Ocg 6 16 16 by On Common Ground News

VOLUME 23,NUMBER 12

FREE

JUNE 17, 2017

Published Since April 1995 Serving DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale Counties • www.facebook.com/ocgnews

Interim sheriff appointed in DeKalb County

Captain Ruth Stringer

aptain Ruth Stringer has been appointed to serve as DeKalb County’s interim sheriff while Jeffrey Mann serves a 40-day suspension mandated by Gov. Nathan Deal. The governor appointed a special panel to investigate Mann who was charged on May 6 with public indecency and obstruction (running from police) after allegedly exposing himself in Atlanta’s Piedmont Park. Mann, who has pleaded not guilty to the charges, goes to trial on July 7. DeKalb Superior Court Chief Judge Courtney Johnson appointed Stringer, a

27-year veteran of the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Stringer was sworn in and began her new assignment on June 13. “I am pleased to be able to serve in this capacity,” says Interim Sheriff Stringer. “With the support of my more than 800 dedicated colleagues at the sheriff’s office, I will continue our commitment to the safety and security of the communities we serve and to performing at a level of excellence in all that we do.” Interim Sheriff Stringer, a DeKalb County resident, began her career with

Running With The Monks

Hundreds of people showed up for the Monastery of the Holy Spirit’s eighth annual 5K in Conyers. This year, the monastery added an 8-mile endurance race to celebrate the its eighth year hosting the race. More on the story, Page 5.

the agency on June 9, 1990 as a Detention Officer in the DeKalb County Jail and has been promoted to increasing positions of responsibility in various divisions, achieving the rank of Deputy Sheriff Captain in the Training, Background and Recruitment Division in 2010. In September 2009, then Lieutenant Stringer received the DeKalb Sheriff’s Medal of Valor and she was named Officer of the Year by the DeKalb Bar Association for actions she took while off-duty that resulted in saving a young girl from being assaulted in Stone Mountain Park.

Deficit reduction, public safety raises, blight removal highlight DeKalb budget DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond is addressing what he calls the county’s most important critical issues for the remainder of fiscal year 2017: deficit spending and an inadequate fund balance. “Our number one priority is to reduce the deficit so that we can propose a balanced budget in fiscal year 2018,” CEO Thurmond said. “We are able to redirect existing funds to adMichael Thurmond dress two other priorities includDeKalb CEO ing salary adjustments for public safety personnel and continuing our fight against blight.” CEO Thurmond’s proposed midyear budget adjustment, which was delivered to the Board of Commissioners on June 12, sets aside approximately $54.6 million, or more than one month of the annual budget as the year-end reserve. This increase in the fund balance, previously at $33.7 million in the budget as passed in February, will be achieved by dedicating all new available funding toward this effort. The overall operating budget decreases by 2.1 percent from See DeKalb Deficit , page 5

Georgia Institute of Technology to offer free online classes to first 100 seeking logistics jobs

he City of Covington and Newton County are partnering with the Georgia Institute of Technology to provide a pilot program to help spur growth in the field of logistics. Residents of Newton, Rockdale, Walton, Jasper, DeKalb and Morgan counties are invited to register for the Logistics Education And Pathways (LEAP) program. Tuition is free for the first 100 participants. “The Georgia Tech Supply Chain & Logistics Institute (SCL) is pleased to partner with the City of Covington, Newton County and the surrounding counties to bring the LEAP online courses in a pilot program to those who are eager to increase their knowledge of the logistics industry,” said Carole Bennett, director of Program Development and Marketing at Georgia Tech. “These students will learn the fundamentals needed to help prepare them for entry-level positions in this quickly growing industry.” The four online courses consist of Supply Chain Management Principles, Warehousing Operations, Transportation Operations, and Customer Service Operations. After completing each class, students will receive a Georgia Tech Certificate. “As demand for qualified job applicants increase, this certificate will only become more valuable,” said Covington Mayor Ron-

nie Johnston. “This is truly a life- changing opportunity that is being made available.” According to Fortune magazine, industries and businesses in logistics will be looking to fill roughly 1.4 million jobs by 2018. The increase in jobs, combined with a shortage of qualified candidates, means one thing – an exciting opportunity for those willing to meet the requirements, officials say. “We are excited to partner with Georgia Tech, along with the City of Covington, Newton County, Newton County Schools and Newton County Economic Development,” said Ralph Staffins, president of the Covington Newton Chamber of Commerce. “This partnership brings this opportunity for career growth to our residents. There are hundreds of logistics jobs on the horizon in Newton County and this opportunity to get a Georgia Tech Professional Education certificate will help them stand out with the tools needed when applying for those positions.” Newton County Chairman Marcello Banes said the training program is a great educational tool for the county. “That Georgia Tech Professional Education is partnering with the county and our Chamber of Commerce will be a great help to our citizens as they work to get better qualified for some of the many career opportunities available in Newton County,”

Banes said. The City of Covington and Newton County are offering an information session for those interested in learning more about the logistics program. The information session will be July 10, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Newton County Courthouse, 1132 Usher Street, N.W., in Covington. Participants are encouraged to apply for

the course at www.scl.gatech.edu/leap prior to attending the information session. To register for the information session, visit www. LEAPNewton.com. The Georgia Tech LEAP program is supported by donations from JPMorgan Chase and Schneider National.

PAGE 2 •JUNE 17, 2017 WWW.OCGNEWS.COM

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Rockdale BOC approves new name for HR

Toni Holmes

Rockdale County government’s Human Resources Department officially has a new name: the Department of Talent Management. The Board of Commissioners (BOC) unanimously approved an ordinance to rename the department at the June 13 board meeting. BOC Chairman Oz Nesbitt said the new name represents “a fresh new approach” to taking care of the county’s employees. Nesbitt said the name change better reflects the county’s mission to not only recruit “world class” talent for job openings, but to provide training and career track guidance to those who desire to move up into other positions with the county. Toni Holmes, who was hired in March as the county’s new Human Resources Director, said she is excited about the change. She said she is working on a new logo, which will include the county’s seal, for the department that she plans to unveil at a ribbon cutting ceremony in July. There are also plans to change the names of certain staffing positions to reflect the new department name and its goals.

JUNE 17,2017 • PAGE 3

DeKalb commissioners approve amphitheater The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved spending up to $500,000 for the preliminary design-build phase of an amphitheater at Rainbow Park on Rainbow Drive in South DeKalb. The outdoor facility will complement the existing Porter Sanford III Performing Arts and Center and auditorium, also located on Rainbow Drive. The site was formerly part of the historic Mathis Dairy farm, which was well known for providing dairy tours to school children who milked

Rosebud, the cow, during their visit. The farm was eventually sold in 1995 and residential subdivisions were built on most of the land. “This is an exciting time for District 3 as this will go a long way to attract good events to the district and bring added value to the properties around the area,” said Commissioner Larry Johnson, who represents the district. This infrastructural investment, to be paid for with District 3 park bond funds, is the beginning of a com-

prehensive development plan for the 20 acres of land around the park. The amphitheater will be located with access to I-20 and I-285, making it an ideal venue for events and concerts with a capacity of approximately 1,000 guests, county officials said. Marvin Billups, interim director of the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs, said the amphitheater would improve the quality of life for county residents. “We intend to involve the public in the development of this project

from start to finish,” Billups said. “The overall goal is to create a path that will connect all these facilities around the Rainbow Park area to increase and encourage usability by citizens.” ASTRA Group Inc. will begin the design phase of the project, which is expected to be completed within 180 days. A notice to proceed from the county’s Purchasing and Contracting Department will then follow once all due diligence is complete.

Stonecrest City Council approves CH2M contract for management services

he Stonecrest City Council approved a 67-month, $16 million contract with CH2M, the management company it has hired to oversee the newly-formed city’s personnel and infrastructure. The City Council passed the contract 4-1 on June 14 at a special called meeting. Councilwoman Jazzmin Cobble cast the dissenting vote. Councilman Rob Turner was absent from the meeting. The contract was scheduled for a vote at the June 12 City Council meeting but was rescheduled to allow CH2M additional time to fine-tune the contract. Under the agreement, CH2M will receive $1.7 million for work performed from June through the end of December 2017. After that, CH2M will receive $2.9 million per year through 2022, subject to annual performance evaluations by the City Council. The contract covers compensation for all city employees who run the day-to-day operations including the city manager, assistant city manager, city clerk, code enforcement, communications director and development manager. Cobble said she voted against the contract because she was concerned the cost was “extremely aggressive.” “I voted no because of the cost for the contract. My decision had nothing to do with CH2M’s inability to perform,” said Cobble. “I just feel the city should be more conservative in its spending since we do not actually have the funds in yet. I think we should solidify revenues before taking on such a large cost.” Mayor Jason Lary said he is pleased the council was able to move forward with the contract. The new city, Lary said, is expected to receive $3 million in revenues this year from business licenses, hotel and motel

fees, franchise fees and code enforcement fines. He said he is confident the city will have enough to cover its expenses. The fiscal feasibility study that was done by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia during the city’s formation, Lary said, projected the new city would receive about $10 million a year in revenues. Cobble said since CHM2’s contract will amount to 60 percent of the anticipated revenues for this year, she has pushed to have the city hold public hearings to consider raising property taxes by 1 mill. The council approved holding the hearings at its June 14 work session. Cobble said raising the rate by 1 mill would not impact homeowners who claim a homestead exemption because the District Millage Equivalent takes off the 1 mill anyway. “I have spoken with the tax assessor’s office. Basically, homeowners would not be

Rockdale County government plans to spend $4 million to purchase and make improvements to Costley Mill Park, a 77-acre privately-owned park on Costley Mill Road located off Georgia Highway 138. Board of Commissioners Chairman Oz Nesbitt said the county has wanted to buy the park for 30 years and recently entered into an agreement to purchase the park at an offer the county couldn’t pass up. Officials are now working on consolidating county debt to make the purchase in a way that would not negatively impact taxpayers. The consolidation includes an old loan of $5.6 million, the $2.5 million for the park’s purchase price and $1.5 needed for park upgrades. The new debt totaling $9.6 million would be paid at $1.1 million a year through 2027. Roger Murray of Murray Barnes Finister, LLP in Atlanta said the annual cost is expected to be less than what the county is paying now. He said during a presentation before the Board of Commissioners on June 13 that the county was able to get an extension of the debt payment schedule and a lower interest rate because of its excellent bond rating The park, owned by the Bowman family, has been in Rockdale since the 1800s. The

Photo by Glenn L. Morgan/OCGNEWS Rubber Ducky Race, a fundraiser held annually to assist senior citizens in Rockdale, along with sire of residents who expressed in a county surweddings, special events and film productions vey that they wanted a park in North Rockdale. are held at the park. The Rubber Ducky Race is Costley Mill Park scheduled this year on June 22 at the park. See page 7 Post 2 Commissioner Doreen Williams said the purchase of the park will fulfill a de-

Mayor Jason Lary signs contract for CH2M. Photo by Glenn L. Morgan/OCGNEWS

impacted. Those who own rental or commercial property, however, would absorb the cost though,” said Cobble. “It’s worth discussing because that 1 mill would generate about $774,000 in revenues for the city and I would like to have that buffer. I want to have the public hearings because I think it is important to get input from the public on this.” Meanwhile, Lary said the City Council is expected on June 19 to consider an agreement with financial advisor Ed Wall to set up Tax Anticipated Notes (TAN) to cover the city’s cash flow until the city’s revenues come in. Wall has worked with the new City of South Fulton, Dunwoody, Brookhaven and Sandy Springs to set up TANS to provide temporary borrowing to cover expenses. Wall proposed that the city of Stonecrest borrow about $2.5 million. The money, along with interest and other fees, would have to be repaid by Dec. 31 every year.

Rockdale to purchase historic Costley Mill Park

PAGE 4 •JUNE 17, 2017 WWW.OCGNEWS.COM

Coming Up Compiled by Mackenzie N. Morgan

“Thrilling Thursday” summer series at Conyers library offers kids big fun

he next Nancy Guinn Memorial Library’s “Thrilling Thursday” summer series will feature “My Reptile Guys and their Fun Reptile Adventures” on June 22, 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m., in the lower level of the library, 864 Green St., Conyers. Take the kids to experience the thrill of a wild safari. Get up close and personal with exotic and beautiful reptiles during this adventure at the library. The program is free and requires no registration. Also, mark your calendar for the Thrilling Thursday events that will be held on July 6 and July 13, 10:30 - 11:15 a.m., in the lower level meeting room. For more information, contact the Youth Services Department at 770-388-5040, ext. 113.

ATLANTA

Art festival set in Old Fourth Ward The Old Fourth Ward Park Arts Festival will be held on Saturday, June 24, through Sunday, June 25, beginning at 10 a.m. at Historic Fourth Ward Park, 592 N. Angier Ave. NE, Atlanta. The two-day festival features fine arts and crafts, a street market, children’s play area, food vendors, and live acoustic music. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.oldfourthwardparkartsfestival.com.

Free live music at Piedmont Park Join Radio 105.7 & Bowery South Presents on Sunday, June 25, at Park Tavern, 500 10th Street, N.E., Atlanta. Experience an amazing night of free music while the sun sets behind the Atlanta skyline. Sunset sessions bring Atlantans a varied lineup of live music from some of today’s most buzz-worthy artists every Sunday free of charge. Located off of the Atlanta BeltLine, concert-goers can enjoy giveaways, try specialty seasonal cocktails, house brews, 1/2 off sushi from 10 p.m. to midnight, and much more. The free concert series runs through Oct. 1. Every show is from 7 to 11 p.m. and guests must be 21 and up to attend. For more information, visit www.parktavern.com.

DEKALB

Get fresh produce and goods from the mobile farmers market The DeKalb Mobile Farmers Market provides access to healthy, affordable food for communities where access is limited. The Mobile Market accepts EBT (SNAP benefits), credit cards and cash. The DeKalb Mobile Farmers Market is a program of DeKalb County Cooperative Extension, with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The mobile market will be held noon to 2 p.m. at the following locations: Thursday, June 22: Scott Candler Library, 1917 Candler Road, Decatur. 404-286-6986. Thursday, June 29: Redan-Trotti Library, 1569 Wellborn Road, Lithonia. 770-482-3821.

Stonecrest Toastmasters Club to meet Join the Stonecrest Library Toastmasters Club and improve your communication with family, friends, colleagues, clients and even large audiences. The club meets on Tuesdays. The next meeting is June 20, 6:30-7:45 p.m. at the Stonecrest Library, 3123 Klondike Road, Lithonia. For more information, call 770-482-3828.

Brown Sugar Stitchers Guild sets quilting session The Brown Sugar Stitchers Quilt Guild welcomes those interested in quilting. The group will host its next meeting on Saturday, June 17, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the Wesley Chapel-William C. Brown Library, 2861 Wesley Chapel Road, Decatur. All experience levels are welcome. Please call or visit branch to register: 404-286-6980.

GWINNETT

“Little Builders” invites toddlers to build bonds and blocks Join the Gwinnett County Public Library’s Norcross Branch, 6025 Buford Highway, for a “constructive” morning with tots on Friday, June 23, 10:30 a.m. Toddlers can socialize and engage in free play and build fine and gross motor skills by playing with block sets. Drop in to build and knock blocks down. For more information, call 770-978-5154.

Library brings kids and canines together to promote literacy Have a tail-wagging good time while practicing reading skills on Saturday, June 24, 1 p.m. at the Lawrenceville Library Branch, 1001 Lawrenceville Highway Lawrenceville. Children ages 5 and up can read to a friendly dog. The dogs are trained and registered members of Therapy Dogs International Chapter #193.

ROCKDALE

Ready to author a book? Visit the Nancy Guinn Memorial Library to meet Victoria Sheffield, writer, publisher, and mentor, who will present a “Writing Workshop” and share tips and tricks on how to succeed in the harrowing world of authorship. This workshop will be held in the lower level meeting room of the library on Tuesday, June 27, 5:30– 7:30 p.m. For more information, contact the Adult Services Department at 770-388-5040. ext. 118. This event is free and open to ages 18 & up.

“Build A Better World” environmental workshop set Join the Nancy Guinn Memorial Library and the City of Conyers on Tuesday, June 27, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., for a Department of Environmental Services Water Program. Learn how to take care of the environment, protect our natural resources, save our planet’s valuable water, and “Build A Better World” through this informative and fun presentation. This program will take place in the downstairs meeting room and is open to all ages. Registration is not required. The library is located at 864 Green St. For more information about this free event, call 770-388-5040, ext. 113.

Please check with the event organizer before you go. To submit your event to Coming Up, email editor@ocgnews.com. We choose events that are free or a nominal cost to our readers.

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Monks welcome community for annual fun run

JUNE 17, 2017 • PAGE 5 DeKalb Deficit continued from page 1

$1.298 billion to $1.271 billion. The budget fully funds all currently filled positions (6,319) and partially funds an additional 155 positions for the rest of the year for a total of 6,474 employees. In addition to allocating additional funds toward the year-end reserve, the proposed budget adjustment calls for the redirection of existing funding for all new expenditures. More than $7.2 million of existing funding will be redirected to other operational needs and to fund public safety pay packages. Of this amount, $1.6 million is dedicated to the first phase of addressing public safety employee compensation. The budget passed in February dedicated $2.6 million of existing funding to a multi-departmental effort to remove debris, trash and grass from roadway drains. This midyear proposal expands that effort to include other aspects of blight reduction with an additional $1.2 million directed to the following:

Xavier Ly, 23 months old, and parents Julie and Steve Ly came to commemorate great-great uncle and founding father. Photos by Mackenzie N. Morgan/OCGNEWS

• $300,000 for a program of boarding and abating vacant buildings which have become eyesores in the community. · $50,000 for educational efforts. • $84,079 for three additional code compliance officers starting in October. • $401,700 for additional trucks and equipment to assist litter abatement crews. • $140,000 for uniforms, supplies and small equipment to be used in code enforcement, litter abatement, and Keep DeKalb Beautiful. • $160,290 to demolish approximately a dozen blighted houses. · $200,000 towards additional tree removal. Other unforeseen additions to the budget include: • $425,000 for the Sixth Congressional District special election and runoff. • $400,000 for emergency repairs of elevators at the West Exchange Building and an additional $434,000 in overall county repairs. • Redirection of $1.4 million of fire funding towards fire station repairs, security fencing, outfitting quick response vehicles, turnout gear and other operational needs. • $75,000 for maintenance and repair at the Lou Walker Senior Center. Thurmond presented his midyear 2017 proposal to the Board of Commissioners on June 12. A final vote by the BOC is scheduled for July 11.

Rob Henry said that he was very excited to participate in the Run with the Monks race for the first time

By Mackenzie N. Morgan

undreds of people showed up for the Monastery of the Holy Spirit’s eighth annual 5K in Conyers. This year, the monastery added an 8-mile endurance race to celebrate its eighth year hosting the

race. Before the race, many attendees joined the monks for a 7 a.m. prayer and mass at Abbey Church, located on the monastery’s campus. Runners and walkers trekked through woodlands while enjoying the serene and peaceful landscape of the monastery. After the race, participants were greeted with free, hot pancakes. Runners and walkers came in all shapes, athletic capabilities, and sizes but Xavier Francis Ly was the tiniest. Just a month shy from his second birthday, Xavier came to commemorate his great-great uncle, Father Francis Xavier Kavanaugh, who was one of the monastery’s founding fathers. His parents, Julie and Steve Ly, said they come every couple of years to honor their deceased relative. Proceeds of the event went to the Haiti Humanitarian Fund (HHF), which is sponsored by St. Pius X Catholic Church in Conyers.

Arabia Mountain Heritage Area Alliance offering Monastery tours The Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Rockdale County is offering tours every month on the fourth Saturday from June 24-Oct. 28. Docents will guide visitors on a remarkable journey through a place filled with purpose as visitors discover the spiritual landscape where Trappist monks live, work and pray in a community cloistered from the outside world. Sponsored by the Arabia Mountain Heritage Area Alliance, the two-hour tours will begin near the entrance to the Abbey Store. Participants will gain insight into the Abbey Church architecture and construction, marvel at hand-crafted stain glass and will be joined by a monk to visit spaces normally closed to the public. These tours give visitors a special opportunity to discover why the Monastery of the Holy Spirit is the spiritual gateway of the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area. The cost of the tour is $12 for participants ages 13 and over; children 12 and younger are free. Pre-registration is required and tickets can be purchased at http://monasterytours. brownpapertickets.com. For more information about the tour, contact Arabia Alliance Director of Interpretation Sarah Lisle at 404-998-8384 or sarah@arabiaalliance.org.

OB/GYN Women Specialists of Georgia, P.C. Advancing Health and Healing LLC 3951 Snapfinger Parkway #350, Decatur, Georgia 30035

PAGE 6 •JUNE 17, 2017 WWW.OCGNEWS.COM

Op/Ed

Protecting elders from abuse means paying attention to warning signs

une is Elder Abuse Awareness Month, and June 15, 2017 has been labeled World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Because elder abuse occurs in neighborhoods around the world, regardless of race, ethnicity, social or financial status, it is important to know how to identify warning signs, respond, and protect our elders. Elder abuse is an intentional act, or failure to act by a caregiver or another person in a relationship involving an expectation of trust that causes or creates a risk of harm to someone 65 years or older. Forms of elder abuse include: • Physical abuse (the intentional use of physical force that results in illness, bodily injury, physical pain, impairment, distress, or death) • Sexual Abuse

Clarence Cuthpert, Jr. Rockdale Probate Court Judge

(forced or unwanted sexual interaction of any kind with an older adult) • Emotional or psychological Abuse (verbal or nonverbal behavior that results in the infliction of anguish, mental pain, fear, or distress) • Neglect (failure by a caregiver or other responsible person to protect an elderly person from harm, or the failure to meet essential needs)

• Financial abuse or exploitation (illegal, unauthorized, or improper use of an older person’s resources by a caregiver or other person in a trusting relationship), Predatory individuals seek out vulnerable elders with the intent of exploiting them, take advantage of elders that are isolated and live alone, target recently widowed individuals or seek employment to gain access to an elder’s funds. Business professionals also take advantage of elders by overcharging for services, use deceptive or unfair business practices, and use their positions to gain trust from the vulnerable elder. Unfortunately, even family members are often the perpetrators or conspirators in the schemes to take advantage of their elder relatives. Perpetrators find

elders to be attractive targets for financial fraud and identity theft because they are likely to have physical or mental disabilities that make them dependent on others for help. Severely impaired individuals are also less likely to take action against their abusers because health issues such as immobility or the inability to communicate make it impossible. Technology advances also have made managing finances more difficult for elders as some are uneducated about their financial matters. If you are an elder who is being abused, neglected or exploited, tell at least one person. Tell your doctor, a friend, or a family member that you trust. If you suspect elder abuse, do not assume that someone else will take

care of it or that the person being abused is capable of getting help. Many seniors do not report the abuse they face for fear of retaliation from the abuser. Others believe that if they expose their abusers, no one else will take care of them. When the caregivers are their children, elders may be ashamed that their children are behaving abusively or blame themselves. In many cases, they just may not want their children or loved ones to be prosecuted. Nevertheless, regardless of the relationship or position of trust held by the perpetrator, the despicable acts classified as elder abuse should never go undetected or unpunished. Early detection and intervention could save an elder person’s life. Failure to act could result in their untimely death.

Annual golf tournament set to benefit DeKalb Medical O.R. “Act Like A Citizen, Think Like a Cop – Know Your Rights”

The DeKalb Medical Foundation will host its 23rd annual Charles B. Eberhart Memorial Golf Classic on Monday, Aug. 28, at the Atlanta Athletic Club in Johns Creek. Proceeds from the event will support updates to the operating rooms at DeKalb Medical. Improvements to the O.R. will include new equipment, such as tables, monitors and updated lighting. This new environment will streamline surgical procedures, reduce wait times and provide our patients with better care supported by the most advanced technology. This year, for the first time, the tournament will offer one flight with a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. The event is expected to sell out quickly. Dee Keeton, chair of the annual tournament, said the foundation is grateful for the support of the many participants and sponsors, and she expressed special gratitude to Baker Hostetler and Bendin Sumrall & Ladner LLC, who are serving as title sponsors. “We couldn’t do this event without the support of the community. Our title sponsors have given generously to ensure the success of this tournament,” she said. “DeKalb Medical is committed to providing specialized and personalized care for our patients, and we are excited that this tournament can help us better serve all those who turn to us for surgical needs.” Sponsorship opportunities for the golf tournament are being accepted until Friday, Aug. 11. Contact the DeKalb Medical Foundation at 404-501-1344 for more information about available sponsorship opportunities or view the sponsorship brochure online at www.dekalbmedical.org/foundation/events. For more information on registering your foursome, email: elisabeth.nark@dekalbmedical.org or call 404-501-1344. Course information and directions can be found on the course’s website, www.atlantaathleticclub.org.

seminar set

The Nancy Guinn Memorial Library, 864 Green St., will feature Conyers criminal defense attorney Gary Washington in his seminar entitled “Act Like A Citizen, Think Like a Cop – Know Your Rights.” The seminar, which is free and open to the public, will be held on Thursday, June 22, 6 p.m., in the library’s meeting room (lower level). Washington will discuss encounters with police officers, how to respectfully address them and how to effectively assert your rights. The seminar has been helpful for all ages especially our youth. For more information contact the Adult Services Department at 770- 388-5040, ext. 118.

Gary Washington

Rent-to-Own Heating & Air Program Expands for Summer Months The National Sustainable Energy Group (NSEG) has expanded its Rent-To-Own, Heating and Air Conditioning Program to include all homeowners in need of new energy efficient Goodman HVAC units. We have installed a record number of new heating and air conditioning units in Dekalb County said Percy Brooks, CEO of the NSEG. This week we have completed a record number of 1800 new installations. Over 850 homeowners have purchased new energy efficient Goodman HVAC units in DeKalb County this year. The program has 5000 slots available. Qualification for approval: Homeowner property taxes must be current. Monthly payments range from $89.95 to $109.95 depending on the size of the heating & air conditioning unit and upgrades. No down payment. The program meets the EPA requirements for the phase-out of the refrigerant commonly known as Freon. We view our Rent To Own Heating and Air Conditioning Program as one of the finest in the country for homeowners said Brooks. We are expecting to see a record high of 80+ days of temperatures in the high 80’s and 90’s this summer season. Our goal is to improve the quality of life for homeowners. Our customer testimonials have been heartfelt said Brooks. We needed an alternative financing option for homeowners with less than perfect credit, who paid their property taxes on time, but couldn’t obtain traditional consumer financing for new HVAC service. We all hit speed bumps in life said Brooks. Homeowners in bankruptcy with current property taxes are eligible as well. Phone Number: 404-220-8719 Percybrooks.meb@live.com www.hvachomesystem.com

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MARTA receives national rail safety award

ATLANTA—MARTA is celebrating top honors for heavy rail safety. The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) recognizes rail systems from across North America for excellence in operations, security and safety for both light and heavy rail services. This year, MARTA received the GOLD Award for Safety in Heavy Rail from APTA, which highlights the Authority’s commitment to performance quality, best practices, and safety standards. Ridership, expanding access, advances in engagement and overall success in helping to improve system safety also factor into the award selection process. “This is a huge honor for MARTA as we continue to work to provide the safest, most affordable transportation option in our region,” said MARTA

GM/CEO Keith Parker. “This is a well-deserved distinction that truly reflects the efforts of all our employees and confirms what many Georgians already know: MARTA delivers safe, high-quality transit options.” During this month’s 2017 APTA Rail Conference in Baltimore, Maryland, MARTA’s enhancements in Wayside Access/Standard Operating Procedures and Right of Way (ROW) protocol upgrades were also noted as the Authority’s major accomplishments in safety. “MARTA’s success is a reflection of the attention to detail and daily dedication to safety shown by each of our 5,000 employees in providing the essential services that the entire Atlanta region depends on,” said Elayne Berry, MARTA AGM of Safety & Quality Assurance.

JUNE 17, 2017 • PAGE 7

Pictured L-R: APTA Chair Doran Barnes; MARTA AGM of Safety & Quality Assurance Elayne Berry; MARTA GM/CEO Keith T. Parker; Dave Springstead, MARTA AGM of Capital Programs; and APTA Acting President/CEO Richard White.

Costley Mill Park continued from page 3

“This is probably the most beautiful piece of property in Rockdale County and I can’t be more thrilled about bringing it into our park system,” Williams said. “It has already got a re-creation of an old historic town there. It’s got a pavilion, the creek comes down and there is a little bit of a waterfall there. There’s places to picnic and it is really pretty.” Post 1 Commissioner Sherri L. Washington also said she is excited about the purchase of the park. “The park is absolutely beautiful,” she said. “It is some place you can take not just your family or friends. We can have family reunions there. We can have retreats there. It is well on its way to being our chair’s destination location here in Rockdale County. Hats off to the leadership and the vision. I know that this is a long time coming and I’m glad to be sitting here. It is a beautiful facility, and I think the residents of Rockdale County are going to greatly enjoy it.” Nesbitt said the county plans to maintain historic components of the park and Costley

Mill’s beautiful, rustic look, which is attractive to the film industry. “One of the key points of economic development is this particular location attracts a lot of the movie and film industry into our own backyard here in Rockdale County,” Nesbitt said. “So that’s another opportunity for revenue generation. They look for the look that we have out at Costley Mill.” The BOC is expected on June 27 to formally adopt a resolution authorizing the execution of financial documents to complete the purchase of the park. Nesbitt said once the deal is finalized, the county plans to host a Community Day to allow residents to enjoy the park free of charge. The county will announce its fee schedule for use of the property in the near future. For now, anyone who wants to use the facility should follow the park’s existing fee schedule and procedures.

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Youth litter patrol makes clean sweeps through Rockdale neighborhoods

Rockdale County has launched a youth cleanup crew this summer to help pick up litter throughout the community. The 12 youths, who are working under adult supervision during the six-week program, are

concentrating their efforts on residential communities. They are earning $8 per hour for the part-time jobs. Rockdale Board of Commissioners Chairman Oz Nesbitt said he welcomes the crew of young people. The

City of Atlanta hires nearly 1,000 summer interns

The City of Atlanta has hired nearly 1,000 Atlanta youths this summer for internships offering practical experience in all city departments and mentorship opportunities with city leaders. The interns are graduating high school seniors and college students. As an extension of the internship program, the City of Atlanta launched its Youth Summer Engagement Pilot Program, which will hire 45 potentially at-risk youth, ages 1517, allowing them to learn the skills required to be competitive for a permanent position or similar job in the future. More than 90 percent of the participants were recommended by the Atlanta Police Department (APD), Department of Parks and Recreation and members of the Atlanta City Council. “I am proud to offer unique work opportunities to the next generation of leaders which will enhance their academic, career and professional development,” said Mayor Kasim Reed. “One of my top commitments as Mayor is to ensure that our young people have the tools they need to succeed. The City of Atlanta is offering 1,000 hands-on internships which will focus on mentorship, character building, project management and team building skills – essential assets of a professional.” In early 2017, the City of Atlanta initiated a citywide youth engagement strategy, which consisted of a comprehensive needs assessment. The purpose of the assessment was to create and implement new strategic intervention mechanisms for potentially at-risk teens. As an initial approach, Atlanta Police Department Chief Erika Shields worked with APD Zone Commanders to identify youth offenders. In addition, the Department of Parks and Recreation identified students with poor school performance or attendance and school suspensions. Once individuals were selected, city officials surveyed the group to asset their needs. One key consensus among the teens was the desire to have access to work opportunities and to earn income. “I am pleased to offer work opportunities to these young people at such an important point in their lives,” said Reed. “By engaging these individuals with meaningful work now, our hope is that we can support these teens and ensure they realize their full potential.”

Dad,

Happy Father’s Day

ou are the definition of a father and your unconditional love has inspired and pushed us to succeed. Thank you for teaching us how to navigate life and always being present. You are cherished and loved by your wife, children, and grandchild. Happy Father’s Day! Love, Denise Kenner, Maurice & Erica Kenner, Roderick & Karen Scott

youths, he said, are enhancing the county’s stepped-up efforts to clean up the county now that it has hired a code enforcement officer. Rockdale held a community-wide cleanup on June 10. Several county

employees and department heads joined volunteers from the community to pick up trash. Photos from the event are available at the On Common Ground News (Official) Facebook page.

Atlanta launches ATLPlus street parking program to replace PARKAtlanta

he City of Atlanta has selected SP Plus Corporation (SP+) to manage the city’s on-street parking program, ATLPlus. The new company selected replaces ParkAtlanta as manager of the city’s on-street parking program. SP+ is a leader in parking management, ground transportation and ancillary services. SP+ will provide parking enforcement, meter maintenance, collection and citation processing services. “The City of Atlanta is pleased to announce the launch of a new, customer-based parking experience with ATLPlus,” said Mayor Kasim Reed. “With the addition of upgraded equipment and integration of smartphone apps, ATLPlus will minimize the time it takes for residents and visitors to safely and legally park their vehicles. In addition, customers will now have an opportunity to dispute tickets through an administrative review process. We are confident that SP Plus will bring a new level of experience and service to parking in our city.”   For the first time, ATLPlus will allow customers up to 14 days to contest a citation online, in person or by mail. Each contested citation will be reviewed by the Department of Public Works’ Administrative Review Process. The purpose of this process will be to determine if the citation is valid or invalid. This will provide increased oversight of SP+ and rapid feedback regarding the validity of a parking citation. Administrative reviews will be conducted by specially trained staff in the Department of Public Works and within 15 business days each contested citation will be reviewed and individuals will be notified of the validity of their parking citation. Citations that are invalid will be dismissed, while citations that are upheld can be paid or further disputed at the Atlanta Municipal Courts. SP+ will upgrade the City’s 2,400 metered parking spaces—ultimately, providing residents and visitors with a state-of-the-art smart parking system. Immediate upgrades include the conversion to a program using license plate recognition technology for enforcement. Over the coming months, SP+ plans to meet with neighborhood stakeholders to discuss the impact of the new program, enhanced customer service and operational efficiency. “We are excited to have earned the City’s trust to make needed improvements to this valuable public service. Our objective will be to enhance the parking experience for customers by deploying new equipment while our staff maintains the southern hospitality for which Atlanta is known,” said Thomas Hagerman, executive vice president for SP Plus. “We’re excited about the enhanced benefits customers can expect from ATLPlus,” said Department of Public Works Commissioner William Johnson. “The City’s new parking program is designed to enhance the customer parking experience, and users will benefit from the convenient payment options and the technological and safety improvements. The new program will also connect customers to the on-site customer service team who can quickly assist with equipment issues or answer questions.”

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resh Georgia peaches, anyone? Check out the Lithonia Farmer’s Market on Sundays, noon to 4 p.m., June through September 2017 at 6920 Main Street, Lithonia.

Lithonia Mayor Deborah Jackson welcomes residents and visitors to the market. More photos by Glenn L. Morgan at On Common Ground News(Official) Facebook.

JUNE 17,2017 • PAGE 9

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Aiken, S.C. murder suspect arrested in DeKalb The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Fugitive Unit located and arrested a suspect wanted in connection with a murder in Aiken, South Carolina. Tobias Thomas, 20, was arrested on June 15. Warrants issued on May 26 by the City of Aiken allege that Thomas shot Kalief C. Bey with a handgun on Brandt Court in Aiken, causing his death. DeKalb Sheriff’s investigators found Thomas in a residence near Decatur, Georgia and arrested him without incident. He is charged with murder and possession of a weapon during commission of a violent crime. Thomas is being held at the DeKalb County Jail awaiting extradition by the City of Aiken.

Tobias Thomas

DeKalb Sheriff’s Fugitive Unit arrests Decatur Waffle House murder suspect A Columbus, Georgia man suspected of shooting a woman on June 13 at a Flat Shoals Parkway Waffle House Restaurant in Decatur, Georgia, is in custody after being arrested by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit and the Columbus Police Fugitive Unit. A warrant was issued on June13 for Anthony Henderson Perryman, 27, of Columbus, Georgia on a charge of felony murder in the death of Tanya Dunlap. The warrant alleges that Perryman shot Dunlap in the head, threatened witnesses who observed the incident, and fled the scene. Investigators were able to locate and arrest Mr. Perryman at a residence near Columbus and transport him to the Muscogee County Jail without incident. Perryman will be brought back to DeKalb County to face the murder charge.

Decatur Arts Alliance issues call for artists for Decatur Artway Sculptures The Decatur Arts Alliance seeks sculptures to be placed in five locations within walking distance of downtown Decatur as part of the ongoing Decatur Artway celebration of public art. The sculptures are on view for two years and easily accessible to hundreds of people each month who come to Decatur to shop, dine, work, or attend the year-round calendar of events and festivals. In addition, the art and artists are featured on the Otocast App. Selected artists will receive an honorarium of $2,000, and in addition, the artwork may be available for sale. All submissions should be professionally constructed of durable materials that will withstand the elements. All durable outdoor media are encouraged. Deadline for submission is July 15 and the jury will make the selection of sculptures in August, 2017. Submit your application through ‪callforentry. com (CaFE). The Decatur Artway is a partnership among the Decatur Arts Alliance, the Decatur Tourism Bureau, and the City of Decatur. Once installed the show will feature a special Gallery Opening with a walking tour of the sculptures and an artist talk by the selected artist(s) at his/her specific sculpture. The Decatur Artway began in September 2015 with five temporary sculptures in downtown Decatur and continued in 2016 with the placement of five more sculptures in Oakhurst. The new sculptures will be on display in downtown Decatur from October, 2017 through September, 2019. For information, visit decaturartsalliance.org.

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JUNE 17,2017 • PAGE 11

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Classifieds $25 for 30 Words Call 678-526-1910 NOTICE

The City of Stonecrest Mayor & City Council does hereby announce that the millage rate will be set at a meeting to be held at the Stonecrest Library, 3123 Klondike Road, Lithonia, GA., on Wednesday, July 5, 2017 at 10:00a.m. and pursuant to the requirements of 48-5-32 does hereby publish the following presentation of the current year's tax digest and levy, along with the history of the tax digest and levy for the past five years. CURRENT 2017 TAX DIGEST AND 5 YEAR HISTORY OF LEVY CITY OF STONECREST 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Real & Personal

1,196,001,654

Motor Vehicles Mobile Homes Timber - 100% Heavy Duty Equipment Gross Digest

Less M& O Exemptions

421,075,461

Net M & O Digest State Forest Land Assistance Grant Value

Adjusted Net M&O Digest

774,926,193

0 0

Gross M&O Millage

774,926,193

0.000

1.000

Less Rollback (LOST) Net M&O Millage Total Taxes Levied Net Taxes $ Increase Net Taxes % Increase

0.000

1.000

$774,926

#DIV/0!

0.00%

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