FREE VOLUME 25 NUMBER 7
MAY 17, 2019 Stay connected
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Serving DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale Counties
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Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary honors Brandon Hayes, 11, with “Champion” medal Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary honored 11-year-old Brandon Hayes for his courageous journey as a liver transplant recipient. Hayes, a student at the Academy of Scholars, received the mayor’s inaugural “Stonecrest Champion Award” at the City Council meeting on May 13. A 5K run/walk was held on Mother’s Day in Brandon’s honor to raise awareness about organ donations and funds to help provide financial relief to Georgia families who have a family member in need of an organ transplant. Brandon’s mother, Cheri Hayes, gave her eldest son the gift of life by donating a portion of her liver. Cheri Hayes and her husband, Daniel, attended the presentation in which the mayor gave Brandon a medal to wear and his gavel to ceremonially open the City Council meeting as the first Champion to serve as mayor pro tem.
SEE CHAMPION page 7
Stonecrest prepares for 25,000 expected at Atlanta-DeKalb Caribbean Festival 2019 By Sarita Mason Intern On Common Ground News
Authorities say police presence will be greater to direct traffic and monitor the 2019 Atlanta DeKalb Caribbean Festival, which will be held on May 25 at The Mall at Stonecrest. DeKalb police said during a community informational meeting on May 15 that they plan to have 98 police officers, 38 security officers and two code enforcement officers to ensure adequate coverage of the Memorial Day weekend event. Last year, 70 officers worked the festival, which was held for the first time in the city of Stonecrest. The event drew 25,000 people to Stonecrest and organizers are planning for the return of some 25,000 this year. The festival, which has been held in other locations in the past, is in its 31st year. Stonecrest hotel representatives said at the meeting they are already booked for Memorial Day weekend as a result of the event.
Mayor Jason Lary said he is excited about the festival’s return to Stonecrest. He urged residents to learn as much about the parade route, traffic plans and other details . “We don’t want folks to get locked out of their homes or can’t get down their street. Twenty-five thousand strong will be here this year again. We’re doing a much better job with regard to improvements to traffic and the parade route this year,” Lary said. DeKalb Police Officer G.T. Karabeika, who is leading the police team supervising the festival, said organizers are using a different vendor for security officers because many did not report to work last year. Karabeika said even without the additional security officers, however, the 2018 event was peaceful. There was one scuffle that resulted in one arrest and that scuffle involved a security officer, she said. “We’ve had many meetings about this event and plan to have a safe event,” Karabeika said. Karabeika said the festival organizers’ contract regarding police security stipulates
SEE CARNIVAL page 7
DeKalb Works provides 400 summer jobs for youths
A youth helps to repair a sidewalk during last year’s DeKalb Works Summer Youth Employment Program.
Officials say 400 youths will be hired for summer jobs through the 2019 DeKalb Works Summer Youth Employment Program. More than 2,700 youths applied for the positions. The program, in its third year, has provided approximately 1,100 jobs for DeKalb residents ages 14-24. “We are pleased with the overwhelming response to this youth employment and empowerment program,” said DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond. “In addition to receiving a paycheck, these youth are being introduced to job skills and a work ethic that will benefit them as they progress through life.” Thurmond and the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners have partnered since 2017 with WorkSource DeKalb to allocate funds to the DeKalb Works Summer Youth Employment Program. Internships in the program also are funded by the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. The program, which this year runs from June 3 through July 25, pays DeKalb residents $10 per hour, a
$1 per hour increase from 2018. In addition to work experience, participants receive soft-skills training, in which they learn about punctuality, conflict resolution, presentation and other important job skills. This year, 116 private employers, such as Ricoh, Allstate Insurance, Datum Tech, Grady Health Systems, Wade Walker YMCA and Clarkston Community Center are providing internship opportunities. Among the 109 public partners are the county’s Board of Commissioners, tax commissioner, district attorney, sheriff, solicitor-general, clerk of Superior Court, CEO, DeKalb County School District and various county government departments. As a part of the DeKalb Works program, WorkSource DeKalb provides interns training prior to the start of work assignments and covers all intern payroll and workers’ compensation. For more information about employment opportunities for all ages, visit www.worksourcedekalb.org or call 404-687-3400.