FREE VOLUME 24 NUMBER 15
JUNE 2, 2018
News 24/7
ocgnews.com
Stay connected
Published Since April 1995
Serving DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale Counties
Hundreds of friends, teachers and teammates joined family members to grieve and console each other at a candlelight vigil that filled an entire cul-de-sac in Trevon Richardson’s Ellenwood community on May 30. Photos by Travis Hudgons.
facebook.com/ocgnews
Freddie Richardson holds a banner of his son, Trevon, while surrounded by family members and his wife, Nicole, during the candlelight vigil.
Cedar Grove High community mourns loss of football, track star Trevon Richardson among four metro Atlanta teens dead after the school year ends
D
By Travis Hudgons and Valerie Morgan
ozens of balloons were released as a South DeKalb County community gathered to remember 18-year-old Trevon Richardson. Hundreds of friends, teachers and teammates joined Richardson’s family members at a candlelight vigil that filled an entire cul-de-sac in Richardson’s Ellenwood community on May 30. Richardson, a football and track standout at Cedar Grove High School, graduated on May 24. Four days later, on Memorial Day, DeKalb Police found Richardson’s body lying in the parking lot of The Life
at Peppertree Circle Apartments in Decatur around 9 p.m. Police arrested 18-year-old Detavion McDay on May 31 and charged him with murder in connection with his Trevon’s death, according to DeKalb police spokeswoman Shiera Campbell. Trevon’s parents, Freddie and Nicole Richardson, struggled to express their grief. In less than a week, they went from celebrating the high school graduation of their youngest son to mourning his tragic death. Trevon was set to attend Valdosta State University in the fall “Every time there’s a graduation, someone gets killed or goes to jail,” Freddie Richardson said. “My body is numb—it hasn’t
registered yet,” Trevon’s mother said. “It didn’t have to be that way.” Four teens have been killed as a result of gun violence since the school year ended in May. Joshua Torrance, who was a star athlete on the fencing team at The B.E.S.T. Academy in Atlanta, was shot in the back on May 27, three days after graduating. He was reportedly walking away from an argument when he was killed in the 2400 block of MLK Jr. in the apartment complex where he lived. Torrance was set to attend Albany State University. In the city of South Fulton, 16-year-old Grant Antonio Payton and 19-year-old Tyree Johnson were shot to death, and a 15-year-old male
suffered a gunshot wound to his face. He survived. There has been an outpouring of condolences for Trevon Richardson on social media with those who knew Trevon using the hashtag #LLT (Long Live Trey). “He was a great kid,” said Cedar Grove Head Football Coach Jermaine Smith, while speaking about Trevon’s personality. “A comedian. He always had a joke—always tried to put a smile on others face.” “He didn’t want to hurt anyone. All he wanted to be was happy,” said former teammate Justin Shaffer. “My last time talking to him was Saturday and I told him be safe—I love you, bro.”
Deaths of two held at Rockdale County Jail sparks protest Activists demand removal of jail overseer, accountability from Sheriff Eric Levett, county commissioners
C
By Valerie J. Morgan ommunity activists are uniting to hold a march on June 9 to demand justice for Shali Tilson and Jamie K. Henry. Tilson, 22, and Henry, 40, died while in the custody of the Rockdale County Jail. The deaths occurred less than three months apart. “Clearly something is going on in this jail that the citizens of Rockdale County should be alarmed and concerned about,” said Attorney Mawuli Davis, who is representing the families of Tilson and Henry. Davis, who held a news conference outside of the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office on May 31, called the deaths “criminal neglect.” ilson died of complications from severe dehydration caused by blood clots that formed in his lungs during the nine days he was locked up on misdemeanor charges. Tilson died on March 12. Davis said Henry, who had a drug problem, died on May 26 after crying out and begging for help to no avail. Henry was found unresponsive in her cell after being locked up for about 12 hours, according to Sheriff’s spokesperson Yolande LovingoodMoore. The Douglasville woman
A news conference to address the deaths of Shali Tilson and Jamie K. Henry while in Rockdale County Jail was held outside of the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office on May 31. Photo by Glenn L. Morgan
was being held for Fulton County on a warrant. Lovingodd-Morre said Henry was arrested during a traffic stop in Rockdale while authorities were on the lookout for a vehicle involved in a burglary. The GBI is conducting an autopsy, LovingoodMoore said. Henry’s parents, who attended the press conference, said that their daughter has a 5-year-old son. Rockdale Sheriff Eric Levett was unavailable for comment for the news conference. Lovingood-Moore said he was on vacation.
“This is about neglect” “These are two deaths that were absolutely preventable,” Davis said. “We believe this is about neglect, a denial of proper medical attention. “Someone is allowing sick people to die at the jail. That’s criminal.” Davis said he expected that some immediate action would have taken place at the jail after the Georgia Bureau of Investigations released its findings on May 24 stating that Tilson had died as a result of “pulmonary thrombi due to dehydration.” Tilson
also had a bruise to the front of his head, which caused hemorrhaging on the back of his brain, Davis said. “It is our understanding (from independent medical experts) that for that level of dehydration, it would have to occur over at least a three-day period. For three days, Mr. Tilson would not have had any water, any fluids, which led to a blood clot forming in his lungs, which ultimately led to his death,” Davis said. “The people who are responsible for the jail have to be held accountable,” Davis said. “There has been no accountability. The person responsible for the daily operation of the jail is still in place.” Activists attending the news conference said Nikie Weathersby, the officer in charge of the jail, should be fired. Activists demand answers Thomas Brantley Jr., president of the Rockdale NAACP, said now that the GBI has released its report, several questions must still be answered including: Why was Tilson shackled? Why was he dehydrated for so long and what does the footage
SEE JAIL page 6
PAGE 2 • JUNE 2, 2018
WWW.OCGNEWS.COM
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/OCGNEWS
JUNE 2, 2018 • PAGE 3
State of the City Address Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary:
“Banner year for building the city”
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
By Valerie Morgan
S
tonecrest Mayor Jason Lary touted a “fully operational City Hall” and administration that is on track financially, during his state of the City Address on May 31. Lary said the city, which turned a year old in May, finished 2017 with a surplus of $200,000, thanks to CH2M, now known as Jacobs, which set up the administration of the new city. Lary said the city expects to see a surplus of $800,000 in this year’s $6.2 million budget. “It’s been a banner year for building the city: No tax increase and operational excellence,” Lary said. About 100 people, including Congressman Hank Johnson and his wife Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson, Commissioner Gregory Adams and DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond, attended the address, which was held at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church. Thurmond was the program’s guest speaker to celebrate the occasion. “Mayor Lary, we celebrate you. I congratulate you on the vision, the commitment and integrity,” Thurmond said. Thurmond encouraged Lary to remain steadfast in his vision. “You have to undersatand that you can’t give out and you can’t give up and you can’t never, never give in. You’ve got to fight for what you believe in,” Thurmond said. In presenting an overview of the city’s finances, Lary said the city collected in its first year: • Over $300,000 for business licenses • Over $180,00 for building permits and inspections
L-R: Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary stands with four of the five City Council members Diane Adoma, Rob Turner, Jimmy Clanton, George Turner during the State of the City address. Council Jazzmin Cobble was not present at the time of the picture but arrived later. Photo by Glenn L. Morgan
• Over $120,000 in excise taxes • Over $130,000 from franchise fees • The city was busy. He highlighted the following accomplishments: • 1,500 residential and commercial building inspection permits issued • Over 1,222 Code Enforcement actions • Over 50 planning and zoning actions • Over 1,150 land development inspections • Over 35 cases heard in Municipal Court • 7,000 calls received throughout April by the Stonecrest Contact Center Lary also expressed excitement for the Atlanta DeKalb Caribbean Carnival, which brought an estimated
Rockdale County deputy charged with stalking Rockdale County Deputy James Campbell has been arrested on stalking charges. Campbell’s arrest stems from a complaint filed with the Office of Professional Standards on May 19, 2018. The department’s Internal Affairs investigation was turned over to the Criminal Investigation Division. Campbell started work at the Rockdale County Sheriffs Office in April 2015. He is currently on paid administrative leave, said Yolande LovingoodMoore, Rockdale County Sherriff’s spokesperson. Campbell was arrested on May 27 without incident.
James Campbell
25,000 people to the city for the Memorial Day weekend. Lary praised Vaughn Irons for the collaborative effort with Atlanta Sports City, to bring a parade of 3,000 participants and a day-long festival that turned into a night-time party in the parking lot of the former Kohl’s building at the Mall at Stonecrest. The event was colorful and orderly, said Lary, who along with the city council members, rode in the parade. There were no known disorderly incidents and business boomed for many merchants. Lary said economic development, building strategic partnerships and establishing a senior advisory council and millennial advisory council are among the city’s top priorities this year. To watch the video of Mayor Lary’s address, visit ocgnews.com.
Free homebuyers’ resource fair set at New Life Community Ministries In celebration of Homeownership Month during June, Morningstar Urban Development is presenting the Free Super Saturday Homeownership Education & Resource Fair on Saturday, June 9, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., at New Life Community Ministries, 3592 Flat Shoals Road, Decatur. The workshop is for first-time homebuyers seeking to qualify for the best home loans and down payment assistance programs available. Participants will be able to get firsthand knowledge about mortgage products, qualifying, resources to increase credit scores, health and homeownership, the current real estate market and more. Free lunch will be provided to those who register. Walk-ins are OK. Free parking available. To register for the workshop: https://homeownership2017.eventbrite.com or 678-318-3676.
PAGE 4 • JUNE 2, 2018
WWW.OCGNEWS.COM
DeKalb to host Stonecrest recycling roll cart event The DeKalb County Sanitation Division, in partnership with the city of Stonecrest, will host a recycling roll cart exchange event on Saturday, June 16, 9 a.m. – noon, at Stonecrest City Hall, 3120 Stonecrest Blvd., Stonecrest. During the event, existing recycling subscribers will have the opportunity to complete the mandatory recycling roll cart exchange process by trading in an 18-gallon recycling bin for a complimentary 35-gallon recycling roll cart, or upgrading to a 65-gallon recycling roll cart for a one-time $15 prepaid fee. New recycling subscriptions can also be processed during the event. Only 500 roll carts will be available, and requests will be processed on a first-come, firstserved basis. Participants unable to obtain a roll cart during the event can submit a completed subscription form on-site. The roll cart requested
will be delivered to the service address within 15 business days after the event. All event participants are required to complete a recycling subscription form, which can be obtained by visiting www.dekalbsanitation.com, and will be available at the event. Roll cart exchange requests can also be
submitted on an ongoing basis by mail, online by visiting www.dekalbsanitation.com, in person at the Sanitation Division’s administrative office located at 3720 Leroy Scott Drive, Decatur, Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., or by emailing sanitation3720@dekalbcountyga.gov. A recycling subscription form must be completed, and is available online. The exchange process must be completed by Dec. 28, 2018. DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management team members will also be on-site to provide fats, oils and grease (FOG) educational information. For more information, contact the Sanitation Division’s customer service team at 404-2942900 or sanitation@dekalbcountyga.gov, visit www.dekalbsanitation.gov, or follow the Sanitation Division on Twitter @DKalbSanitation.
DeKalb School District welcomes graduates to free 2018 summer transition centers Recent DeKalb County School District (DCSD) graduates can learn more about college entry, military enrollment, and entering the workforce courtesy of the Department of Student Advancement's Summer Transition Centers (STC). STCs are scheduled to open June 4 at locations throughout DeKalb County. The free centers offer assistance in finalizing college paperwork, receiving financial aid, answer questions about what to do after high school, college application, and reviewing other
options. “When a student graduates from a DeKalb County high school, we make sure they have the tools needed to succeed at the next level available,” said Superintendent/ CEO Dr. R. Stephen Green. "The success of our graduating seniors is among our top priorities--their success reflects and validates our duties as educators. Our students remain a valued part of the DeKalb County School District family even after graduation.” STC sites are designed to combat the ‘summer melt,’ a
Harvard-studied phenomenon in which 10-40 percent of collegeintending students—particularly students with low-income backgrounds—fail to enroll in college the following semester for various reasons. Six STC sites— Cedar Grove High, Cross Keys High, Lithonia High, McNair High, Miller Grove High and Redan High—will be open to DCSD graduates at varying times until June 21. At least one postsecondary transition specialist, college advisor and financial aid advisor will be available to students.
Friends of Stonecrest to meet June 4 The Friends of Stonecrest Library will hold its bi-monthly meeting on June 4, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., The group is seeking public input and volunteers to serve on various committees. If you are unable to attend this meeting, please send email friendsofstonecrest@gmail.com to volunteer for one of the committees: Book Sales; Hospitality; Fundraising Membership; Publicity.
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/OCGNEWS
JUNE 2, 2018 • PAGE 5
Nine DeKalb School District students earn state level media awards Podcasts. Web design. Live action. Animation. Photography. Interactive stills. These are all classifications of ‘new media,’ which provide the building blocks of modern entertainment, business, and government. In other words, they provide a foundation for the industries of tomorrow. Students from the DeKalb County School District recently proved they produce such media at the highest level by earning state level recognition. Nine students from three schools—Barack H. Obama Elementary Magnet School of Technology, DeKalb Early College Academy (DECA), and DeKalb Academy of Technology and Environment (DATE)—participated in the 2018 Georgia Student Media Festival on May 11, 2018. The Georgia Student Media Festival celebrates outstanding student-produced media projects by hosting a school, district and state level competitions. Each year, thousands of students craft websites, podcasts, animations, and more before submitting them for judging. Entries are judged for their excellence in production, writing, creativity, lighting, and overall impact, earning such
distinctions as ‘merit,’ ‘superior’ and ‘Best in Show’. This year, DECA student Sheri Akinniyi won both a ‘superior’ rating and ‘Best in Show.’ Her website, The Albany Movement: March Toward Racial Unification, received a perfect score of 100 out of 100. Akinniyi was joined by DECA classmates Jasmine Martin and Moontashir Siam, who earned ‘superior’ and ‘merit’ distinctions, respectively. Martin’s Interactive Stills project, Graffiti: The All-American Art Form received a score of 99; Siam’s Live Action project, The Failed Compromise During the 1919 Paris Peace Conference, was scored 92 by judges. DATE student Aman Michael earned a ‘superior’ rating for his podcast, Bud Not Buddy. The project scored 97 out of 100. Barack H. Obama Magnet students Marcus Sistrunk, Zion Griffin, Kobe Stokes, Kennedi Johnson and Aziyah Washington received scores ranging from 92 to 96, earning various ‘superior’ and ‘merit’ ratings in the Podcast and Sequential Stills categories. The students’ projects bore such titles as Expectations from Obama Scholars, Obama Scholars, Whose Boo is Whose, Water Cycle, and Gymnastics.
This year, DECA student Sheri Akinniyi won both a ‘superior’ rating and ‘Best in Show.’ Photo provided
The Fellowship of Jesus Christ Church to host fish and chicken fry
Rockdale County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Terry Oatts–accompanied by his wife Yolanda, daughter Teryn, and son Landon–is sworn in by Rockdale County Superior Court Judge Robert Mumford.
New Rockdale schools’ superintendent sworn in Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) welcomed new Superintendent Dr. Terry Oatts, who was sworn in May 30, at a special called meeting by the Rockdale County Board of Education. Rockdale County Superior Court Judge Robert Mumford administered the oath of office. A 24-year education veteran, Oatts most recently served as Assistant Superintendent of Student Achievement in Fayette County Public Schools, where he had worked since 2014. During his tenure in Fayette County, Oatts led the district’s development of a new five-year strategic plan and took the lead in the development of his district’s Strategic Waiver application, which was successfully approved by the State Board of Education. Additionally, Oatts, a state credentialed TKES/LKES Trainer, facilitated Fayette’s transition to
the Teacher Leader Effectiveness evaluation system. Oatts holds a B.S. degree in Communication Arts and three graduate degrees in education, all from Georgia Southern University. His doctoral degree is in Curriculum Studies with an emphasis in Educational Leadership. Oatts has authored several publications including two books, one on the achievement gap and one on the educational philosophy of W.E.B. Du Bois. The latter research was cited in the Journal of American History in 2004. Oatts also co-authored a widely disseminated article in 1999 in the Journal Education on the diagnostic disparities between ADHD and Conduct disorder involving African American adolescent males and their counterparts. Oatts is married to, Yolanda Oatts, a middle school educator. They have three children.
The Fellowship of Jesus Christ Church will be selling fried fish and fried chicken dinners for $10 on June 8, 11 a.m – 3:30 p.m, 1181 Lester Road, Suite C-1, Conyers. The meals will include your choice of whiting, tilapia or chicken; a choice of two sides: potato salad, coleslaw or baked beans; hushpuppies or sliced bread. For dessert, choose either sweet potato pie or pound cake and your choice of beverages: Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, orange soda or water. To place orders, contact Vanessa Loyd: 770-713-6122. There also will be a youth car wash on June 9, 8 a.m., at Napa Auto Parts Store, 1881 Highway 138 NE, Conyers. Donations of $10 will be accepted.
PET OF THE Week
DeKalb County Animal Services Pet of the Week is a 50-pound lap dog named Monty. This 5-year-old sweetheart is happiest when he is around humans, and he loves everyone he meets. Monty is also a smart boy and has learned his sit, stay and down commands and he is eager to learn more. He also loves any kind of treat, but he’d love you even more. Come meet Monty today at DeKalb County Animal Services, and she’ll give you plenty. Simply drop by 3280 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, email adoptions@ dekalbanimalservices.com or call 404-294-2165.
PAGE 6 • JUNE 2, 2018 WWW.OCGNEWS.COM
Party in the streets
Colorful feathered costumed and lively Caribbean music filled the streets around The Mall at Stonecrest. Several thousand people lined up to witness the Atlanta DeKalb Caribbean Carnival parade, on May 26. The Memorial Day weekend event has celebrated 30 years in the Atlanta area and has grown tremendously over time, according to organizers. Photos by Travis Hudgons. More photos from this event can be found online at www.ocgnews.com
JAIL continued from page 1
from the Conyers Police body cameras show when Tilson was arrested. “There is definitely a concern with this jail. The citizens of Rockdale County are very, very concerned and very disturbed about what is going on,” Brantley said. “…As a leader of this community, we are going to be asking the D.A. to press charges to the fullest of the law for both families.” Tiffany Roberts, who is with the Southern Center for Human Rights, said medical care and humane treatment are basic human rights. “In any case where a jail, which is charged with the custody of incarcerated people, fails to provide basic human rights, someone has to be held responsible… Anytime a mother has to grieve for a child for a misdemeanor offense for which he probably should have been released, someone has to be held accountable… We shouldn’t have two deaths in the custody of one jailer in 10 years, let alone one year, let alone three months.” County officials’ silence is condemned Leonard Jones, Jr., national spokesperson for the New Order National Human Rights Organization, blasted the Rockdale County Board of Commissioners for their silence concerning the two deaths. He said the three commissioners have done nothing for the families. “It is a shame and a disgrace that these deaths have occurred at the Rockdale County Jail,” Jones said. “Nesbitt, Washington and Williams, you will not be there, if you do not get involved. It is a shame in Rockdale County that misdemeanors are turning into deaths because you have neglected to perform your duties.” Betty Maddox Battle, founder of GRIEVE (Grieving Relatives In Every Violent Event), called Tilson’s and Henry’s deaths “horrific.” Battle’s son, Michael Anthony Maddox, was murdered in 1993, and she attended the news conference to show support for the mothers. “We have to speak up for those who have been murdered,” Maddox said. “Someone needs to ask
the past.” “If you have family members or friends in this jail house, you need to come and visit them on a regular basis until this is solved. Their life is in danger,” Haynes continued. “I pray that these two families get the justice that they deserve, and those that are and should be held accountable are taken to the full and just limits of the law… And that someone will step up and run for office and fix this problem,” Haynes said. Conyers businessman Garvin Haynes. Photo by Glenn L. Morgan
Community urged to push for changes
questions, and we as grieving mothers have to speak for our loved ones who have been murdered, whether they were murdered in the streets or murdered in the jail or wherever.” Nathan Knight, president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference for DeKalb County, urged the community to unite and demand justice. “We’re asking that the community let their voices be heard… A change must take place. The chief jailer in this system must be replaced. She needs to be replaced now. We want justice for the families,” Knight said. Josie Dean, who heads A Black Man Never Forgets and the Rockdale County Think Tank, said she was upset with the inaction on the part of Sheriff Levett. “I personally called him (Sheriff Levett) when this first happened to let him know to bring it to the community, to have a press conference and talk to the citizens,” said Dean. “He said he was waiting on the paperwork. I let him wait on the paperwork. I have not heard anything else and now a second death. It’s no excuse anymore.” Garvin Haynes, a Conyers businessman, said Rockdale citizens should be outraged and he also blamed Sheriff Levett for the deaths. “The responsibility is not just with the jailer; it is with the sheriff,” Haynes said. “It is at the head, and we should be ashamed as citizens of this county to have this happen. It has not happened in
Donald Ferguson, who ran against Sheriff Levett in 2016, said he plans to run for the office again in 2020. He said problems have plagued the jail, recalling that an inmate died as a result of a nose bleed. “I believe that an outside entity such as the GBI or FBI needs to come in and investigate the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Department,” Ferguson said. “That is my suggestion to the community as a resident here and also as a candidate for sheriff. There needs to be an outside investigation of the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office.” Diamond Tilson, Shali Tilson’s sister, called on the community’s support for the march for justice for her brother and Jamie Henry. “His death was preventable. Jamie Henry’s death was preventable,” Tilson said. “I want the community to come out and support us on June 9 because we need to put an end to this negligence.” Amber Young, who said she was Shali Tilson’s best friend and business partner, thanked supporters who attended the news conference and called for justice for Tilson and Henry. Attorney Davis said his hope is that the march will be a national effort. He said a group from North Carolina is planning to join the growing list of organizations that will lead the march. The march will be held June 9, 3 p.m., starting at Pine Log Park, 1451 Pine Log Road N.E., Conyers. Marchers will walk to the Rockdale Sheriff’s Office.
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/OCGNEWS
MAY 26, 2018 • PAGE 7
On Common Ground News Marketplace PIZZA
RESTAURANT
HAIR
LAWN CARE
SUMMER CAMP
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
HEALTH SERVICES
HEALTH SERVICES
LEGAL
CREDIT REPAIR
YOUR AD
PAGE 8 • MAY 26, 2018
WWW.OCGNEWS.COM
We cater to the entire family. Gum Treatments Tooth Colored Fillings Oral Surgery Cosmetic Bonding & Veneers Crowns, Bridges & Dentures Root Canals Implants We Accept Most Insurance Plans Peachcare & Medicaid Emergency Walk-In Time Available
900 N. Hairston Rd. Suite B Stone Mountain, GA 30083 404-294-8500 Spalding Gentle Dentistry 6460 Spalding Drive Norcross, GA 30092 770-849-0006