FREE VOLUME 24 NUMBER 48
MARCH 1, 2019
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Attorney General: Imposters working in teams in telephone scams Attorney General Chris Carr is again warning the public about scam artists posing as law enforcement and elected officials in an attempt to swindle consumers. The schemes now Attorney General incorporate a team Chris Carr approach and scare tactics to manipulate victims, Carr’s office said in a news release. “No one is immune to these sophisticated schemes,” said Carr. “We encourage citizens to learn more about these scams and then tell their friends and loved ones about them so they know what to look out for.” Victims have reported receiving a call purporting to be from the local police, State Attorney General, Social Security Administration or FBI informing them that their Social Security Number has been linked to drug trafficking and money laundering. The caller tells the victims they will be arrested, unless they fully comply with the caller’s instructions. The scammers often use software to fake or “spoof” the caller ID information so that the legitimate organization’s name and phone number are displayed. A second scammer posing as a different law enforcement or government official will call the victim while he or she is still on the phone with scammer #1 to corroborate the story and advise the victim that he/she may be receiving a call from an FBI agent or police officer. Or, the original scammer may simply say that he is transferring the person to an “FBI agent,” a “lawyer working on the case” or the “Attorney General,” who are actually scammers who proceed to verify the story, even providing phony badge numbers and case file numbers. A scammer then explains that in order for the victim to clear her name and protect her financial assets from the criminals until the case has been settled, she must wire all the money from her bank accounts and retirement accounts to an account that the scammer alleges is controlled by the “Attorney General” or the “FBI.” The scammers will even ask victims to max out their credit cards by purchasing multiple gift cards from Google Play or iTunes and then providing the caller with those gift card numbers and PINs. The scammer stays on the call with the victim the entire time, which is usually several hours. After the scammers have received all the money, they inform the victim that the “criminals” have been caught. They tell the victim that an agent will meet with them the next day to explain the process for getting their money back, and to bring copies of their driver’s license, Social Security card and passport to prove their identity. But of course, there is no meeting, and the victim discovers they have been scammed.
SEE SCAMS page 7
City Manager Michael Harris says goodbye to J.W. Eady, who regularly attends the Stonecrest City Council meetings. Photo by Glenn L. Morgan/ocgnews.com
Stonecrest’s City Manager Michael Harris departs, accepts appointment in Henry County By Valerie J. Morgan
M
ichael Harris, who has served as the inaugural city manager for the city of Stonecrest, is leaving the city to return to Henry County government where he worked previously. Harris has been appointed to serve as the county’s deputy tax commissioner. His last day with the city of Stonecrest is March 8. He said he would begin his new position sometime in March. Mayor Jason Lary commended Harris for his work with Stonecrest. He praised Jacobs, the firm Stonecrest hired to get the new city up and running,
for selecting Harris to oversee the day-to-day operations of the city. Harris, 53, was appointed by the City Council in May 2017, five months after the city was incorporated on Jan. 1, 2017. Lary said while the city has not yet named a successor to replace Harris, he is confident the city’s operations will continue to run seamlessly with current staff until a permanent replacement is made. “Because I am a full-time mayor and Jacobs is a machinery of quality employees, we will be just fine. I anticipate that the duties and responsibilities of the city will go on without interruption,” said Lary, adding that changes in government
SEE MANAGER page 7
DeKalb hiring for 300 seasonal summer jobs The DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs is accepting applications for seasonal summer employment opportunities such as food monitors, camp counselors, recreation assistants and bus drivers. The application deadline is March 29. Applicants must be 18 or older, unless applying for lifeguard or pool manager positions. Lifeguards and pool managers are required to be 16 or older. Proof of current certification from American Red Cross or other nationally-recognized aquatic training programs is required for all aquatic positions. All applicants selected will be required to successfully complete a drug and alcohol screening and criminal background check prior to employment. The pay for the job ranges from $10 to $12 an hour. The parks positions will begin June 3 and end on July 26, 2019. The aquatics program begins on May 25 to Sept. 1, 2019. To view available positions or complete an application, visit https://bit.ly/2Ug8wfe.
U.S. Census Bureau is recruiting across U.S. The U.S. Census Bureau is recruiting thousands of people to assist with the 2020 Census count. A variety of temporary jobs are being offered including census takers, recruiting assistants, office staff and supervisory staff. Candidates must be at least 18 years old, have a valid Social Security Number and be a U.S.
citizen. The jobs offer weekly pay, competitive pay rates, flexible hours and paid training. Veterans who are claiming preference must also submit documentation of eligibility. Applications must be made online: https://bit. ly/2xhJnHG
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Registered sex offender arrested for murder The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit took Hussan Karim Chester into custody Feb. 26 after he was detained by Gwinnett County authorities on a warrant charging him with felony murder of shooting Erica Cruz, 21. The 34-year-old Atlanta man was attempting to re-register as a sex offender with the Gwinnett County Sex Offender’s Unit. According to the warrant issued in DeKalb County, Chester shot Cruz in the head on Feb. 22, Hussan Karim Chester 2019 at the Meadow Glen Village Lane apartment complex in Doraville, causing her death. A 911 caller who witnessed the shooting said that a man wearing a white jacket and blue jeans was sitting inside an older model gold Toyota Camry with the victim before shooting her in front Building 3582, according to a police report obtained by the Atlanta Journal Constitution. No motive was given for the assault. Chester was transported without incident to the DeKalb County Jail. The family of Cruz has set up a Go Fund Me donations account to help with her burial expenses.
Stonecrest City Council defers vote on Grice Consulting The Stonecrest City Council deferred a vote on awarding a $3.3 million contract to Grice Consulting, Inc. to manage the city’s Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax program. In a 4-2 vote at its Feb. 25 meeting, the council decided to defer its decision until the city’s attorneys, Grice’s attorneys, and city council members have an opportunity to thoroughly review the contract. City Attorney Winston Denmark said the contract was still being reviewed as the council meeting began. Councilmember George Turner made a motion to hold a special call meeting if the contract becomes ready before March 11, the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting.
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FEBRUARY 22, 2019 • PAGE 3
Memorial service held for Rockdale firefighter Robert A. Sewell III 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
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
The family of Robert A. Sewell III and Rockdale County Fire Rescue (RCFR) honored RCFR firefighter Robert Alexander Sewell III with a Celebration of Life Memorial Service on Feb. 27 A packed crowd attended the service at the Rockdale County Auditorium in Conyers. Sewell was killed on Feb. 21 after he lost control of his vehicle during a downpour of rain on his way to work, county officials said. Sewell joined the fire department in 2016 and was a coordinator for new recruits within the department’s training division. Rockdale BOC Chairman Oz Nesbitt said Sewell would be missed. “He was well liked and was known for his musical talents,” said Nesbitt. “His colleagues spoke highly of him.”
Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary speaks at Capitol supporting HB 90 for minority businesses Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary spoke to legislators and the public at the Georgia Capitol on Feb. 27 in support of legislation to expand opportunities for minority-owned businesses and level the playing field with state contractors. Under the House Bill 90, minority-owned business would Mayor Jason Lary receive a fair share of the $26 billion awarded to state contractors, according to State Rep. Winfred Dukes, one of the bill’s sponsors. State Rep. Billy Mitchell, who represents District 88 which includes Stone Mountain, along with four others cosponsored the bill. If passed, the bill will provide for a feasibility study that would identify disparities in all state government departments. HB 90 would create a Division of Supplier Diversity that would reinforce an ongoing process to ensure that state contracts are equitably distributed, according to Dukes. The bill also clarifies and defines a minority business as those with at least 70 percent ownership by one or more minority groups. Lary was one of several invited guest speakers to address lawmakers and the public in support of the bill. The mayor committed to continue hiring contractors for the city who are black or minority-owned. “This bill will help black and other minorityowned businesses. I am committed to mirroring this bill in Stonecrest,” the mayor said. “We have several minority-owned businesses working with the city. For example, we are paving our streets soon and have identified a black-owned company to assist us with this endeavor. We have found that the key element is to identify minority-owned businesses who aren’t just relying on that designation but, who can also do the work,” the mayor said. HB 90 has support from the House of Representatives and the Senate. If passed, the bill would become effective later this year.
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DeKalb Board of Commissioners approves CEO Thurmond’s spending priorities The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners has adopted CEO Michael Thurmond’s proposed $1.3 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2019 that includes a $112 million rainy-day fund and addresses unfunded pension fund liabilities. All planned expenditures are funded by FY2019 revenues. The final vote on Feb. 26 was 6-1 in favor of the amended budget proposal. “We continue to work to earn the public’s trust by being fiscally responsible, and by increasing efficiencies and customer service,” said DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond. “The approved budget was developed in collaboration with the Board of Commissioners to continue improving the quality of life of citizens in DeKalb.” Agreement was reached on major spending priorities including: • A two percent cost-of-living adjustment for the county’s retirees and beneficiaries. The annualized cost of the adjustment is $2.1 million. Additionally, $9 million will be appropriated to strengthen contributions to DeKalb’s employee pension fund and is projected to fully fund it by 2043. A $12 million pension fund loan used to finance a controversial early buyout plan for veteran employees in 2010 will be paid off 20 years ahead of schedule, resulting in a savings of $14.7 million in principal and interest payments. • The annualization of a 4 percent pay raise for public safety personnel including police, fire, E-911, Sheriff’s Department and other county investigators. • A 3 percent pay raise for all county employees who did not receive the public safety pay raise. The budget also establishes a $15 per hour minimum wage for county employees. • 104 additional police positions and 60 new firefighter positions. • Two contract compliance officers that will ensure that all purchasing and contracting processes and procedures are adhered to. • $470,000 for the purchase and installation of a trash trap on the South River and $150,000 for a countywide anti-litter campaign. • A partnership with the DeKalb Board of Health and other organizations to design interventions to improve child well-being, with a focus on violence prevention. The first full year of the Equalized Homestead Option Sales Tax (EHOST) in 2019 will provide $119 million in residential property tax relief, an increase of $10 million from 2018. In 2019, EHOST will provide a total rollback of the county operations and hospital millage rates. Tax relief for an owner of a $250,000 home would be approximately $900.
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CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY
ICON models strut their stuff at Lou Walker Senior Center
Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary was the special guest during the Black History Program at the Lou Walker Senior Center, featuring the ICON models. The event included nearly 40 models in 13 scenes centered around Black History themes such as “Strange Fruit” and “The Ghetto.” Janice Reynolds-Jones, a modeling instructor, hosted the event and is the executive director of ICON models. Most of the models were members of the Lou Walker Senior Center. The mayor took photos and presented flowers to women who modeled.
Stonecrest Citizens Coalition to host Wayne Early March 12 The Stonecrest Citizens Coalition (SCC) will host its monthly meeting on Tuesday, March 12, 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Stonecrest Library, 3123 Klondike Road. The featured speaker will be Wayne Early, a housing and economic development expert who was featured in the Wayne Early Washington Post news story, “The Divide American Dream.” The article outlined how generations of African Americans have faced unique barriers to owning a home — and enjoying the wealth it brings. In Atlanta, where predominantly black neighborhoods are still waiting for the recovery, the link between race and real estate fortune is stark. “This can’t happen by accident,” Early said in the Washington Post story. “It’s too tightly correlated with race for it to be based on something else.” The Stonecrest Citizens Coalition invites the community to join in the conversation as Early shares insight on this monumental topic. For more information, contact the coalition at 770-484-1652 or email sccga0118@gmail.com.
Maria Boynton, V-103 Morning News Anchor
Dazon Dixon Diallo, Founder of Sister Love, Inc.
Valerie J. Morgan, Editor of On Common Ground News
Rev. Shivern Jeter, Founder and Executive Director of Foster Care Friends, Inc.
Erikka T. Wells, Sales Manager and Business Development Consultant at Audi of America
Shondrae` Knight, Director at Choice Educational Academy
La Detra White, President and CEO of Noble Insight, Inc.
Attorney Meredith Lilly, former senior advisor to President Obama’s Administration
Nikema Williams, State Senator
Mercedes Miller, Executive Director of the Georgia International Convention Center
Mayor Evelyn Wynn-Dixon, City of Riverdale
‘Still We Rise’ celebration to honor local black women Real Women Atlanta Magazine and myEcon, Inc. will present “Still We Rise,” a black tie/red carpet event honoring 11 local black women who have given tirelessly to help their communities. The event, which commemorates the 1619 National Celebration of Black Women and celebrates Women’s History Month, will be held on Saturday, March 9, 6 to 9 p.m., 173 14th St. N.E., Atlanta. Hosted by V103’s Amanda Cooper and Joaquin Thompson, Daily Bread radio show. The event will be a night of music, poetry, comedy and more in celebration of the beauty and strength of the Black woman. This year marks the 400th-year commemoration of the arrival of African captives at the shore of Jamestown, Virginia in the year 1619. The 1619 National Celebration of Black Women was born out of a necessity to recognize the women in history that emerged from slavery, defied the odds and came out victorious. The women who will be honored at the “Still We Rise” event are: Maria Boynton, Anchor V-103 Morning News Dazon Dixon Diallo, Founder of Sister Love, Inc. Rev. Shivern Jeter, Founder and Executive Director of Foster Care Friends, Inc. Shondrae` Knight, Director at Choice Educational Academy Attorney Meredith Lilly, former senior advisor to President Obama’s Administration Mercedes Miller, Executive Director of the Georgia International Convention Center Valerie J. Morgan, Editor of On Common Ground News Erikka T. Wells, Sales Manager and Business Development Consultant at Audi of America La Detra White, President and CEO of Noble Insight, Inc. Nikema Williams, State Senator Mayor Evelyn Wynn-Dixon, City of Riverdale Tickets for the celebration are $30 and are available at realwomenatlanta.com. No tickets will be available at the door.
CITY OF STONECREST MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL, PUBLIC HEARING: MONDAY, MARCH 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: PROPOSED AMENDMENT:
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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FEBRUARY 22, 2019 • PAGE 5
DeKalb County hires new parks naturalist Jonah McDonald
SBC Board Member Dorothy Moss (Left) presents award to Elisabeth Williams-Omilami at Springfield Baptist Church.
Springfield Baptist Church honors Elisabeth Williams-Omilami as a living legend
S
pringfield Baptist Church in Conyers honored Elisabeth WilliamsOmilami, CEO of Hosea Helps, during the church’s Black History Month program on Feb. 24. Springfield presented Omilami with the Icon Award, which recognizes living legends who have made exceptional contributions toward African American excellence and advancement. Omilami was honored for her contribution in the area of Human Rights and Humanitarianism. Hosea Helps (formerly Hosea Feeds the Hungry and Homeless) was founded by her parents, civil
rights icons the Rev. Hosea and Juanita T. Williams. Since 2000, the year her father passed, WilliamsOmilami has operated Hosea Helps along with her husband, Afemo Omilami. Under the leadership of WilliamsOmilami and her husband, the organization’s budget grew from $300,000 to $2 million, providing services 365 days a year and expanding the number of services that Hosea Helps offers. Hosea Helps has become one of the most significant human services organizations in the Southeast United States providing services for some 50,000 people per year. Since
its founding in 1971, Hosea Helps has distributed more than $3 billion in food, clothing, medical, educational toiletries, furniture and cleaning supplies to 16 Georgia counties, three states and to the Philippines, the Ivory Coast and Uganda. Springfield created the Icon Award three years ago. Since that time the church has honored the following recipients with the award: • Tim and Louise Adams – 2016 Icon Award for Education • Monica Pearson – 2017 Icon Award for Journalism • Rickey Smiley – 2018 Icon Award for Multimedia and Community Service
DeKalb Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs Department announces the recent hiring of Jonah McDonald as the county’s parks naturalist. McDonald will provide programming for Jonah McDonald, DeKalb County Parks Naturalist the public, serve as a safety presence on the trails and assist with the maintenance of greenspace. Programming will be designed for all ages and will focus on environmental education, history, storytelling and physical fitness. McDonald has managed outdoors programs at several metro-area independent schools, founded Sure Foot Adventures and co-founded the Peacebuilders Camp. He is also a professional storyteller who has been featured on WABE 90.1 FM and has performed at elementary and middle schools across the state of Georgia. His passion for storytelling also led him to develop history tours, including the Battle of Atlanta Bicycle Tour. In 2002, McDonald arrived in DeKalb County by foot, having just completed all 2,178 miles of the Appalachian Trail from Maine to Georgia. In the years since, he has spent countless days exploring metroAtlanta greenspaces and has compiled an extensive list of natural areas in and around the county. McDonald received a Bachelor of Arts in history from Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas.
PAGE 6 • MARCH 1, 2019 WWW.OCGNEWS.COM
Rockdale Constitutional Corner
Want to be a Notary Public? Here’s How
Notaries Public have long been relied upon to deter fraud. The Notary process dates back to ancient Rome and continues to be a staple of personal, government and business transactions as a means to certify that the signatures are valid. Notarized documents are required for a wide range of legal filings and financial transactions. The proper performance of notarial duties is essential to the effective operations of government and commerce. As a Notary, you are exercising the sovereign authority delegated to you by the State of Georgia.
Why do we need Notaries? • To deter document fraud • To ensure the integrity and proper execution of document transactions, by verifying the identity, comprehension and intent of document signers. • To administer oaths/affirmations and take acknowledgements Individuals who have been commissioned as a Notary accept a measure of responsibility for each notarial act. There is a common misconception that one of those responsibilities is to verify the validity of the document. In reality, the Notary is not responsible for verifying document validity, but rather the identity of the signer. A responsible Notary carries out this duty by requiring a government issued photo identification confirming the identity of the person and then witnessing that individual sign the document.
By Ruth A. Wilson Clerk of Courts Notarization does not guarantee the truth or accuracy of statements in a document. The Notary has no obligation to verify the content or indicate that you have knowledge of the contents. Notarization does not legalize or validate a document. A document with errors before it is notarized will still contains those errors afterward. The failure of a Notary to verify identity during a notarial act could result in their Notary Commission being revoked. In fact, this is the primary cause for Notary revocations in Rockdale County. The Clerk of Courts has revoked Notary Commissions when: A. A document was notarized but the signature line for the signer was blank B. The notarized document was a copy of the original signed document C. The document was notarized after
being signed by someone forging the signature of someone else The best way for you as a Notary to protect your commission and responsibly fulfill your duties is to keep a journal of each notarial act. While this is not a legal requirement, it documents that you consistently verify the signer’s identity each time you notarize a document. In doing so, you prevent yourself from becoming a party to fraud, and protect yourself from lawsuits that result from the misconduct of others. The careless performance of your duties could result in substantial losses to you, your employer and to those who rely upon your acts. To enhance competency, training is crucial. While it is not legally required, it is highly recommended. It protects the Notary from liability and protects the public from Notary errors and omissions. The Clerk of Courts Office offers free Notary Public training on a recurring basis. Attending that training will enable you to perform your Notary Public duties with confidence and with skill. Register now for Free Notary Training on Friday, March 22, 10:30 – noon and April, 17, 2019, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m., at JP Carr Center, 981 Taylor St. Conyers, GA. To register, please call 770-278-7866 or email notary. training@rockdalecountyga.gov. To become a Notary Public in Rockdale County an individual must be A. At least 18 years of age B. A citizen or a legal resident of the
If you’d like us to bring this presentation to your community, please contact us at proptax@dekalbcountyga.gov
Irvin J. Johnson
U.S. C. A legal resident of Rockdale County D. Able to read and write the English language E. Have an operating telephone number and provide it at the time of application F. Provide a Sheriff’s Office Criminal Background Check less than 30 days old along with the application. The Clerk of Superior Court may deny a commission or re-commission to an applicant due to: • The applicant’s criminal history •P revious revocation, suspension or restriction of a Notary Commission in Georgia or another state • A finding that the applicant engaged in the unlicensed practice of law Any applicant who is denied a Notary Commission can receive a hearing before the Clerk of Superior Court. The Clerk appoints and commissions those qualified to act as a Notary Public for four-year terms. As a Rockdale County Notary Public, you are authorized to notarize documents in any county within the state of Georgia. To begin the web-based application process, go to www.gsccca.org and select File, Notary Application. After submitting the web form, print it out and deliver it to the Clerk’s Office. We will swear you in, and accept your payment of $42 by cash, money order, or business check written to the Office of the Clerk of Superior Court. We will be happy to answer any remaining questions you having during the process. Simply call 770-278-7861.
WELCOME TO HOMESTEADS 101
Tax Year Deadline for 2019 is April 1st.
TAXCOMMISSIONER
DeKalb County Tax Commissioner Irvin Johnson Presents: Join us at 1 of 5 FREE presentations hosted throughout the County to learn how homeowners, senior citizens, veterans and disabled veterans can save money each year on their home and car taxes, and be qualified on the spot! Visit our website to learn more!
Please bring the following to see if you qualify for an exemption: Your valid driver’s license Your State & Federal income tax forms.
www.DeKalbTax.org
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FEBRUARY 22, 2019 • PAGE 7
MANAGER continued from page 1 administrations are common and the city of Stonecrest is not unique in that respect. Lary said that some of the city’s growing pains have been exacerbated by infighting and people who want to make the city look bad and fail “because they want to be mayor.” There is one person, he said, who continually “oversteps their boundaries with unwarranted demands with our employees, causing them to leave. Stonecrest, which has an estimated population of 53,000 residents, is the largest city to date formed in DeKalb County. The allblack city council is comprised of two women and four men including the mayor. “I fully expect that as the city evolves, there will be more changes,” Lary said. “It just means that we have the opportunity to mature and grow as the city expands its service offerings.” City Councilwoman Diane Adoma, who often is at odds with Lary and acknowledged that she has filed a declaration of intent to run for mayor, said she would like to see the city conduct exit interviews to understand and document staff departures. She said she is concerned about two other executive-level departures that have occurred in the last three months. “Whenever you have three top people leave in that short amount
of time, that is a bad sign,” said Adoma, who earned a doctorate degree in human resources management with a focus on employee retention. “No HR person jumps for joy when the top three people leave. You’ve got to train people and evaluate them and there is a cost associated with it. I think a lot of what is happening has to do with leadership. Leadership style impacts productivity, retention and it impacts morale.” Harris’ departure follows that of inaugural City Attorney Thompson Kurrie, Jr., who retired in December. Kurrie, 70, had expressed on several occasions during City Council meetings that while he had enjoyed working on the initiative and the incorporation of the city since 2005, the job was not one that he saw as long term. Brenda James, who was hired by Jacobs as the first city clerk, resigned again in February. She had stepped down previously last year after illness and returned. She said she found an opportunity near her home in Fayettville, which is over 25 miles from the city of Stonecrest. At the Feb. 25 Stonecrest City Council meeting, Harris thanked Lary, council members, city staff members and the community for giving him the opportunity to serve as Stonecrest’s first city manager. “It’s a bittersweet time for me… I’ve been embraced by this
community like nothing I’ve ever seen or expected. While we’ve had some challenges we’ve had to deal with on a regular basis—the good and the bad and everything that came with it—I can’t tell you how much I appreciate the kind words…” said Harris, adding that even with the challenges, it was done in a “heartfelt” manner and passion and “desire to see the city do better.” “…The city of Stonecrest will always be a special place for me. ” During Harris’ tenure with Stonecrest, he was responsible
for securing staffing, facilities, furnishings and equipment. Prior to his work with Stonecrest, Harris served as City Manager for the city of Stockbridge for 3 years and 2 months. He worked for the Henry County Board of Commissioners for 4 years and 10 months and served as interim Henry County manager and Division Director, for a total of nearly 5 years. Harris received a Bachelor in Science degree in civil engineering from Howard University.
SCAM continued from page 1 Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to trace or recover money that has been sent via wire transfer or gift card. The Georgia Attorney General is reminding citizens that law enforcement agencies, the Attorney General and the Social Security Administration will never ask you to send them money. Hang up immediately. Additional red flags of a scam include: • Pressure to act immediately, especially by using scare tactics, such as threatening arrest, telling you a loved one is in danger or claiming your computer has been hacked • Insistence that you send money via wire transfer or gift card • Urging you not to tell anyone about the call • Asking you to pay money before you can collect a prize • Sending you a check and asking you to wire a portion of the funds • Get-rich-quick and other promises that sound too good to be true • Promises to recover money you’ve lost in other scams, for a fee If you have been the victim of a scam, you can report it to the Georgia Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at (404) 651-8600 or consumer.ga.gov.
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