VOLUME 22 NUMBER 6
FREE
MAY 7,2016
Published Since April 1995 Serving DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale Counties • www.facebook.com/ocgnews
National Day of Prayer in Rockdale
Former Lakeside High student pleads guilty to fatal prom-night auto collision
Ramiro Gerrardo Pedemonte
Around this time last year, Ramiro Gerrardo Pedemonte was on his way to the prom. Now, the former Lakeside High School Photo by Glenn L. Morgan/OCG News Peggy L. Clemons (holding microphone at far right) leads a cirlce of prayer warriors at noon on May 5. student is headed to prison. DeKalb County Superinder the cover of partly gray America,” using the biblical scripture, is not what it once was. Prayer is a way or Court Judge Linda Huntskies, Rockdale County Isaiah 38:1. “We all need prayer.” to evaluate ourselves and get back to er sentenced Pedemonte residents came together to The prayer day, in its 65th year, was honesty, caring and respect,” said Clemto 15 years in prison for pray in observance of the National Day created in 1952 by a joint resolution of ons. “We had some pastors come out and killing one of Lakeside’s of Prayer on May 5. the U.S. Congress and signed into law by just ordinary people who see the importeachers in a prom-night Peggy L. Clemons led a group President Harry S. Truman. tance of praying not only for America automobile crash last year. around noon on behalf of The Rockdale Clemons, a retired New York City but for our global issues.” In handing down the Leadership Team organization at the educator, said she has been participating The group Clemons led was among sentence on May 3, Hunter also ordered that PedemonWheeler Pavilion, located at the Rockin the national day since 1996. She said several who participated in the day te serve 15 years on prodale Tennis Center in Conyers. today, more than ever, prayer is necesof prayer. Businesses in Olde Towne, bation and that his license “We’re lifting up the country,” said sary because of so many urgent issues churches and other groups throughout be suspended for five years Clemons, who passed out posters with that exists. Rockdale helped to promote the daylong when he completes his pristhis year’s national theme: “Awake, “The government system in America event. on sentence. Pedemonte, 20, pleaded guilty to first-degree vehicular homicide, reckless driving and three counts of serious injury by vehicle for the wreck that killed 33-year-old Leah O’Brien on April 25, 2015. O’Brien, who had two young daughters, taught family and consumer sciences and was faculty adviser for Lakeside’s Purple Diamonds dance team. Pedemonte was travelling more than 100 mph on Scott Boulevard in Decatur when the rental car he was The DeKalb Office of Code Enforcement is a key component of Code Enforcement removes an illegal sign during a recent sign sweep. DeKalb’s revitalized Beautification Unit. driving T-boned O’Brien’s car at the intersection of corridors and intersections that were identified in the DeKalb ecognizing the need to identify opportunities to Ridley Circle. County Economic Development Strategic Plan.” create greater efficiencies and better response to the O’Brien was on her At the kickoff event, Interim CEO May will provide details needs of its constituents, DeKalb County is launchregarding the new unit, then deploy the coordinated enforcement way to drop off her 8-yearing its newly established Keep DeKalb Beautiful Beautification old daughter, Kori, before and conduct a county-wide cleanup. In addition, May will perUnit. The new one-stop-shop for beautification will include going to chaperone the sonally lead one of the cleanup crews that will comb roadsides Code Enforcement, Foreclosure/Vacant Property Registry, and Lakeside prom. O’Brien throughout DeKalb County. Mowing and Herbicide. was trapped in the vehicle “We encourage DeKalb County citizens to join us in this and died at the scene of The official launch begins May 12, 10 a.m. at the new office beautification initiative by organizing their own individual cleanthe accident. Kori suffered on 1807 Candler Road in Decatur. traumatic brain injury and up efforts in their communities,” said May. “We are strategically integrating complimentary county serwas in a coma for 13 days, To register a neighborhood for this day of cleaning or to vices that promote community beautification,” said Interim CEO Pedemonte and his participate in DeKalb’s ongoing beautification initiative, contact Lee May. “Utilizing a coordinated approach provides residents passenger, Zana McGrit, Nichole Simms atjnsimms@dekalbcountyga.gov or call 404with a comprehensive beautification approach and maximizes suffered non-life-threatenkey neighborhood quality of life issues. A coordinated approach 371-2552. To request clean-up supplies, call 404-294-2010. ing injuries in the wreck, also gives us the tools we need to address the key commercial authorities said.
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DeKalb launches revitalized Beautification Unit
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