VOLUME 23 NUMBER 5
FREE
APRIL 29, 2017
Published Since April 1995 Serving DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale Counties • www.facebook.com/ocgnews
GPTC’s LPN program ranked #1 in Georgia
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eorgia Piedmont Technical College’s Licensed Practical Nursing program has been ranked #1 in the state by www. practicalnursing.org, a website dedicated to providing substantive information to prospective students who are considering a career in nursing. GPTC’s practical nursing program achieved a 100 percent pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nursing (NCLEX-PN) from 2012 through 2015, which was practical nursing org’s evaluation period. “I congratulate the students who passed the NCLEX-PN exam and the four full-time faculty members who shepherded them through the curriculum and testing,” said GPTC President Jabari Simama. “Their success is our success.” To determine Georgia Piedmont’s ranking, website officials analyzed 22 schools throughout Georgia that offer LPN programs. Of those, 10 were ranked by the officials. Georgia Piedmont Technical College’s LPN program was ranked first, with Ogeechee Technical College in Statesboro placing second and Chattahoochee Technical College in Marietta placing third. Practicalnursing.org uses several criteria to evaluate schools that offer LPN programs, but the school’s pass rate on the NCLEX-PN is weighted heavily. The NCLEX-PN exam content is based on four categories: Safe and effective care environment; health promotion and maintenance; psycho-social integrity; and physiological integrity. For more information regarding Georgia Piedmont’s Licensed Practical Nursing program, please contact Kaye Henry, program director, at 770-7869522 ext. 5047 or henryk@ gptc.edu.
Inauguration set for Stonecrest’s new leaders
Mayor Jason Lary
Jimmy Clanton (D 1)
Rob Turner (D 2)
By Valerie J. Morgan
Jazzmin Cobble (D 3)
went on a previously-scheduled vacation after he won the April 18 runoff, he city of Stonecrest’s will take the oath of office and sign newly-elected mayor, Jason his paperwork for the first time. The Lary, and the five-memothers were sworn in during two priber Stonecrest City Council will be vate ceremonies that were held a few sworn in together on May 1, 7 to 9 days after the results were certified p.m., at the Mall at Stonecrest, offiby DeKalb elections officials. cials have announced. The new council members— DeKalb County Judge Ronald Jimmy Clanton (District 1), Rob Ramsey will perform the inauguTurner (District 2), Jazzmin Cobble ration, which will be a ceremonial (District 3), George Turner (District event for all but one of the new4) and Diane Daniels Adoma (Disly-elected leaders. Rob Turner, who trict 5)—will each represent 10,000
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George Turner ( D 4)
Diane Adoma (D 5)
residents in the city of 50,000. Voters passed a referendum on Nov. 7, 2016 to create the new city in Southeast DeKalb County, joining Dunwoody, Brookhaven and Tucker as the newest cities formed in DeKalb. “We really appreciate the citizens of this corridor giving us a shot at self governance. We will not disappoint them,” said Lary. “I’m predicting we will be the economic boom of See Stonerest, page 6
New Burlington store coming to Stonecrest
The former Best Buy Store is under renovation to become the new Burlington store. Photo by Glenn L. Morgan/ OCG News
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urlington Stores, a leading national off-price retailer, has announced that it will open a new 45,775-square-foot store this fall at Turner Hill Marketplace, 2940 Turner Hill Road, in the city of Stonecrest. The new store will be located in the former Best Buy space and will bring 50 to 100 new jobs to the community. Burlington Stores President and CEO Tom Kingsbury said the company is thrilled to provide jobs in the community and
give local residents a valued shopping experience. Burlington Facts • Opening Fall 2017 • 45,775 square feet • The store will feature ladies’ apparel, accessories, menswear, family footwear, children’s clothing, a broad assortment of furniture and accessories for baby at Baby Depot, home décor and gifts, and the largest selection of coats in the nation at up to 65 percent off other retailers’ prices every day. • Burlington’s store design allows for a clean,
simple and attractive shopping experience for our customers, making it easy to navigate the store to find our great assortment of brand name merchandise. Employment Opportunities This summer, interested candidates can visit Burlington’s website for more information about employment opportunities. About Burlington Stories, Inc. Burlington is a national off-price retailer offering
style for less at up to 65 percent off other retailers’ prices every day. Departments include ladies’ dresses, suits, sportswear, juniors, accessories, menswear, family footwear and children’s clothing. It also includes an assortment of furniture and accessories for baby at Baby Depot, home décor and gifts, along with the largest selection of coats in the nation for the entire family. Burlington has 596 stores in 45 States and Puerto Rico. For more, visit www.BurlingtonStores.com.