FREE VOLUME 25 NUMBER 6
MAY 10, 2019 Stay connected
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STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary: City fiscally on track, ready to repave worn roads, poised for economic development By Valerie J. Morgan
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t his State of the City Address on May 6 at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary told citizens the city is fiscally on track, completing 2018 with a surplus in excess of $800,000 in its operating budget. The mayor said the city’s 2019 operating budget of $9.3 million includes a planned surplus of $500,000 as Stonecrest starts its Public Works operations and expands its Parks and Recreation Department to buy nine parks from DeKalb County government that are located within the city limits. Lary also brought good news to parents who said they were upset that they had no input in the city’s plans to bring in a new vendor to run Browns Mill Recreation Center’s summer camp program. Lary said he worked with senior officials of DeKalb to keep the staff in tact this year, rather than bring on a new vendor. “We finished up some meetings in DeKalb with regard to keeping those employees in place, having no disruption in service, having no disruption with parents and being able to work through this situation so that everybody was satisfied with what needs to happen. That is collaboration. That’s partnership. That’s vision,” the mayor said. And Lary brought humor to his address. The mayor did a little role playing with 8-year-old Jaymeon Render, who was dressed as a super hero he called “Zero Tax Boy.” Render dashed onto the stage and stood next to the mayor and had the following exchange: Mayor: Hello, Zero Tax Boy. Are you going to raise my taxes? Youngster: No. Mayor: Are you sure? Youngster: No. The audience bursts into laughter. The mayor said he plans to continue to make good on his promise that residents would face no new taxes as a result of the city’s formation. Other highlights of the mayor’s speech included touting the city had issued 635 building permits (residential and commercial) and collected $1,355,517 in permit fees to date. He also touted the city’s track record of staying on top of code violations, with officers investigating 4,385 code violations as of 2018. Lary said the city would begin repaving some of the city’s worst roads in a few weeks, utilizing special purpose local option sales tax dollars (SPLOST) and state funding from the Georgia Department of Transportation’s Local Maintenance Improvement Grant (LMIG). The LMIG is given to cities and counties based on population. Stonecrest, which has about 54,000 residents, must contribute matching funds of at least 30 percent. The LMIG funds are awarded annually through the DOT. Lary said residents should expect to see signs going up in the areas where the work will begin. Lary said the city is marching forward to build the city’s reputation as a worldclass place residents will be proud of and
Clarkston approves first tiny home community in Georgia
T Jaymeon Render, 8, nearly stole the show at Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary’s State of the City Address on May 6. The Barack Obama Elementary School student, who was dressed as a superhero the mayor called “Zero Tax Boy,” responded “no” to every question the mayor asked him including whether he was sure residents’ would face no new taxes. The audience erupted into laughter at the child’s response.
one that will attract visitors. He said he has reached out to Denny’s restaurant on Panola Drive to provide customer service training to the restaurant’s employees. The restaurant recently came under fire after receiving an F on a recent health inspection and employees attacked and cursed at television reporters who were on the scene to cover the story. Social media lit up with negative comments about the restaurant workers’ reactions after Channel 46 ran the story. Lary said it is his goal to work with Denny’s to earn a “Best of Stonecrest” seal under a new initiative the city is launching. The city is working with Discover DeKalb to provide free customer service training to city merchants who would then earn the seal and the city would help to promote those businesses as a way of building economic development. Lary also discussed repurposing the former Sears automotive building at the Mall at Stonecrest for a new headquarters to house the DeKalb East Precinct. He said the new Police Department would provide greater visibility and quicker response time for citizens. Brenda Cornelius served as moderator of the program. Cornelius is a member of New Birth who served on the Stonecrest Alliance, which worked on the formation of the city. New Birth’s pastor, Dr. Jamal Bryant, welcomed attendees to the address. DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond also welcomed the audience and made remarks, along with State Rep. Vernon Jones, who gave a historical perspective of events that have transpired concerning the new city. The mayor was introduced by his wife, Debra Lary, who said she has been energized at how Stonecrest citizens have taken a stand at City Council meetings, championed change in the community. “This was the vision of the new city. This
SEE STONECREST page 7
he City of Clarkston has paved the way for developers to build Georgia’s first tiny home community. The City Council voted unanimously for the project on May 7. “The Cottages on Vaughan” will be situated on a half-acre lot centrally located one block from downtown Clarkston, and will include eight Clarkston Mayor Ted Terry tiny homes on permanent foundations, ranging from 250-492 square feet. Clarkston Mayor Ted Terry said he is excited about the concept.
SEE TINY HOME page 7
Pictured are DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond, Commissioner Lorraine CochranJohnson, Commissioner Nancy Jester, county staff and residents at Brannon Hill demolition.
DeKalb continues wiping out blight at Brannon Hill
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eKalb County is continuing its efforts to fight blight at Brannon Hill Condominiums. Demolition crews recently wiped out 56 dilapidated and neglected units. The dilapidated condos, located near Memorial Drive and the city of Clarkston, became a haven for crime, squatters and gangs for more than a decade after repeated fires ravaged buildings and owners abandoned the properties. In 2017, DeKalb County stepped in to declare the property unsafe and a public nuisance. DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond enhanced the county’s blight fighting initiatives to address derelict properties at Brannon Hill and throughout the county. To date, DeKalb County has demolished 124 units at Brannon Hill, removing debris and addressing public safety needs at the site. “DeKalb’s continued efforts to stabilize the Brannon Hill community sends a powerful message that eliminating blight remains a top priority,” Thurmond said during a news conference at the site on May 9. “The county has established a process that focuses on improving quality of life and mitigating negative impacts such as increased crime and health risks.”