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VOLUME 25 NUMBER 19
AUGUST 9, 2019 Stay connected
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NATIONAL NIGHT OUT
ELECTIONS 2019 DeKalb’s municipal elections: 7 mayoral seats, over two dozen council seats open
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The new City of Stonecrest’s hosted its first National Night Out on Aug. 6. The familyfriendly event featured music, food trucks, and of course public safety officials and city officials who greeted residents. Mayor Jason Lary attended the event at City Hall in addition to another event at the Lions Head subdivision(p. 3) For more photos of the 2019 National Night Out, visit www.ocgnews.com.
Mass shootings reignite gun control debate
By Mackenzie N. Morgan
As families grieve for their loved ones who were killed in two recent mass shootings— one in El Paso, Texas, the other in Dayton Ohio—state lawmakers, community leaders and others are calling for tougher gun safety legislation. “Enough is enough. The horrific mass shootings that took place in our communities this past week are unacceptable and unfortunately becoming too commonplace,” said State Rep. Dar’shun Kendrick, who held a news conference with members of the Millennial Civil Rights group at Georgia’s Capitol on Aug. 8. “...Although we are hundreds of thousands of miles away..., either one of those tragedies could have taken place right here in the state of Georgia,” said Kendrick. Kendrick and the millennials were not alone in pressing for change. Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said she joined 214 bipartisan mayors from across the nation signing on to a letter from The United States Conference of Mayors urging immediate action from the federal government on gun safety legislation. “Public servants—from the local level to Washington—have an obligation to protect the lives of those we are entrusted to serve,” said Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. “We need strong leadership willing to take the necessary measures to prevent heinous, senseless acts of violence. If we are truly serious about preventing one more family from knowing the pain of losing someone to another gun tragedy, we need Congress to enact commonsense gun safety legislation immediately.”
State Rep. Dar’shun Kendrick speaks at the Georgia Capitol.
Patrick Crusius, 21, was identified as the suspect in the El Paso, Texas, Walmart shooting that left 22 dead on Aug 3. Authorities say Crusius, who is white, told them his attack was motivated by his objection to Hispanics. Crusius is facing capital murder charges. Connor Betts, 24, of Bellbrook, Ohio was identified as the suspect in the Aug. 4 Dayton, Ohio mass shooting that left 9 dead. Six of the nine victims were African American and one of the victims was Betts’ own sister. Betts, who was white, was killed by patrol officers 30 seconds after opening fire in the Oregon Historic District, a popular nightlife neighborhood in Downtown Dayton, OH. As of Aug. 4, there have been 251 mass shootings in the U.S., according to data from the nonprofit Gun Violence Archive, which tracks mass shootings in the country. The Gun Violence Archive defines a mass shooting as any incident in which at least four people were shot, excluding the shooter.
ities in DeKalb County will kick off the qualifying period the week of Aug. 19 for candidates seeking public office in this year’s municipal elections. Voters will elect leaders in 12 cities: Avondale Estates, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Clarkston, Decatur, Doraville, Dunwoody, Lithonia, Pine Lake, Stone Mountain, Stonecrest and Tucker. Seven mayoral seats and at least 28 council seats will be up for grabs in the general election, which will be held on Nov. 5. The number of seats available might change, however, if an incumbent vacates his or her seat to seek a different office or decides not to run for re-election. Here’s a look at the seats that will be open, each city’s qualifying schedule and the fee that must be paid at the time of qualifying: Avondale Estates The Office of Mayor and two Board of Commissioners seats will be up for election: Mayor Jonathan Elmore Commissioner Brian Fisher Commissioner Adela Yelton Qualifying will be held Aug. 19-23, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., City Hall, 21 North Avondale Plaza. The fee is $216 for mayor and $144 for commissioner. 404-2945400. Brookhaven The Office of Mayor and two council seats will be up for election: Mayor John Ernst Linley Jones, Council District 1 Bates Mattison, Council District 3 Qualifying will be held Aug. 21-23, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., at Brookhaven City Hall, 4362 Peachtree Road. Fees are $480 for mayor and $360 for a council seat. For more information: 404637-0500. Chamblee Three council seats will be up for election: Leslie Robson, District 2 Thomas Hogan, District 3 Darron Kusman, At-Large Qualifying is Aug. 20-22, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., City Hall, 5468 Peachtree Road. The fee is $360 for a council seat. For more information: 770-986-5010. Clarkston Three council seats will be up for election: Awet Eyasu Mario Williams Andrea Cervone (Elected 2017 Special Election - filling an unexpired term) Qualifying will be held Aug. 19-23, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., City Hall Annex, 1055 Rowland St. The fee is
SEE ELECTION page 10