VOLUME 23 NUMBER 44
FREE
JANUARY 26, 2018
News 24/7
Stay connected
ocgnews.com
Published Since April 1995
Serving DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale Counties
facebook.com/ocgnews
JONES: Abrupt closure violated federal worker act Elected officials seeks legal action over
S
By Valerie J. Morgan
tate Rep. Vernon Jones said that he is working with city officials to seek legal action against Sam’s Club. Jones said Sam’s Club violated the Federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN) when it abruptly closed the Stonecrest store on Jan. 11, and could face penalties for failure to properly notify workers and city officials of the massive layoffs. “This has been sloppy from Day 1,” Jones said. “Sam’s Club violated the federal WARN Act. I will be talking with legal counsel, officials, the community as well as employees affected. They failed to properly notify the state and local government, which is a direct violation of the federal WARN Act.” Jones said officials of Walmart, the parent company of Sam’s Club, never mentioned the “WARN” when questioned about the shutdown during a town hall that he held on Jan. 16 to discuss the closing. Glenn Wilkins, public affairs and government relations manager for Walmart, said there was no prior warning to workers and the public that the store was closing. He said the store was underperforming financially.
A line of automobiles snaked through the parking lot as a security guard told customers the store was closed on Jan. 11. Photos by Travis Hudgons/OCG News
“We notified the associates when they came in and we notified members when they came in as well. No one had advance notice, said Wilkins. Wilkins said the employees are being paid for the next 60 days. They’re getting double pay for the next two weeks. They will get a 2017 bonus, plus a one-time bonus. He said some employees were offered the chance to work at another Sam’s Club or Walmart. Keith Lowe, market manager for Sam’s Club, notified state officials and the city of Lithonia of the Sam’s Club’s closing. The letter, dated Jan. 11, was sent to Jackie Griffin, Rapid Response Director, Workfore Division, Georgia Dept. of Economic Development, and Lithonia Mayor Deborah Jackson.
State Rep. Vernon Jones conducts town hall on Jan. 16.
A guide to advance notice of closings and layoffs OTE: These are excerpts from the Federal Worker N Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act: There is no Georgia law requiring advance notice of layoffs. Employers are encouraged to contact the department to take advantage of assistance available to workers to be laid off. However, the Federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN) was enacted by the United States Congress on August 4, 1988, and became effective on February 4, 1989. WARN offers protection to workers, their families, and communities by requiring employers to provide notice 60 days in advance of covered plant closings and covered mass layoffs. This notice must be provided to either affected workers or their representatives (e.g., a labor union); to the State dislocated SEE WARN, page 6
SEE SAM’S CLUB, page 6
Stonecrest Babies “R” Us is closing
T
No annual profit for corporation since 2013
he Stonecrest Babies “R” Us store is closing as part of the corporation’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization plan, officials said. The restructuring calls for the closing of up to 182 stores nationally and abroad to ease debt. According to reports, the stores haven’t had an annual profit since 2013, losing much of its share of the toy market to mass merchants such as Walmart, Target and Amazon. A manager at the Stonecrest location said the store would begin its liquidation on Feb. 8, closing for good by April. The company is holding going-out-of-business sales at 25 stores in the United Kingdom. Nicole Hayes, a spokesperson for the corporation, said initially, there was some confusion over the corporation’s announcement concerning the store at Stonecrest. Hayes confirmed, however, the Stonecrest Toys “R” Us™ would
Photo by Travis Hudgons/OCGNews
remain open for now but the Stonecrest Babies “R” Us™ is closing. Toys “R” Us™ , which owns Babies “R” Us, is headquartered in Wayne, NJ. In addition to the Stonecrest store’s liquidation and others in the
U.S., the company is holding goingout-of-business sales at 25 stores in the United Kingdom. "The reinvention of our brands requires that we make tough decisions about our priorities and focus," Toys R Us Chief Executive Dave Brandon said in a Jan. 23 letter
posted on the company's website. Toys "R" Us, Inc. was founded by Charles P. Lazarus, who started in the children’s products industry by launching a furniture store in 1948. Lazarus began offering toys at the store in 1957 and eventually shifted his focus to the toy business, launching Toys “R” Us™ in 1957. At its peak, there were 800 Toys “R” Us stores nationally and around 800 globally. The company also launched Babies “R” Us and the now defunct Kids “R” Us. The company owns or licenses 866 Toys “R” Us and Babies “R” stores in the United States and Puerto Rico, more than 750 international stores and more than 245 licensed stores in 37 countries and jurisdictions. The company reported a net loss of $164 million in the quarter ended April 29, 2017. It lost $ 126 million in the same period in the prior year, according to reports.
PAGE 2 • JANUARY 26, 2018 WWW.OCGNEWS.COM
DeKalb County Solicitor-General sets second annual Stop Teen Dating Violence PSA contest
Solicitor-General Donna Coleman-Stribling
DeKalb County SolicitorGeneral Donna Coleman-Stribling invites DeKalb County high school juniors and seniors to enter the 2018 Stop Teen Dating Violence Public Service Announcement (PSA) contest. Coleman, in partnership with Cinderella’s Gowns, Men’s Wearhouse of Stonecrest, and Lynette Clove, an independent sales director for Mary Kay, plan to give away a prom
package to the winner. With February being recognized as Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, Stribling is encouraging DeKalb teens to promote healthy dating practices that prevent dating violence by producing a one-minute PSA. The student who creates the most impactful PSA will win a prom prize package, which includes: • Dinner for two • Makeup artist services provided by Mary Kay • Attire for the winner and their date from Cinderella’s Gowns and The Men’s Wearhouse of Stonecrest “Unhealthy relationships can start early and last a lifetime. Approximately 7 percent of women and 4 percent of men who experienced rape, physical
violence, or stalking by an intimate partner first experienced some form of partner violence by that same partner before turning 18,” said Coleman-Stribling. “Teens often brush off certain behaviors, such as teasing and name-calling as a ‘normal’ characteristic of a relationship. While it may seem small, this behavior can lead to more serious consequences and it is our responsibility as a community to teach them better.” The Solicitor-General’s Office began The Stop Teen Dating Violence Public Service Announcement Contest in 2017 and saw an overwhelming response from local teens interested in participating. “Our Stop Teen Dating Violence PSA Contest, gives teens an opportunity to not only
showcase their creative ability, but to also display their understanding of what it means to cultivate healthy relationships. We are eager to see how they choose to highlight positive characteristics of a healthy relationship,” said ColemanStribling. The winning video will air on local broadcast stations and will be distributed to schools throughout DeKalb to play at each prom. Students can upload their entries through March 1: www. dekalbsolicitorgeneral.org. The Office of the DeKalb Solicitor-General encourages any teen who is aware of or experiencing teen dating violence to contact www.loveisrespect.org, call the Hotline at 1-866-331-9474 or text “LOVEIS” to 22522 for assistance.
Commissioner Steve Bradshaw to launch “Quarterly in the Fourth” breakfast meetings DeKalb County District 4 Commissioner Steve Bradshaw is launching “Quarterly in the Fourth” community breakfast meetings for District 4 constituents and other interested parties. Constituents will have an opportunity to discuss various topics and meet representatives from DeKalb County departments. The first community breakfast meeting will be held on Jan. 27, 9 a.m., at Clarkston High School, 618 N. Indian Creek Drive, Clarkston. The focus of the meetings is to provide information and resources and to address the concerns of Commissioner Bradshaw’s constituents.
Constituents will have an opportunity to discuss various topics and meet representatives from DeKalb County departments “It is important that constituents in District 4 have access to me and are able to talk with me about their issues and concerns,” Commissioner Bradshaw said. Bradshaw said the breakfast will be catered by the award-winning Clarkston High School “Cook It Angoras” catering team. The “Quarterly in the Fourth” community breakfast meetings will be held on the fourth Saturday of each quarter. Future dates will be April 28 at
Stress or Physical Pain?
At Full Body Rejuvenation Center our staff offers the most effective quality health care to satisfy every individual's personal needs. Our combination of chiropractic therapy and physiotherapy allow us to focus on the physiological, as well as the biomechanical aspects of the body. Dr. Smith encourages you to come in and begin your healthy approach to pain management, weight loss or stress relief!
Chiropractic Treatment Physiotherapy Your path to Natural Health Bring in this ad and receive a
complementary chiropractic consultation
FULL BODY REJUVENATION CENTER 3636 Panola Rd, Ste B
MOST MAJOR INSURANCES AND OBAMA CARE ACCEPTED!
Lithonia, GA 30038
Stephenson High School; July 28 at Elizabeth Andrews High School; and Oct. 27 at Stone Mountain High School. Meetings will begin at 9 a.m. with breakfast, and the meeting will conclude by 11 a.m. Bradshaw said hearing from constituents is important to him. “Since taking office in January 2017, I have met with many community and civic groups and homeowner association, hearing their ideas for a better DeKalb,” Bradshaw said. “I enjoy meeting with my constituents and it’s my goal to continue to make myself accessible to constituents in District 4.”
Commissioner Steve Bradshaw
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/OCGNEWS
JANUARY 26, 2018 • PAGE 3
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
mackenzie@ocgnews.com
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.
DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond and the Board of Commissioners recognize DeKalb firefighters during the “DeKalb County Fire Rescue Day” proclamation presentation. Photo provided
DeKalb honors heroic firefighters with proclamation DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond and the Board of Commissioners proclaimed Jan. 23 as “DeKalb County Fire Rescue Day.” Firefighters of DeKalb County Fire Rescue were recognized for their role in saving nearly 100 residents at Avondale Forest Apartments. “These incredible acts of courage and heroism during the Avondale Forest Apartments fire are testaments to the training, commitment and courage of our public safety employees, said CEO Thurmond. “I am extremely proud of our fire department, our 911 operators and administrative staff who do an extraordinary job everyday protecting our county.” On Jan. 3, DeKalb County firefighters boldly rushed to face danger and save several families, including children, who were trapped in the burning apartment building. More than 60 firefighters from all over the county coordinated an incredible effort in the rescue of a woman confined to a wheelchair, newborn twins and a four-year-old girl, among others. Assistant Chief Jeff Crump, Capt. Jovan Carter, Capt. Jackie Peckrul and Capt. Scott Stroup also were recognized for their heroic acts of service to the citizens of DeKalb County.
DeKalb fire investigators seeking person of interest in apartment fire
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
Coleman D. Reid
DeKalb County Fire Rescue investigators are seeking the public’s help in finding Coleman D. Reid, a person of interest, regarding a Jan. 18 fire at the Oak Tree Villas Apartments, 3548 Clubhouse Circle East in Decatur. DeKalb County firefighters responded to a structure fire at the apartments and found heavy smoke and flames coming from the three-
story multifamily building. “Many families were displaced by this fire, and seeking justice for those responsible would begin the healing process for those that were severely impacted,” DeKalb County Fire Chief Darnell Fullum said. Fire investigators are asking anyone with information regarding this fire to contact the DeKalb County Fire Investigations Unit at 678-406-7775.
Stonecrest City Council meetings set The Stonecrest City Council will hold its work session on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 10 a.m., at City Hall, 3120 Stonecrest Blvd. The council’s regular voting meeting will be held on Monday, Feb. 19, 6 p.m., at City Hall.
Wife killed during domestic disturbance in Rockdale
Rockdale elections officials considering relocating nine voting precincts The Rockdale County Board of Elections is considering relocating nine voting precincts that are in schools to other public locations. The board is considering the move for the protection and safety of students, said Elections Supervisor Cynthia Welch. Voters are invited to learn more about the proposal on Thursday, Feb. 1, 7 p.m., at the Rockdale Board of Elections Office, 1400 Parker Road, Conyers. The public meeting will be the second conducted. A meeting also was held on Jan. 25. Voters of the following Rockdale County precincts would be impacted by the change:
Olde Towne Precinct Pine Street Elementary School, 960 Pine Street
Barksdale Precinct Barksdale Elementary School, 596 Oglesby Bridge Road
Milstead Precinct Conyers Middle School, 335 Sigman Road
Hightower Precinct Hightower Trail Elementary School, 2510 Highway 138 North
Smyrna Precinct Heritage High School, 2400 Grandae Road
Fieldstone Precinct Peeks Chapel Elementary School 2800 Avalon Parkway Honey Creek Precinct Honey Creek Elementary School, 700 Honey Creek Road Sheffield Precinct J.H. House Elementary School, 2930 Highway 20 North Flat Shoals Precinct Flat Shoals Elementary School, 1455
A domestic violence disturbance rocked a quiet community in Rockdale County on Jan. 21 and now Rockdale County Sheriff’s deputies have a 41-year-old man in custody for fatally shooting his wife. Letron Jerome Bell, 41, was charged with the death of his wife, Lisa LaShawn Samuel Bell. The suspect was taken into custody after police responded to a call, arriving at the family’s home on 4680 Habersham Way in Conyers on Sunday, Jan. 21, around 11:54 a.m. There were three children ages 7, 10 and 17 in the home at Letron Jerome Bell the time of the shooting, authorities said. When deputies arrived on the scene, Bell fired at deputies as he chased his wife into a wooded area near their home. Deputies returned fire without striking him as they pursued him. Deputies found the victim had been shot and she was taken to Rockdale Medical Center where she was later pronounced dead, hospital officials said. Authorities said Bell had no prior record. Police were called to the home on two other occasions for domestic disturbances: Feb. 2017 and May 2011. No arrests were made and no other information was immediately available, authorities said. LaShawn Samuel Bell Bell was charged on Sunday with felony murder, aggravated assault against law enforcement officials, three counts of cruelty to children and possession of a firearm. The GBI and Rockdale Sheriff’s Office is continuing investigations.
PAGE 4 • JANUARY 26, 2018 WWW.OCGNEWS.COM
“Local Voices” program kicks off at Nancy Guinn Memorial Library The Nancy Guinn Memorial Library and the Rockdale County Chapter of the NAACP will host the Rev. Aldren Sadler as the inaugural speaker for the library’s “Local Voices” program series on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2 to 3 p.m. “Local Voices” spotlights community leaders and their impactful stories. Rev. Sadler will share his insightful story and heritage. Rev. Sadler is the founder and senior pastor of Rev. Aldren Sadler Church of New Beginnings in Conyers, Georgia. He has served in leadership roles for the Conyers-Rockdale Consolidation Committee, United Way of Rockdale County, Rockdale County Task Force Against Family Violence, Rockdale County Department of Family and Children Services, Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office, and Rockdale Citizens Progressive Club. He is also the 2011 recipient of the City of Conyers’ Spirit Award and the 2015 recipient of the A.R. “Gus” Barksdale Lifetime Achievement Award. “Local Voices” is part of an $11,000 Common Heritage Grant funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities. The grant will support a series of programs that will enable the library to record and preserve Rockdale County's rich African-American heritage. “Local Voices” with Rev. Sadler is part of the library’s Black History Month celebrations throughout the month of February.
Administration Lodge #25 sets new date or job fair Admiration Lodge No. 25 has set a new date for its job fair. The event, which was postponed due to icey weather conditions, will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 1 to 4 p.m., at the Community Achievement Center, 4522 Flat Shoals Parkway, Decatur. Managers from a variety of fields and industries will be represented including the Center of Disease Control, Diaz Foods, Department of Transportation, law enforcement, logistics and customer services. Candidates should come dressed for interviews with their resumes and be prepared to speak with hiring personnel. Register for the job fair online at Eventbrite.com.
Say “I Do” in DeKalb County, Georgia
DeKalb
Wedding Expo
Bride/Groom Complimentary Admission | General Admission $10
Stone Ridge Event Center 1750 Stone Ridge Drive, Suite A, Stone Mountain, GA 30083 Register online at www.discoverdekalb.com/weddings or call 770-492-5018
March 18, 2018 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Medicare Q&A set for Jan. 27 in Decatur Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers are invited to a Q&A the American Association of Retired Persons Chapter #5334 Decatur/McAfee is hosting on Saturday, Jan. 27, 1 to 3 p.m., at Holy Cross Episcopal Church (in the fellowship hall), 2005 S. Columbia Place, in Decatur. KEPRO representatives will be conducting the meeting. KEPRO is a private contractor hired by Centers for Medicare Services to help Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers with concerns and complaints including quality of care and discharge appeals from hospitals, nursing facilities, home health agencies and hospice. In addition, KEPRO provides immediate advocacy to address concerns that a beneficiary or their caregiver may have. Beneficiaries are encouraged to invite relatives and others who do not have Medicare yet but will need it in the next two years. Refreshments will be served.
Rep. Carter to Host Third Annual Women’s Go Red Luncheon State Rep. Doreen Carter (D-Lithonia) will host the third annual Women’s Go Red Luncheon on Friday, Feb. 2, noon to 2 p.m., room 216 of the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta. The Women’s Go Red Luncheon will provide women with an opportunity to learn about cardiovascular health and the dangers of heart disease. The luncheon will take place during the American Heart Association’s “National State Rep. Doreen Wear Red Day.” Carter According to the American Heart Association, an estimated 44 million women in the U.S. are affected by cardiovascular diseases while 90 percent of women have one or more risk factors for heart disease or stroke. Additionally, an estimated 49 percent of AfricanAmerican women over the age of 20 have some form of heart disease. "The most important step towards a steadier and longer-beating heart is educating yourself on heart-healthy habits,” said Carter, a heart attack survivor. “Wear Red Day serves as important reminder to women, myself included, to take care of our hearts through lifestyle choices and daily selfcare. Remember to wear red this February 2nd for women's cardiovascular health awareness, and please join me for our Women’s Go Red Luncheon at the Capitol." If you plan to attend, please send your RSVP to doreen.carter@house. ga.gov.
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/OCGNEWS
JANUARY 26, 2018 • PAGE 5
Jabria Caldwell, a 4th grader at CJ Hicks Elementary School, and Josh Miller, a student at Rockdale Career Academy, stay on track for their classes, despite schools being closed due to inclement weather. Karleta Sigman, a teacher at Salem High School, helps students via the internet while students were home. Photos provided
Rockdale students use online platforms during winter school closings No make-up days required
W
intry weather may have shut down roads, businesses, and school buildings recently, but Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) teachers and students didn’t miss a beat as they continued teaching and learning online and at home with Independent Learning Days the week of Jan. 17-19. Rockdale students will notbe required to make up the days since instruction continued during that time online and at home. During designated Independent Learning Days, when inclement weather prevents students from being safely transported to school, teachers use online learning platforms to give assignments and communicate with students via regular methods such as itslearning, Remind101, ClassDojo, etc. If students do not have internet access at home, they are given two days to complete and submit the assignments once they return to class. “I am very pleased with our Independent Learning Day implementation thus far. Our teachers did an excellent job posting and communicating meaningful assignments with students,” Interim Superintendent Shirley Chesser said. “Our initial usage report of our learning system shows that most students are receiving their
assignments and are working within the online platform from their laptop devices. We are excited to see the many positive posts and comments from teachers, students and parents on social media that affirm this is a viable alternative to Inclement Weather Days.” RCPS saw more than 11,700 students and 1,100 staff members log in to the itslearning platform over the Independent Learning Days – the same rate as standard school days. Teacher Wendy Davis said Independent Learning has been an easy process for her and her fifth graders at D.L. Sims Elementary since she and her fellow teachers normally incorporate technology into their lesson plans. During the Independent Learning Days, she uploaded her assignments the night before or early in the morning and students and parents communicated with her through Remind101 or itslearning, usually starting around 8 a.m. Davis’ fifth graders were learning about World War II and their assignment was on President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s “Day of Infamy” speech. “I didn’t know if they were going to do (the responses) on paper and pencil, but a lot of them utilized the technology and saved the document via OneDrive, “Davis said. “My scholars are sending me messages with their work. They’re enthused about their assignment and their results were quality, not just a rushed task. They really thought about what I was asking them.”
Charley Mcallister, who teaches World Literature at Salem High School, said the majority of her students have been logging in during the Independent Learning Days. “I am about 90 percent digital in my classroom, so it’s not a big transition for my students to go home and do the same work,” said Mcallister. Janareau Murray, who teaches third grade at Pine Street Elementary, said she loves using the itslearning digital platform and had a good experience with the recent Independent Learning Days. She did have to remind parents on the first day, “It’s not busywork. These are actual assignments we’re teaching in class.” After that, participation went smoothly, she said. Murray emphasized familiarity was important to the success of the assignments. Her students were doing the same activities they would be doing in the classroom, except communication took place through the inbox instead of in-person. In some ways, that made it easier. For example, one student messaged that she was struggling with a concept and Murray was able to quickly send a video that helped the student understand. RCPS parent Chris Brunson – the father of an 11-year-old and 13-year-old at Gen. Ray Davis Middle School and 15-year-old at Heritage High School – said he’s been pleased with the results of the Independent Learning Days. “…It definitely has not been a day off. It has proven to be very effective. It was as if they were still
in the classroom because they were held accountable,” Brunson said. The key, said Brunson, was the availability and engagement of the teachers. “As a parent, if your child had a question and you were stuck, you were able to email the teacher and get a response back within 10, 15 minutes.” Rosemarie Kydd, whose daughter is in the fifth grade at D.L. Sims Elementary, agreed. Kydd was able to stay home during the first Independent Learning Day but brought her daughter to work the other two days where she was able to stay busy with school assignments. “It’s been great,” said Kydd. “I love it because the kids have something to do. They’re not caught up with watching TV, wasting time. (My daughter) really embraced it. She called up her other friends... they were each reading a paragraph at a time doing (English Language Arts). I’m very impressed.” The success of Independent Learning Days has been long in the making. The RCPS Learning Reimagined initiative started more than four years ago and not only rolled out One-to-One technologies with school-issued devices for students, but also transformed the way teachers use technology. For more information about the Learning Reimagined initiative at RCPS, please visit www.rockdaleschools. org/learningreimagined. For more information about Independent Learning Days, visit www.rockdaleschools.org/ independentlearning.
PAGE 6 • JANUARY 26, 2018 WWW.OCGNEWS.COM
GPTC announces Student and Instructor of the Year During its Jan. 25 awards luncheon, Georgia Piedmont Technical College announced Crystal Wright, a nursing student, as the college’s 2018 Student of the Year. In addition, paralegal instructor, Kye Haymore, was announced as Instructor of the Year. “Ms. Wright and Ms. Haymore are both high achievers, and I am inspired by the respective journeys that brought them to our institution,” said GPTC President Jabari Simama. “These women will represent the college well as they compete for regional and state titles. I am enormously proud of them.” Each year, the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) administers the Georgia Occupational Award for Leadership (GOAL) and the Rick Perkins Award (formerly known as the Commissioner’s Award of Excellence), which are bestowed respectively upon the Student of the Year and the Instructor of the Year from each of the state’s 22 technical colleges. GOAL nominees must have achieved academic excellence. In addition, they must also demonstrate that they are active in their communities. “I am very honored and excited to have been selected as our college’s 2018 GOAL Student of the Year,” said Wright. “This is important to me because I have worked so hard to get to where I am today. I’ve had many setbacks, but I kept striving for what it is that I’ve wanted – and here I am today and so happy.” Nursing instructor, Kaye Henry, nominated Wright for the honor. “I nominated Crystal because she’s an excellent student! She has very good ethics and morals. Although she has overcome a lot while in this program, she was determined to excel. Crystal participated in SkillsUSA and won First Place in the State competition. She placed Second in the National Skills USA competition. She is an inspiration to me and I know she will be an inspiration to everyone else.” Wright was chosen from among 21 nominees. As Georgia Piedmont’s 2018 Student of the Year, Wright will now compete on the regional level this Spring. Should she becomes a regional finalist, she will compete at the state level during a competition that is held each year in Atlanta. Introduced in 1991, the Rick Perkins Award honors technical college instructors who are leaders in their fields and who make significant contributions to technical education. This year, a screening committee comprised of Georgia Piedmont Tech’s faculty and staff, conducted personal interviews with each of the college’s four nominees. “I had been working in the legal profession for 12 years before I was offered an opportunity to teach at Georgia Piedmont, which was then known as DeKalb Tech. I was exhilarated by planning for class and sharing my knowledge with students,” Haymore explained. “For the first time in my adult life, I felt as if I had discovered my true calling. Being named the Rick Perkins Award recipient is an honor I will always treasure,” she stated. Haymore is a nationally recognized expert on paralegal education. Currently serving as president of the American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE), she gathers best practices from around the country and brings them to her students every time she teaches. A full-time instructor at Georgia Piedmont since 2007, Haymore was involved in ensuring the college gained American Bar Association (ABA) approval for its paralegal studies program.
Rockdale Career Academy sets open house night Jan. 30 Rockdale Career Academy (RCA) invites students and families to learn about the exciting career pathways and opportunities to earn specialized industry-based certifications at the RCA Open House Night Jan. 30, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. at 1064 Culpepper Drive, Conyers. Students in current grades 8-11 and their parents/guardians are invited to meet RCA’s award winning instructors, who bring years of real-world industry experience and expertise. Families can tour the classrooms, workshops, kitchens, studios, laboratories and facilities where classes take place. RCA, which is open to all RCPS high school students, offers more than 23 Career, Technical, Agricultural, Education career pathways. High school students who choose a pathway take three classes in that area. Career pathways range from Architectural Design to Public Safety, Welding to Veterinary Science, Healthcare, Computer Science, Culinary Arts, Manufacturing, Interior Design, Biotechnology, Sports Marketing and more. Students also take rigorous academic courses at RCA and earn college credits through Dual Enrollment partnerships with post-secondary institutions such as Georgia Piedmont Technical College. Work-Based Learning Internships and Apprenticeships offer students on-the-job training and valuable real-world experiences. For more information, visit rca.rockdaleschools.org
SAM’S CLUB, continued from page 1 Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary, who should have been notified because the store is in the city of Stonecrest—not Lithonia, never received a letter. Jackson said, however, she didn’t receive the letter until Jan. 16—five days after the closing. “I thought they were just sending it to me as an FYI,” said Jackson, who said she didn’t know if the city of Stonecrest or any other elected official in the district had received the notification. Jackson said she didn’t forward the letter to anyone because by the time she received it, the information was already national news. Jones said Sam’s Club Jan. 11 notification letter would not have been sufficient even if it had gone to Lary because state and local officials should have been notified 60 days prior to the shutdown as stipulated by federal law. There are three exceptions to the 60-day notification defined by the WARN Act: faltering company; unforeseeable business circumstances and natural disaster. “They should have sent the notice in November—and they didn’t do that,” Jones said. The letter states in the subject line that this was a “facility closure pursuant to the Worker Adjustment and Retraining
Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary says he was never notified of the store closure. Photo by Travis Hudgons/OCG News
Notification Act (WARN).” An employer who fails to provide notice is subject to a penalty not to exceed $500 for each day of violation, according to the guidelines of the WARN act. The Stonecrest Sam’s Club was the only Georgia store closed of the 63 closed nationally, all on Jan. 11. Staff member Travis Hudgons contributed to this report.
WARN, continued from page 1 worker unit; and to the appropriate unit of local government. When the individual employment separations for a closing or layoff occur on more than one day, the notices are due to the representative(s), state dislocated worker unit and local government at least 60 days before each separation. If the workers are not represented, each worker’s notice is due at least 60 days before that worker’s separation. No particular form of notice is required. However, all notices must be in writing. Any reasonable method of delivery designed to ensure receipt 60 days before a closing or layoff is acceptable. With three exceptions, notice must be timed to reach the required parties at least 60 days before a closing or layoff. When the individual employment separations for a closing or layoff occur on more than one day, the notices are due to the representative(s), state dislocated worker unit and local government at least 60 days before each separation. If the workers are not represented, each worker’s notice is due at least 60 days before that worker’s separation. The exceptions to 60-day notice are: Faltering Company. This exception, to be narrowly construed, covers situations where a company has sought new capital or business in order to stay open and where giving notice would ruin the opportunity to get the new capital or business, and applies only to plant closings; Unforeseeable business circumstances. This exception applies to closings and layoffs that are caused by business circumstances that were not reasonably foreseeable at the time notice would otherwise have been required; and Natural Disaster. This applies where a closing or layoff is the direct result of a natural disaster, such as a flood, earthquake, drought or storm. If an employer provided less than 60 days advance notice of a closing or layoff and relies on one of these three exceptions, the employer bears the burden of proof that the conditions for the exception have been met. The employer also must give as much notice as is practicable. When the notices are given, they must include a brief statement of the reason for reducing the notice period in addition to the items required in notices. An employer who violates the WARN provisions by ordering a plant closing or mass layoff without providing appropriate notice is liable to each aggrieved employee for an amount including back pay and benefits for the period of violation, up to 60 days. The employer’s liability may be reduced by such items as wages paid by the employer to the employee during the period of violation and voluntary and unconditional payments made by the employer to the employee. An employer who fails to provide notice as required to a unit of local government is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $500 for each day of violation. This penalty may be avoided if the employer satisfies the liability to each aggrieved employee within three weeks after the closing or layoff is ordered by the employer. For more information, visit http://www.doleta.gov/layoff/warn.cfm.
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/OCGNEWS
JANUARY 26, 2018 • PAGE 7
On Common Ground News Marketplace RESTAURANTS
HEALTH SERVICES
CATERING
DENTAL
HEALTH SERVICES
Peach Blossom Dental wants to provide you with an exceptional experience. We strive to take the fear out of going to the dentist, offering the latest technology in dentistry. We have a talented dentist and staff that are solely here to brighten your smile.
Silverspoon Catering
Call us today to schedule your appointment! (770) 934-5144
BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY CATERING All Turkeys are $6.99 per pound
2256 Northlake Parkway, Suite 150, Tucker, GA 30084
www.peachblossomdental.com • Accepting New Patients
99
$
• Healthy Mouth Cleaning • X-Rays New Patients Without • Exam Insurance Only • Fluoride
FRIED or ROASTED: Cajun Turkey, Garlic Turkey, Orange Zinfandel, Buffalo, Rosemary Turkey, Red Wine Brined Turkey, BBQ Turkey, Hot & Spicy Jerk, Traditional Fried Turkey, Honey Pecan
add any sides for an additional $7.99 pound
EMAIL YOUR ORDER TO: silverspoonatl@gmail.com
(404) 808-8166
We cater to the entire family. Gum Treatments Tooth Colored Fillings Oral Surgery Cosmetic Bonding & Veneers Crowns, Bridges & Dentures Root Canals Implants We Accept Most Insurance Plans Peachcare & Medicaid Emergency Walk-In Time Available
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
JANUARY 20, 2018 WWW.OCGNEWS.COM