VOLUME 21 NUMBER 37
FREE
DECEMBER 19, 2015
Published Since April 1995 Serving DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale Counties • www.facebook.com/ocgnews
Johnson calls for A Promise Kept federal probe into Rockdale officials present special license plate to massive breach fallen deputy’s dad By Valerie J. Morgan
T Congressman Hank Johnson is calling for a federal investigation of Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp’s office after a breach exposed more than 6 million voters’ personal information, including Social Security numbers and birth dates. Kemp fired a long-time worker, programmer Gary Cooley, whom he blamed for the massive breach after an internal investigation. Johnson said, however, said he is not satisfied that the mistake rests with one See Johnson page 7
erry Mahaffey received a special gift for Christmas that didn’t go under the family’s tree at home. It’s on the back of his car. He beamed as he was presented a custom license plate that his family had been trying for years to obtain in honor of his late son, Rockdale Deputy Brian Mahaffey. The deputy was killed in the line of duty in 2010 while serving a warrant in Rockdale. Rockdale County Tax Commissioner RJ Hadley presented the proud and grateful dad the license plate in a surprise ceremonial unveiling on Dec. 11. Deputy Mahaffey’s mother, brother and sister each already had the special plates – 2330MOM, 2330BRO and 2330SIS. His mother, Cindy,
said 2330 is the badge number that her son wore. “I kind of gave up on it because I didn’t think I’d ever have it. They told us it was reserved
for someone else. I thought, who in the world would want 2330DAD other than Brian’s Dad? To be standing here holding this and knowing that it’s
going to go on my car and I’m going to drive and I’m going to have something that represents See License plate page 9
Atlanta’s homeless men’s choir ready to perform at the White House By Valerie J. Morgan
A
choir comprised of homeless men will be headed to the White House at the invitation of President Obama to perform Christmas songs and other selections. The Atlanta Homeward Choir has been such an inspiration that people from around the world have pitched in to help the men make the trip to Washington, D.C. since hearing their story via social media and television. Nineteen of the choir’s 26 members will be going on the all-expense paid trip on Southwest Donal P. Noonan directs the Atlanta Homeward Choir during a performance at the Airlines, which is providing the Atlanta-Fulton Library’s Central Branch on Dec. 17. tickets. The group will perform at the White House on Dec. 21, Noonan said the goal was to informal program that was held at four days before Christmas. raise $25,000 and $26,000 came in. the Atlanta-Fulton Library’s Cen“We put out a plea for help Noonan said the trip came about tral Branch on Dec. 17. A lunchwith the expenses and we’ve been with help from the office of U.S. time crowd warmly welcomed receiving funds from all over the Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga. them, cheering the choir as they world,” said Donal P. Noonan, who “I was talking to a friend one were introduced. directs the choir and serves as its day about the choir and he said “Some of our men are avid executive director. “It’s just fantas- ‘What’s next?’ I said it would be readers and many of them come tic. They are going to D.C. with ev- great to go to the White House and here to find warmth in the library. erything they need including new the ball started rolling after that.” The library here is a home away toothbrushes and underwear.” The choir performed during an from home for man of them,”
Noonan said. “We’re dressed very informally today because we have enough formal going on next week at the White House.” How does it feel to be going? “It’s amazing. The men are excited and terrified,” said Noonan. Noonan organized the choir three years ago, inviting men staying at the homeless shelters in downtown Atlanta to sing. Those who came for the rehearsals were allowed to join. “I don’t believe in auditions. If you want to sing and you have the heart to sing, then you can join,” said Noonan, who said the men in the choir range in age from their 20s to their 70s. All of the men in the choir are homeless or have been homeless, Noonan said. Singing in the choir, he said, has given many hope and inspiration for a better life. Noonan said some in their audiences have cried, while others have clapped for joy while hearing the men. The men began singing this season in November. Their performance at the White House will mark their sixth performance this year.