8 p.m. on Auburn Avenue. Touted as one of the largest outdoor festivals in the Southeast, the event features dozens of food trucks and performances, a kids’ zone, an international food court and a 150-foot zip wire that will go above the top of the festival at Bell Street in downtown Atlanta. You can also sign up to go on the Sweet Auburn Walking Tour, featuring sites such as the home where the late civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. grew up. 678-683-5647 or 404-509-1169.

The Covington-Conyers Choral Guild will present its Spring concert at the Rockdale Auditorium, 903 Main Street, Conyers, on Friday, May 15, 8 p.m. The concert marks the 30th year of the singing ensemble. The performance will feature fun songs that will put you in the mood for springtime. The group has performed at New York’s Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall, throughout the Southeast including Spivey Hall at Clayton State University and abroad in England and France. Tickets are $10. Proceeds benefit the group’s scholarship program, which awards students ho are furthering their education to pursue a career in music and/or theatre. The Covington/Conyers Choral Guild, Inc. is a non-profit organization. All of the contributions to the Guild are tax-deductible. www.choralguild.org.

Candler Park to screen classic family film Candler Park, 585 Candler Park Drive, N.E., Atlanta, will host a free community screening of “Hook” on Saturday, May 16, when the sun sets. Movie festivities start one hour prior to dusk in front of the park’s pool house. Blankets and picnic food encouraged. Food vendors will be on site selling items as well. “Hook” is a 1991 American fantasy adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg. The movie starts the late Robin Williams as Peter Pan, Duston Hoffman as Captain Hook, and Julia Roberts as Tinker Bell, among other award-winning actors and actresses. The film acts is a sequel to J.M. Barrie’s 1911 novel, “Peter and Wendy,” focusing on a grown-up Peter Pan who has forgotten his childhood. In his new life, “Peter Pan” is known as “Peter Banning,” a successful corporate lawyer with a wife and two children. However, when the enemy of his past, Hook, kidnaps his children, Peter once again returns to “Neverland” in order to save his children and along the journey unknowingly reclaims his youthful spirit. 404-347-9325.

Grady Hospital hosts free event for the mental health community Grady Memorial Hospital, 80 Jesse Hill Jr., Drive, S.E., Atlanta will host “Housing and Employment as a Gateway to Recovery,” for the mental health community on Wednesday, May 13, 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. in the hospital’s auditorium. Grady Behavioral Health Systems will be hosting for the public, staff, peers, consumers, family members as well as other supporting advocates, a celebration, educational and resource symposium. The keynote speaker will be the Frank Barry, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. Other speakers include Sherry Jenkins Tucker, executive director of the Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network; Neil Campbell, executive director of the Georgia Council on Substance Abuse; Asstant to Commissioner Dr. Chris Gault, Leonard Adams (CEO Quest 35); Jean Toole, CEO of Community Friendship INC.; and Michael Claeys, executive director of Grady Mental Health.

Tax office closed May 13, 18 The Rockdale County Tax Commissioner’s Office will be closed Wednesday, May 13, and Monday, May 18, for staff training. Tag renewals will be extended to Thursday, May 14, and Tuesday, May 19, respectively.

DEKALB KDB to host shredding, shoe collection event Keep DeKalb Beautiful, DeKalb County Sanitation Division and Berean Christian Church will host a sensitive document shredding and shoe collection event on Saturday, May 16, 9 a.m. – noon, in the church’s parking lot, 2201 Young Road, Stone Mountain. Event participation is free and open to DeKalb County residents. Participants will have an opportunity to dispose of sensitive documents, such as old tax records and legal documents. All documents will be shredded on-site, and each participant will be limited to five standard-sized boxes of documents for shredding purposes. Shredding services for the event will be provided by Shred-it North Atlanta. Participants also will have an opportunity to donate gently-used shoes for recycling and repurposing. All shoes, with the exception of ski or winter boots, slippers and rubber flip-flops, will be accepted. For more information on this event or how to plan a beautification project with KDB, contact KDB at 404-371-2654 or kdb@dekalbcountyga.gov, or visit www. keepdekalbbeautiful.org.

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Lithonia First UMC to host Spring Festival Lithonia First United Methodist Church will host its annual flea market, bake sale and barbecue on May 16, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 3099 Stone Mountain St., Lithonia. Every year, the United Methodist Men of the church puts on the much-anticipated Spring Festival, serving barbecued pork and chicken dinners for $7.50 per plate. Plates include slaw and beans. Tasty Brunswick stew also will be available. You can eat in or take out. The bake sale will offer homemade cakes, pies and cookies. Those who come also can shop the yard sale for one-of-a-kind items, including clothing for adults and children, books and videos, kitchen items, and decorations for all seasons. Make plans now to bring your family and friends for a day of food, fun, and fellowship at the welcoming “Church With the Red Doors.” 770-482-6394.

City of Decatur to host “Fun Bike Ride”

MAY 9, 2015 • PAGE 5

May 19 Lunch & Learn: History of the CDC The DeKalb History Center will present author Bob Kelley at its Lunch & Learn on May 19, noon to 1 p.m., on the second floor of the Historic DeKalb Courthouse, 101 E. Court Square, Decatur, GA Kelley will trace the history of the iconic Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in his newest Images of America book. Through the vision of Dr. Joseph W. Mountin, the Communicable Disease Center was created in 1946 as the successor to Malaria Control in War Areas (MCWA), a division of the Public Health Service based in Atlanta. The new agency, CDC, was charged with monitoring and controlling malaria, typhus, and other infectious diseases nationwide. Successful in addressing a wide array of health emergencies—including polio, measles, influenza, Legionnaires’ disease, toxic shock syndrome, and the Ebola virus—one of the CDC’s crowning achievements was its role in the global eradication of smallpox. Kelley, an accredited business communicator and writer, serves on the board of the DeKalb History Center. He also wrote the book, Doraville, for the Images of America series. There is no cost to attend the Lunch & Learn. Bring your lunch.

Art stroll, reception set for juried exhibits at ART station

The City of Decatur will host a “Fun Bike Ride” for families and cyclists enthusiasts on Friday, May 15, 6:30 p.m. at the Decatur Recreation Center, 231 Sycamore St., Decatur. The event will celebrate the League of American Bicycles making the City of Decatur a “Bicycle Friendly Community.” New upgrades for bicycling in Decatur to increase safety will be featured and shared with attendees; such as additional bike lanes and sharrows, bike valet parking at major events, bike safety training and more. Attendees can participate in a five to six-mile ride around scenic neighborhoods located near the recreation center. All levels of experience are welcome. No drop ride. Helmets are required. After the ride, participants can visit a neighborhood watering hole. 404-370-4100.

A new juried members’ exhibition, “A New Awakening,” will open with a reception and Art Stroll on Saturday, May 16. The reception will be held 5-8 p.m., at ART Station, 5384 Manor Drive, Stone Mountain. Patrons are encouraged to visit ART station and the other galleries in the village, which will be open and participating in the early evening Art Stroll. The stroll is free, and visitors who stop by all the galleries may turn in a validated “passport” at the end of the evening to be eligible for a drawing for door prizes. In addition to ART Station’s Juried Members’ Exhibition, the Atlanta Artists Center Invitational Exhibit, “Expression & Vision,” continue through Saturday, July 18. Atlanta Artists Center Invitational Exhibit is an invitational exhibit of works by 15 AAC board members, which include photographs, paintings in watercolor, oil, acrylic, drawings, pastels, wire sculptures and collages. The purpose of this corporation and exhibit is to promote and support the visual arts in the greater community and assist in the development and advancement of artists. ART Station is a non-profit, contemporary visual and performing arts center in the heart of historic downtown Stone Mountain. It has served the community since 1986. The galleries can be viewed during regular business hours of Tuesdays through Friday, 1 to 5 p.m., and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 770-469-1105 or visit artstation.org.

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Book bags banned at Conyers Middle School, student arrested after accidentally firing gun

Rockdale Sheriff’s deputies secured entrances to Conyers Middle School, putting the school on lockdown, as parents huddled across the street from the school waiting to find out if students were safe.

By Valerie J. Morgan

Book bags have been banned for the remainder of the school year at Conyers Middle School following an incident involving an eighth grade student who accidentally fired a handgun in the boys’ bathroom on May 5, authorities said. No one was hurt. Cindy Ball, a spokesperson for Sheriff E. Levett Rockdale County Schools, said the ban at Conyers Middle is effective immediately through the end of the year. The last day of school for Rockdale students is May 22. Ball said it’s customary for the district to ban book bags at middle schools a couple of weeks before school lets out for summer but the district decided to speed up the process since the gun incident. “It is our standard protocol for all middle school students not to bring book bags or back packs the last two weeks of school each year. Monday begins our last two weeks so we just began that protocol a few days early at Conyers Middle School,” Ball said. Rockdale County Sheriff’s deputies charged the 14-year-old student, who had no prior criminal history or problems at school, with possession of a firearm by a minor, possession of a firearm

on school property, reckless conduct and making false statements. The .40-caliber Glock handgun was recovered at he scene, authorities. The student was arrested and is being detained at the Rockdale Youth Detention Center, authorizes said. The boy was showing off the gun, which belonged to his father, when he accidentally discharged the weapon, authorities said. Several students were in the bathroom when the gun went off but were not hurt. “From what I understand, he’s a pretty good student who comes from a good family,” said Cpl. Michael Camp, a spokesman for the Sheriff’s Office. “He didn’t intend to hurt anyone. Hopefully, he learned a very valuable lesson from all of this.” Camp said the student’s name is being withheld because he is a juvenile. Sheriff Eric Levett said deputies don’t believe the boy intentionally fired the gun. He reportedly had one bullet and he was not aiming at anyone or anything, according to witnesses. “He had no malicious intent. He just simply made a mistake,” Levett said. “He was sorry that it happened.” The incident, which happened around 1 p.m., put the school on lockdown with parents waiting anxiously across the street from Conyers Middle. Although some parents expressed they wanted metal detectors at schools following the incident, Levett said he sees

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no reason for such measures. He said, however, that if school officials decide otherwise, he would support the district if it wants to install them. “I just don’t believe it’s necessary at this point. We have an excellent school district and we have not had any major problems since the incident with Heritage High School 15 years ago,” Levett said. “Hopefully, we will sit around and discuss if more security is needed. Right now, we have school resource officers at every middle and high school in Rockdale and I believe that is sufficient for now but I am open and willing to listen and and do whatever is the will of the people.” The Heritage High School shooting that Levett referenced occurred on May 20, 1999 when 15-year-old Anthony “T.J.” Solomon opened fire with a .22-caliber rifle on the school’s campus, wounding six students. Solomon initially faced up to 351 years of prison if convicted of aggravated assault and other charges, but in 2,000 but in 2000, he was deemed mentally ill and sentenced to 40 years in prison and 65 years of probation. A judge later reduced his sentence from 40 to 20 years, according to news reports. Levett said a school resource officer was on duty at Conyers Middle School when the eighth grader discharged the gun. Levett said his staff did an excellent job in responding quickly and using protective measures for the safety of the students and teachers.

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MAY 9, 2015 • PAGE 7

DeKalb educators await hearings for cheating charges

Derrick Wooten

Agnes Flanagan

One of three DeKalb County school administrators indicted for manipulating standardized tests and attendance records in 2009 is expected to enter a plea at a pre-trial hearing scheduled on May 20, a spokesman for the DeKalb District Attorney’s Office said. The hearing for Cedar Grove Middle School Principal Agnes Flanagan gets under way nearly two years after she was indicted on April 16, 2013 on nine charges stemming from manipulating standardized tests and enrollment records. Flanagan faces three counts of forgery in the first degree, three counts of making a false writing and three counts of public record fraud. Stoneview Elementary School Assistant Principal Derrick Wooten,

Earl Pizzarelli pleaded guilty to misappropriating $49,000 from a local nonprofit he volunteered with for eight years. Charged with 18 counts of theft by taking, Pizzarelli was sentenced by Judge Hilton Fuller to 15 years with six months to serve behind bars. Pizzarelli also was ordered to pay restitution to St. Vincent de Paul for the total amount misappropriated. Pizzarelli served in various volunteer and fiduciary roles with St. Vincent de Paul including: case worker, treasurer and president. This case came to the attention of the Chamblee Police Department in 2012 after the CEO of

continued from page 1

Angela Jennings

who was also indicted, is still awaiting his trial. The case against him was delayed because Wooten’s attorney was involved in the Atlanta Public Schools cheating trial, which recently ended, a spokesman for the DeKalb District Attorney’s Office said. A third DeKalb administrator, Rock Chapel Elementary School Principal Angela Jennings, already has been sentenced. After pleading guilty to five counts, including temporarily removing students from enrollment records so their 2010 CRCT results would not count toward the school’s average scores, Jennings received a $1,000 fine along with five years probation, during which she cannot seek or accept employment in a Georgia school system.

Former volunteer found guilty of bilking thousands from St. Vincent de Paul

Earl Pizzarelli

Teachers

the non-profit organization reported a call from a debt collection agency inquiring about St. Vincent de Paul’s payment of Pizzarelli’s personal debt. Upon further inspection, it was determined that additional payments were made directly to Pizzarelli as well as nine other companies including: 3 Options Realty, AT&T, Georgia Power and Georgia Natural Gas. “This man abused his fiduciary position for his own personal greed and benefit,” said District Attorney Robert James. “This case should serve as an alert to other area nonprofits and charities to implement safeguards to prohibit theft and abuse of charitable funds. If Pizzarelli fails to repay the money he syphoned from St. Vincent de Paul, then he will potentially be serving additional time behind bars.” According to the St. Vincent de Paul website, the mission of the organization is to help individuals achieve stability and self-sufficiency by offering financial, material, educational and spiritual support. St. Vincent de Paul has operated in Georgia since 1903.

Photos by Joshua Smith/OCG News

Wings, meatballs and a variety of delicious homemade cakes were just some of the foods on the menu for the Teacher Appreciation at Snapfinger Elementary School.

Our teachers are dedicated and work diligently, even when the odds are stacked against them,” said Reed, who has been the school’s PTSA president for 10 years and is serving her final year in the position. “No matter what they are facing, day in and day out, teachers and staff members at this school do so much to take care of our kids. We say thank you, we love you and this was done from the bottom of our hearts.” The tablet was extra special, a going away gift of sorts for Snapfinger kindergarten teacher Marchia Mickens, a veteran with 37 years of teaching. “I’m retiring at the end of the school year so this is a fantastic retirement gift for me. I look forward to learning how to use it and since I’m retiring, I’ll have a lot of time to play around with it and all the features on it,” said Mickens, who taught in Ohio and

Florida before coming to Snapfinger six years ago. “I’m very thankful to the PTSA for this fantastic gift.” Also in attendance were DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson of District 3 and Stan Watson of District 7, who gave a proclamation to the school and shared stories of how teachers inspired them and made a difference in their lives. School Principal Sylvia Pilson said it was a real joy to reward her dedicated teachers and staff members. “This is a day we normally have staff development so it was a real treat to surprise them with this. I know this whole staff is appreciative. Everybody came. This is so beautiful,” said Pilson, who is going on six years as principal of the school. “We love the PTSA for going all out and doing this for us.”

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Blue Cross Blue Shield, Emory University, Antioch-Lithonia Missionary Baptist partner to provide free memory screenings

he Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation of Georgia (BCBSFG) is partnering with Emory University and Antioch Lithonia Missionary Baptist Church to provide education on brain health and offer memory screenings. The free Community Brain Health Forum will be held on May 30, 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at Antioch-Lithonia Missionary Baptist Church, 2152 Rock Chapel Road, Lithonia. The forum will include education on the risk of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and obesity/lack physical exercise on developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. While many community members understand the negative health impacts of these diseases and conditions, many do not realize that the conditions also increase their risk for developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, studies show that African Americans age 71 and older are two times more likely to have Alzheimer’s disease or dementia than whites of the same age. Educating communities of color about maintaining brain health is critical to preventing the onset of dementing conditions. The forum will also address caregiving for loved ones with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. This portion of the forum will provide caregiving tips unique to memory loss, legal consid-

About Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia Foundation

L-R: Milton Stinson, Dr. Whitney Wharton, Dr. Jim Lah, and Pastor James C. Ward

erations for caregivers and community caregiving resources. “Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia (BCBSGa) supports the efforts of Emory ADRC and Antioch-Lithonia Missionary Baptist Church in educating people about brain health. Through this community outreach program, participants will take away vital information about how various conditions and healthy habits may impact the progression of symptoms related to Alzheimer’s disease and dementia,” said Morgan Kendrick, president of BCBSGa. Free memory screenings and blood sugar testing will be provided at the Brain Health forum. To register for the

event, go to www.antiochcaregiving. eventbrite.com or call 404-727-3251.

uled for June 16 to replace State Rep. Tyrone Brooks, who formerly represented Atlanta’s District 55. In May, a federal grand jury indicted Brooks, a long-time state representative and civil rights activist, on charges he used nearly $1 million in charitable funds to pay personal expenses for himself and his family from the mid 1990s through 2012.

The special election for District 5 will mark the second one held in the last six months to replace a member of the DeKalb Board of Commissioners. Nancy Jester was elected on Dec. 2, 2014 in a special election to replace Elaine Boyer, who pled guilty to federal charges of wire and mail fraud. May pledged to continue to restore trust and integrity to DeKalb.

About the Emory Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center The Emory Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC) is the only National Institutes of Health designated ADRC in the Southeast, signifying the highest status an institution can receive in Alzheimer’s research and care. Emory’s ADRC is a magnet for patients in the region, a catalyst for research and a vital source of training and education for the community and other professionals.

Through charitable grant making, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia Foundation LLC, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, promotes Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia’s inherent commitment to enhance the health and well-being of individuals and families in communities that the company serves. The Foundation focuses its funding on strategic initiatives that address and provide innovative solutions to health care challenges, as well as promoting the Healthy Generations Program, a multi-generational initiative that targets specific disease states and medical conditions. About Antioch Lithonia Missionary Baptist Church Antioch-Lithonia Missionary Baptist Church exists to glorify God by pursuing excellence in all that we do, for the expressed purposes of winning souls and leading each member to become a fully committed, fully equipped, completely devoted follower of Jesus Christ.

District 5 continued from page 1

resign, residents in District 5 could head to the polls as early as June to elect someone to finish his term, which ends in December 2016. According to the Secretary of State’s web site, June 16, 2015 is the next time that a special election can be held for a replacement. After that date, a special election would have to be held Sept. 15. A special election is already sched-

HUD officials say ‘no conflict’ with APD Solutions receiving federal grants By Valerie J. Morgan

Federal housing officials have determined there was no conflict of interest concerning developer Vaughn Irons’ company, APD Solutions, receiving $1.5 million from the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) to rehab distressed properties in DeKalb County. Irons came under scrutiny because he was a sitting member of the DeKalb Development Authority when he received federal stimulus funds to purchase foreclosed and distressed properties, rehab them and then sell them. County officials sent out a press release on May 6 stating the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) determined there was no conflict of interest concerning the transactions with Irons and the NSP funds. In a letter to DeKalb Chief Operating Officer Zach Williams, Mary Presley, direc-

tor of the U.S. HUD Atlanta Office of Community Planning and Development, wrote: “Based on the information provided, Vaughn Irons, as a member of the Development Authority, did not have the necessary functions or responsibilities, decision-making involvement, or access to inside information to possess a conflict of interest under 24 CFR 570.611. It is our understanding that no CDBG or other HUD Funds flow through the Development Authority.” “It is HUD’s opinion…that Vaughn Irons’ and APD’s receipt of an NSP award did not constitute a conflict of interest under HUD’s regulations,” Presley wrote. HUD requested information regarding the transactions between APD Solutions and DeKalb County government following news reports that raised questions regarding the competitive bid process for the NSP contract awards.

“I am determined to run a transparent and ethical administration. As recent actions have shown, I am committed to doing whatever is necessary to root out corruption and reform our government,” May said in his release. The full news release and May’s letter to the to governor can be found at www.ocgnews.com (Top Stories).

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Movers & Shakers in the Community

Zetas honor OCG News publishers, high school seniors and others

eta Phi Beta Sorority’s Sigma Mu Zeta Chapter celebrated its “Denim and Pearls” scholarship luncheon on May 2, honoring high school students, community leaders and the sorority’s movers and shakers. Four high school seniors were each awarded a $1,000 scholarship to further their education: Alicia Worthy, Southwest DeKalb High; Christopher Stephens, Redan High; Danielle Francis, Arabia Mountain High School; and Brandon Fountain, Marist School. The Sapphire Award was preL-R: Dr. R. Merritt-Farngalo and OCG Publishers Valerie and Glenn L. Morgan L-R: Alicia Worthy, Southwest DeKalb High; Brandon Fountain, Marist School; Danielle sented to Clayton State University Francis,Arabia Mountain High School; and Christopher Stephens, Redan High graduating senior Angelica Bowens. and Valerie Morgan. Franco. The Trailblazer of Change Award was The Diamond Award was presented to The sorority’s President Awards were the theme of the sixth annual event was presented to Congressman John Lewis. breast cancer survivor and Hosea Feed the presented to members Tawhana Johnson “Embracing Our Children to Secure Our The Dr. Jylla Moore Tearte Community Hungry Department Head Erma Killings. and Julia Bennerson. Future.” Atlanta Attorney Carol Williams Involvement Award was presented to On The Pearl Award or the “Zeta of the The luncheon was held at the DeKalb served as the mistress of ceremony for the Common Ground News Publishers Glenn Year” award was presented to Tamara Conference Center in Clarkston and luncheon.

Southern Center for Human Rights to honor Decatur Attorney Mawuli Davis eman, managing partner of the Davis Bozeman Law Firm, praised Davis for his dedication to the community. “Mawuli’s recognition reaffirms our firm’s commitment to taking personal what happens in our community from the car accidents we handle to the incidents of police shootings, it’s all personal to us,” said Bozeman said. The Davis Bozeman Law Firm practices civil rights, personal injury, and criminal defense law. In addition to legal representation, the firm established a Community Affairs Division to support community

ttorney Mawuli Davis, a partner at the Davis Bozeman Law Firm in Decatur, will be honored by the Southern Center for Human Rights (SCHR) for his work in holding police accountable for misconduct and acts of violence. Davis has been chosen to receive SCHR’s inaugural “Luminary Award.” Other honorees include former Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Norman Fletcher and Attorney Lawrence Bracken.

The awards will be presented on May 12 at SCHR’s annual Atlanta benefit reception, “Justice Taking Root,” which will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. at Summerour Studio, 409 Bishop St. NW, Atlanta. “SCHR is humbled and honored to have worked alongside Justice Fletcher, Mawuli Davis, and Larry Bracken as partners in the struggle for equal justice for all,” said SCHR Executive Director Sara Totonchi. Davis said he is deeply

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honored and humbled to receive the 2015 SCHR’s inaugural Luminary Award. “It is our law firm’s sincere hope that this acknowledgement will continue to shine a bright light on the ongoing struggle against the issues of police brutality and mass incarceration in America,” said Davis. “I am proud to share this recognition with those protestors, activists, community members, and the SCHR family, who simply believe that it is our duty to fight.” Attorney Robert O. Boz-

building and activism. The Southern Center for Human Rights is a nonprofit law firm based in Atlanta that provides legal representation to people facing the death penalty, challenges human rights violations in prisons and jails, seeks through litigation and advocacy to improve legal representation for poor people accused of crimes, and advocates for criminal justice system reforms on behalf of those affected by the system in the Southern United States. Justice Taking Root is SCHR’s annual Georgia benefit reception providing support for SCHR’s work.

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Olde Town makes room for “Alvin and the Chipmunks 4” film crews

Olde Town Conyers got some Mardi Gras flare when film crews for “Alvin and the Chipmunks 4: Road Chip” came to town to shoot scenes for the film, scheduled for release in December.

lde Town Conyers has once again been transformed into tinseltown as crews fill Main Street and surrounding roads to film scenes for “Alvin and the Chipmunks 4: Road Chip.” Movie crews shot scenes May 4 – 8 in Olde Town and in the sanctuary at Voices of Faith Ministries. Location managers for the film spent the previous week meeting with merchants, property owners and others to discuss compensation for inconveniences encountered during filming on Center Street. “Alvin and the Chipmunks: Road Chip” is scheduled to open in theaters on Dec. 23. In the 20th Century Fox film, a series of misunderstandings leads “Alvin,” “Simon” and “Theodore” to believe that “Dave” is going to propose to his new girlfriend in New York City—and dump them. They have three days to get to him and stop the proposal. The film stars Jason Lee, Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler, Bella Thorne, Jesse McCartney, Kimberly Williams-Paisley and Tony Hale.

The first of the Chipmunks animation and live action films, “Alvin and the Chipmunks,” grossed more than $361 million. Two sequels followed, “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel” in 2009 and “Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked” in 2011. The city of Conyers and the streets of Olde Town have welcomed the likes of Vin Diseal, Queen Latifah, Dolly Parton and Hugh Jackman, just to name a few in the past to shoot films. Amber Ashe of Conyers is excited about the film and was happy to see the film being shot in her neck of the woods. “I actually used to have a crush on Alvin when I was a little girl. I had the hat with the A and everything,” said Ashe, 27. “I’ll take my niece to see it so I can have an excuse to be there in the theatre when it comes out.”

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