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VOLUME 23 NUMBER 41
JANUARY 6, 2018
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Serving DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale Counties
A Controversial Cut
ARRESTED
Road project near New Birth sparks outcry
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By Valerie J. Morgan
housands of trees are being cleared off of Woodrow Road Wendall Heath Tolbert near the Evans Mill Road entrance to New Birth Missionary Baptist Church to make way for a new road. Construction crews clear-cut land off of Woodrow Road near the Evans Mill Road entrance to New Birth The new road, however, has Missionary Baptist Church. Photo by Glenn L. Morgan/ OCGNews sparked an outcry from some residents and created friction between right to hold a news conference and Adoma and attended the press conStonecrest City Councilwoman Diane address the public’s concerns with ference with her, said residents are Adoma and DeKalb County Commis- what information she did have. prepared to fight, if the road intrudes sioner Mereda Davis Johnson, who “People are concerned and they into the community. both represent residents in the district want to know why the community “If they try to come across into where the project is underway. was not informed,” said Adoma. the residential area, we are preparing Adoma says residents should “You don’t run a road like that for a fight unlike any fight they have have been notified about the road and through the community and not give ever seen on the Southside,” Coffield held a news conference on Jan. 4 to notification. HB477 states whenever said. “We’re just not going to tolerate By Valerie J. Morgan demand answers. Johnson, however, roads are being run through commuthis foolishness. When we voted for said the press conference was prema- nities, residents have to be notified.” a city, we were told we were going to he Rockdale County Sheriff’s ture and held without all of the facts. Adoma said her phone began have our own city and we were told Office on Jan. 3 announced the “From the little information I ringing off the hook with residents we were going to control the city. ” arrest of Wendall Heath Tolhave received, this is Phase 3, which demanding to know why the trees Coffield said the community bert, 51, of Coweta County in connec- goes back to a project that was started were being cut down. Although the thought plans for the road construction with the theft and vandalism of in 2006. I can understand that people tract is in District 5, which she reption had ceased. the Walk of Heroes Veterans Memori- are concerned, but let’s get the history resents, the calls, Adoma said were “We have been staunch nature al at Black Shoals Park. of it and the facts of it before we incoming from residents throughout the preservers out here in this commuTolbert was charged with felony cite the public,” said Davis. city of Stonecrest. nity,” said Coffield. “We reached theft and interference with governAdoma, however, said she had a Faye Coffield, who contacted SEE ROAD, page 5 ment property, also a felony. Investigators said Tolbert is part of a team who stole two heavy, bronze statues and military emblems from the park, which is located at 3001 Black Shoals Road N.E. in Rockdale. Authorities said they believe the heist took place over the weekend of Dec. 15. A park official made the discovery on Sunday, Dec. 17. The park he New Year ushered in new official said a padlock had been cut leadership for the City of Atfrom the gate leading to the memorial. lanta. Keisha Lance Bottoms Surveillance cameras captured images was sworn in on Jan. 2 as of a vehicle believe to be involved the th the 60 mayor of the City of Atlanta. heist: a 1995-2000 Toyota Tacoma, The Atlanta City Council President, towing a trailer with wood floors and Atlanta City Councilmembers and railings. Atlanta Municipal Court Judges were Sheriff Eric J. Levett had vowed also sworn in during the historic to find the suspects, calling the theft inauguration. The new leaders took “a dishonorable and disheartening act their oaths of office at the MLK Jr. for what we stand for in America.” International Chapel at Morehouse Just days after he made the vow, a tip College before an audience of more led authorities to Tolbert, said Yolande than 2,000 residents, community repLovingood-Moore, Law Enforcement resentatives, dignitaries and elected Assistant at the Sheriff’s Office. officials. Out-going Mayor Kasim The Sheriff’s Office has warrants Reed, Congressman John Lewis, for two additional suspects involved former U.S. Ambassador Andrew in the heist and additional charges Young and former Atlanta Mayor and arrests are expected, LovinBill Campbell were among the dignigood-Moore said. taries who attended the inauguration. Lovingood-Moore said part of the Bottoms is only the second bronze globe and parts of the stolen woman to be elected to the City of statues were recovered but badly Atlanta’s highest office, following damaged. Shirley Franklin. Bottoms defeated “Half of the globe was missing Mary Norwood in a Dec. 5 runoff, to and the heads and hands were misssucceed Kasim Reed. ing from the two soldiers,” LovinDuring her inaugural address, good-Moore said. Bottoms announced her commitment Authorities believe the statues and to prioritize affordability, transparemblems were stolen to be melted ency, public safety, education, and down for cash. Investigators said the transportation in her first 100 days in same suspects were also involved in office. the theft of a copper frog statue that was stolen from the Nancy Guinn MeSEE MAYOR, page 2 morial Library in Conyers on Nov. 17. Keisha Lance Bottoms held a citizen’s reception at City Hall Atrium in Atlanta on Jan. 2. Photo by Dean Hesse
Rockdale Sheriff’s deputies capture suspect in bronze heist at Walk of Heroes Veterans Memorial
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New Era of Leadership Atlanta Mayor-Elect Keisha Lance Bottoms, city leaders sworn in
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