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VOLUME 23 NUMBER 48

FEBRUARY 24, 2018

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POWER MOVES

HB 961 seeks to abolish DeKalb CEO form of government

By Travis Hudgons

R

epublican lawmakers have fast-tracked a bill to eliminate DeKalb County’s CEO position. The bill, cosponsored by Rep. Meagan Hanson (R – Brookhaven, District 80) and Rep. Tom Taylor (R – Dunwoody, District 79), would abolish the county-wide elected position of chief executive officer.

If HB 961 is passed, the CEO position would end at the expiration of Michael Thurmond’s four-year term in 2020.

The bill has angered some members of the DeKalb Delegation.

“HB 961 passed committee to eliminate the DeKalb CEO position without so much as a notification to other members of the delegation.

Unacceptable and unprofessional!”

State Rep. Dar’shun Kendrick, a Lithonia Democrat who represents District 93) said in a Facebook post. “Whether you agree or not, we have a PROCESS that doesn't seem to be followed if you are of a certain party down here. Call Rep. Megan Hanson and Rep. Tom Taylor and tell them NO! Find their information at www.legis.ga.gov.”

On Feb. 21, Hanson skirted traditional routes and fast-tracked the introduction of HB 961 as a

DeKalb CEO: Significant progress in addressing high water bills

DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond said the county is making significant progress in addressing the problems in the county’s water billing process.

Those problems include: • Less than 1,300 bills, or 96 percent, remain held and are in the process of verification, from 37,000 held bills in 2017. There are 184,000 residential water customers and 10,000 business customers.

DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond • Significant investments have been made in call center operations with new staff, training and technology. There are 75 customer service representatives in 2018, compared to 25 representatives in 2014.

• Average wait time is 31 seconds compared to more than five minutes in 2016. More than 81 percent of calls currently are answered within one minute, compared to 54 percent in 2016.

• New water utility billing system implementation began two months ago and projected completion is the first quarter of 2019.

• In the fall of 2018, 102,000 out-of-life-cycle and potentially-defective small water meters will be replaced at a rate of 20,000 per year. Meter replacement is expected to take 3½ years. After replacement, 7 percent of all meters will be replaced annually to avoid this problem in the future.

• Field service staffing has increased from 20 technicians in 2016 to 47 technicians.

“The problems with the county’s water billing system festered for decades because of mismanagement, corruption and lack of resources,” Thurmond said. “We are not responsible for creating these problems, but accept the responsibility for solving them. No customer will ever be penalized for DeKalb County errors.”

Thurmond held four public update meetings in 2017 during which he and staff detailed progress and addressed customer billing issues. Water billing staff were on-hand to assist with billing questions and disputes.

“We will continue the open dialogue with customers,” Thurmond said. “This is how public confidence is restored.”

Customers should call 404-378-4475 with water billing questions.

Rep. Meagan Hanson (left) and DeKalb District 1 Commissioner Nancy Jester present HB 961 to Governmental Affairs Committee. Screenshot via LiveStream

general bill to the Governmental Affairs Committee. Under the bill, the CEO’s duties and responsibilities would be transferred to the chairperson of the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners.

“It only eliminates that one position. It doesn’t change the

other structure of the county commission,” Hanson told Committee members.

Hanson said DeKalb is the only county of Georgia’s 159 counties with a CEO form government. She

SEE CEO page 4

“We are a solid residential neighborhood.”

– Faye Coffield

A large crowd filled the Stonecrest City Council at its Feb. 21 meeting. Photos by Glenn L. Morgan/OCGNews

Stonecrest residents slam group homes, drive-throughs, gas stations

by Valerie J. Morgan

A

coalition of residents and other citizens told the Stonecrest City Council at its Feb. 21 meeting that group homes, drive-through fried chicken restaurants and gas stations in the Stonecrest Overlay District are not welcome in the newly-formed city. The City Council denied two zoning proposals and deferred decisions on two others after hearing from the public.

“We are a solid residential community…

I’m getting sick and tired of people coming into black neighborhoods trying to put rooming houses, personal care homes and childcare homes in residential areas when there is enough commercial property available,” said Faye Coffield.

Stonecrest Business Alliance Chairman, Attorney Bernie Knight, told the City Council to reject any changes to the overlay district, including proposals for package stores, gas stations and industrial uses. “…It is contrary to every principle to the master plan the Stonecrest Overlay was based on,” said Knight.

Stonecrest resident Faye Coffield.

Coffield and Knight were among several citizens who spoke during public hearings for four proposed zoning amendments. The packed meeting, which started at 6 p.m., lasted nearly four hours.

Denied group home for veterans The City Council unanimously denied a Special Land Use Permit (SLUP) for a personal care home for indigent veterans at 4185 Panola Road. Opponents said the home, which is across the street from

SEE STONECREST page 4

PAGE 2 • FEBRUARY 24, 2018 WWW.OCGNEWS.COM

Dozens indicted in Dunwoody prostitution ring

A DeKalb County Grand Jury has indicted a local couple and three others on charges of racketeering and conspiracy in connection with a commercial sex enterprise operating out of Dunwoody and other metro areas.

Samuel Leon Crenshaw and his wife, Darliene L. Crenshaw of Marietta, are each charged with one count of Violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO).

George Moore, Tara Lee Gilleo, and Giovene Burkhalter face identical RICO charges for their alleged activities within the organization. Fifty-seven other men and women are charged with either prostitution or pandering in the 58-count indictment returned on Feb. 20.

According to the investigation, the Crenshaws operated the sex enterprise under the business names “Gold Club” and later “Lipstick and Shoes.” The indictment alleges that between February 2015 and August 2016, the defendants, using false information, leased units at four Dunwoody apartment complexes for the purpose of pairing “models” and clients to engage in paid sexual activities. The co-defendants are accused of conspiring to recruit employees, advertise, secure locations and manage appointments and payment systems in furtherance of their criminal enterprise. The defendants were arrested following a months-long investigation and subsequent sting operation by the Dunwoody Police Department in December 2016.

The District Attorney’s Sexual Exploitation and Crimes Against Children Unit (SECAC) will prosecute the case. A trial date has not yet been set.

Photos provided

DeKalb, Atlanta students view private screening of “Black Panther”

O

n Feb. 20, the Phoenix Leadership Foundation and the DeKalb Entertainment Commission brought Wakanda to Atlanta with a special screening of the new Black Panther movie for local high school students.

700 students from six Dekalb County schools and six Atlanta Public Schools viewed the critically acclaimed Marvel Blockbuster film at the Movie Tavern at Northlake Festival.

The Phoenix Leadership Foundation is headed by James “Jay” Bailey and Blayne Alexander and is dedicated to funding and creating programs that create positive role models.

The Dekalb Entertainment Commission is charged with stimulating economic growth across the county in film,

television, music and digital entertainment, attracting and expanding businesses supporting the entertainment industry.

African drummers and dancers greeted the students upon their arrival and students took part in panel discussions with local business leaders after the film.

The organizations worked together to raise over $30,000 to provide on-site entertainment, movie admission, a hot lunch, unlimited popcorn, movie favors

and gifts for the students.

“Images matter. It means something for a kid to see their reflection as regal, wealthy, intelligent, strong and powerful,” said James “Jay” Bailey, founder of the Phoenix Leadership Foundation. “This is more than a movie. To see diversity on the big screen excelling as leaders in science, medicine, finance and technology - kings and queens all woven into an exciting actionpacked superhero Marvel Comic blockbuster - this is a must see!”

“The mission of the DeKalb Entertainment Commission is to allow our community to benefit from the growth of the film industry here, which includes supporting events like this for our young people,” said Shelbia Jackson, director of the DeKalb Entertainment Commission.

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FEBRUARY 24, 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.

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

Photo by By Glenn L. Morgan/OCGNews

Photo provided

Saluting Stonecrest’s first elected government Masons adopt beautification In celebration of Black History Month, Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary presented each of the five council members with a commemorative plaque honoring them as the first elected officials of the historic city. Lary presented the plaques at the Feb. 21 City Council meeting.

“What I want you all to remember is this day, 2018, in Black History Month, these are the folks that stood up the largest African American majority town in DeKalb County since Reconstruction of the United States,” said Lary, adding that Stonecrest also is the second-largest majority African American town in the history of the United States.

“As a culture, we need to learn how to celebrate each other. We need to learn how to feel good about the things we are doing,” said Lary. “…You are witnessing greatness with these people who are here on (the) council.

House of Hope to host veterans informational, free concert Join The House of Hope Greater Travelers Rest Church for its Veterans’ Forces of Hope event on March 3 at the church, 4650 Flat Shoals Road, Decatur.

The free event will feature an informational resources fair for veterans from noon to 2 p.m. Representatives from the U.S. Veterans Affairs Office will provide information on various topics concerning military benefits and resources.

A concert featuring Angie Stone and the U.S. Army Field Band and Soldiers Chorus will take place at 3 p.m. The community is invited.

For more information, call 404-243-9332

project in memory of SheriffElect Derwin Brown Derwin Brown Masonic Lodge #599 PHA is honoring the late DeKalb Sheriff-elect with a beautification project in the community he loved. The Masons have adopted a bus stop on Glenwood Road in Decatur in honor of Derwin Brown, who was a Mason.

This year marks the 18th anniversary of his death. Brown was shot 11 times in the driveway of his home on Dec. 15, 2000. Defeated rival Sydney Dorsey, who ordered the hit, is serving a life sentence in prison. Dorsey, who turns 78 this month, was the first African American to serve as Sheriff of DeKalb County. It was reported Dorsey was bitter because he lost the election to Brown, who would have been 64 years old on June 22.

Kelvin Maddox, the lodge’s community service chairman, said the Masons want to do their part to keep Brown’s legacy alive and show his love for the community.

“Our responsibility as part of the Keep DeKalb County Beautiful project is to keep the area cleaned, trimmed and presentable,” said Maddox

Grease, disposable diapers, wipes to blame for recent DeKalb sewer spill

Congressman Johnson honors Justin Edwards, son of DeKalb activist

DeKalb County Watershed crews began cleaning up a sewer spill in a Clarkston lake on Feb. 18 and are continuing remediation and restoration efforts.

The spill, at a lake on Cleavemark Drive, was caused by a blockage of grease, disposable diapers and wipes in an eight-inch sewer line. The blockage caused a 5,300-gallon sewage overflow from a manhole.

Watershed crews stopped the spill an hour after notification by pressure-washing the sewer line to remove the blockage and restore flow in the area.

Additionally, a pump was installed to aerate the lake and dead fish were removed.

The Georgia Environmental Protection Division and Georgia Wildlife Resources Division were notified of the spill.

Representatives from DeKalb County and the DeKalb County Watershed Department attended a public meeting on Feb. 22 to respond to questions from Clarkston City officials and residents regarding immediate and long term public health concerns.

About 60 percent of sanitary sewer overflows in DeKalb are caused by fats, oils and grease being poured down sink drains.

Residents and businesses can help keep fats, oils and grease out of the county’s pipes and sewers by: • Putting cooled fats, oils and grease into the trash; • Scraping food scraps from plates and cookware before washing; and • Wiping excess grease from all dishes with a paper towel before washing.

For more information, visit www.dekalbcountyga.gov/watershed-management/fatsoils-and-grease-fog.

Congressman Hank Johnson presented an American flag saluting Justin Edwards, the son of DeKalb County activist Joel Edwards.

Justin Edwards was laid to rest on Saturday, Feb. 17. The 34-year-old’s death has sparked an outcry from community activists who are asking leaders to make cracking down on crime their No. 1 priority.

Justin Edwards photo via Facebook Justin Edwards was shot to death on Feb. 10 by an unknown assailant as he and his girlfriend were headed home. Police said he had stopped to check out two flat tires in the parking lot of an abandoned building on Memorial Drive and Boulevard in Cabbagetown around 11:30 p.m. when he was gunned down.

Witnesses told police that a suspect approached the car, fired shots and then ran. Edwards’ girlfriend wasn’t hurt.

In the wake of the shooting, community activist Ed Williams is pushing for local officials to do more to stop gun violence.

Recently, Williams stood before the Board of Commissioners acknowledging the tragedy, urging officials to make crime a top priority. He also met on Feb. 20 with DeKalb’s new public safety director, Joseph “Jack” Lumpkin, and discussed the need for more police officers, better police training, timely updates on investigations, a focus on gangs and transparency, among several other issues.

“I am concerned about the crime levels in DeKalb, and how the police respond to residents and how crime scenes are treated in different parts of the county,” said Williams. “If we cannot be safe in our homes and communities, then all the other things that government does to improve the quality of life is not very meaningful.”

Williams said he was pleased with the one-on-one meeting with Lumpkin and looks forward to improvements that they discussed.

DeKalb Superior Court Clerk to host notary training DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk Debra DeBerry and the Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority are hosting two free notary training sessions on Friday, March 23. The first session is 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and the second session is 11 a.m.

– 12:30 p.m., at the Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur.

This training workshop is open to the public and highly recommended to anyone who is a notary public in the State of Georgia or would like to become one. It is important to remember Debra DeBerry that a notary public should perform their duties to the utmost extent of the law. Failure to do so could result in costly lawsuits and penalties as a notary is liable for his or her actions.

Contact Twinette Jones to reserve your seat to attend either session by calling 404-371-2250 or e-mail tajones@dekalbcountyga.gov by Tuesday, March 20.

PAGE 4 • FEBRUARY 24, 2018 WWW.OCGNEWS.COM

HB 961 continued from page 1

said she pushed for the change because a number of her constituents have complained about issues such as DeKalb’s water billing crisis, which Hanson and Jester attribute to poor leadership from the office of the CEO. “This is not personal. This is not about who’s there now. It’s looking forward and making sure our county is set up for the best government structure to be successful,” Hanson said during the Feb. 21 Governmental Affairs Committee meeting.

DeKalb District 1 Commissioner Nancy Jester, a Republican, accompanied Hanson while she presented the bill. Jester echoed Hanson’s position.

“I believe that there is a direct connection to the competency issues and the form of government we have,” Jester said during the livestream meeting.

Jester cited the recent water bill woes and numerous sewer spills due to “operational issues” caused by the “politicization of the governance of the county…We have an elected person who is in charge of operations—which is a very technical job.”

Jester said the CEO form of government leads to inconsistencies because every time a new CEO is elected, they bring in new people and have to re-establish government departments.

“There’s a constant churn of people, so there’s no consistency of people in government,” she told the Committee.

DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond has not

publicly commented on the bill. However, he has acknowledged at public forums that the county has experienced decades of mismanagement in its Department of Watershed Management. The problems were there when he took the reigns as CEO in January 2017.

Thurmond recently touted his accomplishments at the state capitol. Andrew Cauthen, a county spokesman, said those accomplishments included progress the county has made in addressing sewer spills in the county and fixing the water billing crisis, which has plagued residents with high water bills due to inaccuracies, aging equipment and a lack of oversight.

Members of the Governmental Affairs Committee discussed the implications and intentions of the bill for approximately 30 minutes before the vote. Committee Chair Ed Rynder, (R-Albany, District 152), asked lawmakers of the 21-member committee to review the bill and make a decision that day because of Crossover Day (Feb. 28), which is the last day for a bill to pass out of the chamber.

State Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver, D-Decatur, voiced her apprehensions, saying the bill should be tabled.

“I object to this process,” Oliver stated.

Oliver noted the bill was only introduced the day before and had not gone to sub-committee.

She said the bill would affect more than 800,000 DeKalb County residents.

Hanson said she discussed the bill with Commissioner Jester and DeKalb delegation members Scott Holcomb (D – Atlanta, District

81) and Rep. Taylor. She said she also received input from constituents via a “Facebook group.”

Hanson said because it was a general bill, she did not have to bring it to the entire delegation.

Rep. Bee Nguyen (D – Atlanta, District 89) and Rep. Howard Mosby (D – Atlanta, District 83) voiced concern that no other county commissioners were consulted.

“No consultation with any members of the county bothers me,” Mosby said.

“If we’re concerned about DeKalb County being in the news—this puts it squarely in the news.”

Mosby said DeKalb is being unfairly targeted and doesn’t think DeKalb’s CEO form of government is a statewide issue.

Rep. Renitta Shannon (D – Decatur, District 84) said she did not see the correlation of the sewer spills to the position of the CEO and questioned Jester as to the “specific missteps that you feel the CEOs have done.”

Rep. Buzz Brockway (R-Lawrenceville, District 102) stated that he “didn’t have a dog in the fight” but was concerned about the speed at which the bill was being presented.

“This is a huge change. Would it be better to study this?” Brockway said. “We are being asked…very quickly to decide to remove a very prominent and powerful politician.”

To view the entire meeting, visit https:// livestream.com/accounts/19771755/ events/7993559/videos/170532589 and go to the 1:26:00 mark.

STONECREST continued from page 1 Sandstone Estates, would be incompatible to the upscale community.

Denied Popeye’s restaurant drive-through The council denied a drive-through for a Popeye’s fried chicken restaurant proposed at 8200 Mall Parkway (in the shopping plaza where Panera Bread is located).

“This idea that all black people want is fried chicken is not true. You got a Bojangle’s across the street. We don’t need a Popeye’s,” said Coffield, suggesting that Pesos, a Mexican cantina on Flat Shoals Road in Decatur is a “prime example” of the kinds of eateries she would like to see more of in the city of Stonecrest.

Deferred a decision on boys’ group home In a 4-2 vote, the council deferred action on a group home for boys ages 10 to 16 at 3185 Evans Mill Road. Councilwoman Jazzmin Cobble, who recommended the deferral, said the Planning Commission should have the chance to receive additional information the community requested from the applicant.

Councilmember Diane Adoma, who represents District 5 where the group home is proposed, however, disagreed.

“Every single one of my constituents are saying no… As the voice of District 5, I have a record of listening to them and I’m not going to break that record tonight,” said Adoma.

Councilmember George Turner, who also dissented, concurred with Adoma.

Said Turner: “I like what you’re doing. I just think that it is not the correct place for it.”

Councilmembers Rob Turner and Jimmy Clanton agreed with Cobble.

Clanton said that while he did not want to put any undue stress on an established community, he didn’t want to be unfair to business owners.

“There’s this fine line that we walk,” said Clanton.

A representative of Atlanta Secure Services, Inc., which owns the home, said the boys would be referred by the Division of Family and Children’s Services. He said the children would have 24-hour supervision, therapists on site and high-tech security.

An elderly man who lives in the community said the group home had been illegally operating since at least Halloween. He said four of the children approached him, asking for candy, which

Proposed personal care home for indigent veterans at 4185 Panola Road. Photos by Travis Hudgons/OCGNews

concerned him because no children live in the community of mostly seniors.

“If you grant this license to this man who has been operating this house illegally until now, you will be bringing a death sentence to all the elders who are living there peacefully,” the man said.

Coffield urged the council to check with police to determine how many times officers have visited the home or any other group homes owned by the applicant.

“These facilities jump from place to place and often in Georgia when you have so many counties together, one county doesn’t know the problems of the other county,” Coffield said.

Dr. Barbara Lee, a former DeKalb County principal who said she had participated in a study group some years ago, noted the disparity of group homes on the north side versus the south side. Lee said some 35 group homes exist in District 5, compared to “maybe 1 here or there” in some areas on the north end of DeKalb County.

“We are disproportionately, in this area, overburdened with personal care homes, group homes, children’s homes. We don’t have anything against children but there has to be better places than to keep destroying our property, ” Lee said.

Jimbo Edwards, who spoke in support of the group home, said he felt confident that the group home would not be a problem after visiting the home with one of the representatives.

Sylvia Green, the human services provider for the boys’ group home, said the boys would have adequate supervision.

“A lot of times, people stereotype children.

They are adolescents but they are not the type of adolescents who are going to be destructive. We have full supervision and not only that, they are given assessments,” Green said.

Another supporter also urged the council to approve the application, saying the community should show compassion.

Proposed group home for boys at 3185 Evans Mill Road.

“We’ve got to love everybody. God gave us the will to love,” the man said.

Deferred amendment to the Stonecrest Overlay District The City Council tabled an amendment to the Stonecrest Overlay after Knight, Coffield and Mera Cardenas, executive director for Arabia Mountain Heritage Alliance, opposed changing the text to permit such uses would hurt areas the overlay was designed to protect including residential communities, businesses and the Arabia Mountain National Heritage area.

“This quite frankly is not a good idea. It’s a solution looking for a problem,” said Knight.

“You do not want to allow industrial uses, you do not want to allow convenience stores with accessory fuel pumps or accessory beer and wine sales south of I-20. “ Knight said having gas stations north of I-20 at Turner Hill Road is fine.

“The thing that has precipitated this change in the text of the overlay is a new QT that is proposed for the corner of Turner Hill Road and Covington Highway,” Knight said.

Cardenas said changing the text “completely undercuts the purpose of the overlay” and urged the council to look more comprehensively at the overlay plan.

Approved contract for external audit of city’s finances In other action, the Stonecrest City Council unanimously voted to enter a $17,000 contract with Mauldin and Jenkins to conduct the mandatory external audit of the city’s finances. The firm will audit the city’s 2017 finances from May, when the city operations began, to December. The cost will include a Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, which will be available to the public.

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/OCGNEWS

FEBRUARY 24, 2018 • PAGE 5

Photo by By Glenn L. Morgan/OCGNews

Judge Phinia Aten hosts Annual Youth Law Camp Dozens of youths learned about the legal system at the Third Annual Youth Law Camp in Rockdale County on Feb. 19 presented by Chief Magistrate Judge Phinia Aten in association with the Newrock Legal Society.

Chief Magistrate Judge Phinia Aten and the Newrock Legal Society presented the day-long camp, open to students in the 8th through 12th grades in Rockdale and Newton counties.

Students are participated in interactive civic activities such as mock trials and mock legislative sessions and learned from an array of speakers including judges, lawyers, law enforcement officers and others. The free camp, founded

by Judge Aten in 2016, is designed to educate, empower, engage and entertain students who are interested in learning about careers in the legal system.

Rockdale Chairman Nesbitt launches “Shop Talk” Rockdale County Chairman Oz Nesbitt, Sr. is introducing a new forum taking place in local barbershops to engage the community called Shop Talk.

The first event will be held Saturday, March 10, at the Lab Barbershop, 2183 Salem Road SE, Conyers.

Shop Talk is a grass-roots approach to getting to know the community by interacting and engaging in an “open air” dialogue, according to a press release by the county. The series also will introduce elected officials to those who may not know who they are, what their roles are and their duties and responsibilities.

For more information, please contact Jorge Diez at jorge.diez@ rockdalecountyga.gov or 770-278-7056.

Photo provided

Month-long food drive gets underway

DeKalb County Commissioner Kathie Gannon kicked off a month-long food drive to help DeKalb residents who are in need.

Gannon is partnering with District Attorney Sherry Boston, Solicitor General Donna Coleman-Stribling, Superior Court Clerk Debra DeBerry and Tax Commissioner Irvin Johnson to promote donations.

The food will be distributed by the Atlanta Community Food Bank to help restock their pantry, which serves citizens in DeKalb and surrounding metro areas. This year’s event began on Feb. 13 and will run through March 5.

Last year, DeKalb donated nearly 3.5 tons of food, which converts to 5,855 meals. Gannon has been sponsoring the food drive for more than 10 years.

“Many people give during the holidays, however the need for food lasts far longer than the holiday season,” said Gannon. “There are people every day that must make hard choices: pay their utilities or buy food; buy their prescriptions or buy food; fix their car or pay for food. Those are difficult choices for our neighbors in DeKalb.”

This year, it is even easier to participate through online contributions to the Atlanta Community Food Bank. If you don’t have time to purchase food, you can help by visiting Kathiegannon.com for the link to the team page at the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Contributions go directly to the Atlanta Community Food Bank allowing them to purchase items that are most needed and in demand.

The public can make donations of non-perishable food (no glass containers please) at all: • DeKalb County libraries • Senior Centers • Offices of the Tax Commissioner • The Maloof Center in downtown Decatur

PAGE 6 • FEBRUARY 24, 2018 WWW.OCGNEWS.COM

Rockdale’s Constitutional Corner

What are the duties and responsibilities of guardians and conservators?

By Clarence Cuthpert Jr. Rockdale Probate Judge The primary duties and responsibilities of a guardian for an adult ward include, but are not limited to, managing the ward’s healthcare, general well-being, place of residency, care and support needs, and at all times, act as a fiduciary in the ward's best interest.

Additionally, within 60 days after appointment, and within 60 days after

each anniversary date of appointment, the guardian must file with the court and provide to the ward and to the conservator, if any, a personal status report concerning the ward. In the absence of a conservator, the guardian must also expend money of the ward that has been received by the guardian for the ward's current needs for support, care, education, health, and welfare, and conserve for the ward's future needs any excess money of the ward received by the guardian.

If a conservator has been appointed for the ward, the guardian shall turn over all remaining money to be conserved for the ward's future needs to the conservator.

A conservator’s primary duties and responsibilities consist of inventory and asset management. The conservator is required to file the first Inventory and Asset Management Plan within two months of the date he or she is appointed, and file subsequent reports annually listing all real property, income, accounts, debts and liabilities of the ward. The conservator shall include in the plan an estimate of the duration of the conservatorship, projections for expenses and resources, and any proposals to change the title of any of the assets in the conservatorship estate.

The conservator must also establish a budget, based upon the actual needs of

the ward, for the expenses and management of the ward’s assets. The ward’s funds must be maintained completely separate from the conservator’s funds or accounts, and the conservator shall only use the income for the ward’s health, care, support, education and welfare. The conservator shall not spend more than the income of the ward, or sell, encumber, or gift, any real or personal property of the ward without Court approval.

Investing the ward’s funds in legal investments, as defined by Georgia law, is allowed with the Court’s approval.

Prior to filing a petition for appointment as guardian and/or

conservator, petitioners should familiarize themselves with the fiduciary responsibilities of these positions to ensure that they are capable of performing the same. Because the aforementioned duties and responsibilities are required under the laws of this State, failure to satisfy the said obligations will result in the guardian and/ or conservator’s removal by the Court.

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

OP/ED Lives matter. Another shooting? Stop the violence! Save the children!

By Ed Williams

are portrayed in the media.

When groups like Black The more things seem Lives Matter protest, the media to change, the more they and talking heads seem to seem to stay the same. question their motivations and Another mass school approach. Witness the recent shooting has occurred. viral video that showed a white This time, 17 people were DeKalb County police officer Ed Williams killed at a high school in beating a homeless, black Parkland, Florida. woman who had been begging Florida is a pivotal Electoral for money inside a convenience store; College state and many of the a man who died after he was climbing politicians will be paying attention a wall and tasered by a DeKalb police to the protests. It was just over four officer who pursued him; and the case months ago that there was a mass involving Anthony Hill, a veteran with shooting in Las Vegas where 58 people mental illness who was shot and killed were killed. by a DeKalb officer. Hill was unarmed What is it about this school and naked. incident that will make the difference?

Now, the discussion is about Recently, many states have passed raising the age for the purchase of Stand Your Ground laws and other assault weapons, and banning certain laws to allow students to carry types of devices that make rifles and weapons on campus. What now? We automatic weapons. Similarly, there are being led to believe that laws will is always talk about more diversity change people’s behavior. Lawmakers training when there are police brutality keep passing laws as if the bad guys incidents. In many instances, no one will follow the law when they decide ever seems to be held accountable for to commit a crime. The purpose of a the laws that are already on the books criminal law is to punish a behavior for or getting to the root of our problems. a particular crime. In many instances, Many state governments all over the perpetrator does not care about the the country have cut the budget of punishment at the time he commits the mental health facilities and the support act. All we seem to be doing is passing for those on medication. It should not more laws. be a surprise that these events continue The Second Amendment, which to happen in our community. What is protects citizens’ right to bear arms interesting is that these types of gun and to protect themselves, is being violence on school campuses are not tested. We as citizens should be able being done by people on drugs, but by to protect ourselves from mindless acts those who need to be on medication. of violence. In many communities, Police departments and lawmakers crime has increased and there are many need to be more proactive in places where we are vulnerable in addressing some of the root causes large crowds. We need to re-evaluate of crime. Police should work with how police and other law enforcement schools to stop bullying, gangs, drugs officers are being used, and how and dropouts in public schools. We security is being provided. Police need to get the repeat offenders off the cannot prevent and be everywhere all streets and perform better background the time. checks for purchasing firearms.

Today, we see in the media how A justice system is only as strong the students are rallying around as its weakest link. Being reactive the issue of school safety and the is not the best approach. We must leader of our nation’s highest office change how the public safety and is responding to them. Contrast the justice system works. current white student-led rallies to the Black Lives Matter rallies against Decatur resident Ed Williams, police brutality and you can see a stark Ed.D., is chair of Concerned Citizens difference in the way citizens’ protests For Effective Government.

By Orrin “Checkmate” Hudson

if they are shown how to find and use it.

The latest senseless school I was lost at one time in shooting has taken more my life, heading for personal young lives and changed destruction. I was saved by countless others forever. Many a teacher and a chess board. call for more gun control to I'm proud to tell anyone I stop the carnage. Although rose from the ashes of my Orrin Hudson we can look at ways to make youth to become a success. it harder for the wrong people to I'm proud of the titles used by many obtain firearms, I do not believe in referring to me: recognized youth radical gun control methods will make mentor and anti-violence activist. a difference.

I learned to use my own brain to According to the U.S. governmake the right decisions and to quit ment, there are an estimated 300 following and listening to losers million guns in the nation. Will more who cared only for themselves and laws stop the violence or should we their instant gratification. I learned be looking at other long-term and that every move in chess has a long-lasting approaches? What can consequence just like the constant we do in identifying and treating moves we all are faced with in life. I minds that are prone to violence? I was taught to think it out, not shoot it believe the answer lies not in the out. And now I'm sharing this lesson weapon but in the mindset of the that guarantees success. person. Considering the garbage I have decided to offer special music, movies, wrong role models, training - free of charge - designed broken homes, poor education - many to give young people hope and the of our young people are subjected to tools for success. On Saturday, March today, it is no wonder so many end 17, my team and I will use a life-size up in failure when if only taught how chessboard to bring life lessons to to make the right moves early in their students in metro Atlanta at the Be lives, they could be embracing sucSomeone Training Center in Stone cess instead.

Mountain. By learning to outthink If a person is taught or experithe competition, our participants will ences violence and killing at an early learn to respect others, think before age, chances are that person will grow they make dangerous moves, and give up to be violent. On the other hand, more than they take. The session will if a person is taught love, peace and outline specific strategies that help mutual respect from the beginning, students clearly understand there are that person will likewise follow early consequences for every move they childhood teachings and grow into a make in life. The training is "dekind, peace-loving, respectful, prosigned to provide constructive tools ductive, nonviolent adult, capable of for life." The game of chess changed making the right moves. That should my life. Now I use it to change the be our focus. lives of other young people.

My message is this: Stop the I invite you - parents, grandparents, violence... save the children. We must guardians, friends, young adults - to checkmate crime and violence by visit www.BeSomeone.org to learn putting brains before bullets. more about me, Be Someone Inc. and I was moved to start Be Someour free March 17 training session. one after learning about young peoYou may also call me at 770-465-6445. ple killing other young people in a robbery and now here we are today Orrin “Checkmate” Hudson, experiencing another gut-wrenching is founder of Be Someone (www. loss of young lives filled with so much BeSomeone.org), a life changing promise. I pledge to continue my program that uses the game of chess to efforts to show children and young teach that for every choice we have in adults there's the right way to live a life there is a relating consequence. life and they have the key inside them

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FEBRUARY 24, 2018 • PAGE 7

On Common Ground News OBITUARY

TAX SERVICE

CHURCH

The funeral service for Frank John Lovelace will be held on Saturday, March 3, at 11 a.m., First Baptist Church, Reverend Norman Thomas, Jr., 2394 Gresham Road SE, Atlanta, GA 30316.

The funeral reception (Repass) will be held in the fellowship hall at the church.

Frank John Lovelace The visitation hours are at Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Home on Friday, March 2, 2018, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and family hours are 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Home is located at 4347 Flat Shoal Pkwy, Decatur, GA, 30034.

The final resting place is Kennedy Memorial Gardens, 2509 River Road, Ellenwood, GA 30294. For additional information, visit www.levettfuneralhome. com.

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PAGE 8 • FEBRUARY 24, 2018

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