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VOLUME 22 NUMBER 20

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AUGUST 13 2016

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

Authorities make arrests in drive-by shooting of DeKalb girl

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ix arrests have been made in connection with the death of 15-year-old Keaira Palmer, who died after a drive-by shooting on Glenwood Road in Decatur.

The arrests were made on Aug. 10 after a joint investigation by the DeKalb County Police Department’s Major Crimes Section, Gang and Intelligence Unit, DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Squad and the U.S. Marshalls joined forces.

Two juveniles and four adults were arrested: Roderick Harris, 17; Michael Miller, 22; Sharod Jackson, 18; and

Roderick Harris

Sharod Jackson

Michael Miller

Roderick Jackson

Roderick Jackson, 18. All Officer Cedric Alexanwere taken into custody der. “Those arrested have and charged with felony shown no regard for the murder, two counts of safety and well-being of aggravated assault and six others and this will not be counts of felony criminal tolerated in our communigang activity. ty.”

“I applaud the comThe arrests follow a bined efforts of all innews conference held on volved in apprehending Aug. 9 by a coalition of these individuals,” said Deputy Chief Operating See Drive-by page 10

On Common Ground News and JFly to bring jazz legends to Lithonia Amphitheater

Senate District 43

Recount affirms Anderson as winner of runoff with Dawkins-Haigler

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OCG News Publisher Glenn L. Morgan and JFLY at the Lithonia Amphitheater.

n Common Ground News will present “A Night of Smooth Jazz” on Saturday, Aug. 20, 7 to 11 p.m., at the Lithonia Amphitheater.

Jazz legends Ronnie Laws, Lonnie Liston Smith and Joey Sommerville will headline the concert under the stars. Other special guests include Jaman Laws, Julie Dexter, Rhonda Thomas, Groove Centric and DJ Naturel.

JFly Music Group, LLC is producing the star-studded affair, which will be hosted by Morris Baxter from 91.9 WCLK. “We are excited to present “A Night of Smooth Jazz” with internationally-known

drummer JFly. He is known around the world as a talented musician who has worked with some of the top names in the recording industry such as Peabo Bryson, Jennifer Holliday, Aretha Franklin, Bobby Brown and so many others,” said On Common Ground News Publisher Glenn L. Morgan.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit JFly’s How BIG is Your Dream? Foundation, Morgan said. The nonprofit organization promotes music and arts education for youths in the metro Atlanta area.

“We are thrilled to support the How BIG See Smooth Jazz page 10

onya Anderson remained the winner of the Senate District 43 Democratic primary run-off after a recount of the ballots on Aug. 11. The recount produced no change in the original vote tally between Anderson and Dee Dawkins-Haigler, Secretary of State Brian Kemp announced.

Elections officials in the Tonya Anderson three counties that comprise Senate District 43, which include portions of DeKalb, Rockdale and Newton, completed the recount by noon on Aug. 11, Kemp said.

Dawkins-Haigler had requested the recount on Aug. 9 after losing by 10 votes to Anderson in the July 26 run-off race.

There were 8,542 total ballots cast in the SD 43 Democratic run-off. Anderson received 50.06% with 4,276 votes compared to Dawkin-Haigler’s 4,266 votes.

Anderson moves on to face Republican Van Ness in the November general election.

“I thank the voters for their support. The Primary campaign was long and spirited, but now it is time to unify and shift our focus to November,” said Anderson.

“I call on all fair minded individuals in the District and throughout the state to join me in defeating the Trump ideology that will take money away from public education, that will benefit the rich and powerful while leaving the working class behind; that will lead to more hospital closures across the state due to our failure to expand health care coverage See Recount page 10

PAGE 2 •AUGUST 13,2016

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EDITOR/PUBLISHER Valerie J. Morgan editor@ocgnews.com

GENERAL MANAGER Glenn L. Morgan gmorgan1@ocgnews.com

AUGUST 13,2016 • PAGE 3

Courtney Dillard eyes write-in candidacy after losing bid to run as Independent for Rockdale Chairman

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.

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Courtney Dillard

By Valerie J. Morgan

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ourtney Dillard says he plans to run as a write-in candidate after losing his bid to run in the November general election as an Independent candidate for chairman of the Rockdale Board of Commissioners. Dillard was notified recently by elections officials that he failed to get the required 2,534 verifiable signatures to go on the ballot.

Now, he has announced he will seek to become a write-in candidate.

Rockdale Supervisor of Elections Cynthia Welch said Dillard has the right to run as a write-in candidate.

She said she checked with state elec-

tions officials and met with Dillard to confirm that he has that option.

“We’ve never dealt with this on a local level before but I learned that he does have the right to run as a writein after his petition as an Independent became invalid,” Welch said.

Dillard’s campaign announced that he filed a notice of intent to run as a write-in candidate on Aug. 11.

He will face Oz Nesbitt, who defeated incumbent Richard Oden in the July 26 Democratic primary runoff.

“This is a process that we will see to the end and we will win in the end,” said Dillard, a 53-year-old businessman who has previously run for Congress as a Democrat and for Post1 Commissioner. “The numbers point to a pathway to victory for the Dillard campaign. Rockdale citizens will see a riveting and robust campaign. It promises to be a thriller.”

Welch said there is no qualifying fee required of a write-in candidate.

The candidate’s name does not appear on the ballot. Voters must click a “write-in box” at the polls and follow the prompts to type in that person’s name on the screen. On mail-in ballots, voters must check the box and write in the person’s name. Votes will not count for any candidate who has not not filed a notice of intent or

provided Welch’s office an affidavit stating when the notice of intent was published in the county’s legal organ.

“Any write-in candidate would have to file a notice of intent by Sept.

6 and an affidavit of publication by Sept. 12 with the county’s legal organ,” Welch said. “We must have that.

Otherwise, you’d have people writing in their own name, Jesus Christ or Jimmy Carter.”

“If it’s been certified and we can tell the intent of the write-in, it will count. In other words, if the person does not accurately spell the person’s name but we can tell their intent, it will count.”

Welch said Dillard submitted a total of 2,565 petitioners’ names supporting his candidacy as an Independent. Of that, 1,192 of the signatures were determined by Welch’s office to be invalid.

“They either were not registered to vote or they were registered to vote in another county or we could not verify their signature,” Welch said. “We had pages and pages of his petition to go through and we went through every page and every signature. We followed the procedure guidelines to the letter. My staff was trained on every step before we began the process.”

Lunch and Learn seminar for seniors to focus on volunteerism

The DeKalb Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) will hold a Lunch and Learn event on Monday, Aug. 15, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at Central DeKalb Senior Center, 1346 McConnell Drive, Decatur.

The featured speaker will be RSVP Volunteer Zola Thurmond, who will talk about becoming a volunteer with RSVP, one of the largest volunteer networks in the nation for seniors.

Volunteers needed to care for hundreds of seized birds DeKalb County is seeking volunteers to help care for more than 300 parrots that were seized during the investigation of an animal cruelty hoarding case.

The birds were seized on July 13 from a DeKalb County home.

Volunteers are needed, particularly Mondays through Fridays, to assist with feeding, watering, cleaning, vacuuming and other tasks associated with the care of the birds. No experience is necessary.

Because the seized birds currently are in a 90-day quarantine period, volunteers must not have pet birds in their homes.

For more information about volunteering, contact Janelle Kover at birdsareus@ yahoo.com.

PAGE 4•AUGUST 13,2016 WWW.OCGNEWS.COM

Ninth Annual STEMS Fair for middle school students at Saint Philip A.M.E. Church

Coming Up

Panola Mountain State Park to offer tree climbing adventure

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oin Panola Mountain State Park rangers for an adventurous day of tree climbing Sunday, Aug. 14, 1 to 5 p.m., 2620 Highway 155 SW, Stockbridge.

This introductory program introduces participants to the world of recreational tree climbing. Participants will use rope and harness to ascend into a 200-plus-year- old Southern Red Oak, where they can climb, swing, and scramble. This strenuous activity is well worth the effort. Climbers can choose how high they would like to go and even swing to and walk on branches 30 feet off the ground.

Climbs start at 1 and 3 p.m. Call to register. Admission is $15, parking $5. Open to ages 8 and up. Close-toed shoes and long pants recommended. Hair longer than shoulder length should be pulled back in a low ponytail. All equipment is provided. Arrive early to allow for walking time. To register or for more information: 770-389-7801.

ATLANTA

Atlanta Underground Film Festival set Film enthusiasts are invited to the 13th annual Atlanta Underground Film Festival Aug. 19 – 21 at the Synchronicity Theatre and The Eyedrum Gallery, 1545 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta.

Since 2004, the Atlanta Underground Film Festival has served as a forum where independent filmmakers thrive outside the mainstream arena. The festival exposes and promotes creative artists. Through the festival, these talented independent filmmakers have a voice through their creations.

For more information, call 404-484-8636 or visit www.auff.org/home. html.

DEKALB

DeKalb Clerk DeBerry hosts Community Appreciation Day DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk Debra DeBerry is hosting the 4th Annual Community Appreciation Day, Saturday, Aug. 13, 5 to 9 p.m., at Browns Mill Aquatic Facility, 4929 Browns Mill Road Lithonia.

Guests will receive complimentary entry into the facility and a complimentary food ticket. The family-oriented event will feature games and music in appreciation for the community’s support.

The Saint Philip A.M.E. Church Career Resource Ministry will hold its ninth STEMS (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Services) Career Fairs for middle school students on Saturday, Aug. 27, 8:30 a.m. to noon, at the church’s Family Life and Activity Center, 1607 Richard Allen Drive, Decatur.

The exhibit hall will be filled with displays from Lockheed-Martin, High Touch High Tech, Savannah College of Art and Design, AT&T and professionals from other STEMS-related companies.

Registration is required for middle school students who will receive free conference bags. However, all grades are welcome. There will be parent workshops about college planning, financial aid and tips to help students effectively plan for a STEMS-based education and career. All activities are free and open to the public.

Registration information includes the students’ name, grade, and school as well as parent’s name and contact information (phone number and email address). Please email your child’s registration to spc_crm@saintphilip.org.

For more information, call 404-371-0749 or visit www.saintphilip.org.

Eddie’s Attic to host songwriter’s open mic Join Eddie’s Attic Monday, Aug. 15, 7:30 p.m., for a night of music at 515-B North McDonough Street, Decatur.

For more than 20 years, Eddie’s Attic has hosted Atlanta’s premiere songwriter’s open mic for the performing songwriter. National and local acts perform two songs each, with three finalists returning for a third song at the end of the evening for a chance to win a cash prize and a spot in the bi-annual, nationally-acclaimed “Open Mic Shootout.” Come out and see up-and-coming talent.

Tickets are $5 in advance and $6 at the door. For more information, call 404377-4976 or visit www.eddiesattic.com.

GWINNETT

Harry Potter Party at Collins Hills Library Visit the Collins Hill library on Saturday, Aug. 20, 1 to 3 p.m., for a Harry Potter party at 455 Camp Perrin Road, Lawrenceville.

Enjoy a magical afternoon filled with Harry Potter-themed crafts, snacks and games. Costumes are welcome.

For more information, call 770-978-5154 or visit www.gwinnettpl.org.

ROCKDALE

Rockdale Medical Center sets community blood drive Share the gift of life and be a volunteer blood donor at Rockdale Medical Center’s blood drive on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., 1412 Milstead Ave NE, Conyers(in the east tower classrooms at Rockdale Medical Center).

Participants will enjoy vintage TV shows while they donate and will receive snacks and a chance to enter a drawing for prizes.

For more information or to register, please go to www.givelife.org and enter the sponsor code “rockmed.”

To contact the American Red Cross, call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (448-3543).

To contact Rockdale Medical Center, call 770-918-3000 or visit www.rockdalemedicalcenter.org.

Yoga with Andrea Redmond at Stone Mountain library Join the Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg Library for free yoga Saturday, Aug. 20, 1 to 2 p.m., 952 Leon Street, Stone Mountain.

Bring your yoga mats and join teacher Andrea Redmond for a one-hour session of invigorating and relaxing yoga practice. Beginners and participants of any level are welcome. Open to first 15 participants.

For more information call 770-413-2020 or visit www.dekalblibrary.org/ events.

This week’s Coming Up was compiled by Erica Hubbard Event details may change at any time. Please always check with the event organizer before you go.

To submit your event to Coming Up, email editor@ocgnews. com. We choose events that are free or a nominal cost to our readers.

Calendar events are published weekly as space permits.

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New exhibit at DeKalb Library focuses on importance of technology DeKalb County Public Library is hosting a hands-on exhibit about the impact engineers and technology have on our lives to educate both, children and adults. Explore Tech: Engineers Make a World of Difference will be on display Aug. 27 through Oct. 18, at the Hairston Crossing Library, 4911 Redan Road, Stone Mountain.

The exhibit includes multimedia components to show how engineers come up with solutions to meet human needs, develop innovations for the future, and create new technologies to solve problems. It includes a touchscreen computer kiosk that contains games that are fun and that educate the public about the challenges engineers are facing in the 21st century. Another exhibit area is designed to teach visitors about the fundamental principles of energy and its importance in modern society.

“We are very pleased that our library was chosen as one of the 14 sites for this new exhibit,” said Library Director Alison Weissinger. “Among other things, we think it will make our patrons more aware of the global issues facing our planet and what engineers are doing to address them.”

In conjunction with the exhibit, the Library is sponsoring special events at branches throughout the county. Attend a program and learn to use 3D printing to make objects, play with robots and learn concepts of physics, and find out how a wedge can be used to move objects. For the complete list of events, pick up an exhibit brochure at your local branch or visit dekalblibrary.org/events/?series=123.

Explore Tech: Engineers Make a World of Difference was organized

by Space Science Institute’s National Center for Interactive Learning, the American Library Association’s Public Programs Office, the Lunar and Planetary Institute and the Afterschool Alliance. This project was made possible through the support of a grant from the National Science Foundation.

AUGUST 13, 2016 • PAGE 5

Springfield Baptist to host food distribution event in Conyers

Springfield Baptist Church, 1877 Iris Drive, Conyers, will host a food distribution event for those who are in need.

Registration for the free food and distribution dates are as scheduled: Monday, Aug. 22, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Tuesday, Aug. 23, 9 a.m. until the food supply is exhausted. The food will be distributed at the Springfield Activity Center, behind the church’s worship center).

All recipients must show identification to register. For more information, call 678-806-3378, ext. 226.

“Homeless for a Night” fundraiser in Conyers set to help veterans Joseph and Sarah Caring for Veterans is hosting its annual fundraiser, “Homeless For a Night,” on Sept. 23. The American Legion Post #77, 674 Legion Road, in Conyers, will host this year’s event beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday and ending on Saturday at 7 a.m.

Supporters of veterans and those interested in helping the homeless are invited to step outside their comfort zone and be homeless for one night to increase awareness of the plight of homeless veterans and others.

Joseph and Sarah Caring for Vets provides transitional housing to assist chronically homeless veterans return to permanent housing. We assist veterans with applying for VA benefits, transportation, case management and other supportive services.

During the fundraiser, participants will be fed a modest meal, receive dental and health screenings and will hear from former homeless veterans.

Donations also will be accepted for the Joseph and Sarah Caring for Veterans’ “Back to School” drive during the event.

Registration is $30 for adults and $15 for children under age 18. To register, visit www.JandSHouse.org.

Get Your Tickets Now A Night of Smooth Jazz In The Park WWW.OCGNEWS.COM

PAGE 6 •AUGUST 13,2016

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Rockdale BOC to hold three millage rate public hearings The Rockdale County Board of Commissioners (BOC) has announced its intention to increase the property taxes it will levy this year by 4.09 percent over the amount that would be generated by the 2016 roll-back rate, as defined by state law, for the County’s maintenance and operations (M&O).

The proposed County M&O millage rate is 20.19, the same as last year’s rate. Based on a formula the State outlined, Rockdale County’s rollback rate for 2016 is 19.4 mills.

Each year, the Tax Assessor is required to review the assessed value of property in the County for tax purposes. When the trend of prices on properties that have recently sold in the County indicates there has been an increase in the fair market

value of any specific property, the Tax Assessor is required by state law to re-determine the value of such property and increase the assessment.

This is called a reassessment.

When the total digest of taxable property is prepared, Georgia law requires counties to compute a rollback millage rate that would generate the same amount of revenue on the current year’s digest that last year’s millage rate would have produced had no reassessments occurred.

With the implementation of the County’s Homestead Option Sales Tax (HOST), which voters approved in 2001, Rockdale’s homestead exemption has been 82 percent. That means homeowners pay 18 percent M&O County property taxes on their primary residence and lots of up to

five acres. (HOST does not impact property taxes paid to the Rockdale County School System or City of Conyers) The BOC has tentatively adopted a 2016 millage rate which will require an increase in property taxes by 4.09 percent. This tentative increase will result in a millage rate of 20.19 mills, an increase of 0.59 mills.

Without this tentative tax increase, the millage rate will be no more than 19.4 mills. For instance, the proposed tax increase for a home with a fair market value of $100,000 is approximately $50.15 and the proposed tax increase for non‐homestead property with a fair market value of $300,000 is approximately $177.

Pursuant to O.C.G.A. §48-5-32, the BOC will hold three public hear-

ings relative to the millage rate. The hearing details are as follows: • Tuesday, Aug. 16, 9 a.m., in the Assembly Hall, 901 Main Street, Conyers, 30012.

• Tuesday, Aug. 16, 6 p.m., in the Assembly Hall, 901 Main Street, Conyers.

• Tuesday, Aug. 23, 9:30 a.m., in the Assembly Hall, 901 Main Street, Conyers.

Additionally, the BOC will hold a Called Meeting to set the 2016 millage rate on Aug. 25, 8:30 a.m., in the county’s Assembly Hall, 901 Main Street, Conyers.

For more information, contact County Clerk Jennifer Rutledge at 770-278-7009 or jennifer.rutledge@ rockdalecountyga.gov.

Rockdale BOC sets open strategic planning meeting The Rockdale County Board of Commissioners (BOC) welcomes the public to attend its next Strategic Planning session on Aug. 18.

The meeting will be at 10 a.m. at the Government Annex Building, Lobby B, 1400 Parker Road, Conyers.

Discussion topics planned include determining short, medium and long-range priorities, reviewing survey results, considering cost levels for priorities, and identifying any overlaps with other local governments.

Staff members of the Atlanta Regional Com-

Rockdale Fire-Rescue kick off boot campaign to fight muscular dystrophy Members of Rockdale County Fire-Rescue are set to kick off the firefighters’ annual “Fill the Boot” fundraising campaign to help the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) find urgently needed treatments and cures for muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases that severely limit strength and mobility.

Thousands of dedicated firefighters across America participate in MDA’s “Fill the Boot” campaign, hitting the streets or standing outside of storefronts asking motorists and pedestrians to make a donation to MDA. More than 140 firefighters from Fire-Rescue will fan out with boots in hand at locations throughout the county. They will be collecting during three consecutive Friday and Saturdays during the weekends of Aug. 12-13, 19-20 and 26-27.

Firefighters will be at the following locations collecting donations: • Kroger - 1 – 5 p.m., Fridays, and 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Saturdays • Lowes Home Improvement - 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

• Home Depot - 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

• Starbucks - 8 a.m. – 11 a.m.

• Chick-Fil-A - 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

“For more than sixty years, firefighters have stood on the front lines with MDA in the fight to free individuals — and the families who love them — from the harm of these life-threatening muscle diseases,” Fundraising coordinator Nikki Knight said.

“Each year, Rockdale County firefighters dedicate countless hours of their time participating in Fill the Boot drives and at MDA Summer Camp. We’re grateful for their steadfast drive and uncommon caring toward the kids and adults we serve and look forward to working together once again to make this Fill the Boot season a huge success.”

Funds raised this year through the event empower families with life-enhancing resources and support that opens new possibilities and maximizes independence so they can experience the world without any limits, Knight said.

In addition to “Fill the Boot” drives, firefighter contributions from yearround local events help support MDA’s efforts to raise awareness and provide professional and public education about neuromuscular diseases.

Contributions also help MDA’s efforts to fund groundbreaking research and life-enhancing programs such as state-of-the-art support groups and Care Centers, including the MDA Care Center at Children’s Health Care of Atlanta. They also help send more than 100 local kids to “the best week of the year” at MDA summer camp at no cost to their families at Camp Twin Lakes in Rutledge, GA. To learn more about MDA, visit www.mda.org. Follow or like Fire-Rescue on its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/RockdaleFireRescue.

mission have been invited to attend to help facilitate the discussion.

For more information, contact Post II Commissioner Doreen Williams at 770-278-7008 or doreen.williams@rockdalecountyga.gov.

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AUGUST 13, 2016 • PAGE 7

Sen. Gloria Butler to host town hall meeting State Sen. Gloria Butler (D – Stone Mountain) will host a town hall meeting Wednesday, Aug. 17, 6 to 8 p.m., at Berean Christian Church, 2201 Young Road, Stone Mountain.

Butler will provide a legislative overview of Opportunity School Districts and their potential effects on DeKalb County.

The meeting will include a panel discussion featuring local leaders in the field of education.

Gloria Butler

DeKalb Tax Commissioner sets community Tax Bill Seminars

The DeKalb County Tax Commissioner’s Office is hosting its second series of Tax Bill seminars.

The “Understanding Your Tax Bill” seminar hosted by the Hartwood Estates HOA will be held on Thursday, Aug. 18, 7 p.m., at the DeKalb Community Achievement Center, 4522 Flat Shoals Parkway, Decatur.

The Bruce Street Senior Center will host a seminar on Wednesday, Aug. 24, 10 .am. , at 2584 Bruce St., Lithonia. Irvin Johnson Attend either seminar for an in-depth look at how property taxes are calculated and a detailed explanation of your tax bill.

The seminars are open to the community. Feel free to bring your questions.

Four pools, aquatic center in DeKalb open through Sept. 5 DeKalb County Interim CEO Lee May announces the county’s swim season will be on a modified schedule from Aug. 8 through Sept. 5, due to the start of DeKalb County public schools.

Four pools will only be open Saturdays, noon to 6 p.m., and Sundays, 1 to 6 p.m. Those pools are: • Gresham Pool, 3113 Gresham Rd., Atlanta, 30316 • Lithonia Pool, 2501 Park Drive, Lithonia, 30058 • Medlock Pool, 874 Gaylemont Circle, Decatur, 30033 • Midway, 3181 Midway Road, Decatur, 30032 The Browns Mill Family Aquatic Center, 4929 Browns Mill Road, Lithonia, will remain open on weekends only through Labor Day, Sept. 5.

For more information, call Justin Blanton, parks program coordinator: 404-371-6270.

DeKalb sets public meetings on secondary school facilities meetings

The DeKalb County School District will host two public input meetings for the Secondary School Facility Planning and Feasibility Study for middle schools and high schools. Staff will present recommendations for middle and high school feeder patterns, re-clustering attendance areas, additions to schools and new/replacement schools.

Community feedback from these meetings and an online survey will be incorporated into the 2017-2022 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) list later this Fall.

The recommendations to be presented at these meetings will be available online e on Tuesday, Aug. 23, starting at noon: http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/ www/secondaryschoolfacilitystudy Applications are due Aug. 19 for the next Gwinnett County Police DeThe meetings will be held at: partment Citizens Police Academy. Participants will learn about animal wel• Clarkston High, 618 N. Indian Creek Drive, Clarkston, Tuesday, fare and enforcement, crime scene investigations, criminal investigations, Aug. 23, 6:30 p.m. firearms, SWAT, traffic enforcement, and vehicle pullovers -all information • Cross Keys High, 1626 N. Druid Hills Road, Atlanta, Thursday, Aug. to share with family, friends, and neighbors.

25, 6:30 p.m.

The Citizens Police Academy also offers an alumni program so resiThe online survey will be available Aug. 23, starting at noon, through dents can remain involved with the Police Department. If you are interested Sept.

8, 11:59 p.m.: http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/www/secondaryschoolfain participating, visit www.gwinnettcpa.com to get an application. cilitystudy For more information about the Citizens Police Academy, email CitizenPoliceAcademy@gwinnettcounty.com.

Gwinnett accepting applications for Citizens Police Academy

PAGE 8 •AUGUST 13,2016

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SWD’s Coach Michael Tanks remembered

Tanks photos by Glenn L. Morgan

H

undreds of supporters held a prayer vigil on Sunday, Aug. 7, to remember Southwest DeKalb High School’s head football coach, Michael Tanks.

The popular coach passed away Aug. 3, 10 days following a massive stroke. He was 48.

Mr. Tanks is a Southwest DeKalb alumnus who played for the school’s legendary Coach Buck Godfrey in 1983-84 as a linebacker and went on to become an All-America center at Florida State University in 1989.

Mr. Tanks took the reigns from Godfrey as Southwest’s head coach in 2013. The Panthers were 4-6 in 2015.

The funeral service for Mr. Tanks will be held Aug. 13, 11 a.m., St. Philip AME Church, 240 Candler Road, Atlanta.

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AUGUST 13,2016 • PAGE 9

DeKalb schools chief touts district’s excellence in STEM program DeKalb County students returned to school today and several had a chance to hear from DeKalb County Schools Superintendent R. Stephen Green.

Green announced during his stop at Sagamore Hills Elementary School has earned the distinction as the only school in Georgia to receive dual accreditation from the State of Georgia fand AdvancED or the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) program.

The district is the state leader in STEM certification with 12 certified schools. STEM is an interdisciplinary, collaborative learning approach that is based on problem solving. There are 98 District schools that have STEM programs in their curriculum. Sagamore Hills ES is also has an outstanding arts program and parent engagement.

Green also spent the day visiting Flat Shoals ES, Rainbow ES, Freedom MS, Sequoyah MS, and Druid Hills HS.

Recount continued from page 1

and that leaves our soon to be veterans exposed while they are deployed and underserved when they return home. This election is that important,” said Anderson.

Anderson and Van Ness faced each other in the 2015 Special Election to fill the seat vacated after Ronald Ramsey’ was appointment to the State Court Traffic Division of DeKalb County.

Anderson is a military veteran, former city councilwoman and mayor of Lithonia. Anderson is a graduate of Leadership DeKalb and has served on numerous boards and organizations. She represented the newly-formed House District 92 in the Georgia General Assembly until 2015. She was endorsed in the Primary by the AFL-CIO, DeKalb County Solicitor-General and District Attorney-Elect Sherry Boston, Rockdale School Board member-Elect Pam Brown; Newton County Commissioner Lanier Sims and State Rep. Pamela Dickerson, who represents both Newton and Rockdale.

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PAGE 10•AUGUST 13,2016 WWW.OCGNEWS.COM Smooth Jazz

Drive-by

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Is Your Dream? Foundation. This summer, we had an opportunity to see many of the youths who were enrolled in summer camp perform at the Porter Sanford Performing Arts Center in DeKalb County,” Morgan said. “We were super impressed with what JFly and his instructors were able to teach the youths in just a few weeks. We knew this was something we wanted to support.”

JFly, whose first name is Jorel, serves as vice president and education committee co-chair of The Recording Academy® Atlanta Chapter (GRAMMY®s). He has served as music director for WSBTVs 4th of July Celebration at Atlanta’s Centennial Olympi c Park and the first ever music director for the Heisman Trophy Awards. He has appeared on the Soul Train Music Awards, BET’s Sunday’s Best and several Tyler Perry movies. He says he also prides himself on the birth of the JFly Music Festival, which is held annually in his hometown Waycross, Georgia.

JFly and students from the How BIG Is Your Dream? Foundation will provide entertainment during DeKalb Interim CEO Lee May’s Seventh annual Family Fun Day on Sunday, Aug. 14, 2-7 p.m., at Bransby Outdoor YMCA, 1185 Rock Chapel Road, Lithonia.

Those who attend “A Night of Smooth Jazz” may bring their own food or purchase food and beverages from vendors who will be on site.

Concert tickets are $30 for lawn seating (bring your own chair); $35 for stadium seating; $200 for the Royal Pavilion (tables seat 4) or VIP tables near the stage for $390 (seating for six).

For table reservations or general admission tickets, visit www. ocgconcerts.com. The Lithonia Amphitheater is located at 2501 Park Drive, Lithonia. If you have any questions or would like to participate as a vendor or sponsor, please call 678-526-1910. No two vendors will be permitted to sell the same foods.

civil rights leaders demanding justice. The organizations included the New Order Human Rights Organization, Operation Lead, Face 2 Face Coalition, Grieving Mothers, Unhappy Taxpayers and Voters, Black Man Never Forgets, Mira & Mira, T.E.A.R.S Nation of Islam, and the NAACP. In addition to the teen who was killed in the hail of gunfire, three other victims were injured. The shooting took place on Aug. 3 when the victims were leaving a convenience store on Glenwood Road.

Investigators said that 24-year-old Tahja Williams remains at large. DeKalb Police are asking anyone with information regarding his whereabouts to call Crimestoppers at 404-577- TIPS.

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AUGUST 13, 2016 • PAGE 11

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A NIGHT OF on Tickets sale now

SMOOTH

JAZZ

hosted by MORRIS BAXTER 91.9 WCLK

BROUGHT TO YOU BY ON COMMON GROUND NEWS Featuring Legends

Ronnie Laws Lonnie Liston Smith and Special Guest

Jaman Laws Julie Dexter Also Featuring

Joey ”Papa J” Sommerville Rhonda Thomas Groove Centric DJ Naturel Hosted by Morris Baxter 91.9 WCLK

JULIE DEXTER

JAMAN LAWS GROOVE CENTRIC

RONNIE LAWS

LONNIE LISTON SMITH

RHONDA THOMAS

JFLY & THE FLY TRAP

MUSIC BY

JOEY ”PAPA J” SOMMERVILLE

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DJ NATUREL

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AUGUST 20, 2016 7 P.M. - 11 P.M.

GATES OPEN AT 6 P.M.

LITHONIA AMPHITHEATER 2501 PARK DRIVE LITHONIA, GA 30058

Proceeds benefit the How Big Is Your Dream Foundation, a 501(c) 3 non-profit Organization that promotes music and arts education for our youth.