VOLUME 23 NUMBER 14
FREE
JULY 7, 2017
Published Since April 1995 Serving DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale Counties • www.facebook.com/ocgnews
Blue Breeze cards to expire, MARTA’s silver Breeze cards take effect
Stonecrest finalizes lease for new City Hall at Strayer University building
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he city of Stonecrest has finalized its lease agreement for its new City Hall, which will be located in the Strayer University building at 3120 Stonecrest Blvd., city officials announced at the July 5 City Council meeting. City officials said the agreement with Stonecrest MARTA is reminding customCenter LLC includes a ers to upgrade to the new silver 3,000-square-foot suite that Breeze cards. After July 10, the will be used until the buildblue Breeze cards will no longer out of the 12,500-square-foot be accepted at MARTA fare read- City Hall space. Both, the ers. The new silver cards, which temporary suite and City can be purchased for $2, offer Hall, will be located on the added security to combat fraud first floor of the Strayer and abuse. building. The City Hall space is expected to be completed “Although we first introaround October or November, duced our new cards in January Harris said. of last year, we still have a few Officials said they plan remaining customers who haven’t to begin accepting applicafully converted to our new silver tions for business licenses at Breeze cards,” said MARTA GM/ its temporary offices starting CEO Keith Parker. “We want to Monday, July 10. Office hours encourage everyone to upgrade will be Monday through Frito the silver Breeze card to help day from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. minimize any confusion on July City officials completed the lease agreement on Friday, 10.” June 30, following the City The silver Breeze cards are available at MARTA RideStores, Council’s approval authoriz-
Mayor Jason Lary stands in front of the Strayer University building, the site of the new Stonecrest City Hall. Photo by Glenn L. Morgan/ OCG News
ing Mayor Jason Lary to move forward in finalizing details with T. Dallas Smith Corp., which was hired to negotiate the lease on behalf of the city. The city had considered proposals from the Mall at Stonecrest and DeKalb Hillandale Oncology Center. “I just want to know when I get my key,” Mayor
Jason Lary said excitedly. “This facility really is a dream come true. There are new cities that had to be located in the basement of somebody’s building first while they were being established and here, we’re getting Class A space for our meetings and where we’re going.” Although the city will
online at breezecard.com, or any Breeze vending machine located at all 38 rail stations. Unexpired balances must be transferred by July 9. After that date, all balances will be forfeited and the blue Breeze cards officially will be phased out of operation. “We are pleased to offer this heightened technology that reflects current industry standards,” MARTA Chief Information Officer Ming Hsi said. “A more secure card decreases the likelihood of fraud or other abuse that can be detrimental to our customers.” The silver Breeze cards will be compatible with the other local and regional transit systems including CobbLinc, the Georgia Regional Transit Authority (GRTA), Gwinnett County Transit The Stonecrest City Council unanimously voted for no new taxes at the July 5 meeting. Photo by Glenn (GCT) and the Atlanta Streetcar.
begin conducting business at the new site, city council meetings will continue to be held at the Stonecrest Library, 3123 Klondike Road, until the renovation is completed, City Manager Michael Harris said. In addition to the free See City Hall, page 5
No new taxes for City of Stonecrest
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July 10 – Silver Breeze cards go into effect. The blue Breeze cards are no longer valid. MARTA Customer Service is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.: 404848-5000. Silver Breeze cards can be purchased for $2 at MARTA RideStores, www.breezecard. com or any of the Breeze vending machines located at the 38 rail stations.
L. Morgan/ OCG News
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ielding to pleas from the business community and others, the Stonecrest City Council unanimously adopted a zero millage rate, effectively voting down a proposed 1 percent millage increase. The council reached its decision on July 5 after holding its third and final public hearing as required by law. No one spoke in favor of the increase at any of the hearings. Homeowners who currently have homestead exemption would not have been impacted by the increase because the 1 percent homestead exemption would have offset the hike and the net effect would have been zero. Owners of
The 1 percent millage increase would have raised about $750,000 and served as a buffer for additional revenues, said Cobble, who had expressed concern over the newly-formed city having enough revenues to cover its expenses. She did not comment on the proposal at the City Council meeting before casting her vote. Mike McClinton, who owns Robert’s restaurant, said he was extremely pleased that the council voted unanimously not to increase taxes. McClinton, one of the few small businesses who spoke at the public hearing, said every new tax has dealt him a blow. “I am grateful for their decision,” said McClinton. “They said they were going to create a government where they could hear from the people. I feel like they really listened to what we had to say and they value the businesses that are here.” commercial and rental property, howevCouncil member Rob Turner said er, are ineligible for homestead exempthat while he would continue to work to tion and would have been required to pay avoid raising taxes, he could not promise the increase. that would always be the case. “We would be taxing one segment “We’ve been hearing throughout of this town over the other. That’s why these public hearings that we promised we’ve seen so much pushback,” Maynot to raise taxes. That has never been or Jason Lary said in explaining why my promise. I said I would do my best he voted against the proposed millage to keep taxes low and look for alternarate increase. “We said we were going tive options,” Turner said. “Realistically, to grow together. We said no new taxtaxes will be raised eventually. Better es when we formed the city. We made services require tax supplements.” that promise and that is my reason for a City Council member Jimmy Clanresounding no vote.” ton said he made his decision because he City Councilwoman Jazzmin Cobble had requested the hearings to give the See Taxes, page 5 public a chance to voice their opinions.