FREE VOLUME 24 NUMBER 48
JANUARY 25, 2019
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Serving DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale Counties
Four crews deployed to pave four of DeKalb County’s worst roads
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Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary points out pothole in the Chestnut Lake subdivision. Photo provided
Stonecrest Mayor’s “Straight Talk” town hall underscores pothole dangers, work needed
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fter hearing several complaints from residents about potholes that are plaguing the city’s roads, Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary has vowed to fix the problem. “It’s not just a matter of damage to automobiles, it’s a safety issue now,” Lary said. “It’s critical. I’m going to find a way to fix these roads as fast as we can and it won’t be some cat and scratch (repairs). We have the money to fix it and I’m going to make sure that it gets done.” Resident Tammy Grimes, one of several residents who spoke at the mayor’s Jan. 22 “Straight Talk” town hall meeting, where key officials from DeKalb County Roads and Drainage joined the mayor in fielding questions, said potholes on Salem Road are posing a serious threat to motorists. “Salem Road is an imminent
danger to those of us when it dims in the evening and to those youngsters who are looking forward to getting their driver’s license. They don’t have the experience to dodge potholes that are there,” Grimes said. Dave Marcus, another resident, said that he recently was almost hit in a head-on collision after a car swerved around a pothole on Salem Road. Lary said more than 5,000 of the city’s 53,000 residents live off of Salem Road, which has deteriorated in some places to the point that the potholes have become “craters.” The pothole problems, however, are not isolated to Salem Road, residents say. Turner Hill Road, which is near the Mall at Stonecrest, Union Grove, Evans Mill and Panola roads all have deteriorating surfaces, as well as interior streets within a number of communities and subdivisions.
One resident described a street in his community as patchwork similar to a quilt. Officials blame the potholes on heavy traffic and the fact that many of the roads are outdated and constructed with clay as a foundation. Peggy Allen, deputy director of the county’s Public Works Division, said standards used today to construct roads are much different than 30 or 40 years ago. Residents had several questions regarding the time table for repairs but Allen said she did not know because of other factors including weather and severity of the problems. Lary said to assist the county in making the repairs more efficiently and expediently, the city has placed a “pothole tracker” on the city’s web site(stonecrestga.gov) that permits
SEE POTHOLE page 7
our crews are paving the first 100 miles of the worst roads in DeKalb County, using funds from the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax(SPLOST) program. The roads currently under construction include Indian Manor Drive, Brafferton Court, Fox Valley Lane and Hairston Place. Since paving began in late September 2018, crews have completed almost seven miles of resurfacing. Road resurfacing is heavily weather-dependent and may pause due to cold or rainy weather. The county kicked off the first round of SPLOST repaving projects in September 2018 by initiating the paving of 25 miles of roads utilizing Georgia Department of Transportation Local Maintenance and Improvement Grants and matching SPLOST funding. That same month, the Board of Commissioners approved a second phase of paving encompassing 75 miles with $34 million of SPLOST funding. Contracts were awarded to Pittman Construction and C.W. Matthews Contracting Company Inc. These first two projects account for approximately a third of the 300 miles where contractor crews will patch, mill, level and resurface county streets using SPLOST monies. DeKalb will receive an estimated $388 million in SPLOST revenue over the next six years to improve county roads, infrastructure, libraries, parks and public safety. For more information about DeKalb County SPLOST, visit www.dekalbsplost. com.
Georgia’s Library of the Year DeKalb County Public Library to receive double honors as state’s top library
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eKalb County’s Public Library (DCPL) system will receive double honors as Georgia’s Public Library of the Year. DCPL is being recognized for offering public programming that embraces the county’s diverse community. The Georgia Public Library Service will present an award to DCPL on Jan. 31, 6:30 p.m., at the Decatur Library’s auditorium, the main branch, located a 215 Sycamore St. DCPL also will be honored during the Georgia Council for Public Libraries’ annual Public Library Day at the Georgia State Capital on Feb. 13. The ceremony is set for 2:30 p.m. “We are pleased to present our Georgia Public Library Awards to people and places that daily champion libraries across the state,” said State Librarian Julie Walker. “Their efforts to show that libraries are the heart of their communities, where people can achieve their goals at any stage in life, has made a meaningful difference to many.” DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond praised the public library system for setting exemplary leadership. “DeKalb County is extremely proud of our
Sharkweek 2018 at DeKalb County Public Library
public library system and the critical role it plays in promoting lifelong learning,” Thurmond said. “Under the outstanding leadership of the Library Board of Trustees, Library Director Alison Weissinger and her staff, the county provides exceptional services, programs and resources to our residents.” In 2018, the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners approved Thurmond’s budget
increasing funding for libraries by $2.2 million. County leadership also raised the minimum wage to $14 an hour, affecting 90 library employees. “DeKalb County Public Library is a system of individual library locations serving diverse interests and needs,” said Director Weissinger. “We created the Read More Campaign to coalesce all 22 library locations under a common goal of promotion, outreach and unity.” The campaign included promotional items such as Read More staff T-shirts, car magnets and signage, as well as integrated outreach efforts. The slogan “Read More. Think More. Play More. Make More. Get More.” highlights the many ways the community can engage with the library. Additional innovative efforts included: • PRIME TIME Preschool: Introduced children ages 3-4 to literature through storytelling techniques and playtime led by trained facilitators. • Fine Free Summer: Exempted all overdue juvenile materials from overdue fees from June
SEE LIBRARY page 5
PAGE 2 • JANUARY 25, 2019
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UP TO
$2,000 REWARD FOR TIPS LEADING TO THE ARREST OF THE SUSPECT(S) BELOW
CASE NUMBER: 19-005221 LOCATION:
2195 Highway 20, Target Suspect Description: Black male with long dreads, wearing a light blue jean jacket, blue jeans, and “EQT” Adidas shoes. Vehicle Description: Possibly Late 2000’s model Ford Ranger
On January 18, 2019 at approximately 1642 hours, the black male suspect pictured above entered 219� �ighway 20, Target, and shopli�ed several gaming items from the loca�on. The suspect �ed the loca�on, exi�ng through the �re exit, and was seen running to the vehicle pictured above. �ny informa�on leading to the arrest of the suspects may result in a cash reward of up to $2,000.00.
Tipsters will remain anonymous and are asked to contact Crime Stoppers with any informa�on: Call: 404.577.TIPS (8477) Click: www.CrimeStoppersAtlanta.org
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JANUARY 25, 2019 • PAGE 3
DeKalb Officer Norman Larsen, K-9 Indi honored for serving with courage PUBLISHER Glenn L. Morgan
gmorgan1@ocgnews.com
EDITOR Valerie J. Morgan
editor@ocgnews.com
ADVERTISING MANAGER Richard S. Hill
richardhill@ocgnews.com
STAFF WRITER Mackenzie Morgan
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PRODUCTION MANAGER Travis Hudgons travis@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. No portion of this newspaper may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publisher. We reserve the right to reject material and advertisements we deem inappropriate.
On Common Ground News P.O. Box 904 Lithonia, GA 30058 (678) 526-1910 www.ocgnews.com
DeKalb County Police Officer Norman Larsen and K-9 Indi were presented the Award of Bravery for saving lives and for consistently serving the county with courage. The Award of Bravery was presented by the Animal Law Source, Prosecuting Attorney’s Council of Georgia, National Sherriff’s Association and Office of the District Attorney, Towaliga Judicial Circuit during the K-9 Handler Intensive at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center on Jan. 18. “DeKalb County is extremely proud of Officer Larsen and K-9 Indi,” said Public Safety Director Jack Lumpkin. “The county appreciates their unwavering dedication to keeping DeKalb safe while serving our community with excellence.” On Dec. 13, 2018, K-9 Indi and his handler Officer Norman tracked down
and apprehended a suspect accused of fatally shooting Officer Edgar Flores after a traffic stop. K-9 Indi was shot in the
face by the suspect and lost his right eye. K-9 Indi has made a full recovery and is scheduled to complete an evaluation later this month to determine if he can return to work. Partners for five years, Officer Larsen and K-9 Indi are decorated DeKalb County officers who helped to catch numerous suspects, including a suspect involved in a brutal home invasion. “Officer Norman Larson and K-9 Indi reflect the good in this world. Without pause and with much bravery, they saved many lives that day. Indi was by his side, without wavering did his job, fought for his own life, lost an eye and simply wants to come to work. Larson and Indi are a team of heroes,” Claudine Wilkins, Founder of Animal Law Source.
DeKalb CEO Thurmond makes three high-level appointments DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond announced on Jan. 23 that he has made three high-level appointments to address the county’s consent decree regarding the sewer system, improving its watershed system and the county’s finances. “These appointments underline our commitment to repair and strengthen the county’s infrastructure while protecting our financial resources,” said Thurmond. Maria Houser has been appointed the county’s first director of consent decree and environmental compliance. Houser, both an attorney and a civil engineer, has more than 12 years of experience as a compliance expert in the utility sector and has practiced law
Maria Houser
Dianne McNabb
at Troutman Sanders in the Environmental and Natural Resources group for more than seven years. Houser holds a Juris Doctor degree from Georgia State University College of Law, as well as a master’s degree from State University of West Georgia and master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Georgia Institute of Technology.
Dianne McNabb
Reginald Wells, previously responsible for Watershed Operations, has been appointed director of watershed management. Wells has worked for DeKalb for three years and has more than 18 years of civil engineer experience. Wells earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering technology from Georgia Southern University and
has led the effort to resolve problems associated with DeKalb’s aging watershed infrastructure. Dianne McNabb, a certified public accountant, who has led DeKalb’s finance department on an interim basis since September 2016, has been appointed the county’s chief financial officer. McNabb played a key role in stabilizing the county’s finances by leading the effort to clear previous audit findings, resulting in DeKalb achieving an improved financial position and receiving a positive fiscal outlook rating. McNabb’s appointment is effective upon confirmation by the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners.
DCSD to host job fair for substitute employees Sean DePalma named City of The DeKalb County School District (DCSD) is seeking substitutes to work in Stonecrest’s Parks and Rec Director a variety of positions as needed throughout the district. The district’s Substitute
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he city of Stonecrest has named Sean DePalma, formerly parks director of Fort Myers Beach, Florida, as its new Parks and Recreation Director. DePalma began his duties on Jan. 7, 2019. Mayor Jason Lary said DePalma is a good fit for the city. “We needed a person with varied skills in parks Sean DePalma administration, personnel, facilities, green living, entertainment and sports. We felt he was the best fit overall for our needs for now and in the future,” Lary said. DePalma has more than 20 years of municipal administration in parks and recreation. In his previous role in Fort Myers Beach, DePalma developed and administered a $5.3 million budget and led up 52 skilled professionals. Prior to working in Fort Myers Beach, he held management positions in Florida with the City of Miami Gardens, Broward County, City of Coconut Creek and the City of North Miami Beach, where he managed a diverse team of more than 100 public servants. DePalma received his master’s degree in Parks and Recreation Management from Frostburg State University. He also holds more than 30 professional certifications including Parks and Recreation Professional, Aquatic Facility Operator, Six Sigma LEAN Green Belt Executive Project Management, Parks and Recreation System Master Planning and Youth Sports Administration. DePalma said he is excited to join the city. “Being granted the honor to serve as Parks and Tecreation Firector for Stonecrest creates the opportunity to influence true change,” said DePalma. “I know that the evolution of the Parks and Recreation Department is an opportunity for the City to increase the level of quality, as well as the diversity of services to our citizens. We are working to develop a world-class parks and recreation system that will deliver impactful, community engagement, enrichment programs, modern facilities, clean, and safe parks. Moreover, I genuinely look to hear, speak and serve every citizen of Stonecrest.”
Job Fair will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 1 to 4 p.m., at Elizabeth Andrews High School, 1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd., Stone Mountain. Employee screenings and in-person interviews will be conducted on a firstcome, first-served basis. Candidates applying for substitute teacher are required to complete a minimum of six hours of non-paid initial substitute teacher training. Candidates should have a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 2.5 or higher from Georgia Professional Standards Commission approved accredited college or university. The daily pay rate for the position is $95. Interested applicants must first complete an online application via DCSD’s PATS system. Attendees also will be expected to provide at least two professional references. DCSD is the third largest school district in the state of Georgia and the 28th largest in the United States. DeKalb County’s student population is one of the most diverse in Georgia. To complete an online PATS application and register for the event, visit www. pats.dekalbschoolsga.org. https://pats.dekalbschoolsga.org/OpportunityDetails. aspx?vsopt_id=59745
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2019 KING DAY CELEBRATIONS IN DEKALB AND ROCKDALE
Photo by Kelly Jordan
DeKalb NAACP’s 2019 MLK Parade draws a crowd of participants Even the frigid temperatures didn’t deter supporters from attending the DeKalb NAACP’s 17th Annual MLK Day Parade. This year’s celebration was held in honor of Vietnam veterans and the late Mrs. Sarah Copelin-Wood, former DeKalb County School Board member and devoted member of the DeKalb NAACP. The parade began at Green Pastures Christian Church, 5455 Flat Shoals Parkway, Decatur and ended at MLK High School, 3991 Snapfinger Road, Lithonia. Photo Essay by Glenn L. Morgan
Rockdale hosts MLK Day breakfast, inaugural county program The Rockdale NAACP kicked off MLK Day celebrations in the county with a breakfast attended by a packed crowd at the Rockdale Career Academy. Later at the academy, Rockdale County Government hosted its inaugural MLK celebration in partnership with Rockdale County Public Schools and community dance troupes. Students demonstrated their amazing talents before an audience that gave them standing ovations. While the performances were under way, artist Sean Mulkey created a painting honoring the King Holiday. Anchor and reporter Jennifer Bellamy of 11Alive served as MC of the two-hour event. Rockdale Chairman Oz Nesbitt announced Congressman Hank Johnson, re-elected to his seventh term, as the recipient of the “Excellence in Public Service award.” Johnson’s wife, DeKalb Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson, accompanied him at the event. Rockdale School Board member Heather Duncan received the 2019 MLK Leadership Award for her work in advocating for students and teachers. Melissa Mims and Jenae Duncan served as co-chairs for the 2019 event. Photo Essay by Glenn L. Morgan
Xpress Transit issues travel advisory for Super Bowl LIII Xpress Commuter Service bus stops for routes 400 and 416 will be impacted on Friday, Feb. 1, due to road closures for the NFL Honor Ceremony, which will be held at the Fox Theatre in downtown Atlanta. Riders during the afternoon trips should plan to board at the following temporary bus stops: • Peachtree Street & Renaissance Parkway at Emory Hospital (Northbound) at MARTA stop • Linden Avenue before West Peachtree Street The stops listed above are replacing the following stops, which will not be serviced: • Peachtree Street at Linden Avenue • Ponce De Leon Ave at West Peachtree Street • Spring Street at Linden Street In addition, these routes will be rerouted on
Peachtree Street (northbound) turning left on Linden Avenue and continuing to I-75/85 North. “SRTA is working diligently to ensure that all Xpress routes run as smoothly as possible during this period of road closures,” said SRTA Executive Director Chris Tomlinson. “Safety and efficiency are our top priorities as our coaches work to maneuver through Super Bowl traffic. We’re excited that Atlanta is hosting the Super Bowl and we are committed to helping our riders get to their destinations during this momentous event.” Road closures will take place on Peachtree Street between Ponce De Leon and 3rd Street as well as Ponce De Leon between Peachtree Street and West Peachtree Street from 12 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 1, until 5 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 3. For concerns regarding this matter, please The blue “X” represents the stops that will not be serviced, and the “red” marker represents the temporary bus stops that have been put in place. contact Xpress at 844-XPRSSGA (977-7742).
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JANUARY 25, 2019 • PAGE 5
Georgia Trend names Katerina Taylor 2019 Notable Georgian
Katerina Taylor
Katerina Taylor, president and CEO of the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce, has been named a 2019 Notable Georgian by Georgia Trend. Taylor was recognized along with other Notable Georgians and Most Influential Georgians during a luncheon on Jan. 22 at the Georgia Aquarium. Taylor became the first female to lead the DeKalb Chamber in 2014. Under her leadership, she established the Women Executive Leaders of DeKalb (WELD), a resource group
State Rep. Viola Davis receives appointments to House committees
Newly-elected State Rep. Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain) has been appointed to the Georgia House of Representatives Insurance, Interstate Cooperation and Science & Technology committees. Davis was sworn into office as a member of the Georgia House of Representatives on Jan. 14, marking her first day of the 2019-2020 legislative term. She represents the citizens of District 87, which includes portions of DeKalb County. State Rep. Viola Davis “I am proud to represent the taxpayers and voters of DeKalb County,” said Rep. Davis. “I will make every effort to focus on problems and solutions within my district.” The House Committee on Assignments, chaired by House Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge), is charged with making all House committee assignments for the members of the Georgia House of Representatives.
State Rep. Doreen Carter to host “Go Red for Women” rally State Rep. Doreen Carter (D-Lithonia) is encouraging citizens to “Go Red for Women” by wearing red on Feb. 1. “Go Red for Women” Day is celebrated by the American Heart Association and is designed to increase women’s awareness and research about cardiovascular health. Heart disease is the leading cause Dr. Ijeoma Isiadinso of death for African American women, State Rep. Doreen Carter according to the CDC. “Fortunately, we can change that because 80 percent of cardiac and stroke events may be prevented with education, healthy eating habits, and regular exercise,” said Carter. “My grandmother died of a massive heart attack. My mother died in her sleep. I was fortunate to make it to the hospital in time for the doctors to stop the attack on my heart. However, it was discovered that I had a 100 percent blockage. Heart decease is truly the silent killer. I had no idea that I was having a heart attack. I am committed to share what I have learned in hopes of helping someone else to survive like I did. I am grateful to be alive to share my story.” Dr. Ijeoma Isiadinso, a board certified cardiologist at the Emory Heart and Vascular Center and Assistant Professor of Medicine at Emory University School of Medicine, will educate attendees on heart disease in women and prevention. Isiadinso said 64 percent of women have no symptoms prior to their heart attacks, which can lead to sudden death. Carter is encouraging citizens to consider making a donation to Go Red for Women in the remembrance of the families whose loved ones have died of heart attacks or strokes. She is also reminding women to schedule well-woman visits, prevention check-ups to review overall health, blood pressure, cholesterol and to look for signs of heart disease, stroke and other illnesses. Carter plans to host a “Go Red for Women” rally on Friday, Feb. 1, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The location for the event will be announced at State Rep. Doreen Carter’s Facebook page.
LIBRARY continued from page 1 to September 2018. The program encouraged parents and children to check out books to prevent summer learning loss. • Human Library Project: Involved human “books” sharing life experiences with participants in one-on-one conversations. DeKalb County Public Library also hosts the Georgia Center for the Book, one of the library’s most visible and popular programs. The program was created to preserve Georgia’s rich literary heritage by providing free author talks and sponsoring other literary engagement events such as the annual list of 10 Books All Georgians Should Read and the Book as Art exhibits. The Public Library of the Year Award is one of five annual Georgia Public Library awards, honoring the outstanding service and achievements of Georgia’s public libraries, librarians and advocates during the past year.
for women executives; helped to spearhead the Chamber’s educational efforts that helped to lead to the passing of the county-wide SPLOST in 2017; and strengthened collaborative partnerships between community partners, education leaders, developers, municipal and county government leaders. In the community, Taylor serves on the board of directors for United Way of Greater Atlanta, CDC Federal Credit Union, Regional Business Coalition, Citizens
Trust Bank’s Next Generation Board. She previously served as Chair of DeKalb Thrives Steering Committee, the county’s strategic plan to improve the business climate, enhance quality of place, and revitalize commercial corridors and employment centers. As a strong advocate for women in Leadership, Taylor has spoken to several women’s organizations around the state. Taylor is a proud Alumni of Leadership Georgia and Leadership Atlanta.
Congressman Johnson secures chairmanship of IP subcommittee
Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) announced on Jan. 23 that he was elected by his peers to lead the Judiciary Subcommittee – Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet. “I am honored to be named chairman of the Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet,” said Johnson. “Intellectual property laws that protect the rights of owners of patents, trademarks and Congressman Hank Johnson copyrights help drive America’s competitiveness and export growth, create millions of jobs, and affect virtually every segment of the U.S. economy. Georgia is home to a burgeoning tech and creative sector. As we work to modernize and streamline our patent and trademark laws, I look forward to helping Georgia’s and the nation’s businesses grow while at the same time working to protect the rights of creators, artists and inventors.” “The internet is a ubiquitous tool in our lives, and as the Trump Administration tries to kill net neutrality, I am eager to take on the challenge of ensuring that the internet remains open to all content regardless of source. Content must be available without discrimination and accessible to all,” said Johnson. The subcommittee also has jurisdiction over the administration of the federal courts, federal rules of evidence, civil and appellate procedure, judicial ethics, and the Legal Services Corporation. “I’m eager to roll up my sleeves and work to ensure that the Legal Services Corporation is adequately resourced and unbridled in its ability protect the rights of the indigent, and I will be a champion for the interests of the judiciary as a co-equal branch of government,” Johnson said. A former judge and criminal defense attorney, Johnson has served on Judiciary since 2007, championing civil liberties, consumer protections and workers’ rights. He is the fifth highest ranking Democratic on Judiciary. Congressman Johnson previously served as chair of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts & Competition Policy in the 111th Congress. CITY OF STONECREST PLANNING COMMISSION, PUBLIC HEARING: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5TH 2019 AT 6:00 P.M. STONECREST CITY HALL, 3120 STONECREST BLVD LITHONIA, GA 30038
CITY OF STONECREST MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL, PUBLIC HEARING: MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25TH 2019 AT 7:00 P.M. CITY OF STONECREST, 3120 STONECREST BLVD STONECREST, GA 30038 The following petition(s)/amendment(s) within the City of Stonecrest is scheduled for Public Hearings as stated above. LAND USE PETITION: PETITIONER: LOCATION: CURRENT ZONING: PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT:
LAND USE PETITION: PETITIONER: LOCATION: PROPOSED AMENDMENT:
RZ-19-001 Blue River Development, LLC c/o Battle Law, P.C. 3898-4001 Panola Road R-100 (Residential Med Lot) District Request to change subject property zoning to R-75 for the construction of 115 single-family unit subdivision. TMOD 19-0002 Community Development Department City Wide Revision to the Home OccupationSec. 4.2.31. Child and Personal Care Home – Sec 4.2.41 regulations and Definitions Article 9
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CITY OF STONECREST MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL, PUBLIC HEARING: MONDAY, JANUARY 28TH 2019 AT 7:00 P.M. CITY OF STONECREST, 3120 STONECREST BLVD STONECREST, GA 30038 The following text amendment within the City of Stonecrest is scheduled for Public Hearings as stated above. LAND USE PETITION: PETITIONER: LOCATION: CURRENT ZONING: PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT:
RZ-18-007 / SLUP-18-007 Beverly J Searles Foundation 6807 Covington Hwy C-1 (Local Commercial) Request to change the zoning to MR-2 and Special Land Use permit for the development of Senior Housing.
LAND USE PETITION: PETITIONER:
TMOD 18-0007 Community Development Department City Wide Minor modifications to Chapter 27 Article IV Supplemental Uses; Minor modification to Chapter 7 Building Code.
LOCATION: PROPOSED AMENDMENT:
LAND USE PETITION: PETITIONER: LOCATION: PROPOSED AMENDMENT:
TMOD 18-0008 Arabia Mountain Overlay Committee City Wide Review of the proposed Arabia Mountain Overlay district and map.
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JANUARY 25, 2019 • PAGE 7
Rockdale’s Constitutional Corner
Is your vehicle prepared for winter weather
By Sheriff Eric J. Levett
R
ockdale County Sheriff’s Office would like to take this time to remind drivers to winterize their vehicles and follow safe driving tips in preparation for inclement weather. Winter weather can catch all of us off guard, but you can reduce the risks of being involved in a crash by making sure your vehicle is ready for the season, adopting winter driving techniques and following general roadway safety tips. Last winter, there were 250 crashes on snow, ice or slush
covered roads in Rockdale County. Speed-related factors were reported as a causative factor in 20 percent of all accidents, according to the Georgia Electronic Accident Reporting System (GEARS). If you’re not prepared, don’t drive. When drivers don’t take the proper precautions, they create hazardous conditions for other driver and pedestrians. In prior years, drivers have left their cars blocking roads and freeways, creating unsafe road conditions for other travelers. These obstructions also make it difficult for the first responders to travel some streets and answer emergencies. I would also like to remind drivers to supply their vehicles with a winter car kit including: an ice scraper, shovel, jumper cables, flashlight, warning devices, blankets, cell phone charger, first aid kit, tow rope, water and food for longer trips. It’s also important to ensure your tires have plenty of tread, check your battery and keep your windshield washer reservoir full. If you’re driving on snowy or icy roads: • Slow down. Even if you have all-wheel drive, reduce your speed
City of Lithonia announces finalists for City Administrator The city of Lithonia has narrowed its search for the position of City Administrator to four candidates. Mayor Deborah A. Jackson and the City Council are pleased to announce the following as the final panel of candidates: • Timothy E. O’Briant • Alan C. Peterson • Meschery Pollard • Lathaydra L. Sands A decision will be made on the final candidate in February. There will be an opportunity for the community to meet the finalists on Feb. 4, 6 p.m., before the City Council meeting at City Hall, 6920 Main Street, Lithonia. “This is an important decision and we want to make sure we select someone that will help take the City of Lithonia to the next level,” Jackson said. “We have accomplished a lot over the past several years, and are looking forward to the next phase of our development.” The City of Lithonia is a historic city and one of DeKalb County’s smaller municipalities with a population of approximately 2,000. It is governed by an elected mayor and five council members.
about 10 miles per hour below the speed limit. If it still feels iffy, cut back another five miles per hour until you’re comfortable. • Beware of black ice. It’s nearly impossible to see this crystalclear glaze, but you can spot it when your headlights reflect off the road at night. It tends to form on bridges, which trap the cold; in the shadows of tall buildings, where the sun can’t hit it; and at intersections, due to drains. That’s why, in bad weather, you should slow down a couple of hundred feet before stop signs and lights. • Avoid tailgating. On the highway, leave about 100 yards (about the length of a football field) between you and the car ahead of you to give you plenty of room to stop in case that person brakes suddenly. Still, it’s close enough to use his headlights to see what’s up ahead. • Don’t brake during a turn. To avoid a spin-out, gradually start turning the steering wheel and feathering the brakes lightly before the curve. Then coast
through the turn with your foot off the brake and off the gas, so as not to gain speed. When you have your foot on the brake, the wheels stop turning. That’s when the car loses control and goes in any direction that momentum decides to take it, like a toboggan. • Turn into a skid. Remain calm, take your foot off the brake and the gas pedals, and turn the car in the direction the car is skidding. For example, if you’re sliding to the left, gently turn the steering wheel to the left. This cancels out the skid. The car corrects itself and goes straight. If all else fails and you have the option to do so safely, leave the road and drive the car into a snow bank. My best advice is to “stay off the road” and “not to make unnecessary journeys.” Your safety is our first priority. Throughout each month, the clerk of courts, tax commissioner, sheriff and probate judge—Rockdale’s elected constitutional officers—discuss topics relevant to their respective roles.
POTHOLES continued from page 1
users to report potholes from their cell phones. Users can include a photo along with the location and the information is immediately forwarded to city personnel. Still, the outcry from Stonecrest residents over road conditions in the city has come to a head as DeKalb County announces improvements to its infrastructure, thanks to funding from the county’s Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax program. Stonecrest’s funding, however, has been sitting in the bank as the City Council tries to determine who will manage the SPLOST program. Kerry Williams, a civil engineer and a member of the city’s SPLOST Advisory Committee, told the council at its Jan. 15 meeting that the city must move swiftly to take advantage of this year’s paving season. During a presentation, Williams urged the council to use a digital Pavement Management System to analyze and prioritize the road repairs needed for the
Resident Bob Foster questioned city officials on why they had not acted with a sense of urgency last year after receiving the first round of SPLOST dollars, saying the city’s deteriorating roads “are not potholes. They are craters.” Photo by Glenn L. Morgan/OCG News
costs. He recommended that the council use current staffing and the city engineer to manage the process, rather than go through a procurement process to hire a project manager. He said if the city moves forward quickly, Stonecrest could get on track for the paving season, which runs April to early November during
Georgia’s warm weather period. Lary said he is optimistic that the city can move forward and address its crumbling roads. He told residents at the town hall meeting that the city recently learned that an additional $500,000 is available for road repairs through state-funded Local Maintenance Improvement Grants. “The money is there. We must address this issue,” Lary said. Lary said he plans to create a citizens pothole oversight committee to track road repairs and to hold the city accountable for the work. The oversight committee, along with the road analysis, SPLOST program management, are all items that are on the council’s meeting agenda for Jan. 28. The work session begins at 6 p.m., followed by the City Council meeting at 7 p.m. The meeting will be held at Stonecrest City Hall.
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900 N. Hairston Rd. Suite B Stone Mountain, GA 30083 404-294-8500 Spalding Gentle Dentistry 6460 Spalding Drive Norcross, GA 30092 770-849-0006